Naturopathic Practitionor Herbologist, Medical Technologist, Massage Therapist

TREATING COMMON AILMENTS WITH HERBS

Addictions-Lobelia(Lobelia cardinalis)
Known as cardinal flower, lobelia was used for years to treat stomachache and syphilis. Today this herb is used for asthma and as an expectorant for bronchitis. It is said thatNative Americans smoked lobelia inflanta to break the nicotine addiction.

Milk Thistle -(Silybum marianum)
Milk thistle has been used for centuries as a liver tonic. Studies conducted in the 1970s indicated that seed extracts helped regenerate liver cells damaged by alcohol and other drugs. Milk thistle protects the liver from toxin damage.

Sleep Tea
Lincoln Hospital in New York City developed a combination of herbs, called Sleep Tea, to assist people who are withdrawing from drugs to sleep. The mixture contains chamomile, peppermint, catnip, skullcap, hops, and yarrow. The tea, according to Michael O. Smith, M.D. the center’s director is used to promote relaxation and to treat insomnia. It is also effective in aiding alcohol detoxification if taken hourly. According to Dr. Smith, these herbs are not habit forming and do not carry a risk from overdose or misuse.

Aging

Fo-Ti/Ho shou wu (Polygonum multiflorum)
Used as a rejuvenating tonic in China, Fo-Ti is said to prevent hair from turning gray and helps people maintain strength and vitality as they age.

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)
By promoting the flow of blood to the brain, ginkgo helps increase mental clarity and memory. In a French study the efficacy of this Asian herb for treating disorders of the brain due to aging was found to be promising. Another study showed that ginkgo improved mobility, communication, short-term memory, and orientation. Among those who took ginkgo regularly, those previously unable to walk because of pain were able to do so, and some increased the distances they could walk pain –free by 30-100 percent. Circulation was also greatly enhanced.

Appetite Control

Cayenne (Capsicum frutescens)
Cayenne mixed into a cup of boiling water twice a day helps stimulate the appetite.
Cayenne does irritate the stomach and kidneys if overused.

Guayusa (Ilex guayusa)
Animal studies have shown that an herbal preparation made from the leaves of this plant reduces uncontrolled appetite considerably.

Asthma
Baical Skullcap/Huang qin (Scutellaria baicalensis)
In laboratory studies of guinea pigs, baical skullcap root has been shown to be effective in treating allergic asthma.

First used more than 3,000 years by the Chinese, ginseng has been called the miracle herb. There have been more than 300 original papers published on the versatile benefits of this herb. The French started using it for asthma many years ago, and it is often used as an overall tonic for the entire body.

Lobelia (Lobelia cardinalis)
Known as cardinal flower, lobelia was used for years to treat stomachache and syphilis. Today this herb is used for asthma and as an expectorant for bronchitis. It is said that Native Americans smoked lobelia inflanta to break the nicotine addiction.

Parsley (Petroselinum sativum)
Although the effects of parsley have not undergone rigid laboratory studies, our grandmothers and great-grandmothers often used parsley as an expectorant for coughs and asthma. Steep leaves in boiling water to create a tea. Several herbalists caution that pregnant women should not use parsley juice or oil.

Poke Root (Phytolacca Americana)
A robust perennial herb that is indigenous to the eastern United States, poke root is used to treat asthma, boils, intestinal worms, cramps, and stomach ulcers. The herb is said to be effective in treating parasites in both animals and humans.

Herbs and Cancer
Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus)
Known in America as milk vetch, in Chinese medicine astragalus root is commonly used to treat severe qi deficiency. It builds resistance. It is often combined in prescription with ginseng, white atractylodes, dang shen , cinnamon, and Jujube date.

In recent years astragalus has become famous for treating the side effects of Western cancer therapies. When used for such purposes, it is often prescribed in doses about 30 grams or more a day, which is higher than the common dose. Astragulus is sometimes used as a substitute for the more expensive ginseng.

Burdock (Arctium lappa)
Two studies have reported anti-tumor activity in animals given burdock. The National Cancer Institute has studied this herb fourteen times, with one sample showing anti-tumor activity in the mouse leukemia system. Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis) this versatile herb is frequently used in China for cancer treatment. In American herbalism it is used to treat several conditions including problems of the lungs and breast.

Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia)
There have been more than 350 studies done on this very popular herb, also known as purple cornflower, which seems to stimulate the immune system. In laboratory tests the herb has been shown to increase the number of immune system cells or T cells developing cells in bone marrow and lymphatic tissue.

Evening primrose oil can help lessen the pain of inflammation. It is especially good for ameliorating inflammation of the intestine.

Ginseng (Panax ginseng)
The revered Chinese herb, now popular on American shores, has many uses and is often considered an all-purpose herb that can be combined with others. Some studies indicate that it enhances the immune system and reduces stress. There have been few problems reported by people taking ginseng, but it is advised that pregnant or nursing woman or those with HTN not take this herb.

Mistletoe (Viscum album)
Both crude mistletoe and Iscador, a liquid extract from the mistletoe plant marketed by Weleda AG, Switzerland and Germany, have been studied extensively with animal subjects and have been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Mistletoe has been used to treat tumors for sixty years in other countries. Helmut Kiene using homeo-sapiens has demonstrated the anti-tumor effects of this herb in 36 studies. These results are supported by studies involving animals with tumors. Other than a skin rash in some patients, there were few side effects from the treatment, as opposed to the side effects of more conventional cancer treatments, including radiation and chemotherapy.

Although Weleda has a branch in the U.S., it does not sell Iscador, because the product has not been approved for sale in the U.S.

Rehmannia(Rehmannia glutinosa)
Cooked Rehmannia root is often used in China to treat anemia and fatigue and to promote the healing of injured bones.

Shitake Mushrooms (Lentinula edodes)
In China and Japan shitake is known as an anti-cancer herb and has been shown to slow the growth of cancerous cells in animals.

Sweet Violet (Viola odorata)
Since 500 B.C. violets, especially the fresh leaves have been recommended for use in a poultice to treat surface cancer.

COLDS AND UPPER RESIRATORY INFECTIONS

Echinaccea/Purple Coneflower (Echinacea angustifolia)
Native Americans introduced this herb as a snakebite potion.One of the most highly researched herbs, echinaccea is now very popular because of its immune-enhancing properties. European studies indicate that Echinacea is very effective in treating colds, flu and candida.

Ephedra/Ma huang (Ephedra sinica)
Traditionally used by the Chinese to treat asthma, this herb acts as a stimulant and should be avoided by people with HTN. Ma huang is found in many natural cold remedies, but compounds derived from this herb are also found in over-the –counter cold and allergy medications.

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus)
The oil of this plant has been used for many things. For years it has been placed in steam to relieve the effects of cold and flu. It is found in over the counter cough drops.When rubbed on the skin, eucalyptus oil provides some pain relief from arthritis. It should not be taken internally.

Fenugreek (Trigonella graecum)
Dating back to Hippocrates, fenugreek has been a popular folk remedy for colds and sore throats. In a study conducted in India, the pulverized seeds of this herb were shown to reduce blood sugar in insulin-dependent individuals.

Lobelia(Lobelia cardinalis)
Known as cardinal flower, lobelia was used for years to treat stomachache and syphilis.
Today this herb is used for asthma and as an expectorant for bronchitis. It is said thatNative Americans smoked lobelia inflanta to break the nicotine addiction.

Pueraria/Ko Ken (Pueraria lobata)
Chinese practitioners to treat flu, colds, and gastrointestinal conditions have used Pueraria.

Rabbit Tobacco(Gnaphalium obtusifolium)
Used first by the Lumbee Indians, rabbit tobacco is said to cause profuse sweating. This herb is a native plant of the eastern United States and is said to treat colds, flus, neuritis, asthma, coughs, and pneumonia.

Sweet Flag (Acorus Calamus)
This root has been used to treat gas, colds, coughs, sore throats, and headache.Early Native American tribes thought that sweet flag was a panacea for most ailments.

Wild Chrysanthemum Flower/ye ju hua(Chrysanthemum indicum)
Also used to treat HTN, this herb has been proven effective in treating colds and bronchitis. In one study of 1,000 individuals, wild chrysanthemum flower was made into tea and given to five groups. –There were two who rarely got colds—this herb was taken once a month, twice a month or every week. When compared to the past history the incidence of colds decreased by 14%. Simultaneously another study examined bronchitis with 119 cases. There was a 38% reduction than the previous year.