There is a lot of terminology, I've been throwing out there when using herbs and I know it can be quite confusing to many who don't really understand what these terms are, so to start us off this week I will be explaining these different terms for you to better your understanding of what herbs actually do.
We'll start of with the simple ones, such as diuretic, which is term used to describe a substance that causes urination. The way it works is, that the kidneys have what are called "gates" where water is withheld to keep the body hydrated, this is usually a good thing, however, urination is one of the primary ways the body releases toxins produced within itself. Diuretics are mostly commonly used to help flush out toxins by "opening" those "gates" and allowing the water to pass through.
The next term is actually a set of two Antiseptic, and Antibacterial. While not exactly the same, one helps prevent infection, usually associate with the skin, the "septic" part represents sepsis, which is a life-threatening infection. Antibacterial (Also known as antibiotic), on the other hand can stop internal bacterial infection, everything from E. coli to streptococcus, as well as bacteria on the skin.
Another good term to know is Analgesic, which is another name for a pain killer, or pain reliever. The word analgesia, is the state of being relieved from pain.
Here are some more:
Diaphoretic - Causes increased sweating, useful for relieving the body of toxins through the sweat.
Anticatarrhal - Reduces or relives mucous or congestion
Adaptogen - Helps the body take on stress, and supports healthy function
Antioxidant - prevents the breakdown of tissues and stops "oxidation" meaning, it prevents cells from dying.
Anti-inflammatory - Stops inflammation and swelling, inflammation being tissue that has become irritated, on skin it often is accompanied by redness and "heat" to the area.
Antihemorrhagic - Reduces or stops bleeding
Antispasmodic - Relieves muscle cramps or reduces muscle tone, to prevent cramping
Astrigent - It tightens the mucous membranes of the skin, which can stop bleeding, and reduce secretions such as sebum or skin oil. Typically used on the face, neck and chest.
Laxative - The other side of the diuretic, this causes bowel movements.
Bitter - A term used primarily for herbs that aid in digestion, typically have a "bitter" taste.
Demulcent - Coats and soothes body surfaces such as mucous membranes, like those in the digestive tract.
Antirheumatic - Relieves rheumatic symptoms, pain, stiffness, inflammation, swelling, etc.
Aphrodisiac - Excites the libido, causes sexual arousal.
Antiemetic- Reduces or relieves nausea and sickness.
Autoimmune- When the immune system attacks the body because it believes there are foreign attackers.
Ayurveda -Traditional Indian and Sri Lankan medicine
Carminative- Relieves gas, bloating, and indigestion.
Depurative- A specific detoxifying agent.
Detoxification - The removal of toxins from the body
Emetic - Causes vomitting
Stimulant - Increases activity in the body.
Sedative - Reduces activity, slowing down nerves. (Can help ease anxiety, as well as pain)
Relaxant - Relaxes the body.
Emollient - Softens or soothes the skin.
Expectorant - Stimulates coughing to remove phlegm from the throat
Antifungal - Relieves or prevents fungal infection.
Estrogenic - Has estrogen like effects on the body.
Antidepressant - Helps to ease or stop depressive or sad moods.
Antitumor - Prohibits or slows the growth of tumors.
Immune-enhancer - A substance that helps to boost the immune system
Styptic - A term referring to a substance that stops bleeding
-----
Aerial - The above-ground parts of the plant
Tuber - Swollen part of an underground stem (ex. Potato)
Rhizome - A horizontal, underground stem that puts out shoots to grow new plants, and roots to aid water uptake
Wild-crafting - Gathering herb material from the wild.
Tincture - A form of herbal preparation where herb material is soaked
in either alcohol or vinegar for a length of time before being strained
and taken daily with a dropper.
Infusion - Another name for making tea, by pouring boiling water over herb material.
Decoction - Similar to an infusion, however requires boiling the herbs in with the water over a heat source.Tonic- Has a restorative reaction within the body, restoring tissues or organs.
(More preparations will be mentioned on my preparation page.)
Hopefully this clears up a lot of the terminology commonly used in herbal medicine, there are many more, this was just to give you a base idea of what a lot of it means. There is a term for almost any kind of effect an herb or drug has on the human body. There are also many ways to prepare herbs to have these effects.
For example an herb such as one used for bug bites pr stings and skin irritation (Such as Broad-leafed Plantain) is best used made into a poultice, which requires crushing the fresh herb (Often times with a little bit of water) and applying it to the affected area.
We will discuss the different types of preparations on my next post a long with a page dedicated to making the different preparations.
~Lindsey Shemwell (The Budding Botanist)
Monday, June 29, 2015
Friday, June 26, 2015
Herbs to Know: Goldenseal
Common Name(s): Goldenseal
Scientific/Latin Name: Hydrastis canadensis
Place of Origin: North America
Commonly thought of: A Native American heal all.
Past Uses: Used by Native Americans for various health concerns such as skin diseases, ulcers, and gonorrhea. It was at one time used as a heal-all for infections, everything from eye to respiratory infections, as well as infectious diarrhea, even occasionally for treatment of cancer.
Active Constituents: berberine (For infections)
Medicinal uses: Used to treat various infections and prevent colds, though there is no scientific evidence to say it prevents colds or treats illness of any kind, it is still used religiously as an anti-bacterial to help treat eye infections, urinary infection, diarrhea, canker sores, and vaginitis. Sometimes used to boost the immune system and believed to have antiseptic properties and is often used to clean cuts and scrapes.
Usually used as: Teas, liquid or solid extract, tablets, or capsules
Growing/Wildcrafting: Highly endangered due to being over harvested because of high demand. If found in the wild (Native to Eastern North America) DO NOT HARVEST. In certain states it can land you a hefty fine. While difficult to find locally, you can purchase it online in the form of rhizomes. They can be fairly expensive because of the rarity of the plant and the time it takes to grow the plant to produce enough rhizomes. However rhizomes can be a much better choice to seeds as they are pre-established making them easier to grow.
Cautions: Safe for short term use by adults with very rare side effects including nausea and vomiting. There is very little information on using goldenseal long term and in high dosages, so proceed with caution if taking goldenseal long term or at higher dosage. Goldenseal should not be taken by pregnant or breastfeeding women, berberine, the active constituent is known to cause or worsen jaundice in newborns and could lead to a life threatening problem called kernicterus, caused by high dosages of Bilirubin (yellow pigment created as the body gets rid of old red blood cells) the Bilirubin can collect in the brain tissue and cause permanent brain damage, hearing loss, or even death. Therefore goldenseal should not be given to infants or young children.
Drug Interactions: Goldenseal interacts with a variety of different pharmaceuticals including blood thinners, Cyclosporine, Digoxin, Tetracycline, and various drugs such as those used in chemotherapy, some drugs that treat HIV, Viagra, Prozac, Allegra, and more.
Extra Notes: Some people believe that goldenseal will stop a positive test result on a drug test, however there is no proof of this to be true, and many studies have reported it being completely false.
How to make Preparations: Typically it is the underground part of the plant (Underground stem or root) that is dried to make preparations.
Sources:
"Goldenseal." NCCIH. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Apr. 2012. Web. 23 June 2015. -- Website Link
Ehrlich, Steven D., NMD. "Goldenseal." University of Maryland Medical Center. University of Maryland, 17 Mar. 2013. Web. 23 June 2015.-- Website Link
This is also a good source of information for those of you putting together your Materia Medica (← Find out how to make your own on the side bar page titled "Materia Medica").
~Lindsey Shemwell (The Budding Botanist)
Scientific/Latin Name: Hydrastis canadensis
Place of Origin: North America
Commonly thought of: A Native American heal all.
Past Uses: Used by Native Americans for various health concerns such as skin diseases, ulcers, and gonorrhea. It was at one time used as a heal-all for infections, everything from eye to respiratory infections, as well as infectious diarrhea, even occasionally for treatment of cancer.
Active Constituents: berberine (For infections)
Medicinal uses: Used to treat various infections and prevent colds, though there is no scientific evidence to say it prevents colds or treats illness of any kind, it is still used religiously as an anti-bacterial to help treat eye infections, urinary infection, diarrhea, canker sores, and vaginitis. Sometimes used to boost the immune system and believed to have antiseptic properties and is often used to clean cuts and scrapes.
Usually used as: Teas, liquid or solid extract, tablets, or capsules
Growing/Wildcrafting: Highly endangered due to being over harvested because of high demand. If found in the wild (Native to Eastern North America) DO NOT HARVEST. In certain states it can land you a hefty fine. While difficult to find locally, you can purchase it online in the form of rhizomes. They can be fairly expensive because of the rarity of the plant and the time it takes to grow the plant to produce enough rhizomes. However rhizomes can be a much better choice to seeds as they are pre-established making them easier to grow.
Cautions: Safe for short term use by adults with very rare side effects including nausea and vomiting. There is very little information on using goldenseal long term and in high dosages, so proceed with caution if taking goldenseal long term or at higher dosage. Goldenseal should not be taken by pregnant or breastfeeding women, berberine, the active constituent is known to cause or worsen jaundice in newborns and could lead to a life threatening problem called kernicterus, caused by high dosages of Bilirubin (yellow pigment created as the body gets rid of old red blood cells) the Bilirubin can collect in the brain tissue and cause permanent brain damage, hearing loss, or even death. Therefore goldenseal should not be given to infants or young children.
Drug Interactions: Goldenseal interacts with a variety of different pharmaceuticals including blood thinners, Cyclosporine, Digoxin, Tetracycline, and various drugs such as those used in chemotherapy, some drugs that treat HIV, Viagra, Prozac, Allegra, and more.
Extra Notes: Some people believe that goldenseal will stop a positive test result on a drug test, however there is no proof of this to be true, and many studies have reported it being completely false.
How to make Preparations: Typically it is the underground part of the plant (Underground stem or root) that is dried to make preparations.
Sources:
"Goldenseal." NCCIH. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Apr. 2012. Web. 23 June 2015. -- Website Link
Ehrlich, Steven D., NMD. "Goldenseal." University of Maryland Medical Center. University of Maryland, 17 Mar. 2013. Web. 23 June 2015.-- Website Link
This is also a good source of information for those of you putting together your Materia Medica (← Find out how to make your own on the side bar page titled "Materia Medica").
~Lindsey Shemwell (The Budding Botanist)
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Herbs to Know: Feverfew
Common Name(s): Feverfew, Bachelor’s Buttons, Featherfew
Scientific/Latin Name: Tanacetum parthenium
Place of Origin: Eastern Europe
Commonly thought of: As it's name suggests, for fevers.
Past Uses: Fevers, various aches (Stomach, tooth, head), insect bites, infertility, female problems (Menstruation, child birth)
Parts Used: The aerial (above ground parts) are commonly used. Typically the leaves and occasionally the flowers and stems are used dried to make capsules, tablets, and liquid extract. The leaves are sometimes eaten fresh.
Active Constituents: Contains an anti-inflammatory called Parthenolide, which is believed to also have anti-cancer properties. However after further study we are unsure what gives Feverfew it's medicinal properties.
Medicinal uses: Newer uses include migraine headaches, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, allergies, asthma, tinnitus, dizziness, vomiting, and nausea. While it has been used for these purposes, there is very little research to say just how effective feverfew is at treating these medical issues. There are some studies that suggest it can help relieve migraines, and some that say it can help with mild rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. While it was once used to treat fevers, it was found to not be very effective for that purpose.
Usually used as: Capsules, tablets, liquid extract
Dosage:
"Pediatric
Don’t give feverfew to children under 2.
For older children, ask your doctor whether feverfew is safe for your child. Your doctor will determine the right dose.
Adult
For migraine headaches: Studies have used 50 - 100 mg daily, standardized to contain 0.2 - 0.35% parthenolides. Feverfew may be used to prevent or stop a migraine headache. Feverfew supplements may also be carbon dioxide extracted. For these, one study used 6.25 mg, 3 times daily, for up to 16 weeks"
-University of Maryland Medical Center
Growing/Wildcrafting: It grows in North America, however it is more common to find it in Eastern Europe and is more commonly grown instead of wild crafted in the U.S.
Cautions: Taking feverfew one might experience, abdominal pain, indigestion, gas, diarrhea, nausea vomiting, and nervousness. People taking it fresh have reported mouth sores, loss of taste, swelling of the lips, tongue, and mouth. Like all herbs allergic reaction may occur, people with allergies to ragweed, chamomile, or yarrow should not take feverfew. Do not take feverfew if you are on blood-thinners as it may increase the risk of bleeding. Pregnant women or women who are nursing and children under the age of two should not take feverfew. While taking feverfew it is important that you do not stop taking it abruptly if you've already been taking it for more than a week. It can cause returning migraines, fatigue, muscle stiffness, anxiety, and joint pain.
Extra Notes:
"During the Middle Ages, people believed that feverfew can clean the air and protect against plague, malaria and bite of mad dogs."
-Facts from Softschools.com --Website Link
Where to find Recipes:
"Feverfew Tincture
Ingredients:
Herbs, fresh or dried
Alcohol, vodka or Everclear
*DO NOT use rubbing alcohol*
Directions:
For fresh herbs, chop plant material (stems and leaves) and flowers.
Fill your jar. For dried herbs, fill half of your jar.
Add enough alcohol to your jar to cover the herbs, plus another inch. I prefer Everclear, especially for fresh herbs. Cover with a lid. Shake every other day.
Label your jar with date and ingredients. Place in a cool, dark place for 4-6 weeks. Once your tincture is ready, strain through a coffee filter or cheesecloth into a dark (amber) jar. If you do not have a dark jar, leave in a dark place."
-Back to the Basics -- Website Link
How to make Preparations: Typical preparations use dried herb, either put in capsules, made into tablets, or made into liquid extract by either essential oil, or tincture.
Sources:
"Feverfew." NCCIH. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Apr. 2012. Web. 23 June 2015. -- Website Link
Ehrlich, Steven D., NMD. "Feverfew." University of Maryland Medical Center. University of Maryland, 7 May 2013. Web. 23 June 2015.-- Website Link
This is also a good source of information for those of you putting together your Materia Medica (← Find out how to make your own on the side bar page titled "Materia Medica").
~Lindsey Shemwell (The Budding Botanist)
Scientific/Latin Name: Tanacetum parthenium
Place of Origin: Eastern Europe
Commonly thought of: As it's name suggests, for fevers.
Past Uses: Fevers, various aches (Stomach, tooth, head), insect bites, infertility, female problems (Menstruation, child birth)
Parts Used: The aerial (above ground parts) are commonly used. Typically the leaves and occasionally the flowers and stems are used dried to make capsules, tablets, and liquid extract. The leaves are sometimes eaten fresh.
Active Constituents: Contains an anti-inflammatory called Parthenolide, which is believed to also have anti-cancer properties. However after further study we are unsure what gives Feverfew it's medicinal properties.
Medicinal uses: Newer uses include migraine headaches, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, allergies, asthma, tinnitus, dizziness, vomiting, and nausea. While it has been used for these purposes, there is very little research to say just how effective feverfew is at treating these medical issues. There are some studies that suggest it can help relieve migraines, and some that say it can help with mild rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. While it was once used to treat fevers, it was found to not be very effective for that purpose.
Usually used as: Capsules, tablets, liquid extract
Dosage:
"Pediatric
Don’t give feverfew to children under 2.
For older children, ask your doctor whether feverfew is safe for your child. Your doctor will determine the right dose.
Adult
For migraine headaches: Studies have used 50 - 100 mg daily, standardized to contain 0.2 - 0.35% parthenolides. Feverfew may be used to prevent or stop a migraine headache. Feverfew supplements may also be carbon dioxide extracted. For these, one study used 6.25 mg, 3 times daily, for up to 16 weeks"
-University of Maryland Medical Center
Growing/Wildcrafting: It grows in North America, however it is more common to find it in Eastern Europe and is more commonly grown instead of wild crafted in the U.S.
Cautions: Taking feverfew one might experience, abdominal pain, indigestion, gas, diarrhea, nausea vomiting, and nervousness. People taking it fresh have reported mouth sores, loss of taste, swelling of the lips, tongue, and mouth. Like all herbs allergic reaction may occur, people with allergies to ragweed, chamomile, or yarrow should not take feverfew. Do not take feverfew if you are on blood-thinners as it may increase the risk of bleeding. Pregnant women or women who are nursing and children under the age of two should not take feverfew. While taking feverfew it is important that you do not stop taking it abruptly if you've already been taking it for more than a week. It can cause returning migraines, fatigue, muscle stiffness, anxiety, and joint pain.
Extra Notes:
"During the Middle Ages, people believed that feverfew can clean the air and protect against plague, malaria and bite of mad dogs."
"Fresh leaves and stem of feverfew are used as a source of light yellow-green pigment that can be used for the coloring of wool." | ||
"Flowers of feverfew emit strong, pungent odor that repels bees. They can be used as insect repellent in the gardens." | ||
"Feverfew is perennial plant that can survive more than 2 years in the wild" |
Where to find Recipes:
"Feverfew Tincture
Ingredients:
Herbs, fresh or dried
Alcohol, vodka or Everclear
*DO NOT use rubbing alcohol*
Directions:
For fresh herbs, chop plant material (stems and leaves) and flowers.
Fill your jar. For dried herbs, fill half of your jar.
Add enough alcohol to your jar to cover the herbs, plus another inch. I prefer Everclear, especially for fresh herbs. Cover with a lid. Shake every other day.
Label your jar with date and ingredients. Place in a cool, dark place for 4-6 weeks. Once your tincture is ready, strain through a coffee filter or cheesecloth into a dark (amber) jar. If you do not have a dark jar, leave in a dark place."
-Back to the Basics -- Website Link
How to make Preparations: Typical preparations use dried herb, either put in capsules, made into tablets, or made into liquid extract by either essential oil, or tincture.
Sources:
"Feverfew." NCCIH. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Apr. 2012. Web. 23 June 2015. -- Website Link
Ehrlich, Steven D., NMD. "Feverfew." University of Maryland Medical Center. University of Maryland, 7 May 2013. Web. 23 June 2015.-- Website Link
This is also a good source of information for those of you putting together your Materia Medica (← Find out how to make your own on the side bar page titled "Materia Medica").
~Lindsey Shemwell (The Budding Botanist)
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Herbs to Know: Ginkgo
Common Name(s): Ginkgo
Scientific/Latin Name: Ginkgo biloba
Place of Origin: China
Commonly thought of: An herb to stimulate the brain or circulatory system
Past Uses: Ginkgo leaves at one time were used to help a number of illnesses including respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis and asthma, it was also used to help fatigue and tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
Active Constituents: flavonoids and terpenoids
Medicinal uses: It is often used today because it is believed is supports mental health and is believed to help alzheimers, however recent studies have all but disproved this completely, as many participants in the studies showed no change or improvement to their alzheimer's or dementia. However there are studies that show it can help with intermittent claudication, otherwise known as pain in the legs caused by narrowing arteries. It is also used to treat sexual dysfunction, multiple sclerosis, and other health problems.
Dosage:
"Pediatric
Ginkgo should not be given to children.
Adult
It can take 4 - 6 weeks to see any effects from ginkgo. Ask your doctor to help you find the right dose.
Memory problems and Alzheimer's disease: Many studies have used 120 - 240 mg daily in divided doses, standardized to contain 24 - 32% flavone glycosides (flavonoids or heterosides) and 6 - 12% triterpene lactones (terpenoids).
Intermittent claudication: Studies have used 120 - 240 mg per day."
-University of Maryland Medical Center
Usually used as: Capsules, extract, tablets, and tea
Growing/Wildcrafting: While it can be grown in certain climates in North America, is primarily imported from China where it originated. Guide to Identifying, Harvesting, and Preparing Ginkgo
Cautions: May cause headaches, nausea, stomach upset, diarrhea, dizziness, and allergic skin reactions to those who have an allergy to the plant. There is some evidence to suggest it may heighten bleeding risk, so you should not take it before surgery (Up to two weeks before) or if you are on any kind of blood thinner. A study done on rats and mice showed an increase in tumors after being given ginkgo extract for around 2 years, there is no science to show what might happen to people when on Ginkgo for prolonged periods of time.
Extra Notes: It is sometimes used to reverse the sexual performance problems that can accompany taking certain antidepressants called SSRIs (Such as Prozac).
Where to find Recipes:
Ginkgo Tea -- Martha Stewart
Often times the nuts are harvested and eaten or used in recipes.
How to make Preparations: Leaves are primarily used in making ginkgo preparations. These can be used in a tincture or extract, and dried to be made into tea or put in capsules.
Sources:
"Ginkgo" NCCIH. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, June 2013. Web. 23 June 2015. -- Website Link
Ehrlich, Steven D., NMD. "Ginkgo biloba" University of Maryland Medical Center. University of Maryland, 13 Dec. 2010. Web. 23 June 2015.-- Website Link
"Ginkgo: MedlinePlus Supplements." U.S National Library of Medicine. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 22 Apr. 2015. Web. 23 June 2015.
This is also a good source of information for those of you putting together your Materia Medica (← Find out how to make your own on the side bar page titled "Materia Medica").
~Lindsey Shemwell (The Budding Botanist)
Scientific/Latin Name: Ginkgo biloba
Place of Origin: China
Commonly thought of: An herb to stimulate the brain or circulatory system
Past Uses: Ginkgo leaves at one time were used to help a number of illnesses including respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis and asthma, it was also used to help fatigue and tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
Active Constituents: flavonoids and terpenoids
Medicinal uses: It is often used today because it is believed is supports mental health and is believed to help alzheimers, however recent studies have all but disproved this completely, as many participants in the studies showed no change or improvement to their alzheimer's or dementia. However there are studies that show it can help with intermittent claudication, otherwise known as pain in the legs caused by narrowing arteries. It is also used to treat sexual dysfunction, multiple sclerosis, and other health problems.
Dosage:
"Pediatric
Ginkgo should not be given to children.
Adult
It can take 4 - 6 weeks to see any effects from ginkgo. Ask your doctor to help you find the right dose.
Memory problems and Alzheimer's disease: Many studies have used 120 - 240 mg daily in divided doses, standardized to contain 24 - 32% flavone glycosides (flavonoids or heterosides) and 6 - 12% triterpene lactones (terpenoids).
Intermittent claudication: Studies have used 120 - 240 mg per day."
-University of Maryland Medical Center
Usually used as: Capsules, extract, tablets, and tea
Growing/Wildcrafting: While it can be grown in certain climates in North America, is primarily imported from China where it originated. Guide to Identifying, Harvesting, and Preparing Ginkgo
Cautions: May cause headaches, nausea, stomach upset, diarrhea, dizziness, and allergic skin reactions to those who have an allergy to the plant. There is some evidence to suggest it may heighten bleeding risk, so you should not take it before surgery (Up to two weeks before) or if you are on any kind of blood thinner. A study done on rats and mice showed an increase in tumors after being given ginkgo extract for around 2 years, there is no science to show what might happen to people when on Ginkgo for prolonged periods of time.
Extra Notes: It is sometimes used to reverse the sexual performance problems that can accompany taking certain antidepressants called SSRIs (Such as Prozac).
Where to find Recipes:
Ginkgo Tea -- Martha Stewart
Often times the nuts are harvested and eaten or used in recipes.
How to make Preparations: Leaves are primarily used in making ginkgo preparations. These can be used in a tincture or extract, and dried to be made into tea or put in capsules.
Sources:
"Ginkgo" NCCIH. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, June 2013. Web. 23 June 2015. -- Website Link
Ehrlich, Steven D., NMD. "Ginkgo biloba" University of Maryland Medical Center. University of Maryland, 13 Dec. 2010. Web. 23 June 2015.-- Website Link
"Ginkgo: MedlinePlus Supplements." U.S National Library of Medicine. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 22 Apr. 2015. Web. 23 June 2015.
This is also a good source of information for those of you putting together your Materia Medica (← Find out how to make your own on the side bar page titled "Materia Medica").
~Lindsey Shemwell (The Budding Botanist)
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Herbs to Know: Ginseng
Common Name(s): Ginseng, Asian (Or Korean)Ginseng
Scientific/Latin Name: Panax ginseng
Place of Origin: Korea (Asia)
Commonly thought of: An energy booster
Past Uses: At one time used to improve the health of people recovering from illness, increasing stamina, improving mental and physical performance, erectile dysfunction, hepatitis C, symptoms related to menopause, and controlling blood pressure.
Medicinal uses: May lower blood glucose, used as an immune system booster against colds and flu, to improve heart health (Studies suggest it may improve symptoms of heart disease) it may also decrease bad LDL cholesterol levels and raise good HDL cholesterol. It is believed to lower blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes (However the studies are not clear at it should only be taken under supervision of a doctor). Mental alertness and performance are two of the biggest uses for Ginseng as well as physical performance. Erectile dysfunction and fertility, menopause symptoms, and even cancer, as several studies suggest it may reduce the risk of certain cancers (liver, lung, pancreatic, stomach, and ovarian, however the studies weren't completely sure if it wasn't also a healthy diet that benefited towards the lower cancer risk.
Active Constituents: ginsenosides (or panaxosides)
Usually used as: The dried root used in teas, tablets, capsules, and extracts. Occasionally used topically as creams.
Growing/Wildcrafting: American Ginseng can be found in North America and it is possible to wild craft it. Asian Ginseng must be purchased or grown. Guide for growing Panax ginseng.
Cautions:
"Asian ginseng may cause nervousness or sleeplessness, especially if taken at high doses or combined with caffeine. Other side effects are rare but may include:
People with high blood pressure should not take Asian ginseng products without their doctor's supervision. People with low blood pressure, as well as those who are sick, should use caution when taking it.
People with bipolar disorder should not take ginseng, because it may increase the risk of mania.
People with autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or Crohn's disease, should ask their doctors before taking Asian ginseng. Theoretically, Asian ginseng may boost an already overactive immune system.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not take Asian ginseng. Asian ginseng may cause vaginal bleeding.
Women who have a history of breast cancer should not take ginseng.
Stop taking Asian ginseng at least 7 days prior to surgery. Asian ginseng may act as a blood thinner, increasing the risk of bleeding during or after a procedure."
-University of Maryland Medical Center
Drug Interactions:
"If you are currently taking any of the following medications, you should not use Asian ginseng without first talking to your health care provider:
~ACE inhibitors (blood pressure medications) -- Asian ginseng may interact with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors used to lower high blood pressure. These medications include:
~Caffeine -- Ginseng may make the effect of caffeine stronger, possibly causing nervousness, sweating, insomnia, or irregular heartbeat.
~Diabetes medications, including insulin -- Ginseng may lower blood sugar levels, increasing the risk of hypoglycemia or low blood sugar.
~Drugs that suppress the immune system -- Asian ginseng may boost the immune system and may interact with drugs taken to treat an autoimmune disease or drugs taken after organ transplant.
~Stimulants -- Ginseng may increase the stimulant effect and side effects of some medications take for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, including amphetamine and dextroamphetamine (Adderall) and methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin).
~MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) -- Ginseng may increase the risk of mania when taken with MAOIs, a kind of antidepressant. There have been reports of interaction between ginseng and phenelzine (Nardil) causing headaches, tremors, and mania. MAOIs include:
~Furosemide (Lasix) -- Some researchers think Asian ginseng may interfere with Lasix, a diuretic (water pill) that helps the body get rid of excess fluid.
~Other medications -- Asian ginseng may interact with medications that are broken down by the liver. To be safe, if you take any medications, ask your doctor before taking Asian ginseng."
Extra Notes: There are two types of ginseng, Asian (Or Korean, known as Panax ginseng) and American (Known as Panax quinquefolius). There is also Siberian Ginseng which is not actually a ginseng and therefore does not have the same medicinal properties. It is believed that Asian Ginseng may raise blood glucose levels, and that American Ginseng lowers blood glucose levels. There are many studies but generally ginseng has not yet been confirmed to have the claimed medicinal qualities.
Where to find Recipes:
Ginseng Recipes -- Annie's Remedy
Ginseng Root Tea -- eHow Youtube Video
There are many recipes online that are non-herbal specific that include adding ginseng to vegetables, chicken, beef, or pork, which can still have the same health benefits depending on how it is cooked.
How to make Preparations:
Make tea by simmering dried root in water for 10-15 minutes. Tinctures made by chopping root (Dried or fresh) and covering with vodka or apple cider vinegar. Capsules made by buying the actual capsules (Vegetable or gelatin based) finely chopping dried materials and measuring each dose accordingly before placing into capsules. Extract made by using a carrier oil such as olive or grapeseed oil and covering the fresh or dried root in a jar, shaking daily for days or weeks, then straining and placing in colored bottle.
Sources:
"Asian Ginseng." NCCIH. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Apr. 2012. Web. 23 June 2015. -- Website Link
Ehrlich, Steven D., NMD. "Asian Ginseng." University of Maryland Medical Center. University of Maryland, 27 Jan. 2011. Web. 23 June 2015.-- Website Link
This is also a good source of information for those of you putting together your Materia Medica (← Find out how to make your own on the side bar page titled "Materia Medica").
~Lindsey Shemwell (The Budding Botanist)
Scientific/Latin Name: Panax ginseng
Place of Origin: Korea (Asia)
Commonly thought of: An energy booster
Past Uses: At one time used to improve the health of people recovering from illness, increasing stamina, improving mental and physical performance, erectile dysfunction, hepatitis C, symptoms related to menopause, and controlling blood pressure.
Medicinal uses: May lower blood glucose, used as an immune system booster against colds and flu, to improve heart health (Studies suggest it may improve symptoms of heart disease) it may also decrease bad LDL cholesterol levels and raise good HDL cholesterol. It is believed to lower blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes (However the studies are not clear at it should only be taken under supervision of a doctor). Mental alertness and performance are two of the biggest uses for Ginseng as well as physical performance. Erectile dysfunction and fertility, menopause symptoms, and even cancer, as several studies suggest it may reduce the risk of certain cancers (liver, lung, pancreatic, stomach, and ovarian, however the studies weren't completely sure if it wasn't also a healthy diet that benefited towards the lower cancer risk.
Active Constituents: ginsenosides (or panaxosides)
Usually used as: The dried root used in teas, tablets, capsules, and extracts. Occasionally used topically as creams.
Growing/Wildcrafting: American Ginseng can be found in North America and it is possible to wild craft it. Asian Ginseng must be purchased or grown. Guide for growing Panax ginseng.
Cautions:
"Asian ginseng may cause nervousness or sleeplessness, especially if taken at high doses or combined with caffeine. Other side effects are rare but may include:
- High blood pressure
- Insomnia
- Restlessness
- Anxiety
- Euphoria
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Nosebleed
- Breast pain
- Vaginal bleeding
People with high blood pressure should not take Asian ginseng products without their doctor's supervision. People with low blood pressure, as well as those who are sick, should use caution when taking it.
People with bipolar disorder should not take ginseng, because it may increase the risk of mania.
People with autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or Crohn's disease, should ask their doctors before taking Asian ginseng. Theoretically, Asian ginseng may boost an already overactive immune system.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not take Asian ginseng. Asian ginseng may cause vaginal bleeding.
Women who have a history of breast cancer should not take ginseng.
Stop taking Asian ginseng at least 7 days prior to surgery. Asian ginseng may act as a blood thinner, increasing the risk of bleeding during or after a procedure."
-University of Maryland Medical Center
Drug Interactions:
"If you are currently taking any of the following medications, you should not use Asian ginseng without first talking to your health care provider:
~ACE inhibitors (blood pressure medications) -- Asian ginseng may interact with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors used to lower high blood pressure. These medications include:
- Captopril (Capoten)
- Benazepril (Lotensin)
- Enalapril (Vasotec)
- Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril)
- Fosinopril (Monopril)
- Ramipril (Altace)
- Perindopril (Aceon)
- Quinapril (Accupril)
- Moexipril (Univasc)
- Trandolapril (Mavik)
- Amlodipine (Norvasc)
- Diltiazem (Cardizem)
- Nifedipine (Procardia)
~Caffeine -- Ginseng may make the effect of caffeine stronger, possibly causing nervousness, sweating, insomnia, or irregular heartbeat.
~Diabetes medications, including insulin -- Ginseng may lower blood sugar levels, increasing the risk of hypoglycemia or low blood sugar.
~Drugs that suppress the immune system -- Asian ginseng may boost the immune system and may interact with drugs taken to treat an autoimmune disease or drugs taken after organ transplant.
~Stimulants -- Ginseng may increase the stimulant effect and side effects of some medications take for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, including amphetamine and dextroamphetamine (Adderall) and methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin).
~MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) -- Ginseng may increase the risk of mania when taken with MAOIs, a kind of antidepressant. There have been reports of interaction between ginseng and phenelzine (Nardil) causing headaches, tremors, and mania. MAOIs include:
- Isocarboxazid (Marplan)
- Phenelzine (Nardil)
- Tranylcypromine (Parnate)
~Furosemide (Lasix) -- Some researchers think Asian ginseng may interfere with Lasix, a diuretic (water pill) that helps the body get rid of excess fluid.
~Other medications -- Asian ginseng may interact with medications that are broken down by the liver. To be safe, if you take any medications, ask your doctor before taking Asian ginseng."
-University of Maryland Medical Center
Extra Notes: There are two types of ginseng, Asian (Or Korean, known as Panax ginseng) and American (Known as Panax quinquefolius). There is also Siberian Ginseng which is not actually a ginseng and therefore does not have the same medicinal properties. It is believed that Asian Ginseng may raise blood glucose levels, and that American Ginseng lowers blood glucose levels. There are many studies but generally ginseng has not yet been confirmed to have the claimed medicinal qualities.
Where to find Recipes:
Ginseng Recipes -- Annie's Remedy
Ginseng Root Tea -- eHow Youtube Video
There are many recipes online that are non-herbal specific that include adding ginseng to vegetables, chicken, beef, or pork, which can still have the same health benefits depending on how it is cooked.
How to make Preparations:
Make tea by simmering dried root in water for 10-15 minutes. Tinctures made by chopping root (Dried or fresh) and covering with vodka or apple cider vinegar. Capsules made by buying the actual capsules (Vegetable or gelatin based) finely chopping dried materials and measuring each dose accordingly before placing into capsules. Extract made by using a carrier oil such as olive or grapeseed oil and covering the fresh or dried root in a jar, shaking daily for days or weeks, then straining and placing in colored bottle.
Sources:
"Asian Ginseng." NCCIH. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Apr. 2012. Web. 23 June 2015. -- Website Link
Ehrlich, Steven D., NMD. "Asian Ginseng." University of Maryland Medical Center. University of Maryland, 27 Jan. 2011. Web. 23 June 2015.-- Website Link
This is also a good source of information for those of you putting together your Materia Medica (← Find out how to make your own on the side bar page titled "Materia Medica").
~Lindsey Shemwell (The Budding Botanist)
Monday, June 22, 2015
Herbs to Know: Burdock
Common Name(s): Burdock, Common Burdock
Scientific/Latin Name: Arctium minus
Place of Origin: Europe & Northern Asia
Commonly thought of: As a weed or a vegetable
Parts Used: Burdock roots, young shoots, peeled stalks, and dried seeds
Past Uses: Traditionally used as a blood purifier, a diuretic, and a topical remedy for skin conditions such as eczema, acne, and psoriasis. Recorded to have been used to treat diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and AIDS. In chinese medicine often used for sore throats and colds.
Active Constituents: consists primarily of carbohydrates, volatile oils, plant sterols, tannins, and fatty oils; contains phenolic acids, quercetin and luteolin, powerful antioxidants.
Medicinal uses: Eaten as a vegetable in Japan, containing a natural dietary fiber. Used to improve digestion, contains prebiotics and antioxidant activity. Believed to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial effects. Commonly used as a diuretic.
Usually used as: Capsules, Dried Root, Tincture, Fluid Extract, Topically (On skin) or Tea
Dosages:
"Pediatric
There are no known scientific reports on the pediatric use of burdock, so you should only give burdock to children under the supervision of a doctor.
Adult
- University of Maryland Medical Center
Growing/Wildcrafting: Not recommended to be wild crafted as the root resembles very closely to that of Deadly Nightshade, a very poisonous plant. It might be more advisable to get seeds or manufactured product from a respectable dealer.
Cautions: Should not be taken by pregnant women as it can cause damage to the fetus. If you are allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemums, or daisies you might have an allergic reaction to burdock including but not limited to dermatitis. Do not take if dehydrated as it can dehydrate you further. If buying burdock, make sure it is from a reputable dealer, as the root resembles that of poisonous plants such as a belladonna (Deadly Nightshade) and may be contaminated. It is not advised to collect burdock in the wild.
Drug Interactions: May lower blood sugar so not advisable to take with drugs for diabetes or any blood thinning drugs as it might slow blood clotting. Burdock has diuretic (increased urination) properties so it is not advised to take it with other diuretics (Water Pills).
Extra Notes: (Arctium) comes from the greek arktos meaning bear, which is an allusion to the roughness of the burs.
"In general the plant is considered a noxious weed not only because of its ability to disperse by attaching itself to mammals and birds, but because of the problems it creates for livestock. The burs can be cause irritation if they cling to the eyes, throught, mouth, or the inside of the stomach. In some cases the seeds must be surgically removed."
-- The Wild Classroom -- Website Link
Burdock seeds were Swiss inventor Georges de Mestral’s inspiration for Velcro.
Where to find Recipes:
Burdock Herbal Recipes -- Annie's Remedy
"Here is my recipe for Burdock Root Herbal Soup For Detoxification
Ingredients –
* 2 whole fresh Burdock Roots (each about 2 ft long as the ones found here are quite thin) – peeled, washed and cut into slices or chunks
* 1 cup dried Red Dates
* 1/2 cup dried Wolfberries
* 500 gm pork ribs, cut into 2-inch lengths
* 2 litres water
Method –
Bring all ingredients to a boil. Remove any scum that floats to the surface. Lower heat and simmer for 4 hours (6-8 hours if using a slow cooker). Season to taste with some salt and white pepper"
--Happy Home Maker88 -- Website Link
38 Burdock Recipes -- Cookpad (Non Herbal)
"Burdock Root Herbal Infusion
What you’ll need:
Drink 16 oz. (up to 32 oz., if desired) throughout the day. You can drink this nourishing infusion daily; this infusion should be consumed within 36 hours at most."
--Grapegate.com --Website Link
How to make Preparations:
"On the outside, burdock root features dark brown "bark like" color and has woody texture. Inside it features crunchy, milky-white fibrous flesh, which may turn gray upon exposure to air. To avoid this while cutting, drop burdock slices/pieces/julienne into lemon water to prevent oxidation.
To prepare; wash the entire length of the taproot thoroughly in cold water and scrape off outer skin using a paring knife. Burdock root is tough and should be tenderized before its use in cooking. To soften, cook the root in a boiling water with a single teaspoonful of baking soda added to a liter of water. Thus, the prepared root is then can be eaten as is, or added to salads, soups, etc"
-Nutrition and You
Sources:
Ehrlich, Steven D., NMD. "Burdock." University of Maryland Medical Center. University of Maryland Medical Center, 7 May 2013. Web. 19 June 2015.-- Website Link
Rudrappa, Umesh. "Burdock Root Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits." Nutrition And You.com. Nutrtion And You, n.d. Web. 19 June 2015.--Website Link
This is also a good source of information for those of you putting together your Materia Medica (← Find out how to make your own on the side bar page titled "Materia Medica").
~Lindsey Shemwell (The Budding Botanist)
Scientific/Latin Name: Arctium minus
Place of Origin: Europe & Northern Asia
Commonly thought of: As a weed or a vegetable
Parts Used: Burdock roots, young shoots, peeled stalks, and dried seeds
Past Uses: Traditionally used as a blood purifier, a diuretic, and a topical remedy for skin conditions such as eczema, acne, and psoriasis. Recorded to have been used to treat diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and AIDS. In chinese medicine often used for sore throats and colds.
Active Constituents: consists primarily of carbohydrates, volatile oils, plant sterols, tannins, and fatty oils; contains phenolic acids, quercetin and luteolin, powerful antioxidants.
Medicinal uses: Eaten as a vegetable in Japan, containing a natural dietary fiber. Used to improve digestion, contains prebiotics and antioxidant activity. Believed to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial effects. Commonly used as a diuretic.
Usually used as: Capsules, Dried Root, Tincture, Fluid Extract, Topically (On skin) or Tea
Dosages:
"Pediatric
There are no known scientific reports on the pediatric use of burdock, so you should only give burdock to children under the supervision of a doctor.
Adult
- Capsules: 1 - 2 g 3 times per day
- Dried root: steep 2 - 6 grams in 150 mL (2/3 of a cup) in boiling water for 10 - 15 minutes and then strain and drink 3 times a day; may soak a cloth in the liquid and, once cooled, wrap the cloth around affected skin area or wound (known as a poultice). Do not use on open wounds.
- Tincture (1:5): 30 - 60 drops, once daily. Typically, burdock is combined in tincture form with other herbs. The tincture may also be applied to a cloth and wrapped around affected skin area or wound.
- Fluid extract (1:1): 30 - 60 drops, 2 times a day
- Tea: 2 - 6 grams steeped in 500 mL water (about 2 cups), 3 times per day
- University of Maryland Medical Center
Growing/Wildcrafting: Not recommended to be wild crafted as the root resembles very closely to that of Deadly Nightshade, a very poisonous plant. It might be more advisable to get seeds or manufactured product from a respectable dealer.
Cautions: Should not be taken by pregnant women as it can cause damage to the fetus. If you are allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemums, or daisies you might have an allergic reaction to burdock including but not limited to dermatitis. Do not take if dehydrated as it can dehydrate you further. If buying burdock, make sure it is from a reputable dealer, as the root resembles that of poisonous plants such as a belladonna (Deadly Nightshade) and may be contaminated. It is not advised to collect burdock in the wild.
Drug Interactions: May lower blood sugar so not advisable to take with drugs for diabetes or any blood thinning drugs as it might slow blood clotting. Burdock has diuretic (increased urination) properties so it is not advised to take it with other diuretics (Water Pills).
Extra Notes: (Arctium) comes from the greek arktos meaning bear, which is an allusion to the roughness of the burs.
"In general the plant is considered a noxious weed not only because of its ability to disperse by attaching itself to mammals and birds, but because of the problems it creates for livestock. The burs can be cause irritation if they cling to the eyes, throught, mouth, or the inside of the stomach. In some cases the seeds must be surgically removed."
-- The Wild Classroom -- Website Link
Burdock seeds were Swiss inventor Georges de Mestral’s inspiration for Velcro.
Where to find Recipes:
Burdock Herbal Recipes -- Annie's Remedy
"Here is my recipe for Burdock Root Herbal Soup For Detoxification
Ingredients –
* 2 whole fresh Burdock Roots (each about 2 ft long as the ones found here are quite thin) – peeled, washed and cut into slices or chunks
* 1 cup dried Red Dates
* 1/2 cup dried Wolfberries
* 500 gm pork ribs, cut into 2-inch lengths
* 2 litres water
Method –
Bring all ingredients to a boil. Remove any scum that floats to the surface. Lower heat and simmer for 4 hours (6-8 hours if using a slow cooker). Season to taste with some salt and white pepper"
--Happy Home Maker88 -- Website Link
38 Burdock Recipes -- Cookpad (Non Herbal)
"Burdock Root Herbal Infusion
What you’ll need:
- A pint (16 oz.), sealable mason/preserving jar (preferably made of glass)
- 1 ounce of cut & sifted Burdock root
- Pot or electric water boiler to bring 16 fl. oz. of water to a boil
- Place plant material into pint jar and pour 16. fl. oz. of boiling water into jar (make sure all plant material is submerged)
- Give content a good stir, then cap and seal the jar
- Allow plant material to infuse for at least 8 hours or overnight
- Strain off plant material and discard (compost if possible); the infusion is now ready for serving
Drink 16 oz. (up to 32 oz., if desired) throughout the day. You can drink this nourishing infusion daily; this infusion should be consumed within 36 hours at most."
--Grapegate.com --Website Link
How to make Preparations:
"On the outside, burdock root features dark brown "bark like" color and has woody texture. Inside it features crunchy, milky-white fibrous flesh, which may turn gray upon exposure to air. To avoid this while cutting, drop burdock slices/pieces/julienne into lemon water to prevent oxidation.
To prepare; wash the entire length of the taproot thoroughly in cold water and scrape off outer skin using a paring knife. Burdock root is tough and should be tenderized before its use in cooking. To soften, cook the root in a boiling water with a single teaspoonful of baking soda added to a liter of water. Thus, the prepared root is then can be eaten as is, or added to salads, soups, etc"
-Nutrition and You
Sources:
Ehrlich, Steven D., NMD. "Burdock." University of Maryland Medical Center. University of Maryland Medical Center, 7 May 2013. Web. 19 June 2015.-- Website Link
Rudrappa, Umesh. "Burdock Root Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits." Nutrition And You.com. Nutrtion And You, n.d. Web. 19 June 2015.--Website Link
This is also a good source of information for those of you putting together your Materia Medica (← Find out how to make your own on the side bar page titled "Materia Medica").
~Lindsey Shemwell (The Budding Botanist)
Friday, June 19, 2015
Herbs to Know: Chamomile
Common Name(s): Chamomile, German Chamomile
Place of Origin: Europe
Commonly thought of: Common herb for sleep and relaxation.
Past Uses: Used for a number of things such as flatulence, colic, hysteria, and intermittent fever. Chest colds, Sore throat, Abscesses, Anxiety, Insomnia, Psoriasis, Acne, Eczema, Minor Burns, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Stomach Ulcers and child illnesses such as chickenpox, diaper rash, and colic
Active Constituents: Sesquiterpenes, flavonoids, coumarins, and polyacetylenes are considered the most important constituents
Medicinal uses: Used primarily as an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and antispasmodic. Also used to help with stomach pain and sluggish digestion. It is known to be very effect for urinary tract pain as well as painful menstrual symptoms. Topically used to help heal wounds as well as clear up boils, shingles, and other skin infections. Can be used for inflammation of the mouth, throat and eyes, as well as hemorrhoids
Usually used as: Essential Oil, Tea, Cream/Ointment, Wash
Growing/Wildcrafting: Growing chamomile on rich, heavy, and damp soils should be avoided. It can also withstand cold weather with temperature ranging from 2°C to 20°C. The crop has been grown very successfully on the poor soils (loamy sand). The roots of the plant are shallow, the plant is unable to draw moisture from the lower soil and needs frequent irrigation to maintain moisture.
Cautions: Do not use if allergic to chamomile, ragweed, daises, chrysanthemums or pollen. Often used as an eyewash and can cause allergic conjunctivitis. May make asthma worse so people with asthma shouldn't take it. Should be avoided if pregnant as it may cause miscarriage. Can act like estrogen in the body so women with history of hormone sensitive cancers (Breast, Uterine, Cervical, Ovarian) should ask their doctor first. May cause drowsiness so do not take before driving. It is advisable to stop taking Chamomile at least two weeks before surgery as it may cause increased bleeding.
Drug Interactions: Do not take with Blood thinners (May increase bleeding risk), Sedatives such as antiseizure medication, barbituaries, drugs to treat insomnia or alcohol. It may lower blood pressure so do not take on any blood pressure medications. Do not take while taking any medications for diabetes. Chamomile is broken down by the liver in the same manner as some other drugs so it might cause problems with Fexofenadine (Seldane), drugs that can lower cholesterol, birth control pills, and some anti-fungal medication
Extra Notes: "Chamomile was used for the process of mummification in the ancient Egypt. Chemical compounds and oils that are used in medical and cosmetic industry are extracted from the flower. Homemade chamomile tea can be used for lightening of the blond hair. Besides its decorative morphology, chamomile can be very useful in the garden. It facilitates growth of the surrounding plants and even heals nearby sick plants."
-softschools.com
Where to find Recipes:
Chamomile Tincture -- Wellness Mama
Chamomile Bath & Tea Recipe -- Sara Dawn
Chamomile Eye Soother -- Mother Earth News (Bottom of page)
Chamomile Lotion -- Natures Garden Candles
How to make Preparations: The flowers and flower heads are the main organs of the production of essential oil. Soaking the heads in a carrier oil such as grapeseed can create a very nice oil to be used topically.
Dosages:
"Pediatric
Ask your doctor before giving chamomile tea to a child. Children under 5 should not take more than half a cup of tea per day.
To relieve colic: Some doctors suggest 1 - 2 oz. of tea per day. Your doctor may recommend other doses.
Sources:
Singh, Ompal, Zakia Khanam, Neelam Misra, and Manoj Kumar Srivastava. "Chamomile (Matricaria Chamomilla L.): An Overview." Pharmacognosy Reviews. Medknow Publications Pvt Ltd, Spring 2011. Web. 17 June 2015.
Ehrlich, Steven D., NMD. "German Chamomile." University of Maryland Medical Center. University of Maryland Medical Center, 7 May 2013. Web. 17 June 2015.
This is also a good source of information for those of you putting together your Materia Medica (← Find out how to make your own on the side bar page titled "Materia Medica").
~Lindsey Shemwell (The Budding Botanist)
Scientific/Latin Name: Matricaria chamomilla; recutita
Place of Origin: Europe
Commonly thought of: Common herb for sleep and relaxation.
Past Uses: Used for a number of things such as flatulence, colic, hysteria, and intermittent fever. Chest colds, Sore throat, Abscesses, Anxiety, Insomnia, Psoriasis, Acne, Eczema, Minor Burns, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Stomach Ulcers and child illnesses such as chickenpox, diaper rash, and colic
Active Constituents: Sesquiterpenes, flavonoids, coumarins, and polyacetylenes are considered the most important constituents
Medicinal uses: Used primarily as an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and antispasmodic. Also used to help with stomach pain and sluggish digestion. It is known to be very effect for urinary tract pain as well as painful menstrual symptoms. Topically used to help heal wounds as well as clear up boils, shingles, and other skin infections. Can be used for inflammation of the mouth, throat and eyes, as well as hemorrhoids
Usually used as: Essential Oil, Tea, Cream/Ointment, Wash
Growing/Wildcrafting: Growing chamomile on rich, heavy, and damp soils should be avoided. It can also withstand cold weather with temperature ranging from 2°C to 20°C. The crop has been grown very successfully on the poor soils (loamy sand). The roots of the plant are shallow, the plant is unable to draw moisture from the lower soil and needs frequent irrigation to maintain moisture.
Cautions: Do not use if allergic to chamomile, ragweed, daises, chrysanthemums or pollen. Often used as an eyewash and can cause allergic conjunctivitis. May make asthma worse so people with asthma shouldn't take it. Should be avoided if pregnant as it may cause miscarriage. Can act like estrogen in the body so women with history of hormone sensitive cancers (Breast, Uterine, Cervical, Ovarian) should ask their doctor first. May cause drowsiness so do not take before driving. It is advisable to stop taking Chamomile at least two weeks before surgery as it may cause increased bleeding.
Drug Interactions: Do not take with Blood thinners (May increase bleeding risk), Sedatives such as antiseizure medication, barbituaries, drugs to treat insomnia or alcohol. It may lower blood pressure so do not take on any blood pressure medications. Do not take while taking any medications for diabetes. Chamomile is broken down by the liver in the same manner as some other drugs so it might cause problems with Fexofenadine (Seldane), drugs that can lower cholesterol, birth control pills, and some anti-fungal medication
Extra Notes: "Chamomile was used for the process of mummification in the ancient Egypt. Chemical compounds and oils that are used in medical and cosmetic industry are extracted from the flower. Homemade chamomile tea can be used for lightening of the blond hair. Besides its decorative morphology, chamomile can be very useful in the garden. It facilitates growth of the surrounding plants and even heals nearby sick plants."
-softschools.com
Where to find Recipes:
Chamomile Tincture -- Wellness Mama
Chamomile Bath & Tea Recipe -- Sara Dawn
Chamomile Eye Soother -- Mother Earth News (Bottom of page)
Chamomile Lotion -- Natures Garden Candles
How to make Preparations: The flowers and flower heads are the main organs of the production of essential oil. Soaking the heads in a carrier oil such as grapeseed can create a very nice oil to be used topically.
Dosages:
"Pediatric
Ask your doctor before giving chamomile tea to a child. Children under 5 should not take more than half a cup of tea per day.
To relieve colic: Some doctors suggest 1 - 2 oz. of tea per day. Your doctor may recommend other doses.
Adult:
- Tea: Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 2 - 3 heaping Tbs. (2 - 4 g) of dried herb, steep 10 - 15 minutes. Drink 3 - 4 times per day between meals.
- Tincture (1:5, 45% alcohol): 30 - 60 drops of tincture 3 times per day in hot water.
- Capsules: 300 - 400 mg taken 3 times per day.
- Gargle or mouthwash: Make a tea as above, then let it cool. Gargle as often as desired. You may also make an oral rinse with 10 - 15 drops of German chamomile liquid extract in 100 mL warm water, and use 3 times per day.
- Inhalation: Add a few drops of essential oil of chamomile to hot water (or use tea) and breathe in the steam to calm a cough.
- Bath: Use 1/4 lb. of dried flowers per bath, or add 5 - 10 drops of essential oil to a full tub of water to soothe hemorrhoids, cuts, eczema, or insect bites.
- Poultice: Make a paste by mixing powdered herb with water and apply to inflamed skin.
- Cream: Use a cream with a 3 - 10% chamomile content for psoriasis, eczema, or dry and flaky skin."
Sources:
Singh, Ompal, Zakia Khanam, Neelam Misra, and Manoj Kumar Srivastava. "Chamomile (Matricaria Chamomilla L.): An Overview." Pharmacognosy Reviews. Medknow Publications Pvt Ltd, Spring 2011. Web. 17 June 2015.
Ehrlich, Steven D., NMD. "German Chamomile." University of Maryland Medical Center. University of Maryland Medical Center, 7 May 2013. Web. 17 June 2015.
This is also a good source of information for those of you putting together your Materia Medica (← Find out how to make your own on the side bar page titled "Materia Medica").
~Lindsey Shemwell (The Budding Botanist)
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Herbs to Know: Ginger
Common Name(s): Ginger
Scientific/Latin Name: Zingiber officinale
Place of Origin: Asia
Commonly thought of: A spicy root great with sushi.
Past Uses: Has been used for thousands of years in Asia, India, and the Middle East, most often used in Chinese medicine as an aid for digestion and nausea. Was one time used to treat colic, diarrhea, heart conditions, flu and cold symptoms, headaches, and painful menstrual periods.
Active Constituents: Essential oils such as gingerol, zingerone, shogaol, farnesene, and small amounts of ß-phelladrene, cineol, and citral. Studies suggest that zingerone, a chemical compound which gives pungent character to the ginger root, is effective against E.coli induced diarrhea, especially in children (Do not give to children under 2). Holds good amount of minerals like potassium, manganese, copper, and magnesium.
Medicinal uses: Primarily used for it's strong effectiveness against nausea and commonly suggested for motion sickness, morning sickness, and nausea brought on by chemotherapy. Some suggest it is also good for helping with pain caused by arthritis.
Usually used as: Capsules, Raw (Sliced), Tea
Growing/Wildcrafting: You can grow your own ginger by getting your own rhizome (from the store or organically) and placing it horizontally with a very shallow covering of soil. The plant itself will sprout from the rhizome.
Cautions: Ginger in large doses are used for long periods of time can cause heartburn, diarrhea, and irritation of the mouth and it is best to only use recommended dosages for short period or as needed. If you have problems with the gallbladder, ask your doctor, because of ginger's effects on bile production it could cause gallbladder inflammation or cause gallbladder problems to worsen. It is also not recommended if you are taking blood thinners (Ginger may increase bleeding risk), diabetes medication (May lower blood sugar), High-Blood Pressure medications (May lower blood pressure)
"In general, don’t take more than 4g of ginger per day, including food sources. Pregnant women should not take more than 1g per day.
Extra Notes: The part of ginger most commonly used is actually not a "root" but a rhizome which is actually an underground stem.
Where to find Recipes:
Ginger Root Profile -- Wellness Mama (Recipes close to bottom of page)
14 Uses for Ground Ginger -- The Nerdy Farm Wife
How to make Preparations: Often times ginger is sliced and chewed, however it can be taken in the form of ginger candies, tea, and capsules.
Sources:
"Ginger." NCCIH. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, May 2006. Web. 12 June 2015. -- Website Link
Ehrlich, Steven D., NMD. "Ginger." University of Maryland Medical Center. University of Maryland Medical Center, 13 Dec. 2010. Web. 12 June 2015. -- Website Link
Rudrappa, Umesh. "Ginger Root Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits." Nutrition And You.com. Nutrition and You, n.d. Web. 12 June 2015. -- Website Link
This is also a good source of information for those of you putting together your Materia Medica (← Find out how to make your own on the side bar page titled "Materia Medica").
~Lindsey Shemwell (The Budding Botanist)
Scientific/Latin Name: Zingiber officinale
Place of Origin: Asia
Commonly thought of: A spicy root great with sushi.
Past Uses: Has been used for thousands of years in Asia, India, and the Middle East, most often used in Chinese medicine as an aid for digestion and nausea. Was one time used to treat colic, diarrhea, heart conditions, flu and cold symptoms, headaches, and painful menstrual periods.
Active Constituents: Essential oils such as gingerol, zingerone, shogaol, farnesene, and small amounts of ß-phelladrene, cineol, and citral. Studies suggest that zingerone, a chemical compound which gives pungent character to the ginger root, is effective against E.coli induced diarrhea, especially in children (Do not give to children under 2). Holds good amount of minerals like potassium, manganese, copper, and magnesium.
Medicinal uses: Primarily used for it's strong effectiveness against nausea and commonly suggested for motion sickness, morning sickness, and nausea brought on by chemotherapy. Some suggest it is also good for helping with pain caused by arthritis.
Usually used as: Capsules, Raw (Sliced), Tea
Growing/Wildcrafting: You can grow your own ginger by getting your own rhizome (from the store or organically) and placing it horizontally with a very shallow covering of soil. The plant itself will sprout from the rhizome.
Cautions: Ginger in large doses are used for long periods of time can cause heartburn, diarrhea, and irritation of the mouth and it is best to only use recommended dosages for short period or as needed. If you have problems with the gallbladder, ask your doctor, because of ginger's effects on bile production it could cause gallbladder inflammation or cause gallbladder problems to worsen. It is also not recommended if you are taking blood thinners (Ginger may increase bleeding risk), diabetes medication (May lower blood sugar), High-Blood Pressure medications (May lower blood pressure)
"In general, don’t take more than 4g of ginger per day, including food sources. Pregnant women should not take more than 1g per day.
- For nausea, gas, or indigestion: Some studies have used 1g of ginger daily, in divided doses. Ask your doctor to help you find the right dose for you.
- For pregnancy-induced vomiting, some studies have used 650 mg to 1 g per day. Don't take ginger without first talking to your doctor.
- For arthritis pain: One study used 250 mg 4 times daily."
Extra Notes: The part of ginger most commonly used is actually not a "root" but a rhizome which is actually an underground stem.
Where to find Recipes:
Ginger Root Profile -- Wellness Mama (Recipes close to bottom of page)
14 Uses for Ground Ginger -- The Nerdy Farm Wife
How to make Preparations: Often times ginger is sliced and chewed, however it can be taken in the form of ginger candies, tea, and capsules.
Sources:
"Ginger." NCCIH. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, May 2006. Web. 12 June 2015. -- Website Link
Ehrlich, Steven D., NMD. "Ginger." University of Maryland Medical Center. University of Maryland Medical Center, 13 Dec. 2010. Web. 12 June 2015. -- Website Link
Rudrappa, Umesh. "Ginger Root Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits." Nutrition And You.com. Nutrition and You, n.d. Web. 12 June 2015. -- Website Link
This is also a good source of information for those of you putting together your Materia Medica (← Find out how to make your own on the side bar page titled "Materia Medica").
~Lindsey Shemwell (The Budding Botanist)
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Herbs to Know: Echinacea
Common Name(s): Echinacea, Purple Cone Flower
Scientific/Latin Name: Echinacea purpurea (augustifolia)
Place of Origin: North America
Commonly thought of: A pretty purple garden flower
Past Uses:Used long ago by Native Americans for various skin conditions (Topically), Toothaches and throat infections (Chewing of roots), and pain, coughs, stomachaches, and snake bites (Ingestion). Used by white settlers in the past to treat, scarlet fever, syphilis, malaria, blood poisoning, and diphtheria
Active Constituents: polysaccharides, echinacoside, cichoric acid, ketoalkenes and alkylamides
Medicinal uses: More commonly used to help reduce the symptoms and time of the flu and common cold and is used often as an immune support booster to help fight infections and prevent illness. May be recommended to treat a list of infections including ear infections, urinary tract infections, sinusitis, hay fever, and slow healing wounds. There is a study to suggest it may even lessen the outbreak of cold sores caused by the herpes virus used as an extract.
Usually used as: Tea, Extract, Capsules, and Ticture
Growing/Wildcrafting: While it once grew wild all over North America because it was so widely popular among white settlers and early Americans it's much more common to grow and often found in gardens. It can be grown from a seed rather easily with proper care.
Cautions: Not good to take if you have any kind of immunodeficiency because it excites the immune system. Not good to take if you show allergies to the plant or similar plants like ragweed.
Extra Notes: According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, "Several clinical trials have shown that people who take echinacea as soon as they feel sick reduce the severity of their cold and have fewer symptoms than those who do not take the herb. One study of 95 people with early symptoms of cold and flu (such as runny nose, scratchy throat, and fever) found that those who drank several cups of echinacea tea every day for 5 days felt better sooner than those who drank tea without echinacea.
A review of 14 clinical trials found that echinacea reduced the odds of developing a cold by 58% and the duration of a cold by 1 - 4 days. However, some experts dispute these findings claiming that there were several weaknesses in the analyses. Echinacea preparations tested in clinical trials differ greatly. It is important to choose a high quality echinacea supplement. Talk to your health care provider for recommendations."
Where to find Recipes: Echinacea Tincture, Echinacea-Elderberry Cough Syrup,
How to make Preparations: A tincture is a combination of herb parts soaked in vodka for a period of time, they have a longer shelf life than typical preparations and is taken usually by individual drops into a glass of water. How to harvest Echinacea for tea,
Sources:
Karger, S., GmbH. "Result Filters." National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 10 Apr. 2003. Web. 12 June 2015. -- Website Link
Erhlich, Steven D., NMD. "Echinacea." University of Maryland Medical Center. University of Maryland Medical Center, 7 May 2013. Web. 12 June 2015. -- Website Link
This is also a good source of information for those of you putting together your Materia Medica (← Find out how to make your own on the side bar page titled "Materia Medica").
~Lindsey Shemwell (The Budding Botanist)
Scientific/Latin Name: Echinacea purpurea (augustifolia)
Place of Origin: North America
Commonly thought of: A pretty purple garden flower
Past Uses:Used long ago by Native Americans for various skin conditions (Topically), Toothaches and throat infections (Chewing of roots), and pain, coughs, stomachaches, and snake bites (Ingestion). Used by white settlers in the past to treat, scarlet fever, syphilis, malaria, blood poisoning, and diphtheria
Active Constituents: polysaccharides, echinacoside, cichoric acid, ketoalkenes and alkylamides
Medicinal uses: More commonly used to help reduce the symptoms and time of the flu and common cold and is used often as an immune support booster to help fight infections and prevent illness. May be recommended to treat a list of infections including ear infections, urinary tract infections, sinusitis, hay fever, and slow healing wounds. There is a study to suggest it may even lessen the outbreak of cold sores caused by the herpes virus used as an extract.
Usually used as: Tea, Extract, Capsules, and Ticture
Growing/Wildcrafting: While it once grew wild all over North America because it was so widely popular among white settlers and early Americans it's much more common to grow and often found in gardens. It can be grown from a seed rather easily with proper care.
Cautions: Not good to take if you have any kind of immunodeficiency because it excites the immune system. Not good to take if you show allergies to the plant or similar plants like ragweed.
Extra Notes: According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, "Several clinical trials have shown that people who take echinacea as soon as they feel sick reduce the severity of their cold and have fewer symptoms than those who do not take the herb. One study of 95 people with early symptoms of cold and flu (such as runny nose, scratchy throat, and fever) found that those who drank several cups of echinacea tea every day for 5 days felt better sooner than those who drank tea without echinacea.
A review of 14 clinical trials found that echinacea reduced the odds of developing a cold by 58% and the duration of a cold by 1 - 4 days. However, some experts dispute these findings claiming that there were several weaknesses in the analyses. Echinacea preparations tested in clinical trials differ greatly. It is important to choose a high quality echinacea supplement. Talk to your health care provider for recommendations."
Where to find Recipes: Echinacea Tincture, Echinacea-Elderberry Cough Syrup,
How to make Preparations: A tincture is a combination of herb parts soaked in vodka for a period of time, they have a longer shelf life than typical preparations and is taken usually by individual drops into a glass of water. How to harvest Echinacea for tea,
Sources:
Karger, S., GmbH. "Result Filters." National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 10 Apr. 2003. Web. 12 June 2015. -- Website Link
Erhlich, Steven D., NMD. "Echinacea." University of Maryland Medical Center. University of Maryland Medical Center, 7 May 2013. Web. 12 June 2015. -- Website Link
This is also a good source of information for those of you putting together your Materia Medica (← Find out how to make your own on the side bar page titled "Materia Medica").
~Lindsey Shemwell (The Budding Botanist)
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Herbs to Know: Dandelion
For at least the rest of the week I have decided to start talking about individual herbs that are well known and popular as well as being medicinal. Some of these like this first one many people don't realize not only are edible but have medicinal use! This is also a good source of information for those of you putting together your Materia Medica (← Find out how to make your own on the side bar page titled "Materia Medica").
Common Name(s): Dandelion, Dent-de-lion, Cakerwort, Priests Crown
Scientific/Latin Name: Taraxacum officinale
Place of Origin: Europe and Asia
Commonly thought of: As a common weed, a bane to lawn care workers and gardeners everywhere.
Past uses: While above is the most consistent thought of the dandelion it was at one point in Europe used to reduce fevers, boils, eye problems, diarrhea, fluid retention, liver congestion, heartburn, and skin ailments. It was used also in Asia to treat breast problems, liver diseases, appendicitis and digestive problems.
Active Constituents: Taraxacin and Taraxacerin (Giving dandelion it's "bitter" qualities) as well as flavanoids such as carotene-β, carotene-α, lutein, crypto-xanthin and zea-xanthn (In the leaves)
Medical Uses: It is still today used to aid in digestion and increased appetite, being a bitter (an herb that tastes bitter) it is believed it triggers gastric juices which aids in digestion. It is also believed to help expel toxins from the liver and is believed to be a good source of vitamin A. It is also used as a diuretic (causes you to urinate) and a laxative. The inner parts of the flower stem have been known to help stinging or burning of the skin.
Usually used as: A tea, capsules, or tincture. Typically it is the dandelion root and leaves that are used in medicinal cures, the capsules and tinctures are usually made from the root and the tea is made from the leaves and sometimes the root as well. It is believed the root has the most potent medicinal qualities.
Growing/Wildcrafting: Usually wildcrafted as it grows rampant in most of the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Rarely grown because it's considered a "weed" and not at all ideal as an indoor plant due to it's "puffball" stage where it releases it's seeds. If you intend to collect the leaves and flowers it's best done after the flowers have completely bloomed. If collecting the roots it is also best done after flowering during the summer.
Cautions: Very few, however if the person is normally allergic to the plant, it is not advisable to ingest it. Do not use if pesticides were used nearby (Often picked from the yard, where pesticides are commonly used) Also if you have ulcers, the increase of gastric juices can inflame your ulcers and cause pain.
Extra Notes: Being a good source of vitamin A and generally very safe to take, it is often put on salads where the yellow flowers, leaves, and even sometimes the stem and root can be eaten whole and fresh, receiving the highest amount of benefits.
"Today, the dandelion has both medical and culinary uses. Dandelion greens are one of the most nutritious greens available. One cup of raw greens has:
112% of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin A
535% RDA of vitamin K
32% RDA of vitamin C
103 mg of calcium
1.7 mg of iron
218 mg of potassium."
-http://www.naturalremedies.org/dandelion/
Where to find Recipes: Dandelion Teas, Pink Dandelion Wine, Dandelion Root Coffee, Dandelion Jelly, Dandelion Salve,
Dosages: The recommended dose for dandelion leaf tea is 1-2 teaspoons steeped in hot water 3 times a day. For dandelion root tea, the recommended dose is ½ -2 teaspoons steeped in hot water 3 times a day. Whether the capsules are the leaf or the root, the recommended dose is 500 mg 3 times a day. The recommended dose for both the leaf tincture and the root tincture is 100-150 drops 3 times a day.
How to make Preparations: Most commonly used as teas, using dried leaves and flowered parts. The fresh greens can also be used in cooking as well as in salads. The roots can be dried and ground and made into coffee
Sources:
Hourdajian, Dara. "Introduced Species Summary Project - Columbia University."Introduced Species Summary Project - Columbia University. Columbia University, 13 Nov. 2006. Web. 10 June 2015. -- Website Link
"Dandelion Herb Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits." Nutrition And You.com. Nutrition-and-you.com, n.d. Web. 10 June 2015. --Website Link
Wang, Kim. "Dandelion Health Benefits." Natural Remedies RSS. Natural Remedies, 2010. Web. 10 June 2015. -- Website Link
Sierralupé, Sue, and Candace Hunter. "Dandelion: The Liver Cleanser." The Practical Herbalist. The Practical Herbalist, n.d. Web. 10 June 2015. -- Website Link
~Lindsey Shemwell (The Budding Botanist)
Common Name(s): Dandelion, Dent-de-lion, Cakerwort, Priests Crown
Scientific/Latin Name: Taraxacum officinale
Place of Origin: Europe and Asia
Commonly thought of: As a common weed, a bane to lawn care workers and gardeners everywhere.
Past uses: While above is the most consistent thought of the dandelion it was at one point in Europe used to reduce fevers, boils, eye problems, diarrhea, fluid retention, liver congestion, heartburn, and skin ailments. It was used also in Asia to treat breast problems, liver diseases, appendicitis and digestive problems.
Active Constituents: Taraxacin and Taraxacerin (Giving dandelion it's "bitter" qualities) as well as flavanoids such as carotene-β, carotene-α, lutein, crypto-xanthin and zea-xanthn (In the leaves)
Medical Uses: It is still today used to aid in digestion and increased appetite, being a bitter (an herb that tastes bitter) it is believed it triggers gastric juices which aids in digestion. It is also believed to help expel toxins from the liver and is believed to be a good source of vitamin A. It is also used as a diuretic (causes you to urinate) and a laxative. The inner parts of the flower stem have been known to help stinging or burning of the skin.
Usually used as: A tea, capsules, or tincture. Typically it is the dandelion root and leaves that are used in medicinal cures, the capsules and tinctures are usually made from the root and the tea is made from the leaves and sometimes the root as well. It is believed the root has the most potent medicinal qualities.
Growing/Wildcrafting: Usually wildcrafted as it grows rampant in most of the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Rarely grown because it's considered a "weed" and not at all ideal as an indoor plant due to it's "puffball" stage where it releases it's seeds. If you intend to collect the leaves and flowers it's best done after the flowers have completely bloomed. If collecting the roots it is also best done after flowering during the summer.
Cautions: Very few, however if the person is normally allergic to the plant, it is not advisable to ingest it. Do not use if pesticides were used nearby (Often picked from the yard, where pesticides are commonly used) Also if you have ulcers, the increase of gastric juices can inflame your ulcers and cause pain.
Extra Notes: Being a good source of vitamin A and generally very safe to take, it is often put on salads where the yellow flowers, leaves, and even sometimes the stem and root can be eaten whole and fresh, receiving the highest amount of benefits.
"Today, the dandelion has both medical and culinary uses. Dandelion greens are one of the most nutritious greens available. One cup of raw greens has:
112% of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin A
535% RDA of vitamin K
32% RDA of vitamin C
103 mg of calcium
1.7 mg of iron
218 mg of potassium."
-http://www.naturalremedies.org/dandelion/
Where to find Recipes: Dandelion Teas, Pink Dandelion Wine, Dandelion Root Coffee, Dandelion Jelly, Dandelion Salve,
Dosages: The recommended dose for dandelion leaf tea is 1-2 teaspoons steeped in hot water 3 times a day. For dandelion root tea, the recommended dose is ½ -2 teaspoons steeped in hot water 3 times a day. Whether the capsules are the leaf or the root, the recommended dose is 500 mg 3 times a day. The recommended dose for both the leaf tincture and the root tincture is 100-150 drops 3 times a day.
How to make Preparations: Most commonly used as teas, using dried leaves and flowered parts. The fresh greens can also be used in cooking as well as in salads. The roots can be dried and ground and made into coffee
Sources:
Hourdajian, Dara. "Introduced Species Summary Project - Columbia University."Introduced Species Summary Project - Columbia University. Columbia University, 13 Nov. 2006. Web. 10 June 2015. -- Website Link
"Dandelion Herb Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits." Nutrition And You.com. Nutrition-and-you.com, n.d. Web. 10 June 2015. --Website Link
Wang, Kim. "Dandelion Health Benefits." Natural Remedies RSS. Natural Remedies, 2010. Web. 10 June 2015. -- Website Link
Sierralupé, Sue, and Candace Hunter. "Dandelion: The Liver Cleanser." The Practical Herbalist. The Practical Herbalist, n.d. Web. 10 June 2015. -- Website Link
~Lindsey Shemwell (The Budding Botanist)
Monday, June 15, 2015
Materia Medica
I finally get to the more creative part of my research, the Materia Medica. While the one I've created is a binder instead of a book it's still extremely useful for learning and establishing your own herbal knowledge.
So what is a Materia Medica? It's a comprehensive guide to the medicinal and therapeutic effects of a substance. Many Materia Medicas are plant based because they come from times long ago where medicinal herbs were the primary source of healing.
There are plenty of Materia Medicas out there, some dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries, some even farther back.
So what is a Materia Medica? It's a comprehensive guide to the medicinal and therapeutic effects of a substance. Many Materia Medicas are plant based because they come from times long ago where medicinal herbs were the primary source of healing.
There are plenty of Materia Medicas out there, some dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries, some even farther back.
Dioscorides De Materia Medica in Arabic, Spain, 12th-13th century
Image from wikipedia
Materia Medica from 1749
Image from http://www.kb.se/aktuellt/pressbilder/Linnes-natverk
Compendium of Materia Medica, Chinese, printed in 1593
Image from http://www.nlc.gov.cn/newen/nlcnews/201106/t20110607_43348.htm
In this post I primarily wanted to highlight the necessity of the Materia Medica is cataloging the medicinal herbs from our past and what they cured, healed, or helped. Many of these, in their time, were comparable to medical texts by doctors today. They helped educated apothecaries and medieval doctors on what herbs could help ailments.
I like to think of it as further proof that while herbs might not have a whole lot of science, there has to be a reason they've been used for so long, and are STILL being used today.
Besides this, you can check out the "Materia Medica" page I've created (← look to the left for pages) detailing how to make your own Materia Medica with illustrations and pages created by me to make it easier for you. I recommend in creating your own Materia Medica printing out at least around 50 pages of the Herbal Care Sheet, because there are hundreds of different herbs and while you can never be expected to use or know them all, just knowing 50 can greatly help you.
Use the Materia Medica as a reference when you desire to use any kind of herbal treatments or herbal knowledge. If you follow the one I've designed it should include a place for recipes and how to prepare different herbal treatments.
In the next 4 posts this week I will be breaking down some of the most common herbs that you are more than welcome to use as they will have been referenced from reliable sources. I will include the links to recipes and preparations for these particular herbs and talk about their history as well and what group of people used them.
The Materia Medica is a time honored compilation of pre-modern medicine, and with the modern world becoming more and more interested in the medicine of the past more and more research is being done on herbs and their medicinal uses and safety. This is a great time to begin investing some of yours into herbal research. As more and more information is released on herbs it's important to keep up with that information, just like, society, technology and science evolves where what we once thought is now obsolete, so does new finding of herbs and medicine. So make sure your sources are up to date.
Most importantly cite your sources. If you've ever written a college paper than you are more than likely already aware of how to do this. I'm not asking for you to write a paper and cite your sources so you can't be accused of plagiarism, I'm telling you to write down the website or book you obtained the information from for your own personal use and safety. That way if you realized your missing information or you want to look into the source some more you know where you got the information from.
← Don't forget the "Materia Medica" page is on the sidebar, check it out and begin making your own Materia Medica!
Happy Hunting!
~ Lindsey Shemwell (The Budding Botanist)
Friday, June 12, 2015
A Bout of Botany
It's very difficult to learn Herbal Medicine with out learning some Botany along the way. So here's a little "bout" of Botany.
For starters some Scientific terms and their dictionary.com definitions:
Taxonomy → the branch of science concerned with classification, especially of organisms; systematics.
Physiology → the branch of biology that deals with the normal functions of living organisms and their parts.
Anatomy → the branch of science concerned with the bodily structure of humans, animals, and other living organisms, especially as revealed by dissection and the separation of parts.
So what all of that means is that Taxonomy is the classification or "Place" that an organism fits in. This is where we have out Kingdom, Phylum, Order, Family Class, Genus, and Species. We are usually a lot more familiar with the latter two because genus and species are what are commonly used in the scientific (or latin) names for organisms. (ex. Homo sapien, is the scientific name for human.)
Plants have the same type of classification, starting with the Kingdom Viridiplantae, instead of the Kingdom Animalia (Also called Metazoa). Meaning they are both living organisms, however they are not the same type of living organism.
Physiology deals with actual functions of living organisms and their parts, meaning how their actual parts work. A good example would be the human heart and how it pumps blood throughout the body. Physiology goes hand in hand with Anatomy because it's the study of the actual parts themselves instead of what they do. So it would be a concentration on just the structure of the heart instead of what the heart does. Anatomy would care more about the atria and ventricles (The chambers of the heart) than it would about the physical motion of the blood pumping.
These apply equally to plants and are often used to help determine the plants parts and how the overall plant functions.
Plant Anatomy & Physiology:
There are several different types of plants, some that grow flowers, some that bear fruit, some that bear neither. We could go into all of the taxonomy of each individual plant such as the Bryophytes (The mosses and hornworts) and the Magnoliaphyta (The Magnolias), but that would take awhile and I'm sure unless you're going into Botany like I am not quite as interesting.
So the big ones you would need to know are the Gymnosperms and the Angiosperms. Gymnosperms produce no flowers and bear no fruit, where it gets it's name Gymno meaning "naked" and sperm meaning "seed". The seeds are not wrapped in any form of fruit.
The Angiosperm translates to "vessel seed" because the seeds are wrapped in a fruit or "vessel" usually an ovary.
Just like humans, plants have male and female parts, for Angiosperms the male parts referred to as the Stamen which is broken up into two parts the Anther (Where the pollen comes from) and the Filament (Which helps support the Anther. The female parts or the Pistil consist of four parts, the Stigma (Usually located in the middle of the flower), the Style (Which supports the Stigma), then the Ovary (Which is at the base of the Style), and the Ovule (Which is within the Ovary). The male parts cause the pollen we so very much "adore" because that is... well for lack of a better word... plant sperm attempting to travel and land on the Style of another plant and therefore contribute to plant reproduction forming seeds in the Ovaries and being turned into fruit (When you eat fruit you're eating the Pericarp which in some fruit bearing plants is the actual plants ovary.
With Gymnosperms the process is a little different. A good example of a Gymnosperm is the pine tree. Everyone is familiar with pine cones, the cones that often fall to the ground are actually the female cones that have released seeds. The male cones (which are much smaller) are responsible for the pollen that coats our cars every spring. The male cones release the pollen and it flies into the air in the form of tiny little grains that are shaped like Mickey Mouse heads. They fly to the next tree and pollinate the female cones. At this time the female cone that had been open for the time of pollination closes up until the seeds have been fertilized and are produced. Then it opens to release the seeds that have little "wings" and they spread by the power of wind. The female cone then falls from the tree and it is what we find all over the ground in the fall.
There are also two differentiators between plants calling them either Dicots (Trees, woody plants) and Monocots (Herbaceous or green plants). There are few differences that you can really only observe through a microscope, but the biggest and most noticeable are that a Dicot is a plant capable of what is called "Secondary growth". Primary growth, that most plants experience is vertical growth, what allows them to grow up and down. Secondary growth is the plants ability to grow outward or horizontal growth, often times Dicots grow bark or "wood" from special tissues that give trees and plants like Rosemary their woody appearance.
Plants actually grow down, not up. If you've ever grown or seen a plant grown from a seed you might have noticed the seed shell on the very tip of the plant when it emerges from the soil. This is because the Apical Meristem, the primary meristem of plant growth, is at the top of the plant, not the bottom. So the plant actually grows down into the dirt, and the seed and Apical Meristem are pushed out by the force.
Constituents, what we talked about before as being the parts of herbs that made them medicinal falls under Phytochemisty which is a newer type of chemistry that studies the chemical compounds in plants, such as those found to be constituents.
Now that you know a little bit more about Botany you can understand more about herbs.
~Lindsey Shemwell (The Budding Botanist)
For starters some Scientific terms and their dictionary.com definitions:
Taxonomy → the branch of science concerned with classification, especially of organisms; systematics.
Physiology → the branch of biology that deals with the normal functions of living organisms and their parts.
Anatomy → the branch of science concerned with the bodily structure of humans, animals, and other living organisms, especially as revealed by dissection and the separation of parts.
So what all of that means is that Taxonomy is the classification or "Place" that an organism fits in. This is where we have out Kingdom, Phylum, Order, Family Class, Genus, and Species. We are usually a lot more familiar with the latter two because genus and species are what are commonly used in the scientific (or latin) names for organisms. (ex. Homo sapien, is the scientific name for human.)
Plants have the same type of classification, starting with the Kingdom Viridiplantae, instead of the Kingdom Animalia (Also called Metazoa). Meaning they are both living organisms, however they are not the same type of living organism.
Physiology deals with actual functions of living organisms and their parts, meaning how their actual parts work. A good example would be the human heart and how it pumps blood throughout the body. Physiology goes hand in hand with Anatomy because it's the study of the actual parts themselves instead of what they do. So it would be a concentration on just the structure of the heart instead of what the heart does. Anatomy would care more about the atria and ventricles (The chambers of the heart) than it would about the physical motion of the blood pumping.
These apply equally to plants and are often used to help determine the plants parts and how the overall plant functions.
Plant Anatomy & Physiology:
There are several different types of plants, some that grow flowers, some that bear fruit, some that bear neither. We could go into all of the taxonomy of each individual plant such as the Bryophytes (The mosses and hornworts) and the Magnoliaphyta (The Magnolias), but that would take awhile and I'm sure unless you're going into Botany like I am not quite as interesting.
So the big ones you would need to know are the Gymnosperms and the Angiosperms. Gymnosperms produce no flowers and bear no fruit, where it gets it's name Gymno meaning "naked" and sperm meaning "seed". The seeds are not wrapped in any form of fruit.
The Angiosperm translates to "vessel seed" because the seeds are wrapped in a fruit or "vessel" usually an ovary.
Just like humans, plants have male and female parts, for Angiosperms the male parts referred to as the Stamen which is broken up into two parts the Anther (Where the pollen comes from) and the Filament (Which helps support the Anther. The female parts or the Pistil consist of four parts, the Stigma (Usually located in the middle of the flower), the Style (Which supports the Stigma), then the Ovary (Which is at the base of the Style), and the Ovule (Which is within the Ovary). The male parts cause the pollen we so very much "adore" because that is... well for lack of a better word... plant sperm attempting to travel and land on the Style of another plant and therefore contribute to plant reproduction forming seeds in the Ovaries and being turned into fruit (When you eat fruit you're eating the Pericarp which in some fruit bearing plants is the actual plants ovary.
With Gymnosperms the process is a little different. A good example of a Gymnosperm is the pine tree. Everyone is familiar with pine cones, the cones that often fall to the ground are actually the female cones that have released seeds. The male cones (which are much smaller) are responsible for the pollen that coats our cars every spring. The male cones release the pollen and it flies into the air in the form of tiny little grains that are shaped like Mickey Mouse heads. They fly to the next tree and pollinate the female cones. At this time the female cone that had been open for the time of pollination closes up until the seeds have been fertilized and are produced. Then it opens to release the seeds that have little "wings" and they spread by the power of wind. The female cone then falls from the tree and it is what we find all over the ground in the fall.
There are also two differentiators between plants calling them either Dicots (Trees, woody plants) and Monocots (Herbaceous or green plants). There are few differences that you can really only observe through a microscope, but the biggest and most noticeable are that a Dicot is a plant capable of what is called "Secondary growth". Primary growth, that most plants experience is vertical growth, what allows them to grow up and down. Secondary growth is the plants ability to grow outward or horizontal growth, often times Dicots grow bark or "wood" from special tissues that give trees and plants like Rosemary their woody appearance.
Plants actually grow down, not up. If you've ever grown or seen a plant grown from a seed you might have noticed the seed shell on the very tip of the plant when it emerges from the soil. This is because the Apical Meristem, the primary meristem of plant growth, is at the top of the plant, not the bottom. So the plant actually grows down into the dirt, and the seed and Apical Meristem are pushed out by the force.
Constituents, what we talked about before as being the parts of herbs that made them medicinal falls under Phytochemisty which is a newer type of chemistry that studies the chemical compounds in plants, such as those found to be constituents.
Now that you know a little bit more about Botany you can understand more about herbs.
~Lindsey Shemwell (The Budding Botanist)
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Understanding How Herbs Work
In one of my past posts I briefly mentioned what made an herb medicinal, tiny parts called Constituents that have different effects on the body. Herbs work similarly to pharmaceuticals because well, many pharmaceuticals were derived from herbal constituents.
Take Willow Bark for instance, Salix spp. (Many species of Willow tree) which is rich in salicylate is very similar to asprin (acetylsalicylic acid), primarily because the discovery of asprin was made from Willow Bark, by pulling out the salicylate constituent they were able to produce acetylsalicylic acid. Of course of the years asprin is made from more synthetic parts, which is a lot of the problem with pharmaceuticals. By only concentrating on the particular constituents and then multiplying the amount we now have quick pain relief, however it comes with a plethora of side effects, some even deadly. The other constituents that might have been able to counteract the ill effects were completely removed. While each herb has it's own side effects, for example Willow Bark does have fairly similar side effects to asprin, they are generally safer.
The most important idea to concentrate on when taking herbs is to not try to take them to cure a problem but to take them to prevent one. Yes, they can help cure ailments and illnesses but if you have the option to stop that illness before it starts you will find yourself not suffering to begin with. In severe situations herbs may not be able to help at all or even make it worse, so it's really important if you do have to take any form of medications to know or just be aware of the drug interaction particular herbs have or the the effects they can have on certain disorders and diseases, a good example of the latter is that ginger (Zingiber officinale) stimulates bile to aid in nausea and digestive upset, however, because it stimulates bile it is not good at all to take if you have any kind of gallbladder problems. It can make the pain worse. Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) stimulates blood flow especially to the brain, however, because it stimulates blood flow it is not advisable to take with any kind of blood thinner. This would be a drug interaction and something you would want to look out for.
St. John's Wort is one of the worst for drug interactions. It's known to change, if not make ineffective, many pharmaceuticals that may be important, such as Welbutrin and various forms of birth control. It also has side effects of its own which can range from sensitivity to light to actually causing anxiety in higher dosages. So it's very important to look into the side effects and drug interactions of each herb.
Some herbs however have very few to no known drug interactions or side effects such as Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) which is commonly used for liver detox and aiding in digestion. There is, however, the chance the user happens to be allergic, in which case Dandelion could cause contact dermatitis, so allergic reactions are also important to look out for.
While pregnant or breastfeeding it is important that you ask your doctor or a certified herbalist what's safe to take, many herbs are not recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, just as many drugs are also not recommended. Even though herbs are all natural they still can have adverse side effects that you should watch out for.
Herbs and supplements can be a fantastic way to supplement a poor diet, or keep yourself healthy, even if you are currently on pharmaceutical drugs you may be able to find an herb you can take that may aid you or keep your other body systems healthy, it's all about sources and credibility.
Some good online sources for finding out about herb and drug interactions as well as herbal side effects:
~Lindsey Shemwell (The Budding Botanist)
Take Willow Bark for instance, Salix spp. (Many species of Willow tree) which is rich in salicylate is very similar to asprin (acetylsalicylic acid), primarily because the discovery of asprin was made from Willow Bark, by pulling out the salicylate constituent they were able to produce acetylsalicylic acid. Of course of the years asprin is made from more synthetic parts, which is a lot of the problem with pharmaceuticals. By only concentrating on the particular constituents and then multiplying the amount we now have quick pain relief, however it comes with a plethora of side effects, some even deadly. The other constituents that might have been able to counteract the ill effects were completely removed. While each herb has it's own side effects, for example Willow Bark does have fairly similar side effects to asprin, they are generally safer.
The most important idea to concentrate on when taking herbs is to not try to take them to cure a problem but to take them to prevent one. Yes, they can help cure ailments and illnesses but if you have the option to stop that illness before it starts you will find yourself not suffering to begin with. In severe situations herbs may not be able to help at all or even make it worse, so it's really important if you do have to take any form of medications to know or just be aware of the drug interaction particular herbs have or the the effects they can have on certain disorders and diseases, a good example of the latter is that ginger (Zingiber officinale) stimulates bile to aid in nausea and digestive upset, however, because it stimulates bile it is not good at all to take if you have any kind of gallbladder problems. It can make the pain worse. Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) stimulates blood flow especially to the brain, however, because it stimulates blood flow it is not advisable to take with any kind of blood thinner. This would be a drug interaction and something you would want to look out for.
St. John's Wort is one of the worst for drug interactions. It's known to change, if not make ineffective, many pharmaceuticals that may be important, such as Welbutrin and various forms of birth control. It also has side effects of its own which can range from sensitivity to light to actually causing anxiety in higher dosages. So it's very important to look into the side effects and drug interactions of each herb.
Some herbs however have very few to no known drug interactions or side effects such as Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) which is commonly used for liver detox and aiding in digestion. There is, however, the chance the user happens to be allergic, in which case Dandelion could cause contact dermatitis, so allergic reactions are also important to look out for.
While pregnant or breastfeeding it is important that you ask your doctor or a certified herbalist what's safe to take, many herbs are not recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, just as many drugs are also not recommended. Even though herbs are all natural they still can have adverse side effects that you should watch out for.
Herbs and supplements can be a fantastic way to supplement a poor diet, or keep yourself healthy, even if you are currently on pharmaceutical drugs you may be able to find an herb you can take that may aid you or keep your other body systems healthy, it's all about sources and credibility.
Some good online sources for finding out about herb and drug interactions as well as herbal side effects:
- http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/herb_All.html
- http://www.herbs-info.com/list-of-herbs.html
- https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/ (Requires subscription)
~Lindsey Shemwell (The Budding Botanist)
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
How to be a Medicinal Herbalist
Many people often ask me what the "Requirements" are for being a Medicinal Herbalist. That's a really good question because there are multiple ways to become one.
If you are lucky enough to find a skilled and certified Medicinal Herbalist that will allow you to apprentice under them then this is the opportunity of a lifetime. The knowledge of experience is always something you should appreciate and listen to carefully. Some Certified Herbalists may even be able to certify you as well.
Taking classes is now easier than ever since online classrooms are now so prominent and many Universities and Colleges are accessing this once untapped resource, there are plenty of courses that can be taken virtually, however, you would still need clinical experience in order to be Certified to practice from such groups as the AHG (American Herbalists Guild) or the HSA (The Herb Society of America). Some schools can offer clinical studies if you ask around.
Becoming a Naturopathic Doctor or ND means going through medical school and specializing in alternative medicine. This can be anything from nutrition, to herbs, to acupuncture. Many areas have special certifications or don't recognize NDs as real doctors. So it's important if going on this route that you look at your state's requirements and see what is required to practice.
Becoming an Herbalist can be difficult especially if you intend to practice as in many states in the U.S. either have no laws and regulations, or have too many to allow for practice of Medicinal Herbalism. It is always important that you look into your states laws and regulations. There are some classes and courses that can allow you to sell herbs however the most important thing to remember is that as a Medicinal Herbalist by law you are not a doctor (Unless you're an ND) therefore you cannot diagnose anyone, you can only give suggestions for treatments of pre-known illnesses.
~Lindsey Shemwell (The Budding Botanist)
- Self-Taught → Self or Family Herbalist
- Apprentice under a Certified Herbalist
- Take Classes → Clinical Herbalist Certification
- Become a Naturopathic Doctor
If you are lucky enough to find a skilled and certified Medicinal Herbalist that will allow you to apprentice under them then this is the opportunity of a lifetime. The knowledge of experience is always something you should appreciate and listen to carefully. Some Certified Herbalists may even be able to certify you as well.
Taking classes is now easier than ever since online classrooms are now so prominent and many Universities and Colleges are accessing this once untapped resource, there are plenty of courses that can be taken virtually, however, you would still need clinical experience in order to be Certified to practice from such groups as the AHG (American Herbalists Guild) or the HSA (The Herb Society of America). Some schools can offer clinical studies if you ask around.
Becoming a Naturopathic Doctor or ND means going through medical school and specializing in alternative medicine. This can be anything from nutrition, to herbs, to acupuncture. Many areas have special certifications or don't recognize NDs as real doctors. So it's important if going on this route that you look at your state's requirements and see what is required to practice.
Becoming an Herbalist can be difficult especially if you intend to practice as in many states in the U.S. either have no laws and regulations, or have too many to allow for practice of Medicinal Herbalism. It is always important that you look into your states laws and regulations. There are some classes and courses that can allow you to sell herbs however the most important thing to remember is that as a Medicinal Herbalist by law you are not a doctor (Unless you're an ND) therefore you cannot diagnose anyone, you can only give suggestions for treatments of pre-known illnesses.
~Lindsey Shemwell (The Budding Botanist)
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
A "Bit" of Historical Significance...
Botany was derived from the Ancient Greek word 'botanē' meaning 'pasture' or 'grass'. It's a study of plants, their biology, taxonomy, anatomy and physiology. Everything from their cellulose cellular walls to the outer, mostly dead bark of a tree formed by the cork cambium. Plants are magnificent in that they can be as tiny as a seedling or as large as the California Sequoia sempervirens, or what many call the Redwoods, living hundreds of years. Plants have body systems much like animals do, vascular tissue pumping water, living tissue that can 'remember', that can grow.
Much like the human stem cells plants have what are called meristems which are undifferentiated cells that can turn into any cell the plant needs. They can acquire diseases like humans, be harmed by environmental stresses, dehydrate, and die just like any other living organism. It is well believed that plants came from the ocean and evolved for life on land just like it is believed happened to early animals. They grow. They evolve.
Not only are they physically appealing, and relatable but they are also infinitely useful. We are able to use them for not only food and aesthetics we can also use them for healing as they have been used for generations and generations of humans. Medicinal herbs have been around for thousands of years, as far back as we can trace human history, medicinal herbs have been used for healing, and cultures such as Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and China we’ve found written record of use of herbs. Often times ancient peoples would just observe the world around them and discover different properties of herbs because of use by animals, accidental exposure and the like.
Much like the human stem cells plants have what are called meristems which are undifferentiated cells that can turn into any cell the plant needs. They can acquire diseases like humans, be harmed by environmental stresses, dehydrate, and die just like any other living organism. It is well believed that plants came from the ocean and evolved for life on land just like it is believed happened to early animals. They grow. They evolve.
Not only are they physically appealing, and relatable but they are also infinitely useful. We are able to use them for not only food and aesthetics we can also use them for healing as they have been used for generations and generations of humans. Medicinal herbs have been around for thousands of years, as far back as we can trace human history, medicinal herbs have been used for healing, and cultures such as Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and China we’ve found written record of use of herbs. Often times ancient peoples would just observe the world around them and discover different properties of herbs because of use by animals, accidental exposure and the like.
So
what is the biggest difference between an herb and a medicinal herb? At a
botanical standpoint an herb is defined as an herbaceous plant, meaning it
stays green the entirety of its life and dies down after the growing season has
ended. The generally used term “Herb” however is typically not taken by its
botanical definition and is in fact used as a broad umbrella. Typically when
one hears the word “Herb” they think of something used in cooking or something
used in Holistic, Ayurvedic, or Traditional Medicine, which does not always
mean “green plant that dies off after the growing season” considering that
Rosemary, a typical herb used in cooking and often times Traditional Medicine,
is not “Herbaceous” but considered a “Woody” plant, falling into another
category.
What
actually makes an herb medicinal? An herb is defined as having medicinal
qualities by having a positive effect on the human body usually healing or
keeping the body healthy. The actual healing parts of the plant are called
Constituents. Constituents are essential parts of medicinal herbs and plants
that are often times pulled to make pharmaceuticals. Many modern
pharmaceuticals were derived originally from medicinal plant constituents,
however they maximized the power, and stripped away the other constituents of
these plants only taking the ones with the most desirable effects. Doing this
they were able to create a more potent drug that was generally fast acting,
however, by stripping the other constituents away there was nothing to balance
the potency, giving many modern pharmaceuticals terrible, even crippling side
effects. This is not to say that many herbs themselves don’t possess side
effects, some even life threatening. In comparison, however, medicinal herbs
are usually much safer, though not always as fast acting as their pharmaceutical
counterparts.
What
are the different types of medicinal practices? There are a variety of
different practices but the major ones that many associate with Natural Healing
are Holistic, Ayurvedic, and Traditional Medicine. Holistic Medicine comes from
the term “Holism” meaning the “Whole” this type of medicine focuses on healing
every aspect of the person, not just their visible problems or disease. It
focus on the mind and mental health as well as keeping the entirety of the body
healthy. This type of healing usually includes Chiropractic care and
Naturopathy, using herbs, supplements, and exercise to sustain a healthy life
style. Ayurvedic or Ayurveda is the oldest known healing system on record,
dating back between 3,000-5,000 years ago in India. This practice utilizes
yoga, herbs and supplements, meditation, diet, detox and purification
techniques, as well as breathing exercises to give full body health and
healing. Traditional Medicine is an umbrella term meaning medicine used by
people native to certain areas, such as Native Americans, Aborigines, Chinese,
and Native Africans. Many of these native people knew how to utilize the local
flora to make medicines as well as using their own spirituality to heal
ailments and disease.
If medicinal
herbs are safer than pharmaceuticals, why aren’t we just using those? Mostly
because during the areas of major scientific-medical findings, medicinal herbs
were beginning to look more and more “Primitive” and not able to keep up with
modern medicine. However modern medicine took on the ideas of fixing only the
disease, and began securing their focus on wiping out diseases that plagued
humanity instead of providing healthy solutions that would build up immune
systems to fight diseases, or generally making people healthier. They began to
not see a person, but a disease that they needed to either wipe out or get rid
of, when there is a strong likelihood they might have avoided the disease
entirely had they progressed to create a healthier mind and body. We live in a
world of instant gratification where we’d like all of our problems to be fixed
in one visit, with one magic pill. We are so transfixed on instant
gratification that many don’t care to take the time to prevent that doctor’s
visit, they go because they’ve let their ailments or illnesses become too
severe. The biggest strike off for herbalism is this sense of instant
gratification, there are herbs that may make one feel “better all ready” but
for the most part herbal treatments take time, over a span of weeks or months,
they require devotion to undo what has been done over time. It’s never too late
to begin an herbal treatment and they are far safer, albeit not as instant,
which becomes troubling in a world that believes they should open their mouths
and food should be placed there the second they do.
Why
aren’t more herbs researched? The biggest reason is more than likely that
pharmaceuticals are still a major part of our health system. One could say it’s
some kind of conspiracy that the pharmaceutical companies don’t want you to
know more about medicinal herbs because they are cheaper and can be
self-prepared, while the latter is true, I don’t think that’s the biggest
issue. Primarily it’s that medicine is moving very quickly in several different
directions, much like technology, to what medicine is playing keep-up with.
This just means that medicine is trying to wants to move forward and often
times Herbal medicine is seen as a step back. However in more recent years more
and more herbs, as they rise in popularity, are being researched and more and
more is known about their healing properties and overall safety.
In
closing, medicinal herbs while a much safer alternative to pharmaceuticals are
not as fast acting and takes time to be affective, however, consistent use of
herbs as well as proper diet can boost the immune system which in turn can
prevent illness to begin with. There can be cautions when using herbs and you
should always ask your Primary Care Physician or a Clinically Trained Medicinal
Herbalist before taking especially if you are pregnant or nursing. Everyone can
react differently to herbal treatments (Just like pharmaceuticals), so make
sure you aren’t allergic to the herb before consuming or applying it topically.
If you know you are not allergic and are of good health, follow the
manufacturer’s directions on the bottle or detailed instructions of preparation
from a legitimate site or book.
~Lindsey Shemwell (The Budding Botanist)
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