Marshall Editions
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 Calendula: This herb is valued for its anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties, which are due to the flavonoids, carotenes, carotenoid pigments, and volatile oils contained in the plant. Steep the flowers in hot water, let them cool slightly, and then soak a clean cloth or piece of gauze in the liquid and apply it to the affected area as a compress. A poultice can also be made, which involves applying warm or hot (but not hot enough to burn the skin) masses of plant material to the affected area. |
Velma J. Keith and Monteen Gordon
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| An herb to have on hand at all times.
— contact healer (relieves pain and starts healing on contact.)
— cell proliferant (helps grow new flesh and bone.) Accelerates the healing process. The cell proliferant and active ingredient in Comfrey is called Allantoin.
— helps with pain, repairs and heals, excellent for wounds burns, cuts and abrasions and broken bones,
— reduces the inflammation of pulled tendons.
— extract—topically & internally for acne, athletes' foot.
— for kidneys and bladder. Helps eliminate bloody urine.
— used for female problems. |
Bottom Line Health
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| Like garlic, ginkgo should not be taken with aspirin or a prescription blood thinner such as warfarin. The herb was previously believed to increase the effects of monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) antidepressants, such as phenelzine (Nardil), but this has been refuted.
Typical dose: 120 mg daily. Nearly all positive ginkgo trials have used one of three formulations that are produced in Germany and sold in health-food stores in the US under the brand names Ginkoba by Pharmaton Natural Health Products.. .Ginkgold by Nature's Way.. .and Gin-kai by Abkit Inc. |
| At least 33 randomized, controlled trials have shown that this herb enhances mental functioning or slows cognitive deterioration in older patients who have dementia. In addition, 13 other controlled studies have shown that ginkgo boosts memory and cognitive performance in healthy adults.
Potential side effects: Stomach upset, headache, rash and/or dizziness. Like garlic, ginkgo should not be taken with aspirin or a prescription blood thinner such as warfarin. |
| A friend told me about an herb that might help. Would you like to hear about it?
LAUGH
We all tend to be overly serious when we're around people who have serious illnesses. That's appropriate sometimes, but not all the time. People who have cancer may want to forget the pain and just laugh and be happy.
I interviewed a woman who received a cancer diagnosis on a Friday. She had all weekend to worry before she saw her doctor again on Monday, so to make herself feel better, she went to a video store and rented a bunch of comedies.
Going through cancer is not all about fear. |
| Devil's Claw Relieves Back Pain
Back pain can be relieved by using the herb devil's claw* A recent meta-analysis of 12 previous studies found that a daily dose of 60 milligrams (mg) of harpagosides, which are in devil's claw, is as effective in treating low-back pain as a standard dose of the prescription drug Vioxx. Vioxx was pulled off the market because it was linked to heart problems.
Caution: Do not take devil's claw if you are taking blood thinners or have any clotting disorders.
Joel J. |
| Do not drive after taking this herb.
Youthful' Scent omen who wear a grapefruit scent appear to men to be approximately six years younger than they actually are.
Scents tested that had no effect: Broccoli, banana, spearmint leaves and lavender.
Alan Hirsch, MD, director, The Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation, Chicago.
Saw Palmetto Won't Ease Enlarged Prostate
Stephen Bent, MD, assistant professor of medicine, University of California, San Francisco.
Ronald A. |
Michael T. Murray, N.D.
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 Pharmacology
Viscum album exhibits diverse pharmacological actions. The herb and various extracts have demonstrated blood pressure-lowering, vasodilating, cardiac depressant, sedative, antispasmodic, immune system stimulation, and anticancer activities.
Cardiovascular effects
Viscum has exhibited a variety of effects on components of the cardiovascular system.311 Specifically, viscum has repeatedly demonstrated blood pressure-lowering action in animal studies.
The mechanism of action for its blood pressure-lowering effect is still not entirely clear, as no recent investigations exist. |
Marshall Editions
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| If you have access to the fresh herb, simply crush some and rub it directly on your skin. Plantain is also excellent for bug bites and can also be rubbed directly on the skin.
CO m o —I ud
—i m
CO
TIP: APPLY A POULTICE
Mash up a clove of garlic and place the poultice on the affected area. This will prevent an infection from developing. You can also use a wet tea bag as a poultice. The tannic acid in tea helps to reduce the swelling associated with insect bites. Black tea is the most effective. |
David Hoffman, FNIMH, AHG
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 Fig. 6.71. Grindelic acid
Fig. 6.72. Marrubiin
Marrubiin
A bitter principle found in horehound (Marrubium vul-gare), marrubiin is generated from premarrubiin as an artifact of the extraction process. M. vulgare is used as an expectorant.
70
Phytol
Phytol occurs in all chlorophyll-containing plants as an ester of the propionic side chain of chlorophyll. Phytol is used in the preparation of vitamins E and K.71
CHjOH
Fig. 6.73. Phytol
Premarrubiin
Premarrubiin, which occurs in horehound (Marrubium vulgare), is converted into marrubiin during the extraction process.
Fig. 6.74. |
Alan Keith Tillotson, Ph.D., A.H.G., D.Ay.
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 The related Chinese herb scute root is more anti-inflammatory and less calming in action.
SCUTE ROOT_
Latin: Scutellaria baicalensis Chinese: Huang qin
WHAT IT DOES: Scute root is bitter in taste and cold in action. It drains heat and inflammation from the liver, lungs, blood, and intestines. It also reduces allergy symptoms.
RATING: Yellow, due to limitations in usage
SAFETY ISSUES: Not to be used as a general tonic. Use for the indications listed below. |
| STARTING DOSAGE:
• Dried powder: 3 to 10 grams per day
• Concentrated dried decoction extract: 1 to 4 grams per day
Scute root is a broad-spectrum, antimicrobial, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory herb that is especially useful for treating lung infections. It is used for treating high fever, flu, pneumonia, and the accompanying irritability, thirst, cough, and mucus. It also acts on the digestive system, easing diarrhea and dysenterylike disorders. TCM doctors use it in formulas for treating chronic allergy and inflammation. |
Linda B. White, M.D.
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 Two main types of cholesterol exist in the bloodstream: LDL (low-density lipoprotein,
More strongly sedating than passionflower, valerian is an herb to save for when you absolutely want to go to sleep despite a headache. Typical dosage: 300 to 400 milligrams of capsules standardized to 0.5 percent essential oil per day,- or 20 to 30 drops of tincture per day. Caution: Avoid during pregnancy.
Don't Self-Treat Heart Disease
Heart disease is a very serious, potentially life-threatening illness. You must continue to see your family physician or cardiologist on a regular basis. |
| Willow is probably the oldest herb known to treat pain and inflammation. The inner bark of this plant contains salicin, which is changed to salicylic acid in the body. The compound in aspirin, acetylsalicylic acid, is derived from salicylic acid. Typical dosage: up to six 400-milligram capsules per day.
Boswellia (Boswellia serrata)
This gum resin is an Ayurvedic remedy for arthritis. Studies in India have documented its usefulness and products containing boswellia are marketed there. Boswellia is sometimes mixed with turmeric and another Ayurvedic remedy, ashwaganda. |
Michael T. Murray, N.D.
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| Anderson LA and Phillippson JD: Mistletoe—the magic herb. From the Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, University of London, 1982.
4. Khwaja TA, Dias CB, and Pentecost S: Recent studies on the anticancer activities of mistletoe (Viscum album) and its alkaloids. Oncology 43(Suppl. 1), 42-50,1986.
5. Jordan E and Wagner H: Structure and properties of polysaccharides from Viscum album (L.). Oncology 43(Suppl. 1), 8-15,1986.
6. Wagner H, Jordan E, and Feil B: Studies on the standardization of mistletoe preparations. Oncology 43(Suppl. 1), 16-22,1986.
7. |
| Still another herb that is showing tremendous promise is bupleuri root or Chinese thoroughwax (Bupleurum falcatum). Bupleuri root is the major component of Shosaikoto, one of the most famous Chinese medicines. Clinical studies have shown good results in patients with chronic active hepatitis.1
Although all of the components of Shosaikoto exert antiinflammatory actions in animal studies, the main action of the formula is attributed primarily to bupleuri root's steroid-like molecules known as saikosa-ponins. Saikosaponins may protect the liver and exert antiinflammatory effects. |
Marshall Editions
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| Ashwagandha root: This herb is thought to convey vitality and strength. Many studies of its adaptogenic constituents demonstrate an improvement in endurance and exercise performance. The effects are greatest in people who are debilitated and exhausted. Make a decoction by boiling 1 tbsp of root for 20 minutes, or take 2 ml of tincture, and drink three times a day in combination with an exercise plan. Do not take ashwagandha root during pregnancy. |
Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S.
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 You can also drink it as a tea (boiling water poured onto one to two teaspoons of the dried herb, infused for 10-15 minutes).
St. John's Wort interacts with a lot of medications, so if you're on meds, check with a health professional knowledgeable about both St. John's Wort and pharmaceuticals before beginning to take it. It also is known to make you more sensitive to the sun, so if you like to spend time at the beach, be careful if you're on St. John's Wort. |
Joseph Campbell
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| The guarding dragon was distinguished by a crest, a three-forked tongue, and nastily hooked fangs; but with the juice of a certain herb the couple put the formidable monster to sleep. Then Jason snatched the prize, Medea ran with him, and the Argo put to sea. But the king was soon in swift pursuit. And when Medea perceived that his sails were cutting down their lead, she persuaded Jason to kill Apsyrtos, her younger brother whom she had carried off, and toss the pieces of the dismembered body into the sea. |
William Duffy
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 It became the miracle drag of its time and its boosters went all out, calling it herba panacea, herba santa, divine tobacco, healthy holy herb, holy all-purpose herb. During the seventeenth century, tobacco addiction spread like wildfire through all
European nations, despite the opposition of statesmen and clergy who invoked ultimate penalties of excommunication and death. When the death penalty didn't work, most governments settled for taxes.
Tobacco was eventually cultivated all over the world, but the prime producers and growers were in the U.S. |
Donna Jackson Nakazawa
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 Research into both the rue plant, a small evergreen shrub also known as the herb of grace, and sea anemone extract began years ago when researchers at the University of California, Irvine came across a report that described the beneficial effect of a scorpion sting on a patient with multiple sclerosis. They began to ask themselves about other natural substances that might, in a more controlled manner, be able to influence T-cell and cytokine activity.
It remains to be seen if PAP-1 will work in people as well as it does in lab animals. |
Craig Pepin-Donat
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 Then, in 1994, the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) expanded the meaning of dietary supplements to include "a vitamin or mineral, an herb or other botanical, an amino acid, a dietary substance for use by man to supplement the diet by increasing the total dietary intake, or a concentrate, metabolite, constituent, extract, or combination of the preceding ingredients." The DSHEA also dramatically reduced the FDA control over dietary supplements. |
| Ginseng is a popular herb said to increases a sense of well-being and has been used to regulate blood glucose and enhance physical and mental awareness. Usually well-tolerated, prolonged or excessive use can cause headaches, nosebleeds, insomnia and gastrointestinal problems.10 Because it is a vasodilator, Ginseng can decrease the effectiveness of blood thinners and cause blood pressure abnormalities."
It needs to be repeated, just as with over-the-counter and prescription drugs, you need to remember that natural products are not always safe. |
| The story goes that a Chinese goat herder noticed extreme sexual activity amongst his goats after grazing on the herb, thus the name. Also known as Epimedium or Ying Yang Huo, the leaves from this plant contain flavonoids, polysaccharides, sterols and magnaflorine and have traditionally been used to treat fatigue and boost sex drive.21 There is no shortage of Web sites that claim horny goat weed to be the "all natural Viagra" along with a convenient shopping cart to sell the product. |
| The Indian herb tribulus is said to increase the body's natural testosterone levels and improve sex drive. Eurycoma longifolia, grown in Southeast Asia, is touted as a powerful aphrodisiac.
Manufacturers can throw together any combination of these allegedly ancient ingredients to make up their own secret formula. How can we know what combination is effective? How do we know the ingredients are pure? How can we be sure they are safe? As with most natural products such as these, little research has been done on adverse side effects, dosage requirements, restrictions or interactions. |
Dr Ron Roberts
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 LIQUORICE
Hippocrates extolled the virtues of liquorice as an aid for asthma, throat and chest problems. The herb was known elsewhere in the world: the American Indians used liquorice as tea, as a cough remedy and as a soothing elixir for the throat. It is used today for all kinds of chest complaints, including asthma, and it is also has anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it especially beneficial for asthmatics. |
| It is therefore an ideal herb for asthmatics to take regularly.
Echinacea is widely available in a variety of forms: liquid formulas to relieve mucus build-up and coughs, easy-to-take soft gel capsules and tablets.
GINGKO B1E0BA
The therapeutic uses of extracts from the gingko biloba, or maidenhair tree, are centuries old. It is a species that has probably been around for hundreds of millions of years, and is believed extinct in the wild for centuries. It has survived in Far Eastern temple gardens. |
C. P. Khare
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 This tonic is prescribed 10 g to 20 g twice daily for one month.
In Unani medicine, seeds of Vitex agnus-cas-tus Linn, are used. These are imported from Iran. (This plant is also five-leaved, sometimes seven-leaved.) Seeds are known as Tukhm-e-Sambhaalu. Leaves are used only externally.
Sambhaalu seeds are administered internally with Sikanjbeen (Sugarcane vinegar) for dispersing hard swellings, especially that of spleen; and as diuretic and deobstruent.
Sufoof Fanjankisht is prescribed in spermatu-ria. Powdered seeds (2 g-3 g/day) are prescribed for spermatorrhoea; also for spermatochesis. |
Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S.
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| Legend has it that this plant got its nickname from a goat herder who happened to notice that his flock would graze on this herb and then get noticeably more, well, frisky. Also known as yin yang huo, epimedium has a long history in Chinese medicine as a tonic for the liver, joints, and kidneys. But in the United States, its principal use is as an aphrodisiac.
What Do the Chinese Know That We Don't? |
Ralph W. Moss PhD
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 In other ways, however, it is quite different, since its activity is almost entirely centered on a single herb.
The mistletoe sap is tested for purity and strength and freed of any bacteria or other contaminants that could cause untoward side effects or interfere with its action. From the Arlesheim laboratory, the processed liquid is shipped to the Weleda factory in Swabisch Gmiind, Germany, a small city outside Stuttgart. Here it is put into glass ampules in a special clean room on the top floor. |
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