Brigitte Mars, A.H.G. See book keywords and concepts |
AGRIMONY
Botanical Name
Agrimonia eupatoria
Family
Rosaceae (Rose Family) Etymology
The species name, eupatoria, was given in honor of an ancient Persian king, Mithrades Eupator, who was a renowned herbalist. The common name agrimony has its origins in the Greek term argemon, meaning "speck in the eye," a reference to the plant's traditional use as an eyewash. The common names cocklebur and sticklewort make reference to the way the plant's seeds cling to anyone who comes in contact with them. |
David Winston, RH(AHG), and Steven Maimes See book keywords and concepts |
It is our belief that a good clinical herbalist always should be a part of any medicinal plant research team.
EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF PHARMACEUTICAL DRUGS
There is always the question of efficacy—does the medicine work? The following chart provides estimates of how effective pharmaceutical drugs are for treating people with various illnesses or diseases. The range is from 25 to 60 percent effective. That means that pharmaceutical drugs are not effective from 40 to 75 percent of the time. |
Dr Ron Roberts See book keywords and concepts |
For instance, when someone with asthma consults a herbalist he or she may be prescribed herbs to cut down on mucus production, herbs to ease bronchospasms and coughing, and herbs to build up the immune system—for, as we have seen, a strong and robust immune system lessens the likelihood of severe asthma occurring.
Most herbal suppliers provide combination formulas developed specially for asthma, which contain a number of herbs. Here is an example of the constituents of one: passionflower, common thyme, grindelia, euphorbia, ascorbic acid, Vitamin A acetate. |
Gary Null and Amy McDonald See book keywords and concepts |
Other possibilities include pheanine (at 300 milligrams, one of the best relaxants in nature), chamomile tea, hops, skullcap, and valerian root, a natural calmative used by orthomolecular psychiatrists for people who tend to be anxious. herbalist Letha Hadady says that people who can't think clearly during the day and wake up at night sweating, with their hearts beating too fast, should consider remedies that balance the adrenal glands in the heart. |
Gabriel Cousens See book keywords and concepts |
David Peterson, a licensed, practicing medical herbalist in Great Britain, once wrote that the high insulin content of the root may be regarded as something "to prescribe for people with diabetes mellitus."
Heinerman suggests 3 capsules of dried root each day.171
Herbs
GYM N EM A
Gymnema sylvestre decreases glucose absorption from the intestines; it seems to regenerate the beta cells in the pancreas and improves insulin secretion, as well as increasing the permeability of cells so that they absorb more insulin. |
Connie Bennett, C.H.H.C. with Stephen T. Sinatra, M.D. See book keywords and concepts |
When cravings strike, herbalist Mars recommends sucking on cinnamon sticks, drinking tea made from anise, fennel, or licorice root, or inhaling deeply of aromatic essential oils of anise, cardamom, cinnamon, clove, fennel, nutmeg, rose, and vanilla.
Other experts, including Mars, praise the herb gymnema sylvestre as helpful to normalize blood sugar. "It's known as 'the sugar destroyer,' because it tends to block the body's ability to taste sweets," she says. |
Peter h. Fraser and Harry Massey See book keywords and concepts |
Even though she would eventually leave the field of microbiology to become an herbalist herself, she kept Peter on his toes about using such unconventional methods, checking his results, and keeping a skeptical, more scientific frame of reference. Under her tutelage, Peter learned a great deal about microbiology, especially about virology.
What surprised Peter about his test results was that many of the flower nectars contained the energetic imprint of various viruses, especially the Flaviviridae family of viruses, which are associated with encephalitis. |
Peter was a nature lover and herbalist, so he decided to see if there were plants from the Australian environment that might help treat his symptoms. Peter had an early version of an electronic imprinting device, so he could, if he needed to, make homeopathic-like remedies from any flowers or plants that seemed promising in treating his symptoms.1 He had devised a way to test plants for their
"energetic signatures" by using an electrodermal-type testing machine, which is an electronic machine that is said to detect the distinct energy of a substance. |
Dr Ron Roberts See book keywords and concepts |
Your wisest course of action before launching into a sea of supplements would be to consult a naturopath, herbalist or nutritionist who can accurately assess your health, diet and lifestyle and identify your supplement needs. By consulting an expert you will also learn about recommended dosages and eliminate the possibility
Other Dietary Supplements of overloading your body or wasting your money on too many of the wrong supplements. Some supplements have to be introduced gradually some may conflict with others and could defeat the purpose of optimum nutritional benefit. |
You should also consult a herbalist for further recommendations if the common herbal remedies for asthma do not improve your condition.
Some of the most common herbs used for the relief of asthma and bronchial conditions are: euphorbia, lobelia, garlic, eucalyptus, coltsfoot, senega, vervain, aloe, echinacea, hyssop, horehound, honeysuckle, sage, aniseed, chamomile, ginko, comfrey, fennel, thyme, valerian, liquorice, passionflower and grindelia. We cannot cover all of them in detail, but here is more information about a number of them. |
Marshall Editions See book keywords and concepts |
You can find the above patent herbal pills at a Chinese herbalist.
• Herbal tea: Combine 5 g of Jin Yin Hua (honeysuckle), 8 g of Ye Ju Hua (chrysanthemum), and 2 g of Shen Gan Cao (raw licorice) in a teapot. Add boiling water and let the herbs steep for three to five minutes. Allow the tea to cool and drink 1 cup three to four times a day. This formula can be taken regularly, but if you have a digestive problem, the tea may be too cold for you. Consult with a Chinese medicine doctor for the formula suitable for your particular condition. |
If you choose to use this course of treatment, consult a medical herbalist. Although there is the potential for serious side effects, these can be avoided with proper administration.
Anise: Oil of anise can be used topically to treat scabies. Apply it directly to the affected area two to three times a day. The most common side effects are irritation and dermatitis. Combining a small amount of the anise essential oil with a high-quality oil used in skin care (for example, olive oil or almond oil) may help lessen these effects. Side effects may occur if anise is taken internally. |
Mike Adams, the Health Ranger See article keywords and concepts |
Being an herbalist, I really wanted to add the right ingredients for prevention. It's all about prevention. It's all about healthy lifestyles.
Mike: You also have probiotics in this formula.
Lovejoy: Yes. It has 8.5 billion probiotics. People ask me all the time why we want to put probiotics in the formula, and why is it so important. It's really because so many people are taking antibiotics today. It takes out those beneficial bacteria. What happens when we take out those beneficial bacteria is we lose part of our immune system.
In addition, probiotics are what helps make our B vitamins. |
Amarjit S. Basra See book keywords and concepts |
If a hike into a mountain fastness is required, the child might be beyond help by the time that the herbalist gets back.
A PLANT'S DILEMMA
Why do plants produce medically valuable chemicals? To simplify a very complex problem, plants generally serve as useful drugs because of the biologically active secondary chemicals they produce. |
Mike Adams, the Health Ranger See article keywords and concepts |
Visit an herbalist to combat bird flu
So that's the truth about the bird flu virus and the antiviral herbs that we are still, at this point, not hearing about in the mainstream press. This is the truth that the mainstream press refuses to print, and they say we have a free press in this country. We have a controlled, manipulated, censored press in this country, and that's why you're only being told about two things. |
Kelly Harford, M.C., C.N.C. See book keywords and concepts |
Whatever form of herbs you choose to use, experiment with small doses of one at a time to see what works best or consult with a knowledgeable herbalist. If you are taking medications, be sure to check for any adverse herbal/drug interactions before you begin.
Homeopathic remedies can also assist in clearing food cravings and addictions. You can do some research and experiment with this approach on your own as well. However, because it is such a specialized modality, it is wise to consult with a qualified homeopath for help if you can. |
James F. Balch, M.D. and Mark Stengler, N.D. See book keywords and concepts |
His healing methods grew out of a heated public dispute with a Scottish herbalist over the medicinal powers of Peruvian bark, known as cinchona, which we now know contains quinine. oday homeopathy is widely practiced in Europe and the United Kingdom and is rapidly gaining popularity in North America.
Spanish conquerors had brought cinchona back to Europe after discovering that it could be used to cure malaria, which was then ravaging much of the continent. According to an oft-told story, the Scottish professor William Cullen attributed cinchona bark's powers to its bitter taste. |
Michael Friedman, ND See book keywords and concepts |
According to English herbalist John Gerard in 1597, a syrup of the flowers was used to "comfort the heart and pur-geth melancholy." The Celts steeped borage leaves in wine, and the mixture was thought to increase the blood adrenaline level, thereby bolstering courage. The purple-blue hanging flowers are said to produce excellent honey. Folklore also suggests that borage can enhance psychic awareness and has been used in ritual baths to prepare for shamanic journeying. It is also thought to make people more aware of their male aspect of their personality. |
Mike Adams, the Health Ranger See article keywords and concepts |
I talked to an herbalist who's worked with maca for 20 years, and I asked, "What is the right amount for me to put in here?" He talked about different people, different needs and finally said, "You know, 5000 mg is a good amount for someone to get in a day."
Mike: Is that right?
Shamai: Yes. He said that's an effective amount. So I thought, "Great," and I did it. Then afterward, I looked around and saw that people were selling capsules with 500 mg or 750 mg. Its closest competitor has 2500 mg. |
Mike Adams, the Health Ranger See article keywords and concepts |
Plus, I've just completed an interview with a renowned herbalist who is introducing a new antiviral tincture that contains the most potent combination of viral defense medicine I've ever tasted. We'll be printing that interview (and covering the product) here in the weeks ahead.
So why isn't the conventional medical community telling people about these natural antiviral solutions? The answer is obvious: we still live in the Dark Ages of modern medicine, where anything associated with nutrition, herbs or alternative therapies is routinely discredited. |
James F. Balch, M.D. and Mark Stengler, N.D. See book keywords and concepts |
Even if he or she may be suspicious of herbs' long-term health effects, you need to see a doctor or a qualified herbalist who can review the potential interactions and help weed out beneficial herbal remedies from the questionable ones.
Always keep in mind that there may be several different herbal and pharmaceutical remedies to choose from, and seeing how each will interact can offer you some healthful substitutes while enabling you to avoid any toxic reactions. In some cases, you may decide to take a mix of herbs, supplements, and vitamins instead of a drug. |
Mike Adams, the Health Ranger See article keywords and concepts |
Go visit a Chinese herbalist. Go to San Francisco, down to Chinatown, and tell them you're afraid of the bird flu virus. They will hand you a couple of packages with herbs and say, "This will do the trick." And they're right; it will do the trick. You might look in there and freak out because it might contain something like dried gecko. You might say, "Oh my God, this is medicine?" Yes, it is. It is, and I would absolutely take it.
As you can tell, my advice is: Don't trust the mainstream press on this issue. |
Mike Adams, the Health Ranger See article keywords and concepts |
If you have two batches of peppermint, and you brew them up and one tastes like dishwater while the other has a really strong peppermint flavor, you don' t have to be an herbalist to say, "That's good peppermint, and that's not." The signature characteristic of peppermint is the peppermint flavor. The signature characteristic of echinacea is that it numbs and tingles the mouth.
Mike: I've purchased herbal tinctures from health food stores because I appreciate the taste of the herbs. Sometimes it's not enjoyable, but it's part of the experience. |
James F. Balch, M.D. and Mark Stengler, N.D. See book keywords and concepts |
Consult with a naturopathic doctor or a reputable herbalist, a nutritionist, or a holistic doctor to find out which brands are of the highest quality. Many health food store and pharmacy employees will be able to help you as well.
Frequency of Use
This book provides detailed information on how to take the recommended herbs and supplements for each condition. Following are general guidelines on how frequently you should take herbal supplements.
Acute conditions: Take the recommended dosage every two to three waking hours to relieve symptoms and support the body's response. |
Alan R. Gaby, M.D., Jonathan V. Wright, M.D., Forrest Batz, Pharm.D. Rick Chester, RPh., N.D., DipLAc. George Constantine, R.Ph., Ph.D. Linnea D. Thompson, Pharm.D., N.D. See book keywords and concepts |
People should check with a qualified herbalist.
CHICKWEED .....................................
Botanical name: Stellaria media Parts used and where grown
The small, green chickweed plant originated in Europe, but now grows across the United States. The leaves, stems, and flowers are used medicinally. |
Blue flag should only be taken on the advice of a physician or herbalist trained in its use. Blue flag is unsafe for use during pregnancy (page 363) or breast-feeding. People should not give blue flag to children. constitutes about one-fourth of the total number of alkaloids present, is the major alkaloid.2 Scientists believe that boldine is responsible for the plant's choloretic (bile stimulating) and diuretic actions.3 In conjunction with other herbs, such as cascara (page 652), rhubarb, and gentian (page 680), boldo has been reported to improve appetite. |
Internal use of essential oils can be dangerous and should be done only with the supervision of a trained herbalist or healthcare professional.
Holistic approaches that may be helpful
Insomnia can be triggered by psychological stress. Dealing with stress, through counseling or other techniques, may be the key to a better night's rest. Many trials have shown that psychological intervention can be helpful for insomnia.3 A combined program of counseling, sleep restriction methods (i.e. |
People should consult with a qualified herbalist for other forms of this herb.
CORDYCEPS
Common names: Caterpillar fungus, deer fungus parasite, chongcao
Botanical name: Cordyceps spp. Parts used and where grown
Cordyceps sinensis in its sexual stage is the primary form used.1 However, more than ten related species (in sexual and asexual stages) as well as artificially cultured mycelium are today used as substitutes in commercial preparations. C. sinensis, C. ophioglossoid.es, C. capita, and C. militaris are the most common species in commerce. |
Historical or traditional use (may or may not be supported by scientific studies)
Dioscorides, a Greek herbalist, reportedly used hawthorn in the first century A.D. Although numerous passing mentions are made for a variety of conditions, supporr for the heart is the main benefit of hawthorn.
Active constituents
The leaves, flowers, and berries of hawthorn contain a variety of bioflavonoids that appear to be primarily responsible for the cardiac actions of the plant. |
The famous French herbalist Maurice Messegue used greater celandine extensively in hand and foot baths and teas for many conditions, particularly those affecting the liver.3 In eastern Asia it was also valued as a treatment for peptic ulcer (page 349).4
Active constituents
Greater celandine, like other members of the Papaver-aceae (poppy) family, contains alkaloids as its major constituents. These include chelidoxanthine, chelido-nine, and coptisine. Greater celandine extracts have been shown to stimulate production of bile and pancreatic digestive enzymes in human studies. |