Ask The Herbalist

May Herb of the Month- Jamaican Dogwood

Jamaican Dogwood: Piscidia piscipula.
Today’s common uses: A powerful antispasmodic, it is one of the strongest non-narcotic pain killers in the herb world. It’s 20 times stronger than cramp bark for menstrual cramps. In fact, it's better than any other botanical for painful PMS cramps. It's a sedative for sleep, and controls spasmodic coughing (especially for bronchitis). It’s a potent anodyne for migraines and cluster headaches, for TMJ, and nerve pain. It’s effective for back pain, ovarian and uterine pain, gallstone pain and bladder spasms.
Traditional Herbal Medicine uses: One of the most powerful herbal medicines in a naturopath’s pharmacy, it was used for labor pains and threatened miscarriage (inhibits uterine contractions), and severe menstrual cramps. It was alos used by the Caribbean Arawak Indians, believe it or not to catch fish! The natives would pound the root to a pulp, dam up a stream, and spread Piscidia on the water. The fish would become anesthetized - and easy spear targets for the Arawaks!
Therapeutic parts: the root bark or bark, collected in strips.
Delivery forms: dried root bark, fluid extract, tincture.
Key compounds: Contains active glycosides including piscidin and jamaicin, and active flavonoid glycosides
Works in synergy with: 1) Use Jamaican dogwood with cramp bark, black haw, St. John’s wort, kava, passionflower, valerian, rosemary and wild yam as a powerful, fast acting pain and spasm reliever.

April Herb of the Month- Nettles

Nettles- Urtica dioica

Add nettles to your spring cleanse program today!

Today’s common uses: Nettles is one of the most powerful blood purifying herbs, driving toxins and wastes out of the body by stimulating the kidneys to excrete more water. Its chlorophyll and draining action makes it effective for dissolving deposits and stones, and for clearing respiratory congestion in asthma, chronic bronchitis and hacking coughs. It’s a good anemia tonic because nettles draw natural iron and other minerals from the soil. As a kidney food, it is a mild diuretic that strengthens inflamed kidneys, (an excellent preventive treatment for people prone to kidney stones). A daily tea helps hay fever during allergy seasons. Its balanced minerals thicken hair growth and smooth nails.

Traditional Herbal Medicine uses: The Greeks recognized nettle for asthma and spleen disorders. A medieval remedy called Nettle Beer, made with nettles, dandelion, ginger and cleavers is used today to relieve gout and arthritic pain. Nettle tea is a traditional spring remedy to purify the blood and remove gouty gravel.

Therapeutic parts: leaf, root, stem, seed. To avoid nettles sting, dry or heat the leaves.

Delivery forms: tea, powder, extract, capsules, decoction, fresh juice, poultice, syrup, gargle, compress, wash.

Dark Hair Shine rinse: Combine 1 qt. water, 1 tbsp vinegar to balance pH, 1 tbsp dry rosemary for shine and to stimulate growth, 1 tbsp nettles to nourish scalp with minerals, 1 1/2 teaspoons, dry sage to darken and intensify color.

Common dose: Tincture: 10-15 drops as needed. Juice: 1 teaspoon as needed. Tea: 3 cups daily during treatment.

Key compounds: Nettles is very high in chlorophyll, flavonoids, carotenes and vitamin A. Its high iron, magnesium, calcium, boron and beta carotene strengthen the blood and kidneys and enrich the liver. Amazingly, cooked nettle leaves have about the same amount of carotene and vitamin C as spinach or mustard greens.

Works in synergy with: 1) Healthy Prostate caps use nettles with saw palmetto berry, ginger, gravel root, willow and goldenseal to protect and relieve the prostate.  2) an eczema ointment: with marigold, burdock and figwort. 3) Ocean Minerals caps use nettles with alfalfa, Irish moss, spirulina, watercress, sea buckthorn, dulse and barley grass.

March Herb of the Month- Kava Kava

Kava Kava: Piper methysticum.

Today’s common uses:  Kava is a mood elevator for stress relief and relaxation. It’s an analgesic sedative used to relieve pain, nervous disorders like anxiety and depression, and insomnia.  Its reported benefits include temporary enhancing of eyesight, hearing, mental alertness and sociability. It helps many people remember their dreams. It relieves muscle and menopausal cramps, and helps neuralgia.  Despite being safely used by South Pacific Islanders and Hawaiians for over 3,000 years, Germany banned Kava in 2002 due to concerns about liver damage and toxicity.  The ban has been overturned, but the kava industry has been hurt.  Researchers believe the problem was due to a toxin found in the plant’s peelings and leaves.  Mass production may have resulted in using these plant parts, whereas a traditional medicinal kava drink uses only the roots.
Traditional Herbal Medicine uses: Still consumed as a refreshing, ceremonial drink in the Pacific Islands as a relaxing stimulant for aches, headaches and stress. It was regarded as an aphrodisiac, widely used in Pacific Island ceremonial courtship drinks. Hawaiian men especially would share the drink in a circle from a coconut shell, enjoying the relaxing, intoxicating effects in a ritual act to bond friends or family together.  Pope John Paul tried kava during his trip to the Pacific Islands.
Safety precautions: Avoid if pregnant or nursing. Do not take if you have liver problems. Discontinue if you experience symptoms of jaundice (dark urine, yellow eyes). Use in moderation only, not longer than 4 weeks at a time. Don’t drive or operate machinery after large doses. Regular use of large doses may cause rough scaly skin peeling. Do not use kava peelings and leaves.
Therapeutic parts: root (avoid kava peelings or leaves.) •Delivery forms: extract, capsules, powder, tea.
Works in synergy with: 1) to calm stress, anxiety and tension use with scullcap, ashwagandha, black cohosh, black haw, wood betony, and oatstraw in Relax caps; 2) to ease muscle cramps, back pain and tension headaches, use with cramp bark, Jamaican dogwood, rosemary, St. John's wort, and passionflowers in Muscle Relaxer.

February Herb of the Month- Gotu Kola

Gotu Kola: Centella asiatica

Today’s common uses: A rejuvenating brain tonic to overcome depression. Offers impressive brain and memory stimulation. Benefits any weight loss program for fat metabolism and cellulite release. Strengthens connective tissue for problems like cellulite and eczema and psoriasis. Boosts circulation, normalizes thyroid activity, counteracts mental fatigue. A specific for nerve regeneration and scarring when recovering from disease or surgery. An important herb for auto-immune problems like fibromyalgia and lupus that are characterized by nerve degeneration. Helps stimulates immune response, too.    

Recent clinical results for gotu kola:
    •Gotu Kola enhances energy and stamina for body builders, yet does not contain caffeine.
    •Gotu Kola helps develop collagen and connective tissue, to inhibit production of scar tissue.
    •Gotu Kola helps normalize retinal detachment and retinal tear (I have experience this activity myself).
    •Gotu Kola accelerates healing of skin problems like dermatitis, especially of inflamed tissue, like sprains.
    •Gotu Kola helps women with interstitial cystitis to normalize connective tissues and ulcerations  in the bladder.
    •Gotu Kola helps reduce liver scarring.
    •Gotu Kola helps peripheral vascular problems like spider veins, varicose veins, poor circulation in the legs (PAD).
    •Gotu Kola strengthens vascular fragility to help relieve hemorrhoids.
    •Gotu Kola improves mental ability.
    •Gotu Kola stimulates hair and nail growth.
    •Gotu Kola is an anti-stress tonic with an anti-anxiety effects for a feeling of well-being.
   
Traditional Herbal Medicine uses: A traditional tonic that increases oxygen flow to the brain and hands and feet. Traditionally used to lower body temperature during a fever.
Key compounds: Triterpenes, steroid-like compounds are the primary active elements in gotu kola.
Safety precautions: avoid during pregnancy or hyper-thyroid conditions.
Works in synergy with: 1) as a stimulating aphrodisiac, with ginkgo biloba, ginseng, eleuthero and St. John’s wort. 2) Addiction Withdrawal uses gotu kola with scullcap, kava, amla berr, sea buckthorn, valerian, hawthorn, eleuthero and St. John’s wort to reduce symptoms of drug and alcohol withdrawal.

January Herb of the Month- Echinacea

Today’s common uses: Often called the “King of the Blood Purifiers,” all echinaceas are anti-microbial infection fighters and blood purifiers especially for strep, staph infections, herpes virus and nail fungus. Echinacea purpurea and angustifolia are famous worldwide for their antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. Effectively increases production and activity of white blood cells against pathogenic organisms at any point in immune deficiency - the onset of colds, flu or respiratory infections, or any acute inflammatory condition, like mumps, measles, rheumatic fevers, urinary or venereal infections, food borne infections, bites or stings. Echinacea increases the phagocytic activity of leukocytes (antibodies) and stimulates T-Cell formation. Echinacea helps keep infections in check by clearing toxins from the glands and lymph. It reduces inflammation in the lungs for allergy symptoms and tonsillitis. Echinacea is an effective bowel and colon detoxifier, and helps relieve prostate swelling. Effective for skin conditions like herpes, acne, eczema, psoriasis. A notable modern success has come as an anti-fungal for candidiasis and venereal disease, and as a douche for vaginal infections.

Traditional Herbal Medicine uses: Almost all Native Americans valued echinacea. They used it for poison oak, snake and bug bites and stings, and STDs like syphilis and gonorrhea. They chewed the root for respiratory complaints, and used it as an anti-inflammatory for arthritis. They shared it as medicine with the colonies in the 1700s and with early medical doctors.

Key compounds: Contains vitamins A, E, and C,  B-3 and riboflavin, iron, iodine, copper, sulphur and potassium. High in cobalt, silicon and zinc, chromium, manganese, selenium.

Common doses: 10-50 drops extract or tincture; 3 capsules every two hours for acute conditions.

Works in synergy with: 1) Anti-Bio caps use a blend of echinaceas with goldenseal root, coptis, myrrh capsicum and yarrow for front line defense against harmful bacteria.  2) with ginsengs, goldenseal and other tonifying herbs for rebuilding and restoring health. 3) Bladder-Comfort caps use echinacea with juniper, goldenseal, Jamaican dogwood, uva ursi and cranberry to cleanse the urinary tract of bacteria, reduce inflammation and strengthen urinary tissue.

-Sarah

December Herb of the Month- Rosemary

Rosemary- Rosmarinus officinalis

According to folk legend, smelling rosemary on Christmas eve will bring happiness for the coming year. Rosemary is a symbol of remembrance, friendship and fidelity, still used in European weddings and funerals. Rosemary branches were burned to purify the air, ward off evil, illness and the Plague since ancient times. Its aromatic, needle-like leaves are a culinary favorite in Mediterranean dishes and Herbes de Provence seasoning.

Today’s common uses: Rosemary is one of nature’s best antioxidant sources to fight free radical damage; great for cardiac health, with anti-inflammatory and anti-cholesterol activity. Its antioxidants can provide a shield against carcinogens, preventing cancer causing chemicals from binding to DNA. Its antioxidants help prevent free radical damage to delicate brain tissue. Rosemary is a powerful nerve and brain stimulant. It uplifts your spirits, boosts energy, and sharpens mental focus. It specifically improves memory lapses and menopausal “brain fog,” and counteracts the effects of aging. Rosemary stimulates hair follicle growth and strengthens hair. Rosemary rinses especially add luster, retain hair color, reduce hair loss.

Traditional Herbal Medicine uses: Rosemary has been used for centuries to enhance memory and soothe digestive problems. In ancient Greece and Rome, students dabbed oil on their foreheads or wore rosemary garlands or sprigs in their hair to strengthen memory and boost energy during exams. Shakespeare’ Hamlet refers to “rosemary for remembrance.” Used in many folk remedies for colds, coughs, headaches, heart problems, rheumatic pain, indigestion, gas, muscle and back pain.

Key compounds: Flavonoids, rosmarinic acid, volatile oil, calcium, borneol, camphor, eucalyptol. Gentle, non-invasive, rich antioxidant proanthocyanidins promote healthy veins, arteries and capillaries. Modern research reveals its antioxidants and other compounds help prevent breakdown of acetylcholine in the brain, a key brain chemical for memory.

Common doses: You don’t have to heap on the rosemary. Less than a teaspoon, even added to food or wine, has powerful benefits. For dandruff massage a strong rosemary and nettle tea into hair nightly. Wrap hair in a cap and rinse out in the morning. Hair will look and feel squeaky clean. For a conditioning hair rinse, simmer 2 to 3 tbsp. rosemary sprigs in a small pot of hot water until fragrant, let cool and pour through hair.

Safety precautions: Do not take essential rosemary oil internally, it can be toxic, even small doses. Do not take medicinal doses if pregnant or breastfeeding. Test for skin sensitivity for topical application.

Works in synergy with: 1) Depress-Ex uses rosemary with St.John’s wort, kava, lady slipper, American ginseng, ashwagandha, eleuthero rt. to ease mild depression. 2) Muscle Relaxer uses rosemary with cramp brk.,Jamaican dogwood, black haw, kava, St. john’s wort, passionflower to ease headaches, back spasms, cramps, and muscle pain. 3) Beautiful Hair & Nails uses rosemary with seaweeds, nettles, sage, horsetail, oatstraw, alfalfa for healthy hair and nails.

-Sarah

November Herb of the Month- Evening Primrose

Evening primrose- Oenothera biennis

Today’s common uses: Evening primrose GLA (gamma linolenic acid) positively affects sex hormone response and balance. It should be a key part of any hormone program to control PMS, menopausal problems, infertility, and prostate problems for men. It also prevents hardening of the arteries and lowers cholesterol. A primary herb for skin beauty, hair loss and soothing breast soreness. An excellent preventive remedy for hangovers and cell damage from drugs and alcohol. As an EFA source, evening primrose helps even serious degenerative diseases like M.S. and muscular dystrophy. GLA from evening primrose is important for increasing prostaglandin production to treat many problems caused by low essential fatty acids: eczema, fibocystic breast pain, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage of legs, feet, arms and hands of long-term diabetics).

Traditional Herbal Medicine uses: Native Americans used it for digestive problems, coughs and sore throats and wounds, and as a staple food. They made a tea from the roots for obesity and bowel problems.

Common doses: 2 to 3 500mg gelcaps daily for hormone problems; 2 caps daily for EFA related problems.

Key compounds: A GLA (gamma linoleic acid) rich herb to enhance prostaglandin balance which helps regulate blood clotting, decrease inflammation, stimulate hormone production, and regulate PMS-related water retention. The oil has 74 percent linolenic acid (LA) and 8-10 percent gamma linolenic acid (GLA).  High in tryptophan, to promote healthy sleep patterns.

Can be taken during pregnancy precisely because the body requires more essential fatty acids during that time.

Works in synergy with: 1) for PMS and cramping, combine with dong quai and vitex. 2) Or Try Evening Primrose Pearls.

Note: There are a number of GLA rich herbs available - borage seed, black currant, arugula, sea weed, ginger are all worthy sources, but in my experience, Evening Primrose oil, is by far the most effective for hormone related problems for both men and women.

-Sarah

October Herb of the Month- Garlic

Garlic: Allium sativum 

A proven, universal antibiotic, garlic is helpful for every type of internal and external infections, and has a wide range of detoxification benefits. It’s a potent anti-viral against mononucleosis, herpes 1 and 2, chicken pox, mumps, measles and Epstein Barr. Garlic is a natural antibiotic for colds, coughs, flu, bronchitis, and against H. pylori caused ulcers. It is a specific for overcoming candida albicans yeast and fungal infections. As a tonic for the cardiovascular system, it raises “good” HDL cholesterol while lowering “bad” LDL cholesterol. It is a specific for controlling arteriosclerosis, and thinning sticky blood.

Traditional Herbal Medicine uses: The world has revered garlic as a strengthener and health enhancer, as a nutritional spice, and to preserve foods since man’s earliest times. Garlic saw significant medicinal use in the early dynasties of China, Egypt and the Pharaohs, where it was used to slow aging. In Greece, it was thought to ward off evil and witchcraft. Roman gladiators ate garlic before combat.

For 5000 years, Asians have used garlic for diarrhea, whooping cough, ringworm, impetigo, vaginal infections, dysentery, and bladder infections. In China, a detoxifying medicinal syrup of garlic, vinegar and honey is still used to clear the lungs of infection. Native Americans used garlic as an antiseptic for bee stings and snake bites. 

Delivery forms: dried: capsules, juice, extract, poultice, maceration; powder, tincture, tea, ear oil, enema and implant. fresh: either topically or as a food. 

Key compounds: An excellent disease preventive, garlic is loaded with fiber, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and B-complex vitamins. It contains volatile oils with 33 sulphur compounds like allicin, allin and ajoene. Garlic has 15 rich antioxidant compounds, including germanium (one of the best natural sources), chromium, selenium, zinc, vitamins A and C, and 17 amino acids.

Safety precaution: stomach irritating if taken raw; don’t use in medicinal doses during pregnancy (OK in food dishes).

Works in synergy with: 1) for defense in high risk seasons, use with echinacea, siberian eleuthero, rose hips, goldenseal rt., hawthorn, pau d’ arco, astragalus, elecampane, peppermint. 2) for supporting cardiovascular health, use with ginkgo biloba. 3) Ear Defense Drops formula uses garlic clove with hawthorn, echinacea, goldenseal, rosehips and astragalus to prevent ear infections in high risk seasons.

-Sarah

 

September Herb of the Month- Sage

Sage (white)- Salvia officinalis- The Latin name for sage, salvia, means “to save” or “to heal.”

Today’s common uses: A popular culinary herb, sage is also a good healing tonic. High in minerals, it’s used today as part of a “spring cleansing” tea to freshen and cleanse the whole body. It’s a good aromatherapy herb to dry up excessive mucous, sinus secretions and post nasal drip. It is a specific in a blood cleansing and anti-infective formulas for colds, intestinal viruses, flu and bronchitis. Excellent in a soothing syrup with honey, sage helps reduce pain and inflammation of sore and strep throat, laryngitis and tonsillitis. It's a good women’s herb, a specific for irregular menstruation and menopausal night sweats. Sage helps dry up mother’s milk during weaning. For men, sage helps relieve benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Traditional Herbal Medicine uses: Sage was regularly eaten in ancient times to preserve health and improve memory. Native Americans continue to use sage in purification ceremonies as a smudge stick.

Delivery forms: tea, tincture, syrup, compress, poultice, hair rinse, smudge stick.

Key compounds: Sage thujone has estrogenic actions, partially responsible for its effect on menstrual flow and its ability to help dry up breast milk. Contains saponins, flavonoids, significant minerals (zinc, iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium) and vitamins A, C, B-complex.

Works in synergy with: 1) with pau d’arco, green tea, ginkgo biloba, hawthorn, sassafras, ginger, calendula, yellow dock, peppermint, butcher’s broom, bilberry and licorice  to stimulate circulation, deter cholesterol.  2) with mint and chamomile to relieve coughs and throat infections. 5) Beautiful Skin uses white sage with white tea, horsetail extract, barley grass, rosemary, burdock, nettles and tremella mushroom for radiant skin. 3) Beautiful Hair & Nails uses white sage with a seaweed blend, nettles, rosemary, horsetail, oatstraw, alfalfa for longer, stronger, healthier hair and nails.

-Sarah

August Herb of the Month- Beets

Today’s common uses: Beet juice is a blood builder that cleanses the elimination organs, lymphatic system, and enlivens the body with rich minerals and natural sugars. An anti-inflammatory cleanser, beet juice is especially effective for the kidneys, liver and spleen, and is a good choice for a healing program from cancer. Beets help restore health to a liver damaged from alcohol abuse.
Traditional Herbal Medicine uses: In ancient Greece, beets were offered on a silver platter to Apollo at Delphi. Ayurvedic tradition recommends that the juice be sniffed up the nose for headache and toothache. Medieval medicos used beet juice for uterine diseases, itching skin, dandruff and sores. Taking a small glass of beet juice at bedtime or an hour before breakfast is helpful to overcome liver disease, constipation and hemorrhoids. 
Therapeutic parts: juice, leaves and root.
Delivery forms: finely grated, capsules and especially juice. To use beet juice in a detox program, mix beets with other cleansing vegetables like carrots and spinach. No fresh beets? Open 6 beet capsules and mix into a cleansing juice.
Key compounds: Beets owe their medicinal benefits to betaine, an essential hepatotropic, lipotropic amino acid similar to methionine that helps revitalize the blood. It is also a good source of vitamin A, specifically for fatty degeneration of the liver.
Works in synergy with: 1) Beet tea with vinegar relieves running sores and itching, cleanses dandruff and scabs. 2) Combine beet juice with juice from carrots, cucumber, parsley and spinach for a superior overall body cleanse.

-Sarah