EDUCATION: Common Herbs for Common Illnesses
By William R. McGrath, B.A., N.D. – Lecturer in Herbal and Nutritional Therapy.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
History of Natural Therapies
- Ancient Folk Medicine
- Graeco-Roman Therapies
- Hebrew-Christian Therapies
Herbal Recipes for Common Illnesses
- Why are Herbs so Helpful
- Classification of Herbs
- Why Herbs in Combination
- Herbal Combinations and their Benefits
Single Herbs:
Nutritional and Therapeutic Uses
Preparation of Herbs for Use:
Tinctures, Syrups, Oils and Ointments
Tinctures, Oils and Their Benefits
The Commonsense Rules of Herbology
Introductory Notice
This book has been written because of the author’s personal experience in being healed from asthma and arthritis through the use of herbs.
Hopefully it will be helpful to those curious about various old-fashioned natural cures obtained from herbs and plants.
This information is not presented with the intention of diagnosing or prescribing, but is intended to help one cooperate with his doctor in a mutual desire to build and maintain health.
In the event one uses this information without his doctor’s approval, he is prescribing for himself.
This is his constitutional right, but no responsibility is assumed on the part of the author, publisher or distributors of this book.
It is not the purpose of this book to replace the service of a physician.
This book does not promote the sale of any patent medicines, endorse the sale or consumption of any medicinal or nutritional preparations, nor guarantee the effectiveness of any recipe.
The purpose of this book is to edify and enlighten the general reader, not to sell medicines or advance any claim for infallibility.
The various herb recipes mentioned in this book were gleaned from herb books, ancient and modern.
The reporting of how they have been historically used as remedies and treatments does not constitute any unqualified endorsement or guarantee of cure.
We doubt if the use of simple home remedies could or should ever be eliminated.
Nor should home remedies ever make doctors and physicians obsolete.
Herbs, like all good natural foods are preventive remedies containing:
- essential vitamins
- minerals
- hormones
and enzymes.
If one made more use of them, one would need to impose less on the time of our busy doctors.
The well-known American naturalist, Henry David Thoreau, wrote,
“A man may esteem himself happy when that which is his food is also his medicine.”
Henry David Thoreau (born David Henry Thoreau; July 12, 1817 – May 6, 1862) was an American naturalist, essayist, poet, and philosopher. A leading transcendentalist, he is best known for his book Walden, a reflection upon simple living in natural surroundings, and his essay “Civil Disobedience” (originally published as “Resistance to Civil Government”), an argument in favor of citizen disobedience against an unjust state.
Miles Williams Mathis: NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE & the House of the Seven PSYOPS – Library of Rickandria
In a day when the asphalt jungles of cities are spreading like a blight over our polluted planet, and it is popular to indiscriminately exterminate wild plants by herbicides, many city dwellers unknowingly loathe and despise all wild flora as “weeds”.
But herbs have been used since the beginning of recorded time for medicinal and nutritional purposes and modern scientific research has proven that plants contain many remarkable healing properties.
For those who wish to study the subject in great detail, numerous books are available for further reference.
We invite readers to correspond with us on additional herbal home remedies or in the event errors are discovered in this text.
History of Natural Therapies
What is Disease?
Disease might be defined as any condition of the living body which prevents normal function.
Some diseases are caused solely from the lack or oversupply of certain essential biochemicals produced by the body.
Two such examples are insulin deficiency (diabetes) and cortin deficiency (Addison’s disease).
Other diseases result from the body’s self-intoxication due to improper elimination of its own wastes.
Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, was one of the first to point out that many diseases are a result of constipation.
Hippocrates of Kos (/hɪˈpɒkrətiːz/; Ancient Greek: Ἱπποκράτης ὁ Κῷος, romanized: Hippokrátēs ho Kôios; c. 460 – c. 370 BC), also known as Hippocrates II, was a Greek physician and philosopher of the classical period who is considered one of the most outstanding figures in the history of medicine.
There are also diseases caused by germs and viruses which gain a foothold in the body when natural defenses are crippled by imbalance and disharmony.
Finally, in our times, a new class of diseases has emerged known as iatrogenic (doctor-caused) diseases.
These maladies are a result of medicinal malpractice and side-effects of harsh chemical drugs used as antidotes and antibiotics.
Realistically, the doctor does not cure the patient.
Hippocrates stated that the ideal doctor works as an artist to enable NATURE to cure the patient.
“The physician is the servant of Nature.”
The Romans had a proverb for it:
“Vis Medicatrix naturae curavit”
or the healing power of nature cures!
The writer Oliver Wendell Holmes, who was also an M.D., stated somewhat humorously,
“Nature cures but the doctor collects the fee!”
Holmes, c. 1879 Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. (/hoʊmz/; August 29, 1809 – October 7, 1894) was an American physician, poet, and polymath based in Boston. Grouped among the fireside poets, he was acclaimed by his peers as one of the best writers of the day. His most famous prose works are the “Breakfast-Table” series, which began with The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table (1858). He was also an important medical reformer. In addition to his work as an author and poet, Holmes also served as a physician, professor, lecturer, and inventor.
Because of the effects from:
- drug shock
- serum sickness
- vacenosis
- painkillers
- radiation
- malformation of the unborn by experimental drugs (like thalidomide)
- overmedication
and surgery, the public is groping for a RETURN TO NATURAL THERAPIES.
Let us briefly survey the history of natural therapies from the dawn of history to the present and see if the way of nature is really practical.
Ancient Folk Medicine
We are accustomed to thinking of ancient folk medicine as primitive superstition, yet we forget that it often had a very practical, empirical basis.
Antedating our modern Western medicine by thousands of years, the oldest medical book in existence is called, “The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine” (translated and published by the University of California Press, 1966).
Chinese scholars claim that this work was written by the emperor Huangdi in 2697 B.C.
The Yellow Emperor, also known as the Yellow Thearch or by his Chinese name Huangdi (Simplified Chinese: 黄帝, English:/ˈhwɑːŋ ˈdiː/), is a mythical Chinese sovereign and culture hero included among the legendary Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, (shen).
There is no doubt it is the basis for Oriental medicine and is still regarded as its greatest authority.
The book is an extended treatise discussing:
- anatomy
- diagnosis
- acupuncture
- herbs
- diet
- climate
- prevention
and cure of diseases and the prolongation of life.
Its basic philosophy is that health is harmony with nature and the right way of life is the way of nature.
This is found by using the idea of balance, which is basic, and excess and extremes are abhorred.
Chinese therapies included:
- breathing exercises
- acupuncture
- moxabustion
and many kinds of massage, with a strong emphasis on herbs and herbal combinations.
The Chinese contributed to us such great herbs as:
- ginseng
- ephedra
- fo-ti
- dong quai
- chaulmoogra
- camphor
and the opium poppy for the treatment (respectively) of:
- stress
- asthma
- senility
- menopause
- leprosy
- aches
and extreme pain.
Eight hundred million Chinese today thrive mostly on Oriental herbs and therapies inherited from their ancestors!
Graeco-Roman Therapies
A school of empirical medicine grew up around the healing hot springs on the Greek island of Cos.
There Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, instructed student doctors how to treat diseases with:
- 39 herbs
- diet
- fasting
- medicinal baths
- steam baths
- sea baths
- massage
- exercises
and other such simple therapies.
He objected to the use of strong drugs.
“Leave your drugs in the chemist’s pot if you can cure the patient with food.”
“Your food shall be your medicine, and your medicine shall be your food.”
His favorite diet for sick people was a barley gruel and his favorite drink for those in pain was honey and vinegar.
He insisted that disease comes primarily from disharmony with nature and that:
“our natures are the physicians of our diseases.”
The Hippocratic school believed:
“man is his own disease.”
They believed in treating the whole man, using the concept of:
“a sound mind in a sound body.”
One of their great principles of natural health was “metriotes,” follow moderation and temperance.
They believed that it was the:
“healing power of nature that cures, the physician only assists the natural processes.”
They disliked resorting to surgery when herbs could accomplish the balancing of nature.
Instead of accusing the sick of being sinners, they regarded sinners as sick, and sought:
- physical
- mental
- spiritual
healing for them.https://www.youtube.com/embed/7joulECTx_U?feature=oembedSinners | Official Trailer 2
They shunned the use of deadly drugs and used surgery only as a last resort.
They believed many diseases result from constipation and so they emphasized:
- emetics
- purges
- internal cleanliness
The Romans followed these Greek traditions and emphasized even more the widespread use of:
- herbs
- massage
- healing diets
etc.
Miles Williams Mathis: ROME – Library of Rickandria
They used 150 herbs burned or steamed as incense in respiration therapy (inhalation therapy).
Their most famous physician, Galen, used therapies which included:
- sunshine
- warmth
- baths
- diets
- swimming
- gymnastics
- fasting
- rest diversion
- anesthesia
and a materia medica of 540 herbs!
Aelius Galenus or Claudius Galenus (Greek: Κλαύδιος Γαληνός; September 129 – c. 216 AD), often anglicized as Galen (/ˈɡeɪlən/) or Galen of Pergamon, was a Roman and Greek physician, surgeon, and philosopher. Considered to be one of the most accomplished of all medical researchers of antiquity, Galen influenced the development of various scientific disciplines, including anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, and neurology, as well as philosophy and logic.
Dioscorides, a Greek physician and. naturalist, wrote an herbal encyclopedia which is still a classic, discussing the use of 600:
- plants
- herbs
- roots
and plant products.
Pliny believed that for every disease, there had to be some plant to cure it.
Gaius Plinius Secundus (AD 23/24–79), known in English as Pliny the Elder (/ˈplɪni/ PLIN-ee), was a Roman author, naturalist, and naval and army commander of the early Roman Empire, and a friend of the emperor Vespasian. He wrote the encyclopedic Naturalis Historia (Natural History), a comprehensive thirty-seven-volume work covering a vast array of topics on human knowledge and the natural world, which became an editorial model for encyclopedias. He spent most of his spare time studying, writing, and investigating natural and geographic phenomena in the field.
The physician’s business was to find that plant.
The Romans had the proverb,
“The three best doctors are Dr. Quiet, Dr. Diet, and Dr. Happiness.”
Hebrew-Christian Therapies
The Hebrews, with their rich background of leaders such as Abraham from Mesopotamia and Moses from Egypt, had a unique health status in the ancient world.
Their regulations on:
- sanitation
- diet
- fasting
- prayer
- rest
and pure worship, were far above those of their neighbors.
Herbs are mentioned numerous times in the Bible and even special diets and herbal recipes can be found.
For example,
Daniel’s avoidance of wine and flesh, Daniel 1:8,
But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank:
therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Daniel 1:8
and Isaiah’s prescription of a fig poultice for a king’s boil or tumor, Isaiah 38:21.
For Isaiah had said, Let them take a lump of figs, and lay it for a plaister upon the boil, and he shall recover. Isaiah 38:21
King Solomon is reported to have written an herb book, which was, unfortunately, destroyed in 70 A.D.
Sects of the Hebrew people grew up dedicated to the formation of healing communities.
For example, Josephus, the historian, speaks of the Essenes who withdrew to the deserts and devoted themselves to:
- fasting
- prayer
- bathing
- collecting herbal medicines
and the study of Scripture.
Flavius Josephus (/dʒoʊˈsiːfəs/; Ancient Greek: Ἰώσηπος, Iṓsēpos; c. AD 37 – c. 100), born Yosef ben Mattityahu (Hebrew: יוֹסֵף בֵּן מַתִּתְיָהוּ), was a Roman–Jewish historian and military leader. Best known for writing The Jewish War, he was born in Jerusalem—then part of the Roman province of Judea—to a father of priestly descent and a mother who claimed Hasmonean royal ancestry.
Their very name, Essenes, may be derived from the Hebrew root, ssym, meaning “healers.”
Philo of Alexandria writes of a Hebrew sect called the “Therapeutae” (healers) who abstained from all but agriculture pursuits.
They baked their own bread, used herbs, and drank pure spring water.
In the Bible we find,
“And the fruit thereof shall be for meat and the leaf thereof for medicine.” (Ezekiel 47:12)
It may be noted that Luke, the beloved physician who had been trained in Greek medicine, wrote a part of the New Testament.
Luke the Evangelist was one of the Four Evangelists—the four traditionally ascribed authors of the canonical gospels. The Early Church Fathers ascribed to him authorship of both the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. Prominent figures in early Christianity such as Jerome and Eusebius later reaffirmed his authorship, although a lack of conclusive evidence as to the identity of the author of the works has led to discussion in scholarly circles, both secular and religious.
Christians readily approved the natural therapies that were:
- sensible
- simple
- godly
and practical.
They practiced:
- laying on of hands
- anointing with oil
- prayer
- fasting
and special diets.
They shunned:
- intemperance
- immorality
- gluttony
and the drunken excess and mind-dulling drugs of the pagans.
Christians used the herbs and therapies of:
- Hippocrates
- Galen
- Pliny
- Dioscorides
and others.
They studied nature, sought moderation, and framed the great principle,
“DOTH NOT EVEN NATURE ITSELF TEACH YOU?” (1Co 11:14)
They believed that nature, too, is one of God’s books by which He reveals Himself.
Nature’s way is far superior to man-made artificiality.
During the Dark Ages, much of the ancient wisdom was forgotten and:
- filth
- barbarism
- superstition
dominated Europe.
We are in the dark ages – The Next Exodus
Eventually there was a revival of Biblical sanitation and dedication, and a rediscovery of the ancient therapies.
RELIGION: CHRISTIANITY: KJV – THE AUTHORIZED BIBLE – Library of Rickandria
The Crusades brought back to Europe Arabic health therapies built upon Greek and Roman models.
Miles Williams Mathis: Philip III the Bold & the Crusades – Library of Rickandria
These therapies taught about alfalfa with its life-giving organic minerals and vitamins, about alcohol and its antiseptic properties, about many healing herbs, and unfortunately, about alchemy, which developed into the poisonous chemical concoctions so popular in allopathic medicine.
The Renaissance brought a renewed hunger for the study of classical herbology and homeopathic therapies.
During the Reformation, Bible-believing Christian groups like the Hutterites developed healing communities at the sites of natural hot springs and emphasized hydrotherapy.
Here they instructed and practiced the treasured art of Herbology.
Amish–Mennonite herbalists collected the old recipes of European folk medicine.
Upon immigration to America, they added the herbal treasures gleaned from the American Indians.
NWO: AMERICAN EMPIRE – Library of Rickandria
Samuel Thomson (9 February 1769 – 5 October 1843) was a self-taught American herbalist and botanist, best known as the founder of the alternative system of medicine known as “Thomsonian Medicine” or “Thomsonianism”, which enjoyed wide popularity in the United States during the early 19th century.
Great men like Samuel Thompson and Samuel Hahnemann systematized and elaborated on the great herbal heritage of their forebears.
Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann (/ˈhɑːnəmən/ HAH-nə-mən, German: [ˈzaːmueːl ˈhaːnəman]; 10 April 1755 – 2 July 1843) was a German physician, best known for creating the pseudoscientific system of alternative medicine called homeopathy.
Today there is definitely a return to nature’s way!
Herbal Recipes for Common Illnesses
Why are Herbs so Helpful?
One must realize that all physical energy comes from the solar energy packed into our foods.
Dr. Bircher-Benner of Switzerland, in 1936, stated,
“Absorption and organization of sunlight, the essence of life, takes place almost exclusively within plants.
The organs of the plant are, therefore, a kind of biological accumulation of light.
They are the basis of what we call food; whence animal and human bodies derive their substance and energy.
Hence, sunlight is the driving force of the cells of our body.”
Maximilian Oskar Bircher-Benner, M.D. (22 August 1867 – 24 January 1939) was a Swiss physician and a pioneer nutritionist credited for popularizing muesli and raw food vegetarianism.
Our domesticated food crops, mass-produced and forced by chemical fertilizers, do not have the light energy that is found in herbs!
Furthermore, there are some herbs like:
- ginseng
- garlic
- onions
which have been known to give off a soft, healing radiation of their own, called mitogenetic radiation.
To fully utilize the LIGHT energy available, one must use herbs!
Consider also the breath of life.
One may learn deep breathing techniques and develop his capacity for respiration but miss the fact that there are herbs which help overcome blocks to good respiration.
Many suffer from respiratory diseases such as:
- asthma
- emphysema
- mucous congestion
of the lungs.
The inhalation and ingestion of select herbs can greatly relieve this distress.
The vitamin E contained in herb seed oils helps oxygenate blood and otherwise aid as a powerful help in respiratory therapy.
There are herbs, which when used in conjunction with hydrotherapy, dissolve in the bath water and help draw out the toxins and poisons that block pores.
There are also herbs that one can ingest which will clean the kidneys and bladder, flush the liver and gall bladder, and act as diuretics and cholagogues.
In nutritional therapy, one might follow a careful and bountiful diet and never receive the full measure of nutrients needed from foods alone.
Many rare trace minerals and vitamins are found only in herbs!
Foods grown on our modern impoverished soils are often deficient, but herbs growing in the wild are tiny factories selecting and concentrating the rare minerals from the dust of the earth for man’s benefit.
In circulation therapy, massage and physiotherapy can do great things for circulation.
But again, herbs exist which are especially good for blood purification.
They balance blood pressure and help to cleanse veins and arteries of sludge-like material such as cholesterol that so often hinders good circulation.
In psychological therapy, there are herbs which help supply the vitamin B necessary to prevent nervous tension due to modern day stress.
There are herbs that act safely as mild sedatives and nervines helping the hyper-active person to maintain stability.
Is it any wonder that the Bible speaks of herbs from the tree of life for the healing of the nations?
RELIGION: CHRISTIANITY: Authorized Bible vs. New Bible versions – Library of Rickandria
Classification of Herbs
Listed below are some of the terms commonly used to describe the various categories of herbs and their application.
Alteratives:
Herbs that gradually restore the healthy bodily functions.
The Benefits Of Alterative Herbs | The Botanical Institute
Anodynes:
Herbs used to ease pain.
Anthelmintics:
Herbs used to expel or destroy intestinal worms.
Antiscorbutics:
Herbs used to treat scurvy.
Antiseptics:
Herbs that destroy or inhibit bacteria.
Antispasmodics:
Herbs that are used to prevent or allay spasms or cramps.
Antispasmodic – Wikipedia
Aperients:
Mild laxatives.
Aphrodisiacs:
Substances used to increase sexual power or excitement.
Aromatics:
Herbs which emit a fragrant smell and produce a pungent taste.
Used chiefly to make other medicines more palatable.
Astringents:
Herbs causing contraction of tissues.
Cardiacs:
Herbs which affect the heart.
Carminative:
Herbs which expel gas from the:
- stomach
- intestines
- bowels
Cathartics:
Those herbs which aid evacuation of the bowels.
Cholagogues:
Herbs which promote the flow of bile.
Demulcents:
Herbs used to relieve internal inflammations, provide a protective coating and allay irritation of the membranes.
Deobstruents:
Remedies which overcome obstruction; aperients.
Diaphoretics:
Herbs that induce perspiration.
Diuretics:
Herbs that increase the flow of urine.
Emetics:
Remedies that induce vomiting.
Emmenagogues:
Remedies that stimulate menstrual flow.
Emollients:
Substances used to soften and protect tissues.
Expectorants:
Herbs that loosen or induce expulsion of phlegm from the mucous membranes of the nasal and bronchial passages.
Febrifuges:
Herbs that reduce fever.
Antipyretic – Wikipedia
Galactagogues:
Herbs that promote secretion of milk from the nursing breast.
Laxatives:
Mild purgatives.
Mucilaginous:
A substance with a soothing quality for inflamed parts.
Nervines:
Agents which act on the nervous system to temporarily relax nervous tension or excitement.
Nutrients Or Nutritives:
Substances that provide nourishment.
Pectorals:
Agents which relieve infections of the chest and lung.
Purgatives:
Herbs that cause copious bowel evacuation.
Purgatives, more drastic than laxatives or aperients, are generally combined with other herbs to modify their action.
Laxatives Vs. Purgatives: What’s The Real Difference? | MedShun
They are usually recommended for adults only.
Rubefacients:
Substances used externally to cause redness by increasing blood supply to the skin surface when applied by rubbing.
Stimulants:
Remedies that increase or quicken various motor actions of the system.
Stomachics:
Substances which give strength and tone to the abdominal area. Also used to stimulate the appetite and aid digestion.
Styptics:
Substances which contract the tissues or blood vessels; astringents, tending to check bleeding.
Sudorifics:
Herbs which produce sweating.
Tonics:
Remedies which increase systemic tone through nutritional stimulation.
Vermifuges:
Herbs that expel or destroy worms.
Vermifuge: Herbs for intestinal worms and parasites
Why Herbs in Combination?
The most effective way to administer certain herbs is in a combination.
This can be done most easily by combining dried ingredients in capsule or tablet form or by boiling ingredients together in water to form a tea.
Tablets or capsules tend to be more effective because greater quantities of the whole herb are actually consumed.
Valuable properties of herbs are often lost if the bulk of the herb is not allowed to mix freely with the body’s digestive enzymes.
When one drinks a tea, he is only getting from the herb those vitamins and minerals that are water soluble.
It will be noted that many of the following herb lists include cayenne.
The reason for this is not to suggest that it is a panacea (though it does have remarkable qualities) but to point out that it is a vehicle which makes other herbs act as catalysts to promote and speed up chemical reactions.
When taking herbs for the first time, do not consume large quantities; the digestive system usually reacts with diarrhea and/or vomiting to rid itself of excesses.
Remember too, that herbs work best when the system is free from:
- drugs
- coffee
- white sugar
- white flour
- chocolate
- aspirin
etc.
As a final word of caution, remember that even the most beneficial substances can be harmful if used in excess.
Exercise moderation in all things!
Herbal Combinations and Their Benefits
For ease of reference, some common human ailments are alphabetically listed below.
Listed with each ailment are the herbs generally used in its treatment.
The following combinations include herbal foods that help supply nutritional deficiencies related to each ailment.
It should again be stressed that this is merely educational and is not intended as prescribing.
By all means consult a physician if herbal “first aid” does not help.
ACNE:
Because the American diet consists of more and more refined and processed foods, the pimply skin eruptions known as acne are becoming common place.
Along with elimination of:
- white flour
- white sugar
- other refined foods
from the diet, the following herbs are indicated:
Larrea tridentata, called creosote bush, greasewood, and chaparral is a medicinal herb. In Sonora, it is more commonly called hediondilla; Spanish hediondo = “smelly”. It is a flowering plant in the family Zygophyllaceae. The specific name tridentata refers to its three-toothed leaves.
CHAPARRAL
Sassafras is a genus of three extant and one extinct species of deciduous trees in the family Lauraceae, native to eastern North America and eastern Asia. The genus is distinguished by its aromatic properties, which have made the tree useful to humans.
Echinacea /ˌɛkɪˈneɪsiə, ˌɛkɪˈneɪʃiə/ is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the daisy family. It has ten species, which are commonly called coneflowers. They are native only in eastern and central North America, where they grow in wet to dry prairies and open wooded areas. They have large, showy heads of composite flowers, blooming in summer.
Capsicum annuum, commonly known as paprika, chili pepper, red pepper, sweet pepper, jalapeño, cayenne, or bell pepper, is a fruiting plant from the family Solanaceae (nightshades), within the genus Capsicum which is native to the northern regions of South America and to southwestern North America. The plant produces berries of many colors including red, green, and yellow, often with pungent taste. It is also one of the oldest cultivated crops, with domestication dating back to around 6,000 years ago in regions of Mexico. The genus Capsicum has over 30 species but Capsicum annuum is the primary species in its genus, as it has been widely cultivated for human consumption for a substantial amount of time and has spread across the world. This species has many uses in culinary applications, medicine, self-defense, and can even be ornamental.
Liquorice (Commonwealth English) or licorice (American English; see spelling differences; IPA: /ˈlɪkərɪʃ, -ɪs/ LIK-ər-ish, -iss) is the common name of Glycyrrhiza glabra, a flowering plant of the bean family Fabaceae, from the root of which a sweet, aromatic flavoring is extracted.
LICORICE ROOT
Seaweed, or macroalgae, refers to thousands of species of macroscopic, multicellular, marine algae. The term includes some types of Rhodophyta (red), Phaeophyta (brown) and Chlorophyta (green) macroalgae. Seaweed species such as kelps provide essential nursery habitat for fisheries and other marine species and thus protect food sources; other species, such as planktonic algae, play a vital role in capturing carbon and producing at least 50% of Earth’s oxygen.
Rumex crispus, the curly dock, curled dock or yellow dock, is a perennial flowering plant in the family Polygonaceae, native to Europe and Western Asia.
ALLERGIES:
Many allergies are due either to a hyper-acid condition of the body, creating an abnormal sensitivity, or focal infection.
To balance the acidity:
Alfalfa (/ælˈfælfə/) (Medicago sativa), also called lucerne, is a perennial flowering plant in the legume family Fabaceae. It is cultivated as an important forage crop in many countries around the world. It is used for grazing, hay, and silage, as well as a green manure and cover crop. The name alfalfa is used in North America. The name lucerne is more commonly used in the United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
To help immunize:
As a mucous decongestant and natural antihistamine, change diet to eliminate:
- milk
- wheat
- sugar
and caffeine.
Ephedra is a genus of gymnosperm shrubs. As of February 2025 there were 77 recognized species. The various species of Ephedra are widespread in many arid regions of the world, ranging across southwestern North America, southern Europe, northern Africa, southwest and central Asia, northern China, and western South America. It is the only extant genus in its family, Ephedraceae, and order, Ephedrales, and one of the three living members of the division Gnetophyta alongside Gnetum and Welwitschia.
Althaea officinalis, the marsh mallow or marshmallow, is a species of flowering plant indigenous to Europe, Western Asia and North Africa, which is used in herbalism and as an ornamental plant.
BURDOCK ROOT
Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), also called orangeroot or yellow puccoon, is a perennial herb in the buttercup family Ranunculaceae, native to North America. It may be distinguished by its thick, yellow knotted rootstock.
Parsley, or garden parsley (Petroselinum crispum), is a species of flowering plant in the family Apiaceae that is native to Greece, Morocco and the former Yugoslavia. It has been introduced and naturalized in Europe and elsewhere in the world with suitable climates and is widely cultivated as an herb and a vegetable.
Lobelia (/loʊˈbiːliə, lə-/) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Campanulaceae comprising 415 species, with a subcosmopolitan distribution primarily in tropical to warm temperate regions of the world, a few species extending into cooler temperate regions. They are known generally as lobelias.
AMEBIC DYSENTERY:
Many people suffer from amebic dysentery while living in the tropics.
A good remedy for this distress is the combination of cayenne and garlic.
So volatile are the aromatic oils of garlic, that they reach the encysted forms of amoeba.
Garlic (Allium sativum) is a species of bulbous flowering plants in the genus Allium. Its close relatives include the onion, shallot, leek, chives, Welsh onion, and Chinese onion. Garlic is native to central and south Asia, stretching from the Black Sea through the southern Caucasus, northeastern Iran, and the Hindu Kush; it also grows wild in parts of Mediterranean Europe. There are two subspecies and hundreds of varieties of garlic.
ANEMIA:
Anemia due to pregnancy can be corrected by taking edible clay capsules or a complete mineral tablet.
ARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM:
Experience has shown that a combination of the following is very beneficial in relieving pain in the joints.
For swelling and inflammation:
Hydrangea (/haɪˈdreɪndʒə/ or /haɪˈdreɪndʒiə/) is a genus of more than 70 species of flowering plants native to Asia and the Americas. Hydrangea is also used as the common name for the genus; some (particularly H. macrophylla) are also often called hortensia.[6] The genus was first described from Virginia in North America, but by far the greatest species diversity is in eastern Asia, notably China, Korea, and Japan. Most are shrubs 1–3 m (3 ft 3 in – 9 ft 10 in) tall, but some are small trees, and others lianas reaching up to 30 m (100 ft) by climbing up trees. They can be either deciduous or evergreen, though the widely cultivated temperate species are all deciduous.
BRIGHAM TEA
BURDOCK ROOT
Juglans nigra, the eastern American black walnut, is a species of deciduous tree in the walnut family, Juglandaceae, native to central and eastern North America, growing mostly in riparian zones.
Smilax ornata is a perennial trailing vine with prickly stems that is native to Mexico and Central America. Common names include sarsaparilla, Honduran sarsaparilla, and Jamaican sarsaparilla.
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis, Caprifoliaceae) is a perennial flowering plant native to Eurasia. It produces a catnip-like response in cats. Crude extract of valerian root may have sedative and anxiolytic effects and is commonly sold in dietary supplement capsules to promote sleep, but clinical evidence that it is effective for this purpose is weak or inconclusive.
Actaea racemosa, the black cohosh, black bugbane, black snakeroot, rattle-top, or fairy candle (syn. Cimicifuga racemosa), is a species of flowering plant of the family Ranunculaceae. It is native to eastern North America from the extreme south of Ontario to central Georgia, and west to Missouri and Arkansas. It grows in a variety of woodland habitats, and is often found in small woodland openings. The roots and rhizomes are used in traditional medicine by Native Americans. Its extracts are manufactured as herbal medicines or dietary supplements. Most dietary supplements containing black cohosh are not well-studied or recommended for safe and effective use in treating menopause symptoms or any disease.
and chelated TRACE MINERALS.
ASTHMA:
As in the allergies, eliminate from the diet all highly refined foods such as:
- sugar
- flour
- commercial milk
as well as stimulants such as:
- coffee
- pekoe tea
- tobacco
- soda pop
and chocolate.
The following herbs are indicated:
Verbascum is a genus of over 450 species of flowering plants, common name mullein (/ˈmʌlɪn/), in the figwort family Scrophulariaceae. They are native to Europe and Asia, with the highest species diversity in the Mediterranean. Mullein or “mullein leaf” often refers to the leaves of Verbascum thapsus, the great or common mullein, which is frequently used in herbal medicine.
Symphytum is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family, Boraginaceae, known by the common name comfrey (pronounced /ˈkʌmfri/, from the Latin confervere to ‘heal’ or literally to ‘boil together’, referring to uses in ancient traditional medicine). Symphytum is native to northern temperate regions of Asia and North America, with a wide introduced distribution on both continents. There are 59 recognized species. Some species and hybrids, particularly S. officinale, Symphytum grandiflorum, and S. × uplandicum, are used in gardening and herbal medicine. Species in the genus Symphytum are different from Andersonglossum virginianum, known as wild comfrey, which is another member of the borage family.
Stellaria media, chickweed, is an annual flowering plant in the family Caryophyllaceae. It is native to Eurasia and naturalized throughout the world, where it is a weed of waste ground, farmland and gardens. It is sometimes grown as a salad crop or for poultry consumption.
ARTERIES:
To cleanse congested arteries and improve the circulation:
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a flowering plant whose rhizome, ginger root or ginger, is widely used as a spice and a folk medicine. It is an herbaceous perennial that grows annual pseudostems (false stems made of the rolled bases of leaves) about one meter tall, bearing narrow leaf blades. The inflorescences bear flowers having pale yellow petals with purple edges and arise directly from the rhizome on separate shoots.
Ginseng (/ˈdʒɪnsɛŋ/) is the root of plants in the genus Panax, such as South China ginseng (P. notoginseng), Korean ginseng (P. ginseng), and American ginseng (P. quinquefolius), characterized by the presence of ginsenosides and gintonin. Ginseng is common in the cuisines and medicines of China and Korea. Ginseng has been used in traditional medicine over centuries, though modern clinical research is inconclusive about its medical effectiveness. There is no substantial evidence that ginseng is effective for treating any medical condition and it has not been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat or prevent a disease or to provide a health benefit. Although ginseng is sold as a dietary supplement, inconsistent manufacturing practices for supplements have led to analyses of some ginseng products contaminated with unrelated filler compounds, and its excessive use may have adverse effects or untoward interactions with prescription drugs.
Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), also called orangeroot or yellow puccoon, is a perennial herb in the buttercup family Ranunculaceae, native to North America. It may be distinguished by its thick, yellow knotted rootstock.
and GARLIC
have a deobstruent effect, helping to dissolve:
- clots
- plaque
- cholesterol
and dilate the blood vessels.
Adding onions to one’s diet daily is an additional help.
BLOOD PRESSURE:
GARLIC is noted as a blood pressure equalizer, tending to raise low blood pressure and lower high blood pressure.
More effective is the combination of:
BLOOD PURIFIER:
A famous American folk remedy to purify the blood, detoxify the system and fight boils and tumors:
Trifolium pratense (from Latin prātum, meaning meadow), red clover, is a herbaceous species of flowering plant in the bean family, Fabaceae. It is native to the Old World but planted and naturalized in many other regions.
RED CLOVER BLOSSOM
CHAPARRAL
Liquorice (Commonwealth English) or licorice (American English; see spelling differences; IPA: /ˈlɪkərɪʃ, -ɪs/ LIK-ər-ish, -iss) is the common name of Glycyrrhiza glabra, a flowering plant of the bean family Fabaceae, from the root of which a sweet, aromatic flavoring is extracted.
LICORICE ROOT
Phytolacca americana, also known as American pokeweed, pokeweed, poke sallet, pokeberry, dragonberries, pigeonberry weed, and inkberry, is a poisonous, herbaceous perennial plant in the pokeweed family Phytolaccaceae. This pokeweed grows 1 to 3 metres (4 to 10 ft). It has simple leaves on green to red or purplish stems and a large white taproot. The flowers are green to white, followed by berries which ripen through red to purple to almost black which are a food source for songbirds such as gray catbird, northern mockingbird, northern cardinal, and brown thrasher, as well as other birds and some small non-avian animals (i.e., for species that are unaffected by its mammalian toxins).
POKE ROOT
PEACH BARK
Berberis aquifolium, the Oregon grape or holly-leaved barberry, is a North American species of flowering plant in the family Berberidaceae. It is an evergreen shrub growing up to 3 meters (10 ft) tall and 1.5 m (5 ft) wide, with pinnate leaves consisting of spiny leaflets, and dense clusters of yellow flowers in early spring, followed by dark bluish-black berries.
OREGON GRAPE
Stillingia is a plant genus of the family Euphorbiaceae, first described for modern science as a genus in 1767. The genus is native to Latin America, the southern United States, and various islands in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Toothleaf is a common name for plants in this genus.
STILLINGIA
Smilax ornata is a perennial trailing vine with prickly stems that is native to Mexico and Central America. Common names include sarsaparilla, Honduran sarsaparilla, and Jamaican sarsaparilla.
Zanthoxylum americanum, the common prickly-ash, common pricklyash, common prickly ash or northern prickly-ash (also sometimes called toothache tree, yellow wood, or suterberry), is an aromatic shrub or small tree native to central and eastern portions of the United States and Canada. It is the northernmost New World species in the citrus family, Rutaceae, and is the type species in its genus, which includes sichuan pepper. It can grow to 10 meters (33 ft) tall with a diameter at breast height (DBH) of 15 cm (5.9 in). It produces membranous leaflets and axillary flower clusters. The wood is not commercially valuable, but oil extracts from the bark have been used in traditional and alternative medicine and have been studied for antifungal and cytotoxic properties. The genus name is sometimes spelled Xanthoxylum.
Rhamnus cathartica, the European buckthorn, common buckthorn, purging buckthorn, or just buckthorn, is a species of small tree in the flowering plant family Rhamnaceae. It is native to Europe, northwest Africa and western Asia, from the central British Isles south to Morocco, and east to Kyrgyzstan. It was introduced to North America as an ornamental shrub in the early 19th century or perhaps before and is now naturalized in the northern half of the continent and is classified as an invasive plant in several US states and in Ontario, Canada.
It is a good spring tonic to thin the blood.
A pure blood stream resists infections.
Another good combination is:
Sabatia angularis, commonly called rosepink, rose pink, square stem rose pink or rose gentian is a biennial flowering plant in the Gentianaceae (gentain) family. It is native to central and eastern North America.
Nepeta cataria, commonly known as catnip and catmint, is a species of the genus Nepeta in the mint family, native to southern and eastern Europe, northern parts of the Middle East, and Central Asia. It is widely naturalized in northern Europe, New Zealand, and North America. The common name catmint can also refer to the genus as a whole. The names catnip and catmint are derived from the intense attraction about two-thirds of cats have toward the plant. Catnip is also an ingredient in some herbal teas, and is valued for its sedative and relaxant properties.
Myrica /mɪˈraɪkə/ is a genus of about 35–50 species of small trees and shrubs in the family Myricaceae, order Fagales. The genus has a wide distribution, including Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, and South America, and missing only from Antarctica and Oceania. Some botanists split the genus into two genera on the basis of the catkin and fruit structure, restricting Myrica to a few species, and treating the others in Morella.
Myrrh (/mɜːr/; from an unidentified ancient Semitic language, see § Etymology) is a gum-resin extracted from a few small, thorny tree species of the Commiphora genus, belonging to the Burseraceae family. Myrrh resin has been used throughout history in medicine, perfumery, and incenses. Myrrh mixed with posca or wine was widely used in many ancient cultures to produce pleasurable feelings and as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic.
Fenugreek (/ˈfɛnjʊɡriːk/; Trigonella foenum-graecum) is an annual plant in the family Fabaceae, with leaves consisting of three small obovate to oblong leaflets. It is cultivated worldwide as a semiarid crop. Its leaves and seeds are common ingredients in dishes from the Indian subcontinent, and have been used as a culinary ingredient since ancient times. Its use as a food ingredient in small quantities is safe.
Stellaria media, chickweed, is an annual flowering plant in the family Caryophyllaceae. It is native to Eurasia and naturalized throughout the world, where it is a weed of waste ground, farmland and gardens. It is sometimes grown as a salad crop or for poultry consumption.
Symphytum is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family, Boraginaceae, known by the common name comfrey (pronounced /ˈkʌmfri/, from the Latin confervere to ‘heal’ or literally to ‘boil together’, referring to uses in ancient traditional medicine).
Pedicularis canadensis, commonly called Canadian lousewort or wood betony, is a flowering plant in the family Orobanchaceae. It is native to North America, where it is found in southeastern Canada, the eastern United States, and eastern Mexico. It has a wide-ranging natural habitat, being found in mesic to dry, forests, woodlands, and prairies.
Hypericum perforatum, commonly known as St John’s wort (sometimes perforate St John’s wort or common St John’s wort), is a flowering plant in the family Hypericaceae. It is a perennial plant that grows up to 1 meter (3 ft 3 in) tall, with many yellow flowers that have clearly visible black glands around their edges, long stamens (male reproductive organs), and three pistils (female reproductive organs).
Verbena (/vərˈbiːnə/), also known as vervain or verveine, is a genus in the family Verbenaceae. It contains about 150 species of annual and perennial herbaceous or semi-woody flowering plants. The majority of the species are native to the Americas and Asia; however, Verbena officinalis, the common vervain or common verbena, is the type species and native to Europe.
Podophyllum is a genus of flowering plant in the family Berberidaceae, native from Afghanistan to China, and from southeast Canada to the central and eastern United States. The genus was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753.
Centaurea cyanus, commonly known as cornflower or bachelor’s button (among other names), is an annual flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to Europe. In the past, it often grew as a weed in cornfields (in the broad sense of “corn”, referring to grains, such as wheat, barley, rye, or oats), hence its name. It is now endangered in its native habitat by agricultural intensification, particularly by over-use of herbicides. However, Centaurea cyanus is now also naturalized in many other parts of the world, including North America and parts of Australia through introduction as an ornamental plant in gardens and as a seed contaminant in crop seeds.
BOILS:
The Bible gives a famous recipe in Isaiah 38:21 of a fig poultice for boils or tumors.
The afore-mentioned blood purifier is also indicated here.
BONES (broken):
To help the body speed recovery from broken bones:
Scutellaria is a genus of flowering plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae. They are known commonly as skullcaps. The generic name is derived from the Latin scutella, meaning “a small dish, tray or platter”, or “little dish”, referring to the shape of the calyx. The common name alludes to the resemblance of the same structure to “miniature medieval helmets”. The genus has a subcosmopolitan distribution, with species occurring nearly worldwide, mainly in temperate regions.
MARSHMALLOW ROOT
MULLEIN
BLACK WALNUT LEAVES
WORMWOOD
Filipendula ulmaria, commonly known as meadowsweet or mead wort, is a perennial herbaceous plant in the family Rosaceae that grows in damp meadows. It is native throughout most of Europe and Western Asia (Near East and Middle East). It has been introduced and naturalised in North America. Meadowsweet has also been referred to as queen of the meadow, pride of the meadow, meadow-wort, meadow queen, lady of the meadow, dollof, meadsweet, and bridewort.
COMFREY ROOT
This formula can be used externally and internally in this healing process.
Also excellent for:
- sprains
- strains
- muscle pulls
Effectively used by athletes to mend attendant injuries.
To help dissolve mucus:
FENUGREEK SEED
COMFREY ROOT
See the decongestant and antihistamine combination mentioned under ALLERGIES for further information.
CIRCULATION, POOR:
See ARTERIES.
COLDS and COUGHS:
FENUGREEK and COMFREY.
Also see BRONCHITIS and FLU.
Another good combination of herbs used as a preventative of colds and flu is:
GARLIC
The rose hip or rosehip, also called rose haw and rose hep, is the accessory fruit of the various species of rose plant. It is typically red to orange, but ranges from dark purple to black in some species. Rose hips begin to form after pollination of flowers in spring or early summer and ripen in late summer through autumn.
PARSLEY
Watercress or yellowcress (Nasturtium officinale) is a species of aquatic flowering plant in the cabbage family, Brassicaceae. Watercress is a rapidly growing perennial plant native to Eurasia. It is one of the oldest known leaf vegetables consumed by humans. Watercress and many of its relatives, such as garden cress, mustard, radish, and wasabi, are noteworthy for their piquant flavors.
Salvia rosmarinus (/ˈsælviə ˌrɒsməˈraɪnəs/), commonly known as rosemary, is a shrub with fragrant, evergreen, needle-like leaves and white, pink, purple, or blue flowers. It is a member of the sage family, Lamiaceae. The species is native to the Mediterranean region, as well as Portugal and Spain. It has a number of cultivars and its leaves are commonly used as a flavoring.
A condition of catarrh in the bowels:
FENUGREEK and COMFREY.
Often simple constipation is the result of not drinking enough water.
Drink four to eight glasses daily.
Another cause is insufficient roughage:
BRAN with PAPAYA LEAVES to promote regularity.
The papaya (/pəˈpaɪə/, US: /pəˈpɑːjə/), papaw, (/pəˈpɔː/) or pawpaw (/ˈpɔːpɔː/ is the plant species Carica papaya, one of the 21 accepted species in the genus Carica of the family Caricaceae, and also the name of its fruit. It was first domesticated in Mesoamerica, within modern-day southern Mexico and Central America. It is grown in several countries in regions with a tropical climate. In 2022, India produced 38% of the world’s supply of papayas.
However, the best aid in cleansing the upper bowel in more stubborn cases is:
Senna alexandrina (Alexandrian senna, in Arabic عشرج or عشرق or سنامكي and see below) is an ornamental plant in the genus Senna. It is used in herbalism. It grows natively in upper Egypt, especially in the Nubian region, and near Khartoum (Sudan), where it is cultivated commercially. It is also grown elsewhere, notably in India and Somalia.
BUCKTHORN BARK
LICORICE ROOT
ALFALFA
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is a flowering plant species in the carrot family. It is a hardy, perennial herb with yellow flowers and feathery leaves. It is indigenous to the shores of the Mediterranean but has become widely naturalized in many parts of the world, especially on dry soils near the seacoast and on riverbanks. It is a highly flavorful herb used in cooking and, along with the similar-tasting anise, is one of the primary ingredients of absinthe. Florence fennel or finocchio (UK: /fɪˈnɒkioʊ/, US: /-ˈnoʊk-/, Italian: [fiˈnɔkkjo]) is a selection with a swollen, bulb-like stem base that is used as a vegetable.
Anise (/ˈænɪs/; Pimpinella anisum), also called aniseed or rarely anix, is a flowering plant in the family Apiaceae native to the eastern Mediterranean region and Southwest Asia. The flavor and aroma of its seeds have similarities with some other spices and herbs, such as star anise, fennel, liquorice, and tarragon. It is widely cultivated and used to flavor food, candy, and alcoholic drinks, especially around the Mediterranean.
Malva sylvestris is a species of the mallow genus Malva, of which it the type species. Known as common mallow to English-speaking Europeans, it acquired the common names of cheeses, high mallow and tall mallow (mauve des bois by the French) as it migrated from its native home in Western Europe, North Africa and Asia through the English-speaking world.
Veronicastrum virginicum, or Culver’s root, is a species of flowering plant in the plantain family, Plantaginaceae. It is native to the eastern United States and south-eastern Canada. Growing to 200 cm (79 in) tall by 45 cm (18 in) broad, it is an erect herbaceous perennial with slender racemes of white or occasionally pink or purple flowers in summer.
Ipomoea purga is a species of flowering plant in the genus Ipomoea. It is commonly referred to as jalap and is probably also the source of the John the Conqueror root.
Rhubarb is the fleshy, edible stalks (petioles) of species and hybrids (culinary rhubarb) of Rheum in the family Polygonaceae, which are cooked and used for food. The plant is a herbaceous perennial that grows from short, thick rhizomes. Historically, different plants have been called “rhubarb” in English. The large, triangular leaves contain high levels of oxalic acid and anthrone glycosides, making them inedible. The small flowers are grouped in large compound leafy greenish-white to rose-red inflorescences.
CRAMPS or CALCIUM DEFICIENCY:
Cramps are often a symptom of calcium deficiency and mineral imbalance.
A good antidote is:
Equisetum (/ˌɛkwɪˈsiːtəm/; horsetail) is the only living genus in Equisetaceae, a family of vascular plants that reproduce by spores rather than seeds.
The oat (Avena sativa), sometimes called the common oat, is a species of cereal grain grown for its seed, which is known by the same name (usually in the plural). Oats appear to have been domesticated as a secondary crop, as their seeds resembled those of other cereals closely enough for them to be included by early cultivators. Oats tolerate cold winters less well than cereals such as wheat, barley, and rye, but need less summer heat and more rain, making them important in areas such as Northwest Europe that have cool, wet summers. They can tolerate low-nutrient and acid soils. Oats grow thickly and vigorously, allowing them to outcompete many weeds, and compared to other cereals are relatively free from diseases.
COMFREY
LOBELIA
DIABETES:
The result of dietary abuses and/or a disordered pancreas.
The following herbs help fight this condition in many ways:
CEDAR BERRIES
Do Cedar Trees Have Berries? Unlocking the Secret to This Evergreen’s Fruitfulness – Tree Pursuits
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi is a plant species of the genus Arctostaphylos widely distributed across circumboreal regions of the subarctic Northern Hemisphere. Kinnikinnick (from the Unami language for “smoking mixture”) is a common name in Canada and the United States. Growing up to 30 centimeters (12 inches) in height, the leaves are evergreen. The flowers are white to pink and the fruit is a red berry. One of several related species referred to as bearberry, its specific epithet uva-ursi means “grape of the bear” in Latin, similar to the meaning of the generic epithet Arctostaphylos (Greek for “bear grapes”).
LICORICE ROOT
MULLEIN
CAYENNE
and GOLDENSEAL ROOT.
DIARRHEA:
An old-fashioned remedy for diarrhea is slippery elm.
Ulmus rubra, the slippery elm, is a species of elm native to eastern North America. Other common names include red elm, gray elm, soft elm, moose elm, and Indian elm.
DIGESTION:
A good aid to normalizing digestion is:
COMFREY
CAYENNE
PAPAIN
Remember, excessive eating breeds indigestion; moderation is a good doctor!
To promote urinary flow:
GARLIC and PARSLEY.
See SKIN PROBLEMS.
EYE WEAKNESSES:
To:
- strengthen
- brighten
- cleanse
- fight
cataracts and heavy film on the eyes:
Euphrasia, or eyebright, is a genus of about 215 species of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Orobanchaceae (formerly included in the Scrophulariaceae), with a cosmopolitan distribution. They are hemiparasitic on grasses and other plants. Both the common and generic names refer to the plant’s use in a lotion for treating eye infections, with Euphrasia literally meaning ‘good-cheer’.
GOLDENSEAL ROOT
Myrica /mɪˈraɪkə/ is a genus of about 35–50 species of small trees and shrubs in the family Myricaceae, order Fagales. The genus has a wide distribution, including Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, and South America, and missing only from Antarctica and Oceania. Some botanists split the genus into two genera on the basis of the catkin and fruit structure, restricting Myrica to a few species, and treating the others in Morella. Common names include bayberry, bay-rum tree, candleberry, sweet gale, and wax-myrtle. The generic name was derived from the Greek word μυρίκη (myrike), meaning “fragrance”.
RED RASPBERRY LEAVES and CAYENNE.
May also be used in solution externally as eyewash.
FEMALE PROBLEMS:
For the relief of the physical discomforts often associated with menopause, pregnancy and vaginal/uterine disorders:
Mitchella repens (commonly partridge berry or squaw vine) is the best known plant in the genus Mitchella. It is a creeping prostrate herbaceous woody shrub occurring in North America belonging to the madder family (Rubiaceae).
- SLIPPERY ELM BARK
- YELLOWDOCK ROOT
- COMFREY ROOT
- MARSHMALLOW ROOT
- CHICKWEED
- GOLDENSEAL ROOT
- MULLEIN
This combination of herbs is used most effectively as a suppository.
Another good combination most effective in the treatment of a prolapsed uterus or other prolapsed organs such as the lower bowel or kidney is the combination of:
- WHITE OAK BARK
- COMFREY ROOT
- YELLOWDOCK
- MULLEIN
- BLACK WALNUT
- MARSHMALLOW
- LOBELIA
The combination is best used as a douche elevating the pelvis to retain the solution as long as possible.
FLATULENCE (gas):
Chamomile (American English) or camomile (British English; see spelling differences) (/ˈkæməmaɪl, -miːl/ KAM-ə-myle or KAM-ə-meel) is the common name for several daisy-like plants of the family Asteraceae. Two of the species, Matricaria chamomilla and Chamaemelum nobile, are commonly used to make herbal infusions for beverages. There has been limited (though thus far insufficient) research as to whether consuming chamomile in foods or beverages is effective in treating medical conditions.
CHAMOMILE tea is ideal for colic in babies.
For adults a good combination is:
Berberis (/ˈbɜːrbərɪs/), commonly known as barberry, is a large genus of deciduous and evergreen shrubs from 1–5 m (3.3–16.4 ft) tall, found throughout temperate and subtropical regions of the world (apart from Australia). Species diversity is greatest in South America and Asia; Europe, Africa and North America have native species as well. The best-known Berberis species is the European barberry, Berberis vulgaris, which is common in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and central Asia, and has been widely introduced in North America. Many of the species have spines on the shoots and all along the margins of the leaves.
Dioscorea villosa (synonym D. quaternata) is a species of twining tuberous vine which is native to eastern North America. It is commonly known as wild yam, colic root, rheumatism root, devil’s bones, and fourleaf yam. It is common and widespread in a range stretching from Texas and Florida north to Minnesota, Ontario and Massachusetts.
Viburnum opulus, commonly known as the guelder-rose, or guelder rose (/ˈɡɛldər/), is an Old World species of flowering plant in the family Adoxaceae.
GINGER
CATNIP
Peppermint (Mentha × piperita) is a hybrid species of mint, a cross between watermint and spearmint. Indigenous to Europe and the Middle East,[2] the plant is now widely spread and cultivated in many regions of the world.[3] It is occasionally found in the wild with its parent species. Although the genus Mentha comprises more than 25 species, the one in most common use is peppermint. While Western peppermint is derived from Mentha × piperita, Chinese peppermint, or bohe, is derived from the fresh leaves of M. haplocalyx. M. × piperita and M. haplocalyx are both recognized as plant sources of menthol and menthone and are among the oldest herbs used for both culinary and medicinal products.
Or use a combination of the following:
- FENNEL
- WILD YAM
- CATNIP
- GINGER
- PEPPERMINT
Spearmint (Mentha spicata), also known as garden mint, common mint, lamb mint and mackerel mint, is native to Europe and southern temperate Asia, extending from Ireland in the west to southern China in the east. It is naturalized in many other temperate parts of the world, including northern and southern Africa, North America, and South America. It is used as a flavoring in food and herbal teas. The aromatic oil, called oil of spearmint, is also used as a flavoring and sometimes as a scent.
PAPAYA
LOBELIA.
FLU:
One of the oldest known flu remedies mentioned in BACK TO EDEN by Jethro Kloss:
- BAYBERRY BARK
- GINGER ROOT
- CLOVES
- CAYENNE
and WHITE PINE BARK.
Pinus strobus, commonly called the eastern white pine, northern white pine, white pine, Weymouth pine (British), and soft pine is a large pine native to eastern North America. It occurs from Newfoundland, Canada, west through the Great Lakes region to southeastern Manitoba and Minnesota, United States, and south along the Appalachian Mountains and upper Piedmont to northernmost Georgia and very rare in some of the higher elevations in northeastern Alabama. It is considered rare in Indiana.
For preventive measures:
- GARLIC
- ROSE HIPS
- PARSLEY
- WATERCRESS
- ROSEMARY
FEVERS AND INFECTION:
Lobelia is very good for fever.
With two cups of Lobelia tea a fever of 105 that had raged for three days was broken in one-half hour!
A good combination would be:
Cooking bananas are a group of banana cultivars in the genus Musa whose fruits are generally used in cooking. They are not eaten raw and are generally starchy. Many cooking bananas are referred to as plantains or ‘green bananas’.
- BLACK WALNUT
- GOLDENSEAL ROOT
- MARSHMALLOW ROOT
Ajuga /əˈdʒuːɡə/, also known as bugleweed, ground pine, carpet bugle, or just bugle, is a genus of flowering plants in the Ajugeae tribe of the mint family Lamiaceae. There are over 60 species of annual or perennial, mostly herbaceous plants. They are native to Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia.
and LOBELIA.
GALL BLADDER TROUBLE:
An ancient remedy, that has saved many a person the expense and pain of having a gall bladder operation, is to fast for two days from all food except for two ounces of olive oil and a tablespoon of lemon juice, three times a day.
Repeat as necessary and gallstones pass.
Useful herbs for this problem are:
A juniper berry is the female seed cone produced by the various species of junipers. It is not a true berry but a cone with unusually fleshy and merged scales called a galbulus, which gives it a berry-like appearance. The cones from a handful of species, especially Juniperus communis, are used as a spice, particularly in European cuisine, and also give gin its distinctive flavor. Juniper berries are among the only spices derived from conifers, along with spruce buds.
- PARSLEY
- UVA-URSI
- MARSHMALLOW
- LOBELIA
- GINGER
- GOLDENSEAL ROOT
GLANDS, SWOLLEN AND INFECTED:
Very useful in cleansing swollen lymph glands are the following:
- PLANTAIN
- BLACK WALNUT
- GOLDENSEAL ROOT
- MARSHMALLOW ROOT
- BUGLEWEED
- LOBELIA
General infections, especially those in the ear, as well as malfunctioning glands, often respond to:
- ECHINACEA
- GOLDENSEAL ROOT
- POKE ROOT
- CAYENNE
For those with hypoglycemia this condition sometimes produces an allergic reaction to goldenseal.
In this instance, a combination of:
- CAYENNE
- ECHINACEA
- MYRRH GUM
- LICORICE ROOT
- POKE ROOT
Crataegus (/krəˈtiːɡəs/), commonly called hawthorn, quickthorn, thornapple, May-tree, whitethorn, Mayflower or hawberry, is a genus of several hundred species of shrubs and trees in the family Rosaceae, native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere in Europe, Asia, North Africa and North America. The name “hawthorn” was originally applied to the species native to northern Europe, especially the common hawthorn C. monogyna, and the unmodified name is often so used in Britain and Ireland. The name is now also applied to the entire genus and to the related Asian genus Rhaphiolepis.
See ALLERGIES.
HEADACHES:
Here is a good combination of herbs to relieve headache pain:
- WILD LETTUCE
- VALERIAN
- CAYENNE
Remember also that many headaches come from constipation and stress.
HEART TONIC:
A helpful tonic to strengthen the heart is obtained by using:
- HAWTHORN BERRIES
- CAYENNE
- LECITHIN
and VITAMIN E.
This combination will not only break down cholesterol in the bloodstream, but it will also break down cholesterol deposits built up over a period of years.
HOARSENESS, LARYNGITIS:
SLIPPERY ELM tablets are very good for “singers throat.”
Two other very good herbs when taken in combination are:
MULLEIN and LOBELIA.
HORMONE IMBALANCE:
During those stress-filled times of puberty, pregnancy and menopause, and even for male “change of life”:
- BLACK COHOSH
- SARSAPARILLA
- GINSENG
- LICORICE
- SQUAW VINE
Chamaelirium is a genus of flowering plants containing the single species Chamaelirium luteum, commonly known as blazing-star, devil’s bit, false unicorn, fairy wand, and helonias. It is a perennial herb native to the eastern United States. It can be found in a variety of habitats, including wet meadows and deciduous woodlands.
HOLY THISTLE
8 Benefits of Blessed Thistle – Healthy Focus
Low blood sugar gives rise to a host of ailments, leaving the adrenal glands exhausted and the body weak.
Primarily caused by a disordered pancreas, the following herbs assist the pancreas in supplying the body’s insulin needs:
- CEDAR BERRIES
- UVA-URSI
- LICORICE ROOT
- MULLEIN
- CAYENNE
- GOLDENSEAL ROOT
IMPOTENCE:
Men after forty often find themselves in need of a special addition to their diet to replenish their aging glands.
Turnera diffusa, known as damiana, is a shrub native to southern Texas in the United States, Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. It belongs to the family Passifloraceae. Damiana is a relatively small, woody shrub that produces small, aromatic flowers. It blossoms in early to late summer, followed by fruits that taste similar to figs. The shrub is said to have a strong spice-like odor somewhat like chamomile, due to the aromatic compounds present in the plant.
Eleutherococcus senticosus is a species of small, woody shrub in the family Araliaceae native to Northeastern Asia. It may be colloquially called devil’s bush, Siberian ginseng, taiga root, eleuthero, ciwujia, Devil’s shrub, shigoka, touch-me-not, wild pepper, or kan jang. E. senticosus has a history of use in folklore and traditional Chinese medicine. Root extracts of E. senticosus are sold as a dietary supplement or cosmetic, usually under the name Siberian ginseng.
ECHINACEA
Reynoutria multiflora (syn. Fallopia multiflora and Polygonum multiflorum) is a species of flowering plant in the buckwheat family Polygonaceae native to central and southern China. It is known by the English common names tuber fleeceflower and Chinese (climbing) knotweed. It is known as he shou wu (何首烏) in China and East Asia. Another name for the species is fo-ti, which is a misnomer. It can be difficult to prevent the spread of this vine and to remove it once established. The leaves are thin and fragile but the stems, although narrow in diameter, can be very strong.
Centella asiatica, commonly known as Indian pennywort, Asiatic pennywort, spadeleaf, coinwort or gotu kola, is a herbaceous, perennial plant in the flowering plant family Apiaceae. It is native to tropical regions of Africa, Asia, Australia, and islands in the western Pacific Ocean. It is consumed as a culinary vegetable and is used in traditional medicine.
SARSAPARILLA
Serenoa repens, commonly known as saw palmetto, is a small palm, growing to a maximum height around 200–300 cm (6.6–9.8 ft).
SAW PALMETTO
INDIGESTION:
An aid to normalize digestion is COMFREY and PEPSIN.
For vegetarians, a combination of:
- COMFREY
- CAYENNE
- PAPAIN
is also effective.
KIDNEY and BLADDER INFECTIONS:
For a cleansing, strengthening and healing effect on:
- kidneys
- bladder
- genitourinary system
these herbs are a good supplement:
- JUNIPER BERRIES
- PARSLEY
- UVA-URSI
- MARSHMALLOW
- LOBELIA
- GINGER
- GOLDENSEAL ROOT
This combination is also useful in correcting bed-wetting.
LARYNGITIS:
See HOARSENESS.
LIVER TROUBLE:
To:
- purge
- tone
- stimulate
the liver:
- BARBERRY
- WILD YAM
- CRAMP BARK
- FENNEL SEED
- GINGER
- CATNIP
- PEPPERMINT
Cirrhosis of the liver (cell degeneration) stems from alcoholism but also from a diet over-rich in:
- sugar
- starch
- fat
A combination of GARLIC and PARSLEY can also be utilized for this ailment.
LOWER BOWEL CLEANSER:
A combination of herbs used for in/ sufficient drainage and to help stimulate a stagnant colon.
This combination is not a laxative, but a lower bowel cleanser:
- CASCARA SAGRADA BARK
- BARBERRY BARK
- CAYENNE
- GINGER
- GOLDENSEAL ROOT
- LOBELIA HERB
- RED RASPBERRY
- FENNEL
Rheum palmatum is a species of flowering plant in the knotweed family Polygonaceae. It is commonly called Chinese rhubarb, ornamental rhubarb, Turkey rhubarb or East Indian rhubarb. Rheum palmatum is a herbaceous perennial related to the edible rhubarb. It is primarily used in traditional medicine, and as an ornamental subject in the garden.
TURKEY RHUBARB ROOT
MEMORY AID:
For the accompanying loss of memory most often associated with senility and old age:
- BLUE VERVAIN
- BLESSED THISTLE
- LOBELIA
- CAYENNE
- GINGER
Catharanthus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Apocynaceae. Like the genus Vinca, they are known commonly as periwinkles. There are eight known species. Seven are endemic to Madagascar, though one, C. roseus, is widely naturalized around the world. The eighth species, C. pusillus, is native to India and Sri Lanka. The name Catharanthus comes from the Greek for “pure flower”.
See HORMONE IMBALANCE.
Also, the following herbs are very good for this difficult change of life, with its “hot flashes,” etc.:
- BLACK COHOSH
- SARSAPRAILLA
- GINSENG
- LICORICE
- FALSE UNICORN
- HOLY THISTLE
- SQUAW VINE
MENSTRUATION:
Normalizing herbs include:
- GOLDENSEAL ROOT
- BLESSED THISTLE
- CAYENNE
- UVA-URSI
- CRAMP BARK
- FALSE UNICORN ROOT
- RASPBERRY LEAVES
- SQUAW VINE
- GINGER
MINERAL DEFICIENCY:
Much illness is blamed on bacterial and viral infection when the primary cause is really low body immunity due to mineral deficiencies.
To build a sound mineral balance:
- ALFALFA CONCENTRATE
- COMFREY ROOT
- SARSAPARILLA ROOT
- FO-TI
- GOTU-KOLA
- GARLIC
Capsicum (/ˈkæpsɪkəm) is a genus of flowering plants in the nightshade family Solanaceae, native to the Americas, cultivated worldwide for their edible fruit, which are generally known as “peppers” or “capsicum”. Chili peppers grow on five species of Capsicum. Sweet or bell peppers and some chili peppers are Capsicum annuum, making it the most cultivated species in the genus.
(This combination is often used as a dietary supplement to insure proper nutrition).
MISCARRIAGE:
Frequently, miscarriage will result early in pregnancy because of capillary bleeding.
RED RASPBERRY LEAVES strengthen the connecting blood vessels between mother and child.
Two other herbs commonly used to prevent miscarriage are FALSE UNICORN and LOBELIA in combination.
MUCOUS (phlegm):
FENUGREEK and THYME help eliminate mucous (for adults only).
NERVOUSNESS:
Soothing restoratives for the whole nervous system, the following herbs help rebuild nerve sheaths and aid in relieving nervous tension:
- BLACK COHOSH
- CAYENNE
- HOPS FLOWERS
- MISTLETOE
- LOBELIA HERB
- SCULLCAP
- WOOD BETONY
- VALERIAN ROOT
Also see STRESS.
Cypripedioideae is a subfamily of orchids commonly known as lady’s slipper orchids, lady slipper orchids or slipper orchids. Cypripedioideae includes the genera Cypripedium, Mexipedium, Paphiopedilum, Phragmipedium and Selenipedium. They are characterized by the slipper-shaped pouches (modified labella) of the flowers – the pouch traps insects so they are forced to climb up past the staminode, behind which they collect or deposit pollinia, thus fertilizing the flower. There are approximately 165 species in the subfamily.
PAIN:
A good sedative for neuralgic pain, toothache, etc.:
- WILD LETTUCE
- VALERIAN
- CAYENNE
PARASITES:
Multitudes of people feel anemic and below par, never realizing their discomfort stems from parasites such as pinworms and roundworms.
Dispel parasites by employing these herbs:
- PUMPKIN SEED
- CULVERS ROOT
- MAY APPLE
- VIOLET LEAVES
- POKE ROOT
- CASCARA SAGRADA
- MULLEIN
- COMFREY ROOT
- SLIPPERY ELM BARK
Witch-hazels or witch hazels (Hamamelis) are a genus of flowering plants in the family Hamamelidaceae, with three species in North America (H. ovalis, H. virginiana, and H. vernalis), and one each in Japan (H. japonica) and China (H. mollis). The North American species are occasionally called winterbloom.
PREGNANCY:
In the early months of pregnancy, RED RASPBERRY LEAVES and BLACK COHOSH are good herbs to take regularly.
In the last six weeks, these herbs help prepare for a swift and easy birth:
- SQUAW VINE
- BLESSED THISTLE
- BLACK COHOSH
- FALSE UNICORN
- RED RASPBERRY LEAVES
- LOBELIA
Hedeoma pulegioides, also known as pennyrile, American pennyroyal, or American false pennyroyal is a species of Hedeoma native to eastern North America, from Nova Scotia and southern Ontario west to Minnesota and South Dakota, and south to northern Georgia and Arkansas.
PROSTATE PROBLEMS:
For benign prostate inflammation or congestion, the following herbs are helpful:
- CAYENNE
- UVA-URSI LEAVES
- PARSLEY HERB
- GOLDENSEAL ROOT
- GRAVEL ROOT
- JUNIPER BERRIES
- MARSHMALLOW ROOT
- GINGER
- GINSENG
Kidney stones may be dissolved by using this combination.
RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS:
- MARSHMALLOW
- MULLEIN
- COMFREY LEAVES
- LOBELIA
- CHICKWEED
See BRONCHITIS.
Avoid smoking, air pollution and dust.
Also avoid sugar, flour and other refined foods.
For respiratory problems due to mucous blockage:
FENUGREEK and THYME.
SKIN PROBLEMS:
Serious skin problems like ECZEMA and PSORIASIS are most effectively treated internally with a good blood cleanser plus herbs which supply vitamins and minerals:
- KELP
- ALFALFA
- DANDELION
Also effective for the treatment of skin problems are these herbs:
- DANDELION ROOT
- CHAPARRAL
- SASSAFRAS BARK
- BURDOCK ROOT
- ECHINACEA
- CAYENNE
- LICORICE ROOT
- KELP
- YELLOWDOCK ROOT
SINUS PROBLEMS:
See ALLERGIES.
SLEEPLESSNESS:
For a mild sedative, use:
- HOPS
- VALERIAN
- SKULLCAP
SORE THROAT:
See:
- HOARSENESS
- LARYNGITIS
- GLANDS
STIMULANT:
A good herbal pick-up includes:
- GINSENG
- GOTU-KOLA
- CAYENNE
Another good combination used for years as a tonic to end the seasonal doldrums of winter is:
- CATNIP
- DANDELION ROOT
- CHICKWEED
- YELLOWDOCK
- POKE ROOT
- GOTU-KOLA
- GINSENG
- SASSAFRAS
STRESS:
One of the simplest and best remedies for stress is the combination which consists of:
- BLACK COHOSH
- CAYENNE
- HOPS FLOWERS
- MISTLETOE
- LOBELIA HERB
- SKULLCAP
- WOOD BETONY
- LADY’S SLIPPER
- VALERIAN ROOT
THYROID:
One should use the following herbal aids to cleanse and revitalize the thyroid:
- PARSLEY
- WATERCRESS
- KELP
- IRISH MOSS
- ROMAINE LETTUCE
- TURNIP TOPS
- ICELAND MOSS
TOOTHACHE:
See PAIN.
To rebuild a healthy calcium balance and protect your teeth use:
- HORSETAIL GRASS
- OAT STRAW
- COMFREY
and LOBELIA.
TOOTH CLEANSER (herbal):
For cleaning and whitening the teeth:
- PEPPERMINT
- OAK BARK
- COMFREY ROOT
- HORSETAIL GRASS
- LOBELIA, CLOVES
- SPEARMINT
- PAPAYA FRUIT
ULCERS:
One of the simplest herbal first aids for ulcers is the astringent WHITE OAK BARK.
A more complex and extensive remedy would use:
- MYRRH
- GOLDENSEA
- CAYENNE
(incidentally this remedy is also a good vulnerary for open wounds, burns, the control of pyorrhoea and canker sores).
URINARY INFECTIONS:
See KIDNEY and BLADDER INFECTIONS.
A good Blood Purifier helps.
It has also been determined that the lack of the essential mineral calcium is a prime factor leading to the development of varicose veins.
To replenish calcium in the system:
- HORSETAIL GRASS
- OAT STRAW
- COMFREY
and LOBELIA.
WEIGHT CONTROL (obesity):
One must shun the dangerous chemical drugs sold openly on the market (the list should include amphetamines) because of their dangerous side effects on the thyroid system.
There is no practical method of weight control that omits diet control!
But a very good herbal combination that helps:
- dissolve fat
- eliminate excess water
- purge the bowels
and curb the appetite is:
- CHICKWEED
- SAFFRON
- BURDOCK
- PARSLEY
- KELP
- LICORICE
- FENNEL
- ECHINACEA
- BLACK WALNUT
- PAPAYA
- HAWTHORN BERRIES
and MANDRAKE.
A mandrake is the root of a plant, historically derived either from plants of the genus Mandragora (in the family Solanaceae) found in the Mediterranean region, or from other species, such as Bryonia alba (the English mandrake, in the family Cucurbitaceae) or the American mandrake (Podophyllum peltatum in the family Berberidaceae) which have similar properties.
Mandrake should only be used in small amounts and in combination with other herbs.
WORMS:
See PARASITES.
Single Herbs: Their Nutritional and Therapeutic Uses
Many of the herbs included thus far in this work have therapeutic values in and of themselves.
For this reason, no written information on herbs would be complete without some reference to single herbs and their value.
Alfalfa (/ælˈfælfə/) (Medicago sativa), also called lucerne, is a perennial flowering plant in the legume family Fabaceae. It is cultivated as an important forage crop in many countries around the world. It is used for grazing, hay, and silage, as well as a green manure and cover crop. The name alfalfa is used in North America. The name lucerne is more commonly used in the United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
Very high in protein.
Its benefits to the body affect:
- muscle tone
- fatigue
- poor posture
and development of:
- hair
- skin
- nails
Alfalfa has been used to treat:
- anemia
- arthritis
- cramps
- diabetes
- nausea
- ulcers
and pituitary problems.
Aloe vera (/ˈæloʊ(i) vɛrə, vɪər-/) is a succulent plant species of the genus Aloe. It is widely distributed and is considered an invasive species in many world regions.
Much has been written recently on the powers of this plant.
It is a powerful astringent and vulnerary for open wounds.
Has been applied in raw gel form to burns and is a part of treatment for burn patients at the Houston Burn Center.
It is also acclaimed as a beauty aid because of its astringent powers.
Taken internally, the herb has a purgative effect.
BARBERRY BARK:
Berberis (/ˈbɜːrbərɪs/), commonly known as barberry, is a large genus of deciduous and evergreen shrubs from 1–5 m (3.3–16.4 ft) tall, found throughout temperate and subtropical regions of the world (apart from Australia). Species diversity is greatest in South America and Asia; Europe, Africa and North America have native species as well. The best-known Berberis species is the European barberry, Berberis vulgaris, which is common in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and central Asia, and has been widely introduced in North America. Many of the species have spines on the shoots and all along the margins of the leaves.
High in Vitamin C, can be ingested to reduce fever, stomach distress and dysentery.
BLACK COHOSH:
This herb contains estrogen so it is especially useful for menopause and menstrual discomfort.
It has also been used for:
- epilepsy
- rheumatism
- arthritis
- asthma
and high blood pressure.
BLACK WALNUT:
Good for:
tuberculosis
skin rash
internal parasites
and ringworm.
It can also be used as a poultice alone or in a combination.
BLESSED THISTLE:
This herb has been used in the treatment of:
- liver ailments
- cellular degeneration
- inflammation of the respiratory system
Caulophyllum thalictroides, the blue cohosh, is a species of flowering plant in the Berberidaceae (barberry) family. It is a medium-tall perennial with blue berry-like fruits and bluish-green foliage. The common name cohosh is probably from an Algonquian word meaning “rough”. The Greek-derived genus name Caulophyllum signifies “stem-leaf”, while the specific name thalictroides references the similarity between the large highly divided, multiple-compound leaves of meadow-rues (Thalictrum spp.) and those of blue cohosh.
- Nervine
- antispasmodic
- emmenagogue
This herb is used most effectively in the treatment of menstrual difficulties.
It will regulate menstrual flow and help suppress the nervous effects of menstruation.
It is also used for easier delivery in childbirth.
BRIGHAM TEA:
Primarily a blood purifier, a tea or infusion made from the herb is useful in alleviating sinus conditions and nose bleeds.
Has also been used to treat:
- kidney problems
- menstruation
- skin disorders
and asthma.
BUCKTHORN BARK:
Used to remedy:
- appendicitis
- constipation
- liver disorders
and as a bowel regulator.
It is also effective for gout and rheumatism and will produce flowing perspiration when taken hot.
BURDOCK ROOT:
This herb is of prime value in the treatment of boils and carbuncles.
It will clean and eliminate impurities from the blood very rapidly.
Excellent in the treatment of gout, rheumatism and extreme cases of arthritis.
CASCARA SAGRADA:
A good tonic for the treatment of recurring constipation.
It is also effective in helping the body rid itself of gallstones.
In addition, it is used to cure insomnia.
CATNIP:
Helpful in the treatment of convulsions and as a pain killer.
Excellent as a calmative to relieve stress and tension.
CAYENNE:
Proclaimed as one of the most useful remedies in the history of herbal medicine.
This herb dates beyond biblical records and has been used in every major civilization.
It is one of the strongest stimulants known but can be used internally as a relaxant and a healer of ulcerous conditions in the digestive system.
Because of its high mineral content of:
- sulphur
- phosphorus
- magnesium
- iron
and calcium, it is also used for:
- diabetes
- gas
- heart
- pancreas
- throat disorders
- arthritis
- bleeding
- coughs
etc.
CHAMOMILE:
This is helpful in the treatment of:
- upset stomach
- indigestion
- headaches
CHAPARRAL:
Excellent as a blood purifier and liver cleanser.
It will relieve:
- leg cramps
- boils
- arthritis
- acne
and kidney problems.
CHICKWEED:
Because of its high Vitamin C content, this herb is used most often to treat scurvy.
Also used in the treatment of:
- constipation
- hemorrhoids
- rheumatism
and some respiratory disorders.
CLOVES:
Used mainly for its aromatic quality, it is also a carminative and a mild stimulant.
COMFREY:
Best used as an overall tonic, it is a great healer and blood cleanser.
Taken internally in a tea or applied as an external poultice, it is good for:
- wounds
- swelling
- sprains
- cramps
and muscle fatigue.
Also used for:
- coughs
- colds
- anemia
- mental fatigue
and infections.
DAMIANA:
Praised as an aphrodisiac, this herb is helpful as a cure for female trouble usually due to female hormone imbalance.
It is most effective during menopause as a deterrent of “hot flashes.”
DANDELION ROOT:
The leaves and root of this herb are useful as a blood purifier.
High in essential vitamins and minerals, it has been used for liver and kidney trouble as a blood builder.
Also effective for:
- fatigue
- skin disorders including age spots
- cramps
- constipation
- diabetes
and hypoglycemia.
Martynia is a monotypic genus in the Martyniaceae family consisting of a single species, Martynia annua L., which is commonly known as cat’s claw, tiger’s claw, iceplant. or Devil’s claw. However, the name ‘iceplant’ may also refer to members of the unrelated plant family Aizoaceae. It is native to Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, and has been introduced throughout the tropics. It is now quite common in rural areas of India.
Stimulates the mechanisms of the body that cleanse and detoxify.
Known for its relief to arthritic and rheumatoid victims.
Possesses properties similar to chaparral, another desert herb famous for its healing benefits.
Angelica sinensis, commonly known as dong quai (simplified Chinese: 当归; traditional Chinese: 當歸; pinyin: dāngguī; Jyutping: dong1 gwai1; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: tong-kui) or female ginseng, is a herb belonging to the family Apiaceae, indigenous to China. A. sinensis grows in cool high altitude mountains in East Asia. The yellowish brown root of the plant is harvested in the fall and used in traditional Chinese medicine. There is no scientific evidence that A. sinensis is effective for any medicinal purpose.
A Chinese herb that provides female estrogen.
ECHINACEA:
This herb is a basic blood builder and has been used in all blood-related diseases such as:
- external infections
- boils
- lymph gland infection
and gangrene.
EYEBRIGHT:
Derived its name from its healing affects on all kinds of eye ailments.
FALSE UNICORN:
This herb is most acclaimed for its use in female problems associated with pregnancy.
It has been used for:
- diabetes
- hemorrhage
- miscarriage
- vaginal problems
- menstruation
and sterility.
FENNEL SEED:
Used as a food seasoning, also good for:
- gas
- gout
- cramps
- colic
and spasm control.
FENUGREEK:
Most recommended for lung problems such as bronchitis.
Also good in the treatment of throat inflammation and as a poultice for external wounds.
FO-TI:
Contains properties that appear to have a marvelous rejuvenating effect on the brain cells and endocrine glands.
GARLIC:
This herb is nature’s antibiotic.
It contains the bio-salts:
- flourine
- iodine
- phosphorus
and sulphur.
The most famous condiment around the world, garlic is also used for:
- high blood pressure
- cramps
- liver ailments
- sinus trouble
etc.
It will also cause the skin to secrete a natural insect repellent.
GINGER:
Used widely in Mexican and Oriental cooking.
It is a popular herb in reducing plans because it aids in the removal of excess waste from the system.
Naturally, it helps prevent griping and diarrhea, and it is also good to alleviate cold symptoms centered in the lungs.
GINSENG:
Widely recommended for the stimulation of mental and physical vigor and as an overall tonic.
Used extensively in Russia and the Orient, it has been proven to increase human performance levels in stress situations.
Several varieties of ginseng grow naturally in:
- China
- Korea
- Siberia
and the Great Lakes Region of the United States and Canada.
GOLDENSEAL ROOT:
Recognized as a long-standing cure-all, it ranks with cayenne and lobelia as one of herbal medicine’s most important remedies.
Useful in control of secretions:
- mucous
- hemorrhages
- catarrhal conditions
etc.
Also, a treatment for difficult and painful digestion.
GOTU-KOLA:
Used as a tonic, it is a good remedy for:
- high blood pressure
- mental fatigue
- senility
HAWTHORN:
Taken in small, infrequent dosage, this powerful herb is a recommended heart tonic.
HOPS:
Useful as a nervine and anodyne, it is used to treat:
- nervousness
- sleeplessness
- fever
- toothache
and earache.
Taken twice a:
- day
- morning
- evening
it will increase urine flow and tone the liver and gall bladder.
HORSETAIL GRASS:
This herb contains large amounts of silica and is recommended for the treatment of kidney stones.
Also used for glandular disorders and for a general:
- eye
- ear
- nose
and throat remedy.
JUNIPER BERRIES:
Used singularly or in combination, this herb has good disease preventive powers.
As a tea, it is good for kidney and bladder trouble centered in the pancreas and other urinary tract glands.
Also used for the treatment of:
- baldness
- hypoglycemia
- diabetes
- lumbago
and itching.
Because of the activity of this herb, dosage should be kept small.
KELP:
This herb is a good promoter of glandular health, especially the thyroid, pituitary and adrenal glands.
Kelp is also high in trace minerals.
LICORICE ROOT:
Another of the aphrodisiacs, this herb is excellent for:
- impotency
- female problems
- endurance
- coughing
and as a tonic for sex stimulation.
LOBELIA:
One of the most powerful and important herbs known to man.
Chiefly used as a relaxant, it is helpful in the treatment of all fever and pneumonia.
It helps clear the body of mucous congestion in all of the body systems when taken as a tea made from the powder.
It is also used to induce vomiting when taken in large doses.
MARSHMALLOW:
This herb’s benefits are different for its leaves and root.
The leaves are used as an external poultice for:
- swelling
- ulcers
- boils
The root (most often used in combination) is used as a remedy for chest trouble.
The root is also well-known as a remedy for the kidneys.
MISTLETOE:
Recommended mainly as a dietary supplement to supply:
- calcium
- magnesium
- potassium
and sodium.
MULLEIN LEAVES:
A recommended herb for asthma relief when taken as a tea.
Its chief minerals are:
- iron
- magnesium
- potassium
and sulphur.
It has also been used for pulmonary disease and hemorrhage of the bowels.
MYRRH GUM:
This is an antiseptic, stimulant, tonic; used as a gargle for sore throats and other oral infections such as:
- pyorrhea
- cankers
- halitosis
PAPAYA LEAVES:
Basically recommended because of its high Vitamin A content.
The fruit of the plant is an aid to digestion.
It supplies the raw enzyme papain useful in the digestion of proteins.
PARSLEY:
This herb has been used and acclaimed as an effective measure in treating various types of cell degeneration, but it is also an excellent diuretic.
Added to food whenever possible, it will increase the iron content of one’s blood and increase resistance to all types of infectious diseases.
This herb is also very high in Vitamin A.
Passiflora, known also as the passion flowers or passion vines, is a genus of about 550 species of flowering plants, the type genus of the family Passifloraceae.
Used extensively as a relaxant for nervous tension and the rigors associated with high blood pressure.
Also used to treat eye tension and strain.
PEACH BARK:
Recommended to cleanse the body of toxins.
It has also been used for:
- nerves
- water retention
- laxative
and as a sleep aid.
PENNYROYAL:
Useful in the relief of:
- menstruation
- colds
- fever
- colic
and spasms.
This herb is a gentle reliever of gas and general stomach pain.
It is recommended that this herb not be taken during the first 7 1/2 months of pregnancy.
PEPPERMINT:
Useful as a:
- mild stimulant
- diaphoretic
- antispasmodic
It has been used for:
- fevers
- nausea
- spasms
Psyllium (/ˈsɪliəm/), or ispaghula (/ˌɪspəˈɡuːlə/), is the common name used for several members of the plant genus Plantago whose seeds are used commercially for the production of mucilage. Psyllium is mainly used as a dietary fiber to relieve symptoms of both constipation and mild diarrhea, and occasionally as a food thickener. Allergy to psyllium is common in workers frequently exposed to the substance.
Chiefly an aid to constipation and other disorders due to colon blockage.
QUEEN OF THE MEADOW:
This herb is used in various kidney ailments.
- Diuretic
- stimulant
- astringent
- relaxant
also excellent for rheumatism.
RED CLOVER:
This herb is a good dietary supplement to supply needed Vitamin A.
It also has value in the relief of nervous tension and as a cleanser of body toxins.
RED RASPBERRY:
The leaves and fruit will remove canker sores from the mouth.
It is very soothing and is used at the end of pregnancy to prepare for childbirth by supplying the nutrients necessary to strengthen the walls of the uterus.
The herb is also an excellent diuretic and is recommended as a natural means of relief for the problem of water retention often associated with pregnancy.
RHUBARB ROOT:
Most effective as a cathartic and astringent.
Used to cleanse the alimentary canal and diminish diarrhea.
Its gentle action makes it desirable for persons bothered by hemorrhoids.
ROSEHIPS:
A good source of organic assimilable Vitamin C.
ROSEMARY LEAVES:
A good remedy for nervous headache; carminative and diaphoretic.
Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) is a highly branched, herbaceous, thistle-like annual plant in the family Asteraceae. It is one of the world’s oldest crops; today, it is commercially cultivated for vegetable oil extracted from the seeds. Plants are 30 to 150 cm (12 to 59 in) tall with globular flower heads having yellow, orange, or red flowers. Each branch will usually have from one to five flower heads containing 15 to 20 seeds per head. Safflower is native to arid environments having seasonal rain. It grows a deep taproot which enables it to thrive in such environments.
A natural laxative and diaphoretic.
SAGE:
Salvia officinalis, the common sage or sage, is a perennial, evergreen subshrub, with woody stems, grayish leaves, and blue to purplish flowers. It is a member of the mint family Lamiaceae and native to the Mediterranean region, though it has been naturalized in many places throughout the world. It has a long history of medicinal and culinary use, and in modern times it has been used as an ornamental garden plant. The common name “sage” is also used for closely related species and cultivars.
Good for stomach problems, hair growth, as a poultice for tumors and as a tonic for nerves.
SARSAPARILLA:
This herb is a good blood tonic.
Effective for:
- male impotency
- heartburn
- fever
and hormone balance.
SASSAFRAS:
Once considered a cure-all, this herb now has limited use in treating:
- rheumatism
- stomachache
- colic
SAW PALMETTO:
Reported to have a beneficial effect on the function of male and female sex glands and a marked effect on glandular tissue in general.
SKULLCAP:
This herb is used in nearly all herbal combinations that prevent nervous disorders.
It has a soothing and relaxing effect that induces sleep.
Senna, the sennas, is a large genus of flowering plants in the legume family (Fabaceae, subfamily Caesalpinioideae, tribe Cassieae ser. Aphyllae). This diverse genus is native throughout the tropics, with a small number of species in temperate regions. The number of species is estimated to be from about 260 to 350. The type species for the genus is Senna alexandrina. About 50 species of Senna are known in cultivation.
A vermifuge; and aid in removing parasitic worms from the colon.
SLIPPERY ELM:
This excellent diarrhea remedy also helps reduce irritation of the colon and small intestines.
Other uses include:
fever treatment and respiratory infection.
SPEARMINT:
Contains the important trace elements magnesium and potassium.
It is most effective for subduing nausea.
SQUAW VINE:
A remedy popularized by Mexican peasants to aid in childbirth and menstruation.
Also Used to treat varicose veins.
ST. JOHN’S WORT:
Mainly used as an astringent and sedative.
Found to be good for lung problems and in the treatment of hysteria.
Used by women as an overall tonic for:
- uterine disorder
- afterbirth pain
- menstruation irregularity
THYME:
An antiseptic herb used in the treatment of:
- coughs
- colic
- heartburn
- fever
- diarrhea
- cramps
etc.
UVA-URSI:
Called the “plant for women” because of its use in female problems; it is also useful in digestive stimulation and control of obesity.
VALERIAN ROOT:
One of the best nerve tonics.
Two tablespoons two to three times daily is excellent for children with measles, scarlet fever, or just plain restlessness.
This herb is good for convulsion control, colic, all fevers, and for breaking up mucous blockage due to colds.
WHITE OAK BARK:
Because of the astringent powers of this material, it is recommended for douches and enemas and as an aid for many ailments from loosened teeth to varicose veins.
WOOD BETONY:
Used to treat hysteria, head pain and neuralgia because of its power as a nervine.
This herb also has alternative benefits in treating:
- heartburn
- indigestion
- stomach cramps
Achillea millefolium, commonly known as yarrow (/ˈjæroʊ/) or common yarrow, is a flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. Growing to 1 meter (3+1⁄2 feet) tall, it is characterized by small whitish flowers, a tall stem of fernlike leaves, and a pungent odor. The plant is native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere in Asia, Europe, and North America. It has been introduced as a feed for livestock in New Zealand and Australia. Used by some animals, the plant may have somewhat toxic properties, although historically it has been employed for medicinal purposes.
High in potassium, this herb is used to treat the symptoms of flu and the common cold.
It is said that yarrow is better than quinine for fevers.
YELLOWDOCK ROOT:
Used as a blood purifier and as an effective cardiac by most good herbalists.
Very high in elemental iron.
Preparation Of Herbs for Use
Herbal Tablets or Capsules:
This method is the easiest way to take herbs.
Simply ingest tablet or capsule and follow with a glass of water.
They may also be dissolved in hot water for tea.
To Make Infusions (Teas):
Combine one half ounce of:
- leaves
- flowers
- herb powder
per pint of water.
Proceed by pouring boiling water over the herb and let steep for a short time (approx. 20 min.).
Sometimes a little honey makes the tea more palatable.
An infusion or tea should be used while fresh.
Decoctions:
The virtues of hard materials, such as:
- bark
- roots
- wood chips
- seeds
etc., must be extracted by boiling the substance.
Porcelain or glass vessels should be used in preparing infusions and decoctions.
The full benefit of the herb is attained by keeping the material covered while being processed.
To Make Essence:
Take approximately one ounce of the essential oil of the herb and dissolve in a pint of alcohol.
To Make Fomentations:
Dip cloths or heavy towels in the infusion or decoction.
Wring out and apply locally.
To Make Ointments or Salve:
To make a salve or ointment, take approximately eight parts of Vaseline, lard, or any like substance, and add two parts of the remedy you wish to use.
Thus, if one were to make a sulphur salve, one would use 8 oz. of Vaseline and 2 oz. of sulphur; stir and mix well while hot and let cool.
Old-Fashioned Method Making Ointments:
Boil ingredients in water until all properties are extracted.
If a very strong ointment is desired, strain off the ingredients, add fresh ingredients to liquid, and boil again.
Add this watery decoction to sufficient olive oil and simmer until all the water has evaporated.
Strain off the herbal residue.
In order to solidify the mixture to desired consistency, add beeswax and rosin over low flame, stirring constantly until thoroughly mixed.
To Make Plasters and Poultices:
The herbs should be combined, mixed with enough mineral water to make a paste, and applied.
Plasters should be placed between two pieces of clean cloth and applied over the skin.
Poultices are applied directly to the skin with a cloth covering to hold it in place.
To Make Syrups:
After preparing the herb as if to make a tea, bring it to a boil for five to ten minutes.
Then, add 1 oz. of glycerin and seal the bottles or cans as one would in the canning of fruit.
To Make Tincture:
Depending on the medicinal power of the herb to be used, take I oz. to 4 oz. of the powdered herb and add it to 4 oz. of water and 12 oz. of edible ethel alcohol (not Isopropyl alcohol).
Let the mixture stand for two weeks, add a teaspoon of glycerine.
The liquid is then poured off and bottled for use.
TINCTURES, SYRUPS, OILS AND OINTMENTS
The methods for the preparation of:
- tinctures
- syrups
- oils
and ointments have been discussed in the preceding section sufficiently enough to give one an idea of the processes involved.
These preparations are employed by the herbalist most successfully to treat:
- minor cuts
- burns
- skin irritations
- itching
- superficial pain
and a host of other discomforts.
They provide the herbalist a kind of herbal medicine chest.
Some standard applications for these herbal preparations are as follows:
(Note: the effective preparation is listed in parenthesis after each explanation of usage).
TINCTURES, OILS AND THEIR BENEFITS
ANTISPASMODIC:
To be used for:
- cramps
- convulsions
- delirium tremors
- fainting
- hysteria
Good for:
- pyorrhea
- mouth sores tonsillitis
- coughs
and throat infections.
Cuts mucus.
- SKULLCAP
- LOBELIA
- CAYENNE
- VALERIAN ROOT
- SKUNK CABBAGE
- MYRRH GUM
- BLACK COHOSH
EQUILIBRIUM:
- Sore throat
- hiccups
- ear problems
An aid to restoring equilibrium and hearing.
- BLACK COHOSH
- BLUE COHOSH
- BLUE VERVAIN
- SKULLCAP
- LOBELIA
SKIN DISEASE:
For parasite control, skin diseases such as:
- ringworm
- eczema
- itching
and shingles.
High in organic iodine.
For:
- sore throat
- tonsillitis
- hoarseness
May be used internally or externally.
BLACK WALNUT
SPASMS & COLIC:
For:
- minor pain
- spasms
- acid in stomach
and gas.
Good for:
- soothing nerves
- indigestion
- colic
Excellent for children.
- CATNIP
- FENNEL
HEART & BLOOD PRESSURE:
CAYENNE
HEART:
Natural potassium supplement.
Also good for muscle cramping.
Sambucus is a genus of between 20 and 30 species of flowering plants in the family Adoxaceae. The various species are commonly referred to as elder, with the flowers as elderflower, and the fruit as elderberry.
ANTIBIOTIC:
Used as a natural antibiotic for:
- infections
- earaches
- sore throats
Externally for:
- rheumatism
- arthritis
- moles
- warts
- chest rubs
and throat congestion.
May also be used for enemas.
OLIVE OIL AND FRESH GARLIC.
EXPECTORANT & NERVINE:
- Asthma
- sore throats
- coughs
- wounds
and earaches.
Also used as:
- an expectorant
- nervine
- diaphoretic
- emetic
and antispasmodic.
LOBELIA AND APPLE CIDER VINEGAR.
PAIN:
To be taken orally for relief of minor pain.
A natural sedative; quiet and soothing to the nerves.
- WILD LETTUCE
- VALERIAN ROOT
SYRUPS AND THEIR BENEFITS
ANTIPLAGUE:
Should be taken before one gets a cold or the flu.
- APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
- VEGETABLE GLYCERINE
- HONEY
- GARLIC JUICE
- FRESH COMFREY ROOT
- WORMWOOD
- LOBELIA
- MARSHMALLOW ROOT
- OAK BARK
- BLACK WALNUT BARK
- MULLEIN LEAF
- SKULLCAP
AND UVA-URSI.
ASTHMA:
An excellent asthma syrup.
Can be used for sore throats and mucus.
EXTRACTS OF:
- COMFREY
- MULLEIN
- GARLIC SYRUP
AND VEGETABLE GLYCERINE.
COUGH:
For:
- congestion
- cough
- colds
and hoarseness.
- VEGETABLE GLYCERINE
- HONEY
- LICORICE
AND FRESH ONION JUICE.
CLEANSER:
Cleansing aid.
- RED CLOVER BLOSSOM
- CHAPARRAL
- LICORICE ROOT
- POKE ROOT
- PEACH BARK
- OREGON GRAPE
- STILLINGIA
- CASCARA SAGRADA
- SARSAPARILLA
- PRICKLY ASH BARK
- BURDOCK
- BUCKTHORNE BARK
- VEGETABLE GLYCERINE
HEART:
A heart food.
Acts as a tonic in activating the heart muscle.
Helps prevent circulatory disturbances and helps correct degenerative heart conditions.
SYRUP OF:
- HAWTHORN BERRY
- VEGETABLE GLYCERINE
and BRANDY TO PRESERVE.
PARASITE:
To kill and expel internal parasites.
- VEGETABLE GLYCERINE
- WORMWOOD
- AMERICAN WORMSEED
- TAME SAGE
- FENNEL
- SENNA
- MALEFERN
- PAPAYA
OINTMENTS AND THEIR BENEFITS
DRAWING OINTMENT.
For use externally on:
- old ulcers
- tumors
- boils
- warts
- hemorrhoids
Excellent for burns and as a healing and drying agent.
- CHAPARRAL
- CHICKWEED
- COMFREY
- RED CLOVER BLOSSOM
- POKE ROOT
- PINE TAR
- MULLEIN
- BEES WAX
- PLANTAIN
- OLIVE OIL
- MUTTON TALLOW
ECZEMA:
For skin inflammations, skin diseases, such as:
- eczema
- sores
- burning
- itchy skin
or genitals and swollen testes.
Good for
- blood poisoning
- psoriasis
- acne
- hives
and insect bites.
Also, for ulcerations of mouth and throat.
A great healing salve.
- CHICKWEED
- NATURAL OILS
- BEES WAX
ANTISEPTIC & POISON IVY:
A healing ointment.
An antiseptic to be used on:
- lesions
- dry eczema
- poison ivy
- abrasions
- burns
- hemorrhoids
and similar conditions.
Helps in healing swellings and bruises.
Soothes inflamed surfaces.
- COMFREY
- MARSHMALLOW
- MARIGOLD
- BEES WAX
- NATURAL OILS
BURNS:
A healing ointment.
For:
- burns
- abrasions
- boils
- bruises
- sprains
- swellings
- COMFREY
- BEES WAX
- NATURAL OILS
PREVENT SCARRING:
An antiseptic ointment useful in closing opened wounds.
- GUMWEED
- BEES WAX
- NATURAL OILS
SKIN IRRITATION:
Helps relieve skin irritations due to poison ivy or some other skin-irritating plant.
- MULLEIN
- BEES WAX
- NATURAL OILS
ANTIHISTAMINE:
An antihistamine.
- OIL OF SPEARMINT
- OIL OF PEPPERMINT
- PETROLEUM JELLY
INSECT BITES:
Gives relief to pain and swelling of:
- spider and insect bites
- bee stings
- animal bites
- blood poisoning
and mastitis.
- PLANTAIN
- BEES WAX
- NATURAL OILS
Tinctures and syrups are most effective when quick assimilation into the body is necessary or when through a weakened condition of the digestive system, the body is unable to utilize the raw herb.
Ointments are exclusively for external application and can be utilized for practically all superficial discomforts.
Common Sense Rules of Herbology
A common accusation brought against herbs and herbalists by medical and pharmaceutical interests is that they are either useless placebos which can rob the patient of valuable time in seeking “real” help or that herbs are crude drugs which in their unrefined state, will act as poisons.
The truth is, herbs are useful and can be very beneficial in treating various conditions of ill health.
Written works such as the Holy Bible lend credence to the fact that herbs were successfully used to treat the sick.
Ancient records coupled with the resurgence of herbology in our modern times, point to the fact that herbs offer an alternative to the “wonder drugs” of our day.
Hippocrates was able to treat every illness he encountered with approximately 40 herbs.
He however, was a skilled physician with a good working knowledge of the herbs to which he had access and their effect on the human body.
Without this knowledge and experience, it is necessary for those interested in using herbs to follow some simple rules as outlined below:
1. Do not use unidentified herbs.
Unless one is an experienced herbalist or botanist it is potentially dangerous to pick and process herbs for personal use.
An elderly couple died from drinking tea made from foxglove.
They had picked it as comfrey!
To be sure of the herbs obtained for personal use, purchase them from a reputable source.
2. Do not use narcotic herbs or plants.
Why flirt with the misery of addiction and possible death by experimenting with psychoactive plants?
Avoid Opium, Marijuana and the use of those plants from which such hallucinogens and narcotic drugs are derived.
3. Use common sense dosages of herbs.
When using herbs for children, always lower the dosage to one half the adult minimum dosage.
Also, know the peculiarities of the herbs being used.
Fenugreek for instance, tends to dehydrate babies because it is too powerful to be used on infants.
Be aware (though one may disagree) that the Food and Drug Administration (F.D.A.) has listed 27 herbs as unsafe:
- Arnica
- Belladonna
- Bittersweet Twigs
- Blood Root
- Broom Top
- Buckeye
- Calamus Root
- Heliotrope
- Poison Hemlock
- Henbane
- Jalap Root
- Jimson Weed (datura)
- Lily of the Valley
- Lobelia
- Mandrake (Europ.)
- Mandrake (Am.)
- Mistletoe (Europe)
- Mistletoe (Am.)
- Morning Glory seeds
- Periwinkle (Vinca)
- St. John’s Wort
- Tonka Bean
- Wahoo Bark
- Spindle Tree
- White Snakeroot
- Wormwood
and Yohimbe.
4. Some mildly toxic herbs can be useful under certain circumstances, but that decision should be left to a professional.
For example, Belladonna used in small amounts by prescription only, can be very useful for eye problems.
- Pennyroyal
- Spikenard
- Rue
can be dangerous when taken internally by an expectant mother but a qualified herbalist would know when and how to use them.
5. Exercise moderation when using any herbs.
Even herbs considered completely safe can be misused by immoderate and extreme application.
Fatalities have been recorded from the extreme consumption of carrot juice and even brown rice.
6. Take the opportunity to educate yourself in the use of herbs by attending seminars, reading books and periodicals and consulting recognized authorities.
“It is always the part of wisdom to do nothing out of ignorance.”
7. Do not take a large number of different herbs or combinations of herbs at the same time.
The safest procedure is moderation in variety as well as in amount.
8. If an extreme reaction develops after taking an herb or herbal combination, it is usually due to one of two possibilities: either the person is experiencing a healing crises caused by the herbal cleansing of stored toxins in the body or he is experiencing an allergic reaction.
In any case, if extreme discomfort occurs, the herbal dosage should be cut down or stopped until the problem is pinpointed by a qualified physician.
9. Herbs are food for the body.
Most of the healing benefit one derives from herbs is the result of their high nutritional content of needed vitamins and trace minerals.
These critical nutrients are supplied to the body and once supplied, the natural God-given abilities of the body to heal itself take over.
If a condition persists after herbal first aid, remaining static or even worsening, see a qualified physician immediately.
It is well known that smoking is hazardous to your health.
It is equally true that many food additives in use today have a deleterious effect on the body.
Many of these additives have been used and accepted for years only now to be discovered as carcinogenic or toxic in other ways.
Like poorly built automobiles with safety sacrificed for corporate profits, much of what Americans as a nation eat and drink is simply a crime against the body.
The same agencies and associations which permit these health hazards to continue put forth the premise that herbs are of no value or actually harmful in their raw-natural state.
Regardless of the number, origin or intent of these accusations, herbs, coupled with common sense and moderation, are a viable source of health therapy.
Those who say all herbs in their raw state are of no value are as much at fault and as ignorant of the facts as those who say established medical practice is of no good.