HERBS

Sixty million Americans have taken botanical herbs and 50 million are taking them now. 650,000 physicians are now trying to guide patients in their selections but very few doctors are familiar with them since herbs were not taught in medical schools. Herbs have been around for centuries but after W.W.II, synthetic drugs have been the subject of the day. Herbs and vitamins represent a market of $10 billion and are growing 10% a year. The Food and Drug Administration has formed a panel to investigate the toxicity of herbs and their interaction with western drugs. Research in Europe supports the use of herbs. The rush is on for doctors to get up to speed on learning about herbs. Doctors know that if they can’t guide the patients and give answers, patients will look to someone who knows. We try here to give you some indications for western herbs. Herbs are commonly used in conjunction with acupuncture to enhance treatment. The following Western herbs are commonly used.

When you have pain it is a sign that the body is infected, diseased, or injured in some way. Most of the herbs fight fever, bacteria, inflammation and spasms. Most people take pain pills as Tylenol, Vioxx, Darvon, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents as Motrin, and Celebrex. All present some side effects. It is important to find the cause of pain and not mask the cause by taking either pain relieving herbs or western drugs. If you know the cause to be muscle pains, chronic arthritis, tension headaches, or chronic back pain and there appears no cure, one may try some excellent herbs to help quiet the pain. Always remember that acupuncture may eliminate the cause of these pains.

PAIN RELIEVING HERBS

ARNICA Used as a compress for painful swelling of arthritis and rheumatism. It is used in creams, ointments, and oils. It is present in commercial ointments.
CHAMOMILE It is often taken as a tea to relieve muscle cramping. It can be inhaled to relieve sinus congestion.
WINTERGREEN A natural aspirin, used for the same reasons.
WHITE WILLOW A precursor of aspirin, used for the same reasons.
BIRCH Taken as a tea and made from, the bark or leaves. A diuretic and anti-inflammatory herb used for gout, kidney stones, and rheumatism. Oil and creams are used for swollen joints.
DANDELIONS A diuretic. Has the advantage of having potassium amd vitamins A & C.
FLAX Known as flax seed. Rich in omega 3 fatty acids that lower cholesterol.
ALOE Applied to bruises and skin irritations to hasten healing and reduce swelling.
CALENDULA (MARIGOLD) Excellent to stop bleeding from cuts, sores, burns, or wounds. Found in oils, creams and lotions, as well as the dried herb.
CRAMP BARK Excellent for lower back pain. Relieves muscle spasms and has a sedating effect.
YARROW Has aspirin effect. A pain reliever and anti-inflammatory herb. Used for muscle spasms and is a good wound healer. Do not take if you are taking aspirin. Works like white willow. Helps blood coagulate, unlike aspirin which prevents clotting.
HYSSOP Available as a tea; used for arthritis pain.
VALERIAN Super muscle relaxant and sedative. Usually taken as a tea. Is not habit forming. MULLEIN Used for ear aches as addition to garlic cloves or oil.
GARLIC CLOVES Used as a temporary relief from toothaches.
CAPSICUM Is a wonderful warming and healing agent long used topically for joint pains. It is in many sport creams. Can relieve headaches by rubbing over the temples. Use sparingly as it is hot.
CLOVE Used with other herbs for colic. Used externally for arthritis. Can be rubbed on sore gums or a sore tooth.
FEVERFEW Acts as a histamine blocker. Used as a migraine stopper. Can be used externally as an insect repellent.
MULLEIN In olive oil used as eardrops for ear ache. Was used in pipes to relieve asthma.
THYME Used as a tea. Cold tea is used for tension headaches. Hot thyme tea is used for insomnia.

BACK TO TOP

HERBS FOR THE STOMACH

CASCARA Gentle non-habit forming herb that is used as a mild laxative and digestive aid.
PSYLLIUM Absorbs excess fluid in the bowel and increases stool volume. Hence it can be used both for diarrhea and constipation. Must drink 10 glasses of water when you take this herb.
AMARANTHUS From the wild spinach family. High in iron,Vitamin C, potassium, calcium, and beta carotene. Used to correct diarrhea.
BET0NY Has a high concentration of tannin. Used to correct occasional diarrhea and to aid digestion. Comes as a tea. Produces slight euphoria.
RED RASBERRY The dried leaves correct diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and indigestion.
ANISE Powerful remedy for gas. Comes as a tea or chewable seeds.
FENNEL Cures gas and upset stomachs. Also used for weight loss and to prevent the odor of alcohol. Used as a tea, chewable seeds that are roasted or dried, or dried leaves.
ANGELICA Great for indigestion. Found in cake decorating and Benedictine liquor.
CARAWAY A kitchen spice containing carvone. Effective for indigestion with gas, colic, and diarrhea.
PARSLEY High in vitamin A and C. Helps digestion, mild constipation, and as a diuretic. Also a strong antiviral herb.
PEPPERMINT Contains menthol which relaxes the bowels. Used for stomach pain, nausea, gas, and colic.
HOPS An ingredient in beer brewing, hops have an anti-spasmodic property. Used for irritable bowel syndrome and colitis.
LEMON BALM Prevents bowel spasms, colitis, gallbladder and liver disturbances. Used for irritable bowel syndrome. .
CARDAMOM A member of the ginger family. Prevents vomiting, indigestion, gas and diarrhea. OSWEGO TEA Rich in thymol and tannin. For nausea, vomiting, and gas.

BACK TO TOP

FEMALE HORMONAL HERBS

ANGELICA Used for menopausal symptoms and a female tonic. Regulates menses.
BLACK COHOSH Has estrogen effect and used as a natural estrogen. Great for hot flashes, dryness of the vagina, night sweats, and anxiety.
ASIAN GINSENG (PANAX GINSENG) Used for menopausal symptoms as a tonic, reducing fatigue and emotional stress.
CRAMP BARK Great for menstrual cramps.
FALSE UNICORN ROOT Finest female tonic. Great for menstrual cramps. Taken for several months as it is slow acting.
WILD YAM Used as a cream for menopausal vaginal dryness. Has both estrogenic and progesterone properties.
LADY'S MANTLE Used for water retention and heavy menses and menstrual cramps.
SHEPHERD'S PURSE Stops menstrual bleeding. Has progesterone properties.
BLUE COHOSH Used for scanty and light menstrual periods. Prevents menstrual cramps
MUGWORT LEAF Promotes menstruation and stops menstrual cramps.
PENNYROYAL Contains pulegone. Good for scanty menses and menstrual cramps. Very powerful.
HORSETAIL Rich in silica to straighten broken bones. Used for osteoporosis.
OATMEAL This cereal now found very high in minerals and is used to prevent osteoporosis.
CHASTE TREE AND EVENING PRIMROSE Contain progesterone properties. Used for premenstrual symptoms.
UVA-URSI Has a diuretic property. Used for PMS and cystitis. Avoid acid food when taking this for it only works in an alkaline environment.

BACK TO TOP

HERBS FOR ALLERGIES AND FLU

ASTRALAGUS Builds immunity. Good for colds and flu symptoms.
ECHINACEA Builds immunity and fights viral and bacterial infection. Best used to prevent infection or as a booster after antibiotics.
GARLIC Strong immune builder. Has allicin, a strong sulphur compound. Great for the heart, lowers cholesterol and lowers blood pressure. Impedes blood clotting.
NETTLE Relieves hay fever and reduces allergic sensitivity to allergens. Has diuretic properties and dries allergy symptoms. for nose and throat swellings. An anti-inflammatory. Also used for cough relief.
COLTSFOOT For bronchial congestion, asthma and bronchitis.
MULLEIN Heals swollen membranes, is a mild cough medicine. Often combined with Echinacea. Can be used as an inhalant or taken as a tea.
GOLDENSEAL Acts as a broad-spectrum antibiotic. Also stimulates immune system. Used in acute active infections of throat, ears and sinuses. Stop taking it when infection is over and then take Echinacea to prevent relapse.
BONSET Best fever buster. Used for muscle pain from the flu and also for joint pains. Never take more than 10 days in a row.
ELDERBERRY Great to lower fever. High in Vitamins ABC. Fights viruses and bacteria.
YARROW Acts like aspirin. Used as a tea but is bitter. Best to add honey or lemon to the tea.
MYRRH Stimulates white blood cells. Reduces fever. Natural antibiotic. Usually a gargle in mouth washes.
SLIPPERY ELM For coughs and infections.
EYEBRIGHT For itchy, red, and runny eyes from conjunctivitis or allergies.
CINAMMON BARK For nausea and vomiting. Also for impotence and late menstrual periods. MARSHMALLOW For ulcers and colitis.

BACK TO TOP

DERMATOLOGY HERBS

DONG QUAI For acne, eczema and psoriasis. Used for gynecological problems. Has an estrogen effect.
ASTRALAGUS For acute skin eruption, boils, hives, psoriasis. Also used for chronic fatigue and blood.
CLEAVERS Cleans toxins from the body and aids in kidney function. Promotes drainage to swollen and infected glands.
YELLOW DOCK For scabies, ringworm and other stubborn skin infections. Also good for parasites.
PAU D'ARCO For athlete's foot, fungus, ringworm and thrush.
BLUE FLAG For boils and acne. Stimulates the liver. Is also a diuretic.
TEA TREE OIL Has turpineol. Used in flea shampoos. For ringworm, athlete's foot, and fungus skin conditions. Use small amount diluted in vegetable oil.
FENUGREEK Used as a compress for boils and hives.
GENTIAN For cold sores and fungus infections. Used as a tincture.
SARSAPARILLA For herpes and psoriasis. Use as a compress.
FIGWORT For abscesses, burn, and hives. As a tincture or a tea.
FUMITORY For scaly skin conditions. Use as tincture or tea. Do not use more than one week. MOUNTAIN GRAPE For scaly skin conditions and cold sores. Available as a tincture.
ALOE For sunburn, insect bites, poison ivy. Used as a gel or a powder in baths.
BALM OF GILEAD For scaly skin and painful joints. Used as a tincture mixed with vegetable oil.
BURDOCK For scaly skin and arthritis. Use as a tincture.
PSYLLIUM For poison ivy, bee stings, insect bites, and warts. Use as a tincture.
BLACK WALNUT Excellent for warts. Also for fungal infections. Use as tincture or extract.
GREATER CELANDINE For warts. Use only externally as a tincture.

BACK TO TOP

MALE HORMONAL HERBS

SAW PALMETTO Found to block the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. Used in benign prostatic hypertrophy to shrink the gland.

PYGEUM Good for most male urinary problems. Also shrinks the prostate and even used in the treatment of prostatic cancer.

BACK TO TOP

CARDIAC HERBS

Heart disease is the number one killer in the United States, claiming one million lives a year. Approximately 80 million of us have heart and blood vessel disease. The following herbs have been used for this malady.

GARLIC Several sulphur compounds and allicin help prevent blood clotting. It is used for high blood pressure, and arteriosclerosis.
HAWTHORN Dilates blood vessels and increases heart muscle function. Used for arrhythmias, angina, myocarditis, and high blood pressure. Often used with other herbs.
MOTHERWORT A heart tonic and antispasmodic.. Used for rapid heart rate, palpitations, and angina.
GINGER Powerful cholesterol reducer and prevents blood clots as garlic.
MYRRH Contains gugulipid, which lowers total cholesterol, LDL, and triglyceride levels.
DANDELION Rich in iron, Vitamin A(more than in carrots) and Vitamin C. Has a diuretic property without loss of potassium. Lowers blood pressure.
YARROW Contains achilletin and achilleine. Both prevent blood clotting. Has some diuretic effect also.
DONG QUAI A potent female tonic (has estrogen effects) recently found to be effective in angina. Action is by dilating the arteries and increasing circulation.
ROSEMARY Stimulates the circulatory and nervous systems. Used for angina by preventing spasm. Comes as a dry herb or tincture. (Do not confuse with rosemary oil, used for external purposes.)

OTHER HEART TONICS
Astralagus, barley, kelp, magnolia, ginkgo, Asian ginseng

OTHER BLOOD PRESSSURE LOWERING HERBS
Black cohosh, evening primrose, feverfew, barberry, and turmeric

OTHER CIRULATORY STIMULANTS
Marigold, cayenne, and mugwort

OTHER CHOLESTEROL LOWERING HERBS
Flax and turmeric

OTHER ANGINA PREVENTING HERB
Willow

OTHER ARRYTHMIA PREVENTING HERB
Ginkgo

BACK TO TOP

IMMUNE SYSTEM BOOSTER HERBS

ASTRALAGUS Stimulate interferon, fights bacteria, stimulated macrophages to fight off viruses and bacteria, activates dormant immune cells.
BARBERRY Used for general weakness, has a potent antibacterial berberine, fights salmonella, streptococcus, and also an anticancer agent.
BLESSED THISTLE Immune stimulant like barberry, enhances memory, treats liver, heart and hormonal imbalances.
ECHINACEA Stimulates immune cells in the body, production of interferon, production of tumor necrosis factor. Has antiviral and antibacterial properties. Used in AIDS and cancer treatments along with conventional medical treatment.
GARLIC Antibacterial properties, inhibits the growth of cancer, strong antioxidant removing environmental poisons and toxins.
PANAX GINSENG Most potent of the ginsengs, regulates blood sugar, hormones, fights free radicals, and used when weakness and debilitation are present.
SIBERIAN GINSENG Normalizes all the functions of the body and fights stress, illness, and fatigue. Not a true ginseng. Eleutheroside, its primary ingredient has been shown to increase athletic performance, and immunity by increasing the lymphocytes.
GRAPE SEED EXTRACT Great immune builder, has flavenoids that fight free radicals. The flavonoid oligomeric preanthocyanidin is a more powerful antioxidant than vitamin C and E. Slows aging, helps night vision, and treats several eye disorders.
GREEN TEA Antibacterial agent especially for tooth decay, and gum disease. Strong antioxidant reduces free radicals, and lowers blood pressure.

BACK TO TOP

CLICK HERE FOR AN PRINTABLE ALPHABETICAL LISTING OF HERBS AND USES