Today I want to mention a couple more herbs that are easily available and can be used as Simples. (Remember that Simples are a way of using herbal remedies where you use large doses of individual herbs, often for extended periods of time; I discussed the practice of Simpling in a little more depth in the post I made on January 23, if you missed that one.)
The herbs I want to discuss today are both members of the Mint family, Peppermint and Rosemary; both these herbs have a long history of use in many herbal traditions.
Peppermint is one of the most widely used and recognized medicinal herbs. (Another member of the mint family is Spearmint, it has very similar properties as Peppermint, but to a lesser extent.) Peppermint has traditionally been used to improve digestive functions, and to relieve heartburn and nausea.
Peppermint has also been used to relieve tension and anxiety, and to treat headaches. It has also been used as a herbal remedy to decrease nervousness and relieve insomnia.
Peppermint is considered a mild general stimulant without degenerative side effects; and traditionally is used to strengthen and cleanse the entire system. Also, it has some minor anti-bacterial properties, and is said to help ease the common cold.
Peppermint has also been traditionally been used as a remedy for the early stages of measles, and is useful both taken internally as a tea or infusion, and externally as a compress to relieve itching and inflammation.
In some herbal traditions, Peppermint is also believed to be an aphrodisiac.
Some herbalists suggest caution with using Peppermint in the early stages of pregnancy, but, according to the research I have seen, this is true more for The stronger Peppermint Oil, rather than the actual herb. I do strongly suggest that if you are pregnant or nursing, that you discuss with your doctor any herbs you are planning to take.
Rosemary is another herbal remedy that has been use for centuries, not just as a culinary herb.
A very old use of Rosemary was to preserve meats by coating them with crushed Rosemary, because the Rosemary Oil retards spoilage, in fact it compares well with the commonly used modern preservatives, BHA and BHT.
It is another herb that many herbalists urge caution using during pregnancy, and I think that is a good suggestion. Using small amounts in cooking should present no problem, but using it as a Simple should be done during pregnancy under a doctor's supervision.
Rosemary is another herb commonly used for headaches (in fact any member of the mint family can be helpful treating headaches), especially headaches caused by cold. Rosemary actually contains salicyllic acid, which is an aspirin precursor.
A Rosemary infusion has been traditionally recommended as a gargle to treat sore throat.
Rosemary vinegar (4 teaspoons added to rinse water) has been used as a natural treatment for dandruff.
Rosemary has also been used to help remedy poor circulation, and is sometimes recommended to help reduce gallbladder irritation and to treat gallstones. (If you suspect that you have gallstones, please consult your doctor.)
If you have any questions about these or any herbs, feel free to post them here, and I will answer any questions I can. (Please do not ask me to diagnose or treat medical problems, that is beyond my scope of practice, and should be left to your primary medical provider.)
Back soon with more info...
The material presented in this blog is for informational use only and should in no way be used as a substitute for needed medical treatment. I am not a doctor, I do not diagnose or treat disease. If you need medical care, please consult the appropriate medical professional. And please discuss with your doctor if you are taking or planning to take any herbal preparations.
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Today, I want to talk a little about some of the specific herbs I mentioned yesterday.
I want to start with Chamomile, also sometimes spelled as Camomile. There are several types, Roman Chamomile and German Chamomile are the most common. The two types are actually unrelated, but have very similar properties, so I won't say much more about their differences. The flower is the part used to prepare herbal remedies and teas.
Chamomile is one of the most widely used herbs, and has a long history of traditional uses.
It is commonly used for all manner of problems related to digestion, such as upset stomach and indigestion, and was reputed to help treat ulcers (recent research seems to bear this out, it seemed to prevent formation of stress induced ulcers, and inhibit formation of ulcers caused by drugs and alcohol). If you suspect you have ulcers, you should be under a doctors care, and use herbal remedies only after discussing them with your doctor.
Chamomile has also been used as a nerve tonic, said to both relax and tonify the nervous system. It definitely has a calming effect and a mild sedative action, and has been widely used as a sleep aid, and as a remedy for anxiety.
Chamomile also has some antispasmodic effect, and has been used for menstrual cramps, back pain and intestinal griping.
Chamomile added to bath water is said to help calm irritable or hyperactive children. Chamomile tea is also applied to the gums to help with teething pain.
A compress made from chamomile is applied to wounds and burns, and is said to speed healing.
Chamomile has also shown a mild antimicrobial action.
Chamomile has also been used as a rinse for blonde hair, and brings out highlights.
Chamomile is a very safe herb, even for children. One major caution is for people who have allergies to ragweed, asters, or chrysanthemums; you may experience similar reactions to Chamomile, as these are related plants.
The second herbal remedy I'd like to talk about is also very common, but generally dismissed as a useless weed, even though it has been used as a medicinal plant for more than 1000 years.
This plant is the common Dandelion.
Both the roots and the leaves of the Dandelion are used as herbal remedies. If you wish to gather your own plants, be sure you know whether the area has been treated with pesticides, herbicides or any other potentially toxic substances, before using any herbs gathered locally.
Dandelion leaves have traditionally been used as a spring tonic, and are a very effective diuretic. (A diuretic is something that increases urine output, in simpler terms, it makes you pee.) Dandelion leaves are rich in potassium, which is often depleted by diuretics.
Dandelion root also has some diuretic effect, and is also highly regarded as a liver tonic, and has been traditionally used to treat hepatitis, current research seems to support this use. (If you suspect you have hepatitis, you should be under a doctor's care). Dandelion strongly stimulates the flow of bile (a liver secretion, stored in the gall bladder, which helps digest fats), increasing the flow by up to 50%. Dandelion both stimulates the liver to produce more bile, and stimulates the flow of bile from the gall bladder.
Dandelion has also been used traditionally to promote good digestion, and may help lower cholesterol; it is also widely considered a blood purifier.
Both herbs I talked about today are quite safe for most people, with long histories of use as traditional remedies and very few problems with side effects. They are a good starting place to
begin using herbs.
More coming...
The material presented in this blog is for informational use only and should in no way be used as a substitute for needed medical treatment. I am not a doctor, I do not diagnose or treat disease. If you need medical care, please consult the appropriate medical professional. And please discuss with your doctor if you are taking or planning to take any herbal preparations.
I want to start with Chamomile, also sometimes spelled as Camomile. There are several types, Roman Chamomile and German Chamomile are the most common. The two types are actually unrelated, but have very similar properties, so I won't say much more about their differences. The flower is the part used to prepare herbal remedies and teas.
Chamomile is one of the most widely used herbs, and has a long history of traditional uses.
It is commonly used for all manner of problems related to digestion, such as upset stomach and indigestion, and was reputed to help treat ulcers (recent research seems to bear this out, it seemed to prevent formation of stress induced ulcers, and inhibit formation of ulcers caused by drugs and alcohol). If you suspect you have ulcers, you should be under a doctors care, and use herbal remedies only after discussing them with your doctor.
Chamomile has also been used as a nerve tonic, said to both relax and tonify the nervous system. It definitely has a calming effect and a mild sedative action, and has been widely used as a sleep aid, and as a remedy for anxiety.
Chamomile also has some antispasmodic effect, and has been used for menstrual cramps, back pain and intestinal griping.
Chamomile added to bath water is said to help calm irritable or hyperactive children. Chamomile tea is also applied to the gums to help with teething pain.
A compress made from chamomile is applied to wounds and burns, and is said to speed healing.
Chamomile has also shown a mild antimicrobial action.
Chamomile has also been used as a rinse for blonde hair, and brings out highlights.
Chamomile is a very safe herb, even for children. One major caution is for people who have allergies to ragweed, asters, or chrysanthemums; you may experience similar reactions to Chamomile, as these are related plants.
The second herbal remedy I'd like to talk about is also very common, but generally dismissed as a useless weed, even though it has been used as a medicinal plant for more than 1000 years.
This plant is the common Dandelion.
Both the roots and the leaves of the Dandelion are used as herbal remedies. If you wish to gather your own plants, be sure you know whether the area has been treated with pesticides, herbicides or any other potentially toxic substances, before using any herbs gathered locally.
Dandelion leaves have traditionally been used as a spring tonic, and are a very effective diuretic. (A diuretic is something that increases urine output, in simpler terms, it makes you pee.) Dandelion leaves are rich in potassium, which is often depleted by diuretics.
Dandelion root also has some diuretic effect, and is also highly regarded as a liver tonic, and has been traditionally used to treat hepatitis, current research seems to support this use. (If you suspect you have hepatitis, you should be under a doctor's care). Dandelion strongly stimulates the flow of bile (a liver secretion, stored in the gall bladder, which helps digest fats), increasing the flow by up to 50%. Dandelion both stimulates the liver to produce more bile, and stimulates the flow of bile from the gall bladder.
Dandelion has also been used traditionally to promote good digestion, and may help lower cholesterol; it is also widely considered a blood purifier.
Both herbs I talked about today are quite safe for most people, with long histories of use as traditional remedies and very few problems with side effects. They are a good starting place to
begin using herbs.
More coming...
The material presented in this blog is for informational use only and should in no way be used as a substitute for needed medical treatment. I am not a doctor, I do not diagnose or treat disease. If you need medical care, please consult the appropriate medical professional. And please discuss with your doctor if you are taking or planning to take any herbal preparations.
Monday, January 23, 2006
Yesterday, I said that I would introduce the idea of "Simples". Using Simples is a good way to begin using herbal remedies. (Sometimes, this practice is also called "Simpling".)
The basic idea behind Simpling is that herbs grown locally are most suited to treat health problems which arise in that environment. It also uses only single herbs rather than more complex recipes or herbal formulae, hence the name "Simpling". The herbal remedies used in thus style of herbalism are also taken for extended periods of time.
The herbs used as Simples tend to be milder herbs which are extremely safe, because they are used in very large doses. Generally speaking, to prepare a Simple remedy, the amount of herb used is around 1-2 ounces per pint of water; the resulting brew is consumed up to three times daily, one half to one cup at a time.
As I said, this is a good way to become familiar with herbal remedies, because as you continue taking the herb, you can see the effect on yourself, physically and psychologically.
A rule of thumb in treating acute conditions (if you have just come down with a cold, that is an acute condition) is that you should see some results in three to five days. (If nothing changes, you need to try a different herbal remedy.) If you see improvement, you should continue taking the herbal preparation for several weeks, to allow the healing process to complete.
If you have a chronic condition (you have had symptoms for some time, such as a long term backache) Simples still may help, but the time frame is longer. A rule of thumb in chronic cases is one month for every year the problem has existed.
A few of the important Simples are Chamomile, Peppermint, Dandelion, Rosemary, and Burdock.
Tomorrow, I will begin discussing some of the uses for these herbs.
The material presented in this blog is for informational use only and should in no way be used as a substitute for needed medical treatment. I am not a doctor, I do not diagnose or treat disease. If you need medical care, please consult the appropriate medical professional. And please discuss with your doctor if you are taking or planning to take any herbal preparations.
The basic idea behind Simpling is that herbs grown locally are most suited to treat health problems which arise in that environment. It also uses only single herbs rather than more complex recipes or herbal formulae, hence the name "Simpling". The herbal remedies used in thus style of herbalism are also taken for extended periods of time.
The herbs used as Simples tend to be milder herbs which are extremely safe, because they are used in very large doses. Generally speaking, to prepare a Simple remedy, the amount of herb used is around 1-2 ounces per pint of water; the resulting brew is consumed up to three times daily, one half to one cup at a time.
As I said, this is a good way to become familiar with herbal remedies, because as you continue taking the herb, you can see the effect on yourself, physically and psychologically.
A rule of thumb in treating acute conditions (if you have just come down with a cold, that is an acute condition) is that you should see some results in three to five days. (If nothing changes, you need to try a different herbal remedy.) If you see improvement, you should continue taking the herbal preparation for several weeks, to allow the healing process to complete.
If you have a chronic condition (you have had symptoms for some time, such as a long term backache) Simples still may help, but the time frame is longer. A rule of thumb in chronic cases is one month for every year the problem has existed.
A few of the important Simples are Chamomile, Peppermint, Dandelion, Rosemary, and Burdock.
Tomorrow, I will begin discussing some of the uses for these herbs.
The material presented in this blog is for informational use only and should in no way be used as a substitute for needed medical treatment. I am not a doctor, I do not diagnose or treat disease. If you need medical care, please consult the appropriate medical professional. And please discuss with your doctor if you are taking or planning to take any herbal preparations.
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