Asthma and Herbal Remedies 2

I have uploaded a longer article about asthma and herbal remedies on my website: herbal-list-remedies.com. The article can be reached directly at this link: Asthma and Herbal Remedies



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Asthma and Herbal Remedies

I was asked recently about herbal remedies for asthma. I thought of a few off the top of my head, which have been traditionally used treatments for asthma.

Chamomile tea has some anti-allergenic properties, and seems to inhibit the allergic response. Also chamomile's essential oil seems to block the release of histamine, and these two together can sometimes help with asthma.

Fennel seed and anise seed have traditionally been used for asthma and other respiratory ailments. They have a calming anti-spasmodic effect, and also help loosen bronchial mucus.

Dried ginger also has some effect on asthma and allergies.

Both green and black tea contain a chemical which relaxes the smooth muscles of the bronchial tubes and can reduce the severity of asthma. And drinking either green or black tea provides a sufficient dose of this chemical to help asthmatics.

These are a few of the herbs which have traditionally been used as treatments for asthma. I am preparing a longer article which will be published on my website Herbal-List-Remedies.com by Monday, June 25.

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Herbal Remedies from the Kitchen: Oregano

Continuing my discussion of herbal remedies from the kitchen, I want to talk about oregano, (Origanum vulgare) and marjoram (Origanum marjorana), which are both members of the mint family of herbs.

Both these herbs are common in Italian (and Greek) cooking, and widely available in any supermarket.

Some herbalists do not distinguish between the two, and simply include them both as species of oregano, I've even seen one reference to oregano as "wild marjoram".

They both have similar properties, with some minor differences I will mention.

Both oregano and marjoram have been used for respiratory disorders such as colds and coughs, and for some digestive complaints, especially spasms in the digestive system and to treat indigestion.

Marjoram has been used to treat headaches, including migraines, and to treat some menstrual complaints, especially cramps.

Oregano has been used as a diaphoretic (makes you sweat) and as an expectorant (helps expel mucus from the lungs and bronchii).

Bruised leaves of either plant (fresh, not dried), used inside a pillow, are a traditional remedy for insomnia.

Both these herbs deserve a place in your herbal medicine chest.

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Herbal Remedies from the Kitchen: Sage

This is the first of a series of postings where I will talk about herbal remedies you may find in your kitchen spice rack. (If your herbs and spices are of indeterminate age, and covered in dust, you should probably buy some new herbs if you want to use them as herbal remedies. And you will find that they work better in cooking as well.)

Most of the herbs I will talk about in this series may be used either as fresh herbs, or dried; it depends on what you have available.

I want to start with the herb Sage. There are many varieties of Sage, they all have similar properties, so I am going to just use the term Sage to include them all.

The botanical name for sage is Salvia (Salvia Officianalis isthe common garden sage; whenever you see the term "Officianalis" as part of the name of an herb, it means that herb was part of an official materia medica, and has a long history of use.) and the root of the word "salvia" also gave us the words "salvation" and "salve"; Sage has been referred to as "Sage the Savior".

Most cooks know sage as a poultry seasoning, but at one time it was considered virtually a panacea, and reputed to be a longevity tonic. (There is an ancient Latin saying which translates roughly as: Why should a man die while sage grows in his garden?)

Sage was widely recommended to treat many health problems including menstrual problems, digestive problems, liver and kidney trouble, intermittent fevers, depression and nervous disorders, impotence and frigidity, hangovers, joint pain, and headaches to name a few.

The Chinese prized sage highly, it was worth several times its weight in Chinese tea.

More recent herbalists use sage for many problems.

Sage is used for a range of menstrual difficulties, and has some estrogenic activity.

Sage is an astringent, and is used to stop perspiration, and also the secretion of breast milk, after a baby has been weaned. (For this reason, it should not be used by nursing mothers; some herbalists also say it is contraindicated during pregnancy.)

Sage also is useful for hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms, especially night sweats.

Sage also has been used as a hair rinse, especially for dark hair (Chamomile is better for blond hair) and is said to promote shine and even hair growth.

Sage may interfere with iron absorption, and should not be used by anyone with a seizure disorder.



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Herbal Remedies from the Kitchen

Over the next several days, I am going to discuss some of my favorite, and most used, herbal remedies. And they are all easily available, in any supermarkets spice section.

Some of the remedies I will talk about are: sage, fennel seed, rosemary, black pepper, basil, oregano, caraway seed, anise seed, and cinnamon.

It may seem strange that these common culinary herbs have medicinal uses, but they are very effective at treating some common complaints, such as indigestion, headache, nausea, colic, and bloating, even hangovers.

Check back over the next few days for detailed information on using kitchen herbs and spices to treat a variety of everyday complaints.

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Garlic, the Stinking Rose

Garlic is valued world wide as both a culinary and a medicinal herb.

There is a lot of research that points to its ability to reduce cholesterol levels, in fact, one company that manufactures a garlic supplement refers to garlic as "cholesterol's natural enemy."

The health benefits of garlic are much wider than just affecting cholesterol.

Garlic enjoys a considerable reputation as an immune booster, said to prevent colds and flu, and to shorten recovery time if you catch a cold or flu.

There is also research which demonstrates garlic has the ability to prevent blood clots. (If you are about to have any surgery, discuss with your doctor any herbs you may be taking, and especially those like garlic which affect blood clotting.)

There is some disagreement about taking garlic as a raw herb or supplement, and also whether you lose health benefits if you cook the garlic clove. In my opinion, garlic is useful in all these forms. The standardized supplements will not have identical effects as garlic cloves; raw garlic has different effects than cooked garlic. There are health benefits to all these forms, use it any way you like.

I enjoy cooking with garlic, and frequently add it to soups, stews and sauces; I also include raw garlic in salads and find supplements convenient when travelling.


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Herbal Remedy for Holiday Over-Indulgence?

It's a new year, the holidays are behind us. Some of us may have eaten too much rich, fatty food, or had more alcohol than we should. We may be suffering the after effects of celebrating too well.

One of the body organs which is greatly affected by both rich, fatty foods and over-eating, as well as drinking alcohol is the liver. There is an herbal remedy that has been traditionally used to help support the liver for centuries, milk thistle.

In Europe, it is used not just as a supplement, but eaten as food. They use the leaves as salads, and eat both the stalks and the heads.

But the herb has a long history as a remedy and tonic for the liver, and has been used to treat many liver and gall bladder problems. It has even been used to treat cirrhosis (a hardening of the liver, often caused by excessive alcohol consumption), and has improved liver function.

So, if you have over-indulged over the holidays, try supplementing your diet with milk thistle; your liver may thank you.

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Herbal Remedies for Insomnia 2

I wanted to mention another herbal remedy I find useful for insomnia, Scutellaria Lateriflora, commonly known as Scullcap or Skullcap.

Scullcap has been used for centuries because of its sedative properties; it was used to treat hysteria and nervous tension, nervous disorders in general, and even as a treatment for epilepsy. It also has been traditionally used as an anti-spasmodic, and anti-inflammatory.

Scullcap is available in pill or capsule form, as well as liquid or tincture, from several suppliers. Follow the dosage recommendations on the label. (I always start at the lowest recommended dosage whenever I try a new herbal remedy, and increase the dosage gradually, if necessary, and there are no negative reactions from taking the remedy.)



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Herbal remedies for Insomnia

There are several herbal remedies I have found helpful for occasional insomnia.

One of my favorites is chamomile flowers, brewed as a tea and sipped warm. It is a very relaxing beverage, and is often all that is needed. (It is also soothing to the digestion.)

For a stronger sedative effect, my favorite herbal remedy is a combination of the herbs Valerian Root, and Hops; I generally recommend two parts valerian to one part hops. (I have found that taking the herbs together is more effective than either alone, but both herbs have sleep inducing effects.)

I have also found that Valerian is most effective when taken as an alcohol extract, rather than in capsule or pill form, and generally use Hops as an extract also. I usually add the extracts to warm water (or a non caffeinated tea or herbal infusion) and sip that before retiring.


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Astragalus, Herbal Tonic for the Immune System

Cold and flu season are coming, so this seems like a good time of
year to talk about the herb Astragalus.

Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus), known as Huang qi in Chinese
medicine, is famous as a tonic to the immune system. The Chinese
describe it as a tonic to the "wei qi", which is a protective energy
that circulates under the skin, and is the body's first line of
defense against external pathogenic invasion. (That's a fancy way of
saying it helps keep you from "catching" whatever may be going
around.)

Astragalus is traditionally used with people who catch colds
frequently, because it both strengthens and stabilizes the protective
energy mentioned earlier. This protective energy also regulates
sweating, so astragalus is used to regulate sweating. (If there is
excessive sweating, astragalus will decrease it; if there is too
little sweating, astragalus will increase it.)

Astragalus is also a diuretic, and may be helpful in cases with edema
or water retention.

Astragalus is also an herbal tonic for the lungs, and may help where
there is shortness of breath.

Astragalus also benefits sugar metabolizing functions; it was
traditionally used for "wasting and thirsting" illnesses, which was a
description used for diabetes in early Chinese medical texts.

Astragalus is a qi tonic, like ginseng (see a discussion about ginseng here);
but astragalus is more activating than ginseng. Ginseng is said to benefit the
spiritual energies, while astragalus works more on the physical.

Astragalus is a good herbal remedy to use as a tonic periodically, it
benefits the energy, tonifies the immune system, and also helps
tonify the blood. It is a safe remedy, and available as a raw herb,in
tinctures, and teas, also in capsules and freeze dried extracts.

The raw herb is usually found as thin slices, which resemble
popsickle sticks. One traditional way to use astragalus was to add a
few sticks to soups, and allow it to simmer with the rest of the
ingredients. Used this way, or cooked alone into a "tea" (astragalus
has a mild sweet flavor), astragalus is a good way to give your
immune system a boost.


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Dong Quai-Women's Ginseng?

Dong quai (angelica sinensis), sometimes spelled tang kwei or dang gui, is called women's ginseng.

In Chinese medicine, men are considered to be more ruled by qi (qi is usually translated as energy, but it is a more complex substance; Ted Kaptchuk, author of The Web That Has No Weaver, describes qi as energy on the verge of becoming matter and matter on the verge of becoming energy), and women more by blood. Ginseng is one of the primary qi tonics; dong quai is one of the primary blood tonics. This is why it is referred to as "women's ginseng".

Traditionally, dong quai is used to tonify the blood and regulate menstruation. It is used for all deficient blood patterns, and irregular menstruation, amenorrhea (failure to menstruate) and dysmenorrhea (pain or painful cramps before or during menstruation).

The herb is available in several forms: raw, it is available sliced, or as dried whole roots, (I find the slices to be easier to use, if I want the raw herb); freeze-dried powder, capsules and tinctures.

In traditional Chinese medicine, the herb is usually used as part of a formula; the primary blood tonic formula is called Four Things Soup or Four Things Combination. It includes dong quai, rehmannia, ligusticum, and white peony root. It is the base for may tonic formulas in Chinese medicine, especially relating to any blood vitalising or clearing tonics.

It is possible to obtain this formula as a combination of the raw individual herbs, or as pills, capsules, tinctures and freeze dried concentrate. Follow the manufacturers directions in any prepackaged formula, I always recommend starting with the lowest possible dose, and adjustin as you see how it affects you.

As with any herbal formulation, results take time. If you see no results at all within seven to ten days, consider increasing the dosage. If you still see no results, you may need a different formula, or one of the variants of this formula. (There are many variants, from varying the proportions of the four ingredients, to adding other herbs.)

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An Alternative Ginseng

I wrote a little about ginsengs a few days ago, (see More Than One Ginseng), today I want to mention another herbal tonic, Codonopsis (Radix Codonopsis pilosulae). It is a common substitute for ginseng in traditional herbal remedies, and, in many formulations from China, is more commonly used than ginseng.

This is not an attempt by the herbal manufacturer to rip off consumers, but the substitution is made because the effects of ginseng and codonopsis are quite similar. They are both excellent general tonics, with balancing and invigorating actions on the body and its systems.

Ginseng is much more expensive than codonopsis, and good codonopsis is much more effective than poor quality ginseng. The difference in price allows the use of very good quality codonopsis at the same price as poor quality ginseng, which gives the consumer a better value in the herbal remedy.

A major difference between the two is that ginseng is believed to affect the physical, mental, and spiritual parts of an individual, whereas codonopsis works more on the physical level.
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More Mushroom Magic That Boosts the Immune System

I spoke about Shiitake and Reishi Mushrooms as immune
tonics in a previous post. There is another mushroom which is a
very potent immune system tonic, Maitake.

Maitake belongs to the class of herbs called adaptogens.
(Herbs which help the body "adapt" to stressors.)

It has been shown to significantly strengthen the immune
system, and build immune reserves. In research studies,
maitake extract increased the activity of three types of
immune cells, the macrophages, natural killer cells, and the
T-cells, by a significant percentage.

In studies with mice, maitake extract reduced tumor
formation by 86% compared to the control group.

Maitake extract is currently in stage 2 trials in the US as
an anti-cancer drug. It is being tested on both advanced
breast and prostate cancer.

The anti-cancer compound is marketed as Maitake-D
fraction, and has shown promise in studies on both breast
and colorectal cancer.

Maitake also helps reduce pain, nausea, hair loss,
and other side effects of conventional chemotherapy drugs.

Maitake has shown promise as a complementary therapy,
and combines well with conventional therapy.



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More Than One Ginseng

I recently read a magazine article which reported on a study done is Shangai over a period of six years. The study followed almost 1500 patients and found that women who had a history of taking ginseng had a 30% lower chance of dying than those who did not use ginseng.

They also reported that the women who began using ginseng after diagnosis felt they had more energy and slept better than the women who did not take ginseng. (All the women in the study had conventional cancer treatments. The women who used ginseng took an average 1.3 grams of ginseng per day.)

The magazine identified the ginseng as P. quinquefolius. I don't think most of the magazine readers know what that means.

Chinese (and Korean) ginseng is Panax ginseng, or P. ginseng. P. quinquefolius, or Panax quinquefolius, is American ginseng. It is botanically very similar to Chinese ginseng, in fact of all the plants called ginseng (Siberian ginseng, Prince ginseng, Tienchi ginseng, as well as the American and Chinese ginsengs), American ginseng is the only one which could cross pollinate with Panax ginseng.

The difference is important because American ginseng has a higher content of ginsenosides than Panax ginseng. According to the magazine article, in animal studies and in test tube studies, the ginsenosides seem to make cancer cells more vulnerable to chemotherapy.

If you are undergoing treatment for breast cancer, or any other medical condition, please consult with your doctor before adding any herbs to your treatment regimen.

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Herbal Remedies That Help Boost The Immune System

Now that summer is drawing to a close, it's a good time to start talking about herbs that help improve immune system functioning. There are quite a few herbs that have a tonifying effect on the body's immune system, such as Echinacea, Astragalus, Garlic and Ginseng.

There are also some mushrooms which have almost legendary status as immune system tonics. Today, I want to talk about Shiitake and Reishi mushrooms.

Shiitake mushrooms are widely available in supermarkets and health food stores, they are often available either fresh or dried. It is even possible to purchase Shiitake growing kits.

Shiitake mushrooms are delicious added to soups, stews, and sauces; pretty much anywhere you would use any other mushroom. The stems are very woody, so use only the caps.

Studies in Japan have shown that Shiitake mushrooms boost the immune system, as well as inhibit viral replication, two activities which make Shiitake a great addition to your diet. Japanese research has also led to a cancer treatment based on Shiitake mushrooms.

Reishi mushroom is another immune boosting powerhouse. At one time, these mushrooms were extremely rare, and prohibitively expensive, because they were only found growing in high, remote mountains. Relatively recently, it was discovered how to grow Reishi mushrooms, so you no longer need to be the Emperor to afford them.

Reishi mushrooms were thought to increase longevity and were highly prized as a result.

Modern research has shown them to be high in immune boosting phytochemicals, and to improve production of lymphocytes (lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell, and an important part of the body's defenses against infection). Reishi also seems to modulate immune response, (this means it can both strengthen a weakened immune response, and lessen an overactive immune response), and helps some allergy sufferers get relief from their symptoms. Reishi also seems to have some anti-cancer properties, and is a part of several commercially available preparations said to protect the immune system while patients are undergoing radiation or chemotherapy as part of a cancer treatment regimen. (If you are being treated for any medical condition, please check with your doctor before taking any herbal supplements.)

Reishi mushrooms don't seem as widely available as Shiitake mushrooms, although most local health food stores carry several varieties of prepared Reishi supplements, as powders, capsules and extracts, as well as an instant tea concentrate. It's a useful supplement anytime you feel your immune system needs a boost.

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More info on the tree killers

I had previously written about poachers killing trees in National Forests to sell the bark for herbal remedies. Today I received an email from Doctors Health Press with more info. It seems six suspects have been arrested related to the pillaging. Hopefully, this will put a stop to the destruction. Again, I want to encourage everyone to use natural remedies which have been harvested and produced with sustainable practices.


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Red Bush Tea Is A Caffeine Free Alternative to Green Tea.

Rooibos, also called Red Bush Tea, is naturally caffeine free and rich in antioxidants.

Rooibos has a long history of use as an herbal remedy, and is considered very safe. It has been used to settle colicky infants, and to treat diaper rash.

More recently, it is being recommended for other skin irritations, such as eczema and dermatitis.

The tea made from rooibos is pleasant tasting and mildly sweet, making it a delicious way to increase your daily intake of antioxidants.

Click here to read more about Red Bush Tea

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Tree Killers Strike

Associated Press released a story today that shows a disturbing fact about using herbal remedies.

The story was about poachers stripping the bark from slippery elm trees in a national forest in Kentucky. (Slippery elm is used for coughs and is soothing to the digestive tract, and used externally to treat wounds , burns and skin irritations.) Unfortunately, when you strip all the bark around a tree, it dies.

I always stress that you should only buy herbal products from reputable suppliers. Slippery elm is not the only herb at risk in the wild. Many traditional remedies have been driven to the brink of extinction in the wild by over-harvesting. Eliminating the market for illegally or unethically harvested herbs is the only way to stop the poaching.


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A Natural Remedy for Motion Sickness

With summer in full swing here in the USA, motion sickness becomes an issue for more and more people. Whether it is long car rides, or travelling by boat or plane, motion sickness can be a most unpleasant travel partner.

There is a natural remedy that is very effective as a treatment for motion sickness, Ginger. Ginger, (Zingiber Officianale) is a rhizome which is native to southeastern Asia, but is widely cultivated around the world, including in the US.

Studies have demonstrated that ginger is as effective as many pharmaceutical remedies in controlling motion sickness, and vastly superior to some over the counter remedies.

Some herbalists recommend using fresh ginger juice to treat nausea, and say it is more effective than a decoction made from the dried herb. I have found both to be successful, and have no clear preference.

To make ginger juice, grate several tablespoons of fresh root, (the fresher the root, the easier to grate, and the more juice will be produced) and either squeeze the grated root by hand or wrap it in several layers of cheesecloth, and squeeze to extract the juice.

To make a ginger decoction, simmer several pieces of dried ginger root for about fifteen minutes, and drink warm. You can sweeten with a little honey, if desired.

Whether you are using the fresh juice, or a decoction, it is most effective for motion sickness if taken about two hours before travelling.

Ginger is also available in capsules, and some people find those to also be effective. If you prefer capsules, follow the manufacturers directions.

Ginger is a very safe herb, taken in moderation. Some herbalists recommend against using ginger while pregnant, while others recommend it for morning sickness. My own experience is that ginger is safe in moderate doses, and can help with morning sickness.

Ginger can increase the secretion of bile, so if there are any problems with the liver or gallbladder (such as stones, or any bile duct obstructions), ginger should be used under a doctor's supervision.

If you suffer from motion sickness, try ginger, and enjoy travelling again.
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Squidoo

I have just begun a lens at Squidoo. You can visit it at: http://www.squidoo.com/herbalremedies/
You can see a list of my favorite books about Chinese Herbal Remedies there.



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