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By Edward Hardy
Herbs are powerful medicines, useful in treating both simple and complex problems–more useful, in some cases, than the pharmaceuticals that were developed to replace them.
Many herbal remedies are far from meek substitutes for synthetic medicines. Herbal therapies have been relied upon for centuries, and for a great portion of the world, the pharmacy is still largely an herbal one. Often herbs are as effective as drugs while being less expensive and producing fewer side effects. These are a few reasons why many experts and consumers consider herbal remedies superior for some conditions.
The subtle power of herbal remedies has not been lost on the pharmaceutical industry, which continues to isolate the active ingredients in medicinal plants–like aspirin from willow bark or codeine from the opium poppy–and synthesize them, often making them into a large part of over-the-counter pharmaceuticals. But the next time you come down with a cold, you might instead try an infusion of ginger, a cold remedy that dates from Roman times in Europe and even earlier than that in China and India. It is considered both a circulatory stimulant and an analgesic. Or you might try rosemary for dandruff, aloe for burns, or any of the other herbal remedies you'll find here.
Fennel
Many herbs work best as preventive medicine. You might avoid getting a cold altogether by taking echinacea, also called purple coneflower. This has long been used by Native Americans, and is coming into use by more people each year. According to Steven Foster, author of Echinacea: Nature's Immune Enhancer (Healing Arts Press, 1991), echinacea works best if taken the day you feel a cold or flu coming on. "I've gone two or three years without a cold or flu by taking appropriate doses," says Forster. As with any remedy, echinacea should not be taken for extended periods, nor can it undo the damage of unhealthy habits.
Tom Kruzel, a naturopath who practices in Portland, Oregon, says that herbal remedies are exceptionally effective when it comes to colds and flus. "For very year, when the flu comes through, we have much greater success treating people with botanical medicines than with over-the-counter drugs. In fact, studies have shown that over-the-counter stuff actually prolongs a cold or flu." Kruzel's prescriptions often include botanical remedies that you may not find at your neighborhood store. "The value in herbal medicine is in being specific with your prescription," says Kruzel. "That's where you get the most dramatic results." Many practitioners who use herbal treatments say that professional supervision is useful–even required–for complex conditions and for chronic diseases.
Echinacea
But other problems can be safely self-treated. Naturopath Mitchell Stargrove, of the Beaverton Center for the Healing Arts, in Beaverton, Oregon, believes that highly specific prescriptions are sometimes advisable, but he also sees the advantage of home remedies for some problems. "For a lot of things, the basics will take care of a lot of people," he says. Stargrove and other naturopaths stress the need for self-education to accompany self-treatment; the more you know, the more successful you'll be. They also strongly advise against abruptly replacing prescription drugs with herbs—which can lead to severe problems—without professional guidance.
Misdiagnosis is another real concern, though this can occur with conventional treatments and medicines as well.
"The body has a hard time breaking down pharmaceuticals,'' says naturopath Jill Stansbury, who practices in Battleground, Washington, and teaches botanical medicine at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon. "They can accumulate, can cause toxic side effects, and deplete the body's energy resources."
Avoiding drug toxicity is one reason Alan Gaby, M.D., president of the American Holistic Medical Association, uses licorice rather than cortisone to treat adrenal weakness, an ailment characterized by low blood pressure, fatigue, allergies, and hypoglycemia. However, Gaby advises against self-treatment with licorice, since an overdose can lead to high blood pressure and stress on the heart as well as other problems.
Herbs At Work
The exact workings of herbal remedies are still a matter of conjecture. "All of us have theories," says Kathi Keville, an herbal educator from Nevada City, California. "Of course, nobody knows for sure." It is clear, though, that plants produce complex compounds of chemicals, and one theory contends that when you use a botanical remedy instead of an allopathic drug containing only a synthesized version of the plant's active ingredient, you're actually using a highly complex package of drugs.
This bundle of plant chemicals then works together to produce a medicine that is more than the sum of its active ingredients. Since this naturally occurring substance cannot be patented, synthesis is important from a business perspective
According to Keville, another theory holds that since allopathic drugs are brand new compared to many herbal remedies, our bodies haven't yet had the chance to adapt to them as smoothly.
Rosemary Gladstar, an herbal educator and the author of Herbal Healing for Women (Simon and Schuster, 1993), has observed two situ ations that prompt people to seek herbal remedies. "One is when people have had no luck with the medical world, and they're at their wits end. The other cases are the more minor things," says Gladstar.
Donna Lamkin, thirty-five, a kindergarten teacher from Troy, New York, sought Gladstar's help for anemia and persistent digestive, menstrual, and skin problems. For relief, she had relied on pills. "For my skin, I'd take antibiotics. For the menstrual problems, I'd take Advil. I really thought I was doing fine, because there is a pill to get rid of every symptom." But when she reached thirty, Lamkin took a closer look at her health and decided to go on a macrobiotic diet. It helped, she says, but not enough.
Licorice
Gladstar first suggested that Lamkin broaden her diet to include a variety of grains, as well as chicken and fish in order to increase her protein intake. She also suggested an herb supplement with iron for the anemia, and several herbal teas, including a liver tonic tea. One of the teas included wild yam, which is beneficial for women with low progesterone levels; dandelion root to relieve constipation; licorice root and astragalus, which give energy; Oregon grape root, a cleansing tonic; and ginger, which helps with digestion.
Ten days before her period, Lamkin took a tea rich in calcium, which helps regulate nerve and muscle activity and is helpful in relieving menstrual cramps. The tea included oat straw, which is high in calcium; nettle, which is high in calcium and iron; and lemon balm and chamomile, both of which are relaxants.
The teas and other changes, including stress reduction techniques, left Lamkin feeling significantly better within weeks. "I started to feel very vitalized," she says. "And with my next period, I could not believe how much less pain I had. The whole program gave a certain energy that I never had before."
In a consultation closer to home, Gladstar also developed an herbal program for her stepdaughter, Jennifer Slick, that has apparently helped nearly halve the medication she needs to prevent her epileptic seizures. Slick, who is twenty and a student at Southern Vermont College, began suffering front epilepsy as an infant. "I had seizures all through my childhood,'' she says. To control these, her doctors first tried Phenobarbital, which began to stunt her growth. She was then switched to Dilantin, which made her sleepy, and finally to Tegretol, which she still takes.
Five years ago, when Slick moved to Vermont to live with her father and stepmother, she was tired all the time, an apparent side effect of her medication. With Gladstar's help and Slick's physician monitoring her progress, she began herbal therapy, which included ginkgo, gotu kola tinctures, and vitamin B supplements. Slick stayed on the program, which included dietary and lifestyle changes, for two years, before slowly discontinuing it. As a result, her physician was able to lower her dosage of Tegretol. "The program gave me a lot more energy," she says.
Herbs and Bones
One of Jill Stanbury's patients, Teri Bowerman, sixty-four, of Vancouver, Washington, used both herbal and nutritional therapies for complications that arose after she fractured her leg in July 1993. One rainy morning, she slipped on a wet plastic mat behind her house. "I came right down and just heard, `crack, crack, crack,"' says Bowerman who paints houses and works as a carpenter.
This was the sound of a spiral fracture that broke both a tibia and a fibula and damaged her knee and ankle. While she was in the hospital, Bowerman took Tylenol with codeine and later Darvocet to help with the pain, but the medications, she says, "tore up" her stomach, which has always been sensitive. Bowerman's doctor prescribed Tagamet, an antacid, which helped, but she was still nauseated and losing weight. "It got to the point where I couldn't eat at all," she says.
Stansbury treated Bowerman's stomach at first. "I gave her an herbal tea of licorice, chamomile, fennel, and mint, and suggested that she have about three cups of that a day." To prepare Bowerman's system for solid food, Stansbury suggested a series of vegetable broths. Later she put Bowerman on a commercial, high-calorie, nutrition formula and a fiber product, to help with her diarrhea. Several visits later, Bowerman reported that she had been able to eat a hard-boiled egg. "It was her first solid food in over a month," says Stansbury.
Yet Bowerman's fracture still had not begun to heal. To help with this, Stansbury suggested a calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D supplement and an herbal tea. A month later, when Bowerman went back to her orthopedist for her next set of x rays, she received some welcome news. "He looked at that x ray for a longtime," she says, "because I had finally started to heal. `It's remarkable,' he said."
Some Herbal Cautions
Success series aside, self-administered herbal remedies should never be seen as a substitute for regular professional care. "If you don't start to see improvement in a week," Stansbury cautions, "consult a physician. Or if the symptoms are quite severe or alarming to start with, you should see a doctor in the first place."
 | If you're pregnant or nursing, be especially cautious. "In general, I steer away from most herbal medicines during pregnancy," says Stansbury. Certain herbs are particularly advised against during pregnancy; they include black cohosh, cascara sagrada, coltsfoot, comfrey, dong quai, essential oils, feverfew, ginseng, goldenseal, ma huang, parsley leaves (in excess), parsley seeds, senna, and yarrow. Avoid laxatives; these include aloe, senna, cascara, and rhubarb. |
| Be wary of using herbal remedies while taking over-the-counter medicines, since each might contain similar substances, creating the potential for overdose. |
| Stop using an herbal therapy if you have a bad reaction. You could be allergic to something in the plant. |
How To Buy Herbs
"The most important thing is quality," says Cascade Anderson-Geller, an herbal educator from Portland, Oregon. Anderson-Geller suggests buying herbs from smaller companies that work with small batches, or looking for herbal products that are made locally, which allows you to contact the herbalists who made them.
Some cautions in herb buying:
| Mislabeling can be a problem with herbs; your best bet is to deal only with reputable stores that buy their herbs from well-known sources, and to make sure imported herbs have been tested for undisclosed—often toxic—substances. |
| Herbs deteriorate when dried and exposed to light, and those sold in bulk can lose their potency. |
| Make sure your herb supplier is reputable and knows that herbs have different harvesting needs. Horsetail, for instance, must be harvested when it is quite young, otherwise silica can become concentrated, making it possibly harmful to the kidneys. |
Choosing An Herbal Product
The fresh plant is the ideal form of a medicinal herb, but finding the right plant exactly when you need it is almost impossible. The following herb forms are among the more readily available alternatives.
Dried herbs. After the fresh plant, these are the best form for obtaining all the constituents of the plant. You may need to chop or grind them, put them in capsules, or make a tea. The best dried herbs have a bright color and a strong flavor and aroma.
Teas. You can make your own tea out of dried herbs or buy tea prepared in bags (airtight foil packets are best for preserving potency). Cover teas tightly as they brew, and let them sit until they reach room temperature.
Tinctures. These are herb extracts in a solution of water and alcohol, the best method of preserving medicinal strength. A good quality tincture will usually have a rich color. The alcohol content can be a problem if taken in high doses for anyone with liver or digestive disease.
Encapsulated herbs. These may be less potent than whole dried herbs, but they are easier to use, and their dose is more precise. To judge quality, open the capsules and taste and smell the herb.
Closing The Herbal Gap
In much of the world, the distance between herbal and over-the-counter pharmacies is not as wide as it is in this country. In Germany, for instance, you're more likely to find serious clinical research on medicinal herbs and well-labeled herbal remedies right on drugstore shelves.
"The gap has to close because the public wants it to close," says Rosemary Gladstar, who sees the potential for exchange. "Many people who are more comfortable with allopathic medicines are interested in using herbs. On the other hand, many who [use] natural medicine realize that there are times when you have to use other, less `natural' medicines.
"No system of medicine is going to take care of everything," says Gladstar. "We need to be educated enough to know which system is going to work best in which situation." Until there is reciprocal acceptance, says Gladstar, the consumer will continue to suffer.
Edward Hardy is a freelance writer who lives in Cranston, Rhode Island.
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Dandelion |
Ginger |
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Consumer's Guide to Herbs Editor's Note: The following remedies will assist the body's efforts to overcome the described conditions. However, for any condition, you should locate and correct its cause and be sure to follow the cautions described in this chapter. 1. Acid Stomach A burning pain in the stomach and chest, often accompanied by belching (which seems to bring relief), and sometimes a feeling of food getting stuck; commonly known as heartburn. Causes include overeating; consuming too much rich or spicy food and alcohol; and stress. Acid stomach is common in pregnant women and people who are overweight. • Meadowsweet infusion soothes the membranes of the digestive tract: Add 1 cup of boiling water to 1 to 2 teaspoons of the dried-herb, and infuse (steep) for 15 minutes; drink three times a day. • Take ginger in capsule form or as a decoction: Add 1 1/2 teaspoons of the freshly grated root to 1 cup of water, and simmer for 10 minutes; drink when needed. 2. Acne Hormonal changes that occur in adolescence can cause an increase in oily sebum and clogged pores, resulting in pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads on the face, neck, or back. Acne can also occur in adults of any age, particularly premenstrual women and women who take oral contraceptives. • Blue flag decoction: Put 1 teaspoon of the dried herb into 1 cup of water, and simmer for 10 minutes; drink 3 times a day to detoxify the system. 3. Anxiety An emotional state ranging from mild unease to intense fear, often characterized by a sense of impending doom. Physical symptoms can include heart palpitations, throbbing or stabbing pains, breathing difficulties, headaches, neck and back pain, trembling hands, fatigue, diarrhea, upset stomach, and depression. • Valerian is one of the most useful herbs to reduce tension and anxiety: Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 or 2 teaspoons of the root, and let it infuse for 15 minutes; drink when needed. 4. Bad Breath Poor oral hygiene generally causes foul-smelling breath though smoking and eating highly-flavored foods can contribute. Occasionally, ill health or a yeast infection of the digestive tract is the cause. • If inflamed or bleeding gums are the cause, add 2 teaspoons of red sage leaves to 2 cups of water, bring to a boil, and let stand, covered, for 15 minutes; strain and use as a mouth rinse several times a day. Caution: Do not use during pregnancy. 5. Boils These inflamed, pus-filled lumps, commonly found on the back of the neck, armpits, groin, and buttocks, are usually the result of a bacteria infection. Recurrent boils could be a sign of inadequate diet or an early symptom of diabetes. • Garlic is an effective antiseptic and helps to detoxify the body. Incorporate raw garlic into your diet as much as possible. If you do not like the taste or smell of fresh garlic, you can take garlic capsules (3 capsules, 3 times a day). 6. Breast Tenderness Tender or sore breasts, often accompanied by feelings of heaviness or bloatedness, are common in most women just before menstruation, during pregnancy, or while breast-feeding. If none of these causes can explain the tenderness, consult your doctor for an examination. • Eat plenty of chopped fresh parsley to help the body expel excess water. Caution: Excessive consumption should be avoided during pregnancy and lactation. 7. Bronchitis The airways that connect the windpipe to the lungs become inflamed, resulting in a persistent phlegm producing cough and breathlessness, among other symptoms. Acute bronchitis can last from a few days to two weeks, and is usually caused by a virus. It can be dangerous in the elderly and those with heart disease. Chronic bronchitis can last for months and is usually caused by smoking or environmental pollution. • Pour 1 cup of cold water onto 1 teaspoon of shredded elecampane, and let it stand for 10 hours; heat, and sip a cupful, 3 times a day. 8. Bruises Bruising is usually the result of an injury that damages the capillaries, causing bleeding under the skin and resulting in discoloration. Bruising occurs readily in some diseases, such as hemophilia (hemophiliacs lack a blood-clotting agent). • Bathe the bruise with a cold solution of witch hazel, available in most pharmacies. 9. Burns Burns and scalds can be caused by heat, friction, or chemicals. Large burns (anything bigger than the palm of the hand) can lead to loss of body fluid, and require immediate medical attention. • The juice of the aloe vera plant is renowned for reducing pain, preventing infection, and promoting the healing of burns. Keep a plant in the house. To treat a burn, remove a leaf (taking care to avoid the thorns), slit it open, and rub the gel on the skin, allowing it to reach the burn. Aloe vera gel is available in natural foods stores and pharmacies. • Honey is also a good healing agent. For minor burns, spread a thin layer on the injured area and cover with a loose dressing. Repeat every 2 or 3 days. 10. Cellulite Cellulite, puckered areas of fatty flesh often referred to as "orange peel skin," generally occurs around the tops of the thighs, hips, buttocks, and upper arms, and is more common in women than men. No one really knows what causes cellulite, yet theories abound on how it can be treated. • Fresh parsley is a rich source of vitamin C, a good detoxicant, and a diuretic (it helps the body eliminate water). Eat plenty of the raw herb in salads. Caution: Excessive consumption should be avoided during pregnancy and lactation. 11. Chilblains Painful, itchy swellings that generally occur on the hands, feet, or ears in response to cold weather. They are generally a result of poor circulation, which can be aggravated by smoking. • If the skin is not cut or cracked, dust cayenne powder on the chilblains to stimulate blood circulation. • If the skin is broken, run in Calendula ointment to promote healing. 12. Colds The cold virus is transmitted by breathing infected droplets from someone else's sneeze or cough, or by touching an infected area. The viral infection leads to inflammation of the membranes lining the nose and throat, resulting in a stuffy, runny nose, a sore throat, and sometimes a headache. • Ginger promotes perspiration and soothes the throat. Pour 1 cup of boiling water onto 1 teaspoon of peeled and shredded fresh ginger root, and infuse for 5 minutes; add honey if you like, and drink whenever needed. 13. Conjunctivitis An inflammation of the delicate linings covering the outer eye and eyelid, generally due to bacteria or a virus that gets rubbed into the eye; also known as pinkeye. Sometimes the condition can be triggered by allergies or environmental irritants, such as smoke or chlorine from a swimming pool. Symptoms include sticky yellow discharge from the eye, especially on waking, and red, itchy eyes. • Wash the eye with eyebright tea: Add 1 teaspoon of the herb to 1 cup of boiling water, allow to cool, and strain. With an eye cup, use the solution to rinse the eye. 14. Dandruff A dry, flaky scalp, or itchy, waxy scales that stick to the hair can cause severe irritation. Dry dandruff usually indicates insufficient brushing (which usually removes the flakes), poor circulation of the scalp, or the use of alkaline products that irritate the scalp. Waxy dandruff may result from overactive sebaceous glands, or from dietary deficiencies. It may also be a symptom of a fungal infection. Severe dandruff could indicate psoriasis. • Infuse 1 ounce each of fresh or dried rosemary and sage in 2 cups of water for 24 hours; use daily as a hair rinse. 15. Dental Abscess When bacteria invade a cavity in the root of a decaying or dead tooth, the result can be tender, throbbing pus-filled gum tissue. • Add 2 teaspoons of red sage leaves to 2 cups of water, bring to a boil, and let stand, covered, for 15 minutes. Gargle with the warm solution for 5 to 10 minutes, several times a day. Caution: Do not use during pregnancy. 16. Diarrhea Diarrhea, urgent and watery bowel movements, is commonly caused by food intolerance, virus, or bacteria. It may also result from anxiety or a dietary change. Consult your doctor if diarrhea is accompanied by vomiting and lasts for more than 24 hours. • Pour 1 cup of boiling water onto 2 teaspoons of dried goldenseal root, and infuse for 15 minutes; drink 3 times a day. Caution: Do not use during pregnancy. 17. Earache and Ear Infections Pain in the ear can be caused by a number of mechanical and pressure-related problems, by a bacterial or viral infection resulting from a cold or sore throat, or by the buildup of ear wax. Earaches often start at night, and can be accompanied by fever. They can lead to severe infection and permanent ear damage and should always be investigated by a doctor. • St. John's wort infusion helps reduce pain, inflammation, and fever: Pour 1 cup of boiling water onto 2 teaspoons of dried herb, and infuse for 15 minutes; sip as required. 18. Fungal Infection Fungal infections usually affect the skin, though they can spread to internal organs. Common examples are athlete's foot, jock itch, thrush, yeast infections, ringworm, and dandruff. The infection is caused by the multiplying and spreading of common fungal organisms (usually Candida albicans or tinea), which cause inflammation. When the nails are affected, they typically turn white and crumbly. Fungal infections are more likely in those with low immunity, particularly after taking antibiotics that kill off the natural bacteria that prevent fungi from multiplying. Infections can also occur when the body's acid/alkali balance is upset by inappropriate diet, cosmetics, hormonal imbalances, or drugs. • Garlic is an effective antifungal agent. Use liberally in cooking. If you do not like the taste or smell of fresh garlic, you can take garlic capsules (3 capsules, 3 times a day). • Caprylic acid, an extract of coconut, is a powerful antifungal agent available from natural foods stores: Take 3 capsules with each meal. • For athlete's foot, soak feet regularly for at least 30 minutes in a strong infusion of goldenseal root. Add 1 cup of boiling water to 3 teaspoons of the powdered herb, and infuse for 15 minutes, allow to cool, then soak. After soaking, dry feet well and powder with arrowroot or powdered goldenseal root. Use Calendula cream if cracks have formed. 19. Hives Hives, a skin condition also known as urticaria or nettle rash, are itchy, whitish lumps surrounded by an inflamed area. They are often triggered by an allergic reaction to food, food additives, drugs (particularly aspirin), insect bites, or stress. If the eyes, lips, or throat are affected, seek medical attention, since breathing may be impaired. • For hives brought on by anxiety or stress, try valerian infusion: Pour 1 cup of boiling water onto 2 teaspoons of the root (powder or pieces), and infuse for 10 minutes; drink during periods of stress. • Aloe vera gel soothes the rash. (See "Burns. ") 20. Indigestion Eating too much or too quickly, or eating rich or spicy food, can cause indigestion. Symptoms include stomach pain, stomach acid, nausea, and gas. Stress may also be a contributing factor. • Meadowsweet infusion protects and soothes the mucous membranes of the stomach, reduces acidity, and relieves nausea: Pour 1 cup of boiling water onto 2 teaspoons of the dried herb, and infuse for 15 minutes; drink 3 times a day. 21. Insomnia People with insomnia have problems getting to sleep or staying asleep. The cause is often anxiety, though insomnia can also result from illness, pain, depression, environmental factors, lack of exercise, and drugs. • Valerian tea is a natural sedative: Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 2 teaspoons of the root, and infuse for 15 minutes; drink before going to bed. • Passiflora is also excellent. If you are buying supplements over the counter, follow the instructions on the package; otherwise, consult a naturopath or nutritionist. 22. Menstrual Cramps Cramps and discomfort associated with menstruation; also called period pain or dysmenorrhea. Menstrual cramps are categorized by doctors as two types: (1) Primary dysmenorrhea, which tends to occur in young women when they begin their periods, results from contractions of the uterus; (2) secondary dysmenorrhea, more common later in life, brings cramps a week or two before the period starts, along with other premenstrual symptoms. Secondary dysmenorrhea may result from pelvic infections, endomet-riosis, fibroids, polyps, or other gynecological abnormalities. • Cramp bark decoction is effective in relaxing muscular tension and spasm: Put 2 teaspoons of the dried bark in 1 cup of water, and simmer for 15 minutes; drink hot 3 times a day. • Ginger infusion is a common remedy: Add 1 cup of hot water to I teaspoon of the grated fresh root, and infuse for 10 minutes; drink when needed. 23. Motion Sickness Traveling by car, bus, boat, or rail can affect the organs of balance in the inner ear, causing headaches, sweating, salivation, pallor, nausea, vomiting, and a general feeling of uneasiness. Anxiety, lack of oxygen, a full stomach, the sight of food, reading, or focusing on nearby objects often worsens the symptoms. • Ginger root absorbs stomach acid and prevents sickness: Take 2 ginger root capsules 30 minutes before traveling, or chew a piece of fresh, peeled ginger root. 24. Mouth Ulcers White, gray, or yellows spots, which occur singly or in clusters in the mouth. Often, they are inflamed, with a red border, and are extremely painful. Sometimes mouth ulcers result from injury (biting the side of the mouth or being cut by sharp braces, for example); they can be a sign of digestive disorders, or a physical response to stress or a virus. Consult your doctor about any ulcer that fails to heal within three or four weeks. • Myrrh is an effective antimicrobial agent, recommended specifically for mouth ulcers: Add 4/5 teaspoon of the tincture to 1 cup of warm water, and use as a mouthwash 3 times a day. You can also use the tincture undiluted as a mouthwash. It will sting a little, but is effective. • If the ulcers result from injury, rub a little aloe vera gel on them. 25. Nosebleed Nosebleeds, common in children, sometimes occur when the nose has been hit or bumped, or during or after a cold or nasal infection. If a nosebleed occurs after a head injury and is accompanied by drowsiness, vomiting, or headache, or if the bleeding does not stop within 10-minutes, seek emergency help. • Take nettle infusion if nosebleeds occur frequently for no apparent reason: Pour 1 cup of boiling water onto 3 teaspoons of the dried herb, and infuse for 10 minutes; drink 3 times a day. 26. Sinusitis This inflammation of the mucous membranes of the sinuses (the air-filled cavities in the bones surrounding the nose) is caused by injury to the nose, bacterial or viral infections, allergies, or swimming. Symptoms include a stuffed nose, pain in the nose and face area (including toothache and pain in the upper jaw), sometimes a fever, and thick nasal discharge. • Goldenseal infusion is an effective remedy: Pour 1 cup of boiling water on 1 teaspoon of the powdered herb, and infuse for 15 minutes; add 250 mg. of bromelain (the proteolytic enzyme from pineapple, available in natural foods stores). Take every 2 hours during an acute attack. Caution: Do not take during pregnancy. • Garlic is also useful: Include as much raw garlic as possible in your cooking. If you do not like the taste or smell of garlic, take 3 garlic capsules, 3 times a day. 27. Sore Throat A rough or raw sensation at the back of the throat, which is often the first sign of a cold, influenza, tonsillitis, laryngitis, or pharyngitis, sore throats are generally caused by viruses, but they can, sometimes result from the Streptococcus bacteria, which produces strep throat. Strep throat can sometimes lead to more serious problems, such as rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease, so consult your doctor for treatment–do not self-treat. • Garlic is effective in bacterial infections. Incorporate as much raw garlic into your diet as possible; if you do not like the taste or smell of raw garlic, take 3 garlic capsules, 3 times a day. • Red sage, used as a gargle, helps soothe an inflamed throat. Pour 1 cup of boiling water on 2 teaspoons of the leaves, and infuse for 10 minutes; use as a hot gargle for 10 minutes, twice a day. 28. Stomachache Stomach pain has a number of different causes. These are the most common: urinary infections; stress; colic; ulcers; tumors; appendicitis; indigestion caused by overeating, drinking too much alcohol, or eating the wrong food; menstrual pain; ovulation pain; or gynecological disorders. • Chamomile or peppermint tea helps soothe indigestion and relax muscular spasms. • Slippery elm soothes the mucous membrane of the digestive tract: Use 1 part of the powdered bark to 8 parts water; simmer for 10 minutes; drink 1/2 cup 3 times a day. 29. Tendinitis Usually this inflammation of a tendon, the tissue that attaches muscle to bone, occurs as a result of an injury. It is common in those who exercise sporadically and vigorously without properly warming up. Symptoms include pain, tenderness, and restricted movement. Often a feeling of "creakiness" accompanies movement. The most commonly affected areas are the Achilles tendon at the back of the ankle, the front of the shoulder, the thumb, the knee, and the inside of the foot. • Turmeric is traditionally used as an antiinflammatory in India and China. The extract of the turmeric root known as curcumin is the most effective: Take 250 milligrams 3 times a day between meals. 30. Toothache Pain of teeth or gums most commonly results from decay, and is a sign that dental treatment is needed. An abscess around the root of the tooth may also cause pain. • Wet a finger with tincture of myrrh and rub on the gum of the painful tooth to relieve pain.
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RESOURCES
American Botanical Council
P.O. Box 201660
Austin, TX
512-331-8868
Training and education
American Herbalists Guild
P.O. Box 1683
Soquel, CA 95073
408-438-1700
800-777-5677
Medicinal uses of herbs and herbal products
American Herb Association
Box 1673
Nevada City, CA 95959
916-265-9552
Produces a newsletter and a directory of herbal education
American Herbal Products Association
P.O. Box 2410
Austin,TX 78768
512-320-8555
Addresses the issues of manufacturers of herbal products
Ginseng Research Institute of America
16H Menard Plaza
Wausau, W1 54401
715-845-7300
Researches the health benefits of ginseng
Herb Research Foundation
1007 Pearl St., Suite 200
Boulder, CO 80302
803-449-2265
Dedicated to promoting accurate information about herbs
Reprinted with permission from Natural Health, September-October 1994. For a trial issue of Natural Health, call 1-800-526-8440.
Garlic
