The Herbal Medicine Chest

As I've been reading, I've learned a lot about herbs that I wanted to share with various people; so I decided to add a web page about medicinal herbs--AND HERE IT IS!

GOT THAT "TIRED ALL OVER" FEELING? The Chinese herb Astragalus enjoys a stellar reputation as an energy tonic. It will also boost your body's resistance to colds, flu, and other viruses AND it prevents cancer! You can add the root (bought in health food store) to soup, stew, rice -- anything that simmers for 30 minutes, or you can take up to eight 400-500 mg capsules per day

THE KITCHEN CABINET HEADACHE CURE: Chew on a Ginger Root. It has anti-inflammatory properties and inhibits blood platelets from sticking together. Ginger also relieves queasiness. (You can take a teaspoon of ground ginger per day, also available in capsules.) Another herb that helps migraine headaches is Feverfew. But you have to take it for a couple months before you see results.

RELIEF FROM UTERINE FIBROIDS: Milk Thistle can shrink troubling fibroids, because of a compound in it called Silymarin. It helps your body eliminate the excess estrogen often causes tumors. Typical dosage: 140 mg for 3 months, then 90 mg thereafter.

CALM YOUR STOMACH FAST: with the digestive herb Chamomile. It relaxes cramps and eases bloating. Try three cups of tea per day, or for better results, 10 to 40 drops of tincture three times daily. Even safe for morning sickness.

BOOST MENTAL ALERTNESS with Ginkgo Biloba. It also exerts an antioxidant effect, inhibits blood clotting, and improves circulation by making the membranes of red blood cells more elastic. Ginkgo can improve memory loss, concentration and confusion problems, ringing in the ears, and dizziness. It also helps fibromyalgia and asthma and it fights heart disease, Parkinson's and Multiple Sclerosis. Ginkgo is said to prevent cancer, shrink tumors, and slow the aging process! Look for standardized tablets or capsules containing 24 percent flavone glycosides and 6 percent terpenes - the herb's active ingredients. 240 mg (with food) a day is recommended in 2 or 3 separate doses. Ginkgo works slowly, so give it at least two months before expecting results.

ALSO FOR MENTAL ALERTNESS AND FOR IMPROVING YOUR ABILITY TO COPE with both mental and physical stress: Panax Ginseng. It's know as a tonic for invigoration and fortification in times of fatigue and debility. Typical dosage: up to four 500 mg capsules daily. Not recommended if you have high blood pressure. If it makes you jittery, take only 5 mg and take it early in the morning, so it won't keep you awake at night.

BRONCHITIS BUSTER: Licorice is incredibly effective in soothing mucous membranes and it acts as an expectorant, anti-inflammatory, and an antiviral agent. it's about as complete a cure as you can get. Licorice also helps ulcers and retards cancer growth! Typical dosage: six 500 mg capsules per day. Don't take longer than six weeks, or if you have high blood pressure, or if you are pregnant. And don't combine licorice with diuretics that cause potassium loss. Licorice tea is naturally sweet and it's one herbal tea with a taste that even I like.

Everybody knows that Garlic FIGHTS COLDS, but how? It boosts your immune function to destroy the viral agents. And when you actually EAT the garlic, your body eliminates the herb's potent active ingredients through your lungs ... putting those virus fighters right where they do the most good. For best results, eat one clove raw garlic daily! (Are you brave enough?) Don't eat more than 9 cloves a day, or it's toxic. (Who knew?) Chew on fennel seeds afterward to eliminate the garlic odor. And garlic lowers cholesterol too!

The fatty acid GLA (found in Borage seeds and Primrose oil) MELTS AWAY THE PAIN AND INFLAMMATION of arthritis more safely than drugs that can cause nasty side effects like ulcers. It also reduces cholesterol levels.

STOP THE FLU in its tracks with Elderberry and Goldenseal.

Reishi and Shitake Mushrooms are said to be a MIRACLE TONIC FOR FATIGUE. They boost your immune system, calms nerves, and promotes deep sleep, as well as boosting your energy. Typical dosage is 580 mg up to six times a day. These mushrooms also lower cholesterol

TO BE SNORING IN NO TIME: try Valerian. it works like the big-name prescriptions, without any of the dangerous side effects.

TO PREVENT CANCER: try Licorice root, any food in the cabbage family (broccoli, cauliflower, bok choy), Garlic, Onions, Carrots, Shitake and Reishi Mushrooms.

FIGHT OFF THE EFFECTS OF AGING: Chaparral, Ginkgo Biloba, and Fo-Ti.

HERB FOR VISION: Bilberry

HERBS FOR LIVER: Milk Thistle helps regenerate liver cells and cleanses the liver of dangerous toxins. Artichoke stimulates the production of bile and protects against jaundice and other disorders. Dandelion is rich in lecithin which protects against cirrhosis.

FIGHT OFF EAR INFECTIONS (and sore throats, and lots of other stuff): with antiviral and antibacterial herb Echinacea (also an immune booster) Caution: if you're allergic to ragweed, you may also be allergic to Echinacea. This stuff works like magic! When I have a sore throat starting, I take it and within an hour the sore throat is gone. I always take it after I've been exposed to someone who is sick with anything.

FOR RELIEF FROM INDIGESTION, cramping, and bloating of irritable bowel syndrome, try the essential Oil of Peppermint. But for the oil to reach the colon, you must take it as a capsule with a coating that shields the oil from digestive juices in the stomach. Don't take it if you have heartburn.

FEELING BLUE? Kava Kava and St. John's Wort free you from anxiety while improving mental functioning, too.

PROMOTE GOOD CIRCULATION with Curry, Turmeric, Ginkgo, Garlic, and Cayenne (not to mention vitamin E).

Just a few side effects to be aware of:
* Echinacea may counteract immune-suppressive drugs.
* Garlic can overly enhance the effect of blood thinners.
* Ginseng may increase the effects of stimulants.
* Black/Green Tea reduces absorbability of drugs.
* Goldenseal counteracts anticoagulants.
* Flaxseed may delay absorption of medications.
* St. John's Wort increases the effects of alcohol.

Disclaimer:
Information on this page is provided for informational purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professional.
Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health-care provider before starting any new treatment or procedure involving your health.
Never delay seeking medical care - or disregard taking medical advice - because of something you may read on this page.
Hugs and Hope cannot be held responsible for the use of this information.

Send some joy to a sick child!