Ever since the ancient time, the Greeks and Romans have used St. John’s wort for the treatment of mental and nerve disorders

This herbal plant is found in several locations, including Europe, West Africa, North Africa, the Americas and Australia.

There are several species of St. John’s wort, but not all of these species can be used as herbal medicines.St. John’s wort angustifolia  is the most commonly used species for herbal remedies.

St. John’s wort is a shrub that has small clusters of yellow flowers.

In our modern times, St. John’s wort is most often used to treat mental disorders such as depression, anxiety and even sleeping disorders.

In several clinical studies, St. John’s wort has been as effective in the treatment of mild to moderate depression as tricyclic anti-depressants.

There appears to be fewer side effects when you have used this herbal remedy in place of tricyclic anti-depressants such as imipramine, amitriptyline, doxepin, desipramine, and nortriptyline.

St. John’s wort might also be an effective substitute for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

St. John’s wort appears to have a positive effect in assisting with a very wide range ailments, some of these are listed below

Certain bacterial infections can be treated using St. John’s wort as this herb has antibacterial properties.

St. John’s wort may help you if u suffer from premenstrual syndrome as St. John’s wort can help in relieving both the physical and mental problems that can accompany PMS. These include cramps, irritability, food craving and tender breasts.

If St. John’s wort is used as a topical treatment, it can help reduce pain and inflammation and will help treat minor wounds and burns and even help in the treatment of hemorrhoids.

Some Herbal experts recommended a tincture combining Ginkgo and St. John’s wort to treat brain inflammation such as caused by Viral Encephalitis.

Please consult your medical practitioner prior to using any herbal medications should you be under their care.

One of the most common side effects reported from using this herbal remedy is sensitivity to sun light.

Other common side effects can include anxiety, feelings of tiredness, dizziness, headaches, sexual dysfunction and gastro intestinal distress.

The most vital thing to remember when using St. John’s wort, is that this herbal medicine has a wide list of interactions with other drugs. Below is a few of the more commonly reported interactions.

Combining St. John’s wort with other anti depressants is not recommended and can result in a wide range of side effects and is really not recommended.

Many birth control pills have shown interactions with John’s wort and can be rendered ineffective or have their effectiveness decreased drastically.

Care also needs to be taken when using any of the following drugs as various interaction have been reported.

Certain HIV medications such as Indinavir, Anticoagulants such as Warfarin, organ rejection medication such as Cyclosporine and the heart medication Digoxin.

St. John’s wort is found in several different forms. You can use this herbal medicine as a pill or a tablet.

St. John’s wort is also available as a tincture and can also be brewed as a tea.

For the treatment of wounds or infection, you can use St. John’s wort as a ointment or cream.

Tags: Premenstrual syndrome, herbal experts, depression anxiety, yellow flowers, treatment of mental and nerve disorders

Type 1 diabetes – insulin dependent diabetes
Type 2 diabetes – non-insulin dependent diabetes

Diabetes is also known as hyperglycemia.  When a person’s blood sugar levels are too low, they are hypoglycemic.

When you have diabetes, it means that your body is not producing enough insulin and that it is unable to use insulin effectively.  This causes high blood sugar levels.  Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas and is responsible for controlling the amount of glucose (sugar) in your blood and also the rate at which glucose is absorbed into cells. Glucose is needed by your cells to produce energy and is also needed by your brain to maintain healthy, normal brain function.

Type 1 diabetes

People with type 1 diabetes will have to take insulin for life.  This type of diabetes occurs when your pancreas stops producing insulin.  It affects 5 – 10 percent of people with diabetes and normally starts at an early age.  Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease and experts believe that it is caused by your body’s immune system attacking and destroying the insulin-producing cells in your pancreas.  Often type 1 diabetes starts after a viral infection.  This disease is more common amongst men than women.

Type 2 diabetes

This form of diabetes is the most common and affects 90 – 95 percent of people with diabetes.  Type 2 diabetes develops when your pancreas produces insulin, but not enough to fuel your cells.  Type 2 diabetes often only starts in later years, but recent research has revealed that younger people are now also more commonly affected.  Obesity is one of the main causes of type 2 diabetes.  Genetic factors play an vital role, and often type 2 diabetes will run in your family.  Other risk factors include a diet high in stout, alcohol abuse and smoking.

Symptoms of diabetes

Unexplained weight loss – even though people with diabetes eat normally, their bodies cannot process the calories in the food that they eat, causing them to lose weight rapidly.Fatigue – because the body is unable to utilize glucose for energy, it starts to use up stout for energy.  This makes the body use more energy and causes fatigue.Excessive urination – the body tries to get rid of excess glucose by excreting it in urine.Excessive thirst – the body encourages more water consumption to dilute the high blood sugar back to normal levels and to compensate for the water lost by excessive urination.Excessive eating – increased hunger and eating is caused by higher levels of insulin.Disturbed vision – high blood sugar levels can cause blurry vision.Slow wound healing and infections – when your blood sugar levels are too high, white blood cells cannot function properly and wounds can take longer to heal.  Other infections such as urinary tract infections and frequent yeast infections can also occur. The supplements below can all be used with prescription medication used to treat both types of diabetes.  By taking some of these supplements, you might have to consult your health care practitioner in order to adjust dosages for insulin or the hypoglycemic medicines used to treat type 2 diabetes.  Please only alter dosages or medicines used to treat diabetes under the care of your physician. Vitamin B complex – B vitamins produce enzymes that convert glucose to energy and these vitamins also help to prevent nerve hurt due to diabetes.  Take 1 pill each morning with food, ensuring that the supplement contains 100 mcg B12 and biotin, 100 mg of other B vitamins and 400 mcg folic acid.Chromium – lowers blood glucose and cholesterol levels.  Take 200 mcg 3 times a day with meals.  Consult your health care practitioner as chromium might alter insulin requirements.Gymnema sylvestre – this herbal medicine improves blood sugar control.  Take 200 mg twice a day.  Consult your health care practitioner as gymnema sylvestre might alter insulin requirements.Essential fatty acids – these supplements play an vital role in protecting you against nerve hurt caused by diabetes.  Take 1000 mg evening primrose oil 3 times a day and 1000 mg fish oils daily.Antioxidants can help to prevent hurt to your eyes, heart and nerves.  Take 1000 mg vitamin C, 400 IU vitamin E and 150 mg alpha-lipoic acid daily.Zinc – zinc plays and vital role in wound healing and also helps your body to use insulin.  Take 30 mg zinc a day.  If you are taking zinc longer than 1 month, add 2 mg copper per day.Bilberry – this herbal medicine can prevent eye hurt caused by diabetes.  Take 160 mg twice a day.Ginko Biloba – this herbal medicine is very beneficial because it can improve nerve hurt due to diabetes and will also improve blood circulation.  Take 40 mg three times a day.Adding soya foods to your diet may be beneficial as these products could improve glucose control.Eat a low-stout, high-fiber diet that includes raw fruits and vegetables.  Fiber assists to reduce sudden blood sugar spikes.Avoid smoking and alcohol.  Smoking constricts blood vessels and can worsen nerve hurt due to diabetes.Avoid high-glycemic foods such white flour products, white rice, pasta, starches and processed foods as these foods convert into blood sugar and can cause insulin levels to surge.  Instead, eat low-glycemic foods such as asparagus, cabbage, broccoli, green beans and low-starch vegetables and fruits.  These foods convert into blood sugar slowly and only gradually raise insulin levels.Start an exercise program.  Please ensure that you consult your health care practitioner before starting any exercise.Please consult your medical practitioner prior to using any herbal medications should you be under their care.

Tags: blood sugar levels, non insulin dependent diabetes, high blood sugar, autoimmune disease, risk factors

Evening Primrose seeds contain gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) which is an essential fatty acid which the human body converts into hormone-like compounds called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins regulate several vital bodily functions.

Evening Primrose oil also contains omega-6 fatty acids, which can help to regulate insulin absorption and can even help to regulate your heartbeat.

The human body does not manufacture fatty acids on its own, therefore taking Evening Primrose oil supplements can improve your general health.

Several studies have shown the benefits of taking Evening Primrose oil supplements to treat atopic dermatitis, or eczema. Eczema occurs when the body is unable to convert fats from food into GLA. Evening Primrose oil supplements alleviate itching and can reduce the need for topical steroid creams and other medications which have undesirable side-effects.

Due to its high GLA content, Evening Primrose oil is very effective to treat a variety of menstrual disorders. Evening Primrose oil blocks the inflammatory prostaglandins that cause menstrual cramps and several women have reported that taking Evening Primrose oil supplements ease the breast tenderness experienced just before their periods.

Menopausal women have also benefited from taking Evening Primrose oil supplements as this herbal remedy assists to alleviate the flushing as well as mood swings experienced by menopausal women.

Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis improve dramatically when taking Evening Primrose oil supplements. The GLA found in Evening Primrose oil eases the joint pain and swelling.

Evening Primrose oil lessens the inflammation of acne as well as rosacea. The redness and swelling associated with both these conditions are dramatically improved and some studies have shown that with long-term use of Evening Primrose oil supplements, new outbreaks of these skin conditions can be prevented.

People living with diabetes often suffer from a condition called diabetic neuropathy, or nerve hurt, caused by diabetes. The GLA in Evening Primrose oil helps to minimize the symptoms of the nerve hurt and can even help in preventing future nerve hurt.

Evening Primrose oil is recommended to people who suffer from Raynaud disease, which is a disease that causes numbness and tingling in the limbs due to poor blood circulation.

The GLA found in Evening Primrose oil can also help to lower blood pressure, but further studies are needed.

Please consult your medical practitioner prior to using any herbal medications should you be under their care.

Care should be taken by people who are taking medicine to treat mental illness or medicine used to treat epilepsy. These drugs include chlorpromazine, thioridazine and trifluoperazine. People using these drugs have reported an increase in seizures when taking Evening Primrose oil.

If you are having surgery that requires anesthesia, you should stop taking Evening Primrose oil at least two weeks before the surgery to minimize the risk of seizures.

Only about 2% of people using Evening Primrose oil have reported bloating and abdominal upsets. Consuming Evening Primrose oil with food lessens these side-effects.

Evening Primrose oil lowers blood pressure, therefore consult your health care practitioner before taking Evening Primrose oil supplements with your regular blood pressure medication.

Evening Primrose oil should be taken only under your medical practitioners care when you are taking blood-thinning drugs such as Warfarin.

The recommended therapeutic dose of Evening Primrose oil is 1000 mg three times a day. This supplies 240 mg of GLA a day.

When buying Evening Primrose oil supplements, check that the supplement contains a small dose of vitamin E. The fatty acids in Evening Primrose oil break down very quickly, but vitamin E slows this process down.

Evening Primrose oil can be applied topically to ease the symptoms of eczema, acne, rosacea and rheumatoid arthritis.

Taking Evening Primrose oil with meals assists with absorption.

Tags: rheumatoid arthritis, diabetic neuropathy, Dietary supplements, undesirable side effects, topical steroid creams

Welcome to the first edition of the Herbal Meds Online newsletter! Over the last few months we have been working hard to build Herbal Meds Online.  Our aim with this website is to inform and educate people about the benefits and uses of herbal supplements, remedies and medicines.

In our first edition, we will be covering a variety of topics ranging from the origins of herbal medicines to useful hints and tips regarding herbal remedies. In every edition, you can expect a summary of a specific herb and its uses and also a summary of a specific condition that can be treated with an herbal medicine.  We will also cover a range of informative topics related to herbal medicines and supplements.

We hope that the information will be of benefit to you and anyone who might be considering alternative treatments. 1)   The origins of herbal medicines 2)   Basic types of supplements

3)   Evening Primrose Oil – a herbal remedy used to treat skin conditions

4)   Endometriosis – a painful menstrual condition

5)   Hints and Fascinating Facts

6)   Herbal Medicine quote of the month

7)   Reminder

Here is a brief history of key dates in the development of herbal medicines:  2800BC – First written record of herbal medicines, the Pen Ts’ao by Shen Nung
C400BC – Hippocrates develops principles of diet, exercise and happiness as the cornerstones of health
C100BC – First illustrated herbal guide produced in Greece
C50AD – Roman Empire spreads herbal medicine and commerce of plants around the Empire
C200AD – Herbal practitioner, Galen, makes system for classifying illnesses and remedies
C500AD – Hippocrates’ principles followed in Britain by Myddfai practitioners throughout Saxon times
C800AD – Monks now pioneer herbal medicine with infirmaries and physic gardens at every monastery
1100sAD – Arab world now major influence on medicine and healing practices and the physician Avicenna writes the Canon of Medicine
1200sAD – Black Death spreads across Europe; ‘qualified’ apothecaries try bleeding, purging, mercury and arsenic to stem the epidemic with no more success than traditional herbalists
1500sAD – Henry VII promotes herbal medicine in the face of the growing number of untrained apothecaries and other ‘medical practitioners’ flourishing in London
Various Acts of Parliament passed to introduce some regulation of medical practices including protection for ‘simple herbalists’ to practice without dread of prosecution
1600sAD – Society sees the first two-tier health system emerge – herbs for the poor and exotics (plant, animal or mineral extracts) or ‘drugs’ for the rich
Nicholas Culpepper writes his well-known herbal paper: The English Physician, explaining in simple terms the practice of herbal medicine
1700sAD – Preacher Charles Wesley advocates a sensible diet, excellent hygiene and herbal medicine as the keys to a healthy life
1800sAD – Herbal medicines start to be eclipsed by mineral-drug based treatments. With powerful drugs such as calomel (mercury) and laudanum available over the counter serious side effects start to be documented.
Albert Coffin pioneers low-cost herbal remedies using plants from his native America as well as European ones helping hundreds of working class people at his North England practice.
Burgeoning pharmaceuticals industry makes herbal medicine seem outdated. National Association of Medical Herbalists founded to defend the practice. Later to become the National Institute of Medical Herbalists
1900sAD – Medicinal herbals used extensively during World War I as drugs are in small supply.
Post war period sees enormous expansion in the international pharmaceuticals industry and the discovery of penicillin
A handful of dedicated herbalists keep the tradition alive.
A Modern Herbal by Hilda Leyel is published.
Pharmacy & Medicines Act 1941 withdraws herbal practitioner’s rights to supply patients with medicines. Public outcry ensures the Act is never enforced.
After much campaigning by the NIMH, the Medicines Act in 1968 reinstates practitioners’ rights and the British Herbal Medicine Association is founded.
The BHMA produce the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia.
Revised edition is published in 1990. Public concern starts to grow over the side effects of the ‘wonder drugs’ of the 1950s and their impact on the environment.
2000AD – EU legislation advocates all herbal medicines should be subject to compulsory clinical testing comparable to that undertaken for conventional drugs. Thus all herbal medicines would be licensed.
UK government currently considering the possible impact and public perception of this legislation.

(Information taken from “Herbal Remedies” by Jan Balkam, published by Bookmart Limited)

There are basically four types of supplements:

Vitamins A chemically organic substance essential for regulating both the metabolic functions within the cells and the biochemical processes that release energy from food. There are 13 known vitamins and these are categorized as either stout-soluble (A, D, E and K) and water-soluble (eight B-vitamins and C.)  Stout-soluble vitamins stay in the body for relative long periods of time and water-soluble vitamins remain in the body for a small time. With a few exceptions, the body cannot manufacture vitamins. Minerals Minerals are present in your body in small amounts and are essential for a wide range of vital processes. Your body contains 60 minerals but only 22 of these minerals are considered to be essential and are classified as macro minerals and trace minerals / micro minerals. Macro minerals include calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, chloride, and potassium.   Micro minerals include iron, zinc, iodine, selenium, copper, manganese, and chromium. Herbs Herbal supplements are prepared from plants using the leaves, stems, roots and/or bark as well as the buds and flowers. Plant parts are refined into tablets, capsules, powders, tinctures and other formulations. Herbs have several active compounds that interact with one another to produce a therapeutic effect. Herbs are used to treat health conditions, to prevent health conditions as well as to maintain excellent health in general.Nutritional supplements These supplements are classified as to possessing disease-fighting potential. Nutritional supplements include compounds found in fruits and vegetables which work to lower the risk of disease. (Information taken from “The Healing Power of Vitamins, Minerals and Herbs” published by Reader’s Digest) Native Americans valued the Evening Primrose plant for its healing powers and there is evidence that European settlers used the plant to treat a variety of skin ailments. This wildflower grows in North America and Europe and its light yellow flowers open at dusk.  The Evening Primrose plant is often mistaken for a weed in gardens.

Evening Primrose oil contains omega-6 fatty acids, which can help to regulate insulin absorption and can even help to regulate your heartbeat. The human body does not manufacture fatty acids on its own, therefore taking Evening Primrose oil supplements can improve your general health.

Several studies have shown the benefits of taking Evening Primrose oil supplements to treat atopic dermatitis, or eczema.  Due to its high GLA content, Evening Primrose oil is very effective to treat a variety of menstrual disorders.

Menopausal women have also benefited from taking Evening Primrose oil supplements as this herbal remedy assists to alleviate the flushing as well as mood swings experienced by menopausal women. Evening Primrose oil lessens the inflammation of acne as well as rosacea.

(Information taken from article published on our website www.herbal-meds-online.com)
Endometriosis is the abnormal growth of cells that form in the lining of the uterus. Each month, as estrogen and other hormones cause the lining of the uterus to thicken with blood, these abnormal cells also expand.  Sometimes a collection of blood, called a cyst, can form.  These endometrial cysts are common on the ovaries.

Here is a list of common symptoms experienced by women with Endometriosis:   Abnormally heavy, menstrual bleeding often with large clots.  Severe menstrual cramps which starts before your period starts and reaches its peak after your period ends.  Nausea or vomiting just before your menstrual period.  Sharp pain or discomfort during sexual intercourse at any time of the month.  Infertility.  Incapacitating pain in the uterus, lower back or pelvic area.  Diarrhea or constipation during your menstrual cycle.  Iron-deficiency anemia due to heavy bleeding.  Severe pain due to endometrial cysts rupturing.Start herbal treatment by taking a combination of Dong Quai and Chasteberry.  Taking high doses of calcium and magnesium can help with painful menstrual cramps.

Flaxseed oil and Evening Primrose oil is useful to help relieve the pain and inflammation associated with Endometriosis. (Information taken from article published on our website www.herbal-meds-online.com)

When buying Evening Primrose Oil supplements, experts recommend looking for a supplement that contains a small amount of vitamin E.  The fatty acids in Evening Primrose Oil break down quickly and vitamin E slows this process down.A study from the University of Massachusetts Medical Center showed that very high doses of GLA found in Evening Primrose Oil reduced hurt to joint tissue in people who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. (Information taken from “The Healing Power of Vitamins, Minerals and Herbs” published by Reader’s Digest)

“The highest ideal of cure is the speedy, gentle, and enduring restoration of health by the most trustworthy and least harmful way.”

Samuel Hahnemann, founder of Homeopathy Please consult your medical practitioner prior to using any herbal medications should you be under their care.  Pregnant or lactating women and children under 16 years of age should not be using herbal remedies or supplements unless prescribed by a medical practitioner.  Suggestions offered are not intended to replace appropriate medical investigation and treatment.

Tags: British Herbal Medicine Association, key dates, Nicholas Culpepper, European Union, herbal remedies

Fibromyalgia is a rheumatic disorder that is characterized by widespread muscle pain and fatigue that has no physical cause.

People suffering from FMS will wake up feeling tired and lethargic and will experience aching and stabbing muscle pain. These pains often disappear throughout the day.

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia may be constant or can disappear and then recur months later. Females are more susceptible to Fibromyalgia than males and FMS often starts to manifest in early adulthood.

As with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, FMS is very hard to diagnose as blood tests and x-rays show no abnormalities.

The most distinctive feature of Fibromyalgia is the existence of “tender points” that specialists use to diagnose and distinguish Fibromyalgia.

The “tender points” refer to eighteen specific spots where the muscles will be abnormally tender to the touch. These points are clustered around the neck, shoulders, chest, knees, hips and the elbow region and will include the following:

At the insertion of the second ribIn the middle of the knee jointAround the lower vertebra of the neckIn muscles of the neck and upper backIn muscles connected to the base of the skullIn muscles of the mid-backIn the upper and outer muscles of the buttocksOn the side of the elbow

People who suffer from Fibromyalgia also suffer from various sleep disorders, all of which contribute to the extreme fatigue experienced.

Alpha-EEG anomaly – the individual’s deep sleep period is interrupted by bouts of waking-type brain activity, i.e. the person is wide awake for long periods of time and literally cannot shut off their thoughts

Sleep apnea – a condition where the individual will stop breathing for a few seconds and the brain automatically “shocks” the body awake to start breathing

Restless leg syndrome – the individual will complain that as he/she is falling asleep, their legs start to involuntarily twitch and the only way to relieve this is to go the limbs

Other disorders common in people suffering from Fibromyalgia:

HeadachesJaw painMenstrual painChemical and/or food allergiesDizziness and loss of balanceIrritable bowel syndromeMemory loss and difficulty in concentratingA sensitivity to bright light and loud noisesSensitivity to dairy productsSkin sensitivitiesStiffness and pain in the morning and when walking

In most cases of FMS, symptoms are severe enough to interfere with daily activities. A number of people suffering from Fibromyalgia are really disabled by the disorder.

The exact cause of FMS is not known. Some experts suggest that the condition is due to low levels of serotonin which is a chemical that transmits messages throughout the brain and the nervous system.

Other researchers have found that some patients with Fibromyalgia have extremely high levels of substance P, which is believed to transmit pain messages from the body to the brain. People with FMS are therefore much more sensitive pain-producing stimuli.

A severe injury, a weak immune system and long-standing psychological stress are all common factors associated with Fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome have been closely linked and symptoms often overlap each other.

Chronic pain sufferers tend to have a magnesium deficiency and a magnesium supplement is therefore crucial. Magnesium is vital for muscle relaxation and Malic acid should be added as this assists the body with magnesium absorption.

St. John’s Wort assists in raising serotonin levels which can improve pain tolerance.

Using Kava Kava or Valerian to aid sleep will help the patient in combating fatigue associated with Fibromyalgia.

Vitamin C and grape seed extracts are powerful anti-oxidants and protect cells from hurt.

Evening Primrose oil eases rheumatoid pain.

150 mg magnesium and 600 mg malic acid twice a day

Eat a well balanced diet that consists of mainly fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, raw nuts and seeds and fish. These foods supply nutrients that renew your energy levels and boost your immune system.

Try to eat at least four small meals during the day to keep a constant supply of carbohydrates and proteins available. Carbohydrates and proteins are essential for proper muscle function.

Drink plenty of water – at least 8 glasses a day and include fresh fruit and vegetable juices. Liquids help to flush out toxins and help in reducing muscle spasms and pain.

Cut out caffeine and refined sugars found in foods such as chocolates and soft drinks.

Include pomegranates and pomegranate juice as this fruit has anti-inflammatory properties.

Regular moderate exercise will be beneficial to keep muscles flexible.

Please consult your medical practitioner prior to using any herbal medications should you be under their care. Suggestions offered are not intended to replace appropriate medical investigation and treatment.

Tags: blood tests, early adulthood, tender points, magnesium deficiency, thoughtsSleep apnea

Are you looking for a herbal medicine to treat a skin disorder?

If you have itching skin, burns, blisters or any other skin related disorders, then herbal Aloe can help you.

Find out the origins and uses of this powerful herbal remedy.

Learn how it can treat your skin disorders and bring relief to your skin conditions.

Over 500 species of Aloe are found growing worldwide. Aloe is a succulent in the Lily family and the fleshy leaves of the Aloe plant provide a gel that has been used since the reign of Cleopatra.

Egyptian healers described the use of Aloe as far back as 1500 BC and African hunters have long used Aloe to hide their scent from their prey.

Modern healers have used Aloe since the 1930s for various skin ailments such as skin ulcers and cuts and abrasions.

Commercial growers cultivate Aloe in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Japan and the United States.

Even though scientists are not exactly sure how Aloe works, they have identified several of the active ingredients. Aloe is rich in anti-inflammatory substances and the gel contains a gummy material which acts as a soothing skin cream.

Aloe contains a compound called bradykininase that helps to treat pain and reduce swelling. In addition, Aloe also contains magnesium lactate which soothes itching skin.

Acemannan is a newly learned compound found in Aloe that is being studied for its ability to strengthen the immune system by boosting T-lymphocyte cells.

Aloe leaf juice can relieve the pain of burns and even prevent blisters from forming. As a topical herbal medicine, Aloe gel decreases inflammation, redness and accelerates wound healing.

This herbal medicine helps in keeping the skin supple and has long been used to relieve the itching associated with insect bites and skin allergies. By increasing the availability of oxygen to the skin, Aloe is a powerful herbal skin healer.

Aloe gel has been used for many years as an effective herbal treatment for sunburn, by soothing and calming the redness and inflammation caused by over exposure to the sun.

Studies have shown that Aloe gel has antiviral effects and is therefore a natural healing product used in treating warts.

Recent studies have been conducted to prove Aloe’s effectives in treating the skin disorder psoriases. An 83 percent improvement was noted in patients who topically applied Aloe gel 3-4 times daily.

Aloe juice contains anti-inflammatory fatty acids that are helpful for the colon, small intestine and the stomach. This herbal medicine is a natural alkalizer that prevents over acidity which is a common cause of indigestion.

Aloe juice has also been used by herbalists as a natural digestive tract cleanser, balancing and soothing the digestive system.

Aloe Vera juice has been found by Japanese scientists to inhibit stomach secretions and lesions; therefore this herbal plant is an effective treatment against peptic ulcers.

American scientists are conducting research into the use of Aloe Vera juice as a treatment for people with ulcerative colitis which is a common type of inflammatory bowel disease.

Please consult your medical practitioner prior to using any herbal medications should you be under their care.

Topical applications of Aloe are very safe; but in rare cases a mild, allergic skin reaction has been noted. Simply discontinue use if this occurs.

Never use Aloe juice if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Aloe juice can have a laxative effect if the recommended dosage is exceeded. A form of Aloe, called Aloe latex, is a powerful laxative and should only be used under your doctor or herbalist’s recommendation.

Aloe dilates blood vessels known as capillaries, allowing blood to get to an injury; therefore care should be taken when using Aloe together with blood thinning medicine such as Warfarin as it can cause the skin to bleed easily.

Topically, Aloe gel can be applied repeatedly, especially in the case of burns. This will also prevent painful blisters from forming.

Fresh Aloe gel from a broken leaf of this herbal plant is the most effective and economical way to topically apply the gel.

For topical herbal treatments to be effective, it should contain at least 20 percent Aloe.

For internal use, Aloe juice can be taken between meals. Make sure that the Aloe juice contains at least 98 percent Aloe and does not contain aloin or aloe-emodin.

Aloe juice can also be added to your bathwater as a soothing herbal skin remedy by simply adding a cup or two of the Aloe juice to your bathwater.

Tags: Aloe arborescens, herbal medicine, japan and the united states, herbal skin, itching skin

The Cherokee and other Native American tribes used Goldenseal for everything from insect bites to eye infections. Today, Goldenseal is officially recognized in 11 countries as an herbal medicine.

Goldenseal is related to the buttercup and is native to North America. Only the roots are used as an herbal medicine.

The name Goldenseal comes from the scars on the previous year”s root growth, which resembles the wax seals used to seal envelopes.

How can Goldenseal help me?

Goldenseal”s primary benefit is its effect on the immune system. Goldenseal does not only increase the immune system’s production of germ-fighting compounds, it also combats viruses and bacteria.

This herbal remedy has a excellent reputation as a natural antibiotic, therefore taking Goldenseal at the onset of a sinus infection will not only relieve the symptoms, but will fight the infection itself.

The berberine content in Goldenseal has very strong antibiotic and antiseptic qualities, which makes this herbal medicine a very effective natural alternative to antibiotics commonly prescribed.

Goldenseal fights the human papilloma virus that causes warts and applying Goldenseal tincture directly to warts can help to heal these unsightly skin lesions.

Goldenseal is also used to treat urinary tract infections as well as intestinal infections.

Goldenseal can be used topically to treat mouth ulcers and sores. Used as a tincture, Goldenseal promotes the healing of the sores. Using Goldenseal as an antiseptic mouthwash is also very effective to treat the inflammation of sore throats.

In treating periodontal disease, Goldenseal destroys the bacteria that cause the disease and relieves inflamed gums.

Cooled Goldenseal tea can be used as an eyewash to relieve and treat eye infections such as conjunctivitis.

Goldenseal was used by the early Native Americans to treat a variety of stomach disorders. Several scientific studies have proven that Goldenseal increases the flow of digestive enzymes, thereby treating heartburn, constipation, indigestion as well as inflamed peptic ulcers.

Goldenseal is also an effective herbal remedy used to cool a nauseated stomach.

Goldenseal soothes inflamed mucous membranes and has long been used to treat infections of the respiratory system because it eases congestion.

As Goldenseal is one of the main herbal remedies used to strengthen your immune system, it is very effective in treating disorders associated with a weakened immune system, such as shingles and cold sores.

Please consult your medical practitioner prior to using any herbal medications should you be under their care.

Pregnant or lactating women should not use Goldenseal or any herbs containing berberine.

Goldenseal limits the efficacy of anticoagulants such as Warfarin.

If you are taking antibiotics such as tetracycline, do not use Goldenseal in conjunction with the antibiotics.

People with glaucoma should not use Goldenseal to treat eye infections.

As Goldenseal is a natural antiseptic, it can reduce the presence of “excellent” bacteria in the digestive system, thereby causing diarrhea and nausea.

Prolonged use of Goldenseal can affect the absorption of the B-group of vitamins.

Do not take Goldenseal for prolonged periods of time, rather use it in rotation with other immune-support herbal remedies such as Echinacea.

To treat colds, flu and other respiratory illnesses, start taking 125 mg of Goldenseal five times a day for five days as soon as you start feeling ill.

For urinary tract infections, drink several cups of Goldenseal tea a day for a period of 3 days.

To help in healing cold sores and shingles, take 125 mg of Goldenseal four times a day.

Apply Goldenseal tincture directly to mouth ulcers and warts three times a day.

To make an eyewash from Goldenseal, use one teaspoon of dried herb per 500 ml of hot water. Let the tea steep and then make sure that you strain it thoroughly to avoid any gritty bits staying behind. Use the cooled Goldenseal tea as an eyewash three times a day.

Tags: natural antibiotic, sinus infection, Common cold, North America, Cold sores

Western researchers have studied Cat’s Claw since the 1970′s and European doctors have used this herb since the 1980′s.

The name is derived from two curved thorns at the base of the plant’s leaves that resemble a cat’s claws.

There are dozens of related Cat’s Claw species, but two specific ones are harvested in Peru and Brazil for use as herbal remedies.

Native Indians have long used the bark to make tea to treat wounds, stomach ailments and arthritis.

Scientific studies have identified several active ingredients that enhance activity of the immune system and inhibit inflammation.

Anti-viral, anti-microbial and anti-tumor properties have been attributed to Cat’s Claw.

Cat’s Claw has anti-inflammatory effects that have proven to be beneficial in the treatment of arthritis, rheumatism, gout and bursitis.

Used as an anti-oxidant, Cat’s Claw helps to protect cell from hurt caused by free radicals.

German and Austrian doctors prescribe Cat’s Claw to stimulate the immune systems of cancer patients that have been weakened by chemotherapy.

Studies conducted on animals have shown that Cat’s Claw roots and bark contain compounds called procyanidolic oligomers (PCO’s), which inhibit tumours.

Other compounds identified in this herbal medicine stimulate immune cells called phagocytes which “devour” viruses and other disease-causing organisms.

Cat’s Claw has been successfully used to combat sinus infections as well as other upper respiratory-tract infections.

Cat’s Claw can be used to treat viral infections such as herpes and can also be used by HIV positive patients to boost their immune systems.

Recently, scientists have been researching the use of Cat’s Claw to treat Alzheimer’s.

Cat’s Claw is prescribed by health practitioners to cleanse the intestinal tract, thereby assisting patients suffering from many different stomach and bowel disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome, leaky bowel syndrome, diverticulitis, gastritis, ulcers and even Crohn’s disease.

Please consult your medical practitioner prior to using any herbal medications should you be under their care.

No known side effects have been reported when using Cat’s Claw at the recommended dosages.

People who use higher doses than recommended have reported nausea and headaches and using high doses over extended periods can adversely affect your immune system.

Pregnant women and women who are trying to get pregnant should not use Cat’s Claw under any circumstance as this herbal remedy was once used to prevent pregnancy and to abort pregnancies.

Take 250 mg of a standardized extract in pill form twice a day. You can combine or alternate Cat’s Claw with other immune boosting herbal medicines such as Echinacea or goldenseal.

Make sure when purchasing Cat’s Claw products that it is made from Uncaria tomentosa or U. guianensis as many products commercially available do not really contain Cat’s Claw, but herbs that carry the same name.

Cat’s Claw tea is available from health stores. Use one or two teaspoons of the dried extract per cup of hot water. You can drink up to three cups of tea daily.

Tags: arthritis rheumatism, Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, Human Interest, cancer patients, herbal medicine

HERBAL MEDS ONLINE NEWSLETTER

EDITION 2 – MARCH 2009

Welcome to the second edition of the Herbal Meds Online newsletter!

At Herbal Meds Online, we continually strive to keep you informed about herbal medicines and its uses.

Herbal medicines have been around for centuries and as more research and studies are being done, people are realizing the value of herbal medicines in the prevention and treatment of illness.

The use of herbal medicines and herbal supplements have increased dramatically in the past 30 years and is useful in treating a variety of conditions such as PMS, migraine, chronic fatigue and rheumatoid arthritis, to name just a few.

In this edition, we will be focusing on fever blisters and the herbal medicines used to prevent and treat this painful condition.

TOPICS

Naturopathy – a system of medicine that uses natural substances to treat the patient

Purchasing safe and pure herbal medicines

Fever blisters – a preventable condition

Lysine – an herbal remedy used to treat and prevent fever blisters

Hints and Fascinating Facts

Herbal Medicine quote of the month

Reminder

Naturopathy – a system of medicine that uses natural substances to treat the patient

Naturopathic Medicine, or Naturopathy, is a system of medicine that uses natural substances to treat the patient and recognizes that the patient’s mental, emotional, and physical states must all be treated for a lasting effect.

The foundation of Naturopathic medicine is the vitalistic philosophy of the “healing power of nature.” This means that within every human organism there is a healing energy, which includes our immune system in the fuller sense of both the physical and the psyche, which is responsible for our wellness and our ability to heal and maintain health

Following this first premise is the second, that the therapies used to support and stimulate this healing power of nature must be in “the gentlest, least invasive, most efficient manner possible”.

The third Naturopathic premise is “to diagnose and treat the cause”. Naturopaths do not simply treat the manifestation of the disease but rather search for the cause and treat it.

To accomplish these goals, Naturopathic medicine incorporates many therapeutic modalities: herbal medicine, homeopathy, nutrition, hydrotherapy, food, exercise therapy, physical therapy, and manipulation of the bony and soft tissues, lifestyle and counseling.

Naturopathic medicine treats the patient from the preventive stage through to serious, chronic and debilitating disease. Therefore, people can go to Naturopaths for colds, bronchitis, allergies, as well as for heart disease, diabetes, and malignant diseases.

(Information taken from www.naturopathyonline.com)

Purchasing safe and pure herbal medicines

Make sure that you consult a health care provider that has the proper credentials and who is trained to prescribe herbs and supplements.

Inform your health care practitioner if you are taking prescription medicines to avoid unwanted and even perilous drug interactions.

The herbs available in most stores come in several different forms: teas, syrups, oils, liquid extracts, tinctures, and dry extracts (pills or capsules). Teas are simply dried herbs left to soak for a few minutes in hot water, while other teas are the herbs boiled in water and then strained for consumption. Syrups, made from concentrated extracts and added to sweet-tasting preparations, are frequently used for sore throats and coughs. Oils are extracted from plants and often used as rubs for massage, either alone or as part of an ointment or cream. Tinctures and liquid extracts are solvents (usually water, alcohol, or glycerol) that contain the active ingredients of the herbs. Tinctures are typically a 1:5 or 1:10 concentration, meaning that one part of the herbal material is prepared with five to ten parts (by weight) of the liquid. Liquid extracts are more concentrated than tinctures and are typically a 1:1 concentration. A dry extract form is the most concentrated form of an herbal product (typically 2:1 – 8:1) and is sold as a tablet, capsule, or lozenge.

Currently, no organization or government body regulates the manufacture or certifies the labeling of herbal preparations. This means you can’t be sure that the amount of the herb contained in the bottle, or even from dose to dose, is the same as what is stated on the mark. Some herbal preparations are standardized, meaning that the preparation is guaranteed to contain a specific amount of the active ingredients of the herb. But, it is still vital to question companies that are making standardized herbal products the basis for their product’s guarantee. If consumers insist on an answer to this question, manufacturers of these herbal products may start to implement more quality control processes, like microscopic, chemical, and biological analyses. It is vital to talk to your doctor or an expert in herbal medicine for the recommended doses of any herbal products you are considering.

(Information taken from www.umm.edu)

Fever blisters – a preventable condition

Fever blisters or cold sores are caused by the Herpes simplex virus (HSV-1).

Fever blisters first appear three to ten days after exposure to the virus and an outbreak of fever blisters can last up to three weeks.

Unfortunately, this virus remains in the body and moves into the nervous system. Outbreaks can be triggered by stress, emotional trauma, a cold or a viral infection, exposure to sun and wind or a weakened immune system.

Fever blisters are highly contagious and studies have shown that children as young as ten carry the virus.

There are several stages of the development of a fever blister:

Stage 1: no sore is visible yet, but there is a tingling, prickling feeling around the affected area.

Stage 2: swelling starts and the affected area is red and often hot to the touch.

Stage 3: the first signs of tiny blisters appear. Itching and pain increases.

Stage 4: a soft, very painful ulcer forms.

Lysine – an herbal remedy used to treat and prevent fever blisters

Lysine is an essential amino acid in that the human body cannot synthesize on its own, therefore it needs to be obtained from your diet.

If you suffer from regular outbreaks of cold sores and fever blisters a Lysine supplement can help treat and also prevent these outbreaks.

Cold sores, fever blisters and shingles are all forms of the Herpes virus and several studies have shown that Lysine inhibits viral replication. These specific types of viruses utilize Arginine (another form of amino acid) and increasing the availability of Lysine in the human body slows the virus replication and inhibits the use of Arginine.

Studies have also indicated that Lysine could suppress genital herpes.

Use of Lysine as an alternative treatment to cold sores reduces the frequency of outbreaks and lesions heal quicker.

Lysine is available in pill form and cream form. At the onset of an outbreak of cold sores, start with a dosage of 1000mg Lysine daily and as the condition improves, take a therapeutic dosage of 500mg daily.

Lysine cream can be applied topically to the affected areas to reduce the symptoms of painful outbreaks.
(Information taken from article published on our website www.herbal-meds-online.com)

Hints and Fascinating Facts on Fever blisters

Holding an ice cube on the affected area for a few minutes can reduce the pain and swelling.

Recent studies have shown that Vitamin C may be effective in treating fever blisters when applied topically.

People who are prone to fever blister outbreaks should avoid over-exposure to the sun and should use a lip balm that contains an SPF of at least 15.

Avoid touching the blisters as this can spread the infection.

(Information taken from “The Healing Power of Vitamins, Minerals and Herbs” published by Reader’s Digest)

Herbal Medicine quote of the month

“Foolish the doctor who despises the knowledge bought by the ancients.”

Hippocrates, a Greek physician born in 460 BC

Reminder

Please consult your medical practitioner prior to using any herbal medications should you be under their care. Pregnant or lactating women and children under 16 years of age should not be using herbal remedies or supplements unless prescribed by a medical practitioner. Suggestions offered are not intended to replace appropriate medical investigation and treatment.

Tags: Health Medical Pharma, fever blister, physical states, herpes simplex virus, tiny blisters

Rosemary is considered a “symbolic herb” and has been used at weddings and funerals to decorate churches and halls, in religious ceremonies it is used as incense and it is often found as a main ingredient in magical spells.   Ancient uses for rosemary included treating muscle pain, headaches, cuts and scrapes, bruises and baldness.  This aromatic evergreen mint grows to a height of about one meter and bears narrow, thick, needle-like leaves with light blue to violet flowers.  Culinary experts use rosemary to give extra flavour and aroma to all kinds of dishes.  Herbalists use rosemary soaked compresses to relieve the pain and swelling associated with sprains and bruises.

Most fascinating but is the recent research conducted into the cancer fighting properties of rosemary.  One of these studies was done at the Department of Food Science at Rutgers University in New Jersey.  Oil from this herbal medicine was applied to the skin of laboratory animals and it was found that it reduced their risk of cancer by 50 percent.  In another study conducted by the same research team, it was found that animals whose diets contained rosemary had half the incidence of colon cancer compared with animals whose diets did not include rosemary.  At the University of Illinois studies showed that the incidence of breast cancer was reduced by half in animals at risk of developing this disease.  

Rosemary is not just useful as a muscle relaxant for sprains and bruises, but also relaxes the smooth muscles of the digestive tract and the uterus, soothing digestive upsets and relieving painful menstrual cramps.  Tea brewed from this herb is prescribed as a tonic to cool nerves and the cooled down brew can be used as an antiseptic wash.  Use one teaspoon of crushed dried leave in a cup of boiling water and let it steep for 10 minutes.  Rosemary is prescribed by herbalists as a hair rinse to combat alopecia (hair loss) as well as dandruff and other cosmetic uses include cellulite and wrinkle treatments.  Adding rosemary oil to a hot bath can help to increase blood circulation and help to remove toxins from your body.  Ointments and creams containing rosemary oil are used to treat eczema and help to heal burn wounds.  

When combined with other aromatherapy oils, rosemary can increase concentration and memory, and also relieve stress and reduce anxiety.

Please consult your medical practitioner prior to using any herbal medications should you be under their care.

Rosemary has very few side effects when taken as prescribed.  Large doses can but cause allergic skin rashes, lower the dosage or discontinue use should this occur.  Pregnant and lactating women should not take rosemary.

People who are on blood thinning medication such as Warfarin should only take rosemary under the care and recommendation of a medical practitioner.  Rosemary acts as a diuretic and people who are on prescription diuretics should take care when using this herbal remedy.

Rosemary is available in many forms:  
Dried and powdered extract available in capsules, preparations made from fresh or dried leaves that are used in tincture and teas, and volatile oil.

Do not take rosemary oil internally.  The total daily intake should not exceed 5 grams of the dried herb.

To make rosemary tea:  use one teaspoon of the dried herb per cup of boiled water.  Let it steep and then strain.  Do not exceed 3 cups per day.
Rosemary tincture:  solution of 1:5 – 2-4 ml three times per day.
Rosemary fluid extract:  solution of 1:1 in 45% alcohol – 1-2 ml three times per day.
Rosemary oil:  add 2 drops of oil to your bathwater.  Avoid contact with eyes and do not use on open wounds.

Tags: New Jersey, religious ceremonies, Health Medical Pharma, Alternative medicine, volatile oil