This herbal remedy derives its name from the fruit which has thorns at the end of fleshy stalks, making it look like a claw.  Native to southern Africa, this plant has been used in herbal medicines for thousands of years.  It was first introduced to Europe in the early 1900′s and the dried roots were used for relieving pain and inflammation and to help with digestive disorders.  Today, devil’s claw is used as a digestive tonic and as a long-term herbal remedy for the treatment of joint pain and arthritic conditions.

The parts of devil’s claw that are used to make herbal medicines are called tubers, which are the fleshy, underground stems.  The components responsible for this plant’s medicinal properties are called harpagoside, harpagide and procumbide and are part of the iridoid glycoside family which all act as pain-killers and anti-inflammatories.

Studies conducted with devil’s claw show that this herbal remedy has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties useful in the treatment of fibrositis and fibromyalgia, gout, lumbago, rheumatic disease and other arthritic conditions.  It was noted that devil’s claw was most efficient in treating chronic pain, making it ideal to use over the long-term.  The tubers of the devil’s claw plant also contain flavonoids, which are powerful anti-oxidants with healing properties.  

A study to test the effectiveness of devil’s claw was conducted on 122 people suffering with hip and knee osteo-arthritis.  The devil’s claw herbal medicine not only reduced pain and inflammation, but markedly improved functional ability.  The same effect was reported as that of a leading prescription medicine for osteo-arthritis.  Fewer side effects were also reported amongst people using devil’s claw.

In another study conducted, people who suffered from lower back and neck pain were treated with a standardized devil’s claw herbal medicine for 4 weeks.  These subjects all reported a significant decrease in chronic pain and needed fewer commercial pain killers.  

An brilliant bitters, with a bitters value equaling that of gentian root, devil’s claw is widely used in Europe as a digestive tonic.  This herbal remedy is used to treat gastrointestinal complaints such as dyspeptic symptoms, flatulence and gallbladder disorders.  An infusion made of the roots of devil’s claw can also ease mild digestive disorders such as nausea, stomach upsets and gastric ulcers.

Traditionally, devil’s claw was used to make an ointment used topically to treat minor wounds and skin abrasions, ulcers and boils, but more research into the effectiveness of this herbal remedy as an ointment is needed.

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

Side effects are rarely reported, but a few cases of headaches and slight digestive discomfort was reported in some patients.  Devil’s claw is nontoxic and at the recommended dosages, is one of the most effective long-term herbal pain relievers.

Devil’s claw should not be used by pregnant or lactating women.

People using blood thinning medication such as Warfarin should not use devil’s claw.  If you are using medication for high blood pressure or any heart disease, do not take devil’s claw.

When purchasing devil’s claw herbal supplements, make sure that it is from a reputable manufacturer, as unpure and unsafe forms have been found in some stores.

The active ingredients in devil’s claw work synergistically, so look for supplements that contain both the raw root powder and the extract of the root.  

For the treatment of pain and inflammation, take 400 mg of the herbal extract three times a day.  

To make an infusion of devil’s claw, use a cup of boiling water with 1.5 g of powdered dried root.  Let it simmer for 10-15 minutes, then strain and drink.  

Improvement is usually seen within three to four weeks and you should not use devil’s claw for a period longer than five months.  Discontinue use for a few weeks and then continue taking the herbal medicine at the recommended dosages.

Tags: herbal medicine, healing properties, heart disease, pain killers, functional ability

There are two common types of Ginseng, American Ginseng whose technical name is Panax quinquefolius and Asian Ginseng that is also called Panax ginseng.

Both Asian Ginseng and American Ginseng have similar medicinal properties as the primary active ingridient is the same.

There is one other Ginseng and this is called Siberean Ginseng. Siberean Ginseng has different properties and this will be discussed in another article.

Medicinal Ginseng has been used as a general Cure-All remedy in many cultures for centuries.

Ginseng is a herbal medicine that helps to strengthen the body.

Due to the strengthening effect of Ginseng, this herbal remedy is extremely useful in helping your body recover from illness, stress or even surgery.

The Primary active ingredient in both Asian and American Ginseng is ginsenosides.

Another property of Ginseng is to boost your energy levels and even help to improve mental performance.

Some studies seem to indicate that the ginsenosides found in ginseng may help to slow Alzheimer’s disease and also have positive effects on memory and behavior.

Ginseng has been found to lower glucose levels (blood sugar).

If you are on any medication, please talk to your doctor before using Ginseng.

There are several side effects that have been reported from using Ginseng.

Several of the major side effects of Ginseng is directly related to the Energizing and stimulating properties of Ginseng.

The most severe side effect is an increase in blood pressure and heart beat.

Insomnia and sleeping problems are also common side effects of Ginseng.

In Women, Ginseng has been linked to breast pain and vaginal bleeding.

Anxiety, Nervousness and restlessness have also been reported.

Diarrhea and vomiting are occasionally linked to use of Ginseng.

Headaches are also a side effect of Ginseng.

You can take this herbal medicine is several different ways.

The most common form of Ginseng sold in herbal shops is as a pill or a tablet. Ginseng can even be taken as a fresh root or a dried root.

Tinctures and Fluid extracts are also available.

Tags: herbal shops, active ingredient, herbal remedy, breast pain, several different ways

This immune boosting herb has long been used to not only treat but also prevent diseases.  Astragalus only gained popularity in the 1980′s in the United States, but in China it has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries.  Astragalus is a frail looking plant, but is really very hardy.  It has a sweet-smelling, pale yellow blossom and the roots are mainly used for herbal remedies.

Over 2000 species of Astragalus exist, but only 2 are used in herbal remedies:  Astragalus membranaceus and Astragalus mongholicus.  In North America there are several species that are highly poisonous to livestock and are called “locoweed,” but these species of Astragalus are very different from the disease fighting species.

One of the main benefits of Astragalus is that it is safe to use with conventional medicine and will not interfere with any standard treatment.  

The root of the Astragalus plant contains numerous health-promoting substances, one of which is polysaccharides, which is a class of carbohydrates which are responsible for this herbal remedy‘s immune enhancing effects.  The other substances are saponins, astragalosides, flavonoids and triterpenes.

Health practitioners prescribe Astragalus as a general health tonic as it enhances your overall health by improving resistance to disease, increasing your stamina and vitality and promotes general wellbeing. This herbal supplement is also an adaptogen, which means that it will greatly increase your body’s resistance to stress, trauma, anxiety and fatigue.

Astragalus has antiviral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.  In addition, it also has antioxidant properties, which means that it can protect your body from cell hurt caused by free radicals.  

This herbal treatment is especially effective in treating and preventing the common cold, flu, sinus infections and bronchitis as it prevents viruses from gaining a foothold in the respiratory system.  Just like Echinacea, Astragalus can stop a disease from the onset of the first symptoms.  If a disease does develop, Astragalus can shorten the duration of the disease and lessen the severity of symptoms.

People undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer will benefit greatly from using Astragalus on a regular basis as this herb rebuilds their immune systems and helps to repair hurt caused by cancer treatments.  Using Astragalus will also protect bone marrow from the immune-suppressing effects of chemotherapy and radiation.  This herb is also used to help the body”s production of T cells, macrophages, natural killer cells, interferon and other immune cells as these cells are often ruined by chemotherapy and radiation.  

Recent research indicates that Astragalus may offer antioxidant benefits in people who suffer from heart disease, relieving symptoms and improving heart function.  The first study revealed that if a patient takes Astragalus within 36 hours of a heart attack, it could enhance the functioning of the heart”s left ventricle, which is the chamber responsible for pumping oxygen-rich blood through the body.  The second study was conducted to prove that Astragalus could prevent chest pain, or angina.  Astragalus produced better results than a well-known prescription medication commonly used for this condition.

Astragalus root may also help reduce high cholesterol levels and regulate blood pressure by widening blood vessels and improving blood circulation.  The Astragalus root also acts as a mild diuretic.

In addition, this herb can aid digestion by inhibiting gastric secretions and reducing gastric acid, which makes Astragalus helpful in curing stomach ulcers. 

Ongoing research is being conducted into the use of Astragalus to treat HIV and other autoimmune diseases such as lupus.

Please consult your medical practitioner prior to using any herbal medications should you be under their care. After centuries of use, few side effects have been reported by people using Astragalus, but, because of its immune-enhancing benefits, people who receive organ transplants should not use this herb.

To boost your immune system, take 200 mg of Astragalus once or twice a day for a period of three weeks.  Then alternate, in three week periods, with cat”s claw, echinacea and pau d”arco.  Choose a product that contains a standardized extract of this herb with 0,5% glucosides and 70% polysaccharides.

Creams and ointments containing Astragalus are readily available at health stores and will help with wound healing and stop wounds and ulcers from becoming septic.

You can add dried Astragalus root to soup, stews or rice dishes.  Let it simmer for 30 minutes, then remove the herb as it is tough to chew.  This not only adds flavour to these dishes but also makes it simple to add immune-enhancing properties to your food.

Tags: Common cold, Employment Change, traditional Chinese medicine, free radicals, respiratory system

Originally used in the 3rd century BC to remove venom from snake bites, nettle is a valuable herbal medicine used today to treat hay fever and prostrate problems.

Also known as stinging nettle, this plant has fine hairs on the leaves and stems that contain chemicals that sting and burn when it comes in contact with the skin.  An ancient folk remedy suggests that stinging yourself with nettle will relieve pain associated with arthritis.  

Nettle is also a nutritious food that tastes very much like spinach.  It is particularly high in iron and other minerals, vitamin C and is rich in carotenoids.

Common uses for nettle as an herbal medicine include helping the body to remove excess fluid, relieving allergy symptoms, reducing inflammation and pain, easing prostrate symptoms and treating urinary tract infections.

Nettle acts as diuretic, helping your body to rid itself of excess fluid and toxins.  People suffering from urinary tract infections report that it increases urination, which in turn helps to flush infection-causing bacteria out of your body.  Women who suffer from bloating just before their period starts, experience relief after taking nettle herbal supplements.  

One of the most beneficial uses of nettle is treating hay fever.  Histamine is produced by your body in response to allergens and nasal congestion, sneezing and irritated watery eyes are a result of the release of this inflammatory compound.  Nettle is a source of quercetin which is a flavonoid that inhibits the release of histamine.  In a study conducted, more than half of allergy sufferers rated nettle to be an effective herbal remedy for hay fever and associated allergic symptoms.

Another vital benefit of nettle is that it is suitable for men with an enlarged prostate that is not caused by cancer.  This condition is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and occurs when the prostate enlarges and narrows the urethra, which is the tube that transports out of the bladder.  Herbal medicines containing nettle works by slowing down prostate growth.  Studies have shown that nettle is as effective as finasteride, a medication commonly prescribed for BPH.  Combining nettle with other herbal supplements such as saw palmetto is effective at relieving symptoms such as reduced urinary flow, incomplete emptying of the bladder, post urination dripping, and the constant urge to urinate. Nettle is also believed to block the hormonal changes that can contribute to BPH.

More research is needed, but in a preliminary study, nettle helped people who suffer from arthritis by reducing the amount of pain medication needed.  Patients were given 200 mg of diclofenac only (a prescription anti-inflammatory) and compared to a group of patients who were given 55 g of nettle leaves daily along with the prescribed diclofenac.  The group that added the nettle leaves showed a significant decrease in pain and inflammation.

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

Nettle is considered very safe when used at the recommended doses.   Stomach upsets have been reported and should this occur, lower the dosage or discontinue use for a few days.

Nettle can alter the menstrual cycle and there have been reports of miscarriage, so pregnant women should not use nettle at all.

Please consult your medical practitioner should you experience any prostate problems.  Your doctor can eliminate the possibility of cancer and should then be able to advise you on a safe, herbal treatment such as nettle.

Nettle thins blood, so people using blood thinning medications such as Warfarin should take care when taking nettle supplements.

Nettle lowers blood pressure, so care should be taken when using medications to treat high blood pressure.

When buying herbal supplements containing nettle, make sure that it contains the freeze-dried herb, or an extract standardized to contain 1 percent plant silica which is an active ingredient in nettle.

To treat allergies and hay fever, take 250 mg of standardized extract three times a day as needed.

To help with BPH, use 250 mg of standardized extract twice a day in combination with 160 mg of saw palmetto.

To relieve the pain and inflammation associated with gout and arthritis, take 250 mg of standardized extract three times a day.  You can make a compress of nettle tea and apply this to painful joints.

Take nettle with food to minimize the risk of stomach upsets.  If you are plotting to use nettle as a food, make sure that you cook older leaves to deactivate the stingers.  The young shoots can be eaten raw or added to salads.

Tags: urinary tract infections, folk remedy, excess fluid, nasal congestion, inflammatory compound

Milk Thistle has been used as Herbal Medicine since early Roman and Greek times. This herb is found mainly in Europe and Asia but is also found in Australia.

This herb medicine is a flowering herb, and the seeds contain the active ingeident called Silymari.

Milk Thistle is can help you in improving liver function and this herb is also believed to have protective effects on the liver.

his herb helps to lower enzyme levels and assists in detoxifying the liver. In recent years certain medical doctors have prescribed Milk Thistle for Hepatitis to keep down inflammation, Cirrhosis to soften the liver, Liver Cancer to aid in detoxification, and many dysfunctions of the Gall Bladder System.

Individuals taking prescription medication that eliminates liver enzymes might also benefit from Milk Thistle. This herbal Medicine is often used in the treatment of liver cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis (liver inflammation), and gallbladder disorders.

Milk Thistle is also a mild laxative, this due to its ability to increase bile secretion and flow in the intestinal tract.

This herbal remedy is also a demulcent, this means it moistens and soothes mucus membranes, kidney and bladder irritations and inflammations in general.

Here is a more technical description of the medicinal workings of Milk Thistle.

The active ingredient is Silymarin, this consists of a group of compounds called flavonolignands. These help the liver repair cells hurt by alcohol and other toxic substances.

Silymarin also helps keeps new liver cells from being ruined by harmful substances such as alcohol. Inflammation is also reduced by this herbal remedy (vital for people with liver inflammation or hepatitis).

Antioxidant effects are another benefit of milk thistle. Most milk thistle products are extracted from the seeds of the herb.

Most Milk Thistle Herbal Remedies contain 70% to 80% of flavonolignans (silibinin, silychristin, and silydianin) more easily known as silymarin.

What are the side effects of taking this herbal medicine? In trials conducted, Milk Thistle generally has minimal side effects. On occasion, using this herbal medicine has resulted in stomach aliments, such as upset stomach, diarrhea, and bloating.

Milk Thistle is known to produce allergic reactions in people who are allergic to plants in the same family such as ragweed, chrysanthemum, marigold, and daisy.

If you are on any medication, it is vitality vital to discuss the use of herbal remedies with your doctor to avoid any interactions with your medication.

If you are taking the following medications, Milk Thistle may help in protecting your liver, but please discuss this with your doctor.

Antipsychotics: This group of medications used for schizophrenia includes butyrophenones (such as haloperidol) and phenothiazines (such as chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, and promethazine)

Phenytoin : a medication used for seizures

Halothane : a medication used during general anesthesia

If you have tablets or capsules, they can be swallowed with a large glass of water.

If your stomach is sensitive, try and take Milk Thistle as a tincture, infusion, or tea.

The most vital ingridinet in Milk Thistle is Silymarin, and this is not water solulable and alcohol is recommended to extract the Silymarim.

For this reason, teas may not be very effective.

The dosage you take will be based on the Silymarin content. You may take Milk thistle with or without food.

The dosage you take varies on the severity of the problem and from person to person.

Germany’s Commission E recommends daily dosages of 200 mg to 400 mg or about three capsules.

Doses ranging from 160 to 800 milligrams daily by mouth have been used for cirrhosis, hepatitis and toxic liver hurt.

Tags: chronic hepatitis, Medicinal plants, gall bladder, herbal remedies, antioxidant effects

Ginger is native to parts of China and India, as well as other tropical areas such as Jamaica. Ginger is the dried or fresh root of a tropical member of the Ginger family.

Ginger has been used as a herbal medicine for thousands of years to relieve a variety of digestive problems and stomach ailments.

Ginger works primarily in the digestive tract by boosting digestive fluids and neutralizing acids. Ginger can also increase bile secretion.

Ginger supplements can be used as a herbal remedy for flatulence.

Ginger is a safe alternative to anti-nausea medicine without the effects on the central nervous system that some over-the-counter medicines have such as sleepiness.

Several studies have shown that when taking Ginger before a surgical procedure, postoperative nausea and vomiting can be reduced.

In several studies conducted in Europe, Ginger was found to be effective in reducing and even eliminating the symptoms of seasickness.

Pregnant women can use Ginger as a safe herbal medicine for morning sickness, but this should only be done during the first two months of pregnancy.

In addition, Ginger also has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. People with arthritis and severe joint pain have experienced significant relieve when using Ginger.

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

Studies done in Germany found that patients with gall bladder disease should avoid Ginger.

Patients undergoing chemotherapy should not take Ginger on an empty stomach as it will irritate the stomach lining.

Ginger has anti-coagulant properties and therefore should not be taken with other blood thinning medicines such as Warfarin or aspirin

Ginger is available in capsule, liquid, tincture and fresh or dried root form.

To prevent motion sickness, nausea and to relieve chronic pain, take 100 to 200mg of Ginger extract in pill form. Ginger tea can also be used several times a day.

For sore muscles and joints, Ginger oil mixed with another neutral oil can be massaged into the inflamed areas as needed to reduce inflammation.

Tags: analgesic properties, severe joint pain, motion sickness, ginger extract, herbal medications

Pau d’arco is obtained from the bark of the Tabebuia impetigonosa tree indigenous to South America.  Other names for pau d’arco are lapacho, taheebo or ipe roxo.  This herbal medicine was well loved amongst the Incas, Aztecs and native tribes of the South American rain forests to promote general health and well-being.  It was also used to cure diseases and as a pain killer for toothaches and headaches.

The beneficial ingredients in pau d’arco include potent plant chemicals called naphthoquinones.  Of these chemicals, lapachol has been studied the most and even has several patents associated with it. In the 1960′s, pau d’arco became well loved and many books and articles were written on its ability to fight disease and relieve pain.  By the 1980′s this herbal medicine was readily available in health stores and pharmacies.

Lapachol and other compounds contained in pau d’arco combat bacteria, viruses and fungi.  It has also shown to be an immune-enhancing herb and can also reduce inflammation.  Herbalists often recommend this herbal medicine as a tea douche to help restore the balance in the vagina, thereby fighting vaginal yeast infections.

A tincture of pau d’arco applied directly to warts will help to eradicate them.  People suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome, HIV or AIDS and acute bronchitis will benefit greatly from taking pau d’arco in either capsule, tablet, tincture or tea form.

The most vital benefit though is the potential cancer-fighting properties of this herbal remedy.  When this herb starting getting a reputation as a cancer fighting medicine, the US National Cancer Institute (NCI) started an investigation and identified lapachol as the main ingredient capable of shrinking tumours.

Due to the high rate of success in animal studies in the 1970′s, the NCI started human trials using high doses of lapachol.  Although there was evidence that pau d’arco ruined cancer cells, participants started having serious side effects such as nausea and vomiting and blood-clotting problems.  This was thought to be because lapachol interferes with the action of vitamin K which is needed for blood to clot properly.  As a result, research was abandoned.

Researchers opposing this study believe that lapachol should not have been used in its pure form, but that therapeutic doses of pau d’arco would be more beneficial and would produce similar benefits without the undesired side effects.  Other studies suggest that taking pau d’arco with vitamin K supplements will make it possible for people to use the pure lapachol to further study its cancer fighting properties, without interfering with blood clotting.

Despite all the controversy surrounding the research of lapachol, herbalists and health practitioners recommend pau d’arco as a complementary herbal medicine to conventional cancer treatments.  Pau d’arco tea has had beneficial effects for cancer victims alleviating the symptoms of chemotherapy.

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

Using whole-bark products are generally safe and do not produce any of the side effects associated with high doses of pure lapachol.  Should you experience any stomach upsets or nausea when using pau d’arco herbal supplements, take it with food.

People using blood-thinning medication such as Warfarin should take care when using pau d’arco supplements.

Pregnant women should not use pau d’arco.

If you are using pau d’arco tablets or capsules, the daily recommended dosage is 250 mg twice a day.  This dose is suggested for people suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome or HIV and AIDS.  Use pau d’arco herbal supplements in conjunction with other immune-enhancing herbs such as echinacea or goldenseal.

To make pau d’arco tea, steep two or three teaspoons dried herb in two cups of boiled water and drink over the course of a day.

To treat vaginal yeast infections, let pau d’arco tea cool down to lukewarm before using it as a douche.  Repeat the treatment twice a day for a period of 5 days or until the symptoms are gone.

To treat warts, apply a compress soaked with pau d’arco tinture to the affected areas before bedtime and leave it on all night.  Repeat the treatment until the warts disappear.

Herbalists recommend purchasing whole-bark products because they believe that the benefits of pau d’arco come from the entire range of chemical compounds found in the bark.

To be truly effective, pau d’arco herbal supplements must contain lapachol which is found only in the bark of the Tabebuia impetigonosa tree and not the other Tabebuia species. The most effective pau d’arco products are the ones that contain 2 to 7 percent standardized extract of lapachol.

Be sure to consult an herbalist or a reputable health store when buying pau d’arco supplements to ensure that you are getting excellent value.

Tags: health stores, Medicinal plants, pain killer, chemical compounds, pau d arco

For centuries, peppermint has been used to provide relief for indigestion, headaches and colds.  Today, this powerful medicinal herb is used to soothe digestive complaints and ease indigestion and nausea.

Peppermint is cultivated world wide for use as a natural flavouring agent and also as an herbal medicine.  This hybrid of spearmint has oval, pointed leaves that are either dark green or purple and lilac-coloured flowers.  The leaves and stems are harvested for medicinal purposes just before the flowers bloom.  What gives this herb its healing qualities is its volatile oil, which are made up of several compounds namely menthol, menthone and menthyl acetate.  Peppermint oil is made into an herbal medicine by steam-distilling the parts of the plant that grow above the ground.

Some of the common uses of peppermint include relieving heartburn, nausea and indigestion, easing the symptoms of diverticular disorder and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), dissolving gallstones, soothing muscle aches, sweetening the breath and easing coughs.  Peppermint oil appears in more commercial products than any other herb.  It is included in antacids, mouthwashes and toothpastes.

The oil obtained from this herbal remedy relaxes the muscles of the digestive tract which helps to relieve intestinal cramping and also flatulence.  Peppermint has antispasmodic properties that are beneficial to people suffering from IBS, which is a disorder characterized by abdominal cramps, diarrhea alternating with constipation and indigestion.  In a study conducted at the Taichung Veterans General Hospital in Taiwan, patients who used peppermint oil capsules reported significant relief from the symptoms of IBS. Abdominal pain disappeared completely or was greatly reduced and patients reported less bloating and flatulence.  

The menthol contained in peppermint herbal medicines stimulates the flow of digestive juices and bile, thereby aiding digestion.  This has made peppermint a well loved ingredient in over-the-counter antacids.  Several studies have also indicated that menthol aids in dissolving gallstones.  It is vital though to find out how serious your condition is before using peppermint as an herbal alternative to gallstone surgery.

Drinking peppermint tea will relieve nausea and motion sickness.  Peppermint tea is a safe, natural herbal remedy for pregnant women suffering from morning sickness. Flatulence and bloating is also eased when drinking this herbal tea.

Rubbing peppermint oil on the skin relieves pain by stimulating the nerves that perceive cold and dulling the nerves that sense pain.  This makes it a valuable herbal medicine for aching muscles.  

Commission E, which is a German health board that is an authority on the research of herbs, found that peppermint was an effective decongestant that also reduced inflammation of the nasal passages.  Inhaling peppermint oil when you have a cold will ease your breathing and drinking peppermint tea is effective to relieve bronchial spasms.

Research conducted at the University of Kiel in Germany showed that when applying a mixture of peppermint oil and eucalyptus oil to the forehead and temples, the pain of headaches and migraines were significantly reduced.

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

Used in the recommended doses, peppermint generally has no side effects, even if used for prolonged periods.  One of the rare side effects is a skin rash when applying peppermint oil directly to the skin, simply discontinue use if this occurs.
Take enteric-coated capsules between meals.  Enteric-coated capsules are capsules that are coated with a material that permits transit through the stomach to the small intestine without the medicine contained being absorbed by the stomach.

Drink peppermint tea after or between meals.  To take a peppermint tincture, place 10 to 20 drops in a glass of water.

To treat IBS, nausea and gallstones, try enteric-coated capsules containing at least 0,2 ml peppermint oil per capsule.  These capsules will release the oil where it is needed most – in the small and large intestine instead of in the stomach.  Take 1 or 2 capsules three times a day between meals.

To freshen your breath, place a few drops of peppermint oil on your tongue.

To soothe indigestion and relieve flatulence, make peppermint tea by using one or two teaspoons of dried peppermint leaves in a cup of boiled water.  Allow to steep for 5-10 minutes.  Take care to cover the cup to make sure that volatile oils that make peppermint a beneficial herbal medicine do not evaporate.  

To ease congestion and coughs, drink up to four cups of peppermint tea brewed as above.

To relieve muscles aches and pain, add a few drops of peppermint oil to 15 ml of a neutral oil and apply to the affected areas up to four times daily.  You can also add a few drops of oil to aqueous cream.

Tags: Medicinal plants, bronchial spasms, abdominal cramps, eucalyptus oil, neutral oil

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: St. Johns, Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, st john s wort, mental disorders, bacterial infections

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: menstrual cramps, Acne vulgaris, nerve hurt, diabetic neuropathy, inflammatory prostaglandins