Herbs

Cat’s claw has been reportedly used by indigenous peoples in the Andes to treat inflammation, rheumatism, gastric ulcers, tumors, dysentery, and as birth control. Cat’s claw is popular in South American folk medicine for intestinal complaints, gastric ulcers, arthritis, and to promote wound healing.

Cayenne was frequently used to treat diseases of the circulatory system. It is still traditionally used in herbal medicine as a circulatory tonic (a substance believed to improve circulation). Rubbed on the skin, cayenne is a traditional, as well as modern, remedy for rheumatic pains and arthritis due to what is termed a counterirritant effect. A counterirritant is something that causes irritation to a tissue to which it is applied, thus distracting from the original irritation (such as joint pain in the case of arthritis).

Chamomile, a member of the daisy family, is native to Europe and western Asia. German chamomile is the most commonly used. The dried and fresh flowers are used medicinally. Chamomile has been used for centuries as a medicinal plant, mostly for gastrointestinal complaints. This practice continues today.

Cranberry has been used to prevent kidney stones and “bladder gravel” as well as to remove toxins from the blood. Cranberry has long been recommended for persons with recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Dong Quai Also known as dang-gui in traditional Chinese medicine, dong quai is often referred to as the “female ginseng.” In traditional Chinese medicine, dong quai is often included in prescriptions for abnormal menstruation, suppressed menstrual flow, painful or difficult menstruation, and uterine bleeding.

Echinacea was used by Native Americans for a variety of conditions, including venomous bites and other external wounds. It was introduced into U.S. medical practice in 1887 and was touted for use in conditions ranging from colds to syphilis. Modern research started in the 1930s in Germany.

Elderberries have long been used as food, particularly in the dried form. Elderberry wine, pie, and lemonade are some of the popular ways to prepare this plant as food. The leaves were touted to be pain relieving and to promote healing of injuries when applied as a poultice. Native Americans used the plant for infections, coughs, and skin conditions.

Garlic is closely related to onion and chives. The largest commercial garlic production is in central California. The bulb is used. Garlic is mentioned in the Bible and the Talmud. Hippocrates, Galen, Pliny the Elder, and Dioscorides all mention the use of garlic for many conditions, including parasites, respiratory problems, poor digestion, and low energy. Its use in China was first mentioned in A.D. 510. Louis Pasteur confirmed the antibacterial action of garlic in 1858.

Ginger is a perennial plant that grows in India, China, Mexico, and several other countries. The rhizome (underground stem) is used.

Ginkgo can be traced back almost 5,000 years in Chinese herbal medicine. The nuts of the tree were most commonly recommended and used to treat respiratory tract ailments. A tea of the leaves was occasionally used for elderly persons experiencing memory loss.

Ginseng has been a part of Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years. The first reference to the health-enhancing use of Asian ginseng dates to the first century A.D., in which the writer mentions ginseng’s use as follows: “It is used for repairing the five viscera, quieting the spirit, curbing the emotion, stopping agitation, removing noxious influence, brightening the eyes, enlightening the mind and increasing wisdom. Continuous use leads one to longevity with light weight.”

Goldenseal was used by the Native Americans as a treatment for irritations and inflammation of the mucous membranes of the respiratory, digestive, and urinary tracts. It was commonly used topically for skin and eye infections. Because of its antimicrobial activity, goldenseal has a long history of use for infectious diarrhea, upper respiratory tract infections, and vaginal infections. Goldenseal is often recommended in combination with echinacea for the treatment of colds and flu. Goldenseal was considered a critical remedy for stomach and intestinal problems of all kinds by turn-of-the-century physicians called the Eclectics.

Gotu kola has been important in the medicinal systems of central Asia for centuries. It was purported in Sri Lanka to prolong life, as the leaves are commonly eaten by elephants. Numerous skin diseases, ranging from poorly healing wounds to leprosy, have been treated with gotu kola. Gotu kola also has a historical reputation for boosting mental activity and for helping a variety of systemic illnesses, such as high blood pressure, rheumatism, fever, and nervous disorders. Some of its common uses in Ayurvedic medicine include heart disease, water retention, hoarseness, bronchitis, and coughs in children and as a poultice for many skin conditions.

Kava is a member of the pepper family and is native to many Pacific Ocean islands. The rhizome (underground stem) is used. Kava was valued both for its mellowing effects and to encourage socializing. It was also noted for initiating a state of contentment, a greater sense of well-being, and enhanced mental acuity, memory, and sensory perception. Kava has also been used traditionally to treat pain.

Milk thistle is commonly found growing wild in a variety of settings, including roadsides. The seeds of the dried flower are used. Medical use of milk thistle can be traced back more than 2,000 years. Culpeper, the well-known eighteenth-century herbalist, cited its use for opening “obstructions” of the liver and spleen and recommended it for the treatment of jaundice.

Saint John's Wort In ancient Greece, the herb was used to treat many ailments, including sciatica and poisonous reptile bites. In Europe, St. John’s wort was, and continues to be, very popular for the topical treatment of wounds and burns. It is also a folk remedy for kidney and lung ailments as well as depression.

Saw palmetto  (sometimes referred to as sabal in Europe) is a native of North America. The berries of the plant are used. In the early part of this century, saw palmetto berry tea was commonly recommended for benign enlargement of the prostate. It was also used to treat chronic urinary tract infections. Some believed that the berry increased sperm production and sex drive in men.

Tea Tree Australian Aboriginals used the leaves to treat cuts and skin infections. They would crush the leaves and apply them to the affected area. Captain James Cook and his crew named the tree “tea tree,” using its leaves as a substitute for tea as well as to flavor beer. Australian soldiers participating in World War I were given tea tree oil as a disinfectant, leading to a high demand for its production.

Valerian The Greek physician Dioscorides recommended valerian for a host of medical problems, including digestive problems, nausea, liver problems, and even urinary tract disorders. Use of valerian for insomnia and nervous conditions has been common for many centuries. By the eighteenth century, it was an accepted sedative and was also used for nervous disorders associated with a restless digestive tract.