healthy by nature

Lavender essential oil, tea; For healing headache and migraine

2008-06-23T21:12:00.000-07:00

For healing:

· allergies

· anxiety & tension

· burns

· bites & stings

· cold sores

· cuts and grazes

· earache

· headaches

· hiccup

· itchiness

· joint pains

· muscle aches

· period pains

· poor sleep

· shingles

· sunburn

· teething

Lavender is a gentle pain reliever and should be part of every first aid kit. Lavender oil (unlike most essential oils) can be applied neat – rub a few drops into the temples for headache and migraine, or put it directly onto insect bites and stings. It will also act as a mild insect repellent. For larger areas dilute the oil – 5 drops to 1 teaspoon of Almond or Sunflower oil – and rub firmly into painful areas, e.g. over the womb for period pains.

Lavender oil helps to heal burns – gently spread neat oil onto sunburnt and sunburnt skin. 5 drops in a bath will help relieve tension and encourage a good night’s sleep.

Lavender tea has much the same properties as the oil but is much less concentrated and so can be taken internally – for anxiety, tension and low spirits, and for difficulty in sleeping. Take 1 cup up to 2 times a day.

Garlic fresh, capsules, tablets; A natural antibiotic for infection those affecting the nose, throat and chest

2008-06-23T21:07:00.000-07:00

For healing:

· acne

· athlete’s foot

· asthma

· bites & stings

· bronchitis

· catarrh & sinus problems

· colds & flu’s

· cold sores

· coughs

· digestive infections

· earache

· gum problems

· mouth ulcers

· shingles

· sore throat

· thrush

· warts

· wind

Garlic is one of nature’s wonders. A natural antibiotic it can be taken in all types of infection, particularly those affecting the nose, throat and chest. Best to take a raw clove of Garlic chopped or crushed in with food 2-3 times a day for infections (or follow the recipe below). Tablets and capsules are fine too. Mouth ulcers, infected gums and sore throats will all respond to a clove of Garlic sucked and held in the cheek – for the brave or the Garlic lover only!

Garlic is strongly anti-fungal and can help with thrush and athlete’s foot. Like Echinacea it can be taken with antibiotics to reduce their side-effects. For ear infections put 2-4 drops of Garlic oil - from a garlic capsule - on a cotton wool plug and put it carefully in to the ear oily end first.

An excellent mixture for colds and flu’s:

1. Add 1 chopped clove of Garlic

2. half a tsp fresh or dried Ginger

3. fresh Lemon juice and 1 tsp of Honey – mix together

4. Cover with hot water and drink it all down.

5. Take up to 3 times a day.

For long term use as a food supplement take 1 clove a day.

Echinacea tincture, tablets, decoction

2008-06-04T00:33:00.000-07:00

For healing:

· acne & boils

· asthma

· bites & stings

· bronchitis

· catarrh & sinuses

· children’s infections

· colds & flu’s

· cold sores

· cuts and grazes

· cystitis

· digestive infections

· earache

· mouth ulcers

· shingles

· sore throats

· thrush

· warts

Good for all infections Echinacea is a highly useful plant, essential in any herbal first aid box. Take it to raise the body’s resistance to infection or to speed recovery. Use with other herbs according to the nature of the problem e.g. Sage and Thyme for sore throat, Elderflower for colds and flu. For cold sores, shingles and skin infections take Echinacea internally and try applying the tincture neat externally as a strong natural antiseptic. Echinacea can sagely be taken with antibiotics and helps to reduce their side- effects, especially thrush. Maximum dosage of the tincture is 5ml 2 times a day. Do not overuse Echinacea – take it only when you really need it.

Comfrey ointment, cream, poultice, the herbal remedy for broken bones, sprains and fractures

2008-06-04T00:30:00.000-07:00

For healing:

· acne & boils

· back pain

· bruises

· cuts grazes & wounds

· fractures & sprains

· itchiness

· joint pain

· scars

The herbal remedy for broken bones, sprains and fractures – it is essential in the herbal first aid box. Rub the ointment in to the damaged area (where the skin is broken use Marigold) as quickly as you can, the sooner applied the more swelling and pain will be avoided. Comfrey also helps to heal scars – old and new. For acne and boils add 5 drops of Ti-tree oil to each 10 g of ointment – mix it well in and put on the affected skin.

Arnica ointment or cream helpful in general muscle aches

2008-06-01T21:05:00.000-07:00

For healing:

· back pain

· bruises

· joint pain

· muscle aches

· sprains

Caution: not to be used on open wounds or broken skin

Arnica ointment, if applied straight after a blow or sprain, quickly reduces both pain and swelling, making it particularly useful for bruises. It is helpful in general muscle aches, drawing the circulation to the area and warming it. Some skins may be sensitive to it, so apply carefully the first time you use it.

by: Andrew Chevallier

Aloe Vera gel healing of burns, wounds and skin problems

2008-05-31T01:42:00.000-07:00

For healing:

· acne

· bites and stings

· burns

· chilblains

· cuts

· itchiness

· sunburn

· wounds

Known as the ‘First Aid Plant’ in the USA Aloe vera is drying and protective for the skin, powerfully increasing the rate of healing of burns, wounds and skin problems. It is even used for radiation burns! Buy the gel, soak in cotton wool and dab directly on to the sore, spot or wound. Better to keep a plant and break off a leaf to release the gel when needed! (Use only the juice, not the yellow sap). Bandages soaked in the gel come off more easily when removed. A very useful remedy for many first aid situations.

by: Andrew Chevallier

Herbal First Aid Kit

2008-05-26T00:57:00.000-07:00

The 10 herbs listed below are those most helpful in first aid problems and minor infections. These 10 – when used together with the bandages, sticking plasters, thermometer etc. of a normal first aid kit – make a very effective herbal first aid box.

1. Aloe vera gel

2. Arnica ointment

3. Comfrey ointment

4. Echinacea tablets (or tincture)

5. Garlic capsules (or fresh)

6. Lavender oil

7. Marigold ointment and tincture

8. Slippery Elm tablets (or powder)

9. Thyme oil (and herb)

10. Tea-tree oil

If you buy all these in small quantities you will have a compact and portable herbal first aid kit – quite small enough to take away on holiday and able to help with everything from sunburn to insect bites and stomach upsets.

To see the details about 10 herbs above, please click in category item.

by: Andrew Chevallier

Research on herbal remedies

2008-05-24T02:37:00.000-07:00

Numerous studies on herbal remedies have been done in Europe and Asia. European studies have shown benefits from such herbs as ginkgo, bilberry extract, and milk thistle in treating various chronic disorders. Chinese researchers have extensively studied many herbs, such as ginseng, fresh ginger rhizome, foxglove, licorice root, and wild chrysanthemum. Indian researchers using modem scientific methods have recently studied various Ayurvedic, herbs, including Indian gooseberry and turmeric.

Taking herbal remedies safely

Many people take for granted the safety of the drugs and foods they buy. But unlike drugs, herbal remedies aren't reviewed by any government agency for quality, dosage, safety, or efficacy. If you're thinking about taking an herb, know that the vast majority of botanical products sold in the United States haven't been scientifically tested. Their alleged benefits are based largely on word-of-mouth.

by:
Charles W. Fetrow, Pharm.D. , Juan R. Avila, Pharm.D.

Therapeutic uses of herbs

2008-05-24T02:32:00.000-07:00

A plant's leaves, flowers, stems, berries, seeds, fruit, bark, roots, or any other part may be used for medicinal purposes. Most herbal remedies are used to treat minor health problems, such as nausea, colds, cough, flu, headache, aches and pains, stomach and intestinal disorders (such as constipation and diarrhea), menstrual cramps, insomnia, skin disorders, and dandruff.

Some herbalists have reported success in treating certain chronic conditions, including peptic ulcers, inflammation of the colon, rheumatoid arthritis, high blood pressure, and respiratory problems. Some use herbal remedies for illnesses usually treated only with prescription drugs, such as heart failure.

However, if you have a serious disorder and are considering an herbal remedy, don't discontinue ongoing medical treatment. Also be sure to tell your health care practitioner about any prescribed drugs you're taking, because these may interact with herbal remedies. (See Research on herbal remedies.)

by:
Charles W. Fetrow, Pharm.D. , Juan R. Avila, Pharm.D.

Regulating herbal medicine

2008-05-24T00:24:00.000-07:00

In the 19th century, many fake remedies were sold to gullible, desperate Americans. The federal government finally took action against disreputable purveyors of phony remedies by passing the Food and Drug Act of 1906. This law addressed problems of mislabeling and adulteration of plant remedies — but not safety and effectiveness.

Today, herbal remedies remain largely unregulated. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates herbal products only as dietary supplements, not drugs. This means that the FDA can recall herbal products that are shown to be harmful, but manufacturers aren't required to provide information about their products' contents or side effects or to prove their safety or efficacy. They need only provide "reasonable assurance" that the product contains no harmful ingredients.

What's more, although manufacturers can't claim a particular product cures or prevents a specific disease, they can make any other claim about the supposed benefits without providing supporting evidence. They need only add the following disclaimer: "This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease."

In essence, herbal remedies in the United States are sold on a buyer-beware basis. This highlights the importance of learning everything you can about any herbal products you plan to use.

European standards

In Europe, where millions of people use herbal and homeopathic remedies, governments and the scientific community are much more open to natural remedies, especially those with a long history of use. In Great Britain and France, traditional medicines that have been used for years with no serious side effects are approved for use under the "doctrine of reasonable certainty" when scientific evidence is lacking.

The European Economic Community has established guidelines that standardize the quality, dosage, and production of herbal remedies. These guidelines are based on the World Health Organization's Guidelines for the Assessment of Herbal Medicines, a 1991 publication that addressed concerns about the safety and effectiveness of herbal medicines.

by:
Charles W. Fetrow, Pharm.D. , Juan R. Avila, Pharm.D.

History of herbal medicine

2008-05-23T23:56:00.000-07:00

Herbal medicine, also called phytotherapy or phytomedicine, has been practiced since the beginning of recorded history. Specific remedies have been handed down from generation to generation.

In ancient times, medicinal plants were chosen for their color or the shape of their leaves. For example, heart-shaped leaves were used for heart problems, while plants with red flowers were used to treat bleeding disorders. This primitive approach is called the Doctrine of Signatures. Practitioners determined the best use for each plant by trial and error.

The formal study of herbs, called herbology, dates back to the ancient cultures of the Middle East, Greece, China, and India. These cultures revered the power of nature and developed herbal remedies based on the plants found in their home environments. Written evidence of the medicinal use of herbs has been found on Mesopotamian clay tablets and ancient Egyptian papyrus.

The first known compilation of herbal remedies was ordered by the king of Sumeria around 2000 B.C. and included 250 medicinal substances, including garlic. Ancient Greece and Rome produced their own compilations, including De Materia Medica, written in the I 1st century A.D. Of the 950 medicinal products described in this work, 600 come from plants and the rest from animal or mineral sources.

The Arabs added their own discoveries to the Greco-Roman texts, resulting in a compilation of more than 2,000 substances. Eventually, this work was reintroduced to Europe by Christian doctors traveling with the Crusaders. Herbal therapy is also a major component of India's Ayurvedic medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, Native American medicine, homeopathy, and naturopathy.

In the United States, herbal remedies handed down from European settlers and learned from Native Americans were a mainstay of medical care until the early 1900s. The rise of technology and the biomedical approach to health care eventually led to the decline of herbal medicine.

The herbal revival that we're seeing today has several causes:

general disillusionment with modern medicine
the high cost and side effects of prescription drugs
widespread availability of herbal medicines
the belief that natural remedies are superior to man made drugs.

by:
Charles W. Fetrow, Pharm.D. , Juan R. Avila, Pharm.D.

Misleading claims

2008-05-21T21:51:00.000-07:00

Written by:
Charles W. Fetrow, Pharm.D. , Juan R. Avila, Pharm.D.

The herbs below have been misrepresented as cures for serious illnesses.

Mistletoe has been falsely touted as a cure for cancer.
Pau d'Arco tea has been falsely touted as a cure for cancer and AIDS.

Some herbs and plants have value not just for their active ingredients but for other substances they contain, such as:

minerals
vitamins
volatile oils (used in aromatherapy)
glycosides (sugar derivatives)
allkaloids (bitter organic bases containing nitrogen)
bioflavonoids (colorless substances that help maintain collagen and blood vessels).

In the United States, many traditional health care providers lack knowledge about herbal remedies, and their patients may be reluctant to reveal their use of such remedies. But renewed interest in all forms of alternative medicine has led consumers, health care providers, and drug researchers to reexamine herbal remedies. Medicinal herbs have been touted in magazines, books, and television shows, sometimes with advocates making amazing claims for their benefits.

Unfortunately, herbs don't have magical or mystical properties. Like all drugs, they must be taken in the right doses for the right length of time-and for the right purpose — to produce a benefit. While some herbs are safe and effective, others can cause lasting harm and even death. (See Potentially dangerous herbs.)

Still other herbs are neither harmful nor effective.

Potentially dangerous herbs

2008-05-21T21:47:00.001-07:00

Written by:
Charles W. Fetrow, Pharm.D. , Juan R. Avila, Pharm.D.

Herbs can harm as well as heal. The herbs below may pose special risks.

Bloodroot, promoted as an expectorant purgative, stimulant and plaque and cavity preventer, is used in such a range of doses that it can be dangerous. It has caused death when used to induce vomiting.
Chan su, a topical aphrodisiac also known as stone, love stone, and rockhard, has been fatal when mistakenly ingested.
Chaparral tea, claimed to be an antioxidant and pain reliever, has caused liver failure, necessitating liver transplantation.
Coltsfoot, used for respiratory problem has caused liver problems.
Comfrey, used to promote wound healing (and formerly to relieve ulcers of the bowel, stomach, liver, and gallbladder), has caused liver problems and cancer.
Indian herbal tonics can lead to lead poisoning.
Jin bu huan, an ancient Chinese sedative and analgesic, contains morphine-like substances and has caused hepatitis.
Kambucha tea, made from mushroom cultures and used as a cure-all, has caused death from a blood acid disorder.
Lobelia, used to treat respiratory congestion, has led to respiratory paralysis and death.
Ma huang, or ephedra, an ingredient in many diet pills, can cause psychotic behavior, seizures, irregular heartbeats, heart attack, stroke, and death. It's also sold under such names as Herbal Ecstasy, Cloud 9, and Ultimate Xphoria to induce a 'high' associated with illegal drugs.
Pennyroyal, used to induce menstruation and treat colds, fevers, and the flu, has caused liver failure, kidney failure, coma, and death.
Sassafras, used as a diuretic and a treatment for skin disorders and rheumatism, has caused liver damage. It has also been linked to narcotic poisoning and miscarriage. The Food and Drug Administration has banned sassafras volatile oil and the component safrole as food additives and flavor enhancers.
Yohimbe bark, used as an aphrodisiac and hallucinogen, has caused psychotic behavior.

Common drugs made from plants

2008-05-20T23:52:00.000-07:00

Written by:
Charles W. Fetrow, Pharm.D. , Juan R. Avila, Pharm.D.

Many drugs in common use today have botanical origins. Here's a selected list.

Aspirin (salicylic acid) — from white willow bark and meadow sweet plant
Atropine, used to treat irregular heartbeat — from belladonna leaves
Colchicine, used for gout — from autumn crocus
Digoxin (Lanoxin), the most widely prescribed heart medication — from foxglove, a poisonous plant
Ephedrine, used to widen or relax the airways — from the ephedra plant
Morphine and codeine, potent narcotics — from the opium poppy Paclitaxel Taxol), used to treat metastatic ovarian cancer — from the yew tree
Quinine, a drug for malaria — from cinchona bark
Vinblastine (Velban) and vincristine (Oncovin), anticancer drugs — from periwinkle

Herbal Medicines Today

2008-05-20T23:44:00.000-07:00

Written by:
Charles W. Fetrow, Pharm.D. , Juan R. Avila, Pharm.D.

Most people are familiar with herbs as foods — for example, basil and oregano in sauces, parsley as a garnish. However, for thousands of years many cultures around the world have used herbs and plants not just to eat but to treat illness. Archaeological evidence shows that even prehistoric man used plants to heal. Today, the World Health Orgamization estimates that 80ő of the world's population uses some form of herbal medicine.

Many of the drugs now prescribed come from plants that ancient cultures used medicinally. (The word drug comes from the Old Dutch word drogge, meaning "to dry," because pharmacists, doctors, and ancient healers often dried plants to use as medicines.) About one-fourth of all conventional pharmaceuticals — including roughly 120 of the most commonly prescribed modem drugs — contain at least one active ingredient derived from plants. The rest are chemically synthesized.