A Guide to Common Herbs

A Guide to Common Herbs by Jacky

Herbs are nutritional foundation nutrients and good alternative medicine to nourish the body's deepest and most basic elements. Medicinal herbs have been used safely and effectively since the time of recorded history for an endless list of reasons from health, healing, weight loss/gain/maintenance, to survival and more. Herbs can offer the body nutrients it does not always receive, either from a poor diet, or environmental deficiencies in the soil and air. They are great body balancers that help regulate body functions.



The benefits of herbs are many and varied. Even the once skeptical traditional medical community is starting to embrace alternative medicine practices using herbal remedies and healing philosophies and practices incorporating herbal medicine and medicinal herbs. Chinese herbs have been used by the Chinese for over 4,000 years to promote health and as healing agents.



Chinese Herbs are taken as tonics to enhance physical and mental well being. Since the dawn of man, herbs have been used for healing purposes and to promote wellness. Today, herbs are still the alternative medicine and primary source of health care for 80% of the world.



Here are some of the more well-known herbs and plant products and their modern uses.



Herbs Modern Uses

Bilberry Fruit Extract, Vaccinium myrtillus Various microcirculatory conditions. Night blindness and poor ability to adapt to bright light.

Cascara Sagrada Aged Bark, Rhamnus purshiana Constipation.

Cayenne Pepper Fruit, Capsicum annuum Carminative, diaphoretic, counter-irritant.



Cranberry Fruit, Vaccinium macrocarpon Prevention of urinary tract infections.



Dong Quai Root, Angelica sinensis Various menstrual disorders.

Echinacea Herb, Echinacea purpurea As supportive therapy for colds and chronic infections of the respiratory tract.

Evening Primrose Oil, Oenothera biennis Conditions related to deficiency of essential fatty acids (e.g., chronic fatigue syndrome) and alcoholism.

Feverfew Leaf, Tanacetum parthenium Treatment of migraines, fever, menstrual disorders..



Garlic Cloves, Allium sativum Elevated levels of cholesterol in blood and as a preventative measure for age dependent vascular changes.

Ginger Root, Zingiber officinale Modern Use: Prevention of the nausea and vomiting of motion sickness, dyspepsia, stomachic.



Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Ginkgo biloba Memory deficits, dementia syndromes. Improvement of distance and pain-free walking in peripheral arterial occlusive disease. Vertigo and tinnitus.



Asian Ginseng Root, Panax ginseng Tonic for invigoration and fortification in times of fatigue and debility, physical or mental exhaustion, stress, inadequate resistance to infections.



Siberian Ginseng Root, Eleutherococcus senticosus Tonic for invigoration and fortification in times of fatigue and debility, also during convalescence.



Goldenseal Root, Hydrastis canadensis Catarrhal conditions of the upper respiratory tract associated with colds and flus. Mucosal inflammations.

Gotu Kola Herb, Centella asiatica Improved memory. Venous insufficiency.

Grape Seed Extract, Vitis vinifera Microcirculatory maldistribution of blood flow. Altered capillary fragility and permeability. Anti-inflammatory.



Green Tea Leaf Extract, Camellia sinensis Chemopreventative. Hypercholesterolemia.

Kava Kava Root Extract, Piper methysticum Conditions of nervous anxiety, stress, and restlessness. Sedative and sleep enhancement.

Licorice Root, Glycyrrhiza glabra For catarrhal conditions of the upper respiratory tract and gastric/duodenal ulcers. Bronchitis. Adrenocorticoid insufficiency.



Milk Thistle Seed Extract, Silybum marianum Toxic liver damage, and for supportive treatment in chronic inflammatory liver disease and hepatic cirrhosis.



Saw Palmetto Berry Extract, Serenoa repens Urination problems in benign prostate hyperplasia stages 1 and 2.



St. John's Wort Herb Extract, Hypericum perforatum Mild to moderate depressive states.



Valerian Root, Valeriana officinalis Restlessness, sleeping disorders based on nervous conditions.



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Using Herbs for Hot Flashes

Using Herbs for Hot Flashes by Danna Schneider

We've all heard the term "hot flashes", unless we've lived under a rock, or are too young to pay attentino to such health woes. Hot flashes are typically associated with the period in life where a woman goes through what is called perimenopause, and then menopause.



This is the time of life for a woman where her menstrual cycle slows down, and eventually stops. There is also a profound hormonal shift in the body which lowers the levels of the signature female hormone estrogen in the body.



This dip in estrogen and subsequent increase of other hormones in the body causes several shifts that result in body changes which unfortunately involved discomfort and many times emotionally trying times. A big part of this landmark shift is something that has been medically and popularly coined as "hot flashes". Hot flashes are pretty much exactly what they sound like.



They are periods of time, varying in their length, where the body suddenly feels extremely overheated. Have you ever been in a highly stressful situation, or been put on the spot? There is a high likelihood that you felt something like a hot flash, with instantaneous sweating, a possible feeling of nausea and the sense that your body was suddenly "on fire".



The only problem is, menopausal and perimenopausal hot flashes tend to not only last longer and occur more frequently than the dubious uncomfortable situation we've all been in, and they also have some additional side effects that are even scarier if you're not sure what's happening to you. This is exactly the reason why so much attention has been focused on this symptom of menopause.



Women find this uncontrollable and unpredictable aspect of the life changing period to be alarming, and of course they seek ways to reduce them or even eliminate them.



There are some supplements on the market currently that are stocked on the shelves of popular drug stores and grocery stores, but what do they have in them that helps hot flashes, and can also aid in offsetting the other symptoms of menopause and the accompanying hormonal imbalance?



Many times the primary ingredient you will see in natural menopausal relief supplements are herbs and botanicals which contain a compound called soy, or soy isoflavones. These natural plant chemicals can gently mimic the effect of estrogen in a woman's body, and can help to replenish the effects of this hormone in the female body.



This is the reason they are used in herbal medicine to help diminish or help eliminate hot flashes, as well as alleviate other unpleasant symptoms of menopause and perimenopause.



Along with soy, there are a variety of other estrogen-mimicking compounds that are found in nature's herbs that are commonly used in modern day hormonal control supplements as well as dating back thousands of years for women who suffered from various side effects of estrogen deficiency.



Evening primrose oil is a very popular herb used to quell hot flashes. Evening primrose oil has long been used, sometimes in conjunction with other herbs, to remedy hot flashes by helping to restore balance in the body.



Evening primrose oil can, in some women who may be sensitive, produce unpleasant side effects , so just carefully read labels when you purchase anything.



Another herb that comes highly recommended for female hormone balance and hot flash symptoms is black cohosh. Black cohosh is another herb that has mild estrogen mimicking qualities, but again, this herb should be treated with caution as well, as it has been known to cause gastrointestinal issues for some sensitive individuals.



Other herbs that have these same mild estrogen qualities, and can also be taken are wild yam, fennel seed, and flax seed, the latter of which I personally like to use in cooking which is probably even better than buying it as a supplement.



It usually is recommended when you first start taking an herb, to start with small doses, to minimize any potential side effects and test the waters for any personal sensitivities to a particular herb before delving in head first.



With a little caution, and armed with some knowledge of herbs that you can seek which can help with hot flashes, many women have found that these herbs, or even combinations of these herbs has resulted in a very successful treatment for their hot flas



Danna Schneider is the founder of Menopause Symptom Relief and Herbal Remedies for Menopause where news and suggestions on new natural ways to combat menopause symptoms and hot flashes can be found. .



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Herbs Versus Statin Drugs

Herbs Versus Statin Drugs by Charles Harmon

One of the reasons natural alternatives are not considered for serious health conditions is because there is a general belief in the medical community that serious health conditions require intense treatment, something that natural alternatives lack. In some respects this is true. However, the level of intensity of prescribed medication is the main reason they typically produce unpleasant side effects. The body has to adjust to the sudden extreme modification of its chemical construction. In some cases the side effects are temporary; just long enough for the body to adjust. In other cases, the symptoms are ongoing and disrupt the performance of normal daily activities. The former is the reality of Statin drugs, the current king of cholesterol-lowering drugs.



The popularity of Statin drugs (Lipitor, Crestor, Zocor, Pravachol, Lescol, and Mevacor) is associated with the significant cholesterol-lowering effect. The low-density lipids (LDL) decrease and the high-density lipids (HDL) increase. These drugs have shown to lower cholesterol by as much as 50% in some people. Statin drugs have also showed some benefit in individuals with high blood pressure. Oftentimes persons with heart disease will be prescribed a Statin drug to help prevent clogging of the arteries.



There are basically two negative aspects of taking Statin drugs: ongoing side effects and cost. With most medications there are side effects. In addition to headaches, nausea, dizziness, and sleep disturbances, taking Statin drugs has also been associated with a depletion of the heart health cell component coenzyme Q10 and memory loss. If you are placed on Statin drugs, your doctor will monitor your liver to ensure that it is functioning properly. Muscle weakness, depression, and heart failure are also a concern for individuals taking Statin drugs. The economics of taking Statin drugs is another issue that causes concern for the 30 million individuals who are prescribed the medication. If an individual is prescribed a Statin drug they can expect to pay at least $100 a month. If you are fortunate enough to have health insurance it can still cost from $2 to upward of $30 or more a month.



In the ongoing pursuit of an alternative to Statin drugs, a natural alternative, Policosanol, has emerged and shown significant potential in contending with, if not surpassing, the effectiveness of stain drugs. Policosanol is a sugar extract that has the same cholesterol-lowering benefits of Statin drugs. Although Policosanol is derived from sugar, it will not cause a rise in blood sugar level. The good news about taking Policosanol to lower cholesterol is that there are virtually no side effects and it is inexpensive. In the various trials of Policosanol and popular Statin drugs, as little as 10 milligrams has been found to lower cholesterol as much as these drugs. It must be noted, however, that most, if not all trials to date, have been conducted in Cuba. That has caused doubts over the effectiveness of this substance. Controlled clinical trials in this country, if possible, will go a long way to validate the effects of Policosanol.



Hawthorn is another supplement that is valuable for individuals with high cholesterol. The keys to the success of hawthorn are flavonoids and the oligomeric procyanidins (OPCs). The two components work together to lower cholesterol. Flavonoids are antioxidants that improve blood flow to the heart. OPCs excrete a form of nitric oxide that prevents platelets from being "sticky" and lowers blood pressure. The trials using hawthorn have shown no serious side effects. However, some people may experience nausea, headache, and palpitations. Hawthorn may interact negatively with medications that are prescribed for heart conditions. Hawthorn is available in liquid and capsule form. The recommended dosage for heart health is 80 milligrams in the capsule form and one teaspoon three times each day in liquid form. It can take as many as six weeks for hawthorn to reduce cholesterol.



Since herbs are not considered drugs, they are not tested and approved by the Food and Drug Administration. It is imperative that a doctor is consulted before beginning any treatment with herbs. This is especially true if the individual is taking medications. Also realize it could be an uphill battle to get your doctor to give you approval for any supplement treatment as doctors are not normally trained in non-medical treatments.



Copyright (c) 2006 Charles L. Harmon



Charles Harmon is a long-time systems developer for business
and research applications. He has created many applications for some of
the largest U.S. corporations as well as for small businesses. He
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