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Ginkgo Biloba is one of the most popular herbal remedies in use today. Like many other herbs, our ancestors have known of and taken advantage of its healing properties for centuries. Doctors recommend caution when taking Ginkgo Biloba, as it is extremely potent. Symptoms of overuse include skin disorders, headaches, and other issues. Taken with respect for dosing guidelines, and awareness, Ginkgo Biloba can vastly enhance your alternative healing medicine cabinet.

The Ginkgo Biloba tree is the sole survivor of an entire genus of related trees, and therefore truly in a class all by itself. Fossil records indicate this tree flourished before and during the dinosaur era. Unlike the dinosaurs, and many other life forms, Ginkgo Biloba survived virtually unchanged. Aside from being an incredible survivor, the nature of this tree runs contrary to almost every other plant on Earth. To begin, it is a deciduous conifer; meaning its leaves fall off every year, unlike a pine tree. The Ginkgo tree also comes in female and male genders; with the later having motile sperm. In modern times, there are only a few samples of wild Ginkgo Biloba reported to be left in the Shandong province of China. Not only are some of these trees reputed to be over 3,000 years old, they sport aerial roots that took hundreds of years to develop.

The Ginkgo Biloba tree was first introduced in Europe in the early 18 th century where it gained immense popularity as an ornamental tree. In the 1980s, researchers discovered the potent effect extracts from this tree have on the cardiovascular system.

Almost every part of the Ginkgo Biloba has medicinal properties. The leaves are known to contain flavones glycosides, lactones, sitosterol, bioflavones, and anthocyanins. The main therapeutic function is the relaxation of blood vessels and stimulation of the circulatory system. Hence, the observation that Ginkgo improves mental function, as it improves blood flow in the brain. Continued research on this front holds promise for isolating a compound that will reduce, or perhaps even alleviate the symptoms of dementia that often accompanies Alzheimer’s disease. Fluid extract from fresh Ginkgo Biloba leaves are already widely sold in Europe to treat cerebral arteriosclerosis in the elderly.

Recent research has demonstrated that ginkgolide, a compound found in the leaves, is as effective as many standard pharmaceutical drugs currently used to treat irregular heartbeats. Tinctures made from fresh Ginkgo Biloba leaves are combined with other herbs such as periwinkle and linden to treat a number of circulatory problems. Many herbalists also combine the leaves of Ginkgo Biloba with king’s clover to treat venous disorders.

Other uses for the Ginkgo Biloba leave include the treatment of varicose veins, leg ulcers, inflammations, and hemorrhoids. For these ailments, herbalists make an infusion that can be turned into a wash.

The Ginkgo Biloba seeds are also rich in minerals, fatty acids, and bioflavones. The seeds are especially popular in traditional Chinese medicine, and are called bai gou. They are believed to act on the lung and kidneys and are used to treat the symptoms of asthmatic disorders, and all chest problems that produce thick phlegm. The seeds of the Ginkgo Biloba are also believed to have a toning effect on the urinary system, and are useful in the treatment of excessive urination, or incontinence.

The Ginkgo Biloba tree has become firmly established in the repertoire of all herbalists. Researchers today are confirming a wealth of healing properties for the cardiovascular system. With careful attention to dosing guidelines, the Ginkgo Biloba can be safe, effective, and reliable in treating various illnesses.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Herbal Remedies.

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Tags: ginkgo, ginkgo biloba, glycosides, Herbal Remedies, Traditional Chinese Medicine

We can say that the Echinacea flower is listed among the best known and most efficient herbal remedies of our days. It has been used by Native Americans for curing such physical problems as colds, fevers, snakebites or even stubborn wounds.

Echinacea was adopted by the settlers from the natives and became well known to them as cold and influenza medication. Moreover, it became quite popular with the Eclectics of the 19th century. During the last decades, Echinacea became widely spread and well known as a plant that possesses certain efficient antiviral, antifungal and antiseptic properties.

This plant has been used even in AIDS medicines. Even though the most commonly cultivated flower is purple E purpurea, E angustifolia is thought to possess stronger curing virtues and gets used more often by the herbalists and naturopaths.

The character of Echinacea has alternately been described as cool, dry, and strongly pungent. Its main ingredients consist of volatile oils, glycosides, antibiotic polyacetylenes, amides, and inulin. Herbal practitioners value Echinacea for its antibiotic, immune stimulant, antiallergenic, and lymphatic refreshing virtues.

Besides the aerial parts of the Echinacea plant that can be used in herbal tonics, its roots can be used as well. Echinacea roots are usually used for making anti infection or inflammation tinctures and powders. In traditional herbal medicine, Echinacea is commonly used for treating such severe medical problems as kidney infections or for less grave conditions, such as influenza, respiratory infections, etc. Moreover, Echinacea flowers can be used for producing quite efficient capsule antibiotics.

Herbal medicine has found many virtues of the Echinacea plant. People have learned to make Echinacea concoctions, which can considerably intensify the healing process of patients with infections or flues. Patients with influenza, chills or other infection conditions are recommended to take 5 ml doses of Echinacea tincture once every few hours.

The Echinacea plant works well in combination with other herbal remedies, such as buchu and couch grass. Applied together with these plants it can show great results in curing various chronic conditions, such as kidney infection. Mixed with cleavers Echinacea can be use for curing and treating of mononucleosis. This plant is even capable of aiding out people with food poisoning and snakebite conditions.

The patients with wounds can greatly benefit from applying Echinacea flower essences to their injuries by washing their wounds with these essences several times a day. The plant can be used as well for sore throat gurgling. If powdered, it can be applied on the infected or injured skin. It has been efficiently used by patients with weeping boils, infected eczema, and other skin infections.

Most patients take Echinacea plant medicines in a form of capsules, as it is recommended by herbalists and naturopaths. This cure can be taken by patients with acute infections, colds, influenza, urinary tract infections, and kidney infections up to 3 times a day by capsule.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Herbal Remedies.

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Tags: cold, echinacea, glycosides, Herbal Remedies, influenza

Dandelion is considered to be one of the newest additions to the list of reputable herbal remedies. There has always been some curiosity about how the dandelion got its name. According to legend, the dandelion got its name from a surgeon in the 15th century who thought that the shape of the leaves resembled a lion’s teeth. Dandelion is used differently in different parts of the world. In the West it is customary to separate the leaves and the root of the plant. However, in traditional Chinese medicine, it is customary to keep the plant intact when preparing herbal remedies.

While dandelions are often one of the first flowers to herald the arrival of spring, humans have recognized the potential of other herbs before turning to the dandelion, if at all. As an example, there is no written indication of anyone using this herb in the western hemisphere before it was noted in the Ortus Sanitatis of 1485. In traditional Chinese medicine, dandelion was virtually ignored until the 7th century.

The taste of dandelion has been described as cool, sweet, and sometimes bitter. It can aid a number of organs, including the heart. Dandelion leaves are some of the healthiest edible greens. If you have a lawn, dandelions are bound to grow there. Thus they are not just a healthy, organic alternative to supermarket greens, they are also very economical! If you use chemical means to rid your lawn of dandelions, just think of the money you will save by tossing these greens in a soup pot or salad bowl instead.

Dandelion leaves are known to contain bitter glycosides, vitamins A, B, C, D, and several minerals, including salt, iron, and potassium. The leaves also contain carotenoids, terpenoids, choline, and potassium salts. A juice created from dandelion leaves has been known to be an effective diuretic. Simply puree the leaves and take the juice whenever needed. Dandelion leaves are also believed to be good for bolstering the liver, and to aid digestion. Dandelion leaves can also be infused to create a tea that helps treat toxic conditions such as eczema, acne and gout.

The root of the dandelion plant is also often used for medicinal purposes. Roots contain tannins, volatile oils, triterpenes, sterols, bitter glycosides, asparagus, and insulin. Many traditional herbalists favor dandelion as a liver stimulant. The root is also often used as a gentle, nourishing, cleansing tonic. It has been used to treat a wide range of disorders including gallstones, joint inflammations, and chronic constipation. Dandelion root is also easily made into at tincture to treat gout, acne, and eczema.

Dandelion extracts can be found in a number of herbal remedies, and can also be prepared many different ways. Dandelion leaves can be consumed raw or cooked. Teas and tinctures made from various parts of this plant are both easy to make and affordable during the plant’s growing season.

Dandelion is considered to be one of the newest additions to the list of reputable herbal remedies. There has always been some curiosity about how the dandelion got its name. According to legend, the dandelion got its name from a surgeon in the 15th century who thought that the shape of the leaves resembled a lion’s teeth. Dandelion is used differently in different parts of the world. In the West it is customary to separate the leaves and the root of the plant. However, in traditional Chinese medicine, it is customary to keep the plant intact when preparing herbal remedies.

While dandelions are often one of the first flowers to herald the arrival of spring, humans have recognized the potential of other herbs before turning to the dandelion, if at all. As an example, there is no written indication of anyone using this herb in the western hemisphere before it was noted in the Ortus Sanitatis of 1485. In traditional Chinese medicine, dandelion was virtually ignored until the 7th century.

The taste of dandelion has been described as cool, sweet, and sometimes bitter. It can aid a number of organs, including the heart. Dandelion leaves are some of the healthiest edible greens. If you have a lawn, dandelions are bound to grow there. Thus they are not just a healthy, organic alternative to supermarket greens, they are also very economical! If you use chemical means to rid your lawn of dandelions, just think of the money you will save by tossing these greens in a soup pot or salad bowl instead.

Dandelion leaves are known to contain bitter glycosides, vitamins A, B, C, D, and several minerals, including salt, iron, and potassium. The leaves also contain carotenoids, terpenoids, choline, and potassium salts. A juice created from dandelion leaves has been known to be an effective diuretic. Simply puree the leaves and take the juice whenever needed. Dandelion leaves are also believed to be good for bolstering the liver, and to aid digestion. Dandelion leaves can also be infused to create a tea that helps treat toxic conditions such as eczema, acne and gout.

The root of the dandelion plant is also often used for medicinal purposes. Roots contain tannins, volatile oils, triterpenes, sterols, bitter glycosides, asparagus, and insulin. Many traditional herbalists favor dandelion as a liver stimulant. The root is also often used as a gentle, nourishing, cleansing tonic. It has been used to treat a wide range of disorders including gallstones, joint inflammations, and chronic constipation. Dandelion root is also easily made into at tincture to treat gout, acne, and eczema.

Dandelion extracts can be found in a number of herbal remedies, and can also be prepared many different ways. Dandelion leaves can be consumed raw or cooked. Teas and tinctures made from various parts of this plant are both easy to make and affordable during the plant’s growing season.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Herbal Remedies.

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Tags: dandelion, glycosides, Herbal Remedies, Traditional Chinese Medicine