It’s Entirely Natural - Articles

Goldenseal, Latin name Hydrastis canadensis, is one of the most popular herbs used in herbal remedies today. Goldenseal has traditionally operated as a traditional healing herb of Native Americans, but it has entered the European herbal cabinet with of late.

Traditionally, the Cherokee used goldenseal as an herbal treatment for indigestion, local inflammations, and to improve appetite. The Iroquois used Goldenseal to treat heart problems, liver disorders, whooping cough and to treat fevers.

Goldenseal reached European shores by 1760. During the nineteenth century, Goldenseal had become a popular favorite with practitioners of the Eclectic and Thomsonian schools of medicine. In 1926, Goldenseal was included in the list of United States medicinal ingredients in the Pharmacopoeia.

The character of Goldenseal has alternately been described as bitter, dry, astringent, and cold. The plants constituents are described as resins, volatile oils, and alkaloids. Herbalists traditionally describe the actions of Goldenseal as astringent, a digestive and bile stimulant, a tonic, and a laxative. Goldenseal has also been used to reduce phlegm, to heal gastric mucous membranes, and to raise blood pressure.

The part of the Goldenseal plant that is most commonly used is the rhizome. The rhizome is traditionally harvested in the fall, and it is the main ingredient in many herbal remedies. Many traditional herbalists recommend the rhizome of the Goldenseal plant as an excellent drying and mucus-reducing remedy that works well for the gastric, upper respiratory tract. It is also used for the vaginal mucous membranes. The rhizome of the Goldenseal plant is also used to treat conditions involving the spastic colon (mucous colitis), nasal inflammations, and ear infections.

In essence, Goldenseal is very much an herbal remedy for ear, nose and throat problems. But it has many other applications as well. The Goldenseal plant is often used as an herbal remedy to treat gynecological problems. It can help reduce the severity of menopausal symptoms, and it has been known to ease the pain associated with premenstrual symptoms, especially symptoms linked to stagnation. The rhizome of the Goldenseal plant can often be found in commercial herbal remedies as a tonic.

Even though Goldenseal has proven itself to be a very effective healing herb, there are some cautions you use take when ingesting herbal remedies that feature Goldenseal as one of its main ingredients. For instance, Goldenseal is well known as a powerful uterine stimulant, so its use should be avoided women who are pregnant. Goldenseal is also well known as a hypertensive, so it should be avoided in known cases of high blood pressure.

Also, you should not use herbal remedies containing Goldenseal for an ear infection if you know that there is a risk that an eardrum is perforated. Another caveat: avoid ingesting fresh Goldenseal plant. Eating fresh Golden seal plant has been known to cause ulceration of the mucous membranes. It is a very potent plant. Also, if you suffer from digestive complaints, many herbalists recommend that you take barberry for these types of complaints because Goldenseal has recently become endangered in the wild.

---

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.

---

Tags: Anger, blood pressure, cold, goldenseal, Herbal Remedies

Ginseng is a popular herbal supplement that has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries. In the west it has been used to increase energy and boost the immune system. Ginseng is made from the roots of several plant species including Asian and American ginseng. Modern medicine has found it difficult to discover the results of using ginseng. Studies are inconclusive and may be because of the wide variety of quality of the ginseng products. Chinese have touted the benefits of ginseng for various ailments and continue to use this herb regularly.

In a recent study from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, 1455 Chinese women treated for breast cancer were followed for six years. They found that women who had already been using ginseng were less likely to die of breast cancer. Those women who started taking ginseng after their cancer diagnosis reported they were able to be more active and they had a better emotional health during treatment. The women who were taking ginseng were using an American ginseng product or white ginseng root that was unprocessed. They also received regular cancer treatment such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.

Although the benefits of ginseng have been difficult to prove, the 1065 women who survived breast cancer, sixty-three percent used ginseng after their diagnosis. It is difficult to assess if ginseng was responsible for these remarkable numbers because it is impossible to separate the effects of ginseng from other alternative medicines that some of the women used. Laboratory studies do show the ingredients of ginseng do slow down tumor cell growth.

Women who have breast cancer should talk to their doctor about any benefits that ginseng would give them. You should always consult your health care professional before adding any alternative medicine to your breast cancer treatment. The herb may also have side effect or could interact with other medications your doctor has prescribed. It is not recommended that you use ginseng instead of conventional cancer treatments. The findings of increased survival rate still need to be proved in more clinical studies.

Those who have benefited from ginseng as an addition to their cancer therapy strongly suggest that further clinical trials should be done. These studies will find out if ginseng used with conventional breast cancer treatment will increase the survival rate of breast cancer patients.

Ginseng does have an effect on the patient’s sense of well being, giving them a more positive attitude and a feeling of good emotional health. If you are already taking ginseng, it may be a benefit for you to continue to take the herb. If you are not taking it, consult with your doctor to see if it will benefit you. If you decide to take ginseng as a supplement to your cancer treatment, be sure your doctor is aware of all medications you are on. It may cause drug interactions that can do more harm than good from using ginseng. As with any new medicine or alternative treatment, always get all the information you can about new products or methods of treatments.

---

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.

---

Tags: chinese medicine, ginseng, Herbal Remedies, immune system

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.

---

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.

---

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

For over 5,000 years, garlic has been thought of as the king of the healing herbs. The most useful part of the garlic plant is the bulb, which develops a series of partitions, or cloves. Although we think of garlic mainly as a food seasoning, many other cultures used it to cure everything from warts to witchcraft. In modern times, researchers are finding that the chemicals in garlic can, indeed, treat a wide variety of ailments. As an example, there is exciting new research that indicates garlic may be able to prevent certain cancers. Garlic has been known to have positive effects on the cardiovascular and digestive systems. It is also a powerful antibiotic that can cure yeast infections wherever they occur on the body.

While many people cannot tolerate the smell of garlic, it is this odor which gives away some of its most powerful ingredients - sulfur compounds. Many of the first antibiotics were based on sulfur, and are still in use today. Thus, it should come as no surprise that garlic can heal many infections. It works well for any infection that is bacterial or fungal in origin. This includes yeast infections and chest infections. For the most part, garlic is a safe remedy for a wide range of illnesses. However, garlic can interfere with anti-coagulants. It is also not recommended at therapeutic levels for pregnant women and those that are breastfeeding.

As with most other herbs, garlic is best used when fresh. It has been shown that ‘deodorized’ or “pearl capsules” have less healing potential than the natural form. Garlic cloves can be applied topically to treat a variety of skin disorders, including acne. For the treatment of skin infections, corns, warts, or acne, mash fresh garlic cloves and apply to the afflicted area. Eating garlic cloves regularly is also recommended for protecting against any number of infections.

Garlic cloves have also been successfully used as a viable long-term treatment for cardiovascular problems. This herb has been shown to effectively reduce cholesterol, and the plaques which cause atherosclerosis. Garlic has also been shown to dilate peripheral blood vessels, lower blood pressure, and reduce the risk of thrombosis. Recent clinical trials have shown that 2 grams of garlic powder taken daily can prevent heart attacks in individuals who have already suffered one.

Garlic cloves have also been shown to regulate blood sugar levels, and may prove particularly effective in the treatment of adult-onset diabetes. While garlic can solve numerous digestive problems, it can irritate sensitive stomachs. For the treatment of severe digestive disorders, including dysentery, worms, and gastroenteritis, the consumption of 3-6 crushed cloves daily is recommended. For the treatment of intestinal parasites, maceration is recommended. Simply seep 3-4 garlic cloves in water or milk overnight and drink the next day. Garlic can also be easily consumed in capsule form; however, the powdered versions seem to work better.

some people think of garlic as a simple bulb that may smell bad when being cooked, but do wonderful things for the flavoring of food dishes. Other people may have noticed dietary supplements, or garlic capsules, and tried them to see if they would do any good. Across time, Garlic has proven its title as the “King of Herbs” because of its efficacy in treating a wide range of diseases safely and effectively.

---

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.

---

Tags: antibiotic, blood pressure, cholesterol, garlic, Herbal Remedies

Research is constantly being done on the benefits of vitamins and minerals, but garlic is actually one of the most beneficial and natural healthy foods.

Garlic has been found to be beneficial to the human body in a number of different ways. Research has shown many positive results of regular eating of garlic. For example, garlic is a natural form of an antibiotic in a general way as opposed to focusing on specific types of bacteria or parts of the body.

Garlic is generally helpful for pain relief, particularly when pain is due to problems in the circulatory system, such as angina pain.

There appear to be no people with allergies to garlic, which means that it can be broadly prescribed for its health benefits. Research has also shown that garlic, and in particular garlic that is aged, has positive and intense antioxidant qualities which can help with a number of circulatory diseases and even cancers. It is antioxidants that help to protect the body against what is known as free radicals in the human body. Free radicals are ions with free electrons which can wreak havoc in the body, causing rapid aging and problems with the immune system.

Garlic helps to counteract these effects, but other plants in the same family can have a similar effect. For example, onions have a great effect, although a bit less than garlic. Shallots, green onions and some edible flowers have the same benefits as well.

Garlic is excellent for supporting the hard work of the immune system. Garlic also lowers cholesterol, helps to prevent heart disease and fights all sorts of funguses that try to invade the body.

There are two ingredients in garlic that are medicinal in nature and have excellent health benefits. The two ingredients are allicin and the diallyl sulphides. Allicin is the more powerful of the two. Allicin is not found in garlic as a plant, but is released when garlic is either crushed or chopped into fine pieces. The finer the dicing, the more allicin will be created, and therefore the stronger will be the medicinal benefits. Allicin is anti-fungal in nature and is commonly used to treat many infections of the skin such as athlete’s foot and nail fungus.

Diallyl sulphides also have benefits, but not as great as allicin. Diallyl sulphides have no anti-fungal properties, but can be of great benefit for blood circulation and help to keep the overall circulatory system working to the best of its ability. Diallyl sulphides are beneficial to the immune system because they give it a much-needed boast and they also help to lower the LDL bad cholesterol” in the body.

There are many ways to incorporate more garlic into your diet. Garlic works well with many meat and vegetables dishes and it can be included in soups, casseroles and stir-fries. If you are not well versed in cooking with garlic then check the public library, your local bookstore or the Internet for some recipes that are simple and easy for you to prepare. If eating garlic is not to your liking because of the odor then look for garlic in tablet or capsule form at your local vitamin store or grocery store.

---

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.

---

Tags: antioxidants, cholesterol, free radicals, garlic, Herbal Remedies, immune system

The yarrow plant is one of the most highly valued plants for treating the common cold and influenza.

The plant’s Latin name is Achillea millefolium, which is derived from the famous Greek hero Achilles. It is believed that the plant was used during the Trojan wars, where it was used to treat war wounds. Yarrow also has a curious folk name: “nosebleed.” This folk nickname is a testimony to its traditional use as a first aid herb. Yarrow has been used in the past as an emergency styptic to stop bleeding. These days, yarrow is mostly used to treat colds and flu’s, but it is also used to treat problems with the circulatory, digestive and urinary system. You can usually find yarrow growing in meadows.

Most traditional herbalists describe yarrow as alternately dry, sweet, astringent and sometimes slightly bitter in taste. The constituents of the yarrow plant included salicylic acid, volatile oils (including proazulenes), isovalerianic acid, flavonoids, sterols, tannins, bitters, asparagin, and coumarins. The action of the plant is described astringent, relaxing, a promoter of sweat, a blood vessel relaxant, febrifuge, and restorative for the menstrual system. The essential oil of yarrow is described as anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and antiallergenic.

Several parts of the yarrow plant are used to create herbal remedies. These include the plant’s stems parts, its leaves, its essential oil, and its flowers. The leaves of the plant are believed to contain properties that encourage clotting. The leaves are also used fresh as an herbal remedy to combat nose bleeding. However, if yarrow leaves are used to treat nosebleeds, they must not be inserted into the nostril directly as this can make a nosebleed worse. The leaves of the yarrow plant can be harvested throughout the growing season.

The essential oils of the yarrow plant are also used to make herbal remedies. The oils are extracted from the yarrow plant by steam distillation of the flowers. The essential oils of the plant are generally used as an anti-inflammatory or in chest rubs that can be applied when a person is suffering from a cold or influenza. Extracts from the yarrow plant have been used to make an effective mosquito repellent.

The flowers of the yarrow plant can also be used to make herbal remedies. For instance, the flowers have been shown to be rich in chemicals that can be converted by steam into antiallergenic compounds. These chemicals can be used to treat various allergic problems, including mucus problems and hay fever. Traditional herbalists harvest the flower during the summer and fall.

There are many applications for the yarrow plant. Its flowers can be used to infuse and drink as a hot tea that helps treat common ailments of the upper respiratory system, including excessive phlegm. The aerial parts of the yarrow plant can also be used to reduce fevers when it is prepared in a hot tea. You can also use yarrow in a chest rub to treat chest colds, influenza, or to relieve severe congestion.

---

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.

---

Tags: cold, flavonoids, Herbal Remedies, influenza, yarrow plant

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.

---

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.

---

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.

---

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.

---

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

The Burdock plant has long been used in herbal remedies to treat a variety of ailments.

Burdock has traditionally been thought of as a good plant for creating cleansing remedies. Burdock has also traditionally been used as a blood purifier. In the past it has often been combined with dandelion and burdock wine to create a healing tonic for indigestion. In China, the seeds of the Burdock plant are known as niu bang zi, and it is used to get rid of fevers and evil spirits. It is also used in Chinese medicine to lower blood sugar levels.

The Burdock plant is well known of its hooked burrs, which are notorious for attaching themselves to clothing. This aspect of the Burdock plant is registered in its Latin scientific name, Arctium lappa, which is derived from the Greek lappa, which means to seize.

Three parts of the Burdock plant is used to create herbal remedies: the root, the seeds, and the leaves. The root of the Burdock plant is often used by the Japanese to treat a variety of ailments. They think of the Burdock root as a vegetable, which they call godo. Western herbalists too also consider the root of the Burdock plant to be the most important. In the West, herbalists use the Burdock plant root as a cleansing and eliminative remedy. It is often used in cases where a buildup of toxins is suspected. Symptoms of toxin buildup include skin problems, digestive ailments, arthritic pains, or overall sluggishness. Burdock root can be used externally to treat infections and skin sores. The Burdock root is most commonly harvested in the fall.

Another commonly used part of the Burdock plant is the seeds. The seeds of the Burdock plant are used in several healing remedies of many healing traditions. For instance, the American Eclectic School of Healing has traditionally integrated the Burdock seeds as a diuretic or to create healing skin tonics. In traditional Chinese medicine, the seeds are often used to treat common colds that are characterized by an unproductive cough and sore throat. The seeds of the Burdock plant are traditionally harvested in late summer.

The leaves of the Burdock plant are also harvested to create several herbal remedies. In general, the leaves of the Burdock plant are thought to be less effective than other parts, especially the root. The leaves of the Burdock plant are most commonly used to create a healing tonic for common stomach complaints, including indigestion and overall digestive weakness. The leaves of the Burdock plant are harvested before or during their flowering.

To create an herbal remedy using the Burdock plant, one easy way is to infuse the Burdock plant leaves to create a hot tea to treat indigestion. Burdock tea is used to treat indigestion by being taken in half-cup doses before meals. Burdock tea can also be taken as a mild digestive stimulant. Another herbal remedy from the Burdock plant is a poultice from the root of the plant, which can be applied to skin sores and leg ulcers.

---

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.

---

Tags: burdock, Herbal Remedies, toxins, Traditional Chinese Medicine

St. John’s Wort has slowly become one of the most popular herbs for treating mild symptoms of anxiety and depression. It is said that the St. John’s Wort plant got its name from the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem. It is said that the knights would use the plant to the terrible wounds that they came across on the Crusade battlefields. St. John’s Wort also had a supernatural aura attached to it. In those medieval days, many believed that St. John’s Wort had the ability to dispel evil spirits.

People who suffered from mental disorders were often given the plant in order to calm the so-called evil spirits. St. John’s Wort was often also associated with choleric disturbances and humors. Some believe this is because of the plant’s yellow color. The yellow color of St. John’s Wort has caused some people to associate the plant with hysteria and jaundice.

The taste and character of St. John’s Wort has alternately been described as cool, drying, bitter yet with a hint of sweetness. The main constituents of St. John’s Wort are glycosides, volatile oils, flavonoids, tannins and resins. The primary actions of St. John’s Wort can be described as analgesic, astringent, antidepressant sedative, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and restorative toward the nervous system. There are many ways to prepare St. John’s Wort to take full advantage of its properties. One of the most popular ways to take St. John’s Wort is through a capsule or tablet. These have become so popular that they are now available at most local drugstores and pharmacies.

However, taking St. John Wort as a fresh herbal remedy is always recommended as it ensures that you are receiving the best quality and potency available. Here are a few ways you can take St. John’s Wort naturally. You can take St. John’s Wort as an infusion to treat symptoms of depression, anxiety or emotional upsets. St. John’s Wort is also recommended to treat the symptoms associated with menopause or premenstrual syndrome. Some herbalists also use St. John’s Wort to treat colds and infections. St. John’s Wort is often combined with elderflower to treat colds.

St. John’s Wort is often also prepared as a wash or cream. As a wash, use an infusion of St. John’s Wort to bathe wounds, bruises, skin sores, or other skin problems. As a cream, you can use St. John’s Wort to treat areas of localized nerve pains. In the past, St. John’s Wort has been used to treat the painful symptoms of conditions such as sprains, sciatica, cramps, and it has even been used to treat help relieve breast engorgement during lactation. Cream made with St. John’s Wort has also been used as an antiseptic and styptic. As an antiseptic, St. John’s Wort cream can be used on sores, skin ulcers and scrapes.

St. John’s Wort can also be prepared as an infused oil or tincture. As infused oil, you can use St. John’s Wort on burns and muscle joint or inflammations. As a tincture, take several drops a day for a minimum of two months to treat nervous tension or depression.

---

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.

---

Tags: anxiety, Depression, flavonoids, Herbal Remedies, st john wort