Astragalus root is a widely known medicinal herb that has long been a staple of Chinese herbal medicine. Practitioners of Chinese medicine have used this powerful root to stimulate and strengthen the immune system. Astragalus herb is thought to help keep your immune system healthy so it fights off free radicals and diseases. More recently, the use of the herb is catching on with practitioners of alternative medicine in the rest of the world.
The Astragalus root, otherwise known as astragalus membranaceous, is thought to be a powerful herbal supplement. Astragalus root comes from a perennial plant of the pea family which grows in northern China and Mongolia. As an herbal remedy, it has been used for literally thousands of years in China for therapeutically healing. Hard to believe something so small can hold such big benefits.
Feverfew herb is a delightful short-lived perennial plant with bright chartreuse or yellow leaves and wonderful tiny flowers that look like miniature Shasta daisies with a bright yellow center and white rays. This herb is known by the Latin botanical name of Tanacetum parthenium, although it also has the common names of featherfew, Santa Maria and wild chamomile. Although it has a small daisy-like flower similar to the chamomile flower, the chamomile flower is conical in shape in the central yellow portion of the flower whereas the feverfew flower is flat. Ferverfew herb was originally native to Eurasia, but is now commonly found worldwide, likely because it is self fertile and due to its propensity to reseed freely.
Everyday there are new ways of helping our bodies deal with infections and other problems. Herbal remedies for various conditions are constantly being discovered. Used appropriately, herbal remedies, such as slippery elm bark extract, can speed up the process of our bodies healing themselves and fighting off harmful free radicals.
The slippery elm herb comes from the bark of elm trees which grow throughout North America. The tree has been utilized in a number of ways, including canoe making, as a food preservative, as a source of survival food during the Revolutionary War and as a medicine. The inner bark of the slippery elm tree is a strong and durable fiber, which can be spun into thread, twine or rope. It was once used for bowstrings, ropes, jewelry, clothing, snowshoe bindings, woven mats, and even in some musical instruments.
Juniper berries are often used in the culinary world as a spice to enhance meat, stuffings, sausages, stews, and soups and marinades. As an herbal remedy juniper berries are used in an herbal infusion by herbalists for urinary tract and bladder infections and inflammations and to to reduce water retention.
You can make juniper tea by adding 1 cup of boiling water to 1 tablespoon of juniper berries, covering, and allowing the berries to steep for 20 minutes. The usual dosage is 1 cup twice a day.
At Starwest Botanicals, we enjoy making herbal teas and infusions and wanted to share this video on making your own Juniper Berry Infusion. We stock high quality wild-crafted juniper berries and organic juniper berries for use in your own remedies and preparations.
Juniper should not be taken internally by pregnant women or by individuals with kidney problems. Juniper contains a potent volatile essential oil, oil of sabinal. Not for use exceeding four to six weeks in succession; contraindicated in inflammatory kidney disease. Before taking for a medical condition, it is best to consult with a physician.
Essiac herbal tea is thought by practitioners of alternative medicine to be a potent natural herbal formula used to fight cancer. Well-known for over 90 years, the proponents and critics of Essiac herbs are constantly going back and forth about the true efficacy towards our health. Essiac tea is recommended by herbalists as an alternative healthcare means of treatment for various forms of cancer and is used to alleviate symptoms and side effects of conventional cancer therapy, such as chemotherapy.
In today’s busy world, we tend to overload emotionally, and thus at times feel anxiety. There are a variety of dried natural herbs for anxiety, some of which may be drunk as a relaxing tea while others can be used as part of an aromatherapy session.
Generally speaking, herbs that are classified as adaptogens, while not to be considered medicinal herbs, may help to relieve anxiety. One adaptogen is Eleuthero Root, known by the Latin botanical name of Eleutherococcus senticosus, which is an Asian shrub. It is available in powdered, cut and sifted as well as capsule forms.
Other natural herbs for anxiety might include Jiaogulan Powder and Maca Root. Other names for Jiaogulan include Poor Man’s ginseng and miracle grass. The Jiaogulan Powder is made from the Gynostemma pentaphyllum, an Asian vine. It can be drunk as a soothing tea. Maca Root is, in its native Peru, often cooked or dried and ground into flour used in baked products.
New studies are following the use of Hibiscus in the fight to lower high blood pressure
Hibiscus tea is the infusion made from Hibiscus sabdariffa flower, an herbal tea drink consumed both hot and cold by people around the world. Hibiscus tea has a tart, cranberry-like flavor. It contains vitamin C and minerals and is used traditionally as a mild medicine, as it’s believed to reduce cholesterol. Certain health authorities have been working to build awareness around the diuretic properties of the tea, and its effectiveness in the treatment of urinary tract infections.New studies are following the use of Hibiscus in the fight to lower high blood pressure. Read the rest of this entry »
There are an abundance of herbs which support the immune system; some of which can be used as a long term to enhance resistance to infection and others which are beneficial for the treatment of acute infections. Bayberry, boneset, Echinacea, elder flower, and elder berry, are amongst the herbs which can be used for the treatment of a cold, flu, fever, and upper respiratory infections.
Chinese herbs have been used for hundreds of years as a part of the practice of traditional Chinese medicine. Practitioners of this style of medicine will combine herbs so that they are custom blended for each individual patient. They use both bulk herbs and dried herbs in preparing the decoctions. Chinese herbs, in this traditional medical style, can be classified by the four natures, the four tastes and the meridians. The natures refer to yin and yang, with yin being cold and yang being hot. The tastes are salty, sweet, pungent, bitter and sour. The organs in the body that Chinese herbs claim to work upon are called the meridians.
The following are ten herbs popular in Chinese traditional medicine:
Maitake Mushroom – This is an edible mushroom with the Latin name of Grifola frondosa, which refers to the fronds that the mushroom forms when it attaches itself to the foot of trees. It is considered in traditional Chinese medicine to be an adaptogen, which may help in bringing bodily systems back to normal levels. Maitake is thought to strengthen the immune system, and may also help bring blood pressure, glucose, insulin and liver lipids back to normal levels. It contains potassium, calcium and magnesium, as well as vitamins B2, D2 and niacin.
Lycii Berries, Lycium Fruit – The common name is Wolfberry, but it also is known as Goji berry. They taste sweet and in traditional Chinese medicine are considered to be neutral in nature. In this medical style, they are thought to act on the kidneys, lungs and liver. The fruits contain zeaxanthin as well as vitamin C. Studies from China indicate that it may help with vision-related diseases, as well as cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases.
Schisandra Berries, Schizandra – This is considered to be one of the fundamental herbs in traditional Chinese medicine. The berries are used as dried herbs in teas, and may act as a restorative adaptogen with benefits to the liver. An adaptogen is an herb is believed to help the body fight stress, trauma, anxiety and fatigue.
Fo-ti Root – In traditional Chinese medicine, Fo-ti root is thought to aid the kidneys, add cool to the yin, improve weak bones and stop the graying of hair. If it is drunk as a tea, it can have a laxative effect.
Ginseng root and Powders – Ginseng may help boost energy, reduce stress and increase endurance. It comes in different colors, red and white. White is unprocessed, while red is processed with steam.
Galangal Root – This plant is a member of the ginger family, but it does not taste the same as ginger. It may act as a stimulant, and even an aphrodisiac. It may help flatulence, and stomach sicknesses, even sea-sickness.
Ginkgo Leaf – Ginkgo leaf may help to improve blood flow to organs and tissues, it may protect cells from free radical damage, and it may help block blood clotting. Its effects on treating dementia are inconclusive, but it is reputed to help memory.
Peony Root – In traditional Chinese medicine, Peony root is thought to help relieve cramps of all types. It may help to improve circulation of blood to the skin and extremities.
Astragalus Root – This root may help to boost the immune system, and thus may help to prevent infections and may help to heal allergies. It is typically used in conjunction with other dried herbs.
Licorice Root – Licorice root may help to relieve inflammation, improve digestion and even neutralize toxins. It may help to relieve sore throat as well as muscle cramps.
It is always wise to first consult with your health care provider, who can offer the best medical advice for you concerning these and other herbs.
If you are interested in traditional Chinese medicine, there are several terms that are used that you might not have heard of before. One term that is important to understand is the word “adaptogen.” As it relates to traditional medicine, adaptogens are dried herbs that may help the body to resist fatigue, anxiety, stress and trauma. Essentially, they may help the body adapt to stress.
Bulk herbs and dried herbs offer a cost-effective way to add these herbs to your daily life, but only on the advice of your health care practitioner. There are many dried herbs that claim to be adaptogens:
Eleuthero Root – This root may help to enhance the immune system and decrease inflammation. It also may help to improve endurance and memory.
Licorice Root – Licorice root may help as an expectorant, and is commonly found as an ingredient in contemporary cough syrups. It may also help as an adaptogen for the hypothalamus, pituitary and adrenal glands.
Jiaogulan Powder – Jiaogulan may help to lower cholesterol, and may also be of help to combat jet lag and altitude sickness.
Maca Root Powder – Maca may help with energy, fertility and impotence, as well as with memory issues and menopause.
Ginseng – Ginseng is a common adaptogen that may offer antioxidant and anticarcinogenic effects. These may be of help to relieve stress in the body.
Ashwagandha Root – This root may help to bring into balance the hypothalamus, pituitary and adrenal axis and the neuroendocrine system. It may also help to reduce inflammation and to boost the immune system.
Red Reishi Mushrooms – This mushroom is considered in traditional Chinese medicine to be an adaptogen that may help with insomnia, relieving stress, flu, allergies and asthma.
With the help of your health care practitioner, you may want to see if adaptogens are right for you.
