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.

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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.

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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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.

Ginseng tea brewed from ginseng powder can provide some valuable health-promoting properties – as well as producing some unwanted side effects. As is the case for all herbal supplements, anything made from ginseng extract – whether it is ginseng tea, candy or pills or capsules – should be used judiciously.

Korean ginseng tea, derived from a variety a ginseng root that is cultivated in China’s northeastern Manchurian region as well as Korea proper, has been used as a tonic in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for thousands of years. Traditionally, this type of ginseng tea is considered to have yang properties, being associated with heat, dryness, and “masculineâ€� energy. Also known as “red ginseng,â€� Korean ginseng tea is essentially a stimulant; Asian medical studies suggest that this type of ginseng powder may indeed live up to its reputation as an aphrodisiac and cure from male impotence. Additional studies indicate that the “redâ€� variety of ginseng root may also help in the prevention of certain types of cancer.

This so-called “red ginseng” incidentally does not refer to its natural color; it means that it has been heat-processed, either by steaming or by sun-drying.

Overuse of ginseng root can produce negative side effects as well. Because of its stimulant properties, ginseng extract can result in insomnia much like caffeine. Nausea, diarrhea and headaches can also result. The most common and dangerous side effect of ginseng powder overuse however is elevated blood pressure; individuals who suffer from and/or are taking medication for hypertension should avoid taking products made from ginseng extract, including ginseng tea.

Even healthy individuals should seek the guidance of a licensed herbalist or healthcare professional before making extensive therapeutic use of ginseng.

If you have been into a quality bar lately, you might have noticed a series of glass jars with an amber liquid in them.  These jars are often filled with tinctures of different concentrated flavors of herbs and spices that the bartender will use to flavor drinks.  Tinctures are also used for the health benefits derived from the particular herbs or spices used and also known as liquid herbal extracts.

Essentially, tinctures are created when herbs are placed in alcohol and allowed to sit for several days, or even up to several months.  Vodka is the usual alcohol of choice in the preparation of tinctures, although brandy or rum may also be used.  If using alcohol is an issue, apple cider vinegar or glycerin might be substituted.  Alcohol functions as a preservative, so you may let the bottles of tincture sit out on a shelf, but if you use vinegar the resulting liquid must be refrigerated throughout the process.

The amount of herbs to alcohol varies according to individual recipes, but in general a good place to start is to combine one ounce of herbs with four ounces of vodka.  Be sure to use enough alcohol so that the herbs are completely submersed in the liquid.  Using the tincture to flavor drinks, you might select to use lemon peel, lavender or allspice for their distinctive tastes that they will bring to your drinks.

You will need to let the tincture sit in a dark place in a cabinet for a couple of weeks or longer so that the herbs are truly macerated by the alcohol.  The bottle should be briskly shaken at least once a day.  After it is quite strongly scented, you may strain the solids from the liquid, and add some sugar syrup to the alcohol-based tincture.  You may find that you will need to strain the liquid several times using a very fine mesh with cheesecloth or a coffee filter to remove every last bit of little fibers of the herbs.  It may then be stored in a glass jar with a tight fitting lid.  To use the tincture, you will use an eyedropper to place drops in tea, juice, water or drinks.

You may experiment with the type of natural herbs used in terms of dried or fresh.  If using fresh, be sure to chop them before you place them in the jar and cover with alcohol.  If you’re using dried herbs, it is best to use them in a cut and sifted form – smaller pieces will allow the liquid to penetrate quickly, but unlike powder it will still be easy for you to strain later.  An alcohol-based tincture can last up to two years if properly prepared and stored.

Clinical Research Shows that Devil’s Claw Root May Relieve Arthritis and Low Back Pain

Devil’s claw has been used for centuries in herbal medicinal remedies as a treatment for pain and complications of pregnancy, in topical ointments to heal sores, boils, and skin problems, to restore appetite, relieve heartburn, and also to reduce pain and inflammation. Today, the effectiveness of Devil’s Claw as an effective medicinal treatment in the relief of the pain and inflammation of arthritis and chronic low back pain are being confirmed within the contemporary medical community through clinical studies and scientific research. The research has shown striking evidence that indeed, Devils Claw root may make just as an effective treatment for many ailments as many of the more well know counterparts commonly found in modern medicines

Recent scientific findings support evidence that using devil’s claw root in the treatment of degenerative joint diseases such as arthritis and low back pain helps to relieve pain and inflammation. Notable research has been conducted worldwide and includes studies completed in Germany and reported by the British Society for Rheumatology finding that H. procumbens is indistinguishable from Vioxx in the treatment of chronic low back pain. Additional studies from the Provincial Medical Centre in Canada report that randomized controlled trials in adults suffering from acute, sub-acute or chronic non-specific low-back pain found strong evidence that daily doses standardized to 50 mg or 100 mg harpagoside were better than placebo for short-term improvements in pain.

Representing only a sampling of the research and evidence conducted on the medicinal properties of this herb, the data results clearly demonstrate that using devil’s claw extract may be an effective aid in significantly reducing the pain of chronic arthritis and back pain. As an additional benefit, this is a safe herb that is nontoxic with virtually no side effects if taken at the recommended therapeutic dose for short periods of time. It has been found that Devil’s Claw does promote the secretion of stomach acid so it is recommended that individuals with stomach ulcers, duodenal ulcers, or gallstones should not take devil’s claw unless recommended by a health care provider. It is recommended to avoid the use of devil’s claw herb during pregnancy and breast-feeding unless otherwise directed by your health care provider. Any herbal therapy should be undertaken under the guidance of a licensed health care provider.

References:

1. Article comparing Vioxx and Doloteffin

2. Provincial Medical Centre Studies