Botanical Name: Taraxacum offininale
Family: Asteraceae
Common Names: Dandelion, lion's tooth, wild endive, blowball, faceclock
It's found in all 50 states and throughout much of the rest of the world as well. It's considered an invasive weed in many areas but is highly prized by herbalists in all major forms of natural medicine. It's been called by such innocent names as "wild endive" and such vulgar names as "piss-in-the-bed". Perhaps no other weed enjoys such extremes of hatred and adoration as dandelion.
Dandelion is also the subject of numerous folk legends. Children blow away the tiny, fluffy fruits and wish upon them as the float away, trying to dislodge all the fruits to assure that their wishes come true. Dandelions have also been believed to predict the weather, tell the time of day and find true love.
Traditional Medical Uses for Dandelion
Dandelion has the distinction of being used as a medicinal herb in every major system of herbal medicine. Arabian, Chinese, Ayurvedic, Native American and European healers all exploited the many potential medicinal properties of dandelion.
Early American settlers, especially those whose ancestry was rooted in Germany, practices a yearly "blood thinning" with decoctions made of dandelion leaves. And until 1965, dandelion root was listed in the United States Pharmacopeia
Dandelion in Native American Healing
The Ojibwa people steeped the roots to make a heartburn remedy while Potawatomi healers turned the roots in a biter tonic. The Meskwaki people treated heartburn and chest pain with dandelion root while the Mohegans used it as a psychic.
Dandelion in Ayurveda
In Ayurveda, dandelion is considered a bitter herb that reduces Pitta and detoxifies the body. Dandelion is especially prized for its ability to address problems in the breasts and lymph glands. Dandelion is also used for liver problems, diabetes, edema, ulcers, gall stones and any condiion related to Ama.
Dandelion in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Though its use as a medicinal plant almost certainly goes back much further, dandelion's earliest recorded use comes to us via Chinese medical texts dating back 1500 years. Ancient Chinese physicians used dandelion, or pu gong ying, as the entire plant is known in Pinyin, to reduce inflammation, stimulate breast milk production and to ease digestive upset.
Dandelion in Traditional European Herbalism
Nicholas Culpepper put dandelion under the sign of Jupiter and assigned it "opening" and "cleansing" qualities. He recommended dandelion for obstructions of the liver or spleen and conditions with such colorful names as "evil disposition". He also recognized dandelion's diuretic properties and advised in favor of its use for fits and fevers.
Dandelion in Modern Herbalism
Today's herbalists use dandelion primarily as a diuretic. German's Commission E approved dandelion for bile disorders, gastrointestinal problems and urinary issues.
Serious Medical Studies on Dandelion
Dandelion has not been exhaustively tested for potential medicinal benefits in humans. At this time, dandelion's greatest value may be as a salad green. Dandelion is a rich source of several vitamins and minerals and, in that respect, may be "healthier" than many traditional salad greens.
Antiodidant Properties
Dandelion has antioxidant properties and this was proven in a 2003 study published in Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry. This study, an in vitro study of Taraxacum officinale, documented dandelion's antioxidant, prooxidant and cytotoxic activities.
References:
Foster, S., Johnson, R. (2006). Desk Reference to Nature's Medicine.
McGuffin, M., et al. (2000). Herbs of Commerce.
Frawley, D., Lad, B. (2001). The Yoga of Herbs.
Culpepper, N. (1653). The Complete Herbal.
Blumenthal, M., et al. (2000). Herbal Medicine Expanded Commission E Monographs.
Hu, C., et al. (2003). Antioxidant, prooxidant, and cytotoxic activities of solvent-fractionated dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) flower extracts in vitro.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Hoodia
Botanical Name: Hoodia gordonii
Family: Apocynaceae
Common Names: hoodia, Xhoba, bushman's hat
Native to the Kalahari desert of South Africa and Namibia, Hoodia gordonii is a flowering succulent in the Acpocynaceae family. There are 13 species of Hoodia but only one, H. gordonii is exploited commercially.
Traditional Medical Uses for Hoodia gordonii
Despite claims to the contrary--most of them made by hoodia supplement distributors--little is known about the traditional medical uses for this cactus-like plant. Some reports claim that the San people (vulgarly referred to as "bushmen") have used this African native for centures to reduce hunger during long hunting trips but this claim has not been verified scientifically. Perhaps more likely, the San people used hoodia as food only when absolutely necessary.
Hoodia In Native American Healing
All species of Hoodia are native to the Kalahari region of Africa. Hoodia was not known to the Native Americans of North or South America.
Hoodia in Ayurveda
There is no reliable evidence that hoodia was known to the healers of India or used in Ayurveda until hoodia began to see mass commercial exploitation in 2003.
Hoodia in Traditional Chinese Medicine
There is no evidence that hoodia was known to the physicians of ancient China or used in any form of traditional Chinese medicine until very recently.
Hoodia in Traditional European Herbalism
No evidence of hoodia's use in traditional European herbalism is known.
Hoodia in Modern Herbalism
Today, hoodia is wildly popular as a safe, natural appetite suppressant. Though the scientific evidence supporting hoodia's use as a weight loss aid is scant, hoodia is now sold in the U.S. in forms ranging from capsules and tablets to teas and tinctures. Manufacturers of diet snack bars, protein shake mixes and even lollipops are including hoodia in their product recipes.
Despite hoodia's popularity, significant questions surround this immensely popular herbal supplement. Most of the "studies" on hoodia, especially those reports published on "consumer research" web sites, fail to pass scientific scrutiny and some experts have questioned their authenticity altogether.
Serious Medical Studies on Hoodia
Despite the claims made by thousands of pro-hoodia web sites, scientific evidence for hoodia is scant. As of 2006, not a single double-blind human study on hoodia had been published in any peer-reviewed scientific journal.
If hoodia is ultimately found effective for weight loss, the compound P57 will likely be deemed the "active" ingredient. A 2004 study found that when P57 was injected into the brains of rats, the test animals temporarily decreased their food intake by up to 60%. However, it's important to note that the animals used in this study were not fed hoodia; rather, they had hoodia injected directly into their brains.
References:
ConsumerLab.com. (2005). Review Article: Hoodia (Hoodia gordonii).
Avula, B., et al. (2006). Determination of the appetite suppressant P57 in Hoodia gordonii plant extracts and dietary supplements by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-MSD-TOF) and LC-UV methods.
Family: Apocynaceae
Common Names: hoodia, Xhoba, bushman's hat
Native to the Kalahari desert of South Africa and Namibia, Hoodia gordonii is a flowering succulent in the Acpocynaceae family. There are 13 species of Hoodia but only one, H. gordonii is exploited commercially.
Traditional Medical Uses for Hoodia gordonii
Despite claims to the contrary--most of them made by hoodia supplement distributors--little is known about the traditional medical uses for this cactus-like plant. Some reports claim that the San people (vulgarly referred to as "bushmen") have used this African native for centures to reduce hunger during long hunting trips but this claim has not been verified scientifically. Perhaps more likely, the San people used hoodia as food only when absolutely necessary.
Hoodia In Native American Healing
All species of Hoodia are native to the Kalahari region of Africa. Hoodia was not known to the Native Americans of North or South America.
Hoodia in Ayurveda
There is no reliable evidence that hoodia was known to the healers of India or used in Ayurveda until hoodia began to see mass commercial exploitation in 2003.
Hoodia in Traditional Chinese Medicine
There is no evidence that hoodia was known to the physicians of ancient China or used in any form of traditional Chinese medicine until very recently.
Hoodia in Traditional European Herbalism
No evidence of hoodia's use in traditional European herbalism is known.
Hoodia in Modern Herbalism
Today, hoodia is wildly popular as a safe, natural appetite suppressant. Though the scientific evidence supporting hoodia's use as a weight loss aid is scant, hoodia is now sold in the U.S. in forms ranging from capsules and tablets to teas and tinctures. Manufacturers of diet snack bars, protein shake mixes and even lollipops are including hoodia in their product recipes.
Despite hoodia's popularity, significant questions surround this immensely popular herbal supplement. Most of the "studies" on hoodia, especially those reports published on "consumer research" web sites, fail to pass scientific scrutiny and some experts have questioned their authenticity altogether.
Serious Medical Studies on Hoodia
Despite the claims made by thousands of pro-hoodia web sites, scientific evidence for hoodia is scant. As of 2006, not a single double-blind human study on hoodia had been published in any peer-reviewed scientific journal.
If hoodia is ultimately found effective for weight loss, the compound P57 will likely be deemed the "active" ingredient. A 2004 study found that when P57 was injected into the brains of rats, the test animals temporarily decreased their food intake by up to 60%. However, it's important to note that the animals used in this study were not fed hoodia; rather, they had hoodia injected directly into their brains.
References:
ConsumerLab.com. (2005). Review Article: Hoodia (Hoodia gordonii).
Avula, B., et al. (2006). Determination of the appetite suppressant P57 in Hoodia gordonii plant extracts and dietary supplements by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-MSD-TOF) and LC-UV methods.
St. John's Wort
Botanical Name: Hypericum perforatum
Family: Cluciaceae
Common Names: St. John's wort, Johsnwort, amber, goat weed
It's been used to banish evil spirits, heal battle wounds and teach Christianity's greatest story. But today, we know St. John's wort best for its ability to ease symptoms of mild and moderate depression. Native to western Europe and northwestern Africa, this little perennial with its unassuming yellow blossoms has recently become one of the most popular herbs in the world.
St. John's wort has been the subject of a numerous legends and superstitions, particularly in Europe. One legend tells us that a childless woman who gathers the blossoms on the eve of St. John's feast day is guaranteed to be cured of her infertility. Another tells us that picking the flowers on that same day assures that an unmarried woman will find a suitable husband.
Perhaps St. John's wort most charming legends involve the story of St. John the Baptist. When crushed, the tiny yellow flowers "bleed" a red oily substance that reminded Medieval Christians of the blood spilled when St. John was beheaded. Then, there are the tiny dotted leaves that look punctured when held up to the light. To Christian Crusaders, these "wounds" were a sign of divine healing and a triumph of the plant over the evil forces that tried to destroy it.
Traditional Medical Uses for St. John's Wort
Named for St. John the Baptist, St. John's wort once saw extensive use in herbal medicine and was used to treat coughs, lung infections, burns, inflammation, joint pain, insomnia and a number of other ailments. As recently as the 20th century an oil made with St. John's wort was a popular topical treatment for burns, bruises and sore muscles.
St. John's Wort in Native American Healing
St. John's wort is native to Europe and Asia and did not arrive in the Americas until fairly recently. If Native Americans used St. John's wort, no reliable records of their practices have survived.
St. John's Wort in Ayurveda
It's unclear if St. John's wort was widely used in Ayurveda; it isn't native to that area. But at least a few Ayurvedic texts classify St. John's wort as a cooling herb used mainly to relieve spasms.
St. John's Wort in Traditional Chinese Medicine
St. John's wort was introduced to China fairly recently; it is not native to that area. Accordingly, no reliable record of St. John's wort in traditional Chinese medicine is available.
St. John's Wort in Traditional European Herbalism
St. John's wort may have been relatively unknown in the rest of the world but in western Europe, it saw heavy use for several centuries. By the time of Nicholas Culpepper, who in 1653 wrote his most famous work, The Complete Herbal, St. John's wort had been used to treat ailments ranging from hysteria to parasitic infections.
Culpepper put St. John's wort under the sign of Leo and the dominion of the Sun. He prescribed St. John's wort for stomach ailments, sciatica, palsy, mouth sores, inflammation and bruises. He also recommended St. John's wort for the bites "of any venomous creature" and for people who "cannot make water".
St. John's Wort in Modern Herbalism
A few highly-publicized negative studies on St. John's wort have caused sales of this immensely popular herb to drop a bit but St. John's wort remains one of the best-selling herbs in the world. Today, St. John's wort is prized mainly for its use as an antidepressant and a handful of studies have, indeed, found standardized extracts of the herb as effective as some prescription antidepressants.
Serious Medical Studies on St. John's Wort
Few herbs rival St. John's wort in the sheer number conflicting studies, their ability to interact with other medications and their potential for side effects. It's no wonder this herbal medication has such loyal followers while facing such vehement opposition.
Depression
Of all St. John's wort's traditional uses, its best known therapeutic use is as an anti-depressant. Some studies have found St. John's ineffective but a 2006 found doses of 600 mg daily more effective than placebo in addressing symptoms of mild to moderate depression.
Unfortunately, St. John's wort has not faired quite as well when used to treat more severe forms of depression.
Cancer
While St. John's wort can severely interfere with mainstream anti-cancer medications, there is also some evidence that St. John's wort may have at least some anti-tumor activity. In a 2007 study, animals receiving extracts of Hypericum hookerianum lived longer and saw their tumor burden shrink. How this will influence cancer treatments for humans has yet to be determined.
Inflammation
A 2007 study found that extracts made from H. perforatum demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity when applied topically.
Safety Issues
While all herbs have the potential to cause undesirable side effects, St. John's wort is especially problematic. St. John's wort can, in susceptible people, cause phototoxic reactions in the skin and cataractogenesis of the eye.
Additionally, St. John's wort can interact with a number of medications. St. John's wort can interact with medications used to treat cancer, high cholesterol, and HIV infection. St. John's wort can also negate the effect of organ transplant drugs.
References:
Foster, S., Johnson, R. (2006). Desk Reference to Nature's Medicine.
Kasper, S., et al. (2006). Superior efficacy of St John's wort extract WS 5570 compared to placebo in patients with major depression: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center trial [ISRCTN77277298].
Shibayama, Y. (2004). St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) induces overexpression of multidrug resistance protein 2 (MRP2) in rats: a 30-day ingestion study.
Dongre, S., et al. (2007). Antitumor activity of Hypericum hookerianum against DLA induced tumor in mice and its possible mechanism of action.
Sosa, S., et al. (2007). Topical anti-inflammatory activity of extracts and compounds from Hypericum perforatum L.
Family: Cluciaceae
Common Names: St. John's wort, Johsnwort, amber, goat weed
It's been used to banish evil spirits, heal battle wounds and teach Christianity's greatest story. But today, we know St. John's wort best for its ability to ease symptoms of mild and moderate depression. Native to western Europe and northwestern Africa, this little perennial with its unassuming yellow blossoms has recently become one of the most popular herbs in the world.
St. John's wort has been the subject of a numerous legends and superstitions, particularly in Europe. One legend tells us that a childless woman who gathers the blossoms on the eve of St. John's feast day is guaranteed to be cured of her infertility. Another tells us that picking the flowers on that same day assures that an unmarried woman will find a suitable husband.
Perhaps St. John's wort most charming legends involve the story of St. John the Baptist. When crushed, the tiny yellow flowers "bleed" a red oily substance that reminded Medieval Christians of the blood spilled when St. John was beheaded. Then, there are the tiny dotted leaves that look punctured when held up to the light. To Christian Crusaders, these "wounds" were a sign of divine healing and a triumph of the plant over the evil forces that tried to destroy it.
Traditional Medical Uses for St. John's Wort
Named for St. John the Baptist, St. John's wort once saw extensive use in herbal medicine and was used to treat coughs, lung infections, burns, inflammation, joint pain, insomnia and a number of other ailments. As recently as the 20th century an oil made with St. John's wort was a popular topical treatment for burns, bruises and sore muscles.
St. John's Wort in Native American Healing
St. John's wort is native to Europe and Asia and did not arrive in the Americas until fairly recently. If Native Americans used St. John's wort, no reliable records of their practices have survived.
St. John's Wort in Ayurveda
It's unclear if St. John's wort was widely used in Ayurveda; it isn't native to that area. But at least a few Ayurvedic texts classify St. John's wort as a cooling herb used mainly to relieve spasms.
St. John's Wort in Traditional Chinese Medicine
St. John's wort was introduced to China fairly recently; it is not native to that area. Accordingly, no reliable record of St. John's wort in traditional Chinese medicine is available.
St. John's Wort in Traditional European Herbalism
St. John's wort may have been relatively unknown in the rest of the world but in western Europe, it saw heavy use for several centuries. By the time of Nicholas Culpepper, who in 1653 wrote his most famous work, The Complete Herbal, St. John's wort had been used to treat ailments ranging from hysteria to parasitic infections.
Culpepper put St. John's wort under the sign of Leo and the dominion of the Sun. He prescribed St. John's wort for stomach ailments, sciatica, palsy, mouth sores, inflammation and bruises. He also recommended St. John's wort for the bites "of any venomous creature" and for people who "cannot make water".
St. John's Wort in Modern Herbalism
A few highly-publicized negative studies on St. John's wort have caused sales of this immensely popular herb to drop a bit but St. John's wort remains one of the best-selling herbs in the world. Today, St. John's wort is prized mainly for its use as an antidepressant and a handful of studies have, indeed, found standardized extracts of the herb as effective as some prescription antidepressants.
Serious Medical Studies on St. John's Wort
Few herbs rival St. John's wort in the sheer number conflicting studies, their ability to interact with other medications and their potential for side effects. It's no wonder this herbal medication has such loyal followers while facing such vehement opposition.
Depression
Of all St. John's wort's traditional uses, its best known therapeutic use is as an anti-depressant. Some studies have found St. John's ineffective but a 2006 found doses of 600 mg daily more effective than placebo in addressing symptoms of mild to moderate depression.
Unfortunately, St. John's wort has not faired quite as well when used to treat more severe forms of depression.
Cancer
While St. John's wort can severely interfere with mainstream anti-cancer medications, there is also some evidence that St. John's wort may have at least some anti-tumor activity. In a 2007 study, animals receiving extracts of Hypericum hookerianum lived longer and saw their tumor burden shrink. How this will influence cancer treatments for humans has yet to be determined.
Inflammation
A 2007 study found that extracts made from H. perforatum demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity when applied topically.
Safety Issues
While all herbs have the potential to cause undesirable side effects, St. John's wort is especially problematic. St. John's wort can, in susceptible people, cause phototoxic reactions in the skin and cataractogenesis of the eye.
Additionally, St. John's wort can interact with a number of medications. St. John's wort can interact with medications used to treat cancer, high cholesterol, and HIV infection. St. John's wort can also negate the effect of organ transplant drugs.
References:
Foster, S., Johnson, R. (2006). Desk Reference to Nature's Medicine.
Kasper, S., et al. (2006). Superior efficacy of St John's wort extract WS 5570 compared to placebo in patients with major depression: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center trial [ISRCTN77277298].
Shibayama, Y. (2004). St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) induces overexpression of multidrug resistance protein 2 (MRP2) in rats: a 30-day ingestion study.
Dongre, S., et al. (2007). Antitumor activity of Hypericum hookerianum against DLA induced tumor in mice and its possible mechanism of action.
Sosa, S., et al. (2007). Topical anti-inflammatory activity of extracts and compounds from Hypericum perforatum L.
Aloe Vera
Botanical Name: Aloe vera; Aloe barbadensis
Family: Liliaceae
Common Names: aloe, aloe vera, cape aloe, curacao aloe
Over 300 species of aloe have been cataloged and at least of few of these have been used medicinally throughout the years. But it's Aloe vera that most people think of when they mention this Mediterranean succulent.
The use of various species of aloe has been documented to around 1500 BCE and it's likely that the therapeutic use of aloe goes back much further even that that. Today aloe is used in most of the world's major folk healing systems.
Traditional Medical Uses for Aloe vera
Aloe is one of the most popular medicinal herbs used today. In the United States alone, Aloe vera enjoys sales of $500,000 per year. Ayurveda, traditional Chinese medicine and other systems of folk medicine all make use of aloe.
Aloe gel, taken directly from mature leaves, is best-known as a home remedy for minor burns but aloe juice, made from leaf skin, is a potent laxative long used as a purgative.
Aloe In Native American Healing
Aloe arrived in North America in the 1500s. First introduced to the West Indies, aloe eventually spread to Florida and then on to other areas of the U.S. By 1665 aloe's therapeutic properties were realized and by the early 1700s, aloe was cultivated commercially.
Little is known of when (or even how) Native Americans came to embrace the various aloes that were introduced to North America. There is some evidence that they recognized aloe gel's ability to soothe skin and aloe was an ingredient in a popular commercial cough syrup during the early 1900s. But as far as reliable evidence of authentic Native American use of aloe, the evidence is scant, at best.
Aloe in Ayurveda
In Ayurveda, aloe is known as kumari, or "young girl" because it's believed to renew the "female nature" and increase youthful energy and vigor. Most Ayurvedic uses of aloe refer to the gel--not the juice--and aloe gel can be used either fresh or powdered.
Aloe is considered a tonic for the liver, spleen and female reproductive system. Aloe is believed to tonify and reduce Pitta. It is considered a bitter, astrigent energetic with sweet cooling properties that will aggravate Vatta.
Therapeutically, Ayurveda uses aloe for conditions including fever, constipation, inflammation, liver and spleen issues, intestinal worms and various "female" problems.
Aloe is often combined with other herbs like gentain.
Aloe in Traditional Chinese Medicine
In traditional Chinese medicine, aloe is known as lu hui and is considered a food used to eliminate toxic heat. TCM also uses aloe to destroy and purge worms, to stop menstruation and to ease convulsions.
Aloe in Traditional European Herbalism
Legend tells us that aloe, which is native to coastal areas of the Mediterranean, didn't make it into central and northern Europe until around 1000 CE. By the time of Nicholas Culpepper, at least some of aloe's therapeutic properties were known, although he referred to it not as "aloe" but as "sea houseleek".
Culpepper put the various succulents like aloe under the sign of Jupiter and assigned them a "hot" quality. Culpepper recommended aloe for a number of ailments including "piles", "knots in the flesh", ulcers, sores, fevers and bleeding.
Aloe in Modern Herbalism
Today, modern herbalists use aloe for two main purposes--to soothe the skin and as a laxative. Herbalists use aloe's thick gel, taken directly from the leaves, mainly as a skin soother. In fact, aloe is an important ingredient in "natural" cosmetics and is added to cleansers, lotions and other toiletries. The practice of using aloe to soothe and nurture the skin is especially prevalent here in the U.S.
Less popular here is aloe's use as a laxative. (It's interesting to note the aloe's Commission E monograph lists aloe as "approved" only as a laxative--not as a burn remedy.) By extracting aloe juice from the skin of the leaves, herbalists create a powerful laxative capable of causing severe side effects if not used properly.
Serious Medical Studies on Aloe
Aloe not only enjoys status as one of the most popular herbs in the U.S.; it is also one of the most studied. In recent years, aloe has been studied as a wound healer, a cancer fighter and even as an anti-fungal. While many of these studies have been small and poorly-designed a few are very encouraging.
Burns & Burn Wounds
A 2007 review of four previous controlled studies found that the use of aloe on minor burns sped healing time by 8 days. This study seems to support the findings of past studies--like a 1995 Tai study that found aloe healed burns 7 days faster than a vaseline gauze preparation did.
Diabetes
For more than 20 years, some researchers have claimed that aloe, specifically Aloe vera, could be used to effectively manage blood glucose levels in diabetics. In a 2001 study from Turkey, researchers used laboratory animals to test this theory and shocked the world. They found that an extract made from aloe gel could, indeed, influence the blood glucose levels of type 2 diabetics.
Radiotherapy-Induced Skin Damage
A 2005 study from New Zealand compared the healing effects of Aloe vera gel against the effectiveness of 1% hydrocortisone cream at reducing the severity of skin reactions among patients receiving radiotherapy treatments. Researchers found Aloe vera as effective as mild steroids cream but less likely to cause side effects.
References:
Vogel, V. (1970). American Indian Medicine.
McGuffin, M., Kartesz, J, Leung, A., Tucker, A. (2000). Herbs of Commerce.
Frawley, D., Lad, V. (2001). The Yoga of Herbs.
Lu, H. (1994). Chinese Natural Cures.
Culpepper, N. (1653). The Complete Herbal.
Foster, S., Johnson, R. (2006). Desk Reference to Nature's Medicine.
Visuthikosol, V., Chowchuen, B., Sukwanarat, Y., Sriurairatana, S., Boonpucknavig, V. (1995). Effect of Aloe Vera Gel to Healing of Burn Wound a Clinical and Histologic Study.
Maenthaisong, R., Chaiyakunapruk, N., Niruntraporn, S., Kongkaew, C. (2007). The Efficacy of Aloe Vera Used for Burn Wound Healing: A Systematic Review.
Okyar, A., Can, A., Akev, N., Baktir, G., Sutlupinar, N. (2001). Effect of Aloe Vera on Blood Glucose Level in Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetic Rat Models.
Maddocks-Jennings, W., Wilkinson, J., Shillington, D. (2005). Novel Approache To Radiotherapy-Induced Skin Reactions; A Literature Revew.
Family: Liliaceae
Common Names: aloe, aloe vera, cape aloe, curacao aloe
Over 300 species of aloe have been cataloged and at least of few of these have been used medicinally throughout the years. But it's Aloe vera that most people think of when they mention this Mediterranean succulent.
The use of various species of aloe has been documented to around 1500 BCE and it's likely that the therapeutic use of aloe goes back much further even that that. Today aloe is used in most of the world's major folk healing systems.
Traditional Medical Uses for Aloe vera
Aloe is one of the most popular medicinal herbs used today. In the United States alone, Aloe vera enjoys sales of $500,000 per year. Ayurveda, traditional Chinese medicine and other systems of folk medicine all make use of aloe.
Aloe gel, taken directly from mature leaves, is best-known as a home remedy for minor burns but aloe juice, made from leaf skin, is a potent laxative long used as a purgative.
Aloe In Native American Healing
Aloe arrived in North America in the 1500s. First introduced to the West Indies, aloe eventually spread to Florida and then on to other areas of the U.S. By 1665 aloe's therapeutic properties were realized and by the early 1700s, aloe was cultivated commercially.
Little is known of when (or even how) Native Americans came to embrace the various aloes that were introduced to North America. There is some evidence that they recognized aloe gel's ability to soothe skin and aloe was an ingredient in a popular commercial cough syrup during the early 1900s. But as far as reliable evidence of authentic Native American use of aloe, the evidence is scant, at best.
Aloe in Ayurveda
In Ayurveda, aloe is known as kumari, or "young girl" because it's believed to renew the "female nature" and increase youthful energy and vigor. Most Ayurvedic uses of aloe refer to the gel--not the juice--and aloe gel can be used either fresh or powdered.
Aloe is considered a tonic for the liver, spleen and female reproductive system. Aloe is believed to tonify and reduce Pitta. It is considered a bitter, astrigent energetic with sweet cooling properties that will aggravate Vatta.
Therapeutically, Ayurveda uses aloe for conditions including fever, constipation, inflammation, liver and spleen issues, intestinal worms and various "female" problems.
Aloe is often combined with other herbs like gentain.
Aloe in Traditional Chinese Medicine
In traditional Chinese medicine, aloe is known as lu hui and is considered a food used to eliminate toxic heat. TCM also uses aloe to destroy and purge worms, to stop menstruation and to ease convulsions.
Aloe in Traditional European Herbalism
Legend tells us that aloe, which is native to coastal areas of the Mediterranean, didn't make it into central and northern Europe until around 1000 CE. By the time of Nicholas Culpepper, at least some of aloe's therapeutic properties were known, although he referred to it not as "aloe" but as "sea houseleek".
Culpepper put the various succulents like aloe under the sign of Jupiter and assigned them a "hot" quality. Culpepper recommended aloe for a number of ailments including "piles", "knots in the flesh", ulcers, sores, fevers and bleeding.
Aloe in Modern Herbalism
Today, modern herbalists use aloe for two main purposes--to soothe the skin and as a laxative. Herbalists use aloe's thick gel, taken directly from the leaves, mainly as a skin soother. In fact, aloe is an important ingredient in "natural" cosmetics and is added to cleansers, lotions and other toiletries. The practice of using aloe to soothe and nurture the skin is especially prevalent here in the U.S.
Less popular here is aloe's use as a laxative. (It's interesting to note the aloe's Commission E monograph lists aloe as "approved" only as a laxative--not as a burn remedy.) By extracting aloe juice from the skin of the leaves, herbalists create a powerful laxative capable of causing severe side effects if not used properly.
Serious Medical Studies on Aloe
Aloe not only enjoys status as one of the most popular herbs in the U.S.; it is also one of the most studied. In recent years, aloe has been studied as a wound healer, a cancer fighter and even as an anti-fungal. While many of these studies have been small and poorly-designed a few are very encouraging.
Burns & Burn Wounds
A 2007 review of four previous controlled studies found that the use of aloe on minor burns sped healing time by 8 days. This study seems to support the findings of past studies--like a 1995 Tai study that found aloe healed burns 7 days faster than a vaseline gauze preparation did.
Diabetes
For more than 20 years, some researchers have claimed that aloe, specifically Aloe vera, could be used to effectively manage blood glucose levels in diabetics. In a 2001 study from Turkey, researchers used laboratory animals to test this theory and shocked the world. They found that an extract made from aloe gel could, indeed, influence the blood glucose levels of type 2 diabetics.
Radiotherapy-Induced Skin Damage
A 2005 study from New Zealand compared the healing effects of Aloe vera gel against the effectiveness of 1% hydrocortisone cream at reducing the severity of skin reactions among patients receiving radiotherapy treatments. Researchers found Aloe vera as effective as mild steroids cream but less likely to cause side effects.
References:
Vogel, V. (1970). American Indian Medicine.
McGuffin, M., Kartesz, J, Leung, A., Tucker, A. (2000). Herbs of Commerce.
Frawley, D., Lad, V. (2001). The Yoga of Herbs.
Lu, H. (1994). Chinese Natural Cures.
Culpepper, N. (1653). The Complete Herbal.
Foster, S., Johnson, R. (2006). Desk Reference to Nature's Medicine.
Visuthikosol, V., Chowchuen, B., Sukwanarat, Y., Sriurairatana, S., Boonpucknavig, V. (1995). Effect of Aloe Vera Gel to Healing of Burn Wound a Clinical and Histologic Study.
Maenthaisong, R., Chaiyakunapruk, N., Niruntraporn, S., Kongkaew, C. (2007). The Efficacy of Aloe Vera Used for Burn Wound Healing: A Systematic Review.
Okyar, A., Can, A., Akev, N., Baktir, G., Sutlupinar, N. (2001). Effect of Aloe Vera on Blood Glucose Level in Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetic Rat Models.
Maddocks-Jennings, W., Wilkinson, J., Shillington, D. (2005). Novel Approache To Radiotherapy-Induced Skin Reactions; A Literature Revew.
Passion Flower
Botanical Name: Passiflora incarnata
Family: Passifloraceae
Common Names: passionflower, passion flower, passion vine, may pop, apricot vine, wild apricot
Forty-six species of passionflower have been identified in the U.S. but it's Passiflora incarnata that's been the focus of most scientific studies. And, it's P. incarnata that most people think of when they envision the one "true" passionflower.
Native to the eastern half of the United States, P. incarnata can be found growing wild from Texas to New York. In some areas, passionflower is considered an invasive weed but at least two states, Indiana and Ohio, list it as "rare" and "threatened", respectively.
Despite its name, passionflower has little to do with romance. The term "passionflower" was bestowed upon it by Jesuit priests who used this bizarre-looking plant to teach the lesson of Christ's crucifixion. Nearly every part of the passionflower plant was used, from the three styles said to represent the nails to the halo of filaments said to represent Christ's crown of thorns. Even the vining tendrils and deeply-lobed leaves stood for some aspect of the "passion" or "suffering" central to the crucifixion story.
Traditional Medical Uses for Passionflower
Legend tells us that the West first learned of passionflower when the Aztec shared their knowledge with Spanish explorers. Regardless of exactly how passionflower was introduced to European herbalists, there's no doubt that the Native peoples of North America had already been using passionflower for generations.
Passionflower In Native American Healing
Since most species of passionflower are native to the U.S., it's little wonder that most of our traditional herbal knowledge of the plant comes from this area. The Houma People of southern Louisiana crushed the roots of the plant, probably P. incarnata, and added it to drinking water to tone the blood.
The Mayas also crushed passionflower but they used it mainly as a poultice for swellings. There is also evidence that they regarded it as a purgative and consumed various parts of the plant to treat ringworm. The Aztecs certainly saw passionflower as a purgative and used it heavily for that purpose.
Perhaps is it the Cherokee for whom we have the most information. They used passionflower mainly as a sedative and used it to deal with nervous conditions. Various parts of the passionflower were also used to treat muscle spasms, heart conditions and some ailments of the eye.
Passionflower in Ayurveda
Most species of passionflower are native to the eastern half of the U.S. Consequently, Ayurveda has only recently embraced this herb for its healing potential. Today, passionflower is used primarily for it's sedative properties. Passionflower is typically considered an anti-Pitta nervine and is used mainly to alleviate insomnia.
Passionflower in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Just as with Ayurveda, traditional Chinese medicine only recently discovered passionflower. No reliable references to passionflower in TCM are known to exist at this time.
Passionflower in Traditional European Herbalism
Passionflower didn't come into widespread use outside of North America until the 1800s. No reliable references to widespread us of passionflower in traditional European herbalism exist at this time.
Passionflower in Modern Herbalism
Today's modern herbalist uses passionflower for many of the same reasons their Native American counterparts did. Naturopath Linda Page, in her book How To Be Your Own Herbal Pharmacist, recommends P. incarnata as a primary nervine, an anti-spasmodic and as a sedative.
Serious Medical Studies on Passionflower
Until 1978 passionflower was a common ingredient in many over-the-counter sleep aids. It was removed from night time sleep aids only after an FDA review of those products failed to find proof that passionflower actually worked. However, passionflower is still approved by the FDA as a dietary supplement and can be found in many "natural" teas and sleep-supporting herbal formulas.
Fortunately, recent studies have been a bit kinder to passionflower. In recent years passionflower, especially P. incarnata, has been studied for medical conditions ranging from viral infections to restless leg syndrome.
Anxiety
Passionflower's most common medicinal use by Native Americans was as a nervine so it's only natural that much of the scientific research into passionflower's potential health benefits focus on anxiety. Some of these studies have produced disappointing results but a few have been very promising.
One of the most encouraging was a 2001 article which compared the anti-anxiety effects of P. incarnata with the prescription medication oxazepam. While the passionflower extract used in this study didn't "kick in" as quickly as its pharmaceutical counterpart, it also didn't leave users impaired like the oxazepam did. And as far as the effect on anxiety goes, passionflower performed at a level the study's scientists deemed "no significant difference".
Addiction
In a small 2001 study of clonidine therapies for opiates withdrawal, researchers found that by combining the drug clonidine with an extract made from P. incarnata, they could significantly reduce the anxiety some addicts experienced during the detoxification process. A larger study was called for.
References:
USDA, NRCS. (2007). The PLANTS Database (http://www.plants.usda.gov.)
Akhondzadeh S, Naghavi HR, Vazirian M, Shayeganpour A, Rashidi H, Khani M. (2001). Passionflower in the treatment of generalized anxiety: a pilot double-blind randomized controlled trial with oxazepam. Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics. 26(5), 363-7.
Akhondzadeh S, Kashani L, Mobaseri M, Hosseini SH, Nikzad S, Khani M. (2001). Passionflower in the treatment of opiates withdrawal: a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics. 26(5), 369-73.
Vogel, V. (1970). American Indian Medicine. Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press.
Garrett, J., Garrett, M. (1996). Medicine of the Cherokee. Rochester, VT: Bear & Company.
Family: Passifloraceae
Common Names: passionflower, passion flower, passion vine, may pop, apricot vine, wild apricot
Forty-six species of passionflower have been identified in the U.S. but it's Passiflora incarnata that's been the focus of most scientific studies. And, it's P. incarnata that most people think of when they envision the one "true" passionflower.
Native to the eastern half of the United States, P. incarnata can be found growing wild from Texas to New York. In some areas, passionflower is considered an invasive weed but at least two states, Indiana and Ohio, list it as "rare" and "threatened", respectively.
Despite its name, passionflower has little to do with romance. The term "passionflower" was bestowed upon it by Jesuit priests who used this bizarre-looking plant to teach the lesson of Christ's crucifixion. Nearly every part of the passionflower plant was used, from the three styles said to represent the nails to the halo of filaments said to represent Christ's crown of thorns. Even the vining tendrils and deeply-lobed leaves stood for some aspect of the "passion" or "suffering" central to the crucifixion story.
Traditional Medical Uses for Passionflower
Legend tells us that the West first learned of passionflower when the Aztec shared their knowledge with Spanish explorers. Regardless of exactly how passionflower was introduced to European herbalists, there's no doubt that the Native peoples of North America had already been using passionflower for generations.
Passionflower In Native American Healing
Since most species of passionflower are native to the U.S., it's little wonder that most of our traditional herbal knowledge of the plant comes from this area. The Houma People of southern Louisiana crushed the roots of the plant, probably P. incarnata, and added it to drinking water to tone the blood.
The Mayas also crushed passionflower but they used it mainly as a poultice for swellings. There is also evidence that they regarded it as a purgative and consumed various parts of the plant to treat ringworm. The Aztecs certainly saw passionflower as a purgative and used it heavily for that purpose.
Perhaps is it the Cherokee for whom we have the most information. They used passionflower mainly as a sedative and used it to deal with nervous conditions. Various parts of the passionflower were also used to treat muscle spasms, heart conditions and some ailments of the eye.
Passionflower in Ayurveda
Most species of passionflower are native to the eastern half of the U.S. Consequently, Ayurveda has only recently embraced this herb for its healing potential. Today, passionflower is used primarily for it's sedative properties. Passionflower is typically considered an anti-Pitta nervine and is used mainly to alleviate insomnia.
Passionflower in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Just as with Ayurveda, traditional Chinese medicine only recently discovered passionflower. No reliable references to passionflower in TCM are known to exist at this time.
Passionflower in Traditional European Herbalism
Passionflower didn't come into widespread use outside of North America until the 1800s. No reliable references to widespread us of passionflower in traditional European herbalism exist at this time.
Passionflower in Modern Herbalism
Today's modern herbalist uses passionflower for many of the same reasons their Native American counterparts did. Naturopath Linda Page, in her book How To Be Your Own Herbal Pharmacist, recommends P. incarnata as a primary nervine, an anti-spasmodic and as a sedative.
Serious Medical Studies on Passionflower
Until 1978 passionflower was a common ingredient in many over-the-counter sleep aids. It was removed from night time sleep aids only after an FDA review of those products failed to find proof that passionflower actually worked. However, passionflower is still approved by the FDA as a dietary supplement and can be found in many "natural" teas and sleep-supporting herbal formulas.
Fortunately, recent studies have been a bit kinder to passionflower. In recent years passionflower, especially P. incarnata, has been studied for medical conditions ranging from viral infections to restless leg syndrome.
Anxiety
Passionflower's most common medicinal use by Native Americans was as a nervine so it's only natural that much of the scientific research into passionflower's potential health benefits focus on anxiety. Some of these studies have produced disappointing results but a few have been very promising.
One of the most encouraging was a 2001 article which compared the anti-anxiety effects of P. incarnata with the prescription medication oxazepam. While the passionflower extract used in this study didn't "kick in" as quickly as its pharmaceutical counterpart, it also didn't leave users impaired like the oxazepam did. And as far as the effect on anxiety goes, passionflower performed at a level the study's scientists deemed "no significant difference".
Addiction
In a small 2001 study of clonidine therapies for opiates withdrawal, researchers found that by combining the drug clonidine with an extract made from P. incarnata, they could significantly reduce the anxiety some addicts experienced during the detoxification process. A larger study was called for.
References:
USDA, NRCS. (2007). The PLANTS Database (http://www.plants.usda.gov.)
Akhondzadeh S, Naghavi HR, Vazirian M, Shayeganpour A, Rashidi H, Khani M. (2001). Passionflower in the treatment of generalized anxiety: a pilot double-blind randomized controlled trial with oxazepam. Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics. 26(5), 363-7.
Akhondzadeh S, Kashani L, Mobaseri M, Hosseini SH, Nikzad S, Khani M. (2001). Passionflower in the treatment of opiates withdrawal: a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics. 26(5), 369-73.
Vogel, V. (1970). American Indian Medicine. Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press.
Garrett, J., Garrett, M. (1996). Medicine of the Cherokee. Rochester, VT: Bear & Company.
Garlic
Botanical Name: Allium sativa
Family: Liliaceae
Common Names: garlic
Of all the plants known to herbalists, few enjoy the status and history of garlic. 5,000 years ago garlic was a staple food of the ancient Egyptians and by 100 CE, garlic's therapeutic actions were being identified. Today, garlic is one of the most highly prized herbs by both herbalists and lay-persons alike.
Native to central Asia, garlic is now cultivated around the world. Despite being regarded in some areas of the U.S. as a noxious weed, garlic is incredibly popular. In the United States alone, garlic sees retail sales of well over $70,000,000 and is among the top 5 best-selling herbs.
Traditional Medical Uses for Garlic
Throughout the centuries garlic has been used as a remedy for digestive complaints, asthma and diarrhea. Garlic's anti-microbial properties have long been recognized, as well. Garlic poultices were used for both bacterial and fungal infections.
Perhaps garlic's best-known use was a an anti-parasitic agent. Long before garlic arrived in Europe, physicians in India and China were using it to purge intestinal worms and other parasites.
Garlic In Native American Healing
Though some species of Allium were known and used by Native Americans, Allium sativa wasn't introduced to America until fairly recently. Not surprising is the fact that no reliable accounts of Native American use of garlic are known.
Garlic in Ayurveda
Garlic's Ayurvedic name is Rashona, which means "lacking one taste" because garlic is classified as demonstrating all six Ayurvedic tastes except sour.
Therapeutically, garlic is regarded as an extremely powerful rejuvenative and detoxifier. Garlic cleanses Ama and Kapha and has a tamasic quality. Garlic's actions include stimulant, carminative, expectorant, antispasmodic, disinfectant and anthelmintic. Ayurveda uses garlic as a remedy for colds, heart issues, skin diseases, parasitic infections, impotence and even emotional problems.
Garlic in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Garlic is astoundingly important to traditional Chinese Medicine. In his book Chinese Natural Cures, Dr. Henry Lu explains that various preparations of garlic are used to alleviate cough, relieve abdominal pain and even ease genital itching.
Chinese people do not generally eat large amounts of garlic but will sometimes carry it with them to help purify drinking water. Garlic is also used to purge parasites, reduce swelling and promote urination.
Garlic in Traditional European Herbalism
Herbalist Nicholas Culpepper put garlic, which he spelled, "garlick", under the sign of Mars. Traditional European herbalists seem to have used garlic for many of the same reason their Indian and Chinese counterparts did. Culpepper recommended garlic for swellings, plague, sores, ulcers, jaundice and many other ailments.
Garlic in Modern Herbalism
Today, garlic may be more popular than ever. It's among the top 5 best-selling herbs in America, was approved by Germany's Commission E and is acknowledged by the World Health Organization as a treatment for mild hypertension.
Dr. Andrew Weil encourages his readers to use garlic to fight colds, yeast infections and resistance to infections.
Serious Medical Studies on Garlic
In addition to being one of the most popular herbs in the world, garlic is also one of the most well-studied. Garlic has been the subject of hundreds of studies over the years. While some of these studies have produced conflicting results, other garlic studies have been very encouraging.
Pregnancy Pre-Eclampsia
One of garlic's least-known folk uses is as a preventative for pre-eclampsia, which is a potentially dangerous condition marked by rapidly rising blood pressure and the presence of protein in the urine of pregnant women.
Unfortunately, a 2006 review of previous studies found garlic ineffective at preventing pre-eclampsia. While garlic produced no side-effects other than odor, the authors of this review declined to recommend garlic as a preventative.
Cancer
A number of studies have suggested that garlic may have anti-cancer properties, especially when it comes to intestinal and stomach cancers. One of the largest was a 2006 Spanish study that looked at over 500,000 European people of various ethnicities.
Dementia & Alzheimer's Disease
Doctors know that certain conditions like high cholesterol and high blood pressure increase the risk of dementia. A 2006 piece published in the Journal of Nutrition claims that carefully aged extracts of garlic may help reduce the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease by undoing some of the damage done by high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
References:
USDA, NRCS. (2007). The PLANTS Database (http://www.plants.usda.gov.)
American Botanical Council. (2000). Herbal Medicine Expanded Commission E Monographs.
Foster, S., Johnson, R. (2006). Desk Reference to Nature's Medicine.
Vogel, V. (1970). American Indian Medicine.
Frawley, D., Lad, V. (2001). The Yoga of Herbs.
Culpepper, N. (1653). The Complete Herbal.
Weil, A. (2007). Garlic.
Meher, S., Duley, L. (2006). Garlic for preventing pre-eclampsia and its complications.
Gonzalez, C., Riboli, E. (2006). Diet and cancer prevention: where we are, where we are going.
Borek, C. (2006). Garlic reduces dementia and heart-disease risk.
Family: Liliaceae
Common Names: garlic
Of all the plants known to herbalists, few enjoy the status and history of garlic. 5,000 years ago garlic was a staple food of the ancient Egyptians and by 100 CE, garlic's therapeutic actions were being identified. Today, garlic is one of the most highly prized herbs by both herbalists and lay-persons alike.
Native to central Asia, garlic is now cultivated around the world. Despite being regarded in some areas of the U.S. as a noxious weed, garlic is incredibly popular. In the United States alone, garlic sees retail sales of well over $70,000,000 and is among the top 5 best-selling herbs.
Traditional Medical Uses for Garlic
Throughout the centuries garlic has been used as a remedy for digestive complaints, asthma and diarrhea. Garlic's anti-microbial properties have long been recognized, as well. Garlic poultices were used for both bacterial and fungal infections.
Perhaps garlic's best-known use was a an anti-parasitic agent. Long before garlic arrived in Europe, physicians in India and China were using it to purge intestinal worms and other parasites.
Garlic In Native American Healing
Though some species of Allium were known and used by Native Americans, Allium sativa wasn't introduced to America until fairly recently. Not surprising is the fact that no reliable accounts of Native American use of garlic are known.
Garlic in Ayurveda
Garlic's Ayurvedic name is Rashona, which means "lacking one taste" because garlic is classified as demonstrating all six Ayurvedic tastes except sour.
Therapeutically, garlic is regarded as an extremely powerful rejuvenative and detoxifier. Garlic cleanses Ama and Kapha and has a tamasic quality. Garlic's actions include stimulant, carminative, expectorant, antispasmodic, disinfectant and anthelmintic. Ayurveda uses garlic as a remedy for colds, heart issues, skin diseases, parasitic infections, impotence and even emotional problems.
Garlic in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Garlic is astoundingly important to traditional Chinese Medicine. In his book Chinese Natural Cures, Dr. Henry Lu explains that various preparations of garlic are used to alleviate cough, relieve abdominal pain and even ease genital itching.
Chinese people do not generally eat large amounts of garlic but will sometimes carry it with them to help purify drinking water. Garlic is also used to purge parasites, reduce swelling and promote urination.
Garlic in Traditional European Herbalism
Herbalist Nicholas Culpepper put garlic, which he spelled, "garlick", under the sign of Mars. Traditional European herbalists seem to have used garlic for many of the same reason their Indian and Chinese counterparts did. Culpepper recommended garlic for swellings, plague, sores, ulcers, jaundice and many other ailments.
Garlic in Modern Herbalism
Today, garlic may be more popular than ever. It's among the top 5 best-selling herbs in America, was approved by Germany's Commission E and is acknowledged by the World Health Organization as a treatment for mild hypertension.
Dr. Andrew Weil encourages his readers to use garlic to fight colds, yeast infections and resistance to infections.
Serious Medical Studies on Garlic
In addition to being one of the most popular herbs in the world, garlic is also one of the most well-studied. Garlic has been the subject of hundreds of studies over the years. While some of these studies have produced conflicting results, other garlic studies have been very encouraging.
Pregnancy Pre-Eclampsia
One of garlic's least-known folk uses is as a preventative for pre-eclampsia, which is a potentially dangerous condition marked by rapidly rising blood pressure and the presence of protein in the urine of pregnant women.
Unfortunately, a 2006 review of previous studies found garlic ineffective at preventing pre-eclampsia. While garlic produced no side-effects other than odor, the authors of this review declined to recommend garlic as a preventative.
Cancer
A number of studies have suggested that garlic may have anti-cancer properties, especially when it comes to intestinal and stomach cancers. One of the largest was a 2006 Spanish study that looked at over 500,000 European people of various ethnicities.
Dementia & Alzheimer's Disease
Doctors know that certain conditions like high cholesterol and high blood pressure increase the risk of dementia. A 2006 piece published in the Journal of Nutrition claims that carefully aged extracts of garlic may help reduce the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease by undoing some of the damage done by high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
References:
USDA, NRCS. (2007). The PLANTS Database (http://www.plants.usda.gov.)
American Botanical Council. (2000). Herbal Medicine Expanded Commission E Monographs.
Foster, S., Johnson, R. (2006). Desk Reference to Nature's Medicine.
Vogel, V. (1970). American Indian Medicine.
Frawley, D., Lad, V. (2001). The Yoga of Herbs.
Culpepper, N. (1653). The Complete Herbal.
Weil, A. (2007). Garlic.
Meher, S., Duley, L. (2006). Garlic for preventing pre-eclampsia and its complications.
Gonzalez, C., Riboli, E. (2006). Diet and cancer prevention: where we are, where we are going.
Borek, C. (2006). Garlic reduces dementia and heart-disease risk.
Calendula
Botanical Name: Calendula officinalis
Family: Asteraceae
Common Names: pot marigold, golds
The "mari" in marigold has been associated with Christianity's Virgin Mary, England's Queen Mary and even an adulteration of the Anglo Saxon term merso-meaargealla. Regardless of the various legends surrounding this unassuming little annual, there's certainly no doubt that for thousands of years, herbal medicine has taken this member of the Aster family very, very seriously.
Once known as "the poor man's saffron", calendula was once a popular food additive. It was used to color, flavor and garnish a number of ancient Greek and Persian dishes. Even into the Middle Ages, calendula was used to flavor or color cheese, butter and rice.
But it may have been the ancient Egyptians who first fully realized calendula's healing potential. Over the centuries, calendula has been used to address skin ailments, menstrual disorders, various infections and even jaundice. Legend has it that Civil War doctors even used calendula preparations to clean and treat sores, burns and minor battle wounds.
Traditional Medical Uses for Calendula
It was a sacred plant to the Hindus and a valued food additive to the ancient Persians. Physicians once used calendula to treat just about everything from "pink eye" to ulcers.
Calendula in Native American Healing
As widespread as calendula's use was in coastal Mediterranean areas, there is no real evidence that calendula was widely used in any Native American healing system until fairly recently.
Calendula in Ayurveda
Though Foster's Desk Reference to Nature's Medicine makes reference to calendula's use as temple decorations, we could find no reliable evidence that calendula was actually used in Ayurveda until fairly recently.
Calendula in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Native to coastal areas of the Mediterranean, calendula may have been unknown to the healers of ancient China. In preparation for this article, we could find no reliable reference to calendula's use in TCM.
Calendula in Traditional European Herbalism
Even if calendula's use in other healing modalities is in question, there's no doubt that it was highly prized and widely used in traditional European herbalism. Calendula was, according to herbalist Nicholas Culpepper, "so plentiful in every garden, and so well known that they need no description".
Culpepper put calendula under the influence of the sun and in the sign of Leo. He calendula to "comfort" the heart and spirits and to "expel any malignant or pestilent which might annoy them".
Like other healers of his time, Culpepper also used calendula preparations to ease swellings, break fevers and even to treat smallpox and measles.
Calendula in Modern Herbalism
Germany's Commission E approved calendula flower for both internal and external use. In Germany, calendula is prescribed for inflammation in the mouth, wounds that resist healing and foot ulcers.
Modern herbalists believe that calendula may promote wound healing and have anti-inflammatory properties.
Serious Medical Studies on Calendula
Today, researchers suspect that many of calendula's therapeutic properties may stem from its carotin, stearin, triterpiniod and kumarin content.
Cancer
In recent years, calendula has become popular as a potential anti-cancer herb. A 2006 study from Tokyo found that two triterpene glycosides found in calendula demonstrate "potent" cytotoxic effects against several types of cancer cells, especially cancers affecting the colon, leukemia and melanoma. This was an in vitro study and exactly what this will mean for cancer patients in the future is unclear.
Skin Care
Calendula enjoys an impeccable reputation as a skin soother and is a popular herbal additive in "natural" cosmetics and skin care products. A 2006 Canadian study of breast cancer patients found that creams made with calendula may help some women better manage dermatitis resulting from radiation.
Abdominal Cramps
Calendula has long been used as an herbal remedy for stomach upset. Today, we know that extracts made from calendula exhibit calcium channel blocking activities that effectively relieve intestinal spasms in laboratory animals.
Safety Issue
Calendula should never be confused with marigolds from the Tagetes genus. Many of those common garden annuals are actually poisonous.
As for calendula, a 2007 report published in the journal Phytotherapy Researach found that while an extract made from Calendula officinalis proved itself non-toxic in laboratory animals, the animals in the study demonstrated renal and liver overload after receiving doses as high as 5.0 g/kg.
References:
Foster, S., Johnson, R. (2006). Desk Reference to Nature's Medicine.
Culpepper, N. (1653). The Complete Herbal.
Lu, H. (1994). Chinese Natural Cures.
Frawley, D., Lad, V. (2001). The Yoga of Herbs.
Blumenthal, M., et al. (1998). The Complete German Commission E Monographs.
Korakhashvili, A., et al. (2007). Biochemical structure of calendula officinalis.
Silva, E., et al. (2007). Toxicological studies on hydroalcohol extract of Calendula officinalis L.
Ukiya, M., et al. (2006). Anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor-promoting, and cytotoxic activities of constituents of marigold (Calendula officinalis) flowers.
Bashir, S., et al. (2006). Studies on spasmogenic and spasmolytic activities of Calendula officinalis flowers.
McQuestion M. (2006). Evidence-based skin care management in radiation therapy.
Family: Asteraceae
Common Names: pot marigold, golds
The "mari" in marigold has been associated with Christianity's Virgin Mary, England's Queen Mary and even an adulteration of the Anglo Saxon term merso-meaargealla. Regardless of the various legends surrounding this unassuming little annual, there's certainly no doubt that for thousands of years, herbal medicine has taken this member of the Aster family very, very seriously.
Once known as "the poor man's saffron", calendula was once a popular food additive. It was used to color, flavor and garnish a number of ancient Greek and Persian dishes. Even into the Middle Ages, calendula was used to flavor or color cheese, butter and rice.
But it may have been the ancient Egyptians who first fully realized calendula's healing potential. Over the centuries, calendula has been used to address skin ailments, menstrual disorders, various infections and even jaundice. Legend has it that Civil War doctors even used calendula preparations to clean and treat sores, burns and minor battle wounds.
Traditional Medical Uses for Calendula
It was a sacred plant to the Hindus and a valued food additive to the ancient Persians. Physicians once used calendula to treat just about everything from "pink eye" to ulcers.
Calendula in Native American Healing
As widespread as calendula's use was in coastal Mediterranean areas, there is no real evidence that calendula was widely used in any Native American healing system until fairly recently.
Calendula in Ayurveda
Though Foster's Desk Reference to Nature's Medicine makes reference to calendula's use as temple decorations, we could find no reliable evidence that calendula was actually used in Ayurveda until fairly recently.
Calendula in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Native to coastal areas of the Mediterranean, calendula may have been unknown to the healers of ancient China. In preparation for this article, we could find no reliable reference to calendula's use in TCM.
Calendula in Traditional European Herbalism
Even if calendula's use in other healing modalities is in question, there's no doubt that it was highly prized and widely used in traditional European herbalism. Calendula was, according to herbalist Nicholas Culpepper, "so plentiful in every garden, and so well known that they need no description".
Culpepper put calendula under the influence of the sun and in the sign of Leo. He calendula to "comfort" the heart and spirits and to "expel any malignant or pestilent which might annoy them".
Like other healers of his time, Culpepper also used calendula preparations to ease swellings, break fevers and even to treat smallpox and measles.
Calendula in Modern Herbalism
Germany's Commission E approved calendula flower for both internal and external use. In Germany, calendula is prescribed for inflammation in the mouth, wounds that resist healing and foot ulcers.
Modern herbalists believe that calendula may promote wound healing and have anti-inflammatory properties.
Serious Medical Studies on Calendula
Today, researchers suspect that many of calendula's therapeutic properties may stem from its carotin, stearin, triterpiniod and kumarin content.
Cancer
In recent years, calendula has become popular as a potential anti-cancer herb. A 2006 study from Tokyo found that two triterpene glycosides found in calendula demonstrate "potent" cytotoxic effects against several types of cancer cells, especially cancers affecting the colon, leukemia and melanoma. This was an in vitro study and exactly what this will mean for cancer patients in the future is unclear.
Skin Care
Calendula enjoys an impeccable reputation as a skin soother and is a popular herbal additive in "natural" cosmetics and skin care products. A 2006 Canadian study of breast cancer patients found that creams made with calendula may help some women better manage dermatitis resulting from radiation.
Abdominal Cramps
Calendula has long been used as an herbal remedy for stomach upset. Today, we know that extracts made from calendula exhibit calcium channel blocking activities that effectively relieve intestinal spasms in laboratory animals.
Safety Issue
Calendula should never be confused with marigolds from the Tagetes genus. Many of those common garden annuals are actually poisonous.
As for calendula, a 2007 report published in the journal Phytotherapy Researach found that while an extract made from Calendula officinalis proved itself non-toxic in laboratory animals, the animals in the study demonstrated renal and liver overload after receiving doses as high as 5.0 g/kg.
References:
Foster, S., Johnson, R. (2006). Desk Reference to Nature's Medicine.
Culpepper, N. (1653). The Complete Herbal.
Lu, H. (1994). Chinese Natural Cures.
Frawley, D., Lad, V. (2001). The Yoga of Herbs.
Blumenthal, M., et al. (1998). The Complete German Commission E Monographs.
Korakhashvili, A., et al. (2007). Biochemical structure of calendula officinalis.
Silva, E., et al. (2007). Toxicological studies on hydroalcohol extract of Calendula officinalis L.
Ukiya, M., et al. (2006). Anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor-promoting, and cytotoxic activities of constituents of marigold (Calendula officinalis) flowers.
Bashir, S., et al. (2006). Studies on spasmogenic and spasmolytic activities of Calendula officinalis flowers.
McQuestion M. (2006). Evidence-based skin care management in radiation therapy.
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