A TASTE OF YOUR OWN MEDICINE; BE CAREFUL WITH HERB MIXTURES.Byline: Phil Davis and Carol Bidwell Staff Writers Before aspirin, the prescription for a fever or headache was a bitter tea of willow bark. St. John's wort St. John’s wort indicates animosity. [Flower Symbolism: Flora Symbolica, 177] See : Hatred St. John’s wort defense against fairies, evil spirits, the Devil. [Br. and yohimbine yohimbine /yo·him·bine/ (yo-him´ben) an alkaloid chemically similar to reserpine, from the bark of the yohimbe tree; it possesses alpha-adrenergic blocking properties and is used as the hydrochloride as a sympatholytic and mydriatic, and are the herbal predecessors of Prozac and Viagra. And mullein mullein: see figwort. was soothing sore throats centuries before Sucrets. Even the dandelions so thoughtlessly mowed down in yards across the nation each weekend contain powerful medicines that have been used to cure everything from appetite loss to rheumatism for more than 1,000 years. ``A lot of people call herbal medicine New Age, but it's really Old Age,'' said Dr. Michael Hirt, a Tarzana physician, UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX professor and expert on herbal remedies. ``Hippocrates prescribed honey as an aphrodisiac aphrodisiac Any of various forms of stimulation thought to arouse sexual excitement. They may be psychophysiological (arousing the senses of sight, touch, smell, or hearing) or internal (e.g., foods, alcoholic drinks, drugs, love potions, medicinal preparations). . That's where we get the term honeymoon.'' Many herbs are proven, powerful drugs. But if mixed with the wrong prescription or over-the-counter medications, the results can be disastrous - even fatal. ``You can handle a lot of this on your own,'' Hirt said. ``But this is medicine, and as with any medication, there are potential side-effects and complications. Yohimbine can interact with blood-pressure medications and substantially raise your blood pressure, and then you're more likely to end up in the emergency room than in the bedroom.'' Use of these healing plants never really went out of fashion in Europe and Asia, but only in recent years have herbs made a comeback in America. In the November issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association is an international peer-reviewed general medical journal, published 48 times per year by the American Medical Association. JAMA is the most widely circulated medical journal in the world. , a researcher reported nearly 60 million Americans now use one or more alternative treatments to cure the aches and pains of everyday life. Most varieties of herbs are now sold in sanitized-for-your-protection caplets, but it's not too hard to grow and mix your own home remedies. All you need is a green thumb, a little bit of knowledge and a teacup. ``I think most people are smart enough and have enough common sense to use Tylenol and Pepto Bismol, and it's the same with herbs,'' Hirt said. ``Give them the same respect you would give any other over-the-counter medication.'' You've harvested your homegrown echinacea echinacea (ĕk'ənā`shēə), popular herbal remedy, or botanical, believed to benefit the immune system. It is used especially to alleviate common colds and the flu, but several controlled studies using it as a cold medicine have and dried it. What now? There are three ways to prepare a home remedy: teas, tinctures or poultices, said Ojai herbalist herb·al·ist n. 1. One who grows, collects, or specializes in the use of herbs, especially medicinal herbs. 2. See herb doctor. Amanda McQuade Crawford Amanda McQuade Crawford, B.A., MNIMH is an herbalist, and teacher. She received her BA in Medieval History from Vassar College, but later went to England where she could study herbal medicine in a depth that was not possible in the United States where herbal medicine had no legal status. , a graduate of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists The National Institute of Medical Herbalists is the major professional body regulating medical herbalists in the United Kingdom. It was first established as the National Association of Medical Herbalists in 1864 by a group of herbalists from the north of England, but currently has members in Britain and founder of both the American Herbalists Guild The American Herbalists Guild is the only professional organization for herbalists of all traditions in the United States of America. The Guild was founded in 1989 as a non-profit, educational organization. and the College of Phytotherapy in Alberquerque, N.M. Teas are generally made from flowers or leaves. Use about 1 ounce of dried herb to a pint of boiling water, and steep for 5 to 10 minutes (simmer bark or roots a bit longer). Strain out the solids and drink a half-cup to a cup of the liquid up to three times a day, Crawford advised. Tinctures are herbal essences in more concentrated form, mixed with water and alcohol. And they're trickier to prepare. According to ``The Complete Book of Herbs'' (Penguin USA; $19.95), the recipe for a tincture tincture /tinc·ture/ (tingk´chur) an alcoholic or hydroalcoholic solution prepared from vegetable materials or chemical substances. is 4 ounces of powdered herb or 8 ounces of fresh herb, mixed with 2-1/2 cups of 60 proof alcohol (vodka or brandy). Put the mixture in a container with a tight lid and leave in a warm place, shaking twice a day for two weeks. Strain out as much liquid as possible and store in a dark glass vial or jar. The daily dosage is five to 15 drops. Herbal poultices draw illness out through the skin. Poultices are prepared by mashing herbs into a paste and mixing with a little boiling water. They can be applied directly to the skin and held in place with gauze. Some popular recipes: A poultice poultice /poul·tice/ (pol´tis) a soft, moist mass about the consistency of cooked cereal, spread between layers of muslin, linen, gauze, or towels and applied hot to a given area in order to create moist local heat or counterirritation. of capsicum capsicum /cap·si·cum/ (kap´si-kum) a plant of the genus Capsicum, the hot peppers, or the dried fruit derived from certain of its species (cayenne or red pepper), containing the active principle capsaicin; used as a , also known as cayenne and paprika, soothes arthritis pain when pasted over an aching joint. Capsicum draws out the chemicals that tell the brain to send pain signals, effectively ``bankrupting'' pain, Hirt said. Hirt said capsicum also shows promise in treating migraine headaches, but the method - applying it inside the nostrils - is painful. A bitter tea of chopped dandelions (a little honey will help the taste) can ease bloating bloating Vox populi A lay term for post-prandial abdominal fullness or swelling and give the body a boost of vitamin K. (Remember: Using weed killers and non-organic fertilizers on or around a plant you're also using as medicine is not a good idea.) Parsley, too, has diuretic properties. The popular dinner plate garnish also is nutritious and a great breath freshener. A cup of tea containing one tablespoon of ground ginger root can relieve nausea and help the body fight the rhinovirus rhinovirus Any of a group of picornaviruses capable of causing common colds in humans. The virus is thought to be transmitted to the upper respiratory tract by airborne droplets. , the microscopic culprit behind the common cold. The key to herbal remedies is not to overdo it. There are no warning labels in the garden, so it's a good idea to do your homework and check with your doctor before gulping down a homemade herbal cocktail. ``People have the idea that herbs are weak and you have to take masses of them,'' Crawford said. ``But it's quite the opposite. You often just need a pinch.'' Hirt agreed. Herbs demand respect. Take the hardy aloe plant. The gooey gel in aloe leaves is proven to speed healing and soothe sunburns. But the plant also produces a yellowish juice that is a possibly dangerous laxative laxative, drug or other substance used to stimulate the action of the intestines in eliminating waste from the body. The term laxative usually refers to a mild-acting substance; substances of increasingly drastic action are known as cathartics, purgatives, . ``It's very powerful,'' Hirt said. ``It can cause cramping, gas and diarrhea. I'd be very careful using it as a laxative. But it's great on topical wounds.'' In addition to fighting colds and improving circulation, popular herbs like ginger, garlic and ginkgo ginkgo (gĭng`kō) or maidenhair tree, tall, slender, picturesque deciduous tree (Ginkgo biloba) with fan-shaped leaves. thin the blood and can cause dire reactions when mixed with prescription blood thinners. ``There are actual case reports of garlic and blood thinners actually causing spontaneous bleeding,'' Hirt said. Crawford said herbal remedies - particularly home-grown herbs - are usually much more affordable than over-the-counter medicines, but they're not for everyone: ``It makes sense for a single mother without insurance, for instance, to take an herb that costs a couple of dollars a month rather than something from the drugstore that costs $400 a month.'' But herbs are a lot of work. They also generally take longer to work their magic than a store-bought remedy. And enforced rest and relaxation is part of the prescription, said Dr. Mary Hardy, medical director of the hospital-affiliated Cedars-Sinai Integrative Medical Group. For Americans with jet-propelled lifestyles, that rest can be just as helpful as what's ingested, said Hardy, who uses traditional medicine and also works with acupuncturists and herbalists to cure her patients. ``Particularly with the increasing resistance to antibiotics, I'd give a patient with a cold or virus some echinacea to boost their immune system, a tea of linden flowers, yarrow and some chamomile chamomile or camomile (both: kăm`əmīl', –mēl') [Gr.,=ground apple], name for various related plants of the family Asteraceae (aster family), especially the perennial Anthemis nobilis, maybe to gargle gargle /gar·gle/ (gahr´g'l) 1. a solution for rinsing mouth and throat. 2. to rinse the mouth and throat by holding a solution in the open mouth and agitating it by expulsion of air from the lungs. , and some essential oils of eucalyptus and fenugreek fenugreek Slender, annual, herbaceous legume (Trigonella foenum-graecum) or its dried seeds, used as a food, a flavoring, and a medicine. Native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean, the plant is cultivated in central and southeastern Europe, western Asia, India, and to thin mucous,'' Hardy said. ``It's not `quick, take a pill and feel better'; it gets the patient involved.'' Growing, using medicinal herbs Aloe Description: Fleshy, green succulent used for its gel-filled leaves. Where to grow: In full sun or light shade in gritty, well-drained soil. Also comfortable in pots. Medicinal use: Slice open leaves and squeeze gel onto burns, cuts and rashes. Or, crush and use as a poultice for chapped skin, dermatitis, eczema and burns. Dried gel can be taken internally as a laxative and diuretic. Dosage: No guidelines on use as gel or poultice. Taken internally, usual daily dosage is 20 to 30 milligrams, taken throughout the day. Warning: Get professional help for second- or third-degree burns. Ingesting too much aloe (using daily for longer than a week or two) can cause a potassium deficiency, abdominal pain. Garlic Description: Bulbs grow underground, each containing 12 to 20 paper-skinned cloves; tall, green above-ground stalks are topped with pink flowers. Where to grow: Plant 6 to 12 inches apart in sun or partial shade; likes rich, well-drained soil but will tolerate poor soil. Medicinal use: Stimulates appetite, acts as mild diuretic and laxative; reduces blood pressure, thins blood, protects against colds. Dosage: Usual daily dose is 4 grams, about three-quarters of a teaspoon of fresh garlic. Warning: Can cause internal bleeding when taken along with doctor-prescribed blood thinners; also can cause bad breath, stomach disorders if taken in excess. Ginkgo Description: Slow-growing, hearty tree that can grow 30 to 50 feet tall unless cut back. Where to grow: Grows in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or light shade. Medicinal use: Treats circulatory disorders, senility senility (sənil`ətē), deterioration of body and mind associated with old age. Indications of old age vary in the time of their appearance. , poor circulation in the brain, dizziness, anxiety. Dosage: Daily intake of 120 milligrams usually recommended, or up to 240 milligrams a day for people with severe memory loss. Roasted seeds can be eaten, and steeped seeds and leaves made into a strong tea. Warning: An overdose can cause severe weakness, cramps, mild digestive problems. Echinacea Description: Hardy, green plant with mauve flowers resembling daisies. Where to grow: Likes full sun and well-drained soil. Medicinal use: Maintains strength and vigor, fights infections, treats urinary tract infections, burns, skin ulcers. Dosage: Usual daily dose is 6 to 9 milliliters, about 1-1/4 to 1-3/4 teaspoonfuls of juice squeezed from leaves. Warning: Do not take if you have multiple sclerosis, AIDS, tuberculosis, leukemia or autoimmune diseases. Sources: ``The PDR PDR A trademark for Physicians' Desk Reference, a group of reference books containing drug listings, especially one for prescription drugs. PDR Family Guide to Natural Medicines & Healing Therapies'' (Three Rivers Press, $23); ``The Complete Book of Herbs'' (Penguin Books, $19.95); ``The Natural Guide to Medicinal Herbs and Plants'' (Barnes & Noble Books, $8); ``A Handbook of Herbs'' (Barnes & Noble Books, $7.99). CAPTION(S): 2 Photos, Box PHOTO (1--Color--Cover) The herbalist is in The use - and misuse - of homegrown remedies Gus Ruelas/Daily News (2) Microbiologist Olivia Tadena does a test here to detect possible E. coli at Pharmavite in San Fernando. Tom Mendoza/Daily News BOX: Growing, using medicinal herbs (See text) |
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