Fall Herbal Medicine Chest

[Guest guest]

Enjoy,

Misty L. Trepke

http://www..com

 

Fall Herbal Medicine Chest

 

With the change of seasons from Summer to Fall we need to change our

supplies in our medicine cabinet. With cooler weather comes a

different set of illnesses that can be nipped in the bud with the

right medicinals.

 

Arnica (Arnica montana): This year round herb helps stop pain. Use

this for arthritic aches, often set off by seasonal changes. Rub the

tincture, cream, or gel on sore spots. This herb works wonders for

acute bangs and bruises. Do not use on broken skin.

 

Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceous): Take two capsules of this

antiviral herb twice a day to prevent or treat colds and flu. Look

for astragalus products standardized to 15-percent polysaccharides.

Astragalus is the great energy enhancer in .

 

Calendula (calendula officinalis): Use calendula tinctures, oil,

lotions, or creams to soothe chapped skin and lips. Look for

products

with at least 10-percent extract of Calendula.

 

Chamomile (Matricaria recutita): This soothing herb works great as a

dust-irritant reliever. Brew a cup of tea and let it cool. Place the

room temperature tea soaked in cotton on your eyes. Drink a cup of

chamomile tea for upset stomachs, heartburn, indigestion, or to

promote relaxation.

 

Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea): Treat colds, flu, sore throat, and

other common infections with this natural enhancer of immune system

function. It's sold as tinctures and extracts, as well as capsules

and tablets. When you feel something coming on, take two capsules of

freeze-dried extract four times a day or a dropperful of tincture,

in

water, four times a day.

 

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba): Take ginkgo for low circulation or

insufficient blood flow, mental fuzziness, memory loss, or vertigo.

Take 120 milligrams per day in divided doses with food. Look for

products with 24-percent flavonoid glycosides, or else 5- to 7-

percent terpene lactones (including 3-percent ginkgolides).

 

Siberian ginseng (Eleutheroccocus senticosus): This treatment for

lethargy and fatigue also boosts resilience to environmental

stresses. Take two capsules, or one dropperful of tincture, twice a

day or as a tea 2-3 times a day -- unless directed otherwise.

 

Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia): This germicide and

antibacterial oil is great for cleaning infected wounds or as a

gargle for a sore throat -- use a 10-percent solution but use pure

100-percent tea tree oil.

 

Triphala: An Ayurvedic Indian herbal mixture, triphala is a remedy

for constipation and poor bowel tone. Take the capsules as a gentle

daily cleanser. This is a wonderful, safe way to keep the bowels

cleansed and detoxed! Triphala can be used year round.

 

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis): An assitant to sound sleep and a

treatment for insomnia, Valerian comes in tincture, extract, or

tablet form. Use one teaspoon of the tincture (2-3 droppers) under

the

tongue or in a quarter cup of water, or take one or two tablets

at bedtime.

 

 

Andrew Pacholyk LMT, MT-BC, CA

Peacefulmind.com

Alternative medicine and therapies

for healing mind, body & spirit!

[Guest guest]

A well thought out list, Misty

 

I would, however add a few things - re: Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) -

Only take this if you feel a cold coming on. Taking this daily does nothing

to help boost your immunity, as its effects are short-lived. Also avoid

mixtures with Goldenseal, as there is no proof Golden seal aids in any way,

and some German studies have indicated some people have allergic reactions

to it.

 

Also, if you start to feel a case of the flu, try Elderberry extract. this

has been shown to cut the flu down to just a few days. In addition, I'd

recomend zinc, as this also has shown an ability to cut down on the length

of both colds and flu (it has anti-viral properties, plus most Americans

don't get enough of this important mineral. It also helps promote prostate

health in men).

 

Speaking of minerals, you might want to add a whole foods/green foods

suppliment to your diet to help avoid infections. Normally I don't endorse

a product, but the Swanson Health Products company has the best I have seen

in the 6 years I have been studying herbalism. Swanson Green Max As the

ingredient list shows, it has pretty much all the green-whole foods your

body needs, as well as 9 different lactobacillus cultures. I advise

drinking it with a atrongly flavored, organic juice, such as manderin

orange, as the taste does take some time to get used to.

 

 

One other herb to consider is Ginseng. This herb comes in a number of

forms. Siberian and American Ginseng are what is known as adaptogenic,

meaning the body uses them in such a way as to do what it needs to rebalance

itself. They are good for fighting the fatigue caused by viruses. Red

Panax Ginseng (Korean or Chinese Ginseng) has similar properties, but is

mostlt utalized for fatigue, as its adaptogenic properties is less than the

others, but its energy booting powers are stronger.

 

Garlic is also a strong infection fighter, and most suppliments today are

odor-free, though I recommend eating the herb in its natural form. Look for

a garlic roaster in your supermarket or local gourmet shop. Roasted garlic

has a mellow taste to it, and is delicious spread over whole or sprouted

grain toast (Sprouted grains have up to 10 times the nutrient value of whole

grain products, and there is no comparison to the unhealthy processed grain

products.)

 

Finally, ginger is a good herb. It has potent anti-viral and anti-bacterial

properties, and makes a delicious tea. In addition, many health food stores

carry ginger bath products. A good soak in a hot bath with this herb helps

to fight infections as it is absorbed into the body.

 

Hope that helps you all

 

John

~ WinterWolf ~

 

 

 

 

Misty L. Trepke [mistytrepke]

Thursday, September 25, 2003 8:57 AM

 

[s-A] [AltAnswers] Fall Herbal Medicine Chest

 

 

Enjoy,

Misty L. Trepke

http://www..com

 

Fall Herbal Medicine Chest

 

With the change of seasons from Summer to Fall we need to change our

supplies in our medicine cabinet. With cooler weather comes a

different set of illnesses that can be nipped in the bud with the

right medicinals.

 

Arnica (Arnica montana): This year round herb helps stop pain. Use

this for arthritic aches, often set off by seasonal changes. Rub the

tincture, cream, or gel on sore spots. This herb works wonders for

acute bangs and bruises. Do not use on broken skin.

 

Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceous): Take two capsules of this

antiviral herb twice a day to prevent or treat colds and flu. Look

for astragalus products standardized to 15-percent polysaccharides.

Astragalus is the great energy enhancer in .

 

Calendula (calendula officinalis): Use calendula tinctures, oil,

lotions, or creams to soothe chapped skin and lips. Look for

products

with at least 10-percent extract of Calendula.

 

Chamomile (Matricaria recutita): This soothing herb works great as a

dust-irritant reliever. Brew a cup of tea and let it cool. Place the

room temperature tea soaked in cotton on your eyes. Drink a cup of

chamomile tea for upset stomachs, heartburn, indigestion, or to

promote relaxation.

 

Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea): Treat colds, flu, sore throat, and

other common infections with this natural enhancer of immune system

function. It's sold as tinctures and extracts, as well as capsules

and tablets. When you feel something coming on, take two capsules of

freeze-dried extract four times a day or a dropperful of tincture,

in

water, four times a day.

 

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba): Take ginkgo for low circulation or

insufficient blood flow, mental fuzziness, memory loss, or vertigo.

Take 120 milligrams per day in divided doses with food. Look for

products with 24-percent flavonoid glycosides, or else 5- to 7-

percent terpene lactones (including 3-percent ginkgolides).

 

Siberian ginseng (Eleutheroccocus senticosus): This treatment for

lethargy and fatigue also boosts resilience to environmental

stresses. Take two capsules, or one dropperful of tincture, twice a

day or as a tea 2-3 times a day -- unless directed otherwise.

 

Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia): This germicide and

antibacterial oil is great for cleaning infected wounds or as a

gargle for a sore throat -- use a 10-percent solution but use pure

100-percent tea tree oil.

 

Triphala: An Ayurvedic Indian herbal mixture, triphala is a remedy

for constipation and poor bowel tone. Take the capsules as a gentle

daily cleanser. This is a wonderful, safe way to keep the bowels

cleansed and detoxed! Triphala can be used year round.

 

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis): An assitant to sound sleep and a

treatment for insomnia, Valerian comes in tincture, extract, or

tablet form. Use one teaspoon of the tincture (2-3 droppers) under

the

tongue or in a quarter cup of water, or take one or two tablets

at bedtime.

 

 

Andrew Pacholyk LMT, MT-BC, CA

Peacefulmind.com

Alternative medicine and therapies

for healing mind, body & spirit!