Christinebest's Weblog

Hayfever

christinebest — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 12:48:11 +0000

As I write this, the sun is shining in a cloud-free sky and spring seems well and truly here. While most of us welcome the sights, sounds and signs of spring, for some it is tempered by the thought of the oncoming Hayfever season. As with many things, prevention is better than cure and I would advise hayfever sufferers to start herbal therapy before the pollen starts to fly. Herbs that should be taken include plantain (Plantago laceolata), Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis), Nettles (Urtica dioica), Elderflower (Sambucus nigra) amongst many others. Nature is kind to us in that nettles and plantain are already starting to appear and elderflower will be blossoming by the end of May. Peppermint (Mentha piperita) and sage (Salvia officinalis) can also be helpful. Mix the herbs together and pour boiling water over them to make a tea. You could also breathe in the steam to help clear a runny nose. For irritated eyes, pour a little boiling water over a chamomile tea bag and, when cool enough place the tea bag over the eyes as a compress. It is best to start your hayfever treatment about a month before you normally get symptoms and continue throughout the season. If this is done over a few years it can be effective in reducing symptoms significantly.

Filed under: Medicinal Herbs Tagged: hayfever

Lemons and Oranges

christinebest — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 11:18:03 +0000

Oranges and lemons (Citrus aurantium / limon) are well known for their high levels of Vitamin C but their health giving qualities do not end there. They are both calming and relaxing and have considerable antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. I would often add the essential oil of lemons to creams or lotions to help prevent or control infections in various skin conditions. During childbirth, the essential oil of sweet orange can be added to a base oil such as olive or almond oil and massaged into the abdomen to help during labour. These fruits can help ease indigestion and lemon juice is an integral part of certain gall bladder flushes. I find either biting on a piece of lemon or taking a spoon of lemon juice is an excellent cure for hiccoughs and can help with other spasmodic conditions. Their sedating effects means that they may be of use in insomnia and help reduce anxiety and restlessness. Contrary to popular opinion, oranges and lemons have an anti-acid effect and can act as effective detoxifying foods. The diluted oil of these fruits can be used on insect bites where they will reduce any irritation and will act as a repellant. .So don’t wait until Pancake Day to stock up on lemons and make sure your fruit basket is full of oranges.

.If you are taking prescribed medicines, are pregnant or breast feeding or have a serious medical condition, please seek advice from a qualified medical herbalist before taking herbal remedies.

Filed under: Medicinal Herbs Tagged: antiseptic, childbirth, digestion, gallbladder, lemons, oranges

Rooibos Tea

christinebest — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 11:16:44 +0000

Although tea contains many useful anti-oxidants many people are concerned about the caffeine content. An alternative to ordinary black tea is Rooibos or Red Bush tea (Aspalathus linearis). This is a plant that is native to South Africa where it is cultivated and processed to make a pleasant beverage that is very similar in character to our usual ‘tea’. Rooibos is very high in a number of minerals including manganese, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, and phosphates. It is also high in vitamin C and has a considerable anti-oxidant action. It shows an anti-histamine action making it useful in the treatment of allergies; it promotes digestion and improves liver and kidney function; it can help with muscle cramps and rheumatic aches and pains. It has been the subject of studies in South Africa that show promising results in its protective action against DNA damage from ultra-violet light. This could mean that drinking Rooibos tea regularly may protect against skin cancer. This is probably down to its high anti-oxidant activity. Rooibos is naturally caffeine free and has low levels of tannins. It can be taken with milk in the same way as black tea and is available both as a loose tea and in tea bags.
This tea is generally very safe for both adults and children. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking any medication or have a serious health condition or if you wish to treat a young baby it is advisable to consult a qualified practitioner before taking herbal remedies.

Filed under: Medicinal Herbs Tagged: allergies, antioxidant, caffeine, red bush, rooibos

Cayenne

christinebest — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 16:28:11 +0000

We mainly think of Cayenne pepper or chilli (Capsicum minimus) as a culinary addition to provide hot, spiciness to Indian or Mexican foods. It has, However, been long recognised for its medicinal properties and was an integral part of a branch of Herbalism, Physiomedicalism, that was developed in America during the early1800’s. Cayenne has so many uses it is hard to list them all but is primarily an excellent circulatory stimulant. It will reduce both blood pressure and lower cholesterol and triglycerides, helping to reduce artherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and improve the health of your arteries. It will also help with cold hands and feet thus helping to prevent chilblains. It has long been used as a remedy for colds and flu, helping to resolve chills, tonsillitis, laryngitis, pneumonia and pleurisy. As a digestive aid it will ease indigestion, and help with a sluggish digestion. It helps to balance the bowel flora and can help with Candida albicans overload. I often give in capsule form together with garlic to treat or prevent food poisoning – ideal for visits to foreign lands! It contains high levels of both iron and vitamin C and so will improve anaemic conditions. You can make a warming ointment by melting in a double boiler, 16 parts vegetable oil (sunflower oil is fine) together with 2 parts beeswax. Add a pinch of cayenne powder – depending on the quantity made. This ointment is very soothing to arthritic type inflammation where it acts as an analgesic and warming anti inflammatory. The easiest way to take cayenne is to sprinkle a little on your meals each day or mix it a pinch in with hot water – the Aztecs would add chilli to hot chocolate! If larger quantities are needed I find taking it in capsules the easiest way. The hot sensation doesn’t affect the stomach. Be careful when handling chillies or cayenne pepper not to get it in your eyes and always wash your hands afterwards.
If you are taking prescribed medicines, are pregnant or breast feeding or have a serious medical condition, please seek advice from a qualified medical herbalist before taking herbal remedies.

Filed under: Medicinal Herbs Tagged: cayenne, chilli, circulation, colds, digestion, flu

Black Cohosh

christinebest — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 12:25:14 +0000

When a woman asks me what herb can help with menopausal hot flushes, I always suggest Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa). Although Balck Cohosh does not seem to contain phytoestrogens it does have the effect of improving conditions where there are low levels of oestrogen such as the menopause. It can also be of use in some types of pre-menstrual symptoms such as breast tenderness and headaches or migraines. Its actions are not confined to hormonal imbalances, however, as Black Cohosh is an effective anti-inflammatory herb and finds a use in arthritis and neuralgias such as sciatica and facial neuralgia. It can ease cramps and aching following strenuous exercise, it will calm a viscious cough and has been used to treat whooping cough. Other uses have included tinnitus and scarlet fever. For arthritic conditions you can combine Black Cohosh with Bog Bean (Menyanthes trifoliate) and for coughs it goes well with Elecampane (Inula helenium). Black Cohosh is generally very safe for either gender but it should be avoided if there is any history of liver disease or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you are taking any medication or have a serious health condition it is advisable to consult a qualified practitioner before taking herbal remedies.

Filed under: Medicinal Herbs Tagged: black cohosh, inflammation, menopause

Carrageen

christinebest — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 12:25:30 +0000

The extreme weather has put a lot of us under strain and this can take its toll on our immune systems. Many people are suffering from chesty coughs as a consequence. A plant that can ease this problem is Carrageen (Chondrus crispus) or Irish Moss. This seaweed is well known for its use as a thickener and is widely used in the food and cosmetic industry. When it is simmered in water it produces slimy mucilage and it is this that will help soothe an irritating dry cough. It can be used for both acute coughs and also for chronic coughs such as is found in bronchitis. It has been used to help with tuberculosis, pneumonia and other respiratory conditions. Its uses are not confines to the respiratory tract, however, as it can be used to help with inflammation in the digestive system such as gastric and duodenal ulceration. It can protest the stomach and oesophagus from the effects of stomach acid. Its soothing effects can be of use in the urinary tract also where it can be used for an irritable bladder, kidney and bladder infections. It contains an impressive range of nutrients including iodine which can make it of use in the treatment of certain types of under-active thyroid. On top of this carrageen has antibacterial properties, it can lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol! To use carrageen simmer about 5 – 10g for each large cupful of water for about 20mins. Eat about half a cupful (it is almost impossible to strain!). You can mix it with honey or for a chesty cough mix with liquorice. You can also take a tsp of the powder stirred into hot water to protect the chest throughout the winter.

Filed under: Medicinal Herbs Tagged: Carrageen, coughs, digestion, Irish Moss, respiratory

Frankincense

christinebest — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 16:52:36 +0000

Frankincense (Boswellia spp.) is strongly associated with Myrrh that we looked at last week and, as with Myrrh, it is a highly valued resin from a tree found in the Middle East. It is another herb that has strong antiseptic qualities and is also an effective anti inflammatory herb. It is an expectorant herb helping with coughs and other respiratory conditions such as asthma and catarrh. It will help with digestive problems such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis as well as colicky indigestion. It will help improve cholesterol profiles, probably through improving liver function. It has been used in rheumatic conditions where its anti inflammatory action helps with gout and arthritis. It can be use externally on wounds and ulcers where its antiseptic qualities help prevent infection. The resin can be chewed like chewing gum to help with throat infections and mouth infections such as bleeding gums and dental problems. The resin is often an ingredient in incenses which are burnt during religious ceremonies and can be cleansing in a physical as well as a metaphysical way. As resins are difficult to dissolve in water Frankincense is not usually made into a tea. It can be distilled to make an aromatic water but the easiest way to take it is to chew and eat the small chunks of resin. Just take a small amount as a little goes a long way!
If you are taking prescribed medicines, are pregnant or breast feeding or have a serious medical condition, please seek advice from a qualified medical herbalist before taking herbal remedies.

Filed under: Medicinal Herbs Tagged: antiseptic, digstion, Frankincense, respiratary, rheumatic

Myrrh

christinebest — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 13:19:09 +0000

Another herb that is associated with Christmas is Myrrh (Commiphora molmol). Myrrh is a gum extracted from a shrub that grows throughout the Middle East and there was a very good reason why this herb was one of the gifts brought to Jesus by the 3 wise men. It is a powerful antiseptic herb which is both anti bacterial and anti fungal, being effective against Candida, Tinea (the fungus that causes athletes foot and ringworm) and Scabies. It is anti viral and is used against HIV/AIDS. It will lower blood lipids, improving triglycerides and cholesterol profiles. It can help control excessive catarrhal excretion and is used for most mouth conditions such as mouth ulcers, gum disease, tonsillitis, oral thrush and laryngitis. It can help settle gastritis and other forms of indigestion such as flatulence. Myrrh can be of use in menstrual problems, helping with painful periods and pelvic congestion such as heaviness and bloating. Its antiseptic action can be used externally for skin conditions helping with boils, ulcers wounds and abrasions. It stimulates the immune system and can improve thyroid function. With so many ways of improving our health you can see why so much value was placed on it.
If you are taking prescribed medicines, are pregnant or breast feeding or have a serious medical condition, please seek advice from a qualified medical herbalist before taking herbal remedies.

Filed under: Medicinal Herbs Tagged: antiseptic, Christmas, indigestion, mouth, myrrh

Celery Seed

christinebest — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 12:40:24 +0000

Celery is well known as a salad vegetable and makes a refreshing, healthy juice. It is not so widely known that the seeds have an important role to play in urinary tract conditions and other health problems. It is very cleansing and soothing in urinary tract inflammation or infections where it’s antibacterial action can be useful. It can help with eye problems and is reputed to strengthen the eyesight. The volatile oil will help remove uric acid from the blood and so finds a use in the treatment of gout and other rheumatic disorders including arthritis as well as neuralgias such as sciatica. It can be calming for the digestive system and will stimulate the appetite. It has also been used in helping with sleep difficulties, particularly where the brain won’t switch off, either through overworking or excitement. The bruised leaves applied to the feet have been used to treat panic attacks. For throat ulcerations, mix with honey and use as a gargle or make Celery Seed Brandy by crushing 3 tbs of celery seed and adding to a pint of brandy or red wine. Leave steeping for a week before straining off. Use a tbs diluted with 2 tbs water and take 3 x day. This can be used for urinary tract problems and also to help prevent flatulence. Do not take celery seed if you are pregnant (the vegetable, in moderation is fine).

If you are taking prescribed medicines, are pregnant or breast feeding or have a serious medical condition, please seek advice from a qualified medical herbalist before taking herbal remedies.

Filed under: Medicinal Herbs Tagged: celery, digestive, herbal, urinary

angelica

christinebest — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 11:53:41 +0000

Herbs for Health

This is the time for harvesting roots and the next herb I will start collecting is Angelica (Angelica archangelica) root. This is definitely a heavenly herb as is suggested by its name and is best known as the green candied stalks used as a confectionary decoration. The roots and leaves can be used medicinally whereas the stalks, seeds and leaves are used in cooking. It is a biennial herb and so the roots need to be collected in their first year of growth. It self seeds very easily and in its 2nd year will grow into a large impressive looking plant. It is not a herb for a small garden though! Angelica is an effective, relaxing expectorant and is used in conditions such as coughs, bronchitis, pleurisy, colds and ‘flu – especially if accompanied by fever. It is a gentle warming herb that can help many cold conditions. It will aid digestion and ease intestinal colic and flatulence and will also stimulate the appetite making it useful as part of the treatment of anorexia nervosa. As an anti-inflammatory it will ease rheumatic inflammation and as a urinary antiseptic it can help with cystitis. Angelica has sometimes been referred to as a ‘friend to the aged’ in that it acts as a circulatory stimulant that will help to sustain the heart, stomach and bowel. It is also reputed to give a distaste fort alcohol and recent research supports its use in cancer treatment. The root may be gently simmered to make a decoction or the leaf can be taken as a deliciously warming tea. Combine it with Coltsfoot for chesty conditions or with Chamomile for digestive difficulties,

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Filed under: Medicinal Herbs Tagged: angelica, colic, coughs, female remedy, immune, respiratory