Health related information and news from around the world.

Catarrh

For chronic nasal catarrh and sinusitis:

1 part Elder flowers

1 part Eyebright herb

Infusion: 3 cups per day

For chronic bronchial catarrh:

2 parts Coltsfoot leaves

2 parts Horehound leaves

1 part Angelica root

Infusion: 3 cups per day

A standard infusion of Marshmallow leaves (3 cups per day) is an excellent general remedy for all forms of catarrh. The following herbs are also very useful:

Anise seed

Fennel seed

Foenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seed

Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) leaves

Infusion of any of the above, alone or in combination: 3 cups per day

Coughs

An all-purpose cough mixture:

2 parts Coltsfoot leaves

2 parts Horehound leaves

2 parts Mullein leaves

2 parts Marshmallow root

2 parts Anise seed

1 part Liquorice root

1 part Thyme herb

Infusion: 3 cups per day or in small doses as required

For hard dry coughs where expectoration is difficult:

1 part Anise seed

2 parts Horehound leaves

3 parts Marshmallow root

Infusion: 3 cups per day or in small doses as required

For irritating cough or tickling throat:

3 parts Coltsfoot leaves

3 parts Horehound leaves

3 parts Mullein leaves

1 part Thyme herb

Infusion: 3 cups per day or in small doses as required

To give a syrup-like consistency to cough mixtures (or any other remedies), strain the infusion and, while still hot, dissolve plenty of honey in it.

Earache

Mullein oil is a highly esteemed remedy for earache. (See entry on Mullein in Section 2: Herbs for method of preparation.) A few drops may be applied directly or a small wad of cotton wool can be soaked in the oil and inserted in the ear overnight. For continued treatment the application should be renewed 2 or 3 times per day.

Marigold oil or Garlic Oil – prepared with olive oil in the same manner – is also effective.

*85/66/5*

Flatulence and Colic

4 parts Fennel seed

1 part Ginger root

Infusion: 1/2 cup every hour, not to exceed 3 cups per day

1 part Anise seed

1 part Chamomile flowers

1 part Lemon Balm leaves

1 part Peppermint leaves

Infusion: 1/2-1 cup every hour, otherwise 3 cups per day

2 parts Chamomile flowers

1 part Hop flowers

2 parts Lemon Balm leaves

Infusion: 1/2 ñèð every hour, otherwise 3 cups per day

2 parts Fennel seed

2 parts Skullcap herb

2 parts Hop flowers

2 parts Valerian root

1 part Angelica root

1 part Ginger root

Infusion: 1/2 ñèð every hour, not to exceed 3 cups per day

2 parts Peppermint leaves

2 parts Cinnamon bark

1 part Ginger root

Infusion: 1/2 cup every hour, not to exceed 3 cups per day

Anise seed

Chamomile flowers

Cinnamon bark

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) seed

Fennel seed

Ginger root

Lemon Balm leaves

Marjoram (Origanum majorana) herb

Peppermint leaves

Infusion of any of the above, alone or in combination: drink hot, in small doses, not to exceed 3 cups per day

Gastritis

Marshmallow root

Infusion or Cold Extract: 3 or 4 cups per day

5 parts Marshmallow root

1 part Marigold flowers

1 part Plantain leaves

Infusion: 3 or 4 cups per day, taken between meals

Marshmallow is an excellent remedy for all inflamed and irritated conditions of the digestive tract — hence the above remedies are sometimes also used for treating colitis and enteritis.

*68/66/5*

Scutellaria laterifolia

Action: Antispasmodic, sedative, tonic.

Systems Affected: Nerves.

Preparation and Dosage (thrice daily): Dried flowering plant, dose 1-2 grams by infusion.

There are many species of Skullcap native to various parts of the world: the American Scutellaria laterifolia is the one used principally by Western herbalists. A widely-branched perennial growing to 75 centimeters or so in height, its use as a medicinal plant by the American Indians was adopted by the American settlers and then by Europeans. The generic name is from the Latin scutella (a little dish), a reference to the unusual calyx which is bell-shaped and lipped.

Skullcap acts as an anticonvulsive and sedative. It is regarded as specific for epilepsy, involuntary twitching, spasms, hysteria, hypertension, insomnia, nervous dyspepsia and even severe hiccoughs.

It is one of the most effective nervous system relaxants, and is sometimes used during convalescent debility for its calming yet tonic properties. It is used to best advantage when combined with other nervine and antispasmodic herbs such as Catnip, Chamomile, Cramp Bark, Hops, Lady’s Slipper {Cypripedium pubescens), Lime Tree (Tilia cordata) flowers, Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata) and Valerian.

*51/66/5*

Marrubium vulgare

Action: Expectorant, pectoral, antispasmodic, emmenagogue, stomachic, cholagogue, hepatic tonic, diuretic, laxative.

Systems Affected: Lungs, heart, stomach, liver, gall-bladder, uterus.

Preparation and Dosage (thrice daily): Dried leaves and flowering tops, dose 1-2 grams by infusion.

There are two horehounds, White or Common Horehound (Marrubium vulgare) and Black Horehound (Ballota nigra). Although they have some properties in common, the former is used mainly for coughs and lung complaints, the latter for relieving nausea and vomiting.

White Horehound, which is the one of concern here, is a woody perennial growing 30 to 60 centimeters in height. Similar in appearance to the white dead-nettle and mint, the plant has a woolly or felt-like texture. Native to Europe and Asia, it is introduced elsewhere, often widespread as a weed in pasture and wasteland.

Horehound has been used as a cough remedy since the time of the ancient Egyptians and is a part of many commercial cough mixtures today. It is probably the most popular of herbal remedies for the respiratory system. It is renowned for its expectorant and pectoral qualities in expelling phlegm and toning the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.

Horehound is a specific remedy for acute or chronic bronchitis and coughs, and is valuable in treating asthma, chronic catarrh, chest colds or any chronic pulmonary complaint attended by coughing and copious expectoration.

Horehound stimulates the appetite and promotes the flow of bile. It is of benefit in liver and gall-bladder disorders and acts as a stomach tonic.

As an emmenagogue it will regulate the flow in cases of abnormal absence or suppression of menstruation. Possessing some weak sedative action, it is sometimes used in conj unction with other herbs for treating nervous palpitations.

In large doses the herb is diuretic and laxative; in small doses it is tonic. According to the French herbalist Jean Palaiseul the traditional advice was that Horehound ‘should be taken only in moderation for it can bring about a considerable loss of weight’, whereas today, by contrast, it is prescribed (one liter of the infusion per day) for obesity.

Externally it is applied for its antiseptic properties to minor cuts and skin problems. Gypsies in Britain wash their skin with Horehound water to repel flies and insects. Freshly-gathered sprays of the plant were once put in dairies and pantries for the same purpose.

Horehound is extremely bitter: together with Coriander, Chicory, Nettle and Horseradish, it is one of the five ‘bitter herbs’ eaten by Jews at their Passover feast to commemorate the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt.

*34/66/5*

Apium graveolens

Action: Antirheumatic, urinary antiseptic, diuretic, sedative, alterative.

Systems Affected: Kidneys, bladder, blood, nerves.

Preparation and Dosage (thrice daily): Dried seed, dose 0.5-2.0 grams by decoction.

Celery seed is obtained from the herb known as Wild Celery or Smallage. Native to southern Europe, it is the plant from which the celery we eat today was developed.

Celery seed must be used with extreme care, as it can have a strong diuretic effect and contains powerful mineral combinations, too much of which can upset the body’s balance.

Among other things the herb contains apiol, minerals such as potassium, phosphorus, sulphur, iron, silicon, sodium and magnesium, plus some amounts of vitamins A, B-complex and C.

Celery seed stimulates kidney function and the excretion of uric acid and is alterative in its effect on the bloodstream. For these reasons it is often used in the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis and gout, being specifically indicated for rheumatoid arthritis with mental depression.

Celery seed is beneficial in nervousness and depression, and is used for inflammation of the urinary tract, most usually in combination with other diuretics and with demulcent herbs such as Marshmallow root.

The therapeutic action of Celery seed seems to be potentiated by Dandelion root, for which reason the two herbs are often used together.

Cautionary Notes: The level at which Celery seed is tolerated varies from person to Person. Because of its strong effect on the body caution should be exercised in ascertaining the optimum dosage. A good dose î commence with is 1 teaspoonful of the ground or crushed seed to a cup of water per day.

*17/66/5*