medicinal plants Archives - Herbal Encyclopedia

Yerba Santa

December 30, 2010 By Cloverleaf Farm

Botanical Name

Family Hydrophyllaceae
Eriodictyon californicum

Common Names

Yerba Sante
Bear’s Weed
Consumptive’s Weed
Eriodictyon
Gum Bush
Holy Herb
Mountain Balm
Sacred Herb
Tarweed

Cautions

None listed

Description

Native to Oregon, California, and northern Mexico, this aromatic herb is a sticky evergreen shrub, growing to eight feet. Its narrow, lance-shaped leaves are shiny green on the upper side and hairy white underneath. It also produces clusters of trumpet-shaped white, blue or lavender flowers that grow at the top of the plant. The fruit produced is a small, oval, grayish-brown seed capsule containing shriveled black seeds. The bush flourishes on dry, mountain slopes at altitudes up to 4,000 feet.

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History

The name, Yerba Santa, is Spanish for “holy weed,” which was given to the plant by Spanish colonists. They learned of its medicinal value from Native Americans, who used it to treat coughs, colds, sore throats, mucus, and asthma. Many tribes dried and smoked the leaves as a treatment for asthma and lung congestion.

The Eclectic Medical Journal featured an article on the herb in 1875, and it was listed in the US Pharmacopoeia in 1894.

Key Actions

Expectorant
Mild diuretic

Key Components

Volatile oil
Flavonoids (including eriodictyol)
Resin

Medicinal Parts

Leaves

Traditional Uses

This aromatic herb has a sweet taste, and is a valuable expectorant in treating tracheitis, bronchitis, asthma, and any similar respiratory ailment.

It was used to treat coughs, colds, and such other respiratory conditions as fevers.

Infusions were also used to ease fevers and the mashed leaves were applied as a poultice to treat sores.

Yellow Dock

December 30, 2010 By Cloverleaf Farm

Botanical and Common Names

Family Polygonaceae
Rumex crispus (Yellow Dock, Curled dock, Curly-leaf Dock, Rumex, Sad Dock; Spanish: Lengua de Vaca, Yerba Colorado, Raiz Colorado; Nahuatl: Arlinan, Axixpatlicóztic)
Rumex aquaticus (Water Dock)
Rumex acetosella (Sheep’s Sorrel, Sorrel, Garden Sorrel)
Rumex alpinus (Monk’s Rhubarb)
Rumex obtusifolius (Broad-Leaved Dock)

Cautions

Yellow dock should not be taken by those with a tendency to develop kidney stones.
Excessive intake can irritate the intestinal tract.

Description

Indigenous to Europe and Africa, the dock varieties now grow wild in many regions of the world, thriving on dumps, roadsides, and in ditches. It is a perennial, growing from one to five feet with curled, lance-shaped leaves which alternate along the stem reaching lengths of up to ten inches. It has spikes of small, reddish, woody fruits. The plant turns a striking rust-red in the fall and during the winter. The dead stalks and heavy seed panicles at the top of the stem are easily recognizable. The reddish-brown root is shaped something like a carrot; and, inside, the colour is a yellowish-orange. The darker the yellow, the stronger the medicinal qualities of the root. The root is dug up in autumn, chopped, and dried.

History

In the past, the leaves were eaten as a spring tonic, but now only the root is used. It was also used as a salad vegetable and a cooked green.

The early settlers to North America quickly learned about poison ivy. One old-time cure was boiled yellow burdock mixed with vinegar and applied to the sores.

The Iroquois used tea made from the roots to treat upset stomach, kidney problems, and general bowel problems. Many tribes, including the Blackfoot, Paiute, and Shoshone, used the herb topically by applying the mashed root to sores and swellings.

Sorrel is an ingredient of a Native American anticancer remedy known as Essiac, which also includes burdock, slippery elm, and Chinese rhubarb. Western herbalists learned of it early in the 20th century when a Canadian nurse observed the recovery of a breast cancer patient who had used the formula some twenty years previously. This nurse began using it with great success; and, despite attempts to extract the formula for financial gain, she stood firm in giving it out to whomever needed it without charge. Despite the successful treatments, no proper clinical trials have ever been undertaken when it was understood that it could not be exploited.

Apparently, the shape and reddish colour of the root must have reminded someone of a cow’s tongue and thereby named it “Lengua de vaca”.

The Aztecs called it “atlinan”, meaning “its mother is water”. This referred to the plant’s preferance in growing in streambeds. They also called it “axixpatlicóztic”, meaning “yellow urine medicine,” which referred to its use as a diuretic.

In a 1629 treatise entitled Heathen Superstitions That Today Live Among the Indians Native to This New Spain, a cleric described an Aztec remedy using the herb in an enema to treat stomachache and fever. The roots and leaves were also ground and sprinkled on wounds and sores.

In Europe, the herb has been used as a purgative since the time of the ancient Greeks. Dock leaves were also used to treat scrofulous sores, sore eyes, and glandular swellings. To cure itchy skin, the leaves were bruised, mixed with butter, lard, or cream, and placed on the area.

The Mennonites used the plant as a blood purifier and treated many liver ailments with it.

Ancient Arab physicians recommended the plant for hepatitis and poor digestion.

Although considered by many to be another useless weed, it is one often targeted by herbicide producers, along with other medicinal “weeds”, including the dandelion and burdock.

Key Actions

astringent
detoxifies
diuretic
mild laxative
stimulates bile flow
tonic

Key Components

anthraquinones (up to 4% nepodin, emodin, chrysaphanol, and physcion)
tannins
oxylates
volatile oil
vitamins (A, B, and C)
minerals (especially manganese, phosphorus, calcium, iron, magnesium, and selenium)

Medicinal Parts

Aerial parts, leaves, roots
Isolated anthraquinones are irritants and have a laxative effect.
Scientific examination has found the plant to inhibit Escherichia, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus.

Traditional Uses

All members are used as a detoxifying herb; and the fresh juice has a notable diuretic effect, as well as being mildly laxative. The anthraquinones have a purgative effect on the colon; and, although not as strong as Chinese rhubarb or Cascara, it is a mild alternative. It is quite effective when used with licorice for constipation. Short term use of decoctions internally, not only relieve constipation, but are also used for boils by mixing an equal amount of yellow dock, burdock, and red clover.

It was used for such ailments as stomach and liver ailments and to purify the blood. The root is said to be an effective treatment for post-hepatitis flareups and difficulty in processing fatty foods. It stimulates the flow of bile, thereby enhancing digestion and getting rid of toxic wastes. Such cleansing is used to treat a number of conditions marked by stagnant toxins in the body including acne, boils, eczema, psoriasis, fungal infections, sluggish digestion, constipation, arthritic and rheumatic conditions. It also holds potential as a long-term treatment for chronic disease, especially that of the gastrointestinal tract.

It is commonly used for acute and chronic inflammation of the nasal passages, throat, and respiratory tract, as well as for wounds and abrasions, gum problems, and headache.

Used along with other herbs, it is an antibacterial adjuvant.

The leaves of all species, but especially the Broad-leaved Dock, are used as an antidote to nettle stings, with the leaf being rubbed over the affected area.

Various cultures around the world have used yellow dock for ailments ranging from cancer and tuberculosis to syphilis and leprosy, and ringworm and hemorrhoids.

In India, the juice from the roots are used for toothaches, while the powdered root is used for gingivitis and as a dentifrice.

The Maoris of New Zealand chew the leaf first then apply it to wounds, which, they claim, will heal without scaring.

Mixed with equal parts of sarsaparilla, dandelion root, burdock, oregon grape root, and figwort, yellow dock is effective in treating psoriasis.

St. John’s Wort

December 30, 2010 By Cloverleaf Farm

Botanical Name

Family Guttiferae [Hypericaceae]
Hypericum perforatum

Common Names

Hardhay, Amber, Goatweed, Klamath Weed, Tipton Weed, St. John’s Word, St. Johnswort, Witches’ Herb, Y Fendigedig (Welsh), Balm of Warrior’s Wounds, Devil’s Scourge, Touch and Heal, Lord God’s Wonder Plant, st johns wort, St. John’s wort.

Cautions

It can cause dermatitis or photo-sensitivity after taking it internally and then exposing the skin to the sun.

Contact dermatitis can be caused if handling the plant in moist, but sunny, conditions.

Drug Interactions: Do not take in conjunction with MAO inhibitors or other antidepressants, including Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, lithium, Demerol, or destromethorphan, a common ingredient in cough syrups. The combination can result in a very dangerous reaction called serotonin syndrome, marked by a high fever, confusion, muscle rigidity, diarrhea, and possible death.

Description

Native to Britain and Europe, the herb now grows wild throughout most of the world. It is found in meadows, on banks, and by roadsides, preferring chalky soils and sunny positions. The herb is an erect perennial that grows to about thirty-two inches and produces bright yellow flowers that form in a flat-topped cluster and display tiny black dots on the petals and sepals. The flowers are harvested in mid-summer.

History

Since at least the 5th century BCE, the herb has had a reputation as a wound herb. It is said that the herb was given its name from the Knights of St. John’s of Jerusalem who used it to treat wounds on the Crusades battlefields.

It is also said that it received its name from squeezing the dots on the flowers. When squeezed, the dots ooze a red pigment that is said to represent the blood of St. John the Baptist. The plant traditionally blooms by June 24, which is also associated with John the Baptist, according to the Catholic calendar.

It was believed that the herb dispelled evil spirits, and the insane were often forced to drink infusions made from the plant.

According to the Doctrine of Signatures, because the herb was yellow, it was associated with “choleric” humors and used for jaundice and hysteria.

Old herbals often refer to Tutsan (H. androsaemum) from the French toutsain, or heal-all, which was also used to treat injuries and inflammations.

Although it fell into disuse in the 19th century, it has recently regained prominence as an extremely valuable remedy for nervous problems.

Used for hundreds of years by the Klamath, Nez Perce, Umatilla, Yakima, and other Native American tribes, this herb has a calming effect on the nerves, but is also considered a stimulant by some herbalists.

Dioscorides, Paul of Aegina, Pliny, Galen have all referred to the plant as one that relieves excessive pain, removes the effects of shock, and has a tonic effect on the mind and body. As such, it is especially valuable for post-surgical pain.

When it arrived in the New World, it quickly took over vast tracts of land, especially in the Pacific Northwest where it was known as the Klamath weed. Cattle loved, it but those that ate large quantities became sun-sensitive and ultimately developed severe sunburn. When herbacides failed to control its growth in 1946, an Australian beetle, that also loves the herb, was imported; and, within a decade, the weed was declared under control. As with anything introduced against nature, the beetle thrived to the point that it is now threatening commercial growths now that the herb has become popular.

Key Actions

astringent
analgesic
anti-inflammatory
antidepressant
antispasmodic
antiviral
antibacterial
antidiarrheal
antitumor
restorative tonic for the nervous system
sedative
stimulates bile flow

Key Components

glycosides
flavonoids (including rutin)
volatile oils
tannins
resins

Medicinal Parts

Aerial parts

A number of Hypericum species contain hypericin, but in smaller quantities than St. John s Wort.

St. John’s Wort and several Hypericum species have shown antitumor activities in animals and at least seventeen species have demonstrated antibacterial properties in vitro. Some species show antifungal activity and at least seven show antiviral properties.

Extracts of H. perforatum have produced antidiarrheal, sedative, antitumor, and diurectic actions.

Hypericin, an active substance in the herb, is thought to increase circulating levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter instrumental in controlling mood by selectively preventing its reuptake by cells. This mechanism of action is similar to that of Prozac, Zoloft, and other antidepressants. It may also inhibit MAO, a brain enzyme that destroys seratonin, epinephrine, and dopamine, the mood-elevating neurotransmitters.

Remedies

Infusions are used for anxiety, nervous tension, irritability or emotional upsets, especially if associated with menopause or premenstrual syndrome.

Tinctures are taken for at least two months for long-standing nervous tension leading to exhaustion and depression. They are also used in cases of childhood bedwetting.

Washes from infusions are used to bathe wounds, skin sores, and bruises.

Creams made from the flowering tops are used for localized nerve pain (sciatica, sprains, and cramps) or to help relieve breast engorgement during lactation. The cream can also be used as an antiseptic and styptic on scrapes, sores, and ulcers.

Infused oils from the flowering tops can be used on burns and muscle or joint inflammations, including tennis elbow, neuralgia, and sciatica. A few drops of lavender oil can be added for burns, or mixed with yarrow oil to treat joint inflammations.

Traditional Uses

The red colour of the infused oil is caused by hypericin, which is strongly antidepressant and so strongly antiviral that it is being researched for treatment of the AIDS virus. It is also an excellent antiseptic, and used on wounds, burns, and to relieve cramps and nerve pain.

It is one of the most valuable European medicinal plants for nervous problems. Herbalists have long used it to treat anxiety, tension, insomnia, and depression especially associated with menopause.

Although widely used to treat depression, it is also helpful in alleviating fatigue and seems effective in helping menstrual cramps and PMS.

There is also some evidence that it can fight HIV. Contemporary herbalists are now using it to treat AIDS and other immunosuppressed conditions.

It is also a valuable tonic for the liver and gallbladder.

Infused oil is useful in treating gastric inflammation and peptic ulcers. Infused oil from these yellow flowers turns a blood-red during the steeping process. Cold-pressed safflower, walnut, or sunflower oil is used then left in the sun for a few weeks (usually about six).

Learn more about St. John’s Wort including drug interactions on our Cloverleaf Farm Blog.

View St. John’s wort products at Cloverleaf Farm.

Rose

December 28, 2010 By Cloverleaf Farm

Botanical and Common Names

Family Rosaceae
Rosa species
R. canina (Wild Rose, Dog Rose, Rose Hip, Brier Hip, Hip, Brier Rose, Eglantine Gall, Hogseed, Dog-berry, Sweet Brier, Witches’ Brier, Hep Tree, Hip Fruit, Hop Fruit, Hipberries)
R. arkansana (Prairie Wild Rose, Sunshine Rose, Arkansas Rose, Meadow Rose, Pasture Rose)
R. laevigata (Cherokee Rose)
R. gallica var. centifolia (Apothacary’s Rose, French Rose, Cabbage Rose, Hundred-leafed Rose)
R. damascena (Damask Rose)
R. rugosa (Rugosa Rose, Saltspray Rose, Beach Tornado)
R. multiflora (Japanese Rose)

Cautions

Use only the rose species listed here for medicinal purposes and not garden hybrids.

Because of the high price of rose oil, adulteration is common. Therefore, for medicinal purposes, use only the best high quality, genuine rose oil.

Consumers should be aware of the fact that much of the natural vitamin C in some rosehip products is lost in the manufacturing process. To compensate, some fortify the products with artificial vitamin C.

Description

Rose species are native to various places, but most are from the Middle East. They have been cultivated for thousands of years, but some can still be found in the wild although most are cultivated for commercial or private use. Typically, roses are climbing or bushy perennials with thorny stems and varying shapes and colours of flowers. All have a unique rose scent. The wild roses typically grow everywhere on the prairies of North America in ravines and stream banks, bluffs, thickets, and along roadsides and railroads.

History

In the 1st century CE, Pliny the Elder recorded thirty-two different medicinal uses of the rose.

Roses were grown in medieval gardens more for medicine and food than for beauty.

Ironically, the Cherokee rose is native to China, but now grows throughout much of North America and is the state flower of Georgia. It was used in China to treat diarrhea.

In the 19th century, it was proven that roses contain essential oils. Rose oil is distilled from the petals and used in aromatherapy.

With the discovery of vitamin C in the 1930s, and subsequent claims by Linus Pauling that massive doses of the nutrient could cure the common cold, rosehips have been of much interest because of their high content of this nutrient.

Unlike Western medicine, all indigenous cultures believe that there is no separation between the physical and the mental or spiritual being, and both must be assessed before healing occurs. The same belief has long been held true regarding the rose and is seen in this saying, “Roses are good for the skin and the soul”.

The botanical name of the Wild Rose is reflected in its use by the Romans. R. canina species was used for rabid dog bites.

Roses continued as official medicine until well into the 1930s (British Pharmacopoeia) when the tincture of the Apothocary’s Rose was prescribed for sore throats. Roses were also widely used as mild astringents and to flavour other medicines.

There were dozens of varieties of roses in North America. The Native Americans learned how to use whatever grew in their region, as a medicine and, in cases of emergency, as a food. The leaves, petals, hips, and roots were widely used for a variety of conditions, including colds, fevers, diarrhea, influenza, and stomach troubles.

The Omahas steeped the hips or roots to make a wash to treat eye inflammations.

In the Great Lakes region, the Chippewas made a tea from the wild rose and used the berries for food and for diseases of the eye. They used the inner bark of the roots to treat cataracts.

The Pawnees collected the insect galls from the lower parts of the stems, and charred and crushed them for use in dressings for burns. The insect or disease-produced galls were found in the archaeological remains of the Hill Site, near present-day Guide Rock, Nebraska, which was occupied by the Pawnees in the early 1800s.

The Flathead and Cheyenne tribes treated snow blindness with an eyewash made by boiling the petals, stem bark, or root bark. The Cheyenne also boiled the inner bark to make a tea valued for treating diarrhea and stomach trouble.

Many other tribes used all parts of the plant for various remedies. The Crows boiled the crushed roots and used them in hot compresses to reduce swellings. They also sniffed vapor to stop bleedings from the nose or mouth.

The Arapahos used the seeds to produce a drawing effect for muscular pain.

Key Actions

antidepressant
antispasmodic
aphrodisiac
astringent
antibacterial
antiviral
antiseptic
anti-inflammatory
blood tonic
cleansing
digestive stimulant
expectorant
increases bile production
kidney tonic
menstrual regulator

Key Components

volatile oil
vitamins and minerals (especially A, B, E, and K, potassium and iron)

Medicinal Parts

Flowers, petals, rosehips, root, root bark, essential oil

There are some 300 chemical constituents of which only about 100 have been identified.

Depending on the source, some rose teas are able to supply as much as 1000 mg. per cup. Recent studies now indicate that taking more than 2000 mg. of vitamin C per day changes the vitamin into a pro-oxidant that actually increases cellular damage caused by unstable free radicals. Other experts seem to think that this action takes place with as little as 1000 mg. of vitamin C per day.

Remedies

The seeds of the Japanese rose are used in Oriental medicine as a diuretic and laxative.

Infusions of dried rose petals are used for headaches and taken after meals to aid digestion.

Steam inhalation of a decoction of rose petals, lavender, and hops help induce sleep.

Compresses soaked in infusions of the dried flowers make a good anti-inflammatory remedy for the eyes or any other inflamed area of the body and applied cool for headaches.

Rosehip tincture is an effective astringent for treating diarrhea or in relieving colic or as a component in cough remedies.

Rosehip syrup is used as a cough remedy or taken as a source of vitamin C.

Rosehip decoction is taken with other herbs to treat chronic diarrhea associated with stomach weaknesses.

Flower decoctions are taken with motherwort for heavy menstruation or combined with Chinese herbs for liver dysfunctions.

Tinctures from the petals are used for diarrhea or sluggish digestion. When combined with other herbs, they areused to treat irregular or heavy menstruation.

Gargles made from petal infusions, used alone or combined with sage, are used for sore throats.

Creams from the essential oil are used to treat dry or inflamed skin.

Lotions from the essential oil are combined with lady’s mantle tincture for vaginal itching.

Rosewater combined with equal amounts of witch hazel is used as a moisturizing lotion for skin prone to pimples or acne. (Rosewater is a by-product of the steam distillation of Bulgarian rose oil and is used as a skin remedy.)

A few drops of essential oil can be added to bathwater for depression, grief, or insomnia.

Massage oil is made by mixing a few drops of essential oil with a neutral oil and used to relieve stress and exhaustion or for sluggish digestion.

Traditional Uses

The dried hips of the wild rose are especially high in vitamin C, having three times that of citrus fruits, and have long been used to prevent scurvy.

The Chinese use the flowers as a qi or energy stimulant and blood tonic to relieve stagnant liver energies. They are also used for digestive irregularities or with motherwort for heavy menstruation.

The Damask rose blooms for only a couple of weeks, during which time the petals are collected and steam distilled to produce true Bulgarian rose oil used in about 96% of all women’s perfumes. Medicinally, it is an important nervine used for depression and anxiety.

The cabbage rose is used to produce French rose oil, which differs significantly in its chemical composition from Bulgarian rose oil and has a reputation as an aphrodisiac.

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Raspberry

December 28, 2010 By Cloverleaf Farm

Botanical Names

Black Raspberry Leaf

Family Rosaceae
Rubus idaeus
Rubus occidentalis
Rubus strigosus

Common Names

Red Raspberry, Garden Raspberry, Black Raspberry

Cautions

Avoid high doses of the leaves during pregnancy as they can stimulate the uterus.

Description

A member of the rose family, the raspberry is a deciduous perennial shrub, growing to six feet, producing woody stems with thorns. The pale green leaves are composed of three to seven leaflets. The flowers are white and turn into red or black, juicy fruits. Native to Europe, the plant can be quite invasive in some places, growing wild in woods, thickets, and pastures, on hillsides and roadsides, and often in dry, rocky sites. It is commonly cultivated in many temperate regions. The leaves are collected in early summer, while the fruits are gathered when ripe, also in summer.

History

The raspberry plant has long been a favorite household remedy, especially favored to speed childbirth.

Gerard considered the fruit to be of a temperate “heat” and, therefore, easier on the stomach than strawberries, which could cause excessive phlegm and chilling.

In 1735, the Irish herbalist, K’Eogh recommended using the flowers and honey for eye inflammations, fevers, and boils.

For centuries, Native Americans and Old World counterparts have used raspberry leaf teas and extracts to treat pregnancy related problems. The Chippewa and Omaha used the roots to treat such bowel problems as dysentery and diarrhea. The Appalachia used the roots of various Rubus species to make a tea that was drunk for hemorrhaging or hemophilia. When taken every three hours, it was also used for summer sickness and diarrhea. Bee stings were relieved by rubbing a leaf on the area.

In 1830, Constantine Rafinesque reported that there were nearly thirty wild species that were used to treat cholera, “infantum”, dysentery, and diarrhea. “The Cherokee chewed them for cough; a cold poultice useful in piles; used with lobelia for gonorrhea”. He also told of the ripe fruits being made into preserves, jams, jellies, and syrups that were used to treat other ailments. 19th century physicians also used the roots for the same purposes.

The fruit of the red raspberry was officially listed in the US Pharmacopoeia from 1882 to 1905 and in the National Formulary from 1916 to 1942. The juice was listed in the National Formulary from 1942 to 1950, and has been listed in the US Pharmocopoeia since 1950. It is used in the preparation of raspberry syrup, a pharmaceutical aid used to disguise the unpleasant taste of other medicines.

Key Actions

(a) Leaves

astringent
digestive remedy
preparative for childbirth
stimulant
tonic

(b) Fruit

diuretic
diaphoretic
cleanser
laxative

Key Components

(a) Leaves

fragarine
tannins (gallic and ellagic acids)
polypeptides
flavonoids
vitamins (A, B, C)
minerals (iron, manganese, magnesium, selenium)

(b) Fruit

vitamins A, B, C, E
sugars
minerals
volatile oil

Medicinal Parts

Leaves, fruit, root
The leaves contain higher levels of vitamin C than do the fruits.
Aqueous extracts of the leaves contain a smooth muscle stimulant, an anticholinesterase, and a spasmolytic.
The tannins and flavonoids are astringent.
Fragarine is a uterine tonic.

Traditional Uses

Raspberry leaf tea is taken during the last six to eight weeks of pregnancy to prepare for childbirth to strengthen the uterus, prevent miscarriage, and relieve morning sickness. During the final months, it is used to prepare the uterus for delivery and reduce labor pains. During labor, warm tea is taken to stimulate labor. Although the exact mode of its action is not known, the leaves are thought to strengthen the longitudinal muscles of the uterus, increasing the force of contractions and thereby hastening the birth.

Although generally considered to be a “female” herb, it is also used to treat men and children for such conditions as diarrhea, stomach upsets, edema, and lung congestion caused by colds or the flu.

Having astringent action, infusions of the leaves are useful in treating diarrhea, as a wash for wounds, and as mouthwashes for sore throats, and mouth ulcers. Eye washes are good for conjunctivitis. Tinctures are more astringent and are diluted to be used on wounds and inflammations. Lotions can be made from the tinctures for similar use.

The leaves are included in rheumatic remedies as a cleansing diuretic.

In France, the leaves are regarded as a tonic for the prostate gland.

The berries have traditionally been taken for indigestion and rheumatism.

Lavender

December 27, 2010 By Cloverleaf Farm

Botanical Names

Family Labiatae
Lavandula officinalis syn. Lavandula angustifolia

Common Names

Garden Lavender, French Lavender, True Lavender, Aljucema (Spanish)

Cautions

Avoid high doses during pregnancy as it is a uterine stimulant.

Lavender contains limonene which can cause photosensitivity, especially when perfumes and cosmetics are used containing lavender oil.

Full-strength lavender oil should not be applied directly to the skin, but should be diluted in a carrier, or neutral, oil.

Description

Native to France and the western Mediterranean, it is now cultivated worldwide for its volatile oil. It is grown as a garden plant as far north as Norway. Lavender is a perennial shrub, growing to about three feet, producing spikes of violet-blue flowers that extend above the foliage. Some varieties have flowers of pale pink, dark purple, white, or magenta and are harvested toward the end of flowering season when the petals have begun to fade. They are generally picked by the end of July to obtain maximum strength in its essential oils, with sixty pounds of flowers yielding about sixteen fluid ounces of oil.

History

One of the most popular medicinal herbs since ancient times, its name is derived from the Latin lavare, meaning to wash. The Greeks and Romans were fond of it in their bath water.

Since ancient times, the oil has been used to kill lice and fleas and as an embalming fluid.

In Arab medicine, it was used as an expectorant and antispasmodic

In European folk medicine, it was regarded as a useful wound herb and a worm remedy for children.

It became popular as a medicine during the late Middle Ages and taken to the New World by Pilgrims in 1620.

As a strewing herb, lavender was popularly used to mask the smells of households and streets.

The glovers of Grasse used the oil to scent their fashionable leather and were remarkably free of the plague. This encouraged others to use the herb to ward off the pestilence.

The medical properties of lavender have been noted in the earliest English herbals and in the British Pharmacopoeia for about 250 years.

Key Actions

antiseptic
antidepressant
antibacterial
analgesic
antispasmodic
circulatory stimulant
carminative
nervous system tonic
promotes bile flow
relaxant

Key Components

volatile oil (up to 3% of over 40 constituents including linalyl acetate [30-60%], cineole [10%], linalool [20-50%], nerol, borneol and others)
coumarins (including umbelliferone and herniarin)
tannins
caffeic acid derivatives (including rosmaric acid)
flavonoids
triterpenoids

Medicinal Parts

Flowers, essential oil

Linalyl ester is the major component of bergamot and is also responsible for the aroma and medicinal qualities of the plant.

Tannins have antibacterial properties that are useful in treating minor skin wounds.

A small British study found that lavender was more effective than a pharmaceutical sleep drug in helping nursing home patients obtain a more restful sleep.

Remedies

An infusion from the flowers is taken for nervous exhaustion, tension headaches, during labour, for colic, and for indigestion. A weak infusion (25% normal strength) is given to babies for colic, irritability, and excitement.

A tincture from the flowers is taken for headaches and depression.

Creams made from the essential oil are used on the skin and are made by adding a few drops of oil to another cream, as chamomile cream, for eczema.

A lotion is made in the same way, only adding a little of the oil to water for sunburns and scalds.

A chest rub is made with essential oil, chamomile oil, and a carrier oil for asthma and bronchitis spasms.

The essential oil can be diluted in water and used on the hair to treat lice or placed on a fine comb for nits.

A massage oil is made by adding a little essential oil to a carrier oil and massaging into painful muscles or the temples and nape of the neck for tension headaches or the first hint of a migraine.

The essential oil can be diluted and used for insect bites and stings, or mixed with a carrier oil to prevent sunburn and to treat heatstroke. However, it is not meant to be a sunblock, and does not function as one.

Traditional Uses

Lavender is well-known for its soothing and calming effect; and, when combined with other sedative herbs, relieves insomnia, irritability, headaches, migraines, and depression. Medicinally, lavender has many uses, especially in aromatherapy, and is used by midwives, massage therapists, and some hospitals.

Its significant amounts of volatile oil soothes indigestion and colic, relieving gas and bloating.

It is also used to treat asthma and, through its relaxing effects, is especially effective when excessive nervousness is the trigger.

The essential oil is strongly antiseptic and a valuable first aid remedy helpful in treating minor burns, wounds, and sores. It is also effective on insect stings as it relieves the pain and inflammation.

The dried flowers are often hung in rooms to perfume the air and repel moths and other insects.

When placed near or inside a pillow, dried lavender helps promote a restful sleep. A few drops in the bathwater can relieve tension and mild depression, while promoting sleep.

Added to cool bathwater, it becomes an energizing stimulant.

Drops of lavender oil are sometimes added to water and used as an astringent for cleaning the face and treating acne.

In Mexico, lavender is used in a tea to treat indigestion, and burned in a type of aromatherapy. Smudge sticks are made from bundles of the plant and burned to fumigate sick rooms. New mothers are purified with it after childbirth.

In Spain and Portugal, L. stoechas is used as an antiseptic wash for wounds, ulcers, and sores; but its oil is inferior to that of L. officinalis. Although L. spica (Spike lavender) yields more oil than L. officinalis, it is also of an inferior quality.

The English and French varieties are especially prized for their essential oils, which are used in perfumes, cosmetics, skin care products, and air fresheners.

Feverfew

December 23, 2010 By Cloverleaf Farm

Botanical and Common Names

Family Asteraceae (formerly Compositae)
Chrysanthemum parthenium syn. Tanacetum parthenium (Feverfew, Featherfew, Featherfoil, Midsummer Daisy)
Spanish: Altamisa Mexicana, Santa Maria, Yerba de Santa Maria

Cautions

Do not take during pregnancy.
The plant is restricted in some countries because it carries a risk of toxicity and should be used only under the guidance of a knowledgeable herbalist.
Some experts warn against taking feverfew along with such blood-thinning drugs as aspirin and warfarin (Coumadin), antimigraine drugs, high doses of vitamin E, ginkgo biloba, calcium channel blockers, and ticlopidine (Ticlid).
Since feverfew has a mild anticoagulant effect, combining it with anti-clotting products may result in bleeding problems.

Description

Native to southeastern Europe, feverfew is now common throughout Europe, Australia, and North America. Tansy is found throughout the temperate zones in the northern hemisphere, growing in open areas, along roadsides, and close to water.

Both are herbaceous perennials growing to two or three feet in height and producing numerous strongly aromatic, clusters of yellow, daisylike flowers. They also have an erect stem and feathery compound leaves. Feverfew is a close relative of chamomile and is often confused with chamomile; but, unlike chamomile, whose flowers contain medicinal oils, the therapeutic ingredients of feverfew are found in the leaves. The leaves are picked as required, while the aerial parts, as a whole, are harvested in summer when the plant is in flower.

History

The name feverfew is derived from the Latin term febrifugia, which means to “drive out fevers”.

The use of feverfew as a migraine remedy is credited to the wife of a Welsh doctor. It is said that she ended her 50-year history of such headaches with a course of feverfew.

It has been used since Roman times to induce menstruation and given during difficult birth to aid in the expulsion of the placenta.

Dioscorides, an ancient Greek physician, gave it to women during childbirth to increase uterine contractions and to speed the birth process.

Culpeper stated, in 1653, that the main use for the herb was for women’s complaints.

For centuries, it was used to lower fevers, treat infant colic, depression, vertigo, kidney stones, and constipation. It is also used as an insect repellent and to treat minor skin wounds and to relieve the pain of arthritis.

Although not mentioned in surviving classical texts, tansy was described by medieval herbalists, notably Hildegard of Bingen in the 12th century and onward. It has since been the most common worm-expelling plant used.

Gerard also wrote that feverfew was an effective headache remedy.

Cotton Mather, an American clergyman and writer of the 1700s, recommended chewing feverfew to ease a toothache.

Key Actions

analgesic
antirheumatic
bitter
promotes menstral flow
reduces fever

Key Components

volatile oil (alpha-pinene)
sesquiterpene lactones (parthenolide)
sesquiterpenes (camphor)
vitamins and minerals (especially niacin and thiamin, chromium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, and selenium)

Medicinal Parts

Aerial parts

A detailed scientific investigation in Britain, in the 1980s, demonstrated its effectiveness for migraine headaches, reducing the number and severity of these attacks, as well as the degree of vomiting that often accompanies the condition. They found that parthenolide works against migraine headaches by reducing blood platelet activity and the release of histamines and prostaglandins, body chemicals that are instrumental in the inflammation and sudden widening of the blood vessels in the head. It also helps prevent the fluctuations in levels of serotonin, another chemical that is instrumental in migraine symptoms. These substances and effects may also explain the herb’s ability to reduce menstrual cramps and to relieve arthritic pain and inflammation.

Feverfew seems to be more effective as a preventative rather than relieving full-blown symptoms of migraine headaches. While the vomiting and other symptoms were milder, there was no change in the duration of the headaches according to one study. It should be noted that the quality of many commercial feverfew products is very uneven. Some lab analysis found little or none of the active ingredient, parthenolide.

Traditional Uses

As a preventative for migraines and as an alternative to taking pills that may have little or none of the active ingredients, it is recommended that chewing two or three of the dried leaves per day would be a better choice, although regular use can cause mouth ulcers. At such times, it would be best to switch to a tea.

Feverfew can be a mild sedative and euphoric and is occasionally added to compounds for the relief of nervous tension. In large doses, it can sedate those suffering from nervous hysteria, but may produce some side effects. However, moderate doses are completely safe.

Strong teas made from the leaves are used to treat skin inflammations and minor wounds.

Dandelion

December 23, 2010 By Cloverleaf Farm

Botanical Name

Family Asteraceae (formerly Compositae)
Taraxacum officinale

Common Names

Blowball, Cankerwort, Lion’s Tooth, Priest’s Crown, Swine Snout, Wild Endive, Taraxacum, Puff-Ball, Sin In The Grass, Diente de León (Spanish), Pu Gong Ying (Chinese)

Cautions

Do not use the plant unless sure it is free of chemical sprays.
If sucked excessively by children, the milky juice can cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, as well as excessive urination.

Description

There are considered to be about 600 species of dandelion found throughout the world where, in many cases, it is considered a noxious weed. One seed from a dandelion blown by the wind can start 200 or more new plants. It is also cultivated in many parts, including France and Germany.

The plant is closely related to chicory, a perennial growing to as much as twenty inches high producing ragged, saw-toothed leaves, hollow stalks, and golden flowers that quickly go to seed, leaving a “puffball” head that is dispersed in the breeze. The young leaves are picked in the spring for tonic salads and later for use as a medicine, while the roots are unearthed in autumn from two-year-old plants.

History

Dandelion was recommended in the works of Arab physicians in the 11th century and in an herbal written by the physicians of Myddfai in Wales in the 13th century.

Its name was apparently invented by a 15th century surgeon who compared the shape of the leaves to a lion’s tooth.

Dandelion was not mentioned in Chinese herbals until the 7th century CE, nor did it appear in Europe until 1485. While Western herbalists separate the leaves and the root, the Chinese use the whole plant.

Dandelion is such a valuable herb that, it is said, if it were as rare as ginseng, it would command a similar price.

A strong diuretic, its properties are absorbed through the skin. Young children who handle the flowers too much will have nocturnal enuresis, or wet the bed. This was the name given to it in former times (Wet-the-beds), and obviously recognized before the active principles in the plant were discovered and chemically isolated.

Frontier healers recommended dandelion as a spring tonic, and it is credited with saving the lives of the pioneers in winter because of its high vitamin content. Brought to America from Europe, it soon became a noxious weed found everywhere.

Native Americans used it for many reasons, including treating skin problems such as acne, eczema, and hives. The Pillager-Ojibwa made a dandelion root tea as a treatment for heartburn, while the Cherokee used the tea to calm nerves. The Iroquois used dandelion for a wide variety of conditions, including anemia, constipation, pain, and water retention. Many tribes chewed the dried sap like chewing gum and even roasted the root to make a coffee substitute.

The dandelion was used in the New Mexico region of the US since it was introduced by the Spanish around 1820. Some tribal remedies included boiling the blooms in water until the water turned a bright yellow. The liquid was then allowed to sit outside overnight and a glassful drunk every morning for a month to cure heart trouble. Others ground the leaves and applied the paste to broken bones and wrapping the area with bandages encrusted with fresh leaves to speed healing. The leaves could also be ground and added to dough to be applied to bad bruises to “take the blood out”.

In 1748, a traveller in French Canada discovered that the roots of the dandelion were used in salad as a tonic.

In the mid-18th century in Pennylvania, a large group of Mennonites brought the dandelion with them when they fled from religious persecution in Germany. They used the roots mainly for kidney and liver problems, manifested by the yellowing of the skin. The Shakers, in the mid-19th century US, also used the herb for liver problems.

Key Actions

(a) Leaves

diuretic
liver and digestive tonic

(b) Root

antirheumatic
diuretic
liver tonic
mildly laxative
promotes bile flow

Key Components

(a) Flowers and Seeds

vitamins A, B, C, and D (containing over 13,000 IU of vitamin A in 100 grams).
sequiterpene lactones
triterpenes
bitter glycosides

(b) Leaves

carotenoids
coumarins
choline
flavonoids
minerals (including calcium, iron, potassium, silicon, boron, magnesium, and zinc)

(c) Roots

tannins
triterpenes
sterols
volatile oil
choline
asparagine
inulin

Medicinal Parts

Leaves, flowers, fresh seeds, root
Chinese scientists have discovered that dandelion extracts have bactericidal effects against a number of nasty bacteria including S. aureus and those responsible for diphtheria, tuberculosis, and pneumonia.

Remedies

Fresh leaves are eaten as a vegetable in salads as a cleansing remedy.

Juice from the leaves is taken when a diuretic action is needed.

An infusion is less effective, as a diuretic, than the juice; but it makes a good cleansing remedy for toxic conditions, including gout and eczema. It is also used as a gentle liver and digestive stimulant.

The white sap from the stem and root can be used as a topical remedy for warts.

Tinctures are often added to other herbal remedies for heart failure and to ensure adequate potassium intake.

Tinctures from the roots are used for such toxic conditions as gout, eczema, or acne; and are also prescribed as a liver stimulant in certain liver disorders and related constipation.

Decoctions from the root are used for the same conditions as the tincture.

Traditional Uses

In China, the flowers, leaves, root, and seed heads of either the common dandelion or from an Oriental species (T. mongolicum). The Chinese have used dandelions for more than a thousand years as a diuretic, hypoglycemic, antispasmodic, anticancer, antibacterial, and antifungal agent. It was used for such conditions as abscesses, appendicitis, boils, caries, dermatitis, fevers, inflammations, leucorrhea, liver ailments, mastitis, scrofula, snakebites, and stomachaches.

Although the leaves are an effective diuretic, they also contain significant amounts of potassium, a mineral generally lost when using conventional medications. It is used in cases of fluid retention, especially with heart problems. It has been used successfully to treat several kidney ailments and chronic hypertension.

The leaves are an effective liver and digestive tonic. The root, which has a shorter history of medicinal use, is also good for the liver.

Both the leaf and the root have a marked action on the gallbladder, and are used to prevent gallstones. The leaf may also help dissolve already formed stones.

The bitter, milky sap is used externally to heal wounds, remove warts, moles, pimples, calluses, and sores. It is also used to soothe bee stings and blisters.

The sap, leaves, and root extracts are ingested for its diuretic properties, to stimulate stomach secretions and aid in digestion, to relieve constipation and control diarrhea, to stimulate bile production, to treat liver disorders, to prevent or lower high blood pressure, to stimulate milk flow in nursing mothers, to relieve the pain of endometriosis, and to inhibit plaque buildup on teeth.

In Costa Rica, dandelions are sold as a treatment for diabetes.

In Guatemala, two different types of dandelions are used. The narrow-leafed variety, called diente de leon, is used as a tonic for generalized body health, while the other variety, called amargon, is used as a salad green and blood strengthener, especially in cases of anemia.

In Brazil, the herb is also used as a blood purifier used to treat liver problems, scurvy, and urinary complaints.

Comfrey

December 23, 2010 By Cloverleaf Farm

Bee pollinating a Comfrey leaf flower

Botanical Name

Family Boraginaceae
Symphytum officinale

Common Names

Ass Ear, Black Root, Blackwort, Boneset, Bruisewort, Consound, Gum Plant, Healing Herb, Knitback, Knitbone, Salsify, Slippery Root, Wallwort
Spanish: Sueldo, Consueldo, Cardo Santo

Cautions

Do not use comfrey on dirty wounds as rapid healing can trap the dirt or pus.

The use of comfrey root is not suggested as it contains toxic alkaloids, mainly pyrrolizidine.

It is unclear as to whether the alkaloids are toxic in the context of the whole plant, since they are only present in minute amounts and are often completely absent from samples of dried aerial parts. The highest concentration is in the root, having almost twice as much as in the aerial parts. Until such time as it is proven one way or the other, use of the root internally is not advised. It should be noted that Swedish researchers have determined that these alkaloids are destroyed when making a decoction of the aerial parts.

Internal use of comfrey is not recommended.

Description

Indigenous to Europe, comfrey now grows in all temperate regions of the world, including western Asia, North America, and Australia. The herb is a perennial that grows up to three feet, producing thick leaves and bell-like white to pink or mauve flowers. It thrives in moist, marshy places; but it can send down a ten-foot, or longer, taproot to raise moisture and valuable minerals. The leaves and flowering tops are harvested during the summer. The root is harvested in the spring or fall when the allantoin levels are the highest.

History

Long used to heal wounds, the comfrey leaves and roots have been used to cure ailments ranging from stubborn leg ulcers to broken bones, and hence its common name of “boneset” or “knitbone”.

During ancient times, comfrey baths were popular before marriage to repair the hymen and thus restoring virginity.

Since 400 BCE, early Greek physicians have used comfrey to stop bleeding, treat bronchial problems, heal wounds, and mend broken bones.

During the Irish potato famine of the 1840s, an Englishman named Henry Doubleday became convinced that the world could be saved from hunger and suffering by using comfrey. He established a charitable organization to research the cultivation and use of the plant that exists to this day and continues to publish pamphlets and books on its usage.

Key Actions

astringent
anti-inflammatory
cell proliferator
demulcent
heals wounds, bone, and cartilage

Key Components

allantoin (up to 4.7% mainly in flowering tops)
inulin
mucilage (about 29% mainly fructans)
nutrients (calcium, potassium, phosphorus, vitamins A, B12, C, proteins)
phenolic acids (rosmarinic)
steroidal saponins
toxic alkaloids (including pyrrolizidines)
tannins

Medicinal Parts

Aerial parts, root

The active ingredients in comfrey herb are allantoin (a substance that fosters the growth of new cells), rosemarinic acid (an anti-inflammatory), and mucilage (a gummy substance that soothes inflammed tissues).

Allantoin is credited with encouraging bone, cartilage, and muscle cells to grow. However, a soothing solution can be made from the leaves steeped in hot water; but its effectiveness is lessened by heat. The roots contain about twice as much allantoin as the leaves. Pharmacists may add allantoin to ointments and creams to enhance skin-healing properties.

Remedies

Poultices made from the fresh leaves are applied to rough skin, aching joints, sores, burns, cuts, sprains, and to reduce the swelling around fractures. They can also applied to minor fractures that would not normally be set in plaster, for example, broken toes, ribs, or hairline cracks in larger bones.

Poultices from the root are ground into a powder; a little water is added to make a paste that can be used on stubborn wounds and bleeding hemorrhoids.

Creams are used for bone and muscle damage, including osteoarthritis.

Infused oil (hot method) is used on arthritic joints, bruises, sprains, other traumatic injuries, and for inflamed bunions.

Tinctures of the comfrey root are applied undiluted to acne.

Ointments made from the leaves are used on bruises and scrapes.

Traditional Uses

Comfrey leaves are dried, ground up, and mixed with water, a moisturizing oil, or aloe vera to form salves or pastes that can be used externally to promote the healing of skin ailments, while reducing inflammations and infection. When the crushed herb is applied to an injured limb, the allantoin is absorbed through the skin to speed healing. When a compress is applied immediately to a sprained ankle, it can significantly reduce the severity of the injury.

A lotion or solution of comfrey leaves made by soaking them in hot, but not boiling, water andcan be applied to abrasions to soothe the irritation.

Dried roots may be ground up and dissolved in hot water to form a mucilage that can bind together such open skin ulcers as bedsores, that have resisted other forms of healing. Although the root has similar properties as the leaves, it tends to be colder in nature and more nourishing in action, therefore, better suited in treating varicose ulcers.

The combination of tannins and mucilage helps soothe bruises and scrapes.

Externally, comfrey leaves are useful in healing stubborn skin ulcers, bedsores, and other lesions. They can also promote the healing of minor burns, eczema, and psoriasis, soothe bee stings and spider bites (including those of the brown recluse), and treat skin staph infections and athlete’s foot. A poultice can be made from freshly chopped leaves and applied directly to the wound and covered lightly with a bandage. This should be changed every day, and the wound cleansed with water (not tap) and a mild soap. The area can first be cleansed with hydrogen peroxide if there is infection present.

View: Comfrey Products from Cloverleaf Farm.

Calendula

December 22, 2010 By Cloverleaf Farm

Botanical Names

Family Asteraceae (formerly Compositae)
Calendula officinalis

Common Names

Marigold, Pot marigold, Holligold/Holigold, Goldbloom/Gold-bloom, Golds, Mary Bud/Marybud, Ruddes, Mary Gowles, Garden/English/African/American/Aztec Marigold
Spanish: Caléndula, Mercadela, Coronilla, Virreyna Caléndula, Cempasúchil, Pericón, Flor de Muerto, Cincollagas
Nahuatl: Cempoalxóchitl
Maya: Ix-ti-pu

Cautions

Calendula should not be taken internally during pregnancy.
When growing or picking calendula flowers, make sure the plants are Calendula officinalis and not Tagetes species, of which the French, African, and Mexican marigolds are common. They have different properties and must not be used for herbal teas. Instead, those plants are used for warts and also as insecticides or weedkillers.

Description

Native to southern Europe and parts of Asia, calendula is now cultivated worldwide as a popular item in home gardens as it attracts bees for pollination and keeps harmful insects away from other plants. The herb is an annual, growing to about two feet in height with vivid orange to yellow flower heads similar in structure to the daisy. The Calendula genus is native to the Mediterranean. The native American marigold looks very similar and belongs to the Tagetes genus.

History

Calendula was named by the ancient Romans, who observed that the plant was in bloom on the first day (Latin: kalends) of every month. They looked upon the plants nonstop-blooming as a symbol of joy, and cultivated it in their gardens to spread happiness. The regular supply of fresh petals and young leaves contributed to its frequent use.

Ancient Egyptians valued it as a rejuvenating herb.

Hindus used it to decorate temple altars.

Persians and Greeks garnished and flavored food with the flower petals.

The Germans added handfuls of the flowers to their soups and broths to add body, color, and strength, and hence the nickname of “pot marigold”. Europeans have also long used it to flavor soups and stews and to color butter and cheese.

During the American Civil War, doctors on the battlefield used the flowers on a large scale to treat open wounds. It proved effective as an antiseptic, staunching the bleeding, preventing infection, and speeding the healing of wounds. The practice continued by doctors during WWI.

Medieval monks prescribed it for bowel problems, liver complaints, and insect or snake bites.

Aemilius Macer’s 12th century herbal, which was published throughout the 13th and 14th centuries, recommended simply looking at the plant to improve eyesight, clearing the head, and encouraging cheerfulness (not a bad idea!).

During the 17th century, Culpeper advocated it to “strengthen the heart” and for smallpox and measles.

The Aztec marigold was highly esteemed in pre-Hispanic Mexico for its ability to heal many infirmities and used the flowers in many of their rituals. One historical account describes armloads of them being carried in ceremonies honoring their gods. Mayan priests washed their hands and faces with a tea of the leaves and flowers before calling on the spirits. It is still used in celebrations of the Day of the Dead when they are strewn over graves and home altars. Today, this once-exalted plant has been reduced to feed for chickens, giving a bright yellow color to the yolks and to the skin of the chickens themselves.

Key Actions

anti-inflammatory
astringent
antiseptic
antibacterial
antiviral
anti-fungal
detoxifies
heals wounds
mildly estrogenic
menstrual regulator
prevent hemorrhaging
relieve muscle spasms
stimulates bile production

Key Components

bitter glycosides
carotones
essential oils
flavonoids
mucilage
resins
sterols
triterpenes
volatile oil

Medicinal Parts

Flower heads and petals
The more vivid the color, the higher is the level of active medicinal ingredients.
A related wild species, C. arvense, seems to have similar therapeutic properties.

Remedies

many uses for infusions (see below)
ointments to heal minor burns and sores
creams for cuts and scrapes, as well as dry eczema and sunburn
infused oil for inflamed, dry skin, chilblains, and hemorrhoids
tinctures for eczema, or taken to stimulate the liver and digestion
fresh petals added to bathwater to leave the skin soft, while healing minor irritants
infused oil soothe inflammations, chilblains, and cracked nipples from breastfeeding
compresses applied to slow-healing wounds
poultices from the leaves for gouty swellings
infused oil suppositories for vaginal yeast infections
gargle for sore throats and to relieve the pressure in congested ears.

Traditional Uses

Calendula is one of the most well-known and versatile herbs in Western herbal medicine. Infusions are commonly used to treat such chronic fungal infections as ringworm or oral thrush, as an effective douche for vaginal yeast infections, to aid digestion, menopausal problems, menstrual pain, and esophogeal inflammations, and as a mouthwash, to heal gums after a tooth extraction, mouth ulcers, and gum inflammations.

This plant has a particular affinity for women. Taken regularly, marigold tea is helpful for painful periods, tender ovaries, blocked tubes, and in maintaining equilibrium during menopause. It has a mild estrogenic action often effective in reducing menstrual pain and regulating menstrual bleeding. When taken regularly, calendula will clear up cellulite, especially if used in conjunction with massage.

Taken internally, calendula helps inflammatory digestive system problems, including gastritis, peptic ulcers, regional ileitis, and colitis. It is also useful in expelling amoebas and intestinal worms and such fungal infections as candidiasis.

It is best known as an antiseptic, astringent, and an antimicrobial used on cuts, wounds, skin infections, varicose veins and hemorrhoids. It is especially helpful with fungal conditions, including athlete’s foot, thrush, diaper rash, and cradle cap. It also helps sore nipples from breast feeding.

Calendula has long been used as a detoxifying herb and for helping to treat the cause of such conditions characterized by fever and infection. The herb is also effective for cleansing the liver and gallbladder.

If taken as a hot infusion, it promotes sweating, thereby helping to relieve fevers while improving blood and lymphatic circulation, thus enabling the body to expel toxins.

View Cloverleaf Farm organic products containing Calendula by clicking here.