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Herbs
Important Information About These Natural Remedies
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Herbs for Health and Healing
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How Herbs Work
Herbs regulate,
cleanse, and nourish the human body. They may have
specific effects on physical function, but herbs also
nourish and balance many parts of the body at one time. |
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Why to Use Herbs
Because they balance the body, herbs treat the cause
of disease, not just the symptoms. When used with
knowledge, herbs are far safer than most pharmaceutical
drugs. |
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Herb Tinctures are alcohol or vinegar
extractions of herbs. They are more concentrated than
teas and Capsules (unless standardized) depending on their
method of preparation. They can be taken alone, added
to teas, or used in poultices. |
Herb Capsules/Tablets consist
of dried herb material. They may consist of the unadulterated
herbs OR they may be standardized according to the concentration
of a particular ingredient. These herbs are
designed to be taken
internally. |
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Dose: |
General
ADULT guidelines for dosing herbs:
Tinctures:
30-40 drops, 2-4 times per day, taken in water.
Caps: 1-2 Caps, 2-4 times per day.
Teas: 1 tea bag/1 teaspoon herb per cup
water. 1-3 cups per day. |
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Children have smaller dose requirements than adults.
The basic formula for
determining a child's dose is: age
÷
(age + 12). The resulting number equals the portion of an adult
dose to give. For example, the correct dose for a 6-year-old would
be 6
÷ 18 = one-third of
an adult dose.
If
PREGNANT, consult an holistically-trained physician before using
herbs.
Not all herbs are safe during pregnancy.
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Twelve Important Herbs
to Know
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Bilberry
(Vaccinium myrtillus)
Actions: Potent antioxidant; strengthens/stabilizes
veins USES: Atherosclerosis; cataracts; diabetes
mellitus; neuralgia and neuropathy; retinopathy; varicose
veins; macular degeneration NOTE: Bilberry has a special
affinity for the eyes.
Bromelain
(Ananas comosus) a.k.a. Pineapple
Actions: Anti-inflammatory; dissolves mucous; protein digestant USES: Atherosclerosis;
inflammation (all types); infection (all types); sinusitis; sports
injuries; wound healing.
Curcumin
(Curcuma longa) a.k.a. Turmeric
Actions: Potent antioxidant (highest antioxidant rating);
anti-inflammatory; liver protectant; anti-cancer;
anti-tumor USES: Allergies; arthritis; atherosclerosis;
autoimmune disease; cancer; gallbladder disease; hepatitis;
high cholesterol; inflammation; rheumatoid arthritis.
Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus)
Actions: Adaptogenic (helps the body adapt and
work under physical and mental stress); tonic; mild stimulant
USES: Stress adaptation; fatigue; depression; rejuvenation;
athletic performance; enhancing physical performance.
Grape
Seed Extract (Vitis
vinifera) a.k.a. pycnogenols
Actions: Potent antioxidant; protects collagen from destruction;
anti-inflammatory USES: Atherosclerosis; diabetes mellitus;
easy bruising; macular degeneration; varicose veins; stroke
prevention; retinopathy; skin rejuvenation.
Hawthorne (Cratageus oxycantha)
Actions: Cardiovascular tonic; adrenal tonic; anti-atherosclerotic;
high in bioflavonoids USES: Heart disease of all types:
atherosclerosis, arrhythmia, palpitations, high or low
blood pressure, congestive heart failure; peripheral vascular
disease. |
Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia or purpura)
Actions: Immune stimulant; immune modulating (balances
the immune system); anti-viral; anti-bacterial USES:
Infections of every type ; immunosuppression (AIDS/HIV/EBV);
cancer; Candidiasis. NOTE: Use short-term to bolster the
immune system.
Garlic (Allium sativa)
Actions: Broad-spectrum anti-microbial: effective
against bacteria, viruses, worms, fungi; anti-atherosclerotic;
cardiovascular tonic USES: Infections, parasites,
Candidiasis; atherosclerosis; high blood pressure;
high cholesterol; diabetes; allergy; AIDS; immune
suppression; cancer and cancer prevention.
Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)
Actions: Increased blood flow to the brain and extremities;
stimulates neurotransmitters (brain hormones); potent
antioxidant with nervous system affinity USES: Impotence;
neuralgia and neuropathy; Age-related memory, eyesight,
and hearing changes; atherosclerosis; allergy; depression
; retinopathy; diabetes mellitus; Raynauds disease.
Milk
Thistle (Silybum marianum)
Actions: (Protects the liver from the effects of toxins);
antioxidant USES: Environmental exposure to toxins;
hepatitis; drug, alcohol or nicotine use; gallbladder
disease; detoxification; daily life!
Saw
Palmetto (Serenoa
repens or serrulata)
Actions: inhibits dihydrotestosterone (the hormone that
causes the male prostate gland to enlarge); tonic to the
neck of the bladder; reproductive organ tonic (male and
female) USES: benign prostate enlargement; low libido
and impotence (male and female); painful menstrual
periods; urinary incontinence (male and female);
polycystic ovaries
St.
Johns Wort (Hypericum
perforatum)
Actions: Anti-depressant; anti-viral; relieves pain USES:
Depression; anxiety; insomnia; neuralgia; immune
suppression
(AIDS/HIV/Epstein-Barr virus); chronic hepatitis. |
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More Useful Herbs to
Know
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Artichoke
(Cynara scolymus)
Actions: Liver protective properties (similar to milk
thistle); bile secretion USES: Liver protection;
liver disease; gallbladder disease.
Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus)
Actions: Immune stimulant; adaptogenic; vasodilator;
anti-viral USES: Tonic and endurance remedy; immune
stimulant (not an acute remedy, like Echinacea, but for
long-term use to improve immune function); night sweats.
Black Cohosh
(Cimicifuga racemosa)
Actions: Antispasmodic; anti-inflammatory; slight
estrogenic effect; nervine USES: Muscle pain ; arthritis;
rheumatism; back pain; menstrual cramps; nervous tension.
NOTE: high doses can cause headache.
Cayenne
(Capsicum
frutescense)
Actions: Circulatory stimulant; digestant; tonic;
anti-atherosclerotic USES: Atherosclerosis; poor
circulation; shock; hemorrhage; heart attack; “synergistic”
with many herbs. Cayenne is the premier circulatory
stimulant herb.
Chamomile
(Matricaria
chamomilla)
Actions Anti-inflammatory; anti-spasmodic; carminative
(counters gas); anti bacterial; nervine USES: Stomach
complaints: colitis, intestinal spasm, colic (good for colic
in babies, too: use in tea form); respiratory infections;
wound healing; anxiety; restlessness.
Chlorella
(Chlorella pyrenoidosa)
Actions: Detoxifier; high in minerals and phytonutrients
USES: Detoxification; heavy metal toxicity;
blood building; general antioxidant protection; intestinal
detoxification.
Dandelion
(Taraxacum officinale)
Actions: Nutritive (high in minerals); diuretic;
tonic; liver-protective USES: skin disease; liver
disease; anemia; water retention ; CHF; fatigue;
arthritis.
Ginger
(Zingiber officianle)
Actions: Anti-emetic; digestant; circulatory stimulant;
anti-inflammatory; antiseptic. [Curcuma longa (tumeric)
is a close relative] USES: nausea and motion sickness;
morning sickness; high blood pressure and atherosclerosis;
digestive upsets, gas, and colic; colds, flu, and fever.
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Goldenseal
(Hydrastis canadensis)
Actions: Anti-microbial; anti-parasidal; GI tonic;
laxative; immune stimulant. USES: Infections of all
kinds; infectious diarrhea; skin diseases; conjunctivitis;
candidiasis; intestinal toxemia; intestinal parasites.
Hops
(Humulus lupulus)
Actions: Antispasmodic; nervine; GI tonic; anodyne
(relieves pain); estrogenic effects. Uses: Menopause;
insomnia; nervous tension headache; anxiety; intestinal
cramps; neuralgia.
Kava
Kava
(Piper methysticum)
Actions: Stimulant; tonic; anti-anxiety; sleep-inducer USES:
Anxiety ; arthritic conditions; chronic pain; insomnia.
Nettles
(Urtica dioica)
Actions: Nutritive; tonic; detoxifying; encourages the
removal of excess tissue acids USES: Acne; allergies
& hayfever; arthritis; eczema; general detoxification.
Reishi
(Ganoderma) & Shiitake (Lentinus edodes)
Mushroom
Actions: Immune stimulants; anti-tumor activity
USES: General immune tonic; cancer and cancer
prevention.
White Willow
(Salix alba)
Actions: Anti-inflammatory (contains salicin, a
natural form of aspirin) Uses: rheumatism;
arthritis; headache; fever; musculoskeletal aches and
pains.
Wild Yam
(Dioscorea villosa)
Actions: Antispasmodic; anti-inflammatory; hormone-enhancing
effects; [Chinese herbology: chi (energy) tonic]
Uses: Flatulence; intestinal colic; gallstone colic;
arthritis (rheumatoid and osteo); urinary tract infections;
muscle strain; poor circulation; neuralgia; menopause;
uterine cramping; general energy tonic. |
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Copyright ©
1994 - 2008 Dr. Myatt's Wellness Club, All Rights Reserved
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Disclaimer: |
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These statements have not been
evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any
disease. No information on this website is intended as personal medical
advice and should not take the place of a doctor's care. |
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Disclaimer Information |
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All material on this
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of any information contained herein. Please read
A
Letter from Dr. Myatt: Read This First
to gain a complete understanding of how best to utilize alternative
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Finally,
*
none of the statements made in this website have
been approved by the FDA or any other government organization, although all
information contained herein is
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information at
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