HERBS

Alternative Therapy Treatments - Herbs

Since the beginning of time, people have turned to plants for healing help. Common ailments can be treated at home with a range of simple herbal remedies. You can also assist your health by including herbs in your daily diet. In times past it was the tradition to take herbal tonics in the spring to restore the body's vitality after a winter diet lacking in fresh green vegetables. Below is a list of some common ailments and medical conditions that often respond to treatment with herbs at home.

Remember to always consult your doctor before using any alternative or home remedies. These treatments are not intended or recommended for use to treat serious conditions.

Common Name	Latin Name	Uses (some only)	Harvesting	Cautions
Angelica	Angelica archangelica	Stimulates appetite, aids digestion, and eases gas and stomach cramps	Leaves and root. Dead ringer for hemlock, never harvest from the wild.	Enhances sun sensitivity

Chickweed	Stellaria media	Soothes itching	Aerial parts when needed

Cleavers	Galium aparine	Soothing diuretic and used to treat skin diseases	Stems and leaves while still juicy

Dock	Rumex crispus	Stimulant laxative, also used to sooth nettle stings	Roots in he autumn, dry for future use.

Couchgrass	Agropyrum repens	Cystitis, gout, rheumatism	Roots, dry for future use.

Echinacea (Coneflower)	Echinacea angustifolia, E. purpurea	Combats colds, flu, infections, slow-healing wounds and inflammed skin conditions. Boosts the body's production of interferon	Roots in the autumn, dry for future use.	Avoid with TB, autoimmune diseases, MS, lupus or collagen diseases.

Elder	Sambucus nigra	Coughs, colds and bronchitis	Flowers in June and July, dry for future use, berries in September.

Feverfew	Tanacetum parthenium	Improves circulation, relieves migraines.	Aerial parts when needed.	Can cause mouth ulcers, avoid if on anti-clotting therapy.

Fumitory	Fumaria officinalis	Cooling irritated skin	Aerial parts when needed.

Garlic	Allium sativum	Improves resistance to infection, antimicrobial activity, cardiovascular treatments.	Mature cloves, best effect if consumed uncooked.

Ginger	Zingiber officinale	Quells the queasiness of motion sickness, stimulates saliva flow and digestive activity, settles the stomach, relieves vomiting and eases pain from gas and diarrhea.	Root, fresh or dried, but tastes best when fresh.	Avoid dried gingerroot during pregnancy, fresh ginger is fine. Also if suffering from gallstones.

Hawthorn	Crategus oxyacantha	Dilates blood vessels good for the ageing heart.	Flowers, leaves and berries, dry for future use.

Lavender	Lavendula (most species), augustifolia most potent	Lifts the spirits, relaxes, settles the stomach.	Aerial parts when flowers begin to open from June to August, dry for future use.

Lemon Balm	Melissa officinalis	Has anti-viral properties	Aerial parts when needed.

Nasturium	Tropaeolum majus	Resistance to infection, an excellent source of vitamin C.	Aerial parts when growing, freeze for future use.

Plantain	Plantago major	Astringent, reduces catarrh, stops bleeding in minor cuts.	Leaves during flowering in May and June, dry for future use.

Red Clover	Trifolium pratense	Nourishes the skin.	Flowers

Rosemary	Rosmarinus officinalis	Improves the blood supply to the head.	Aerial parts when needed.

Sage	Salvia officinalis	Eases inflamed mucous membranes and indigestion.	During growing season from April, dry for future use.	Avoid if epileptic and when pregnant.

Solomon's Seal	Polygonatum multiflorum	Calming and drying action in diarrhoea.	Roots in the autumn, dry for future use.

St John's Wort	Hypericum perforatum	Melancholia	Aerial parts as flowers appear in June and July, dry for future use.	Prolonged use sensitizes skin to sunlight, interacts with some prescription medicines.

Thyme	Thymus vulgaris (pulegioides more potent)	Expectorant, antibacterial, antifungal.	Aerial parts when needed.

Yarrow	Achillea millefolium	Encourages sweating during fever, is a digestive tonic, wound cleanins externally, stops bleeding.	Aerial parts when in flower from June to September, dry for future use.	Can cause skin rash, avoid large doses if pregnant.

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