Herbal and Natural Remedies.

[ninajay]

I definitely prefer herbal remedies. A friend thinks I over do it with herbs, vitamins and just trying to eat healthier, but I don't get sick as he does

[Delphyne]

Herb of the day:  Lobelia  (L. cardinalis)

Unfortunately, I do not have much information on Lobelia.  Lobelia has been used by Native Americans for hundreds of years, and obviously is native to North America. 

Properties:  Pain relieving, aids in breathing, helps asthma and bronchitis.  Expectorant.  It is also an emetic - which means it may induce vomiting, and is also used as a laxative.  Lobelia has also been used in the treatment of venereal diseases.

Cautions:  Only small amounts are recommended.

Science:


(Again, thanks to University of Maryland Medical Center)

Lobelia (Lobelia inflata), also called Indian tobacco, has a long history of use as an herbal remedy for respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, and cough. Historically, Native Americans smoked lobelia as a treatment for asthma. In the 19th century, American physicians prescribed lobelia to induce vomiting in order remove toxins from the body. Because of this, it earned the name "puke weed." Today, lobelia is sometimes suggested to help clear mucus from the respiratory tract, including the throat, lungs, and bronchial tubes. Although few studies have evaluated the safety and effectiveness of lobelia, some herbalists today use lobelia as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for asthma.

An active ingredient in the lobelia plant, lobeline, was thought to be similar to nicotine in its effect on the body. For this reason, lobeline was once used as a nicotine substitute in many antismoking products and preparations designed to break the smoking habit. In 1993, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prohibited the sale of smoking products containing lobeline. The FDA reported that such products were not effective in helping people quit or reduce smoking.


http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/lobelia-000264.htm

[Delphyne]

Disclaimer:  For today's herb of the day I have decided to pick a fungus which is widely known, but should never be used by anyone ever.    I think it is important to understand that each and every plant has compounds within them that give us energy, restore health, and some potentially cause illness and death.

This particular plant is said to be the cause of John of Patmos's "revelation".  Many scholars have attributed the entire book of Revelations to a bad ergot-induced trip.  In fact, LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) was first created by synthesizing compounds in ergot.  It is also believed that some of those involved in the Salem Witch trials had been poisoned by ergot.

Often times, the person will NOT know they have ingested the substance because of where it is found, how it grows, and the fact that the fungus favors popular grain crops, such as rye and wheat. 



Herb of the day:  Ergot (Claviceps)

Ergot is a fungus which may be present on grain crops such as rye.  It induces hallucinations, mania, psychosis, seizures, spasms, and diarrhea, among other things.  Ergot poisoning is also known as St. Anthony's Fire.

However, there are a few different pharmaceutical medications based upon this fungus.  Some scientists have shown that it helps migraines, Parkinson's disease, and helps move labor along.  Yet, the medicinal compounds required expert extraction.  This is NOT recommended for individual use.

Here is a short list of some medicines derived from Ergot.

Ergonovine -- used to help hasten labor and prevent post-partum bleeding.

Ergotamine -- a vasoconstrictor.

Methysergide -- migraine medicine

Some Nasal sprays also derive from ergot.

And there are many others...



Science:


This information is courtesy of the University of Illinois.


Ergot alkaloids are adrenergic blocking agents. They inhibit lactation and prolactin release. Several, ergocryptine and ergocominem, for example, have antitumor activity. Ergotamine and ergometrine have vasoconstricting activity and are used to promote childbirth and as uterine- contracting agents following childbirth. Ergot is cultivated and harvested for medicinal uses.


Ergot alkaloids with hallucinogenic properties have been isolated from Claviceps and from several other genera of fungi. Similar compounds occur in seeds of plants of the family Convolvulaceae and were used as hallucinogenic substances by indigenous peoples of Mexico.

Lysergic acid diethylamide or LSD is a synthetic product (not naturally occurring) with powerful hallucinogenic properties.


http://www.life.illinois.edu/ib/425/lecture37.html

[Delphyne]

I definitely prefer herbal remedies. A friend thinks I over do it with herbs, vitamins and just trying to eat healthier, but I don't get sick as he does

We have many friends and family members who feel that we are silly for using plants.  But, they are sicker more often than we are.  One of our friends is on nearly a dozen medications and every time she goes to the doctor, she is diagnosed with something new and is given a new prescription. 

I do not want to be a pill guinea pig for doctors.

[champak97]

My kid has been fairly healthy until she started school this last fall. After starting school, she has fallen sick numerous times, has seasonal allergies, always has cold and cough symptoms, had viral pneumonia in December, and been to emergency three times because of severe wheezing and breathing difficulties. What is the best cure for wheezing and continuous cough, which is also non-productive most of the time? Delphyne, your posts on herbal and natural remedies is very useful, and I appreciate your enthusiasm.

Has asthma been ruled out?  There are a lot of plants and herbs that may help.  Ginger tea is great for cough and wheezing.  I would also recommend boiling some ginger and having your child breathe in some of the steam for about 5 minutes, 2-3 times a day.

You want to use fresh ginger root which most supermarkets carry.

You may also want to consider picking up some Elder extract.  Elder is great for boosting the immune system and also helps clear the respiratory passages.  What area are you in?  State and county is fine.  I can, hopefully, help you find a store nearby which carries these things.  Although, in some parts of the country medicinal herbs are harder to come by.

Doctors have said, that if she continues to get these wheezing episodes regularly, then it might be considered asthma, but as of now, I am still not sure.  I am giving her homeopathic pills, in addition to local honey and ginger tea. I have also ordered organic Reishi mushroom powder online, hoping it would give her immune system a boost. I would try and get the Elder extract from the local health food store. I live in Maryland, near Baltimore, and thanks Delphyne, for taking the time to reply.

[mjoseph1]

i'm not a big fan of medicine and pills so i prefer the herbal and natural remedies, i like to take stuff to help boost my immune system to try and prevent illness

[gwendolynconrad]

I refer using natural remedies it work for me.

[Delphyne]

My kid has been fairly healthy until she started school this last fall. After starting school, she has fallen sick numerous times, has seasonal allergies, always has cold and cough symptoms, had viral pneumonia in December, and been to emergency three times because of severe wheezing and breathing difficulties. What is the best cure for wheezing and continuous cough, which is also non-productive most of the time? Delphyne, your posts on herbal and natural remedies is very useful, and I appreciate your enthusiasm.

Has asthma been ruled out?  There are a lot of plants and herbs that may help.  Ginger tea is great for cough and wheezing.  I would also recommend boiling some ginger and having your child breathe in some of the steam for about 5 minutes, 2-3 times a day.

You want to use fresh ginger root which most supermarkets carry.

You may also want to consider picking up some Elder extract.  Elder is great for boosting the immune system and also helps clear the respiratory passages.  What area are you in?  State and county is fine.  I can, hopefully, help you find a store nearby which carries these things.  Although, in some parts of the country medicinal herbs are harder to come by.

Doctors have said, that if she continues to get these wheezing episodes regularly, then it might be considered asthma, but as of now, I am still not sure.  I am giving her homeopathic pills, in addition to local honey and ginger tea. I have also ordered organic Reishi mushroom powder online, hoping it would give her immune system a boost. I would try and get the Elder extract from the local health food store. I live in Maryland, near Baltimore, and thanks Delphyne, for taking the time to reply.

You are very welcome.  I do not mind helping at all.   


In Baltimore, there is a store called Sunpride Nutrition.  They may have the Elder extract.  I have Elder in a syrup.  (I have not tried it yet, so I am not sure how it tastes.)

Shiitake Mushrooms also boost the immune system.

Here is a link for Sunpride.  Their store description says they have natural supplements.  I would recommend calling them first and asking if they have Elder. 

http://www.manta.com/c/mmcmwkn/sunpride-nutrition

[kqa]

I just read today about a natural cure to help strengthen hair and lessen the look of split ends and frizz. I am trying it today or tomorrow. Mix 1 tbsp. of honey with 4 cups of warm water and pour over clean hair but don't rinse out. That should be interesting and it if has good results, I'll report back.

[Delphyne]

I just read today about a natural cure to help strengthen hair and lessen the look of split ends and frizz. I am trying it today or tomorrow. Mix 1 tbsp. of honey with 4 cups of warm water and pour over clean hair but don't rinse out. That should be interesting and it if has good results, I'll report back.

I have naturally curly hair and deal with frizz a lot.  I would love to know if this works.  My hair is also not as healthy due to some of the illnesses I go through.  Please let us know if this works!

[Delphyne]

Herb of the day:  Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)


Witch hazel has been used for centuries and is still used today, even in medicinal formulas.  Some hemorrhoid preparations contain witch hazel, such as Preparation H medicated wipes.  These wipes contain Witch Hazel as the primary active ingredient.  The Native Americans used the bark to make poultices and ointments to treat insect bites, wounds, inflammation, and muscle aches.

Properties:  astringent, anti-inflammatory, sedating.  Stops bleeding and helps to dry up mucous.  Some herbal practitioners will give witch hazel internally, but it is not recommended by others.  Therefore, I am also recommending to not take witch hazel internally.  It is used for hemorrhoids, insect bites, sore eyes, sunburns, varicose veins, and muscle aches.

Witch Hazel is available at almost any pharmacy and is usually marketed as an astringent.

Caution:  Do not ingest!



Science:



(This comes from Sweet Briar College.)


Witch-Hazel contains tannins which are bitter-tasting, complex aromatic compounds that are found in the vacuoles of the bark. Tannins are highly astringent and are therefore used in many health care products today. Distilled extracts are used as an astringent for hemorrhoids and for toning skin. They are also used in ointments for suppressing profuse menstrual flow and for hemorrhoids, in eyewashes for eye ailments, and in suppositories.



http://nature.sbc.edu/fnh/medicwitch.html

[sarah791017]

drinking some herbal tea. That works for everyone.

[jnjmolly]

I never really looked up remedies but I started this past year and now I look them up whenever something is wrong or I want to make improvements.

[healthfreedom]

I belive that herbbal and natural remedies are the best because the human body came from the earth; so healing sources from the earth are the best and most effective.

[BMaston12]

This is a topic for those who want to share, learn about, or compare natural remedies for common and not so common ailments.

Natural remedies may include diets.

Ailments may range from the common cold to cancer. 

Please keep the suggestions helpful.  Please avoid name-calling. 

Thank you.

 

I think that natural remedies are sometinmes the best ones to use. I have a problem with poison oak and ivy. I have use all sorts of RX drugs, Over-the-counter creams and have found out the most effective thing for me is Aloe Juice. I just splash it on wherever the itch is and continue to splash the area everytime the itching sensation begins. It works best if I haven't scratched the area. But I have found that it only takes about 3 days and the redness and itching are gone. What a relief!
BMaston12