WHAT'S IN YOUR CUPBOARD? 

There are hundreds of herbs that have all kinds of medicinal value. And it would take years for me to do justice to all of them. Instead what I thought I would do is to start out with a list of herbs that I think should be in everyone's cupboard.

Garlic. Garlic is considered a stimulant, diuretic, diaphoretic, and expectorant. It is used to combat infection--it is anti-viral and anti-fugal, eczema, skin rashes, indigestion, urinary tract infections, respiratory ailments, joint pain and stiffness, fight high cholesterol (LDL) and it supports the circulatory system (heart). Garlic can be taken orally with meals 3 times a day, i.e., 1 garlic clove per meal. It can also be juiced and added to vegetable juice and other tonics. For example, I juice 2-3 large bulbs and add them to carrot juice.

In order to be activated, the garlic clove must be bruised. Bruising or crushing the clove releases the active ingredient called allicin. It is a sulphur compound. So if you plan to add raw garlic to your meals, slice them up first to release the allicin. Some folks buy the garlic tablets. But why buy the imitation when you can get the real thing. I don't recommend chewing raw garlic because it will burn the mouth. If you have an infection of the mouth, you can chop or juice the garlic clove and add it two an ounce of raw, unfiltered vinegar. Swish it around in your mouth for a minute or so and swallow. Works like a champ.

Cayenne. Cayenne or capsicum, is a standard in herbal medicine. It is considered anti-rheumatic (conditions of the muscles, tendons, joints, bones, or nerves), anti-carminative, diaphoretic (produces perspiration), and anti-hemorrhoidal. It is high in vitamin C and is a powerful stimulant. It really gets the blood flowing. It is used to strengthen the heart, get the circulation going, stop bleeding, normalize blood pressure, remove wastes from the body, feed nutrition to the cells, and relieve pain. It energizes other herbs and therefore is often used in concert with other herbal formulas. Cayenne obviously is very hot and spicy and is measured in what are called Scoville heat units(SHU). The higher the SHU number, the hotter the cayenne. To give you an example, pimentos register between 100-500 SHU. Habanero and African bird peppers between 100,000 and 350,000 SHU. Pepper spray which is used as a defensive weapon, registers between 2,000,000 and 5,300,000 SHU. The higher the SHU range the more therapeutic the herb. I generally look for cayenne in the 150,000 to 350,000 SHU range. Cayenne can be used as a tincture or powder. You can add a pinch to your vegetable juice to give it zing and increase your circulation. Sprinkle it on food to help lower high blood pressure and to lose weight. Cayenne is also good for reproductive health. It can even be used to arrest heart attack.

Burdock. Burdock root is another of my favorite herbs for detox. It is antibacterial, antifungal, and a carminative (relieves gas). It is used to treat skin diseases, purify the blood, inflammation, acne, eczema, bleeding lesions, herpes, ringworm, burns and bruises. I use this herb synergistically with dandelion root and red clover. That three herb combination is a very powerful blood purifying. Powdered burdock root can be used in infusions and in decoctions. The cut root is used normally in decoctions. See recipes later for making medicinal teas.

Dandelion root. Dandelion is  diuretic (increases excretion of urine), a cholagogue (promotes bile flow), a depurative (cleansing), a laxative, hepatic (supports the liver), anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. This is the herb contemptibly called a weed in most lawns around the country. However, this "weed" is accounted as a life saver for those with diseases like cancer. There are a number of anecdotal testimonies of the value of dandelion in treating cancer. gall bladder and urinary disorders, gallstones, jaundice, cirrhosis, dyspepsia with constipation, edema associated with high blood pressure and heart weakness, chronic joint and skin complaints, gout, eczema and acne. It is also used to treat edema (swelling), eczema and acne, gall bladder and urinary disorders, cirrhosis, constipation, gallstones, gout, dyspepsia and jaundice, acne and other skin ailments. Powdered dandelion root can be used in infusions and decoctions. The cut root is usually taken as a decoction.

Red Clover. The flowers of this plant have been used for hundreds of years for a wide variety of ailments. Red clover is an anti-spasmodic, an alterative (restores health), diuretic, aperient, expectorant (clears mucus and phlegm), a sedative, and it supports the lymph system. Red clover has been shown to fight certain cancers, particularly cancers of the ovaries, breast, and lymph systems. It is also used to treat gout, whooping cough, bronchitis, and other chronic diseases. Red clover is usually taken as an infusion.

Ginger. Ginger is an aromatic spice used in cooking. However, it has many medicinal properties. It is a carminative, a Stimulant, and diaphoretic. It is used to aid in digestion, settle upset stomach and to prevent vomiting. It is also used to treat motion sickness, colic, and dyspepsia (acute indigestion). Ginger is an energizing herb. It increases blood circulation and may be effective in protecting the stomach from the harmful effects of aspirin and alcohol use.  It can also be used to help you tolerate other herbs. Ginger may be added and taken with other herbs or the root can be used in infusions.

Milk Thistle Seed. Milk thistle is a strong liver herb. It is diaphoretic, hepatic, an cholagogue, hepatic, diuretic, an emmenagogue (promotes menstrual flow), a stimulant, an emetic (can induce vomiting at high doses). Milk thistle is so very important as an herb because it protects and supports the liver. The liver is a major organ that detoxifies the body, aids in digestion of fats, assimilates carbohydrates, and proteins, converts sugar into a form that can be stored by your cells, synthesizes cholesterol and other substances needed by the body. Milk thistle seed has the unique ability to protect the liver form alcohol and poisons, (tests have shown where it even protected the liver from mushroom poisoning). This herb can and should be taken every day, given the toxic world in which we live. Milk thistle seed is taken as an infusion normally. The seeds have to be ground up prior to placing them in tea bags.

Echinacea. Echinacea is a beautiful purple cone flower. We plant them in our yard. The flowers look like daisies. Echinacea is one of the most popular herbs around and is used to fight colds and infections. Echinacea has been shown to strengthen and stimulate the immune system and increase resistance to viral and bacterial infection. It is considered a natural antibiotic and is used as such against flu, respiratory infections, skin infections, enlarged lymph, urinary tract infections, psoriasis, eczema, sore throat, and persistent coughs. Echinacea is usually taken as an infusion. However, most herbalists recommend taking echinacea no more than two weeks at a time. Then take a one to two week break. Remember, echinacea is a natural antibiotic, and like any antibiotic, you shouldn't take them for prolonged periods of time. This prevents antibiotic resistant diseases.

Parsley. Parsley is an diuretic, carminative, emmenagogue and aperient. It is used to support the kidney, lungs, bladder, stomach, and liver. It flushes the kidneys and stimulates sluggish kidneys to incite urination. It is also mildly laxative. The root and the leaves are used in teas (both as infusions and decoctions) and tinctures.

Slippery Elm. Slippery Elm is an emollient (soothing), anti-inflammatory, diuretic, an anti-irritant, demulcent (stool softener) and an expectorant(promotes coughing). It is just wonderful for inflammation and irritations of the chest, gastro-intestinal membranes, mucous membrane, and urinary irritation. It also works wonders for appetite. This was the only thing I could consume when I had gastritis/colitis. It is soothing and nutritious. It is specifically recommended for those who are ill and have no appetite. Slippery elm powder is usually taken internally as a warm gruel by mixing hot water with 1-3 teaspoonful of the powder. I typically add a little honey, a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg to spice it up. It can also be used externally as a balm for burns, cuts and wounds.

Turkey Rhubarb. Turkey Rhubarb is a powerful purgative and laxative. It has been used for thousands of years to treat constipation and promote bowel movement. It is often combined with cinnamon and taken as a tea. However, due to its bitter taste I take it in capsule form. A little bit goes a long way. I rather use more than a quarter of a teaspoon of the powder to promote bowel movement. Due to the fact that everyone is different constitutionally you may have to experiment to find what is best for you. But caution is the keyword, start with small doses. If you start cramping, you know you've taken too much. On the other hand, I'm told that too small a dose of turkey rhubarb can actually cause constipation. I have never experienced this, but again I have always tried to start with a therapeutic dose.

Cascara Sagrada. Cascara Sagrada, also known as dogwood bark, this is gentle laxative. It also supports digestion. It along with senna leaf and cape aloe is often found in colon cleansers.

Cape Aloe. Cape Aloe is a purgative/laxative. It promotes bowel movement without a lot of irritation. It is usually taken in combination with other herbs such as ginger and lobelia as a colon cleanser (normally in capsule form).

Lobelia. Lobelia is also called Indian tobacco. It is emetic, a nervine, diaphoretic, an expectorant, anti-asthmatic, and an anti-spasmodic. Lobelia is used to calm nerves, and quell spasms. It induces a relaxing effect on the body when taken in small doses. In large doses it is a great emetic. Taken in doses of 1 teaspoon every ten minutes (not to exceed 5 teaspoons) in promotes vomiting. Lobelia has also been used to help smokers to kick the nicotine habit. I really like this herb and have used it as an emetic and a nervine. Caution must be taken not to overdose, since it will definitely make you ill in large doses. Lobelia is most often taken as a tincture but infusions can be made of the seeds.


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