Herbalist Remedies

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I am offering this glossary of herbal terms in case you find some terms describing herbs or herbal remedies which are unfamiliar to you. I try to write in plain English, so you don’t need any specialized knowledge to benefit from the information I am sharing with you.

Use this glossary if you encounter any terms describing what a particular herb does that you don’t understand.

ADAPTOGEN: increases the body’s ability to adapt to environmental and internal stress.

ALTERATIVE: having a gradual, not immediately noticeable, effect on the body; see also: NEUTRAL.

ANALGESIC: relieves pain.

ANTIBIOTIC: kills microorganisms.

ANTIOXIDANT: prevents or delays oxidation or deterioration.

 ANTIPYRETIC: prevents or reduces fevers.

ANTISEPTIC: opposes the growth of, or causes the death of, microorganisms.

ANTISPASMODIC: reduces involuntary muscular contractions.

APERIENT: gently relieves constipation.

APPETIZER: stimulates hunger.

AROMATIC: having a strong, volatile, fragrant odor.

ASTRINGENT: dries, tightens or shrinks tissue, stops discharges.

CALMATIVE: mildly relaxes.

CARMINATIVE: reduces flatulence (intestinal gas).

CATHARTIC: relieves constipation by stimulating intestines; strongly evacuates colon.

CHOLAGOGUE: promotes the discharge of bile (a liver secretion which helps to digest fats) or increases the flow of bile into the intestines.

COAGULANT: helps the blood to clot.

CORROBORANT: invigorates or tonifies.

DEMULCENT: soothes irritated tissues, especially mucous membranes.

DEOBSTRUENT: clears natural ducts in the body.

DEPURANT: purifying agent, cleanses and purifies, especially the blood.

DETERGENT: cleanses wounds or sores.

DIAPHORETIC: causes or increases sweating.

DIGESTIVE: promotes or aids digestion.

DIURETIC: increases urination.

EMETIC: causes vomiting.

EMMENAGOGUE: promotes menstruation.

EMOLLIENT: softens and soothes, usually externally.

EXPECTORANT: loosens and discharges phlegm.

FEBRIFUGE: eases or relieves fever.

GALACTAGOGUE: promotes the secretion of milk.

HEMOSTATIC: stops bleeding.

LAXATIVE: stimulates and quickens peristalsis (the involuntary muscular contractions of the digestive tract, these contractions move food and waste products through the digestive system), or moistens the colon, to relieve constipation.

NERVINE: tonic to the nervous system, relaxes the body, or part of the body, affecting the nerves.

NEUTRAL: gradually strengthens and tones; sometimes used to balance stronger herbs.

PECTORAL: tonic to the lungs or chest.

PURGATIVE: strongly cathartic, produces vigorous emptying of the colon.

REFRIGERANT: cools, especially the blood and reduces fevers.

RESTORATIVE: restores consciousness or normal physiological functioning.

RUBEFACIENT: reddens, increases the blood flow to area applied.

SEDATIVE: calms or relaxes the nervous system, reduces nervousness, distress, or irritation.

SOPORIFIC: produces sleep.

SPECIFIC: having a distinct influence on.

STIMULANT: temporarily increases physical or mental activity, excites or quickens physiological processes.

STOMACHIC: strengthens, stimulates, or tonifies the stomach.

SUDORIFIC: causes massive sweating.

TONIC: invigorates and strengthens.

VERMICIDE, VERMIFUGE: kills or expels parasites, especially worms.

VULNERARY: helps heal wounds and sores, usually applied externally.

 

Feel free to leave a comment if you have a question about any herbal property I did not include.

Technorati Tags: herbal glossary, herbal properties

There are several herbal remedies I have found helpful for occasional insomnia.

One of my favorites is chamomile flowers, brewed as a tea and sipped warm. It is a very relaxing beverage, and is often all that is needed. (It is also soothing to the digestion.) To prepare the tea, add to freshly boiled water, and allow to steep for 5-10 minutes. It may be sweetened with honey, if desired, and honey compliments the taste of the chamomile very nicely. If you are allergic to flower pollen, or ragweed, you may want to try a different remedy, as the flowers may set off your allergy.

An alternative herbal remedy, with a stronger sedative effect, is a combination of the herbs Valerian Root, and Hops; I generally recommend two parts valerian to one part hops. (I have found that taking the herbs together is more effective than either alone, but either herb will have sleep inducing effects.) These are my favorite insomnia herbs, when I need more than the gentle relaxation that chamomile provides.

My experience is that Valerian works most effectively when taken as an alcohol extract, rather than in capsule or pill form, and I also use Hops as an extract. I generally add the extracts to warm water (or a non caffeinated tea or herbal infusion) and sip that before retiring. (Valerian root tea is very unpleasant to the taste, using the extract makes the taste less noticeable.)

One more herbal remedy I find useful for insomnia is Scutellaria Lateriflora, commonly known as Scullcap or Skullcap.

Scullcap has been used for centuries because of its natural sedative properties; it was used to treat hysteria and nervous tension, nervous disorders in general, and even as a treatment for epilepsy. It also has been traditionally used as an anti-spasmodic, and anti-inflammatory.

Scullcap is available in pill or capsule form, as well as liquid or tincture, from several suppliers. Follow the dosage recommendations on the label. (I always start at the lowest recommended dosage whenever I try a new herbal remedy, and increase the dosage gradually, if necessary, and if there are no negative reactions from taking the remedy.)

These are my favorite herbal insomnia remedies, but should be used only for occasional insomnia. Frequent or severe insomnia may require medical treatment, so please consult with your doctor if you have a persistent problem.

If you are currently taking any medications, please talk with your doctor before using any herbal remedies.

 

The information presented here is not a substitute for qualified medical care. If
you have a medical problem, please check with an appropriate care provider.
I am not a doctor, and am not providing information with the intention to diagnose
or treat any medical conditions. Please discuss with your doctor any natural
or herbal products you are taking or planning to take.

Technorati Tags: herbal remedies for insomnia, herbal sleep remedies, natural remedies for insomnia, natural sleep remedies

There are many over the counter laxatives which are made from natural fiber products, psyllium husks are one of the most common. If you are looking for that type of remedy, I recommend looking at the ingredients, as some also add artificial flavors and coloring agents. I would recommend that you use one with nothing artificial added.

There are also other home remedies that are effective natural laxatives, and I personally prefer using this type of remedy first, and looking to over the counter remedies only if the home remedies do not work.

One of my favorite natural constipation remedies is apples, or apple sauce. (I prefer fresh, raw apples, but apple sauce will do if fresh apples are unavailable.)

One of the key soluble fibers in apples is pectin. Pectin is contained in many fruits, and is a key reason that fruits are healthful. There are many other factors, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, etc., but pectin has some special effects in the digestive system that I want to discuss here.

Pectin acts as a laxative stool softener, so it is very helpful in treating constipation. Pectin is also a key ingredient in many over the counter anti-diarrheal preparations. Intestinal bacteria convert the pectin into a soothing and protective coating for the intestinal lining, which is often irritated by the microorganisms which cause diarrhea.

In addition to the pectin, apples contain a natural fruit sugar, sorbitol, which also has some natural laxative properties.

Apples have been used as natural remedies at least as far back as the Roman Empire, where they were used as a treatment for diarrhea. (Apples actually help both diarrhea and constipation, acting both as a laxative and anti-diarrheal.)

There are many foods with a high fiber content, which may be helpful with constipation problems, you can find a listing of the fiber content of many foods at Nutrition Data.

Remember if you have persistent problems with constipation, (or any other health problem), you should discuss the problem with your doctor.

The information presented here is not a substitute for qualified medical care. If
you have a medical problem, please check with an appropriate care provider.
I am not a doctor, and am not providing information with the intention to diagnose
or treat any medical conditions. Please discuss with your doctor any natural
or herbal products you are taking or planning to take.

Technorati Tags: Constipation remedies, natural laxative, Natural remedy for constipation

My favorite natural remedy for constipation is both safe and effective.

(The only case where it may not be safe is if there is a blockage in the bile ducts, and, in that case, it should not be used without first consulting your primary health care provider.)

The remedy is very simple, and offers extremely fast relief. Take two tablespoons of olive oil, and drink them. It rarely takes more than 30 minutes to remedy constipation.

Occasional constipation is experienced by nearly everyone, it can be caused by a change in diet or routine, as many travelers have discovered. This remedy is widely available, and easily taken.

If constipation is a frequent problem, you should check with your doctor or other health care professional, as it may be a symptom of a medical problem, and should not be ignored.

Constipation may also indicate that you need to add more fiber to your diet, many of us eat much less than the recommended daily amountg of dietary fiber. Consulting with a medical professional or nutritionist could provide appropriate advice.

The information presented here is not a substitute for qualified medical care. If
you have a medical problem, please check with an appropriate care provider.
I am not a doctor, and am not providing information with the intention to diagnose
or treat any medical conditions. Please discuss with your doctor any natural
or herbal products you are taking or planning to take.

Technorati Tags: Constipation remedies, natural remedy, remedy constipation