Dr. Glenn S.

Rothfelds

19 NATURAL SECRETS FOR A

DISEASE-FREE
LIFE
 Dr. Glenn S. Rothfelds

19 NATURAL SECRETS FOR A

DISEASE-FREE
LIFE
Copyright 2015 by NewMarket Health Publishing, L.L.C., 702 Cathedral St., Baltimore, MD 21201. All rights re-
served. No part of this report may be reproduced by any means or for any reason without the consent of the publisher.
The information contained herein is obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but its accuracy cannot be guaranteed.

Additional orders and inquiries can be directed to Nutrition & Healing, Subscriber Services, P.O. Box 925, Frederick,
MD 21705; tel. (443)353-4231, fax (410)558-6359.

All material in this publication is provided for information only and may not be construed as medical advice or instruc-
tion. No action should be taken based solely on the contents of this publication; instead, readers should consult appropri-
ate health professionals on any matter relating to their health and well-being. The information and opinions provided in
this publication are believed to be accurate and sound, based on the best judgment available to the authors, but readers
who fail to consult with appropriate health authorities assume the risk of any injuries. The publisher is not responsible
for errors or omissions. The material in this report has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The
products discussed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Table of Contents
The Brain Game: 8 Exercises to Train the Brain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Mind Calmers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Workout #1: Concentrate! How to clear and focus the mind. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Workout #2: Improving your visual memory and concentration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Mind Expanders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Workout #3: How to read faster and absorb more information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Workout #4: Reading without repeating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Memory Boosters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Workout #5: How to remember lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Workout #6: Remembering how to spell words correctly. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Problem Solvers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Workout #7: Making Decisions Decisively. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Workout #8: Perspectives on problem solving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
The Healing Herbs A-Z. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Aloe (Aloe vera). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Butchers Broom (Ruscus aculeatus). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Cayenne (Capsicum frutescens) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Dandelion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Feverfew (Chrysanthemum parthenium) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Garlic (Allium sativum). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Ginseng . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Green Tea (various spp.). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Lavender (Lavandula spp.). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Papaya (Carica papaya). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
 Peppermint (Mentha piperita) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
St. Johns wort (Hypericum perforatum) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Wheatgrass (Poaceae spp.). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
The Power of Herbs: The Best Alternative Methods for Relieving Pain and Stiffness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Herbal Medicine: Natures Pharmacy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Herbs for Treating Arthritis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
The Healing Power of Scent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Using Aromatherapy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Aromatherapy and Arthritis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Herbal Medicine at Work: The Best Alternative Methods for Quick Relief from Allergies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Herbs Used to Treat Allergies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
To Reduce Mucus Accumulation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
To Reduce Inflammation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
To Strengthen the Immune System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
The Healing Power of Scent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Using Aromatherapy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Aromatherapy and Allergies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Banishing Back Pain: The Healing Power of Herbs and Aromas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Herbal Medicine: Natures Pharmacy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Herbs to Treat Back Pain. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Aromatherapy and Back Pain. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Herbal Medicine for Heart Disease: The Best Alternative Methods for Prevention & Treatment. . . . . . . . . 27
The Herbal Medicine Chest for Treatment of Heart Disease . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
First-Tier Choices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Second-Tier Choices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
The Brain Game: 8 Exercises to Train the Brain
Like all muscles in the body, the brain must be kept in shape to function at its optimum. Indeed, the adage
Use it or lose it is most appropriate in reference to our higher intellectual powers! Taking ginkgo biloba,
eating a healthy diet, and getting plenty of exercise will certainly help, but you also want to keep your brain
active by continuing to learn and develop new interests throughout your life. In addition, if you preform
simple exercises on a regular basis, you can train your brain to operate at peak levels of performance. The
exercises below are mini-workouts for the brain, aimed at boosting the memory, increasing powers of con-
centration, and strengthening problem-solving capabilities.

MIND CALMERS
Workout #1: Concentrate! How to clear and focus the mind
The first step in any brain-training regime must involve a mental warm up period. You must calm and quiet the
clutter of your mind, pulling it into focus in order to achieve total concentration and build brainpower. To do
this takes only 10 minutes a day, but you should perform it daily in order to develop high levels of concentration.

Begin by choosing a comfortable location and sit upright with your legs folded in front of you. Relax your
body with deep inhalations (through the nose) and slow exhalations, thinking only of the process of air ex-
change breathing life into your body and brain. Pick up a familiar, simple object, an orange perhaps. Feel
it: How does its skin feel on your fingertips? Smell it: Does it bring back any memories? What images does
it conjure up? Imagine becoming smaller and smaller, so tiny that you could crawl inside that orange. Walk
around it. How does it feel? What does it look like inside? How juicy or bright is it around you? Imagine
leaving the orange and imagine yourself growing back to normal size while recalling all that you have expe-
rienced, saw, felt, and tasted. Slowly count to five and you will feel awake and refreshed. Now your brain
can focus on the tasks of the day.

Workout #2: Improving your visual memory and concentration

Repeat the exercise above with objects in your rooma chair, a tapestry, a lamp. Study the objects, feel and
smell them, notice as much detail as possible. Now pretend that you are a camera, your eye the lens. Take
some mental pictures. Find an open space on the wall and project some of these photos (with eyes open) onto
the wall. Start with one photo at a time.

If you cant develop the photo fully, look back at the object and repeat the process until you can repro-
duce that object as an image on the wall. Do this until your minds eye can see the image on the wall as clearly
as your eyes saw the object itself. Over a period of a couple weeks, increase the number of images you can
project to build your powers of observation and recall. The more precisely your brain can code information,
the better your powers of recall become. While the brain can store immense quantities of data, it does little for
us if we cant retrieve the information when needed.

6
MIND EXPANDERS
Workout #3: How to read faster and absorb more information
Boosting your ability to read and comprehend, you can increase your power to learn. Simply paying attention
to how fast you can read can significantly speed up your reading process without sacrificing comprehension.
Next time you sit down to read a newspaper article or a chapter in a book, mark the point halfway through
the piece you will read. Now read, noting the time you begin. Once you get to the halfway mark, stop and
note the time again. How long did it take you?

Continue reading and concentrate on forcing yourself to read faster, but not so fast that you lose track of
meaning. When you reach the end, note that time again. Notice how much more quickly you read the second
half. Just increasing your speed a bit more each time you read over a period of a few days or even weeks will
provide noticeable results.

Workout #4: Reading without repeating

This exercise is the second stage of the one above. Even faster reading can be achieved by eliminating the ten-
dency to subvocalizerepeating words in your head as you read them.

Do you do this? Were you even aware of it? Often we do not trust the brain to absorb what has been read if
we dont repeat the words as we read them, as if to confirm theyve been read. Try reading a short piece
without repeating. It feels unnatural or difficult, try to increase your reading pace to a rate faster than you can
repeat the words. It may feel like you do not know what you have to read, but take a moment to jot down
the key points that you have read and you may be surprised at how much you did retain. Trust the brain and
practice this until subvocalizing disappears.

MEMORY BOOSTERS
Workout #5: How to remember lists
Do you write listsand then forget where you put them? Do you make a grocery list and then forget to bring
it to the supermarket? Wouldnt it just be easier to remember whats on the list? This technique is short, sim-
ple, imaginative, and fun. It can be used for long or short lists, and can be adapted to commit many types of
lists to memory. It involves taking a memory trip, combining the narrative flow of a story with the visual-
ization of images quite familiar to you.

Prepare a route in your mind, one you now preform daily or perhaps one you remember vividly as a child
perhaps the road to grandmas or the way to the supermarket. Choose recognizable landmarks from that
route. Write down as many items as you have items on your list to remember. For example, if my grocery list
consists of turkey, cat food, potatoes, toilet paper, fingernail polish remover, and coffee, then I will pick six
designated spots of my route to the supermarket: The front door, the tree in my front yard, the car, the stop
sign at the end of my street, the ugly fuchsia house up the road, and the parking lot of the super market.

Next, picture taking this route and the associated items on the list with your visual landmarks and create a
story: I opened my front door and a turkey came rushing past me! It was chased up a tree by my cat, who
was starving from the lack of food. I finally made it to the car, which was filled with potatoes thanks to the
neighborhood brats, who were also responsible for adorning the stop sign at the end of my road with toilet

7
paper. However, much to my chagrin the house up the road finally had its fuchsia paint removed, but by the
time I got to the supermarket the parking lot was flooded with coffee.

The designated landmarks of the route can remain the same, and the list changed to an order of events, a list
of names or dates, or even a sequence of numbers. For example, to remember Moms new phone number at
work627-1279I may employ a rhyming technique to the order of landmarks: My front door sticks, a
shoe tree, my cat with angel wings is flying to heaven, and so on. Once this method is applied to short number
sequences it takes very little time before it is committed to memory.

Workout #6: Remembering how to spell words correctly

While the best way to improve your spelling is to read as much and as often as you can, it is quite easy to re-
mind the mind of the correct spelling of words. Common spelling mistakes become habitual; once you misspell
a word one time, you often misspell it all the time. The best way is to pull out a recent writing samplea letter
written to a friend, a first draft of a school paper. If you cant find one quickly, write a short piece of fiction
or a fake letter to the editor of your newspaper. Have a friend proofread it, or run it through the spellcheck
program on your computer.

Make a list of misspelled words and look them up in the dictionary. Note the words roots and syllable breaks,
and find out the derivatives of the words. Then go over your list. Make the mistakes obvious to the brain
write and/or type the correct spelling numerous times, highlighting the forgotten letter or part of the word
misspelled: Nuge become nu-D-ge, sevral becomes sev-E-R-al, concious con-S-cious, and exercize ex-ER-cise.
Break up the word, rearrange the syllables to emphasize the correct spelling (wed-NES-day), and see, in your
minds eye, the transformation of the word from wrong to right. Do this each time you finish writing and soon
enough you will habitually spell well.

PROBLEM SOLVERS
Workout #7: Making Decisions Decisively
Do you have a decision to make but you cant seem to come to a conclusion? Complicated decisions overload
the mind with ifs and buts and mixed emotions. The familiar pros and cons list is an age-old technique
that has survived because it works. But why not put a new spin on it?

When faced with a complicated decision, draw up a list of reasons for (pros) and reasons against (cons) and
add a numerical value to each. For pros assign a value of +1 to +10; for cons, -1 to -10. Example: Should I go
to graduate school in Texas? The pros are: The University of Texas is very well known for my field of study
(+9); it would be a new experience for me to live in the South (+3); and the tuition fits my budget (+9). The
cons: I dont want to live so far from my family (-10); I would rather live in a city like New York (-4); and I
hate the heat and the sun (-2).

Pros added up equal +21. Cons equal16. Since the total figure adds up to +4, there is more of a chance that
going to Texas may be the better option. The more positive or negative this total is, the clearer the decision. This
method accounts for everything from major factors and trivial decisions to concrete logic and emotional bias.

Workout #8: Perspectives on problem solving

Sometime when you dont have the solution to a problem, all you need is a bit of perspective. And sometimes

8
when you gain perspective you find that you had the solution deep in your mind all along. This exercise is a
creative approach to seeing a problem from many angles and from different points of view. It is a creative and
far more effective spin on a what would Mom do? approach. Its purpose is to tap more subconscious ideas,
ideas you deny because of fear or insecurity, options that seem to you implausible, possibilities you didnt
think were possible, solutions you thought not to exist.

Begin in a relaxed state; try this technique when you first wake up, when the mind is not yet cluttered with
thoughts, worries, and lists of things to do. While lying in bed breathe deeply and imagine your body becom-
ing very light, so light that you begin to float about the bed, above the house, and the city below. Float yourself
to a forest. In this location you are to meet with five adviserswho will they be? Friends? Co-workers? Fami-
ly? Historical figures or great leaders? Pick five people who you will explain your problem to. Meet with one at
time. What will you ask them? Imagine, based on what you know about their personalities and achievements,
how they will advise you. Do you agree or disagree with them? Tell them why. Let them respond.

Now move yourself to another clearing in the forest and meet with your next adviser. Discuss your options
with him. What does he say? Once you have met with all your advisers, return to your body, house, and bed.
Slowly count to five while deep breathing, then write down any answers or options received during your
trip. You might be surprised to find what was inside of you all along and learn to trust in your own ability
to see and think in perspective.

The Healing Herbs A-Z

In the chapters youre about to read, we recommend herbs to treat certain conditions or simply as healthful
additions to a healthy lifestyle.

Please be aware that although herbs tend to work in a more gentle and safe way upon the body, they also
have powerful effectsespecially if youre also taking modern pharmaceuticals that work on the same organs
or systems. We urge you to visit a qualified herbalist or alternative medicine practitioner for advice about the
safest and most beneficial ways to use herbs to improve and maintain your health.

Aloe (Aloe vera)

Otherwise known as Lily of the Desert, the aloe vera plant originally grew in the tropics of Africa, where the
gelatinous inside of the plant leaves was applied as an antiseptic to promote healing of tropical wounds. Aloe
is one of the oldest and most effective therapeutic herbs. The inner mucus of the leaf consists of over 200
nutrients and works as an antifungal as well as a coagulant in the treatment of skin abrasions. Aloe has even
been used to combat the HIV virus; holistic medicine has recently turned to the use of aloe as a viral inhibitor,
buffering healthy cells against the virus.

Sold in the form of a cosmetic gel, aloe is widely used for the skin as a moisturizer, a pH balancer, and a skin
softener. The aloe gel, also available in an ointment, prevents infection, treats burns, eczema, and ringworm.
As a powder or powder capsule, aloe is taken as a sedative and as a digestive aid. Aloe leaves are known to

9
stimulate flow of bile, absorb toxins, and to generally promote growth of healthy colon bacteria. Prepared as
a tincture, aloe relieves constipation and stimulates the appetite. Since it does have a purgative effect, aloe is
not recommended to women during pregnancy.

Butchers Broom (Ruscus aculeatus)

For centuries Mediterranean butchers used the stiff, leaf-like twigs of this plant to sweep off scraps of meat
from the cutting block, whereas the root of the plant was boiled and drunk as an anti-inflammatory agent.
Today the herb is very popular with European women who use its extract in capsule form to prevent and
shrink varicose veins. Saponins, the plants active chemical component, are known to constrict veins and
decrease the permeability of capillaries, making butchers broom a beneficial aid to the circulation of blood
in the hands and feet.

Cayenne (Capsicum frutescens)

This red hot chili pepper, supposedly brought from India to the West by Christopher Columbus, is an effective
stimulant of the digestive and circulatory systems. The fruit of the cayenne pepper produces HCL, increasing
the bodys ability to digest, and influences the flow of digestive glandular secretions. It increases liver enzymes
and thermogenesis, effective in the processes of fat metabolism and weight loss; heals intestinal ulcers; and
removes, cleans, and rebuilds stomach tissues. As a circulatory aid, it increases and equalizes blood circulation
(to prevent strokes and heart attacks), and heals ulcers in the cells of arteries, veins, and capillaries.

In the form of a powder, cayenne can be rubbed on toothaches to minimize pain. As a cream or massage oil,
the extract of cayenne can offer relief from arthritis and rheumatism. When the fruit is prepared as a tincture
or infusion, it best stimulates circulation and digestion. However, the seeds of the plant are toxic and the skin
of the fruit can be irritable to the skin and eyes, so handle with care. Cayenne is not recommended during
pregnancy, and excessive consumption can lead to gastroenteritis and liver damage.

Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)

Since the dawn of history Germans have used this sweet, fruity-smelling plant, dubbed by the ancient Greeks
as ground apple, as an aid to digestive and menstrual disorders. The chemical bisabolol, contained in the
plants leaves and flowers, acts as a general muscle relaxant and mild sedative, which explains why a cup of
chamomile tea works as a natural sleep aid and anxiety reducer.

Teas, tablets, and tinctures made of chamomile flowers soothe menstrual cramps and relax the smooth mus-
cles that line the digestive tract, preventing vomiting and offering relief from irritable bowel syndrome and
indigestion. As an anti-inflammatory agent and an anti-allergen, chamomile is now a common ingredient in
hair and skin care products and can be applied as an ointment to treat insect bites and minor skin irritations.
Persons sensitive to ragweed may experience allergic reactions to chamomile, and because it may act as a uter-
ine stimulant, the use of chamomile oil is not advised for women during pregnancy.

10
Dandelion
Rich in vitamins A and C and high in minerals, the dandelion is much more than a common yard nuisance. The
root of this flower promotes overall health of the digestive system, acting as a natural diuretic, inducing regular-
ity, and ridding the body of excess salt and water. Rich in lecithin, dandelion root enhances liver and gallbladder
functioning, prevents iron deficiency, reduces high blood pressure, regulates fluids, and normalizes the heartbeat.

Though readily available in capsules, dandelions are often boiled and chilled, added to salads, or eaten hot as
greens. Dried and powdered, dandelion can be added to beverages such as tea or coffee for nutritional value
and digestive purposes.

Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis)

Commonly referred to as tang-kuei, this plant is very popular in China and Japan to treat dysmenorrhea and
ailments affecting the female reproductive organs and muscles of the uterus. Known as the womans herb,
dong quai regulates the menstrual cycle and provides hormonal balance. The root of this plant is commonly
given to women after childbirth as an antibiotic, pain reliever, and blood purifier, as well as to women suffer-
ing symptoms of PMS and menopause, including depression, nervousness, abdominal cramping, hot flashes,
and vaginal dryness.

Dong quai is most commonly sold in the form of powder capsules and is not recommended for pregnant women.

Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia)

Echinacea, King of the Blood Purifiers, derives from the purple coneflower. The root and rhizome of this
flower were used by Native Americans as an antibiotic and as a blood detoxifier in cases of snakebites. Echina-
cea is most popular today in the prevention of flus, common colds, mouth and gum inflammations, and prostate
irritations. Recent studies conclude that the fatty acids, polysaccharides, and glycosides found in the root of
the herb immensely stimulate and strengthen the immune system, increase resistance to infection and virus, and
suppress tumor production. As a result, echinacea is currently being administered to AIDs patients to stimulate
T-cell production and to persons receiving chemotherapy as a means to restore normal immune function.

Echinacea is most commonly taken in the form of powder or capsules and is beneficial to pregnant women as
an effective immune stimulant, although excessive consumption can lead to dizziness and nausea.

Feverfew (Chrysanthemum parthenium)

Otherwise known as bachelors button or featherfew, the leaves of this plant have been used since the Middle
Ages as a fever reducer. Today feverfew is primarily used to alleviate and prevent migraine headaches, but it
also works to restore normal liver function and decongest the lungs and bronchial tubes. Since its leaves are ex-
tremely bitter, it is taken in pill or capsule form and it is not recommended for children under two years of age.

Garlic (Allium sativum)

Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans have used garlic cloves for thousands of years as a cancer treatment,
yet only recently has garlic been seriously researched by scientists for all its antioxidant and anti-tumor

11
properties. As an allium oil and sulfur compound, garlic is believed to inhibit cancer cell formation, suppress
tumor formation, and modulate the metabolism of carcinogens. Studies have also concluded that garlic
protects the body against the effects of radiation and the liver from damage induced by synthetic drugs and
chemicals used in cancer treatments. Garlic is beneficial for the circulatory system and for maintaining good
cardiovascular health; it acts as an anticoagulant, reduces blood cholesterol levels (while increasing HDL,
good cholesterol levels), and lowers blood pressure. By lowering blood sugar levels, garlic also reduces the
risk of late-onset diabetes.

Garlic can be taken as fresh cloves in salads and juices, or as oil capsules and pearls. Taking too much garlic
can irritate the stomach and cause heartburn. Doctors warn that doses of more than ten cloves a day can be
toxic. Because garlic can cause colic in infants, it is not recommended for women during pregnancy or lactation.

Ginseng
Though there are three different types of ginsengChinese (P. ginseng), American (P. quinquefolius), and Sibe-
rian (pseudo ginseng or E. sentocosus)all three forms are known for their rejuvenating properties. Germani-
um, found in the root of the plant, provides energy to the body, promotes regeneration from stress and fatigue,
and improves memory and general brain functioning. Since the days of ancient Greece, ginseng has also been
used as an aphrodisiac, due to its ability to heal prostate disorders and promote male hormone production.

Ginseng is commonly taken in the form of tea, root powder, capsule, or tablet, but since it acts as a stimulant,
do not combine it with the use of other stimulants such as coffee, cola, or caffeinated tea. Ginseng produces
testosterone and is therefore not recommended for long-term use by women. Follow dosage carefully.

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)

Cherokee Indians in the Northeast of the United States introduced the use of goldenseal root as an antibacte-
rial and antacid. Hydrazine, the active ingredient in the plants root, is primarily used as an immune stimulant
and decongestant, effectively reducing the inflammation of mucous membranes and preventing respiratory in-
fections. Goldenseal raises low blood pressure, and as a digestive bile stimulant, it relieves chronic gastritis and
enteritis, improving the digestive process and maintaining healthy liver functioning. This herb is recommended
for infections and inflammation of the uterus, urethra, and vagina and can also prevent morning sickness in
pregnant women and reduce symptoms of PMS.

Since the goldenseal plant should not be eaten fresh, the plants root is often powdered and sold as a compound
tablet or capsule. It can be used in eardrops for wax buildup (but not in the case of perforated eardrums), in
mouthwash and gargles (for gum inflammation and mouth ulcers), and in a douche for yeast infections. This
herb is not recommended for pregnant women or for persons with high blood pressure.

Green Tea (various spp.)

Modern science is finding new benefits from the Far Easts most popular and ancient beveragegreen tea.
With twice the catechins (teas active ingredient) of black tea, green tea has been linked to reduced cases of
pancreatic and stomach cancers in areas of the Far East with the highest percentage of green tea consumption.
It is believed that the antioxidant catechins in green tea destroy free radicals and therefore protect the body

12
against cancerous tumor development. These studies have also found the tea to contain antiviral properties
that enhance the immune system and destroy bacteria. Green tea is considered vital to metabolism and is fa-
vored in the treatment of dysentery and rheumatism.

Lavender (Lavandula spp.)

This highly aromatic character of its flower has made lavender one of the most popular herbs since ancient
times. Arab and European cultures have used the antiseptic, antibacterial, and carminative properties of the
herb to heal topical wounds, relieve indigestion, and to stimulate the circulatory system.

This essential oil extracted from lavender flowers treats insect bites and stings. As a hair rinse it expels nits and
lice, and in mouthwash lavender fights halitosis. The most common use of lavender leaves is as an infusion to
treat nervousness, exhaustion, tension headaches, and digestion problems.

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

As one of Chinas most popular healing herbs, licorice has been used since 500 B.C. as a general detoxifier
and treatment of stomach ulcers. Recent studies have found that glycyrrhizic acid, found in the root of licorice
plant, stimulates the production of interferonthe bodys own antiviral compound and immune stimulant
arming the body against immune deficiency diseases and viral infections such as herpes and herpes simplex.
Licorice is anti-inflammatory, soothing gastric mucous membranes and chest congestion, stimulates adrenal
function, and helps raise blood sugar levels to normal, improving the bodys ability to handle stress. Licorice
root is also used to normalize ovulation in women experiencing infrequent menstruation.

Licorice root does cause fluid retention and is not recommended for persons with high blood pressure or per-
sons taking digoxin-based drugs.

Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria)

Owing to the refreshing and sweet aroma of its flowers, meadowsweet was a popular air freshener in the
Middle Ages and is reportedly one of Queen Elizabeths favorite scents. The synthetic form of meadowsweet
is acetylsalicylate, more commonly known as aspirin. The leaves and flower tops of this plant reduce fever
and relieve pain and inflammation, but unlike aspirin it does not cause gastric ulceration and bleeding if taken
over long period of time.

Meadowsweet is usually dried for an infusion or tea and taken to relieve symptoms related to the common
cold, rheumatic pain, and upset stomach. It can also be used in a tincture for gastric ulcers or in a compress
for arthritis pain. Meadowsweet should be avoided in cases of salicylate sensitivity.

Papaya (Carica papaya)

The fruit of the papaya tree, abundant in Hawaii, where they are referred to as medicine trees, is primarily
recognized as a digestive aid. The fruit contains papainchemically similar in structure to the synthetic antac-
id pepsin. But while synthetic antacids eventually cause the stomach to produce more acid, not less, resulting
in more gastrointestinal disturbance, papaya juice, tablets or dried fruit relieve indigestion naturally and safely

13
by breaking down proteins and stimulating metabolic activity and digestion. Less commonly known, the pa-
paya is also an effective external treatment for hemorrhoid irritation.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita)

Although cultivated by the ancient Egyptians, peppermint has been an integral part of Chinese medicine since
AD 659. Herbalists use the leaves, stem, and essential oil of the peppermint plant, which is primarily known
as a relaxant for the lower sphincter muscle and esophagus. As a digestive aid, peppermint tea stimulates
the flow of digestive fluid in the stomach and alleviates intestinal problems, nausea, and diarrhea. Currently,
peppermint is used in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, and Crohns disease. Peppermint is
also extremely energizing; it acts as a nerve stimulant and oxygenates the blood. Peppermint leaves are usually
dried for tea, but when added to an enema it can relieve colon discomfort.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

Ancient Greeks believe that the rosemary plant strengthened memory, and recent studies suggest that the plant
may be a preventative agent for breast cancer. Thought of as an all-around stimulant and anti-oxidant, rose-
mary is a strong brain function and memory enhancersharpening the senses and alleviating nervous ailments.
As a blood cleanser, it benefits capillary circulation, bringing more blood to cells and strengthening the heart.

Rosemary oil is often poured into baths for aching limbs and exhaustion, added to hair for follicle strength
and dandruff control, and added to massage oils to soothe muscle tension. A drop of rosemary on the pillow is
an effective way to fight insomnia. The ground leaf (usually in capsules or infusions) acts as an antidepressant
and digestive aid. Rosemary as a compress relieves rheumatic pains and sprains.

St. Johns wort (Hypericum perforatum)

During the Crusades this healing herb was named for the Knights of St. Johns of Jerusalem, who used it to
treat wounds on the battlefield. The flowers of this plant have astringent, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory
properties which makes it useful in the treatment of septic wounds. In 1942, the compound hypericin was iso-
lated from the leaves and flowers of St. Johns wort and was found to be an effective sedative and restorative
tonic for the nervous system. Today it is widely used as an anti-depressant, anxiety reducer, and a treatment
for chronic fatigue syndrome. As a blood purifier and cleanser, it has also been incorporated into leukemia
treatments by homeopathic practitioners.

St. Johns wort is most commonly found in capsule or table form and has one primary side effectskin pho-
tosensitivity. Those taking this herb are advised to avoid exposure to strong sunlight.

Wheatgrass (Poaceae spp.)

Wheatgrass chlorophyll, contained in the first five to seven inches of the tender blades, is generally used to
cleanse and purify bodily systems. It cleanses the colon, expels metals from the body, curtails development of
bacteria, and stabilizes red blood cell counts. Body builders often drink wheatgrass juice to increase and sus-
tain energy and strength. Tagged a chlorophyll super food, wheatgrass is now used for treating cancerous

14
growth and other degenerative diseases. New studies have connected drinking wheatgrass juice with faster
recovery rates from colon cancer.

The Power of Herbs: The Best Alternative Methods for

Relieving Pain and Stiffness

Patience is a bitter plant, but it has a sweet fruit Old Proverb

As foreign as it may seem to those accustomed to modern pharmaceuticals, every culture in history has depend-
ed on the healing power of herbs. Even modern mainstream medicine is intimately linked to herbal traditions:
Trees, shrubs, plants or other natural material form the basis of approximately 25 percent of all the prescrip-
tion drugs in the United States today. Synthesized versions of natural plants and organic compounds compose
another huge segment of pharmaceutical market. In the rest of the world, herbal medicine is even more heavily
used, in Europe, for instance, more than 6 billion U.S. dollar per year are spent on herbal medications.

Although we tend to think of all the herbs as plants, an herb is actually any natural substance used for medical
treatment. As youll see in this chapter, herbalists classify two substancesbee venom and shark cartilageas
herbs, and use them quite frequently to treat men and women with arthritis. Also in this chapter, youll receive
an overview of a branch of herbal medicine known as aromatherapy. Dating back to ancient Egypt in about
4500 B.C., aromatherapy is a method of treating illness through the inhalation and external application of
essential oils derived from the roots, stems, seeds, and flowers of plants.

Like other forms of alternative therapy, herbal medicine attempts not to cure disease per se, but rather to help
the body remain in, or return itself to, the state of balance we know of as health. In attempting to do so, herb-
alists will tend to explore lifestyle and dietary habits with their patients in order to develop a treatment plan
far more individualized and personal than most mainstream physicians are able to do.

Although each person who visits an herbalist is likely to emerge with a different prescription (even for the very
same complaint), there are some generalities that can be made about possible remedies for arthritis. An herb-
alist might recommend antispasmodic agents to ease cramping of the muscles; cartilage-building or -repairing
substances; anti-inflammatories to soothe inflammation or reduce the inflammatory response; and nervines
and tonics that strengthen and restore the nervous system. An aromatherapist might recommend a variety of
essential oils for generally the same purposes: To soothe aching joints and to help relax the body and mind.

At a first appointment with an herbalist, you should expect the practitioner to take a complete medical history.
Among the most important topics discussed will be the exact nature of your symptoms, the level and type of
your physical activity, and any past medical and surgical treatment for arthritis. If the herbalist is a medical
doctor or other trained health professional, he or she may perform a physical exam, concentrating on the
joints currently causing you pain. Based on what the herbalist discovers during the exam, he would then pre-

15
scribe one or more natural medications aimed at strengthening your underlying constitution while alleviating
your symptoms. It is highly likely that the herbalist would recommend bodywork, massage, physical therapy,
or treatment by a chiropractor or osteopath.

Herbal Medicine: Natures Pharmacy

In general, herbal medicines work in much the same way as conventional pharmaceutical drugs, herbs contain
a large number of naturally occurring substances that work to alter the bodys chemistry in order to return to
its natural state of health. Unlike purified drugs, however, plants and other organic material contain a wide
variety of substances and hence, less of any one particular active chemical. This attribute makes herbs far less
potentially toxic to the body than most pharmaceutical products.

Another benefit of natural herbs is that they tend to contain combinations of substances that work together
to restore balance to the body with a minimum number of side effects. The plant meadowsweet is a good
example: It contains compounds similar to the ones used in aspirin that act as anti-inflammatories to treat
arthritis and other musculoskeletal ailments. These compounds, called salicylates, often irritate the stomach
lining. Unlike commercially prepared aspirin, however, meadowsweet also contains substances that soothe
the gastric lining and reduce stomach acidity, thus providing relief from pain while protecting the stomach
from irritations. For people with chronic arthritis who have been forced to choose between aching joints and
stomachaches, such a treatment can seem like an absolute godsend.

Herbs of all types are available in many forms including:

Whole herbs: Plants or plant parts are dried and either cut or powdered to be used as teas or as cooking herbs.

Capsules and tablets: Increasingly popular with consumers, capsules and tablets allow patients to consume
herbs quickly and without tasting them.

Extracts and tinctures: Extracts and tinctures are made by grinding the roots, leaves, and/or flowers of an
herb and immersing them in a solution of alcohol and water for a period of time; the alcohol both works
to extract the minimum amount of active ingredients from the herb and acts as a preservative.

Poultices and ointments: Ground herbs form the base of external applications that you can place directly
on your skin. Poultices are hot packs applied to the skin, made by mixing ground herbs with hot water,
placing them in a muslin bag, then applying them to the sore joint or muscle. An ointment is a cream or
salve with an herbal base that you can buy in health food stores or through your herbalist.

Herbs for Treating Arthritis

A prescription for an herbal remedy is apt to be quite personal and individual, based on your particular symptoms,
habits, and needs. Listed here are some of the herbs prescribed most often for men and women with arthritis:

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa). Also known as Lucerne, alfalfa is a nutritious and restorative tonic. Rich in
beta-carotenes, vitamins C, D, E, and K, and minerals including calcium, potassium, and magnesium,
herbalists prescribe it to patients in need of an overall energy boost, as well as to soothe the inflammatory
process. Prescription: You can buy alfalfa in capsule or tea form. A recommended dosage for capsules is 3

16
to 6 a day, and a cup of tea up to 3 times daily.

Arnica (Arnica montana). Also known as leopards bane or wolfs bane, arnica is available as an oil or lin-
iment for the treatment of the aches and pains of arthritis. In fact, many commercially prepared liniments
contain arnica. Prescription: Use as an ointment as needed on unbroken skin. If a rash develops, however,
stop using it immediately. Never take arnica internally; it is very toxic.

Bee Venom. Apitherapy is the medical use of honeybee products including bee venom, raw honeys, royal
jelly, and wax. Like many other forms of natural medicine, apitherapy has been practiced throughout
historyancient references include Hippocrates, Galen, and Paracelsus. Today in the United States, more
than 10,000 peopleprobably many morecurrently use this approach to healing.

Apitherapists (beekeepers trained in the use of bee products in the treatment of disease) most often use bee
venom in treating arthritis. Bee venom appears to have anti-inflammatory properties that are most helpful
in bringing down swelling and alleviating tenderness in joints. Prescription: To receive bee venom, you go
right to the sourcehoneybeesand allow one more or more to sting you. You do so with the help and
guidance of apitherapist, who has personally raised the honey bees. In some cases, she will apply the bee
directly to the sore joint, while in others the spot is a trigger point, a place elsewhere on the body directly
related to the sore joint (perhaps along a meridian as described by Chinese medicine). You may receive two
or three strings every other day or up to twenty stings everyday depending on the severity of your disease.
Needless to say, it is important to knowbefore you receive your medicinal stingswhether or not you
carry an allergy to honey bee stings. Ask your doctor for an allergy test, and always carry a bee sting kit
when being treated.

Devils Claw (Harpagophtum procubens). A traditional African and European remedy for inflammatory con-
ditions like arthritis. This herb acts directly to bring down inflammation (much the way the drug cortisone
does) as well as help the body eliminate uric acid, thus reducing the risk of a gout attack. Prescription: Devils
claw is most commonly available in capsules (to be taken 3 times daily, 2 to 3 capsules each dose) and teas
(1 to 2 cups daily).

Feverfew (Chrysanthemum parthenium). Because of the herbs long history of successfully treating fe-
ver, migraine, and arthritis, scientists believe that feverfew works in a fashion similar to that of aspirin.
Prescription: Fresh feverfew leaves, steeped in boiling water to make a tea, appear to work best in treating
symptoms of arthritis. Your herbalist may be able to direct you to a source of the herb. Feverfew capsules
are also available. Please note that pregnant women should not use feverfew because that herb has stimu-
latory effects on the womb.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale). Native to southern Asia, the ginger plant, especially in its root or under-
ground stem, has been used as medicine for thousands of years in China. As far as arthritis is concerned,
ginger is known to be a strong antioxidant and therefore able to help prevent the breakdown of cartilage.
Prescription: Herbalists generally recommend that arthritis patients take about 1 to 2 teaspoon of dry
powdered ginger every day. This amount is equivalent to two thirds of an ounce of fresh ginger roota
half inch slice or so. Ginger is also available in capsules (1 to 3 capsules 3 times daily).

Guaiacum (Guaiacum officinale). An antirheumatic, anti-inflammatory derived from the heartwood tree,
guaiacum is especially useful for hard to treat, chronic rheumatoid arthritis. Prescription: Drink as a tea,

17
 made by steeping 1 teaspoonful of wood chip in a cup of boiling water for 15 minutes, 3 times a day.

Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria). Meadowsweet, also known as bridewort and queen of the meadow,
is a fragrant herb that contains high amounts of an aspirin-like compound called salicin. Helpful in re-
lieving pain and fever, meadowsweet does not cause the stomach upset or other side effects common to
aspirin. Prescription: People usually take meadowsweet as a tea, pouring a cup of boiling water onto 1-2
teaspoonful of the dried herb and leaving it to steep 10 to 15 minutes.

Shark Cartilage. More and more people with osteoarthritis have discovered the benefits of taking shark
cartilage supplements. Shark cartilage contains several substances known, collectively, as glycosaminogly-
cans. One such substance, chondroitin sulfate, helps to stimulate joint repair and improve joint function.
In fact, your body, appears to be able to better absorb the chondroitin sulfate in shark cartilage much more
rapidly and efficiently than it can chondroitin sulfate supplements. Nevertheless, as is true for all natural
remedies, shark cartilage does not help everyone with osteoarthritis, nor should people expect quick and
dramatic changes to their condition. Tracheal cartilage of both cows and chickens have been used success-
fully and is less costly. Prescription: You can purchase shark cartilage in capsule form, one capsule to be
taken 3 times a day.

White Willow Bark (Salix alba). Also known as salicin willow, this herb works very much like aspirin.
It relieve pains, reduces fever, and has anti-inflammatory qualities. Prescription: White willow products
are commonly available in capsules (2 capsules every 3 hours), teas (up to 3 cups daily), and tinctures
(1 teaspoon up to 3 times daily).

The Healing Power of Scent

The term aromatherapy was coined in 1937 by the French chemist Ren-Maurice Gattefoss, who badly burned
his hand during a laboratory experiment in his familys perfume factory. Knowing that lavender was used in
medicine for burns, he plunged his hand into a vat of pure lavender oil used to make perfumes. After noticing
that his hand healed very quickly, Gattefoss began to explore the healing powers of other essential oils.

Essentials oils, composed of the plants most volatile constituents, are extracted from plants through process
of stream distillation or cold pressing. To derive pure essential oils, no other chemicals or substances should be
used during the extraction process since they would disrupt the natural organic composition of plant material.
Indeed, each essential oil is made up of several different organic molecules that, working together, give the oil
its unique perfume as well as its particular therapeutic qualities.

Like the plants and herbs from which they are extracted, some essential oils are known to have antiviral and
antibacterial properties and thus can be used to treat infection such as herpes simplex, skin and bowel infec-
tions, and the flu. Perhaps the most common aromatherapy is one that uses oil derived from the eucalyptus
plant which, when inhaled, works to restore health to the respiratory system by acting as an antibacterial,
antiviral agent as well as helping to loosen phlegm.

Other therapeutic oils ease the anti-inflammatory response in the body, making them especially useful in
treating back pain as well as arthritis and similar conditions. In addition, there are a number of oils that have
profound effects on the nervous system. Stress overstimulates the sympathetic nervous system and forces
the muscles to tense up and, eventually, to shorten, adding to the pain of many arthritis conditions. Certain

18
essential oils, when inhaled, can help to bring the sympathetic nervous system into balance with the parasym-
pathetic nervous system and thus reduce the negative effects stress may have on the musculoskeletal system.

Using Aromatherapy
Essential oils are delicate, highly concentrated essences of plants. The quantity of plant material needed to
make even a small amount of essential oil is enormous; to make an ounce of lavender oil, for instance, requires
about 12 pounds of fresh lavender flowers. Fortunately, only a very small amount of oil is needed to have
therapeutic effects.

You can buy essential oils in their pure form or already diluted with another base oil, usually made from ol-
ives, soy or almonds. In addition, herbs which fix the scents are added, so that the potency of the mixture
is maintained over time. Combining essences with base oils does not change their chemical composition, but
will help to reduce their potential toxicity to the skin or internal tissue.

Although it is possible to make your own essential oils with a homemade still, most people choose to purchase
prepared oils from health-food stores or mail-order companies. It is important, however that you make sure
that the essential oils you use are just that: Essential, meaning their original chemical compositions were not
altered in any way during the extraction process. Make sure that when you buy oils the word essential is
used on the label and that you buy your oils from a reputable dealer.

In general, there are two main ways to use essential oils:

As Inhalants. Simply breathing in the odors and minute particles of plant material will help bring your
body back into balance. There are several equally effective methods of inhaling essential oils:

Aroma lamps: Putting a few drops of oil on a light bulb or burning a candle under a cup that has
drops of oil on it will volatize the oil into the atmosphere, making your whole environment rich with
soothing aroma.

Diffusers: These are mechanical devices that disperse essential oils into the air.

Facial saunas: To use this method, pour boiling water into a bowl, then add a few drops of essential
oil. Drape a towel over your head and lean over the bowl so that the towel encloses both head and
bowl. The essences are thus absorbed both through the skin and through the membranes of the nasal
passages.

As Topical Applications. When prepared properly with base oils, essential oils may be safely and effectively
applied directly to the skin. Here are safe methods for applying essential oils:

Bath oils: Adding a few drops of an essential oil to bathwater both adds to the relaxing atmosphere and
allows the oils to seep into the skin. Warm baths are also helpful in easing sore, stiff joints.

Massage oils: Oils can be massaged into the face, back, chest, or any part of the body that is feeling
pain or stress. A tiny bit of essential oil gently rubbed into the temples each evening can melt away the
days tension. Massage itself, especially when performed by someone trained in the art, is an integral
part of any treatment for arthritis as it both releases tension and helps the muscles and joints move
back into alignment.

19
Aromatherapy and Arthritis
The following is a list of essential oils that may help to ease the symptoms of your arthritis, by either reducing
the irritating process of inflammation or relieving the stress and tension that trigger and aggravate the pain.
Please note that this is a highly subjective list and that many other oils may work just as well, if not better, de-
pending on your own individual constitution and needs. Thats why it is important that you visit an herbalist
trained in aromatherapy to learn more about how to apply this ancient art to your particular health problem.

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla). The leaves, flowers, and even roots of this yellow daisy-like flower
are used in a variety of different ways to treat several kinds of diseases and conditions. Aromatherapists
use chamomile oil for its ability to soothe an aggravated nervous system. You can dab a drop of two of
chamomile oil on your temples, make a hot compress with chamomile oil and hot water on a terry cloth
washcloth and place against an aching joint, or put some oil in a diffuser and inhale it all day long.

Lavender (Lavandula officinalis). Probably best known as a perfume, this herb has many valuable medici-
nal qualities as well. Gently rubbing lavender oils on your temples when you are under particular stress or
when the aches and pains of your arthritis are crippling your spirit as well as your muscles is sure to give
you a lift.

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum). Steam-distilled from the fully ripened but dried fruit of this small plant,
coriander oil is used in rubs and massage oil mixtures as a warming pain-easer for arthritis. It should be
diluted 1:5 with carrier oil (olive or vegetable) before applying directly on the skin.

Eucalyptus Oil (Eucalyptus spp.). Although generally used to treat respiratory disorders, eucalyptus may
also be applied in ointment form to joints aching from inflammation associated with arthritis. It is espe-
cially soothing when mixed with rosemary oil, derived from the rosemary plant.

Rosemary Oil (Rosmarinus officinalis). Rosemary oil, distilled from the tops, leaves, and smaller twigs
of the rosemary plant, may be used as a massage oil when added to an olive or vegetable carrier oil, or
mixed with eucalyptus oil. It may also be inhaled by any of the methods mentioned above (diffuser, aroma
lamp, and facial sauna). According to herbal tradition, inhaling rosemary oil helps to increase sensitivity to
situations, develop better memory, and strengthen the power of the pineal glandthe gland that secretes
melatonin, one of the bodys most powerful natural sleep-aids.

Again, although the remedies are generally considered quite safe, it is important that you seek the advice of an
herbalist or other health practitioner experienced in the use of herbs for medicinal purposes. Herbs are indeed
drugs, and they have the power to cause unwanted effects and side effects if taken carelessly. That said, anyone
suffering from long-term, chronic illness like arthritis is likely to find the use of herbs a welcome substitute or
addition to other remedies to relieve pain and stress.

20
Herbal Medicine at Work: The Best Alternative Methods
for Quick Relief from Allergies

You dont fix people. What youre trying to do with human beings
is to help them grow Lawrence LeShan

Herbs Used to Treat Allergies

A prescription for an herbal remedy is apt to be quite personal and individual, based on your particular
symptoms, habits, and needs. Listed here are some of the herbs prescribed most often for men and women
with allergies.

To Reduce Mucus Accumulation

Goldenseal (Hydrates Canadensis). Also known as yellow root, goldenseal dries up and soothes the mu-
cous membranes throughout the body. This quality makes it useful in alleviating congestion and excess
mucus, both in the respiratory system and in the digestive tract.

Prescription and preparation: Goldenseal is usually sold as capsules (taken 2 to 5 times a day) and a tinc-
ture (1/2 to 1 teaspoon a day). You also can put it in powdered form, from which you can make a tea by
pouring a cup of boiling water over about 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of the powder (taken twice a day).

Red Sage (Salvia officinalis). Red sage is a classic remedy for inflamed and congested mucous membranes.
It may be used internally and as a mouthwash (if your throat and mouth are also sore).

Prescription and preparation: You can use about 1 teaspoon of dried red sage leaves to make a tea to drink
up to 3 times a day. Red sage tincture is also available. You can take about 2 to 4 milliliters 3 times per day.

To Reduce Inflammation
Cayenne (Capsicum minimum). Cayenne, which we Americans know as hot red pepper, is one of the most
useful herbal remedies available. Its active ingredient, capsaicin, is a strong anti-inflammatory and thus
helps to soothe burning nasal passages, bronchial tubes, and lungs. Cayenne is also a good digestive tonic
and benefits the heart and circulation. It is rich in vitamin C and other powerful antioxidants.

Prescription and preparation: Cayenne is readily available in powdered form and can be used in food,
drunk as a tea (a cup of boiling water over 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of cayenne), and taken as a tincture (0.25 to
1 milliliters 3 times daily).

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium). A powerful anti-inflammatory, yarrow is useful in treating fevers. It also
reduces blood pressure, stimulates digestion, and reduces swelling of bronchial tissue.

Prescription and preparation: You can use dried yarrow leaves to make a tea, or you can consume it in
tincture form (about 2 to 4 milliliters 3 times a day).

21
To Strengthen the Immune System
Astralagus (Astralagus memebranceus). This ancient Chinese herb, is still used to increase resistance to
disease. It has a warming effect on the body and soothes the digestive tract and other organs. Prescription
and preparation: Astragalus is most commonly available in commercial form as capsules (1 400-miligram
capsule up to 3 times daily) and tinctures (1 teaspoon 3 times daily).

Echinacea (Echinacea angustiolia). Also known as purple coneflower, this plant is a traditional Native
American remedy known to have extraordinary immune-boosting qualities. Many clinical and laboratory
studies document the ability of echinacea to strengthen the bodys tissues and protect you from invasive
germs and allergens.

Prescription and preparation: You can buy echinacea in any number of different forms: Capsules (1 cap-
sule up to 3 times a day), tinctures (1 teaspoon up to 3 times a day), and extracts (mix 15 to 30 drops in
water or juice and take up to 4 times a day).

Remember, herbs are drugs and may have serious side effects if not taken properly. It is best to devise an herbal
prescription plan with a trained professional. That said, lets take a look at a related system of natural medi-
cine that also uses plants to heal: Aromatherapy.

The Healing Power of Scent

On your way to work one morning, you catch a whiff of lavender perfume wafting from the open windows
of a neighborhood pharmacy. Almost immediately, you are awash in pleasant memories of your childhood:
Transported back in time and space to your grandmothers home, where lavender sachets lined linen drawers
and scented sheets covered the guest bed, you feel as warm and secure as you did when you were 9 years old.
By the time you arrive at your office, you feel more calm and relaxed than you have in weeks. If a doctor were
to take you blood pressure, he might even find it lower than usual.

Although this example might not apply directly to you, no doubt youve experienced something similar. Per-
haps the odor of a particular food evokes a feeling of comfort or the scent of certain flowers gives you energy.
This strong connection between scent, emotion, and memory has led to a revival of an ancient form of medical
intervention known as aromatherapy.

Essentials oils, composed of the plants most volatile constituents, are extracted from plants through the
process of stream distillation or cold pressing. To derive pure essential oils, no other chemicals or substances
should be used during the extraction process since they would disrupt the natural organic composition of
plant material. Indeed, each essential oil is made up of several different organic molecules that, working to-
gether, give the oil its unique perfume as well as its particular therapeutic qualities.

Like the plants and herbs from which they are extracted, some essential oils are known to have antiviral and an-
tibacterial properties and thus can be used to treat infection such as herpes simplex, skin and bowel infections,
and the flu. Perhaps the most common aromatherapy is one that uses oil derived from the eucalyptus plant
which, when inhaled, works to restore health to the respiratory systems by acting as an antibacterial, antiviral
agent as well as an expectoranta special boon to people with allergies who have respiratory symptoms.

Other therapeutic oils ease the anti-inflammatory response in the body while boosting the immune system,

22
making these oils especially useful in treating allergies. In addition, there are a number of oils that have pro-
found effects on the central nervous system and forces the muscles to tense up and, eventually, to shorten.
Certain essential oils, when inhaled, can help to bring the nervous system into balance and thus reduce the
negative effects stress may have on the body.

Using Aromatherapy
Essential oils are delicate, highly concentrated essences of plants. The quantity of plant material needed to
make even a small amount of essential oil is enormous: To make an ounce of lavender oil, for instance, re-
quires about 12 pounds of fresh lavender flowers. Fortunately, only a very small amount of oil is needed to
have therapeutic effects. (For more information on essential oils, please see page 19.)

Most people can use aromatherapy oils safely. In order to ensure that you do not suffer an adverse reaction,
follow these simple tips:

Preform a patch test. Before you use any essential oil on your skin, whether in the bath, as a liniment, or
as massage oil, make sure your first preform a patch test. To do so, wash about a two-inch square area on
your forearm and dry it carefully. Apply a tiny drop of the essential oil diluting it with an equal part of a
bland oil, like olive oil. Then place a piece of gauze over the area and wait 24 hours. If no irritation occurs,
feel free to use the oil in the future. If you develop a rash or are otherwise made uncomfortable, look for
an alternative oil for your symptoms. A patch test is especially important if you have allergies or if your
skin is particularly sensitive.

Check with your Doctor. If you are pregnant, check with both your obstetrician and your alternative
practitioner before using any essential oils. Do not take essential oils internally, unless you first discuss the
matter thoroughly with your practitioner. Some oils are highly toxic if swallowed.

Watch out for your eyes. Keep essential oils out of eyes.

Protect essential oils. Store essential oils in dark glasses or metal bottles and protect them from light and heat.

Aromatherapy and Allergies

The following is a list of essential oils that may help to ease the symptoms of your allergies, by either reducing
the irritating process of inflammation, by boosting the immune system, or by relieving the stress and tension
that trigger and aggravate your allergic reaction. Please note that this is a highly subjective list and that many
other oils may work just as well, if not better, depending on your own individual constitution and needs.
Thats why it is important that you visit an herbalist trained in aromatherapy to learn more about how to
apply this ancient art to your particular health problem.

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomile). The leaves, flowers, and even roots of this yellow daisy-like flower
are used in a variety of different ways to treat several kinds of diseases and conditions. Aromatherapists
use chamomile oil for its ability to soothe an aggravated nervous system. You can dab a drop of two of
chamomile oil on your temples, make a hot compress with chamomile oil and hot water on a terry cloth
washcloth and place against an aching joint, or put some oil in a diffuser and inhale it all day long.

Lavender (Lavandula officinalis). Probably best known as a perfume, this herb has many valuable medicinal

23
 qualities as well. Gently rubbing lavender oil on your temples when you are under particular stress or when
youre experiencing an allergy flare-up will certainly give you a lift.

Eucalyptus Oil (Eucalyptus spp.) One of the best remedies for congestion of the lungs and nasal passages,
eucalyptus oil is especially soothing when mixed with rosemary oil.

Rosemary Oil (Rosmarinus officinalis). Rosemary oil, distilled from the tops, leaves, and smaller twigs
of the rosemary plant, may be used as a massage oil when added to an olive or vegetable carrier oil, or
mixed with eucalyptus oil. It may also be inhaled by any of the methods mentioned above (diffuser, aroma
lamp, and facial sauna). According to herbal tradition, inhaling rosemary oil helps to increase sensitivity to
situations, develop better memory, and strengthen the power of the pineal glandthe gland that secretes
melatonin, one of the bodys most powerful natural sleep-aids.

Again, although the remedies are generally considered quite safe, it is important that you seek the advice of an
herbalist or other health practitioner experienced in the use of herbs for medicinal purposes. Herbs are indeed
drugs, and they have the power to cause unwanted effects and side effects if taken carelessly. That said, anyone
suffering from long-term, chronic illness like allergies is likely to find the use of herbs a welcome substitute or
addition to other remedies to relieve pain and stress.

Banishing Back Pain: The Healing Power of

Herbs and Aromas
A visit to an herbalist is highly recommended for anyone who suffers from either an acute back injury or
chronic back pain. Like other alternative therapies, herbal medicine attempts not to cure disease per se, but
rather to help the body remain in, or return itself to, the state of balance we know of as health. In this attempt,
herbalists explore lifestyle and dietary habits with their patients in order to develop a treatment plan. This
exploration generally goes far beyond what one would experience with most mainstream physicians.

Although each person who visits an herbalist is likely to emerge with a different prescription (even for the very
same complaint), there are some generalities that can be made about possible remedies. There are antispas-
modic agents to ease cramps in smooth and skeletal muscles; anti-inflammatories to soothe inflammation or
reduce the inflammatory responses to sprains and strains; and nervines and tonics that strengthen and restore
the nervous system, helping to relieve tension and stress. A variety of essential oils are used for generally the
same purposes: To soothe aching muscles and to help relax the body and mind.

During your first appointment with an herbalist, you should expect the practitioner to take a complete medical
history. Among the most important topics discussed will be the exact nature of your back pain, the level and
type of your physical activity, and any past medical and surgical treatments for back pain that you have received.
If the herbalist is a medical doctor or other trained health professional, he or she may perform a physical exam.
It is highly likely that the herbalist would recommend bodywork, massage, physical therapy, or treatment by
a chiropractor or osteopath. Based on what is discovered during the exam, the herbalist would then prescribe
one or more natural medications aimed at strengthening your constitution while alleviating your symptoms.

24
Herbal Medicine: Natures Pharmacy
In general, herbal medicines work in much the same way as conventional pharmaceutical drugs. Herbs contain
a large number of naturally occurring substances that work to alter the bodys chemistry in order to return it
to its natural state of health. Unlike purified drugs, however, plants contain a wide variety of substances and,
hence, less of any one particular active component. This attribute makes herbs far less toxic to the body than
most pharmaceutical products.

Another benefit of natural herbs is that they tend to contain combinations of substances that work together
to restore balance to the body with a minimum number of side effects. An example is the plant meadowsweet,
which contains anti-inflammatory compounds similar to the ones used in aspirin used to treat back pain and
other musculoskeletal ailments. These compounds, called salicylates, often irritate the stomach lining. Unlike
commercially prepared aspirin, however, meadowsweet also contains substances that soothe the gastric lining
and reduce stomach acidity, thus providing relief from pain while protecting the stomach from irritations. For
people with chronic back pain who have been forced to choose between backaches and stomachaches, such a
treatment can seem like an absolute godsend.

Herbs to Treat Back Pain

Here are the herbs most likely to be recommended for back pain:

Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa). A remedy first used by North American Indians, this herb acts as a
muscle relaxant and is useful in treating pain related osteoarthritis, sciatica, and back spasm.

Preparation and dosage: Black Cohosh is administered as a tea, which can be made by steeping 1/2 to 1
teaspoon of the dried herb in a cup of boiling water for about 10 minutes. Drink the tea 3 times a day.

Cramp Bark (Viburnum opulus). As its name suggests, this herb derived from the bark of the tree works to
relieve muscle spasms and cramping, and thus is quite helpful to anyone in the acute phase of back pain.

Preparation and dosage: To make a tea, put 2 teaspoons of dried bark into a cup of water, bring to a boil,
and then simmer for 15 minutes. Drink a cup 3 times a day. Use 4 to 8 drops of the tincture 3 times a day.

Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum). Prepared from chestnuts gathered as they fall right from trees
in autumn, this remedy works as a tonic for the circulatory system, thus reducing inflammatory response
in the strained muscles of the back.

Preparation and dosage: Horse chestnut is available as a tea or as an ointment. Tea is prepared by pouring
a cup of boiling water on to 1 or 2 teaspoons of dried Chestnut and allowing the herb to steep for 15 to
20 minutes. The liquid can either be drunk (3 times a day) or used as a lotion. Ointment dosage is 1 to 4
drops 3 times daily.

Willow Bark (Salix nigra). The bark of this willow tree is a natural source of the aspirin-like salicylates. It
acts as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic.

Preparation and dosage: Willow bark can be drunk as a tea (steep 2 teaspoons of bark in a cup of boiling
water for 10 minutes) or applied as an ointment (2 to 4 milliliters) 3 times a day.

25
Aromatherapy and Back Pain
The following is a list of essential oils (for additional information on essential oils, please refer to page 19) that
may help to ease your back pain, either by reducing inflammation or by relieving stress and tension that trig-
ger and aggravate the pain. Please note that this is a highly subjective list and that many other oils may work
just as well, if not better, depending on your own individual constitution and needs. Thats why its important
that you visit an herbalist trained in aromatherapy to learn more about how to apply this ancient art to your
particular health problem.

Aspic (Lavandula spica). Cultivated in Spain from a variety of lavender, the aspic plant exudes an oil that
can be massaged into aching muscles. In fact, European veterinarians often rub aspic oil into the backs and
legs of racehorses to soothe their muscles after a race. Aspic oil is known as an excellent topical remedy for
skin irritations like acne, eczema, and burns.

Clary Sage/Sage Oil (Salvia officinalis). Distilled from the flowering tops and leaves of this common peren-
nial plant, clary sage oil has long been known for its medicinal properties. Clary sage oil is an all-around
tonic that can help reduce fatigue, irritability, and depression and thus helps to bolster self-esteem and
reduce overall stress on the body.

Frankincense Oil (Boswella cateri). Frankincense has been used since ancient times in religious rituals and
remains today a major ingredient of church incense, no doubt because of its ability to help individuals who
breathe its scent to attain a deeper state of meditation and prayer. For that reason it is recommended for
people with stress related back pain.

Juniper (Junipterus communis). Steam distilled from the crushed dried fruit of the juniper berry, juniper oil is
often used as an antiseptic as well as a diuretic. When mixed with wheat germ or olive oil it can be massaged
in any stiff jointincluding those at the back of the neck in the lumbar spineto relieve inflammation.

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia). The classic oil of aromatherapy, lavender has a wide range of thera-
peutic qualities. Used topically, it can help heal burns, wounds, and insect bites. For patients with stress
related back pain, it can work to bring the body back into harmony by calming the sympathetic nervous
system and stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system.

Mandarin (Citrus reticulata). Direct from the peel of the mandarin orange, this essential oil is a soothing
and calming potion when used as massage oil or in a warm bath. People who have trouble sleeping may
find its soothing affects especially helpful at bedtime.

Neroli (Citrus aurantium bigaradia). Neroli oil is obtained by the steam distillation of flowers of the Seville
orange, native to the Mediterranean region. It is known as an effective anti-spasmodic and a great stress
relievera perfect combination for anyone with chronic back pain.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis). One of the best-known and most often used aromatic herbs, rosemary
oil is steam-distilled from the tops, leaves, and smaller twigs of the plant. It has been used for centuries to
treat a variety of conditions, including liver and stomach problems, infections of all kind, and depression.
Used in a poultice, as a massage oil, or in the bath, rosemary is a muscle relaxant and a stress reducer.

Keep in mind that, as is true of all forms of natural medicine, aromatherapy is highly individualized. An oil
that relaxes one individual may work to stimulate another. Therefore, you may want to experiment by using

26
a few different oils, alone or in combination, until you find a regimen that works best for your needs. In addi-
tion, remember that essential oils are, in fact, a potent drug and should thus be used with care.

Here are some other tips about aromatherapy:

Before you use any essential oil on your skin, whether in the bath, as a liniment, or as a massage oil,
make sure you first perform a patch test. To do so, wash about a 2 square inch area on your forearm
and dry it carefully. Apply a tiny drop of the essential oil, diluting it with an equal part of the blend oil,
like olive oil. Then place a Band-Aid over the area and wait 24 hours. If no irritation occurs, use the oil
in your formulas. If you have a reactionsuch as a rash or blisterslook for another oil. A patch test is
especially important if you have allergies or particularly sensitive skin.

If youre pregnant, check with both your obstetrician and your alternative practitioners before using any
essential oils.

Do not take essential oils internally unless you first discuss the matter thoroughly with your practitioner.

Keep essential oils out of your eyes.

Store essential oils in a dark glass or metal bottles and protect them from light and heat.

Herbal Medicine for Heart Disease: The Best Alternative

Methods for Prevention & Treatment

Man argues, nature acts Voltaire

Herbs maybe used as a part of a holistic approach to the treatment of heart disease that includes proper nutri-
tion, exercise, and stress reduction. Herbs that might help the body restore the cardiovascular system to prop-
er working order include those known to be hypotensive (blood-pressure-reducing), diuretic (fluid-reducing),
calmative (anxiety-reducing), and tonic (energy-building).

It cannot be stressed enough that there are no set prescriptions in herbal medicine or in any form of alternative
therapy. As is true for any dietary program, nutritional supplement plan, or exercise routine, herbal treatment
of your particular heart condition must be designed with care by a trained professional who has taken the time
to examine you. In addition, it is up to you to learn as much as possible about your body, your health, and the
herbs prescribed by your practitioner.

In fact, one factor an herbalist takes into consideration when diagnosing and treating the patient is that per-
sons willingness to accept responsibility for his or her own health.

At a first appointment with an herbalist, you should expect the practitioner to take a complete medical history

27
(including noting what medications and supplements you are taking) and possibly perform a physical exam.
The herbalist would then prescribe one or more natural medications aimed at strengthening your constitution
while alleviating your symptoms.

The Herbal Medicine Chest for Treatment of Heart Disease

Herbal medicine can become an effective part of an overall cardiovascular treatment plan. A qualified herbalist
should be able to help you devise a healthy diet, suggest nutritional supplements, and discuss with you the need
to increase your physical activity and reduce the number of stressors in your life. Likewise, most herbalists work
well with other healthcare professionals, from both mainstream medicine and other alternative therapies. It is
important however, that all of the people who care for you are apprised of any treatment you receive.

Make no mistake about it: Herbs are drugs, and powerful ones at that. Let your herbalist know what medica-
tions you are taking and if you are pregnant or breastfeeding so that he or she can create a safe and effective
herbal treatment plan for you.

Although your particular body chemistry will indicate what herbs will be most effective for you, the following
herbs are the ones most used to treat cardiovascular disease:

First-Tier Choices
Hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha). The berries, flowers, and leaves of the hawthorn shrub have been used
in folk medicine in Europe and China for centuries and are some of the primary heart tonics in natural
medicine. Most recently, medical researchers have analyzed hawthorn extensively and studied it for its dif-
ferent effects on the cardiovascular system. Hawthorn berries (as well as most berries) get their color from
substances called flavonoids. Flavonoids, besides being a potent antioxidant, dilate coronary blood vessels,
lower blood lipids, and stabilize arterial walls. They also act to inhibit an enzyme, ACE, which helps combat
high blood pressure. Because hawthorn improves heart muscle metabolism, it is useful in treating congestive
heart failure and cardiac arrhythmias. Its also mildly diuretic. This versatile herb can be used, alone or in
combination with other herbs, to both prevent and treat the whole spectrum of cardiac illnesses.

Preparation and usage: Dried hawthorn berries or flowers, 3 to 5 grams, can be taken as capsules or teas
3 times per day. Standardized fluid extracts (infusions) can be taken, 1/4 to 1/3 teaspoon 3 times per day.
Hawthorn has a low toxicity.

Garlic (Allium sativum). The volatile, sulfur-containing oils that give garlic its pungency are also known
to reduce LDL cholesterol (the bad kind) and raise HDL cholesterol (the good kind). In Germany, garlic
extracts are approved over-the-counter drugs to supplement dietary measures in people with elevated
blood lipids. And in India a study matching two populations with identical diets except for garlic showed
lower blood lipids in the high-garlic group. Garlic and its close relative onion have also been shown to aid
in thinning the blood and reducing platelet aggregation, helping to minimize the risk of blood clots that
could clog an artery in the heart or brain. Finally, garlic has lowered blood pressure by 10 to 20 points in
both human and animal studies.

Preparation and usage: In studies that showed the benefits of garlic, researchers used 3 to 8 cloves of raw
garlic daily. Capsules are also available; unfortunately the substance responsible for many of garlics good

28
 effects, called allicin, is also responsible for its strong odor, and capsules with the substance removed do not
work as well as a whole, fresh garlic. There is some evidence that capsules coated so that they break down
low in the intestines work better, and with less odor. About 2 to 6 capsules per day is a common dose.

Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgoaceae). The leaves of this tree, the oldest species in the world, contain special flavo-
noids which gives the plant both its characteristic smell and some of its remarkable vascular effects. Gink-
go has been shown to increase arterial blood flow successfully in a variety of situations, including cerebral
vascular insufficiency and stroke, in hardening of the peripheral arteries, in impotence due to lack of blood
flow, and in cardiac problems. Ginkgo also keeps blood platelets from sticking and breaking down, and it
increases oxygen supply to the arteries and veins.

Preparation and usage: Standard preparations of Gingko biloba extract (GBE) are usually 40 milligrams
and are taken 3 times a day. Higher doses are not recommended.

Guggul (Commiphora mukul). The Indian mukul myrrh tree produces a resin which has been shown in
multiple studies to lower cholesterol and triglycerides as well as or better than the common drugs on the
market, and with no known toxicity. It works by increasing the livers metabolism of LDL cholesterol.

Preparation and usage: The common form of guggulipid is an extract with 4 percent guggulsterone (an
active component); standard dosage is 500 milligrams taken 3 times per day (The standard preparation
contains 25 milligrams of the active ingredient per dose.)

Coleus (Coleus forskohlii). This decorative plant has been used in India for centuries and studied in detail
for its cardiovascular effects. It relaxes smooth muscles, which makes it useful in treating high blood pres-
sure and angina. At the same time, it increases the force of the heart contractions so that the net result is
a double positive effect.

Preparation and usage: The dose is the same as for hawthorn, and the two herbs are frequently used to-
gether to treat cardiovascular conditions. Coleus has very low toxicity.

Second-Tier Choices
Ginseng (Panax ginseng). The herb ginseng, over which wars have been fought in the Orient in past cen-
turies, is actually several different substances. Korean or Chinese ginseng (Panax ginseng) is the famous
one, and is known to reduce blood clot formation, reverse oxidation, and lower blood lipids. It also has a
paradoxical effect on blood pressure, seeming to raise blood pressure in low doses and lower blood pres-
sure and higher doses. But the main use of ginseng is in helping to cope with stress, primarily by improving
adrenal gland function.

Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) shares the effects of improving adrenal function and lower-
ing lipids. In addition, it seems to bring both high and low blood pressure closer to normal ranges.

Preparation and usage: One of the most popular ways to consume either type of ginseng is by drinking it
as a tea or infusion made by stirring about 1/2 teaspoon of powdered ginseng into a cup of hot water. The
tea should be drunk about 3 times a day. Standard fluid extracts (1:1) can be take 1/2 to 1 teaspoon, 3
times per day. A visit to a Chinese herbal pharmacy will reveal Chinese ginseng root to be as expensive as
$200 or more per piece, and this price is related to the potency (amount of active substances). A reasonably
priced root ($10 to $15 range) can be sliced into 2 to 6 gram pieces (about 2 square inches) and cooked in

29
tea. Too much high-quality ginseng can be toxic.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale). Ginger lowers cholesterol, and has a tonic effect on the heart.

Preparation and usage: Ginger can be cooked in foods, made as a tea, or taken as a capsule 2 to 3 times a day.

European mistletoe (Viscum alba). This herb is a potent treatment for high blood pressure. In Europe there
are many blood pressure lowering herbal preparations containing mistletoe on the market.

Preparation and usage: This herb can be toxic and is usually used in small amounts (1/2 to 1 tablespoon
of the dried herb) combined with hawthorn and other herbs.

Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus). This berry is rich in the same flavonoids as hawthorn and has many of
the same effects. Bilberry seems to be particularly helpful in strengthening the circulation; it has been used
extensively in treating varicose veins and thrombophlebitis.

Preparation and usage: Bilberry is non-toxic and may be used liberally, dried in tea or fluid extracts in the
doses given for hawthorn.

Khella (Ammi visnaga). This plant has been shown to be effective in the treatment of angina and high
blood pressure. Khella appears to be particularly helpful in increasing the amount of exercise person can
tolerate before experiencing angina.

Preparation and usage: Standard doses would be 250 to 300 milligrams of the extract (containing 12
percent of the active component khellin). Higher doses may cause side effects. The herb maybe used with
other herbs for heart treatment.

Angelica (Angelica archaneglica). The various species of angelica can be used to treat angina, high blood
pressure, lack of circulation to the brain and limbs, and arrhythmias. Angelica can easily be grown in a
home garden, as long as the soil is kept moist and the area is shaded during the hottest part of the day.

Preparation and usage: Angelica is usually prescribed in the same dose as Khella and has low toxicity.

Cayenne (Capsicum annuum). Usually thought of only as a hot spice in Mexican and Southwestern cui-
sine, Cayenne is also one of the most effective general tonics for the whole body. It stimulates blood flow
and strengthens the heartbeat.

Preparation and dosage: To make an infusion of Cayenne, pour a cup of boiling water into 1/2 to 1 tea-
spoon of the herb and let it stand for 10 minutes. A tablespoon of this infusion should be mixed with hot
water and drunk.

Chamomile (Anthemis noblis). Perhaps the best known and most widely used herbal medicine, chamomile
is used most commonly to promote relaxation and reduce stress in people with heart disease.

Preparation and dosage: Chamomile tea is made by pouring a cup of boiling water over two or three tea-
spoons of dried leaves and letting it stand for five to ten minutes.

30