LuminEarth » Herb

Butcher’s Broom ~ Materia Medica by Jyll Renee’

Jyll Renee', Master Herbologist — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 12:00:42 +0000

Butchers Broom

Common name: Jews Myrtle, Knee Holly, Knee Holm, Pettigree, Sweet Brown

Botanical name: Ruscus aculeatus

Habitat: Butchers broom is a small-leaved bush cultivated in the Mediterranean and Europe. It is part of the lilly family, and is quite similar to your everyday asparagus plant. Both the root and stem of the plant are used in herbal preparations. Butchers broom is all branches and no leaves. It produces small greenish flowers and red berries. In England, its branches were tied in bundles to use for brooms to clean cutting blocks in the butcher shops.

Healthy Info: Butchers broom has been used to improve circulation, relieve constipation, and to relieve water retention discomfort. It is reported that butchers broom can tighten the circulatory systems, veins and strengthen the capillary walls. It is rich in flavonoids such as rutin and enhances blood flow to the brain, legs and hands.

Butchers broom has been reported to be effective in treating a variety of conditions including:

Energizer. Butchers broom is an invigorating, anti-aging tea that renews energy by renewing circulation, which provides oxygen to the body and brain. It also strengthens muscles and blood vessels, and it “moves” blood to relieve stagnation.
Cleanser. Butchers broom is one of the best internal cleansers to remove toxins and renew energy. Butchers broom tea can make a sweep through your kidneys and liver (it’s good for the prostate too).
Swollen Legs and Ankles. Butchers broom boosts circulation especially in the legs. It is used to prevent fluid retention in the legs and ankles, often called edema.
Uses Through the Ages. Studies in France showed that butchers broom significantly reduced the incident of clotting after surgery.

This herb may also lessen cramps, swelling, and other symptoms associated with chronic venous insufficiency, a condition that occurs when valves in the veins that carry blood back to the heart are weak or damaged. This insufficiency allows blood to collect in the veins, which may cause varicose veins, spider veins, sores and even blood clots in the legs.

*properties: diuretic, diaphoretic, aperients (laxative)

*side effects: no significant side effects have been found for butcher’s broom. However, nausea and queasiness may result in rare cases. Butchers broom is not recommended for those with high blood pressure

Ref:

The Way of Herbs, Michael Tierra, L.Ae, O. M.D. page 106
20,000 Secrets of Tea, Victoria Zak page 91
www.nutrasanus.com/butchersbroom 7/24/2011

Submitted by: Jyll Renee’, Master Herbologist (Click here to learn more about Jyll Renee.)

Herbal Blends: Why to Take & How to Make

Becki Baumgartner — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 14:43:43 +0000

WHY HERBAL BLENDS?

Herbalists blend herbs to obtain actions that normally are not found in an individual plant. Herbal blends are an efficient way to develop a treatment targeted to the exact condition being experienced. Blends provide greater flexibility and increase the range of remedies you can address with the plants available to you. With blends you can utilize a small number of plants in different combinations. For example, let’s say you only have four herbs available to you. If you use these herbs to form blends, you have eleven possible herbal combinations. This gives the herbalist much more to work with!

Herbal blends work very well for both chronic and acute illnesses. Chronic illnesses occur when the body is weakened or debilitated. Many times several organs or even whole body systems are affected at the same time. Chronic illnesses are ongoing and may have been developing for many years. Some examples are arthritis, asthma, diabetes and PMS. Acute illnesses occur in people who are generally healthy, but have just become ill or traumatized. Some examples of acute illnesses are colds, constipation, earaches, and headaches. (If the acute illness begins to occur on a regular basis, or become constant, it should then be treated as a chronic illness.)

YOU CAN MAKE YOUR OWN HERBAL BLEND!

So, now you are ready to begin creating herbal blends! Herbal blends can be made with fresh herbs, dried herbs, tinctures and extracts.

It is a good idea to have some good, informative herb books on hand. I have included a list of my favorite herb books at the end of the article for your convenience. You can also refer to the Materia Medica on our website. Always keep in mind “the fewer the better” when creating herbal blends. This means that the fewer herbs you use, the better. The reason for this is that when more herbs are used in a formula it becomes more difficult to balance their properties. Herbs act on their own, according to their individual properties, as well as acting with other herbs. An herbalist can address many different ailments with simple combinations containing only two herbs. Each individual herb has several different properties, meaning that it can help to heal in several different ways all at the same time. (For detailed information please refer to your herb book or our Materia Medica.) By keeping your formulas simple, they will be more flexible in their use and can be used more often.

Occasions may arise where you will want to create more complex formulas. When you start creating blends containing more than two herbs, it is important to maintain specific proportions of the various herbs to create a successful formula. Below are some guidelines for the proportions to use when creating more complex formulas.

Focus on the main ailment (50%-75%). More than half of the blend should attend to the condition that is causing the most problem. In many acute situations, the need is to eliminate or expel excretions such as phlegm, urine, stool, sweat, pus, etc. This can be done with one herb or several herbs of similar action in combination. In either case, the final amount used to address the ailment should be between 50 and 70 percent of the formula.
Soothe (10%). A soothing herb should be used for approximately 10 percent of the blend. This herb should be soothing to the digestive tract, mucilaginous, or calming. Some good examples of herbs with these properties are plantain, marshmallow, lavender, oats, and catnip. When using herbs that increase elimination (laxatives, expectorants, and diuretics) it is a good idea to use mucilaginous herbs like plantain or marshmallow to soothe the system.
Nurture (10%). A nurturing or building herb should be used for approximately 10 percent of the blend. These herbs will supply the extra vitamins and minerals needed for healing. Some good examples of herbs that nurture and nourish are rose hips, plantain seeds, oat straw, dandelion greens, and alfalfa.
Stimulate (5%). A warming, stimulating herb should be used for approximately 5 percent of the formula. Some good examples of this type of herb are thyme, peppermint, lavender, ginger and garlic. These stimulating herbs will hasten the body’s natural healing process as well as boost the action of the herbs chosen to address the main ailment. For conditions that are somewhat chronic, it is a good idea to use herbs that are strongly nutritive herbs like borage and alfalfa.

Now you know how to create an herbal blend!

Source: Wardwell, J. (1998). The Herbal Home Remedy Book. North Adams, MA: Storey Publishing.

Please feel free to consult our Materica Medica for more information on the various individual herbs. I have also included a list of my favorite herb books. Most of these were used for my college courses and were so informative and helpful, I decided to add them to my library and keep them forever!

The Majority of the information in this article was obtained from “The Herbal Home Remedy Book: Simple Recipes for Tinctures, Teas, Salves, Tonics, and Syrups” by Joyce A. Wardwell. This book is very user friendly and easy to follow!

More Information on How to Make Herbal Tinctures from Any Loose Herb

Commonly Used Herbology Terms and Defintions

My Favorite Herb Books:

Vitex ~ Materia Medica by Jyll Renee’

Becki Baumgartner — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 02:00:52 +0000

VITEX

by Jyll Renee’, Master Herbologist

Common name: Agnus cactus, chaste tree, chasteberries, monks pepper, hemp tree

Botanical name: Vitex agnus castus

Habitat: Vitex grows in Mediterranean countries, central Asia and southern United States> The chaste tree is a beautiful shrub or large tree with a showy summertime flower display. The foliage is aromatic and the 5-7 fingerlike leaflets also bear a striking resemblance to those of the infamous marijuana or hemp plant which provides yet another common name hemp tree. The dried fruit, which has a pepper-like-aroma and flavor, is used in herbal medicine.

Info: As the name suggests, chaste berries were used in ancient times to suppress libido in temple priestesses. Supposedly in Italy today, the flowers are still spread before the ground of novices as they enter the monastery. The important female herb seems to regulate the menstrual cycle of women. Its special application is for relieving the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and female menopause. Vitex is unique due to its stimulating the pituitary and its ability to increase luteinizing hormone (progesterone). This indirectly increases progesterone production and helps regulate menstrual cycle. Extensive scientific validation establishes that vitex enhances the progesterone cycle in women and is consequently beneficial for the treatment of painful menstruation, the emotional swings associated with pre-menstrual syndrome and problems related to menopause.

What this implies is that vitex is the single herb of choice for helping to maintain emotional balance before and after menstruation.

Of course, other factors need to be examined to arrive at a more comprehensive treatment for PMS, including treating the liver with bitter herbs such as turmeric or Oregon grape root, which among many functions, also regulates hormones, tonifies blood and aids in blood circulation. The liver is responsible for getting rid of excess hormones our body doesn’t need any more.

Properties: Tonic, emmenagogue

*at the time of writing, there were no well known interactions with this supplement

Ref:
www.naturalmedicine.com. Prock, Deborahe N.D. 11-1-2010
The Way of Herbs, Michael Tierra, L.Ae,O.M.D. Pages, 204-205
www.floridata.com/ref/v/vitex 11-1-2010

Submitted by: Jyll Renee, Master Herbologist (Click here to learn more about Jyll Renee.)

White Dutch Clover (Trifolium repens) ~ LuminEarth’s How to Identify Wild Edible & Medicinal Plants

Becki Baumgartner — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Names: White Dutch Clover (Trifolium repens) , White Clover, Ladino Clover, Clover, White Shamrock, Shamrock

Appearance: Clovers have leaves in sets of three with a flower head ranging in color from white, cream to pinkish tinged.

Harvesting: White Dutch Clover is found in lawns, fields, pastures, and disturbed areas. The young leaves are best harvested before the plant flowers.

Edible: The flowers and leaves of White Dutch Clover are edible both raw and cooked. The flowers are the sweetest part of the plant. White Dutch Clover leaves are edible raw or cooked and can be used in salads, soups, casseroles, etc. Fresh or dried clover flowers make a delicious herbal tea. Clovers are legumes, so they provide a protein that compliment whole grains. I like to use the flower heads in stir-fry with rice, or in baking. Make sure to only use completely fresh leaves and flowers.

WARNING
Only use undamaged white clover plants when foraging. Damaged plants can contain a cyanogenic glycoside that can cause asphyxiation at the cellular level. The cyanogenic glycocide is not normally found in plants except when there has been plant injury from cutting, grazing, freezing or wilting. For this reason it is very important to make sure that you only use fresh, undamaged plants when foraging. This also means that you CANNOT ferment white clover flowers as the fermentation process will create cyanogenic acid.

Medicinal: An Infusion of White Dutch Clover flowers and leaves is good for detoxification and rebuilding. White clover was used ty The Cherokee, Iroquois and Mohegian Indians to purify blood and cleanse boils, sores, wounds, etc. White Clover is stimulating to the liver and gallbladder, and creates an overall strengthening and nourishing. Also used for gout, arthritis, skin disorders, and aids. Clover tea is used for bronchial coughs, whooping coughs and tuberculosis. The tea is also anti-inflammatory, calming, expectorant and antispasmodic.

Sources:

Brill, S. (1994). Identifying and Harvesting Edible and Medicinal Plants in Wild (and Not So Wild) Places. New York: HarperCollins.
Montana Plant Life. (n.d.). White Clover – Trifolium Repens. Extracted September 20, 2010 from http://montana.plant-life.org/species/trifol_repe.htm
Cyanogenic Glucosides. (n.d.) Texas Tech University. Extracted October 21, 2011 from http://www.orgs.ttu.edu/forageresearch/Forage%20Classes/Forages%203321/Handouts/Antiquality_Factors.pdf
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services. (n.d.). Plants Profile: Trifolium Repens, White Clover. Extracted September 20, 2010 from http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=TRRE3

The Books We Use:

Spearmint Leaves (Mentha spicata)

Becki Baumgartner — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 02:41:35 +0000

SPEARMINT LEAVES

By Jyll Renee, Master Herbologist

Botanical name: Mentha spicata

Common name: Garden Mint, Our Lady’s mMnt, Sage of Bethlehem

Habitat: A common garden mint, but it’s originally a native of the Mediterranean region, and was introduced to Britain by the Romans.

Info: It is used for fevers, colds, flu, stomach, gas, and depression. It is a very good tea for childrens maladies. Spearmint will relieve hiccough and flatulence as well as the giddiness of indigestion.

Constituents: carvone

Personal: We grow spearmint in our garden but contain it in pots in the ground (the mint species will take over a garden). We drink mint tea for a refreshing taste and also use it for belly aches.

*safe for children

Ref:
www.botanical.com, A Modern Herbal, M. Grieves

Submitted by: Jyll Renee, Master Herbologist (Click here to learn more about Jyll Renee.)

Rose Hips (Rosa app)

Becki Baumgartner — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 02:19:05 +0000

ROSE HIPS

by Jyll Renee, Master Herbologist

Botanical name: Rosa spp

Common name: Rose hips

Habitat: Grown in gardens across the world

Info: Rose hips have long been used as a sour fruit but only became recognized as a rich source of vitamin C during the second world war. A pleasant way to add this to the diet is by drinking the tea. Candy can be made from rose hips puree.

Personal info: I pick the hips after the first frost when they turn bright red. We add this to our teas in the autumn for an extra dose of vitamin C in preparation to face old man winter and all of his colds and flus.

*safe for children

Constituents: Vitamin C, Vitamins B, E, And K, Nicotinamide, organic acids, tannin, pectin

Ref:
The New Age Herbalist, Richard Mabey, pg 106

Submitted by: Jyll Renee, Master Herbologist (Click here to learn more about Jyll Renee.)

Chickweed (Stellaria Media)

Becki Baumgartner — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 01:56:52 +0000

CHICKWEED

By Jyll Renee

Botanical name: stellaria media

Common name: starchickweed, mouse ear chickweed,

Habitat: The small green chickweed grows across United States. The leaves stems and flowers are used medicinally.

Info: Chickweed has similar uses to soapwort, but is safer to use internally. Its main use however is external as a poultice or ointment for skin irritations and inflammation as well as for skin ulcers. Internally chickweed has a reputation for treating rheumatism and bronchitis. Contains high amounts of Vitamin C. It is mainly used today as a cream applied liberally several times each day to rashes and inflammatory skin conditions.

*no well known drug interactions

#1. skin conditions, eczema, wounds, ulcers
#2. it can be eaten in salad tastes like spinach

Ref:
www.naturalmedicine.com Prock, Deborahe ND 9-24-09
The New Age Herbalist, Richard Mabey pg 39-40

Submitted by: Jyll Renee, Master Herbologist (Click here to learn more about Jyll Renee.)

Bucha (Agathosma betulina)

Becki Baumgartner — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 19:41:11 +0000

BUCHA

By Jyll Renee

Botanical name: Agathosma betulina

Common name: Bucha

Habitat: Bucha is a low shrub native to the cape region of South Africa

Info: Bucha leaf preparations have a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine as a urinary tract disinfectant and diuretic. Buchu leaves are one of the best diuretics known. As with most diurectics, bucha works better if taken as a cool water infusion. Since it is taken with uva ursi for urinary infections and cystitis, it is worth noting that neither of these herbs should be subjected to boiling as this dissipates their active principles and volatile oils.

Constituents: Essential oils with barosma camphor

*Not to be taken while pregnant or nursing.

Ref:
www.naturalmedicine.com Prock, Deborahe ND 9-19-09
The Way of Herbs, Michael Tierra, L.Ae, O.M.D pg. 103-104

Submitted by: Jyll Renee, Master Herbologist (Click here to learn more about Jyll Renee.)

Wild Yam Root (Dioscorea villosa)

Becki Baumgartner — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 15:48:17 +0000

WILD YAM ROOT

By Jyll Renee, Master Herbologist

Botanical name: Dioscorea villosa

Common name: Colic root, Rheumatism Root, Devils Bones

Habitat: Wild Yam plants are found across the mid west and eastern United States, Latin America (especially in Mexico), and Asia. Several different species exist, all of which possess similar constituents and properties. The root is medicinally.

Info: Wild Yam is used for many different ailments, high cholesterol, menopause, billiary colic, pains of gallstones, menstrual cramps, arthritic and rheumatic pains, abdominal and intestinal cramps. Wild yam has been used by herbalists as an expectorant for people with coughs. Eventually, it was discovered that the saponins from wild yam could be converted industrially into cortisone, estrogens and progesterone – like compounds. Wild yam and other plants with similar constituents continue to e a source for these drugs.

Personal Info: I use wild yam root in a wonderful “Moon Cycle Tincture” The wild yam root is a natural progesterone but also nourishes the systems by providing anti-oxidant properties to the system. The steroidal saponins (such as disgenin) account for some of the activity of wild yam. Another compound, discoretine has been shown in animal studies to lower blood sugar levels. Wild yam was also found in clinical trial to have anti-oxidant properties and raised HDL, the “good” cholesterol in adults

Properties: Anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory, cholagogue, diaphoretic, expectorant

Ref:
www.altnature.com/gallery/wild_yam 1-1-09
www.naturalmedicine.com Deborahe Prock ND
Magic and Medicine of Plants. Readers Digest pg. 341

Submitted by: Jyll Renee, Master Herbologist (Click here to learn more about Jyll Renee.)

Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)

Becki Baumgartner — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 15:39:06 +0000

FEVERFEW

by Jyll Renee, Master Herbologist

Botanical Name: Tanacetum parthenium

Common name: Feverfew

Habitat: Feverfew grows widely across Europe and North America. The leaves are used in herbal medicine.

Info: The main users of the herb feverfew are for headaches and arthritis. Feverfew is one of a handful of medicinal plants to be thoroughly scientifically investigated. In 1978 several British newspapers carried the story of a woman who had cured her severe migraine headaches with feverfew leaves. In a subsequent clinical study 7 out of 10 patients taking feverfew claimed that their migraine attacks were less frequent or less painful of both. Further studies reveal that feverfew has other medicinal benefits, relieving nausea and vomiting, allaying the inflammation and pain of arthritis, promoting a restful sleep, improving digestion and relieving asthma attacks.

Personal info: We keep feverfew tincture at our house for immediate relief from headaches. Feverfew is a beautiful herb and a must in one’s garden. Once I had a headache and the tincture was not finished so I put a feverfew leaf on a piece of bread and in a few minutes Voila’ no more headache! * Culpeper wrote that feverfew in wine might help those “troubled with melancholy and heaviness or sadness of spirits”.

*one side effect is associated with feverfew is mouth ulcers. If this occurs stop using the herb.

*at this time of writing, there were no well-known interactions with this herb.

Ref:
The New Age Herbalist, Richard Mabey, pg. 47
www.naturalmedicine.com Deborahe Prock ND

Submitted by: Jyll Renee, Master Herbologist (Click here to learn more about Jyll Renee.)

LuminEarth » Herb

Butcher’s Broom ~ Materia Medica by Jyll Renee’

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Herbal Blends: Why to Take & How to Make

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Vitex ~ Materia Medica by Jyll Renee’

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White Dutch Clover (Trifolium repens) ~ LuminEarth’s How to Identify Wild Edible & Medicinal Plants

The Books We Use:

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Spearmint Leaves (Mentha spicata)

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Rose Hips (Rosa app)

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Chickweed (Stellaria Media)

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Bucha (Agathosma betulina)

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Wild Yam Root (Dioscorea villosa)

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Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)

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