medicinal herbs (teas)

Feel free to post your medicinal herbs. I'll start off with this one:

Moringa Olifeira (the miracle tree)

• 9 times the protein of yogurt
• 10 times the vitamin A of carrots
• 15 times the potassium of bananas
• 17 times the calcium of milk
• 12 times the vitamin C of oranges
• 25 times the iron of spinach

Overwiew

Moringa is a plant that is native to the sub-Himalayan areas of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. It is also grown in the tropics. The leaves, bark, flowers, fruit, seeds, and root are used to make medicine.

Moringa is used for “tired blood” (anemia); arthritis and other joint pain (rheumatism); asthma; cancer; constipation; diabetes; diarrhea; epilepsy; stomach pain; stomach and intestinal ulcers; intestinal spasms; headache; heart problems; high blood pressure; kidney stones; fluid retention; thyroid disorders; and bacterial, fungal, viral, and parasitic infections.

Moringa is also used to reduce swelling, increase sex drive (as an aphrodisiac), prevent pregnancy, boost the immune system, and increase breast milk production. Some people use it as a nutritional supplement or tonic.

Moringa is sometimes applied directly to the skin as a germ-killer or drying agent (astringent). It is also used topically for treating pockets of infection (abscesses), athlete’s foot, dandruff, gum disease (gingivitis), snakebites, warts, and wounds.

Oil from moringa seeds is used in foods, perfume, and hair care products, and as a machine lubricant.

Moringa is an important food source in some parts of the world. Because it can be grown cheaply and easily, and the leaves retain lots of vitamins and minerals when dried, moringa is used in India and Africa in feeding programs to fight malnutrition. The immature green pods (drumsticks) are prepared similarly to green beans, while the seeds are removed from more mature pods and cooked like peas or roasted like nuts. The leaves are cooked and used like spinach, and they are also dried and powdered for use as a condiment.

The seed cake remaining after oil extraction is used as a fertilizer and also to purify well water and to remove salt from seawater.

Uses

• Balances Hormones
• Asthma. In an early study, taking 3 grams of moringa twice daily for three weeks reduced asthma symptoms and the severity of asthma attacks in adults.
• Increasing breast milk production. Early evidence suggests that taking 250 mg of a specific moringa supplement (Natalac) twice daily after childbirth
• “Tired blood” (anemia).
• Arthritis.
• Cancer.
• Constipation.
• Birth control.
• Diabetes.
• Diarrhea.
• Epilepsy.
• Stomach pain (gastritis).
• Stomach and intestinal ulcers.
• Headache.
• Heart problems.
• High blood pressure.
• Kidney stones.
• Swelling (inflammation).
• Thyroid disorders.
• Infections.
• As a nutritional supplement.
• Stimulating immunity.
• Increasing sex drive.
• Other conditions.

applied to the skin

• Athlete’s foot.
• Dandruff.
• Warts.
• Skin infections.
• Snakebites.
• Gum disease (gingivitis).
• Other conditions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WBjMNSshMg

Gotu kola

Overview

Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) has been used to treat many conditions for thousands of years in India, China, and Indonesia. It was used to heal wounds, improve mental clarity, and treat skin conditions.

Uses

• Decreased return of blood from the feet and legs back to the heart (venous insufficiency). Taking gotu kola or a specific extract of gotu kola (Centellase) by mouth for 4-8 weeks seems to improve blood circulation and reduce swelling in people with poor blood circulation in the legs.
• Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). People with atherosclerosis have fatty deposits called plagues along the lining of their blood vessels. There is some evidence that taking gotu kola for 12 months might help stabilize these plaques so they are less likely to break off and trigger clot formation, causing a heart attack or stroke.
• Mental function. Early research suggests that taking a combination of gotu kola, ginkgo, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) for 4 months does not improve mental function in healthy elderly adults.
• Preventing blood clots in the legs while flying. Gotu kola might help prevent blood clots related to long plane flights. Developing evidence suggests that gotu kola might decrease fluid and improve blood circulation in people traveling on airplanes for more than 3 hours. However, it is not known if this finding translates into fewer blood clots.
• Increasing circulation in people with diabetes. Taking gotu kola for 6-12 months might help increase circulation and decrease fluid retention in people with diabetes whose small blood vessels have been damaged by their disease.
• Poor brain function related to liver disease. Early research suggests that taking a specific product containing gotu kola, brahmi, ginkgo, cat’s claw, and rosemary (CognoBlend) twice daily for 5 weeks, in addition to standard therapy, improves symptoms in people with poor brain function related to liver disease better than standard therapy.
• Excess scar tissue (keloids). There is some evidence that applying and extract of gotu kola known as madecassol to the skin might help reduce excess scar tissue.
• Red, scaly skin (psoriasis). Some evidence suggests that applying gotu kola on the skin might help reduce symptoms of psoriasis.
• Scarring. Early research suggests that applying a specific gotu kola cream (Alpha centella, not available in the U.S.) to the skin twice daily for 6-8 weeks after the removal of stitches might help reduce scarring.
• Schistosomiasis. There is some evidence that gotu kola injected by a healthcare provider might help bladder wounds caused by a parasitic infection called schistosomiasis.
• Stretch marks associated with pregnancy. Early research suggests that applying a specific mixture of gotu kola, vitamin E, and a collagen compound in a cream (Trofolastin, not available in the U.S.) daily during the last 6 months of pregnancy might reduce stretch marks. There is also some evidence that another specific mixture of gotu kola, vitamin E, essential fatty acids, hyaluronic acid, elastin, and menthol in an ointment (Verum, not available in the U.S.) might help prevent stretch marks during pregnancy.
• Wound healing. Some evidence suggests that applying gotu kola on the skin might help improve wound healing.
• Fatigue.
• Anxiety.
• Common cold and flu.
• Sunstroke.
• Tonsillitis.
• Urinary tract infection (UTI).
• Hepatitis.
• Jaundice.
• Diarrhea.
• Indigestion.
• Other conditions.

GOTU KOLA Side Effects & Safety

Gotu kola is POSSIBLY SAFE in pregnant women when applied to the skin. However, not enough is known about the safety of taking gotu kola by mouth during pregnancy. Avoid taking gotu kola by mouth if you are pregnant. There also is not enough reliable information about the safety of using gotu kola during breast-feeding. Avoid using any form of gotu kola if you are nursing.

Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Gotu kola is POSSIBLY SAFE in pregnant women when applied to the skin. But don’t take it by mouth. Not enough is known about the safety of taking gotu kola orally. There also isn’t enough known about the safety of using gotu kola during breast-feeding. Avoid using it if you are nursing.

Liver disease:
There is concern that gotu kola might cause liver damage. People who already have a liver disease such as hepatitis should avoid using gotu kola. It might make liver problems worse.

Surgery:
Gotu kola might cause too much sleepiness if combined with medications used during and after surgery. Stop using gotu kola at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

GOTU KOLA Interactions

Major Interaction Do not take this combination

• Sedative medications (CNS depressants) interacts with GOTU KOLA
• Large amounts of gotu kola might cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Medications that cause sleepiness are called sedatives. Taking gotu kola along with sedative medications might cause too much sleepiness.
• Some sedative medications include clonazepam (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), phenobarbital (Donnatal), zolpidem (Ambien), and others.
• Moderate Interaction Be cautious with this combination
• Medications that can harm the liver (Hepatotoxic drugs) interacts with GOTU KOLA

Gotu kola might harm the liver. Taking gotu kola along with medication that might also harm the liver can increase the risk of liver damage.

Some medications that can harm the liver include acetaminophen (Tylenol and others), amiodarone (Cordarone), carbamazepine (Tegretol), isoniazid (INH), methotrexate (Rheumatrex), methyldopa (Aldomet), fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), erythromycin (Erythrocin, Ilosone, others), phenytoin (Dilantin), lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), simvastatin (Zocor), and many others.

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supple...&#vit_overview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gI8sjdJP05E

I 'borrowed' this article from member DI1ck:

http://www.theapricity.com/forum/sho...28#post4188028

Anti-inflammatory Herb Offers Relief from Arthritis

This is great news for all those suffering with arthritis.

Boswellia extract is derived from trees that grow in dry, mountainous areas of the Middle East, Northern Africa and India. This branching tree is well-known in the folk medicine traditions of these areas for profound healing and anti-inflammatory qualities. While there are 25 species of Boswellia, one called Boswellia serrata has the most effective medicinal effects.

The anti-inflammatory properties of Boswellia extract have drawn interest from medical professionals looking to treat inflammatory conditions. Medical issues like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, tendonitis and bursitis are just some of the inflammatory diseases that can benefit from Boswellia extract.

Boswellia extract can help ease numerous arthritis symptoms

Arthritis affects the musculoskeletal system of the body and is characterized by swollen, painful joints, stiffness, and knots in the affected area. It can be more difficult to move and engage in normal daily activities when arthritis is flaring up. The onset and progression of the disease can be affected by genetics, family history, weight issues, past injuries, infection and allergies.

Of course, certain lifestyle changes can have a positive effect against arthritis, including regular exercise, losing weight if needed, eating a healthier diet, and in some cases, taking medication for pain and inflammation. However, the natural compound Boswellia has shown great promise in combating inflammation and the effects of arthritis.

Boswellia extract also helps conditions like inflammatory bowel disease and inflammation of the colon due to its potent anti-inflammatory properties. Boswellia also contains compounds that help to release blocks in the arteries, regulate blood lipids, protect the liver, and ease pain.

A cascade of positive body chemicals and reactions

Boswellia’s most potent medicinal properties are in the tree resin. The acids and compounds it contains promote positive body chemistry and reactions including the production of free radicals. This aids in creating the anti-inflammatory response in the body, which leads to a cascade of healing effects.

Some of the best health benefits include: a reduction of pain, swelling and other symptoms associated with the various forms of arthritis.

A 2003 study tested Boswellia serrata extract in persons with osteoarthritis of the knee. One group received the extract, while another received a placebo for eight weeks; then the two groups reversed. (keep reading for the results)

A safe, natural way to improve quality of life

Those taking the Boswellia extract reported a significant reduction in pain and swelling while flexibility and comfort increased. Those taking the extract were also able to walk longer distances. Other studies of persons with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis showed that they received health benefits from Boswellia extract as well.

Clearly, there are analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of Boswellia extract. While there is no established ideal dosage, some reports indicate between 150 mg and up to 400 mg per day can be ideal depending upon current health status.

Keep in mind, if you’re taking other medications – you should consult a medical doctor about possible drug interactions before taking Boswellia extract for arthritis.

References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12622457
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24848732
http://www.lifeextension.com/Magazin...wellia/Page-02

Anti-inflammatory Herb Offers Relief from Arthritis

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhLDMUwuqfI

As a child I would pick herbs for my father for him to make tea of. Those were good days.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Herr Abubu

As a child I would pick herbs for my father for him to make tea of. Those were good days.

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Yeah son, i remember those days.

I can imagine that.