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Herbal Products Glossary
Herbal Products
Here I have listed a number of herbal products that are on the market which don't fit into any of the preceding pages and are arranged in alphabetical order to help you find them.
Artichoke
Artichoke is best known as an edible vegetable, but the extract is taken from the lower leaves and has been used since early Greek times not only as a delicious vegetable, but also as an herbal remedy.
Benefits of artichoke extract include an increase in and healthy bile secretion, liver health, lowering of cholesterol levels and support a healthy digestive system.
Boldo
Boldo is a small shrub similar to an evergreen tree. Native to Chile, it was brought to Europe hundreds of years ago, where it grows in abundance, especially in the Mediterranean region. The leaves are used medicinally, and support body's natural response to inflammation; supports liver and gastrointestinal function and may increase gastric secretions.
Boldo contains several active ingredients, including alkaloids, flavonoids and volatile oils. The major alkaloid found is called boldine, which is believed to stimulate the production of bile and act as a diuretic. Another compound found in the plant’s oil, ascaridole, has been used to fight parasites but is also quite toxic. In South America, boldo has been used as a liver tonic and treatment for gallstones. When used in conjunction with other herbs such as cascara, rhubarb and gentian, some studies have found that boldo improves symptoms related to loss of appetite.
Should not be used in conjunction with blood thinners without consulting your GP.
Cats Claw
This is a woody vine that can grow over 100 feet high in the Peruvian rain forests and takes its name from the claw like bracts at the base of each leaf.
An alkaloid rich plant which supports and stimulates the immune system and shows anti-viral properties, and is said to aid in the treatment of a number of degenerative diseases. Used in South America to maintain overall health.
Echinacea
One of the most common herbs in use and even recommended by the World Health Organization. The extract has been shown to stimulate the immune system, increasing the white blood and spleen cells, as well as improving the removal of foreign material from the blood.
Purifies the blood, stimulates sweat production and has anti-body and antiseptic properties. Reduces the incidence and duration of common ailments such as colds and flu, and also for chronic infections of the lower urinary and respiratory tracts.
Feverfew
Discovered by the ancient Greeks who used feverfew to reduce inflammation and to help control menstrual cramping. The main ingredient is parthenolide, a compound that helps control the dilation and constriction of blood vessels in the brain.
Used regularly, feverfew can help prevent and relieve migraine pain and most people notice a decrease in migraine attacks after taking feverfew each morning for 2 or more months. May also help in relieving inflammatory conditions such as arthritis.
Garlic
Again an old remedy used principally as a good, all round body maintenance herb particularly for older people, and helps to maintain a healthy heart and circulatory system. Available from some suppliers in an odorless form.
Helps keep blood pressure down, lowers cholesterol levels, protects blood vessels from free radical damage and displays antioxidant activity, stimulates the immune system and has anti-inflammatory effects.
Ginkgo Biloba
Again, one of the oldest and most popular herbs widely used and prescribed by healthcare professionals with useful benefits to the blood.
Improves blood circulation by making the blood less sticky and improves the oxygen supply to the heart, an oxidant and can be beneficial in the general maintenance of good health and longevity. Popularly used to improve brain function, sharpens brain reflexivity, can reduce the effects of vertigo, treats headache and muscle pain, inhibits blood clotting, and can help with hearing difficulties. May help to treat impotence.
People using ant-coagulants and blood thinning drugs should consult their GP before taking this herb.
Horse Chestnut
These seeds are known for their strengthening effect on the veins and capillaries that carry the blood and are thought to be due to their stabilizing effect on cell membranes.
May help promote vein structure and help in the management of varicose veins, thus reducing leg pain, a treatment for edema, and may help treat cellulite.
Kava Kava
Discovered in the eighteenth century, when Europeans arrived at the Polynesian Islands, they found the local people drinking the ground up powder of the kava plant. It has been shown to have a calming, anti-anxiety effect, a mild sedative, muscle relaxing and local anesthetic qualities, also stimulating concentration.
Has a calming effect and helps prevent insomnia. Effective for the treatment and relief from anxiety in adults, reduces anxiety and depression in menopausal women.
There was some anecdotal evidence suggesting that this product may cause some long term liver damage, but it has now been confirmed by the Chief Medical Officer in the UK, that the toxic effects of Kava Kava outweigh the benefits.
Milk Thistle
The active extract from the fruit of the milk thistle is called Silymarin. It is best taken after large amounts of food and alcohol are consumed. Due to this it is often called "The morning after the night before" herb.
Muira Puama
Has a long history as an aphrodisiac and comes from the Brazilian Amazon. The roots and bark of this shrub are traditionally brewed into a tea to treat erectile dysfunction and is recognized as an approved treatment by the British Herbal Pharmacopeias. Also recognized as easing PMS symptoms.
St John's Wort
The active ingredient in St John's Wort is hypericin and is widely used in northern European countries to offset the dispiriting effects of those long Winter nights and short daylight hours.
An anti-depressant used to relieve mild depression, anxiety and unrest, and helps to repair nerve damage, calming nervous conditions and relieving insomnia. Has been shown to have anti-viral and anti-fungal properties, and reduces menstrual cramping.
Valerian
The root of the herb is high in valerenic acid which is reported to promote good quality sleep without the hangover effects sometimes experienced with some of the modern drugs available from the chemist.
Valerian is strong smelling, and while this may sometimes be masked by the addition by some companies of peppermint and/or vanilla, the odor is an indication of a good quality product. Effective for sleep aid for adults, PMS related pain, gall bladder and kidney stone pain, and has general pain relieving properties.
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