Various Herbs and Their Uses

Archive for the ‘Herbs and their uses’ Category

Black Root, Culvers Root

Name:

Black Root, Culvers Root, Culvers Physic, Physic Root,” Leptandra Virginica”, “Veronicastrum Virginicum”

Parts Used:

Dried Root, DO NOT USE FRESH ROOT!

Specific Uses:

North American Natives used this herb as a laxative and a detoxifier. It was also used as a remedy for liver disorders. This herb is acknowledged currently for addressing issues that are related to the liver and the gall bladder. It is also useful for skin problems that are related to liver issues.

Vitamin and Mineral Content:

Black Root contains saponins, tannins and volatile oil with esters of cinnamic acid, methoxycinnamic acid and dimethoxycinnamic acid.

Black Caraway

Name:

Black Cummin Seed, also known as Black Seed, Black Caraway, Seed of Blessing, Nigella Sativa

Parts Used:

Seed (harvested when ripe)

Specific Uses:

Black seed contains valuable unsaturated fatty acids, for example Linoleic and Gammalinolen acids. Linoleic acid stabilizes the cell membranes and Prostaglandin has the effect of inhibiting inflammation. These constituents can stop the immune reactions which cause the illnesses and which otherwise could be the start of many chronic illnesses like acne and hayfever.
Black seed (Nigella sativa) is considered to be one of the greatest healing herbs of all times. This herb has been used for millenniums to strengthen the immune system, cleanse the body, purify the blood, protect against irritants and support healthy longevity. Long forgotten this herb is now enjoying a positive and welcomed come-back.

Vitamin and Mineral Content:

Black seed is a valuable source of protein, carbohydrates, essential fatty acids, vitamins A, B1, B2, C and niacin it contains the minerals calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, selenium, magnesium and zinc. It also contains a saponin (melantin) and volatile oil.

Bladderwrack

Name:

Bladderwrack,

Parts Used:

Whole plant

Specific Uses:

Traditionally, bladderwrack’s main stem or thallus is used as an anti-inflammatory agent. It is said to soothe the irritated tissues of the body. Because of its rich iodine content, it is known for its curative effects on hypothyroidism. For years now, people who live in villages near the sea, has always been known to have low rates of hypothyroidism. In the past, it has also been used as a laxative. Maybe that’s why it is also used against obesity since this seaweed is known for its stimulus of the thyroid glands. Bladderwrack has a high content of iodine. It is generally taken as an antigoiter remedy. The plant appears to raise the metabolic rate by increasing the hormone production by the thyroid gland.

Vitamin and Mineral Content:

This seaweed contains polysaccharides, phenols, cellulose, mannite, mucilage, volatile oil, soda, iodine, and bromine compounds of sodium and potassium.

Bladderpod

Name:

Bladderpod; Lobelia, Emetic Weed, Emetic Herb, Indian Tobacco, Bladderpodded Lobelia

Parts Used:

Fresh or dried Aerial parts

Specific Uses:

Lobelia has been used medicinally as an expectorant, emetic, anti-asthmatic, stimulant, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, diuretic, and nervine. Lobelia is an excellent expectorant. It reduces inflammation and stimulates respiration. Lobelia has been used especially for its antispasmodic qualities to treat asthma and whooping cough. Lobelia is a powerful relaxing agent as well as being beneficial for allergies, coughs, colds and headaches. Lobelia was also considered a useful pain reliever and in higher amounts was used to induce vomiting in people who had been poisoned. Lobelia has a relaxing and diffusing influence on inflamed, feverish, hypersensitive and irritable conditions in the body. Lobelia can be made into a poultice for bruises, erysipelas, felons, insect bites, ringworm, sprains, and poison ivy irritation. Lobeline is an active respiratory stimulant, which relieves the bronchial spasms. Lobelia has also been used to help with nicotine addiction. An active ingredient in the lobelia plant, lobeline, is similar to nicotine in its effect on the body. Like nicotine, it stimulates nerves in the central nervous system.

Vitamin and Mineral Content:

Lobelia consists of various alkaloids, a bitter glycoside (lobelacrin), a pungent volatile oil (lobelianin), resin, gum, chelidonic acid and fats. The main alkaloid is lobeline, and others include lobelidine, lobelanine, nor-lobelaine, lobelanidine, nor-lobelanidine, lobeline and isolobenine, as well as fourteen pyridine alkaloids.

Beet Juice

Name:

Beat Juice

Parts Used:

Roots and leaves, juiced and dehydrated

Specific Uses:

Beet juice has traditionally been used as a natural health remedy to detoxify and build the blood. It contains betaine, a natural substance that helps liver function. More recently betaine has been included in nutritional supplements used to lower homocysteine in the blood. This is a substance that damages blood vessels and is considered a heart disease risk. It has also been noted that it contains high levels of nitrates. Nitrates are used to dilate blood vessels and thereby lower blood pressure. In study conducted by a medical school at a hospital in London it was concluded that beat juice has a substantial effect on lowering blood pressure.

Vitamin and Mineral Content:

Beet Juice contains sodium, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, sulphur, chlorine, Iodine, iron, copper, vitamin B1, B2, B6, vitamin C and niacin.

Barley Greens

Name:

Barley Green

Parts Used:

Whole sprouted plant.

Specific Uses:

This food heals the stomach, it is effective with duodenal and colon disorders. The chlorophyll contains enzymes, helps strengthen the immune system and fortifies blood.

Vitamin and Mineral Content:

Barley Grass is high in calcium (11 times the amount in milk), iron, all essential amino acids, chlorophyll, flavonoids, vitamin B1, vitamin B12, and vitamin C. It also has some of the much needed enzymes used in everyday body functions.