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Herb: Astragalus (huang qi, pronounced hwang chee)
Use: A popular immune herb that also supports digestion. Often used for chronic conditions like fatigue syndromes or just run-down immunity and frequent infections; cancer treatment in China.
Dose: Usually 6 to12 g of the dried herb is simmered in 10 times the amount of water for 1 hour; small bottles of elixir for one dose; many formulas in pill form.
Duration: Up to a year or more. Considered a safe, tonic herb.

Herb: Codonopsis (dan shen)
Use: A revered tonic that is considered safe for long-term use, especially to strengthen the lungs and increase energy. Used for asthma and chronic bronchitis sufferers or for smokers.
Dose: From 6 to 15 g in tea form. Many formulas containing this herb are prescribed by Chinese herbalists.
Duration: Long-term use is common, for at least several weeks to several months.

Herb: Coptis
Use: A bright yellow herb that is widely popular for treating traveler’s diarrhea and other infections. Dose: Small tablets in a concentrated form can be taken orally or dissolved in water to treat sinus infections, diarrhea, and many other infections. In tea form, from 2 to 6 g per day, or 1 to 2 small yellow tablets of Huang Lian Su, up to twice daily with meals on the advice of a practitioner.
Duration: For several days up to two weeks when recommended by an experienced practitioner.

Herb: Dong Quai
Use: Arguably the world’s most commonly used herb. Often used daily as an energy and blood tonic by women in Asia and recommended for use before, during, and after menopause to “tonify” the female organs, increase energy, and strengthen vitality.
Dose: Used in tea form, in soups, in alcoholic elixirs, in formulas, and in capsule and tablet form.
Duration: Taken for several weeks and as needed long term, sometimes used as a food item in soups and stews with its celery-like flavor.

Herb: Ginseng
Use: Widely considered the premier energy herb. Red ginseng is recommended for people 40 and older because it is considered “warm.” White ginseng is used in energy, sports, and digestive formulas and to improve alertness. American ginseng is used for chronic fatigue, long-term weakness, and recovery from illness.
Dose: Typically, 6 to 9 g is used in tea form each day. Found in many kinds of products—elixirs, tablets, capsules, skin care products, and many others–– ginseng is among the most popular of herbs.
Duration: Red ginseng is used commonly for up to a month or two. White ginseng may be used longer, and American ginseng is often considered safe for use on and off for months or years, especially in the elderly.

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Labels: astragalus, Chinese Herbal Healing, dong quai, ginseng, herbs, Traditional Chinese Medicine

Contrary to what you might think, horsetail does not, in fact, come from a horse's ass. Horsetail, a plant that is fernlike in quality, has been used since ancient Greek and Roman times for medicinal purposes, such as healing cuts and treating tuberculosis.

As far as beauty is concerned, the extracts from the horsetail plant help stimulate the skin and the production of elastin and collagen and protect the skin from oxidation. Hence, you'll often find this ingredient in antiaging products. This restorative ingredient not only helps to tone the skin but is also used to help repair brittle fingernails.

Try Honeybee Gardens Odorless Nail Polish Remover ($7) or The Glacial Facial Masque ($34) by Alaska Glacial Mud Company.

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Labels: anti-aging, collagen, elastin, herbs, horsetail, natural products, natural therapy

Before you reach into your medicine cabinet to take care of a headache, stuffy nose, or upset stomach, you might want to consider treating your everyday ailments with natural remedies.

They take a little longer to work than their conventional counterparts, but may prove more effective, according to Body + Soul magazine Senior Editor Terri Trespicio.

She looked into Mother Nature's medicine cabinet on "The Early Show Saturday Edition," noting the surprising healing power of herbal remedies. They could be just what the doctor ordered.

PAIN RELIEF

Mild headaches: Tiger balm. Chinese ointment contains menthol and can ease pain when rubbed into neck or temples.

Arthritis pain: Turmeric, fish oil. All show promise in helping ease pain. Talk to your healthcare professional for dosage.

COLD CURES

Elderberry syrup: Research suggests it can fight the flu and may ease symptoms of cold.

Garlic: What you eat matters! Get plenty of raw or lightly cooked garlic, which contains antiviral compounds. Add thyme to soups and salad dressing.

COUGH

Eucalyptus oil in a pot of boiling water can help loosen phlegm. Just tent a towel over your head and breathe deeply.

Licorice root and marshmallow root can also help calm a cough - look for teas containing these herbs and sip throughout the day. For example, a tea called Organic Throat Coat combines several herbs.

CONSTIPATION

High fiber foods: Eat plenty of fruits, veggies, whole grains and beans. Sprinkle some ground flaxseed on cereal or in smoothies. Also, drink plenty of room-temperature water.

Triphala: Herbal supplement from the Ayurvedic tradition that can get things moving. Take supplement as noted on bottle.

ALLERGY

Quercetin: This flavonoid compound, found in apples and onions, can also help fight allergy symptoms. It's preventive, though, so allow 6-8 weeks to build it up in your system. Typical dose: 400 mg twice a day between meals.

Stinging nettle: In tincture, teas or freeze-dried capsules. Consume half teaspoon of tincture three times a day, a month before allergy season. Drink 2-3 cups of nettle tea, or follow directions on capsule bottle.

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Labels: alternative treatments, arthritis, garlic, herbs, holistic healing, Holistic Health, natural therapy, nettles, quercetin, tiger balm

Ayurvedic medicine is designed to restore body balance so the body can heal itself without dependence on pills or powders. In Ayurveda there is a classic remedy for the digestive process called Trikatu. Trikatu actually resets the ability for you to digest your own food rather then do the digesting for you. It is a simple combination of Ginger, Black Pepper and Long Pepper:

• Ginger is perhaps one of the worlds finest digestive aids that won't overheat the digestive process.
• Black Pepper stimulates the flow of your own digestive enzymes.
• Long Pepper helps to strengthen the digestion and break down hard to digest foods - and like ginger it won't overheat the digestive process.

Trikatu can restore normal and healthy digestive function for a patient who has poor digestion (ie. gas, bloating, heavy stomach, indigestion, constipation and abdominal pain) and then steadily wean off it.

Please Note: If you have a tendency towards heart burn or acid reflux, you may benefit more from the herbal formula Cool Digest, which also strengthens digestion but cools cools acidity and heat in the upper digestive tract.

While there is a time and place for digestive enzymes as a medicine for short term use to help your digestion in an emergency, long term use is just not in your best interest. Regular use of digestive enzymes weakens your digestion because your body no longer has to do the work itself and you will then become dependent on them. It's similar to exercise - if you stop exercising you start to atrophy and become weak.

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Labels: ayurveda, digestion, digestive enzymes, ginger, herbs, pepper, Trikatu, zymes

Researchers in Australia have found a traditional extract of Kava, a medicinal plant from the South Pacific, to be safe and effective in reducing anxiety. The results of a world-first clinical trial which found that a water-soluble extract of kava was effective in treating anxiety and improving mood. The kava was prescribed in the form of tablets.

Read full article here....

Labels: anxiety, good mood, herbs, Kava, medicinal plant, natural therapy, study

• Butterbur. The herb butterbur (Petasites hybridus), which comes from a European shrub, shows potential for relieving seasonal allergy symptoms. In one Swiss study, butterbur was just as effective as the antihistamine Allegra for reducing symptoms of allergic rhinitis.
• Quercetin. This flavonoid, which is found naturally in onions, apples, and black tea, has anti-inflammatory properties and has been shown in research to block histamines.
• Stinging nettle. The roots and leaves of the stinging nettle plant (Urtica dioica) have been used to treat everything from joint pain to prostate problems. Although some people use freeze-dried stinging nettle leaves to treat allergy symptoms, there isn’t much research to show that it works.
• Nasal irrigation. Nasal irrigation with a combination of warm water, about a quarter-teaspoon of salt, and a quarter-teaspoon of baking soda may help clear out mucus and open sinus passages. You can administer the solution through a squeeze bottle or a neti pot -- a device that looks like a small teapot.

Just because a treatment says “natural” doesn’t mean that it is safe. Some herbal remedies can cause side effects or can react with medications you’re taking. Talk to your doctor before you start taking any herb or supplement.

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Labels: allergies, butterbur, herbs, holistic healing, nasal irrigation, natural therapy, neti pot, nettles

Tuina (Tui Na) is an Oriental Bodywork Therapy that has been used in China for 2,000 years. Tuina (Tui Na) uses the traditional Chinese medical theory of the flow of Qi through the meridians as its basic therapeutic orientation. Through the application of massage and manipulation techniques Tuina (Tui Na) seeks to establish a more harmonious flow of Qi through the system of channels and collaterals, allowing the body the naturally heal itself.

Tuina (Tui Na) methods include the use of hand techniques to massage the soft tissue (muscles and tendons) of the body, acupressure techniques to directly affect the flow of Qi , and manipulation techniques to realign the musculoskeletal and ligamentous relationships (bone-setting). External herbal poultices, compresses, liniments, and salves are also used to enhance the other therapeutic methods.

In a typical session, the client, wearing loose clothing and no shoes, lies on a table or floor mat. The practitioner examines the specific problems of the client and begins to apply a specific treatment protocol. The major focus of application is upon specific pain sites, acupressure points, energy meridians, and muscles and joints. Advanced Tuina (Tui Na) practitioners may also use Chinese herbs to facilitate quicker healing. Sessions last from 30 minutes to 1 hour. Depending on the specific problems of the client, they may return for additional treatments. The client usually feels relaxed but energized by the treatment.

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Labels: acupressure, chi flow, Chinese Herbal Healing, herbs, holistic healing, massage, Qi, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tui Na, Tuina

Labels: hair, hair-care, healthy hair, herbs, natural products, organic beauty

For thousands of years, ginseng root has been one of the most popular and revered medicinal herbs in Asia. True ginseng, which goes by the scientific name Panax ginseng, is believed to have a rejuvenating effect on the whole body. In fact, the botanical/genus name Panax means “all-heal” in Greek, sharing the same origin as the word “panacea.”

The Chinese word for ginseng literally means “man root” because of the root’s characteristic forked shape that resemble the legs of a human. In Chinese mythology, Ginseng represents the human form, and has both physical and spiritual attributes. To learn more about this fascinating herb, download this article “Demystifying Ginseng.”

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Labels: Chinese Herbal Healing, ginseng, herbs, holistic healing, Panax ginseng, Traditional Chinese Medicine

Ginseng

For centuries, ginseng has had a reputation for being sexually invigorating and rejuvenating. But is it true? Yes, according to scientific research. Recently, a team of scientists studied the efficacy of Korean red ginseng in 45 patients with ED. Using several means to calculate the efficacy of the herb, including the International Index of Erectile Function, scores were significantly higher in patients who took red ginseng than in those given a placebo. In fact, 60 percent of the patients taking ginseng reported improved erections. Ginseng is also known for its ability to help the body cope with stress, and stress is a common reason for low sex drive.

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), an Indian herb, is used to support mood and energy. Kilham says that ashwagandha is, without question, the single most popular herb in India. “I spent time in India and talked with a number of gynecologists and obstetricians,” he explains. “They all give ashwagandha to their patients as a matter of course for healthy fertility, menstruation, and as a general aphrodisiac.”

Maca

One of Kilham’s favorite herbs is the turnip-like Lepidium meyenii, or maca. “It packs a sexual punch,” he says. In a recent Peruvian study, researchers looked at the effect of maca on sexual desire in men. The results showed that with eight weeks of treatment with maca, the men had increased sexual desire. In another study, maca usage over four months resulted in an increase of seminal volume, sperm count, and motility. And maca isn’t just for men

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Labels: ashwagandha, fertility, ginseng, herbs, maca, sex

The godmother of American Herbalism, Rosemary Gladstar, gives her list of time-tested, essential herbs that can help treat dozens of women's health issues. Learn how to use them to treat women's health conditions naturally.

For dried herbs and supplies, try Jean's Greens or Mountain Rose Herbs.

1. Black Cohosh
Renowned and well studied as a menopause herb, black cohosh also helps ease PMS-related pain.

2. Wild Yam
A classic liver tonic, wild yam balances hormones and eases morning sickness. Seek out cultivated sources, since it's been overharvested in the wild.

3. Motherwort
A classic women's herb used for menopause symptoms, heart support, and painful or delayed menstruation.

4. Sage
This common garden plant helps reduce hot flashes and regulate mood swings during menopause.

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Labels: black cohosh, herbs, motherwort, Rosemary Gladstar, sage, wild yam, women's health

Youthtopia Age-Correcting Serum With Rhodiola is ORIGINS’ first foray into the antiaging category. In addition to the adaptogenic herb rhodiola, the item contains derivatives of the phytonutrient-rich, Himalayan-grown amalaki tree. “Rhodiola repairs and amalaki extends the repair,” says Lizz Starr, executive director of product development. The serum, launching this month for $50, also contains firming sweet almond extract, collagen-building soy peptides, moisturizing sunflower and cucumber extracts and calming geranium. “There’s a natural, organic trend in the market right now, but women still need to see the benefits,” says Jenny Belknap, vice president of global marketing.

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Labels: amalaki, anti-aging, beauty, herbs, organic, Origins, rhodiola

Basil can protect against the harmful effects of aging, according to research presented at the British Pharmaceutical Conference (BPC) in Manchester.

Holy basil, (Latin name Ocimum sanctum), is a close relative of the herb commonly used in Western cooking. Native to India, its extract has long been used in the ancient system of Ayurvedic medicine practiced in India and other parts of Asia as a rejuvenation drug, to promote a youthful state of physical and mental health.

In the first formal study of the herb, pharmacy researchers found that holy basil extract was effective at actively searching for and eliminating harmful molecules and protecting against damage caused by some free radicals in key organs such as the heart, liver and brain.

The researchers, led by Dr Vaibhav Shinde from Poona College of Pharmacy, Maharashtra, India, studied the herb for anti-oxidant and anti-aging properties.

Dr Shinde said: "The study validates the traditional use of herb as a youth-promoting substance in the Ayurvedic system of medicine. It also helps describe how the herb acts at a cellular level."

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Labels: anti-aging, ayurveda, basil, free radicals, herbs, Holistic Health, holy basil. tulsi

An adaptogenic herb long used by Russians and Scandinavians to alleviate stress, rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea) — or golden root — might be the new longevity wunderkind.

Adaptogens help the body cope with the effects of stress, and recent research at the University of California at Irvine found that fruit flies fed rhodiola lived 10% longer than those not fed the herb.

“Although this study does not present clinical evidence that rhodiola can extend human life, the finding that it does extend the lifespan of a model organism, combined with its known health benefits in humans, make this herb a promising candidate for further antiaging research,” says study author, Mahtab Jafari, PharmD. A typical dose is 100-200 mg a day.

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Labels: adaptogens, anti-aging, Golden Root, herbs, rhodiola, stress

Fertility Boost

Whether you're just thinking of getting pregnant or are struggling to conceive, herbs can provide support. Classic tonic herbs like nettle, raspberry leaf, lady's mantle, and dong quai deliver important minerals and strengthen the uterus.

To help treat infertility, I advise adding vitex and wild yam for endocrine-system support, plus ho shou wu (Polygonum multiflorum) and Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng), to nourish your body's deepest energy, or qi.

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Labels: Chinese Herbal Healing, dong quai, fertility, herbs

Skin toners are the next step after a facial cleansing routine. Skin toners ensure complete removal from the skin of all cleansing preparations. They freshen and tone up the skin and prepare a clean surface for the application of make-up. They also restore the acid or alkali balance of the skin, because they are pH balanced. They are designed to penetrate pores, refresh and cool your skin while clearing away excess oil, impurities and dead skin cells that were not removed with your cleanser.

Toners restore the skin's natural pH balance. When you wash your face, the pH balance of the skin is distorted leading to skin working overtime to restore pH levels; the process of skin restoring the pH levels on its own can take up as much as half and hour or more. By using a skin toner, the pH level of your skin is restored instantly.

Choose a toner appropriate for your skin type. Alcohol dries the skin and harms the soluble collagen below the surface of the skin. It is thus safer to use an alcohol-free toner.

The common herbs used in toners include witch hazel, geranium, honey, lemon, ivy, sage, nettle and burdock. Witch hazel has a tendency to dry the skin. It is ideal to combine it with moisturizers such as Vitamin E, honey, etc. Rosewater helps keep skin and face moisturized, fresh and balances the pH levels.

Essential oils are the gentlest way of toning up. Rose water for normal or dry/sensitive skin or witch hazel for oilier skins is ideal bases for fresheners. These can be applied with cotton wool, using smooth, gentle upward strokes or sprayed on to the face. Oily skin benefits from juniper or lemongrass whereas drier skins would benefit from rose or sandalwood.

Apply the skin toner to a cotton ball and sweep it gently across your face. The cotton wool should come out relatively clean when toning. If it is not clean it indicates the cleansing has not been done properly. Do not succumb to the temptation to tone the skin whenever you feel it has become dirty. It should be used only after the skin has completed a cleansing routine and not as a substitute for cleansing. So, remember that your toner must function as a toner and not as a cleanser.

Homemade Toner Recipes

Watermelon Toner

1 cup watermelon chunks, 2 tbsp witch hazel and 2 tbsp distilled water.

Purée watermelon chunks in a processor or blender. Strain the liquid and discard the solids. Mix the strained liquid with the remaining ingredients, stir and pour into a glass bottle. Dab on face using a cotton ball. This is rich in sugar and vitamins A, B and Watermelon has astringent properties, and the super high water content makes it an excellent skin refresher.

Rose Skin Toner

3 ½ cups of witch hazel, ½ cup dried rose petals and 5 sprigs of fresh rosemary.

Mix ingredients together making sure it is all blended well. Strain the blend and splash on your face after cleansing.

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Labels: essential oils, herbs, skin care, toner, watermelon

Not getting enough shut-eye can impact a lot more than your mood: Sleep deprivation heightens the risk of hypertension, depression, and heart attack.

These gentle remedies can help you rest easy:

Bach Rescue Sleep. Wandering mind keeping you wide awake? This mind-calming, mild-tasting tincture combines botanical extracts—rock rose, impatiens, clematis, star of Bethlehem, cherry plum, and white chestnut—to pacify anxiety and still repetitive thoughts.

Dreamerz. Infused with 0.3 mg of sleep-regulating melatonin and 150 mg of lactium—a protein derived from milk casein—which promotes relaxation, this nighttime beverage is also rich in calcium. Flavors include Chocolate S'Nores, Vanilla Van Winkle, and Crème de la REM (dark chocolate mint).

Hyland's Calms Forté. A homeopathic blend of passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), avena sativa, hops (Humulus lupulus), and chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) that alleviates irritability and tension to lull you into deep sleep.

White Dove Herbals Sound-A-Sleep. One packet of this single-serving herbal elixir relaxes muscles, lowers blood pressure, quiets the nervous system, and induces drowziness. Contains a variety of herbs, including chamomile for proper digestion and valerian (Valeriana officinalis) to ease restlessness.

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Labels: herbs, Holistic Health, natural products, natural therapy, sleep

Sally Kravich, a natural health expert and herbalist for 25 years, recommends these easy-to-grow healthy herbs.
(Keep in mind the more concentrated the source, the more dramatic the benefits.)

Borrow a strategy from Asian chefs and plant cilantro, frequently used for detox diets to clear mercury and other heavy metals from the body.

Boil a bunch of parsley and steep for 10 minutes for an old-fashioned remedy to clear the kidneys and urinary tract.

Add fresh basil, mint or chamomile to your tea. Basil can be used to treat a variety of ills, including indigestion, colds, nausea, cramping and fevers. Mint has a calming effect on the digestive system, and chamomile is soothing as well.

Try cayenne pepper to kill bacteria and improve circulation. In the Middle East, it is used to guard against ulcers.

Turn to rosemary's healing properties to fend off headaches, as a substitute for aspirin.

And don't forget marigold, a natural insecticide to keep pesky bugs away from your garden.

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Labels: Chinese Herbal Healing, detox, eating healthy, herbs

This herb has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine as an immunity-booster.

It contains complex sugar molecules called polysaccharides, which some studies show stimulate virus-fighting cells in the immune system. Re-searchers at the University of Texas and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center have turned up convincing evidence that astragalus boosts immune responses in lab animals, and in human cells in lab dishes.

“The findings on immune enhancement are very strong,” Blumenthal says. “And though we don’t have good evidence for its effects on colds and flu, there’s good reason to think it could help.”

Worth a try for: Boosting immunity.
How to do it: Astragalus is available in a variety of herbal cold formulations and in stand-alone supplement capsules. Concentrations vary, so follow package directions for use.

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Labels: astragalus, herbs, Holistic Health, immunity, Traditional Chinese Medicine

Chrysanthemum Sinense (a.k.a. Tibetan chrysanthemum) has found its way into skin care products because of its anti-inflammatory and gentle pain-relieving qualities. Rich in minerals and amino acids, it cools and calms the body. Since it helps reduce blurred vision and eye pain, you will likely see Tibetan chrysanthemum in products targeted at correcting puffy eyes. In Chinese culture, it's common to incorporate chrysanthemum tea into a meal because it also helps cleanse and protect the liver and kidneys from toxins.

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Labels: Chinese Herbal Healing, Chrysanthemum Sinense, Chrysanthemum tea, herbs, Tibetan Chrysanthemum