Product Education

Herb-Astragalus

Astragalus has been used in China for thousands of years. The herb is native to northern China. The root is used for medicinal purposes and is collected in the spring after it is 4-7 years old. While there are over 2000 types, the only one that has extensive research on it is the Chinese version. The Chinese name “Huang Qi” means yellow leader because of its importance to Chinese medicine and the color of the root. Also known as “Milk Vetch,” Astragalus is used as food and fodder crops. Astragalus belongs to the Leguminosae family and has seed pods that resemble beans.

Herb-Buckthorn

Buckthorn should not be used to treat constipation resulting from excessive tension (bloating, impaction, torsion, blockage and that kind of thing) in the colon wall. Alder Buckthorn bark is toxic and violently purgative when fresh, but is safe once dried and stored for a year. The berries may also be harmful if eaten.

Herb-Burdock

How Burdock is used and how it Works: Burdock promotes flow of secretions of the body without irritating qualities. It has a gentle laxative effect and stimulates digestive action within the stomach.

Herb-Butcher’s Broom | butchers broom

Mature branches were once bundled and used as brooms by butchers. Young shoots were eaten as food. Early physicians used the roots as a diuretic in the treatment of urinary problems. It was also used to treat menstrual bleeding, bladder stones, jaundice, and headache. Butcher’s broom decreases vascular permeability.

Herb-Chaparral

There have been reports of people developing problems with their liver and kidneys. In most cases the people were taking either Chaparral capsules or drinking excessive amounts of Chaparral tea. Some people were reported to have had previous liver disease. It is possible that these could be individual reactions to the herb. The strong taste of Chaparral is disagreeable to most people. This makes it hard to take too much internally before getting nauseous.

Herb-Comfrey

Comfrey contains allantoin which is a cell-proliferant which helps repair damaged tissue. It promotes the knitting together of bones and ligaments. The herb also contains rosmarinic acid which is an anti-inflammatory property.

Herb-Ginger

Although ginger originated in India and China, the root is now cultivated all over the world as a spice, food alternative, and medicinal herb. The plant can be propagated through rhizome division and then harvested after about 10 months.

Herb-Hydrangea Root

Hydrangea root was used by the American Indian (esp. Cherokee) as a remedy for kidney and bladder stones and is currently being studied as a treatment for malaria. ‘Annabelle’ and ‘Grandiflora’ are commonly available cultivars. Propagation is best by softwood cuttings in May-June or by division in late winter or early spring. Smooth Hydrangea is hardy in zones 4-9.

Herb-Irish Moss

Those people on blood thinners and anticoagulants should consult their doctor before taking this herb (which is a sea vegetable) as it does thin the blood a bit. Some people may be allergic. One resource I read said that carragheenans were suspected of being carcinogenic and could possibly cause ulcerative colitis, but Dr. John Christopher (a famous herbalist) uses it in many ways not even discussed here and often for cancer.

Herb-Milk Thistle

The white markings on the leaves are very distinct and are said to be caused by the Virgin Mary’s milk, hence its name. It is self-seeding and prefers sunny locations, usually found along roadsides. Milk Thistle has been used medicinally for more than 2000 years. The plant is listed as a weed in some countries. The attractive flowers and stems are grown for ornamental purposes. The stems may be removed to prolong its attractive appearance.

Natural Health Techniques