(Key: Tox = Toxicity)
Alfalfa
-mineral-rich due to its root structure
-given as sprouts or seeds
-helps decrease cholesterol and increase appetite
-poultice for insect bites
Tox: can cause oxidative stress to red blood cell membranes
Aloe Vera
-known for its healing effects
-helps with constipation, pancreatic health, diabetes, minor burns and wound healing
Tox: rare (poss. damage to gallbladder)
Bilberry
-entire plant can be used (berries and leaves)
-helps with atherosclerosis, cataracts, macular degeneration, night blindness, retinopathy, circulatory probs, varicose veins and bruising
-also used for UTIs, kidney stones and diabetes
Tox: none
Boswellia
-natural pain reliever
-helps bursitis, degenerative disc disease and rheumatoid arthritis
-increases effectiveness of glucosamine
Tox: rare (skin rash, diarrhea and nausea)
Burdock
-root is used (sweet-tasting); sold as tea
-helps with acne, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout
-blood purifier (cleanses) and has diuretic properties
-can be used to treat painful joints
Tox: stimulates uterine contractions in late-stage pregnancies
Catnip (Nepeta Cataria)
-flowers and leaves used
-sedative in humans
-helps with insomnia and cough
Cayenne or Capsicum
-fruit is used
-helps stimulate regrowth in nervous tissue
-aids in circulation
-helps in bursitis, osteoarthritis, psoriasis, RA and shingles
Tox: burn or irritation of skin when used topically (wash hands after using)
Chamomile
-daisy family; flower used
-helps with canker sores, colic, diarrhea, eczema, gingivitis, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome, peptic ulcer (acne and razor burns too)
-used as tea to relax colon and entire body when used 2-3x/day b/w meals
Tox: bronchoconstriction and skin irritation from cream
Dandelion
-entire plant used
-pregnancy support: decreases water retention
-only diuretic that works without depleting potassium
-stimulates gallbladder to aid in fat digestion
Tox: people with gallstones can have a stone block the duct, seems to increase stomach acid production
Echinacea
-supports immune system
-helps with colds, sore throat, Crohns, immune function problems, flu, recurrent ear and yeast infections
-increases white blood cell production and interferon production
-should not be taken daily longer than 10-14 days at a time
Tox: non-toxic if taken orally (can cause problems for those with scleroderma)
Eyebright
-helps with blepharitis (eyelid inflammation), conjunctivitis and irritated eyes
-used as poultice on the eyes
Garlic
–Garlic the Great!
-helps with heart and cardiovascular health: atherosclerosis, congestive heart failure, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and chronic yeast infections
-anitmicrobial, antiviral, antifungal
-decreases risk of stomach, esophageal and colon cancers
-chewing releases subsets of allicin called allylsulfides +vinyldithins (rebuild soft tissues)
-lowers viscosity of blood: decreases platelet stickiness, triglycerides and adherence to vessel lumen
Tox: bad breath or mild indigestion (use elephant garlic instead)
Ginko Biloba
-antioxidant, especially to central nervous system
-inhibits platelet stickiness
Tox: none
Ginseng
-helps with aerobic activity, alzheimers, atherosclerosis, chemo and radiation therapy (blahness and appetite loss), chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, male reproductive support
-should not be taken for more than 7 days at a time
Tox: hyperactivity, esp. with caffeine (can cause insomnia); not to be used by pregnant or lactating women
Golden Seal
-decreases inflammation in mucous membranes of body
-helps with common cold, sore throat, chrohns, recurrent ear infection, UTIs
-effective against Chlamydia, E.coli and Salmonella
-Tox: not to be taken daily or when pregnant
Hawthorn (Crataegus)
-helps with angina, atherosclerosis, congestive heart failure, hypertension and myocardial infarction (MI)
-helps with rehab after MI: improves cardiac blood flow as well as increasing cardiac contractions
Tox: none (not even to other heart meds)
Juniper
-helps with UTIs- increases urine production in humans
Tox: not to be used for more than 6 weeks or by person with kidney disease
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza)
-helps with asthma, bronchitis, fibromyalgia, indigestion, peptic ulcers
-used as demulcent (coating agent); cough syrup
-Tox: some people are highly allergic
Red Clover
-has an effect on estrogen
-role in osteoporosis and hot flashes
-seems to help prevent cancer, esp. breast and prostate
-helps with blood purification (w/Burdock)
Tox: none
Saw Palmetto
-helps with benign prostatic hypertrophy (best prevention with zinc)
-helps shrink prostate
-does not change PSA levels
Tox: none
St. John’s Wart
-used for depression, mood enhancement, vitiligo, recurrent ear infection in kids
-MAO inhibitor (increases serotonin levels)
Tox: photophobia, not to be mixed with foods that have tannins (red wine), casein (cheese), yeast (bread), or pickled herring; create bipolar-type episodes; not to be taken if pregnant or lactating; not to be taken with Rx anti-depressants; decreases effectiveness of AIDS and headache meds
Tea Tree Oil
-used for acne (prevents scarring later on), athletes foot, and superficial fungal infections
Tox: not to be used on broken skin
Valerian Root
-used for insomnia (after catnip and chamomile)
-its essential oils bind to GABA-A receptors to exert a sedating effect
-used to calm patients before MRI studies
Tox: do not take with alcohol; not be taken if pregnant or lactating; not to be used nightly