Lavender

Lavender and milky oats for nervous exhaustion and tension

Lavender and rosemary for headache with nervous tension

Lavender and feverfew for migraine

Lavender and catnip for colic in children

Lavender and peppermint for epigastric or abdominal discomfort with depression

𝗟𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗮 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄

We are all familiar with lavender’s calming and tranquilizing effects. It Calms the Heart Shen, i.e., anxiety, insomnia, palpitations. Calms Liver Yang rising and Liver Wind = headache, migraine, nervous tension.

As seen in rat studies, lavender has direct antispasmodic action on the intestines (Intestinal Qi disturbances); this is beneficial for IBS, gas, menstrual cramps, Crohn’s, intestinal colic, muscle spasms, etc.

It is also has a secondary effect as a mild circulatory stimulant. This gentle moving effect can move both Heart and Liver Qi, making it useful for mild depression, indigestion, bipolar disorder, anxiety-depression, etc.

𝗦𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗿𝗶 - 𝗦𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝟭𝟬𝟬 𝗵𝘂𝘀𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀

An herb often used for women’s health - Balances Vata & Pita, Increases Kapha

6 Things To Know About Shatavari

• Used for female reproductive disorders including PMS, infertility, endometriosis, prolapse, amenorrhea, uterine bleeding, etc.

• Menopausal symptoms of dry skin, vaginal dryness, lack of libido, night sweats

• Acts as an aphrodisiac 

• Helps nursing mothers increase milk supply

• Strengthens and soothes the digestive system, and is beneficial for diarrhea and constipation, indigestion, heartburn, gastric ulcers, Crohn’s, and IBS

• Enhances physical strength and energy

20 Things About Evening Primrose - Oenothera biennis - Sun Drops

• Native to North America

• Flowers open and release scent in the evenings and are pollinated by moths

• Parts used: root, root bark, leaf, flower, seed, stem

• Anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic (muscle tension, spasms, etc), astringent, diuretic, sedative  

Uses: 

• Native Americans used poultices for bruises and wounds, ingested for bowel pains, weight loss, and muscle strength

• Whooping cough, asthma, hiccups, COPD

• Gastrointestinal uses include IBS, IBD, colitis, poor digestion, vomiting, diverticulitis, chronic indigestion, chronic diarrhea

• Blood or mucus in urine, bladder spasms, nervous bladder

• Antidepressant - depression when toxins and waste have accumulated in the digestive tract

• Sluggish Liver and Liver inflammation

• Nervous exhaustion and anxiety

• Seeds were recommended as a coffee substitute in wartime

Evening Primrose Seed Oil:

• Yin tonic in Traditional Chinese Medicine 

• Contains Gamma lipoic acid (GLA) -essential fatty acids that help balance hormones and fight inflammation and Linolenic acid - contains fatty acids, supports Heart health, improves insulin sensitivity and Blood pressure

• Hypertension, anxiety, and fatigue

• Women: PMS, dysmenorrhea, endometriosis, sore breasts, fibrocystic breasts

• Skin: Burns, atopic dermatitis (especially itching), psoriasis, eczema, and acne

• Anti-cancer therapy - In studies, the oil has shown antiproliferative effects against breast, hepatic, prostate, and leukemia cancer cell lines

• Benefits seen through clinical trials include diabetic neuropathy, hypertension, mastalgia, PMS, osteoporosis, and dementia.  Mixed results in trials for atopic eczema and dermatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, diabetic lipid metabolism, and alcoholism. 

• Osteoporosis: Combined with fish oil a trial confirmed osteocalcin levels rose (a bone formation marker) and alkaline phosphatase levels dropped (indicates an increase in bone mineral density)

     ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6003444;ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6116039;pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22414479;pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28555835;pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1185351; nccih.nih.gov/health/evening-primrose-oil; ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6116039/#:~:text=Evening%20primrose

• Granica, S.;  ´nska, M.E.; Piwowarski, J.P.; Ziaja, M.; Kiss, A.K. Chemical composition, antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activity of extracts prepared from aerial parts of Oenothera biennis L. and Oenothera paradoxa Hudziok obtained after seeds cultivation. J. Agric. Food Chem. 2013, 61, 801–810

• The Worst Weeds Are Your Best Medicine– The Common and Weedy Plant Materia Medica ©2005 Revised 2018 David Winston, RH (AHG) 

• Christopher Hobbs - Herbal prescriber database

• Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy - Modern Herbal Medicine Simon Mills, Kerry Bone

• Medical Herbalism - The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine David Hoffman

• The Way of Herbs - Michael Tierra

• The Admirable Secrets of Herbs, Roots & Barks - Matthew Wood

10 Things About American Ginseng →

Ginseng is widely used because people want more energy, stamina, and mental clarity. Often found as an ingredient in an energy shot or soft drink. There are five types of Ginsengs. They share similar properties, however, they aren’t all of the same plant species. Today I am focusing on American Ginseng, and 10 Things to Know about it.

• It is an adaptogen and tonic herb entering the Kidney, Heart, and Lung channels

• From a Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine perspective it Nourishes Yin, Tonifies Qi, Clears Deficient Heat, and Clears Lung Fire. 

• American Ginseng is less stimulating than Panax Ginseng and cool whereas Panax Ginseng is slightly warm.

• CNS (Central Nervous System) suppressant making it useful for insomnia, ADD, and tinnitus.

• It generates fluids aiding in dry mouth, thirst, dry Lungs, hoarse throat, and dry cough with blood. 

• Useful for respiratory conditions wheezing, asthma, and allergies.

• Benefits the digestive system making it helpful for atonic indigestion, gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome, and digestive weakness.

• Helpful in cases of menopause for night sweats, and hot flashes.

• Balances hormones and protects the adrenals. Stress and fatigue, weak adrenals, dark circles under the eyes, catch colds easily.  

• Helps control metabolic syndrome and Type II Diabetes.

• One bonus and unexpected use - jetlag!

Remember, not every herb works for everybody.  Let me know if I can help you determine if American Ginseng might be right for you.

Energy/Taste: slightly bitter, sweet, slightly cool (Tierra) / cold (Bensky) | Channels and Organs affected: Lung, Kidney, Heart | Dosage: 3-6g

References: Chen & Chen,(2012) Chinese Medical Herbology & Pharmacology; Bensky, Clavey, Stoger w/Gamble,(2015) Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica; Michael and Lesley Tierra,(2017) East-West Herb Course Materia Medica; David Winston,(2007) Adaptogens, Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief 

3 Herbs that Clear Heat and Cool the Blood

Sheng Di Huang - Raw Rehmannia- Rehmannia Glutinosa 

• The unprepared or raw root is Cold in nature vs the prepared root which is Warm in nature. 

• Used for fevers, thirst, mouth sores, and hemorrhaging. 

• Lack of Yin fluids with dry mouth, throat pain, afternoon fevers and feelings of Heat, and dry constipation.

• Also used in formulas to treat conditions such as diabetes, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, diabetes mellitus, and eczema.

Mu Dan Pi - Moutan Peony root bark - Paeonia Suffruticosa 

• Used in Chinese medicine for gynecological issues, such as amenorrhea, scanty periods, painful periods, muscle spasms, and enhancing blood flow. 

• Commonly used when there is Heat caused by deficiency such as menopausal hot flashes and night sweats. 

• Also used for headaches, flank, and eye pain due to Liver Fire. 

Oregon Grape root- Berberis repens, Mahonia repens

• Liver tonic that stimulates bile flow  = increases digestion and absorption by breaking down fats into fatty acids. 

• Cools the Liver and is often used for toxic Liver issues from alcohol or drugs (hepatitis, jaundice, enlarged Liver). 

• Antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal making it useful for IBS, UTIs, yeast infections, acne, rosacea, cysts, dermatitis, styes, strep and staph infections, intestinal viruses, and inflamed gums.

• Oregon Grape root and Barberry are often interchanged due to their similarities.