Herb Safety

People have been using herbal preparations ever since the dawn of history. Herbal medicine is the oldest form of medicine around and has been used for millennium's. It appears to have passed the test of time because 80% of the world's population still use herbs as their main source of medicinals.

Safety Issues

Just like pharmaceuticals and prescription drugs, herbs can also have side effects. However, they have a far better safety record. When herbal medicines are properly researched and the directions are followed faithfully, the herbs are a much safer option and seem to agree better with the body. 

There are some basic precautions that should be taken when using herbs. Unless you are a trained herbalist or naturopath, seek the advice of a professional that is knowledgeable about  herbs. Follow the instructions you are given. Be extra careful if you are pregnant as most herbs have not been studied in regards to pregnant and nursing moms. There are a few herbs that can be taken by pregnant and nursing women, but in the best interest of the baby to be born always consult a professional. 

There are a few herbs that are definitely poisons, like belladonna and hemlock. If you are picking your herbs out in the wild, be awfully sure you know what you are harvesting, perhaps take an expert along with you. Many plants look alike and it is easy to mistake the herb for a good one when it is not. I seldom wild craft my herbs, I get mine from reputable dealers who know their stuff. 

Here is the link to a website that is an excellent source of information about herbal safety. Go to   http://fnic.nal.usda.gov/dietary-supplements/herbal-information .There are a number of books on the market about herbs that are quite easy for the layperson to read. I like James Duke's book The Green Pharmacy. It is up to date, comprehensive and easy to understand. Many of the remedies are readily available in your kitchen, or garden.

Both my book Ten Healthy Teas and Dr. Duke's book The Green Pharmacy are available at www.amazon.com   Check out my website at www.valerielull.com  My book Ten Healthy Teas makes a great gift item for the holidays. Use all the herbs and spices that go along with the holiday season, and use them safely. Your comments and questions are welcome. 

Valerie Lull

Author

Ten Healthy Teas

Lullval@clearwire.net

Cranberries

This is the season of the year when people turn to fall foods like pumpkins, squash, turkey, dressing, yams and of course the cranberry sauce. Cranberry sauce is an important part of most Thanksgiving meals. Cranberries are found in many holiday dishes like dressing and holiday breads and muffins.They are also rich in nutrients and very useful for medicinal purposes.

Perhaps the most common use of cranberries is for urinary tract infections. There is little evidence that cranberries can cure a UTI, but there is evidence that cranberry may be able to prevent them. The current thinking is that the unsweetened cranberry juice keeps the bacteria from sticking to the inside of the bladder wall and the urethra which keeps the infection from forming.

One must be careful with cranberry products as most of them contain sugar which causes them to be absolutely useless for prevention of UTI's. This is why many people take a supplement instead of drinking the juice. The juice of raw cranberries, without sugar is very very tart and hard for most folks to drink. Personally I take a cranberry supplement every day as a preventative measure. I have never had a UTI and I hope I never do.

Cranberries contain vitamin A, vitamin C, beta carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, folate, potassium, manganese. proanthocyanidins, flavonoids and antioxidants.  They are second highest among berries in antioxidant strength with blueberries coming up first.

Drinking cranberry juice in excess can cause an upset stomach or diarrhea.Cranberries have salicilic acid in them which is an ingredient in aspirin. If you are allergic to aspirin you should avoid cranberry in large amounts. If you are prone to kidney stones you may want to avoid large quantities of cranberry because cranberries have oxalates in them which contribute to the formation of kidney stones.

Cranberry beverages can be taken both hot and cold. There are several cranberry teas on the market. A good punch can be made by adding a little carbonated water to the cranberry juice.

I want to take this opportunity to wish all my readers a Happy Thanksgiving. As we continue in the holiday season you can find many good cranberry recipes on the internet. Check out my website at www.valerielull.com I welcome your questions and comments. My e-mail address is below.


Valerie Lull
Author
Ten Healthy Teas
Lullval@clearwire.net

Manuka Honey and Lemon

Manuka honey comes from New Zealand and is the product of bees ingesting pollen from the manuka flower, which grows on the manuka tree. It is known as being used for burns, cuts, abrasions and diabetic ulcers. There is an anecdote about a woman who had three months of conventional treatment for a diabetic ulcer. She was told that the doctors would have to amputate her leg. She used manuka honey on the ulcer and it cleared up so she did not have to have the amputation.

Manuka honey is antibacterial, antiviral and is an antioxidant. Manuka honey can be used for everything from cracked heals to bedsores. It is said to be effective with scars and rashes. It has been used by the ancients for numerous ailments. Researchers discovered that the honey relieves inflammation and reduces pain. One recent study shows that manuka honey may prevent gingivitis and periodontal disease.

When manuka honey is teamed up with lemon, it has powerful effects. It is great for coughs, colds and sore throats. A tonic can be made with warm water, manuka honey, and fresh lemon juice which may help folks with obesity problems  The combination is also good for digestion problems. Lemon juice and honey are good for insect bites and can help respiratory problems that come with winter colds and coughs. Cosmetically it can be used to make a skin mask made up of half honey and half lemon . There are a number of lemon teas available that can be taken with a teaspoon of manuka honey in them.

There are several side effects to watch out for. These include allergy in people who are allergic to bees. It raises blood sugar, and interacts with chemotherapy drugs. Manuka honey should not be given to babies under 1 year of age because it may have botulism spores in it that will harm the baby.

Check out my web site at www.valerielull.com.

Valerie Lull
Author
Ten Healthy Teas
Lullval@clearwire.net 

Simple Ways to Stay Healthy: Green Tea and Cancer

Simple Ways to Stay Healthy: Green Tea and Cancer: Green Tea is probably one of the most studied of all herbs. Many people consider green tea as a tea rather than an herb. However, I've r...

Green Tea and Cancer

Green Tea is probably one of the most studied of all herbs. Many people consider green tea as a tea rather than an herb. However, I've run across several herbals that include it and it has a lot of health benefits. One area where green tea has a significant benefit is in the prevention of cancer.

In China and Japan the rates of cancer are much lower than the rates in the United States. Scientists think that their high consumption of green tea may be responsible for this. Green tea  has a polyphenol called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) which scientists have linked with having cancer prevention properties. One study found that the extract of green tea slowed the growth of breast cancer cells, and decreased it's spread to other parts of the body in mouse studies. These polyphenols are thought to help create T cells in the body which enhances the immune system that inhibits the growth of tumors.

In one recent study it appears that EGCG changed pancreatic cancer cells so that they suppressed an enzyme associated with this type of cancer. This substance also appeared to inhibit breast cancer, human cervical cancer, colorectal cancer, and prostate cancer.

Green tea also has properties that protect against other health problems, like heart disease, inflammation, high blood pressure, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and weight loss. Besides this, green tea is a very pleasant beverage to drink if it is prepared properly. Most people make their water much too hot for the tea to steep in. The ideal temperature for steeping green tea is 165-175 degrees. The ideal steeping time is 1 to 2 minutes. The decaffeinated version seems to be more effective for disease prevention than the decaffeinated though decaf is better than nothing at all.

You can experiment with green tea and try adding lemon, or pomegranate or mint for flavor. Some people have it iced, though I personally prefer it hot. Japan has the highest rate of longevity in the world. Perhaps green tea contributes to that too.

Check out my website at www.valerielull.com. Also, on Facebook under the heading Book, Ten Healthy Teas.

Valerie Lull
Author
Ten Healthy Teas
Lullval@clearwire.net 

Cloves

Clove, Syzugium Aromaticum, is a spice and an herb that historically grew on trees in the Spice Islands near Indonesia. Cloves are now grown all over the world.  The clove comes from the dried flower bud of the clove tree. Cloves are used extensively in cooking and are also used for medicinal remedies. The name clove came from the French word clov, which means nail. This is because a clove resembles a nail.

Cloves used for medicinal purposes are perhaps best known for relieving the pain of a toothache if you are unable to get to a dentist right away. Cloves can be used for acne and other skin conditions. Clove tea is used for bloating and gas as well as nausea and diarrhea. They relax the muscle lining of the stomach bringing relief to acid reflux.

Cloves can help relieve colds by assisting in sweating for folks with fevers, sore throats and flu. They are also used for whooping cough. Cloves are good for mouth ulcers and sore gums. A gargle made from cloves can be used for a sore throat. They relieve nausea, vomiting and flatulence. Clove oil can be applied to the skin for cuts and scrapes.

There are some things to watch out for. Children should not take clove oil as it can cause serious health problems like seizures and liver damage. Inhaling the smoke from clove cigarettes is not safe and can cause breathing problems and lung infections. It is unsafe to inject clove oil into the veins and pregnant and nursing women should not use cloves as a medicine, though normal amounts in foods are fine. Don't take cloves if you are on blood thinners, or for 2 weeks before surgery. Some people are allergic to cloves. Talk it over with your doctor and be careful about giving small children a clove to suck on. It can be a choking hazard.

Clove tea is as simple as 1 teaspoon of crushed cloves in a tea bag or infuser and 1 cup of boiling water. Put the infuser or tea bag in a cup and add the water. Let it steep covered for 8 to 10 minutes. You can use milk and sweetener as desired. Cloves are often used in Chai teas.

Check out my website at www.valerielull.com

Valerie Lull
Author
Ten Healthy Teas
Lullval@clearwire.net