Chicory

Chicory, also known as Cichorium intybus, is a plant that is grown for salad leaves, or for the roots. The roots are baked and ground and used as a coffee substitute and food additive. It is also grown for feeding livestock.

Chicory root extract is a dietary supplement and chicory is added to food. The root of the chicory plant has oils that are used to help the body get rid of intestinal worms and parasites. Chicory is used a lot in German folk medicine for gallstones, sinus problems and as a tonic.It contains inulin which helps with weight loss and the functioning of the bowels, in particular for constipation.

The use of chicory goes back to the ancient Egyptians and Romans. Medieval monks raised it and the Dutch added it to coffee. In the American civil war chicory was used by the Confederate troops and became a tradition in New Orleans. It was used a lot in the southwestern part of the United States. It has been used as a coffee substitute in American prisons.

In the culinary world the leaves are used for salads and the roots for a coffee substitute. Chicory greens can be boiled or sauteed and eaten for greens. A search of the internet will bring up dozens of recipes that use chicory. As for nutrition, the leaves contain more  nutrients than the roots, and they both contain inulin, vitamin A, vitamin C and calcium.

Check out my website at www.valerielull.com  Also, check out my facebook page under the heading Ten Healthy Teas.


Valerie Lull, Author
Ten Healthy Teas
Lullval@clearwire,net

Valerian

valerian Uses & Effectiveness

Possibly Effective for:

• Inability to sleep (insomnia). Some research suggests that valerian does not relieve insomnia as fast as “sleeping pills.” Continuous use for several days, even up to four weeks, may be needed before an effect is noticeable. Valerian seems to improve the sleep quality of people who are withdrawing from the use of sleeping pills. Not all evidence is positive, however. Some studies have found that valerian doesn’t improve insomnia any better than a “sugar pill” (placebo).

Insufficient Evidence for:

• Anxiety. There is contradictory evidence about the effectiveness of valerian for anxiety. Some people have reported that it seems to reduce stress in social situations. Yet, other studies have shown no effect.
• Depression. Some early research suggests that taking valerian plus St. John’s wort improves symptoms of depression. Taking higher doses of valerian with St. John’s wort improves depression symptoms faster than low doses.
• Restlessness. A specific combination product, providing valerian root extract 160 mg and lemon balm leaf extract 80 mg (Euvegal forte, Schwabe Pharmaceuticals), has been tried to reduce symptoms of serious restlessness (dyssomnia) in children under the age of 12. Early results show it might be effective, but more research is needed.
• Menstrual disorders (dysmenorrhea). Early research suggests that taking valerian three times daily for two menstrual cycles reduces pain and the need for other pain relievers during menstruation.
• Stress. Early research suggests that taking 600 mg of valerian for 7 days reduces blood pressure, heart rate and feelings of pressure when under stress. Other research found that taking 100 mg before speaking in front of an audience reduces feelings of anxiety. Another study found that taking a combination product containing valerian and lemon balm night lower anxiety caused by stress at low doses but increase anxiety when taken in larger doses.
• Convulsions.
• Mild tremors.
• Epilepsy.
• Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
• Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
• Muscle and joint pain.
• Headache.
• Stomach upset.
• Menopausal symptoms including hot flashes and anxiety.
• Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of valerian for these uses.

valerian Side Effects & Safety

Valerian is LIKELY SAFE for most people when used in medicinal amounts short-term. Clinical studies have reported safe use of valerian for medicinal purposes in over 12,000 people in trials lasting up to 28 days. The safety of long-term use is unknown. Some information suggests that valerian might also be safe when taken by children for 4-8 weeks.

Valerian can cause some side effects such as headache, excitability, uneasiness, and even insomnia in some people. A few people feel sluggish in the morning after taking valerian, especially at higher doses. It’s best not to drive or operate dangerous machinery after taking valerian. The long-term safety of valerian is unknown. To avoid possible side effects when discontinuing valerian after long-term use, it's best to reduce the dose slowly over a week or two before stopping completely.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy or breast-feeding: There isn’t enough information about the safety of valerian during pregnancy or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Surgery: Valerian slows down the central nervous system. Anesthesia and other medications used during surgery also affect the central nervous system. The combined effects might be harmful. Stop taking valerian at least two weeks before a scheduled surgery.

valerian Interactions 

Major Interaction Do not take this combination

• Alcohol interacts with VALERIAN
  Alcohol can cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Valerian might also cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Taking large amounts of valerian along with alcohol might cause too much sleepiness.
• Alprazolam (Xanax) interacts with VALERIAN
  Valerian can decrease how quickly the liver breaks down alprazolam. Taking valerian with alprazolam might increase the effects and side effects of alprazolam such as drowsiness.
• Sedative medications (Benzodiazepines) interacts with VALERIAN
  Valerian might cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Drugs that cause sleepiness and drowsiness are called sedatives. Taking valerian along with sedative medications might cause too much sleepiness.
  Some of these sedative medications include alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), midazolam (Versed), temazepam (Restoril), triazolam (Halcion), and others.
• Sedative medications (CNS depressants) interacts with VALERIAN
  Valerian might cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Medications that cause sleepiness are called sedatives. Taking valerian along with sedative medications might cause too much sleepiness. Taking valerian along with sedative medications used in surgery might cause prolonged sedation.
  Some sedative medications include pentobarbital (Nembutal), phenobarbital (Luminal), secobarbital (Seconal), thiopental (Pentothal), fentanyl (Duragesic, Sublimaze), morphine, propofol (Diprivan), and others.

Moderate Interaction Be cautious with this combination

• Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates) interacts with VALERIAN
  Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver.
  Valerian might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking valerian along with some medications that are broken down by the liver can increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking valerian, talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking any medications that are changed by the liver.
  Some medications changed by the liver include lovastatin (Mevacor), ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), fexofenadine (Allegra), triazolam (Halcion), and many others.

valerian Dosing

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

BY MOUTH:

• For inability to sleep (insomnia):
• 400-900 mg valerian extract up to 2 hours before bedtime for as long as 28 days, or
• Valerian extract 120 mg, with lemon balm extract 80 mg 3 times daily for up to 30 days, or
• A combination product containing valerian extract 187 mg plus hops extract 41.9 mg per tablet, 2 tablets at bedtime for 28 days.

Take valerian 30 minutes to 2 hours before bedtime.

There are many people who have problems with insomnia. They try all kinds of things to get to sleep. Valerian also known in Latin as Valeriana officinalis is an herb that is known for helping folks with sleep  problems. Often valerian is combined with other herbs like lemon balm or hops which also cause drowsiness. Valerian has been used to help people withdraw from overuse of sleeping pills. The root of this herb is the portion of the plant that is used.

Additional uses for valerian are helping to relieve relieve anxiety and stress, headaches, stomach upsets, depression, ADHD and chronic fatigue. Sometimes it is used for pain in the joints, and women use it for menstrual cramps and menopause symptoms. 

Valerian is a well-known herb and the medicine comes from the root of the plant. It is a native plant of Europe and Asia and was introduced to North America. The smell is not so pleasant. It resembles wet socks or aged cheese. Valerian can be used in ones bath water to combat restlessness and make one drowsy. There are ongoing studies of the use of valerian root for things like epilepsy, multiple sclerosis ADHD and neuralgia. It works like a natural tranquilizer and it is not addictive. Valerian can be taken as a tea, or if the taste and smell is too overwhelming it can be taken in tablet or capsule form. 

Valerian does have some side effects. Some people experience headache, uneasiness and in a rare few situations, insomnia. One might feel sluggish in the morning after taking valerian and I would recommend staying away from driving or operating dangerous machinery. It is not for pregnant or nursing mothers and should be discontinued two weeks before scheduled surgery as it can interfere with the anesthetic.

Read more about healthy teas on my website at www.valerielull.com 

Valerie Lull, Author
Ten Healthy Teas
www.lullval@clearwire.net

Peppers Part II

Last week I discussed sweet peppers, and this week I will talk about hot peppers. Hot peppers are peppers like jalapeno peppers, cayenne peppers, serrano peppers and habanero peppers. There are other peppers that are hotter than these, but they are not used in cooking.

The substance in the peppers that make them hot is called capsaicin. The amount of heat is measured in Scoville units. A habanero pepper has 150,000 to 350,000 Scoville units, while a jalapeno has only 5,000.The part of the pepper that is hot are the seeds inside and the white membrane. When cooking jalapenos if you want to cut the heat, you cut out all of that.

In addition to culinary uses the hot peppers have medicinal uses as well. The substance capsaicin is a well-known pain reliever. It works by causing the sensation of heat to be registered in the brain as pain. The brain then releases endorphins. The endorphins cause a temporary elation, a sort of "high". This is good for a number of things. One of those things is relief of pain. There are a number of preparations in the forms of creams and ointments that can be applied topically to relieve arthritis pain and pain in the joints. These are available at your local drugstore.

Hot peppers are known for other things. The capsaicin is said to reduce the itching and inflammation that are caused by psoriasis.They are loaded with vitamin C, they have been touted as an aphrodisiac, they increase blood flow in the body, and speed up the metabolism. Peppers have carotenoids and flavonoids which work as antioxidants fighting free radicals. Men who use chili peppers regularly in their diet appear to have less occurrence of prostate cancer.

A word of caution. When handling hot peppers, be sure to wash your hands afterwards and keep your hands away from your eyes. You do not want the capsaicin in your eyes. Peppers are a good choice, both for eating and for health.

Check out my website at www.valerielull.com . Also my facebook page which is listed under the heading Ten Healthy Teas.

Valerie Lull, Author
Ten Healthy Teas
Lullval@clearwire.net

 

Peppers known in Latin as Capsicum annuum are members of the Solanaceae family. Other members of this family are tomatoes, potatoes and eggplant. They come in green, red, yellow, orange and purple. They are very popular for cooking and also have many health benefits. Peppers come as hot, and as sweet. Since there is so much information on peppers, I am making this a 2 part series. This week I'll discuss sweet peppers and next week hot peppers.

Peppers including bell peppers originated in Central and South America.They were given the name pepper by the Spanish explorers. In modern times they are also grown in China, Asia and North America and have been incorporated into cuisines all over the world. 

Although peppers are known for their culinary uses, they are also have many health promoting properties. They are rich in vitamins C, B6, and E,  an abundance of carotenoids, and folic acid. They contain fiber which is good for digestion.. They have flavonoids like luteolin, quercetin and zeaxanthin. Peppers have minerals like iron, copper, zinc, manganese, selenium, magnesium and manganese. The sulphur and lycopene in them have the potential to prevent cancer. Peppers also help prevent type 2 diabetes. They are good for your eyes with lutein and zeaxanthin and protect against macular degeneration.

Bell peppers are high in nutrition and low in calories, which makes them an excellent food choice for folks who are watching their weight. They can be served cut up with ranch dressing, hummus or your favorite dip. They have a crunchiness to them that is better than chips and they are healthier. Sweet peppers are an all round good choice when it comes to food. 

Check out my web site at www.valerielull.com  My book  Ten healthy teas, is available at a discount from www.outskirtspress.com/bookstore Go to the link and check it out.

Valerie Lull, Author
Ten Healthy Teas
lullval@clearwire.net