NATURAL REMEDIES
[ This was produced by one of the professional societies
member services division and came with 19 footnotes.
Not every herb is shown. We have added various
links to
online cautions and
suggestions for best use. (The University
of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) links seemed to be the best ones.
Tried not to link to herbal sales web sites.
Italics, and
'More Health Items' were added by ed.]
Many older
Americans have heard about, looked into, considered and possibly even
used natural herb remedies as alternatives to modern
medicine. It's important to know
that even though natural herbal remedies have been used
for centuries, the Federal Food and Drug Administration has
not approved of any herb for any healing power. [The
FDA is for regulating proprietary chemical products.]
You should
consult your physician about your situation for advice
regarding any remedy to help you, as well as for any
interactions they may have with your current
medications. The following natural herbs are
believed by many to help with certain illnesses and diseases, as well
as aid with other health concerns associated with aging:
• Ashwagandha
- Rejuvenates and energizes the nervous system. Increases
physical endurance and improves sexual function. Has
anti inflammatory and anti aging effects. Article about ashwagandha by The Free Dictionary
• Astragalus
- Good for colds, flu and immune-deficiency-related problems, including
AIDS, cancer, tumors,
as well as chronic lung weakness.
• Black
Cohosh - Indicated for: blood pressure,
cholesterol, mucus production, cardiovascular and circulatory
disorders, arthritis, relieving hot flashes.
• Blessed
Thistle -
Anti inflammatory, circulatory aid, blood purifier, liver healer and
heart strengthener. Has been recommended as a brain food.
• Blue
Cohosh -
Indicated for memory problems, nervous disorders and muscle spasms.
• Borage
- Balances
glands. Contains valuable minerals and essential fatty acids
helpful to cardiovascular function and healthy skin and nails.
• Boswellia
- Acts as
an anti inflammatory, anti arthritic, anti fungal and
antibacterial. Lowers cholesterol and protects the
liver. Useful for arthritis, gout, low back pain, myositis
and fibromyalgia. Helps repair blood vessels damaged by
inflammation. Used as a remedy for obesity, diarrhea,
dysentery and pulmonary diseases.
• Cat's
Claw -
Intestinal cleanser, antioxidant, anti inflammatory, enhances white
blood cell action. Indicated for intestinal problems and
viral infections. May be helpful for AIDS, arthritis, cancer
tumors and ulcers.
• Cayenne - (Capsicum
Annuum) Helpful
for digestion, circulation, arthritis, rheumatism, colds, sinus
infections and sore throats. Stops bleeding from
ulcers. A tonic for the heart, kidneys, lungs, pancreas,
spleen and stomach.
• Chamomile
- Anti inflammatory,
diuretic. Stimulates appetite, digestion and sleep.
Indicated for colitis, diverticulosis, fever, headaches and
pain. Has a long history of use for stress and anxiety,
indigestion and insomnia.
• Chaparral-
Free radical scavenger. Pain
reliever. Protects against radiation and sun
exposure. Good for skin disorders. Reduces
formation of tumors and cancer cells.
• Chuchuhuasi-
Fights inflammation and
stimulates the immune system. Good for arthritis, rheumatism,
back pain, muscle spasms, fever, skin tumors, bronchitis and diarrhea.
• Cranberry
- Good for kidneys, bladder
and skin. Has anticancer properties.
• Dandelion
- Diuretic.
Bloodstream and liver cleanser. Increases bile
production. Reduces serum cholesterol and uric
acid. Tonic for kidneys, pancreas, spleen and
stomach. Recommended for abscesses, anemia, boils, breast
tumors, cirrhosis of the liver, fluid retention, hepatitis, jaundice,
rheumatism. Has been said to help prevent age spots and
breast cancer.
• Devil's
Claw: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Dosage, and Warning
Devil's claw is used for "hardening of the arteries" (atherosclerosis),
arthritis, gout, muscle pain (myalgia), back pain, fibromyalgia,
tendonitis, chest pain, gastrointestinal (GI) upset or heart burn,
fever, and migraine headache. It is also used for difficulties in
childbirth, menstrual problems, allergic reactions, loss of appetite,
and kidney and bladder disease.
• Echinacea:
Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Dosage, and Warning
Echinacea is widely used to fight infections, especially the common
cold, and the flu. Some people take echinacea at the first sign of a
cold, hoping they will be able to keep the cold from developing. Other
people take echinacea after cold of flu-like symptoms have started,
hoping they can make symptoms less severe or resolve quicker.
• Elderberry
Herb - Side Effects, Uses and Benefits It is used
as an herbal remedy to boost the immune system. Black elderberries
encourage a healthy immune reaction against undesired organisms that
induce flu-like symptoms.
• Flaxseed
Health Benefits, Food Sources, Recipes, and Tips for Using It
flaxseed may have a protective effect against breast cancer, prostate
cancer, and colon cancer.
• Garlic:
Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Dosage, and Warning
Some
people use garlic to prevent colon cancer, rectal cancer, stomach
cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, multiple myeloma, and lung
cancer. It is also used to treat prostate cancer and bladder cancer.
Garlic has been tried for treating an enlarged prostate (benign
prostatic hyperplasia; BPH), cystic fibrosis, diabetes,
• Germanium:
Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Dosage, and Warning Despite
serious safety concerns, germanium is used for heart and blood vessel
conditions, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart
disease; for eye conditions, including glaucoma and cataracts; and for
liver conditions, including hepatitis and cirrhosis. Some people use
germanium for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), pain, ...
Other uses include heavy metal poisoning, including mercury and cadmium
poisoning; depression; cancer; food allergies; and yeast and viral
infections. Germanium is also used for increasing circulation of blood
to the brain, supporting the immune system, and as an antioxidant.
• Ginkgo
- Recommended for: asthma,
eczema, heart and kidney disorders, depression, headaches, memory loss
and tinnitus (ringing in the ears). Increases cerebral and
peripheral blood flow, circulation and oxygenation, thus improving
brain functioning and relieving leg cramps.
• Ginseng:
Health benefits, facts, and research Both American ginseng
(Panax quinquefolius, L.) and Asian ginseng (P. Ginseng) are believed
to boost energy, lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels, reduce
stress, promote relaxation, treat diabetes, and manage sexual
dysfunction in men.
• Goldenrod:
Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Dosage, and Warning
Goldenrod is used to reduce pain and swelling (inflammation), as a
diuretic to increase urine flow, and to stop muscle spasms. It is also
used for gout, joint pain (rheumatism), arthritis, as well as eczema
and other skin conditions. Goldenrod is also used to treat tuberculosis
infections that have become active again after a period of inactivity
(latency), diabetes, enlargement of the liver, hemorrhoids, internal
bleeding, hay fever, asthma, and an enlarged prostate.
• Goldenseal
| NCCIH
- Currently, goldenseal is used as a dietary supplement for
colds and other respiratory tract infections, allergic rhinitis (hay
fever), ulcers, and digestive upsets such as diarrhea and constipation.
It is also used as a mouthwash for sore gums and as an eyewash for eye
inflammation, and it is applied to the skin for rashes and other
skin problems.
• Green
Tea 10
Proven Benefits - Reduces risk of esophageal,
stomach, colon and skin cancer, delays the onset of arteriosclerosis,
offsets mental fatigue.
• Hawthorn:
Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Dosage, and Warning
Hawthorn is used for diseases of the heart and blood vessels such as
congestive heart failure (CHF), chest pain, and irregular heartbeat. It
is also used to treat both low blood pressure and high blood pressure,
“hardening of the arteries” (atherosclerosis), and high cholesterol. So
far, research suggests that hawthorn might be effective in treating
congestive heart failure, but there hasn’t been enough research on
other heart-related uses to know if it is effective for them.
• Horse
chestnut - Protects against
vascular damage, makes capillary walls less porous, shields against UV
radiation damage. Good for varicose veins, reducing excess
tissue fluids and easing nighttime muscle spasms in the legs.
Used topically, reduces pain and swelling and prevents bruising.
&
4 Benefits of Horse Chestnut Herb - Suzy
Cohen
• Horsetail:
Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Dosage, and Warning
Horsetail is used for “fluid retention” (edema), kidney and
bladder
stones, urinary tract infections, the inability to control urination
(incontinence), and general disturbances of the kidney and bladder.
• Macela - (Achyrocline
satureoides) Acts as an anti inflammatory,
antiseptic, antiviral and anti parasitic. Stimulates and
supports the immune system. Good for gastrointestinal and
respiratory disorders. Useful in treating cancer, Crohns
disease, colds and flu, diabetes, menstrual problems and menopausal
symptoms, muscle aches and spasms.
• Milk
Thistle - (Silybum
marianum)
Antioxidant (prevents
free radical damage, protects the liver). Recommended for:
kidneys, adrenal disorders, inflammatory bowel disorders, weakened
immune system, liver disorders (such as jaundice and hepatitis,
psoriasis). Contains potent liver-protecting
substances. Stimulates production of new liver cells and
prevents formation of damaging leukotrienes.
• Passionflower
- Sedative.
Recommended for: anxiety, hyperactivity, insomnia, neuritis,
stress-related disorders.
• Pumpkin
Seeds - Indicated for:
prostate. Influence the colon and spleen-pancreas;
diuretic. Used for motion sickness, nausea, impotence, and
swollen prostate with signs of difficult or dribbling urination. Top
11 Health Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds 2016
• Pygeum
- Reduces inflammation
congestion. Lowers levels of inflammatory compounds in the
prostate. Effective in reducing prostate enlargement. 7
Best Benefits of Pygeum 2018
• Saw
Palmetto - Diuretic.
Urinary antiseptic. Indicated for: poor appetite, prostate
disorders, sexual function and desire. Saw
palmetto for BPH: Does it work?
• Suma
(Brazilian ginseng) - Recommended
for anemia, fatigue, stress, immune system, AIDS, cancer, liver
disease, high blood pressure.
• Valerian:
Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Dosage, and Warning
Valerian is most commonly used for sleep disorders, especially the
inability to sleep (insomnia). Valerian is also used orally for anxiety
and psychological stress, but there is limited scientific research to
support these uses.
• Yucca
- Blood purifier.
Indicated for: arthritis, osteoporosis, inflammation.
Many of these natural herbal remedies are combined into
special formulas for specific illnesses to help optimize
results. Consult your local nutritionist for specific details
or recommendations for what is ailing you. And again, please
consult your physician for introducing anything new into your body.