Personal Reflection

During the last year on this course I have made a number of advances in my professional and personal practices. These changes have completely transformed how I tackle briefs and assignments. It has also altered the way in which I view my work. I no longer view my work as a burden to be endured but as something to be enjoyed and explored exhaustively.

If we take it in chronological order, the first change in my work method was in the first brief we received, ‘everyday objects’.

It was at first a shock to me that there were so many different media open to me, I found it quite overwhelming at first as I had only ever had the opportunity to use basic painting and sculpting techniques in my work before hand. Although I still struggle sometimes with how behind I still am in some aspects of my practical work compared too many others on the course. I also found the work load and self reliance that was expected of me initially difficult to cope with and as a result I struggled to meet the demands of the course. However, after my first assessment meeting with Cheryl in December, I feel surprising more at ease with this method of working and feel like my professional and personal work ethic has flourished. I found the meeting very enlightening with regards to what was expected of me as a professional artist.

I brought what I learnt from the first brief to the second brief we had; 'Skin/Trace'. At first I started this brief with a very short lived idea that I soon found restrictive, and had to move my ideas on rapidly to make up for lost time. I soon realised that this was a very foolish mistake as I was unable to complete the required amount of work for this brief.

From this brief I learnt that time management and efficient, pragmatic work ethic is essential for a successful project.

Watching several of my fellow students complete their work for the book fair I witnessed the sheer amount of skill and dedication that is needed to create a truly beautiful piece of work, this was incredibly daunting to me at first as I thought that it would be impossible for me to create something of that quality, but after having worked almost exclusively in the metal work room this term I am much more confident in the level of work I can produce and am looking forward to exhibiting my work in any upcoming shows next year. Expanding on this point, I am also excited in participating more fully in the college and course next year as I feel I have somewhat missed out on many motivating activities this year.

In level 5 I hope to expand my skill in metal and glass work as there is something about both practices that resonates with me and I would like to explore them further in order to create work that is both visually and conceptually appealing.

Illustrated Review

The interdisciplinary Art and design 3rd year review was illuminating in several ways, not all of them positive. Firstly, although it is clear that some students have applied themselves to their work with dedication and focus it is apparent that a number of them have taken no real interest in their work and the exhibition process. I would like to base this opinion souly on my experience of the peer review I attended a some weeks ago, in which the majority of the students seemed completely removed and apathetic in regards to their work, but I cannot. Throughout the exhibition this has been evidenced by the general lack of organisation, consideration towards layout and lighting and a sense of competition that is evident when looking at the exhibition as a whole. I feel as though each student has only give thought to how their work is viewed without taking into account the aesthetic of the exhibition it’s self. I understand that the students need to show their work at its best but it is still essential, especially when exhibiting as a group, that the exhibition flows well and harmonises. As it stands I don’t think the 3^rd years have achieved this, each work jostles for your attention and tries to out shine the others instead of complementing and enhancing them as would have been ideal. I fear the result of this is that none of the works are displayed to their full potential. I appreciate that with the limited space of our studio that perfect results would be hard to achieve and I empathise with the limitation the students faced but I believe more attention could have been paid to the lighting of the show rather than just to the individual artworks.  This could have easily been achieved by simply blocking out the ceiling windows but due to lack of organisation and forethought was not done.

Marianne’s work, particularly, did not appear to be given the consideration it needed to truly be stand out. I feel I cannot blame Marianne herself for this as I know how much effort she put into designing the layout of her work, all the different options she considered and how far it has progressed from the beginning.  As you can see above the lighting completely removes from the work making it feel amateurish and slapdash.  Nevertheless I am of the opinion that Marianne has produced an intricate and high quality piece of work. Her dedication to detail and perfection are obvious; the layout is engaging and appealingly interactive, the materials and processes she has used are appropriate to the sentiment behind her work and the concept, though subtle, is made obvious at first glance, it is quite clearly ‘home’.  This level of skill and understanding is something I would like to be present in my own work.

I chose Marianne’s work initially because her passion for her subject matter was evident as soon as spoke about it. However, the main reason I chose to review Marianne was how much I felt her work related to me personally. The idea of home and family spoke to me on a personal level while the challenge of creating an impression of a place that you no longer occupy related to some of my ideas about by own work.  Also, her use of physical objects is something that appeals to me as I feel I am never satisfied unless I have produced something tangible.

I like to think I have learnt a great deal from the 3^rd year’s exhibition. The successes and failings of the works on display has encouraged me to be more deceive and pro-active in my own work. it has also taught me organisation and time management skills are key to achieving a confident and productive working environment.

Finally FinishFinaly finished Lotions and Potions!

So, after many days of toil, I have finally finished making and bottling my concoctions and i'm very happy with the result. The ribbons are a little too bright for what I would have like but I think they work quite well. I would still like to photograph them in a natural environment, preferably Harewood House, when the lights better. However as they are I am very satisfied with the result.

Ribbons Galore.

So, here are the ribbons that I'm going to use to attach the labels to the bottles, they are meant to reflect the four humors, blood, black bile, yellow bile and phlegm. The ribbons will correspond wth which humor that particular herb is meant to aid.

Labels, Labels, labels 2

So, here are the labels I was working on, fully oxidized and polished and ready to be attached to my potions.

A note on the lack of film.

So, as I mentioned earlier I was hoping to use 120 film to record this project. That plan has been scuppered by Jessops. I have been waiting three weeks for my film to be developed and printed, and still no word! Grrr.
Also as 120 film is expensive I really dont want to waste it when the light is so bad. As soon as the weather improves I will be out and about with my brownie. I might even ask Neal's Yard if I can take some shots in their shop.

My Little Potions Lab

So, here my own personal potions lab I set up in my kitchen.

I fear I am enjoying this project far too much.

The four temperaments/ humors

So, during my research I happened upon accident medicinal theory of the four humors, and I think I'd like to encore orate them into my Work.

Around 500 years before the birth of our Savior, the spirit of science began to be applied to the practice of medicine. Where before the ancients looked to "the gods" to explain the workings of the natural world, Hippocrates (b. ca. 460 B.C.) urged that sine qua non of science: observation. In the course of the studies that merited his becoming known as "the Father of Medicine," he noticed that blood removed from the body separates into four parts: the clear red, a yellowish liquid that rises to the top, the dark liquid that settles to the bottom, and whitish fluid. He and his students, especially his son-in-law, Polybus, took these observations and developed a theory of medicine that was to hold sway in the West and in the Islamic world for thousands of years -- a theory further expounded upon by Galen: that physical and mental health are a matter of a good balance of four liquids ("humors"), all believed to be produced in the liver, but which are found in the veins and are associated with various organs of the body.

This theory of bodily humors 1 -- called "humorism " or "humoralism" -- holds that each person produces all of these humors, but that the preponderance of one relative to the others -- a condition called "dyscrasia" -- brings on illness. Each of these humors was believed to be associated with one of the four elements which, when combined in various proportions, make up all things:


The humor of Blood, associated with the liver and with Air, which is the hot and moist element. A person in whom blood predominates is said to be "sanguine," from the Latin "sanguis" (blood).


The humor of Yellow Bile, associated with the spleen and with Fire, which is the hot and dry element. A person in whom yellow bile predominates is said to be "choleric," from the Greek "khole" (bile).


The humor of Black Bile, associated with the gall bladder and with Earth, which is the cold and dry element. A person in whom black bile predominates is said to be "melancholic," from the Greek "melas" (black) and "khole" (bile).


The humor of Phlegm, associated with the lungs and brain and with Water, which is the cold and moist element. A person in whom phlegm predominates is said to be "phlegmatic," from the Greek "phlegmatikos" (abounding in phlegm) .

The following excerpt from the 11th c. Regimen Sanitatis Salernitanum, attributed to John of Milano, give the basic run-down as to the effects of too much of one humor or another:

If Sanguin humour do too much abound,
These signes will be thereof appearing cheefe,
The face will swell, the cheeks grow red and round,
With staring eies, the pulse beate soft and breefe,
The veynes exceed, the belly will be bound,
The temples, and the forehead full of griefe,
Unquiet sleeps, that so strange dreames will make
To cause one blush to tell when he doth wake:
Besides the moysture of the mouth and spittle,
Will taste too sweet, and seeme the throat to tickle.

If Choller do exceed, as may sometime,
Your eares will ring, and make you to be wakefull,
Your tongue will seeme all rough, and oftentimes
Cause vomits, unaccustomed and hatefull,
Great thirst, your excrements are full of slime,
The stomacke squeamish, sustenance ungratefull,
Your appetite will seeme in nought delighting,
Your heart still greeued with continuall byting,
The pulse beate hard and swift, all hot, extreame,
Your spittle soure, of fire-worke oft you dreame.

If Flegme abundance haue due limits past,
These signes are here set downe will plainly shew,
The mouth will seeme to you quite out of taste,
And apt with moisture still to overflow,
Your sides will seeme all sore downe to the waist,
Your meat wax loathsome, your digestion slow,
Your head and stomacke both in so ill taking,
One seeming euer griping tother aking:
With empty veynes, the pulse beat slow and soft,
In sleepe, of seas and ryuers dreaming oft.


But if that dangerous humour ouer-raigne,
Of Melancholy, sometime making mad,
These tokens then will be appearing plaine,
The pulse beat hard, the colour darke and bad:
The water thin, a weake fantasticke braine,
False-grounded ioy, or else perpetuall sad,
Affrighted oftentimes with dreames like visions,
Presenting to the thought ill apparitions,
Of bitter belches from the stomacke comming,
His eare (the left especiall) euer humming.

Note in the above that the humors are said to affect even dreams. Chaucer alludes to this in "The Nun's Priest's Tale" when the rooster, Chanticleer, had a dream in which he was being pursued by a yellowish-red hound-like creature. He wonders if the dream is prophetic, so his wife, Pertelote, reassures him by telling him:

Certes this dream, which ye have mette tonight,
Cometh of the great supefluity
Of youre rede cholera, pardie,
Which causeth folk to dreaden in their dreams
Of arrows, and of fire with redde beams,
Of redde beastes, that they will them bite,
Of conteke [contention], and of whelpes great and lite [little];
Right as the humour of melancholy
Causeth full many a man in sleep to cry,
For fear of bulles, or of beares blake,
Or elles that black devils will them take,
Of other humours could I tell also,
That worke many a man in sleep much woe;
That I will pass as lightly as I can.

Pertelote then goes on to prescribe herbs for her husband to use to avoid such dreams in the future. According to humorist theory, not only herbs, but stages of life, colors, various activities, the zodiac, and even geographic location affect the production of these humors, and finding the right herb, activity, etc., and doing things at the right time, should bring about "eucrasia," or a state of balance. Most obviously and importantly, foods could also affect the balance, with some foods being hot, and others cold; some being moist, and others dry. The common cold, for example, was believed to have been caused by a production of too much phlegm, so fish, which is a cold and moist food, should be avoided by such a patient lest he add to the production of the out-of-balance humor; instead, he should partake of hot and dry foods, such as pepper, to counteract the cold and moist phlegmatic influence. 2

The seasons, too, play a role in balancing or unbalancing the humors, as St. John Damascene (b. ca. 676) tells us in his "Exposition of the Orthodox Faith":

The course which the Creator appointed for them [the planets] to run is unceasing and remaineth fixed as He established them. For the divine David says, The moon and the stars which Thou establishedst, and by the word 'establishedst,' he referred to the fixity and unchangeableness of the order and series granted to them by God. For He appointed them for seasons, and signs, and days and years. It is through the Sun that the four seasons are brought about.

And the first of these is spring: for in it God created all things, and even down to the present time its presence is evidenced by the bursting of the flowers into bud, and this is the equinoctial period, since day and night each consist of twelve hours. It is caused by the sun rising in the middle, and is mild and increases the blood, and is warm and moist, and holds a position midway between winter and summer, being warmer and drier than winter, but colder and moister than summer. This season lasts from March 21st till June 24th.

Next, when the rising of the sun moves towards more northerly parts, the season of summer succeeds, which has a place midway between spring and autumn, combining the warmth of spring with the dryness of autumn: for it is dry and warm, and increases the yellow bile. In it falls the longest day, which has fifteen hours, and the shortest night of all, having only nine hours. This season lasts from June 24th till September 25th.

Then when the sun again returns to the middle, autumn takes the place of summer. It has a medium amount of cold and heat, dryness and moisture, and holds a place midway between summer and winter, combining the dryness of summer with the cold of winter. For it is cold and dry, and increases the black bile. This season, again, is equinoctial, both day and night consisting of twelve hours, and it lasts from September 25th till December 25th.

And when the rising of the sun sinks to its smallest and lowest point, i.e. the south, winter is reached, with its cold and moisture. It occupies a place midway between autumn and spring, combining the cold of autumn and the moisture of spring. In it falls the shortest day, which has only nine hours, and the longest night, which has fifteen: and it lasts from December 25th till March 21st. For the Creator made this wise provision that we should not pass from the extreme of cold, or heat, or dryness, or moisture, to the opposite extreme, and thus incur grievous maladies. For reason itself teaches us the danger of sudden changes.

Fasting during the various seasons, such as we do during Ember Days, helps bring the humors into balance. The Golden Legend, written by Blessed Jacopo de Voragine (A.D. 1230-1298), Archbishop of Genoa, gives the following as one of eight reasons for our Ember Day fasts:

The fifth reason, as saith John Damascenus: in March and in printemps the blood groweth and augmenteth, and in summer coler, in September melancholy, and in winter phlegm. Then we fast in March for to attemper and depress the blood of concupiscence disordinate, for sanguine of his nature is full of fleshly concupiscence. In summer we fast because that coler should be lessened and refrained, of which cometh wrath. And then is he full naturally of ire. In harvest we fast for to refrain melancholy. The melancholious man naturally is cold, covetous and heavy. In winter we fast for to daunt and to make feeble the phlegm of lightness and forgetting, for such is he that is phlegmatic.
Interestingly, the eight musical modes, or scales, of classical Western music are seen by humorists to also affect the balance of humors, with the modes being evenly divided into four groups, each group affecting one the bodily humors:

P
H
L
E
G
M


Dorian Church Mode I
The Dorian Mode dries watery Phlegm, weakening its influence such that instead of causing lethargy, it causes a sense of equanimity and calm. The ancient Greeks attributed this to the Dorian mode's imparting the power of the Sun.
Hypodorian Church Mode II
The Hypodorian mode magnifies Phlegm's effect on the body and induces lethargy and sleep. The ancient Greeks attributed this to the Hypodorian mode's imparting the power of the Moon.

Y
E
L
L
O
W

B
I
L
E


Phrygian Church Mode III
The Phrygian mode reinforces the effects of Yellow Bile, inciting angry passions. The ancient Greeks attributed this to the Phrygian mode's imparting the power of the Mars.
Hypophrygian Church Mode IV
The Hypophrygian mode mitigates Yellow Bile's effects and acts as a musical scale to sooth the savage breast. It is a tender-sounding scale that incites delight. The ancient Greeks attributed this to the Hypophrygian mode's imparting the power of the Mercury.

B
L
O
O
D


Lydian Church Mode V
The Lydian mode reinforces the Blood, producing happiness. The ancient Greeks attributed this to the Lydian mode's imparting the power of the Jupiter.
Hypolydian Church Mode VI
The Hypolydian mode -- the "Weeping Mode" -- suppresses the effects of Blood, resulting in sadness and piety. The ancient Greeks attributed this to the Hypolydian mode's imparting the power of the Venus.

B
L
A
C
K

B
I
L
E


Mixolydian Church Mode VII
The Mixolydian mode magnifies the effect of Black Bile, leading to melancholia. The ancient Greeks attributed this to the Mixolydian mode's imparting the power of the Saturn.
Hypomixolydian Church Mode VIII
The Hypomixolydian mode supresses the effects of Black Bile and is the mode of happiness, perfection, and bliss. The ancient Greeks attributed this to the Hypolydian mode's imparting the power of the stars.



But what is most interesting and most fun of all to explore is the notion of how the humors affect the temperaments.


The Four Temperaments


We all have an intuitive awareness that there are different "types" of people. This one's "an outgoing fellow"; that one's "the quiet type." This one's better off working with his hands while another excels at bookish pursuits. One sort of person is a leader; another sort is a follower. These basic dispositions, or manners of thinking, behaving, and reacting, are called "temperaments" -- a word whose etymology reflects humorist theory: it derives from the Latin temperamentum, which refers to "proper mixture." Going further back, and keeping the aforementioned words of St. John Damascene in mind, it could ultimately stem from the Latin tempus or tempor-, which refer to time and seasons.

Humorism asserts that each person is born with a basic temperament as determined by which of the four humors tends to predominate in the individual. As we all produce each humor, there will be varying degrees of influence by each, but the effects of one is usually more evident. In some people, the next most influential humor might be quite strong so that such a person can be generally described as having a combined temperament; in others, the most abundant humor dominates the others such that there is no question at all as to which category he falls into.

What follows is a very basic outline of the characteristics of each temperament as classically described. For more explicit information, you'll have to take the test linked to at the bottom of the page!



Sanguine



Self-composed Not given to worry Liberal
Tends to follow rather than lead Cordial Peaceable
Talkative Not averse to change Adjusts easily
Tends to prefer informality Aware of surroundings Impetuous
Impulsive Lacking in perseverance Lacking in initiative
Prone to carelessness, hedonism, flightiness, and lust


Choleric



Self-composed Not given to worry Persuasive Independent
Rarely shows embarrassment Tends to lead rather than follow
Persistent Insistent Decisive Dynamic Impetuous Impulsive Touchy Prone to hypocrisy, deceit, pride, and anger


Melancholic




Sensitive Intuitive Self-conscious Easily embarrassed
Easily hurt Introspective Sentimental Moody
Likes to be alone Empathetic Often artistic
Often fussy and perfectionist Deep
Prone to depression, avarice, and gluttony


Phlegmatic




Peaceful Easy-going Deliberative Faithful Reliable
Relatively unaffected by environment Reserved Distant
Slow in movement Constant in mood Not prone to worry
Prone to stagnation and sloth



An exaggerated way of understanding the four temperaments is to consider four people who see a star fall to earth. The Sanguine talks about it animatedly to all present; the Choleric wants to form an expedition to find it and analyze it; the Melancholic ponders what it means and how he feels about it; and the Phlegmatic waits for the others to decide what to do as whatever decision they make is fine by him. It's kind of fun to analyze friends -- and characters we see in movies, too -- in terms of these four temperaments. Consider "The Wizard of Oz" with its Sanguine Cowardly Lion, Choleric Scarecrow, Melancholic Tin Man, and Phlegmatic Dorothy. Or "A Streetcar Named Desire" with its Sanguine Mitch, Choleric Stanley, Melancholic Blanche DuBois, and Phlegmatic Stella.

White Oak

White oak bark information

White oak bark - Quercus alba (in the Fagaceae or Oak family) Note: other oaks can be used;

Part used: Bark.

Taste/smell: Astringent.

Tendencies: Drying.

Dosage: Decoction: 1-2 teaspoons per cup of water; or 1:5 dry strength liquid extract: 10-60 drops 1-4 times per day.

Mental picture and specific indications: White oak bark is indicated in subacute and chronic conditions with exhaustion from disease, fevers, night sweats, ulcerations, relaxed and atonic tissues, prolapsed organs and putrid states.

Use: (a) Astringent, (b) Styptic.

White oak bark is used for mucous membrane irritation like gum ulcerations, sore throats, wounds, local inflammations, weeping eczema and leg ulcers. It can be used as a compress for eye inflammations. It is beneficial for passive hemorrhages and venous laxity and congestion like bleeding hemorrhoids and other varicosities. Oak bark is useful in treating the symptoms of diarrhea.

Contraindications: It is contraindicated for external use with extensive skin surface damage. Strong, full baths are contraindicated in cardiac insufficiency stages III and IV, febrile infectious disorders, and weeping eczema over a large area.

Copyright 1999 by Sharol Tilgner, N.D. (ISBN 1-881517-02-0) - all rights reserved.

Thyme

hyme information

Thyme - Thymus vulgaris (in the Lamiaceae or Mint family)

Part used: Leaves and flowers.

Taste/smell: Aromatic.

Tendencies: Warming, drying.

Dosage: Infusion: 1 teaspoon per cup of water; or 1:1.5 fresh + dry strength liquid extract: 10-30 drops 1-4 times per day.

Mental picture and specific indications: Thyme is indicated for spasmodic conditions of the respiratory and urinary tract with infectious symptoms.

Use: (a) Expectorant, (b) Spasmolytic, (c) Bronchodilator, (d) Carminative, (e) Antioxidant, (f) Antibacterial with in vitro activity against Staph aureus, (g) Antifungal, (h) Diuretic, (i) Vermifuge.

Thyme is specific for whooping cough, bronchitis and other respiratory tract conditions. It can be used both internally and externally on the chest. Additionally thyme is beneficial for urinary tract infections.

Contraindications: An overdose of the essential oil can cause abdominal pain and temporary collapse and should not be used internally except under the guidance of a qualified health care practitioner. It is contraindicated in pregnancy due to the emmenagogue effect.

Copyright 1999 by Sharol Tilgner, N.D. (ISBN 1-881517-02-0) - all rights reserved.

Sage

Sage information

Sage - Salvia officinalis (in the Lamiaceae or Mint family)

Part used: Aerial herb in budding stage.

Taste/smell: Pungent, aromatic.

Tendencies: Warming, drying.

Dosage: Infusion: 1 teaspoon per cup of water; or 1:1.4 fresh + dry strength liquid extract: 10-40 drops 1-4 times per day.

Mental picture and specific indications: For people with relaxed and enfeebled circulation with excessive sweating.

Use: (a) Carminative, (b) Astringent, (c) Antibacterial with in vitro activity against Strep pyogenes and Staph aureus , (d) Used for atonic states.

Cold preparations are used to check excessive perspiration from peripheral circulatory atony or relaxation. Sage is used for hot flashes, night sweats, galactorrhea, treating the symptoms of diarrhea and gastric atony with gas and burping. It is also beneficial for mucous membrane irritation, like gum ulcerations and sore throats.

Contraindications: Sage is contraindicated in pregnancy due to the emmenagogue and abortifacient effect and lactation due to the possibility of reduced milk flow. It contains the mutagen, thujone. Do not exceed the recommended dosage or use long term. Prolonged use may cause epileptiform cramps.

Copyright 1999 by Sharol Tilgner, N.D. (ISBN 1-881517-02-0) - all rights reserved.

Rosemary

Rosemary information

Rosemary - Rosmarinus officinalis (in the Lamiaceae or Mint family)

Part used: Leaf.

Taste/smell: Aromatic, spicy.

Tendencies: Warming, drying.

Dosage: Infusion: 1 teaspoon per cup of water; or 1:5 dry strength liquid extract: 10-30 drops 1-4 times per day.

Use: (a) Nervine, (b) Astringent, (c) Diuretic, (d) Carminative, (e) Emmenagogue, (f) Abortifacient, (g) Cholagogue, (h) Choleretic, (i) Antispasmodic.

Rosemary is a tonic to vasomotor function and peripheral circulation and it soothes the nervous system. It is used for atonic conditions of the stomach, gastric headache, circulatory weakness and hypotension following stress or illness. Additionally the essential oil can be used as an external analgesic for rheumatism and as a circulatory stimulant.

Contraindications: It is contraindicated in pregnancy due to the emmenagogue effect. 

Licorice

Licorice information

Licorice - Glycyrrhiza glabra (in the Fabaceae or Legume family)

Part used: Root.

Taste/smell: Sweet, nutritious.

Tendencies: Moistening.

Dosage: Decoction: 1 teaspoon per cup of water; or 1:3 dry strength liquid extract: 20-60 drops 1-4 times per day.

Use: (a) Demulcent, (b) Adrenalmodulator, (c) Antibacterial, (d) Antiviral, (e) Antimutagen, (f) Anti-allergenic, (g) Expectorant with secretolytic and secretomotor activity, (h) Anti-inflammatory, (i) Nutritive, (j) Spasmolytic, (k) Antioxidant, (l) Estrogenic, (m) Immunomodulator, (n) Mild laxative, (o) Hepatoprotective.

Licorice is most known for its soothing effect on inflamed mucous membranes of the throat, lungs, stomach and intestines. The root is used for coughs, all throat and bronchial irritations, urinary tract irritation, adrenal fatigue, immune deficient states, allergies, gastric and duodenal ulcers, liver disorders, exhaustion due to adrenal stress, and dermatological detoxification. It is effective for chronic hepatitis, useful in HIV and is specific for conditions like mononucleosis, where the patient has abnormally high liver enzymes, a sore throat and needs immune system support. It is also a wonderful herb for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Due to its sweet taste, licorice makes a nice addition to formulas that are unpalatable.

Experiments with both methanol extract of licorice and the constituent glycyrrhizin appear to activate glucuronidation and suggest the possibility that it may influence detoxification of xenobiotics in the liver. Subdural injection of licorice root has inhibited RC mammary carcinoma and lymphosarcoma 150 in mice. A number of constituents in licorice have shown anti-tumor activity in animal research.

The saponin known as glycyrrhizin, also known as glycyrrhizic acid or glycyrrhizinic acid, is the main ingredient in licorice root. It and its aglycone, glycyrrhetinic acid, exert most of the medicinal effects and are essential active components. Glycyrrhetinic acid is formed from glycyrrhizin via hydrolysis that is assisted by intestinal flora enzymes. It decreases inflammation by enhancing movement of leucocytes towards inflamed areas. Glycyrrhizin also increases interferon production and inhibits the activity of phospholipase A and the formation of prostaglandin E2 in activated peritoneal macrophages. Additionally it inhibits the effect of several tumor promoters. It contains 3-dehydro-18 beta-glycyrrhetinic acid, 2-15% triterpenoid saponins, largely glycyrrhizin that is ammonium and calcium salts of glycyrrhizinic acid and 24-hydroxyglycyrrhizin. Glycyrrhizinic acid hydrolyzes to diglucuronic acid and the aglycone glycyrrhetinic acid. There are other triterpenoid saponins, including sitosterol and stigmasterol, flavonoids and isoflavonoids, coumestans, coumarins, resins, gums, tannin, starch and a bitter principle. The isoflavone in licorice called formononetin, has very weak estrogenic activity compared with natural estrone or synthetic DES. Phytoestrogens can behave like anti-estrogens by competing with estradiol for cytoplasmic receptors in estrogen-sensitive tissues, possibly acting as protection against stronger estrogenic action from estradiol and protecting against cancers that are estrogen receptor positive.

Since licorice inhibits 5-beta-reductase that regulates cortisol and aldosterone metabolism, it may retard the metabolic excretion of corticosteroids and extend the biological half-life of cortisol and aldosterone.

Contraindications: Licorice is contraindicated in high blood pressure, heart failure, kidney disease, liver cirrhosis and cholestatic liver disorders. Chronic licorice use mimics aldosteronism by increasing sodium resorption and potassium excretion by the kidneys. This action is due to glycyrrhizin content. De-glycyrrhinized licorice has been investigated for its clinical use and saftey. Its use has been controversial. There is 2-9% glycyrrhizin in licorice root. The de-glycyrrhinized root extract has a maximum of 3% glycyrrhizin in it.

The toxic symptoms are hypertension, edema, hypokalemia, vertigo and headache. This ceases when it is withdrawn or by concurrent use of antialdosterone agents. Doses of 3 or more grams a day should not be taken for more than 6 weeks unless monitored under the guidance of a qualified health care practitioner. Elderly people are more prone to pseudoaldosteronism due to a greater increase of glycyrrhetinic acid levels from increased production by their gut bacterial flora enzymes on glycyrrhizin. Licorice potentiates the activity of anthraquinone drugs or herbs containing anthraquinones, like cascara and buckthorn, by increasing the wettability of the bowel contents because of the high surfactant activity of glycyrrhizin. It also potentiates the toxicity of cardiac glycosides like digitalis due to potassium loss in the urine. There may also be an additive effect with thiazide diuretics. When used with corticoid treatment, glycyrrhizin interferes with 5 beta-reductase breakdown of corticosteroids, thus prolonging its biological half-life. When someone discontinues the use of licorice after consuming it over a long period of time, they should withdraw from it slowly, unless they are discontinuing it due to side effects. In the case of dangerous side effects, they should immediately withdraw from its use.

Ginger

Ginger information

Ginger - Zingiber officinalis (in the Zingiberaceae or Ginger family)

Parts used: Root.

Taste/smell: Aromatic and spicy. Note: The dried root is considered hotter than the fresh root.

Tendencies: Heating, stimulating and drying.

Dosage: Fresh infusion: Ginger, approximately 2-3 centimeters in length, per cup of water. Infusion: teaspoonful of dry ginger per cup of water.; or 1:1 fresh + dry liquid extract: 10-60 drops in a little water. Note: For the anti-emetic effect, 2 grams has been shown to be effective, for example, 3 - 4 capsules or 1/2 - 1 teaspoon liquid extract.

Mental picture and specific indications: Ginger is indicated for cold and congestive conditions with digestive, genitourinary or respiratory debility.

Use: (a) Carminative, (b) Decreases platelet aggregation, (c) Antiatherosclerotic, (d) Diaphoretic, (e) Cardiotonic, (f) Antipyretic, (g) Antitussive, (h) Expectorant, (i) Stomachic, (j) Anti-inflammatory, (k) Antimicrobial, (l) Antispasmodic, (m) Diuretic, (n) Anti-emetic, (o) Choleretic, (p) Hypolipidemic, (q) Analgesic, (r) Antioxidant.

Ginger is useful for digestive disturbances that involve flatulence, burping and colic. It is useful for a slow digestive system as well as circulatory sluggishness and can inhibit digestive ulcers. The diaphoretic quality is suitable for feverish conditions and is gentle enough for both elderly and children to use. It has been used to abort migraine headaches and is well known for its use in motion sickness, post operative nausea and nausea of pregnancy. Research with chemotherapy-induced vomiting showed ginger tea to be ineffective while the tincture (liquid extract) was very effective. The fresh juice is used to treat first and second degree burns. As a heating herb, it is indicated for disorders due to cold conditions. Ginger has a positive inotropic effect on the heart. It possesses a fibrinolytic quality. Fibrin is deposited in tissue near varicose veins and causes skin to become hard and lumpy because of the presence of fibrin and fat. It also decreases the risk of thrombus formation in thrombophlebitis and inhibits production of prostaglandins which cause physical pain.

Ginger is rich in volatile oils, including zingiberene, zingiberole, gingerol, shogoal, phellandrene, borneol, cineole, as well as citral, starch, mucilage and resin. Different varieties of ginger contain different essential oils.

Contraindications: Large doses are contraindicated in pregnancy. Animal studies have shown a potential for CNS depression and cardiac arrhythmias when the animals are given large overdoses. This has not been seen in human studies.

Copyright 1999 by Sharol Tilgner, N.D. (ISBN 1-881517-02-0) - all rights reserved.

Garlic

Garlic information

Garlic - Allium sativa (in the Liliaceae or Lily family)

Parts used: Cloves.

Taste/smell: Pungent, warm.

Tendencies: Heating, stimulating, and drying.

Dosage: 1:1 fresh strength liquid extract: 30-60 drops 1-4 times per day. Note: It is best to use fresh cloves, especially for a bacterial or parasitic infection. Capsules and tinctures can also be used in other conditions.

Mental picture and specific indications: Garlic stimulates digestion and cardiovascular circulation. It is indicated for dyspepsia, hypertension, arthritic pain and individuals with catarrhal affections. The tongue is pale with red papillae.

Use: (a) Antibacterial, (b) Antifungal, (c) Antiparasitic, (d) Diuretic, (e) Carminative, (f) Natriuretic, an agent that increases excretion of sodium in urine, (g) Anticoagulant, (h) Antithrombotic, (i) Hypotensive, (j) Antispasmodic, (k) Hypoglycemic, (l) Diaphoretic, (m) Cholagogue, (n) Inhibits tumor growth, (o) Supports immune function, (p) Protects the liver, (q) Lowers cholesterol and triglycerides, (r) Increases HDL.

Garlic is used to decrease plaque in atherosclerosis and is beneficial for infectious conditions, high blood pressure, dysentery, peripheral vascular diseases, diabetes and liver disease.

Contraindications: Garlic may cause gastrointestinal disturbance in sensitive individuals and should be avoided by persons with hot constitutions. It is contraindicated with acute inflammation, insomnia, dehydration, hypoglycemia, brittle diabetes, pemphigus, impending surgery, organ transplants and concomitant use with anticoagulants. Large amounts can decrease the uptake of iodine by the thyroid.

Copyright 1999 by Sharol Tilgner, N.D. (ISBN 1-881517-02-0) - all rights reserved.