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.

Fennel

Fennel information

Fennel - Foeniculum vulgare (in the Apiaceae, previously Umbelliferae, or Parsley family)

Parts used: Seed.

Taste/smell: Aromatic, sweet, spicy.

Tendencies: Warming.

Dosage: Infusion: crush 1 teaspoon to one tablespoon of seeds per cup of water; or 1:4 dry liquid extract: 10-60 drops 1-4 times per day.

Use: (a) Mild expectorant, (b) Antispasmodic, thought to act on beta 2 receptors which effect vasodilation, intestinal relaxation, uterus relaxation, bronchodilation and bladder relaxation, (c) Anti-inflammatory, (d) Galactagogue, (e) Phytoestrogen, (f) Carminative, (g) Flavoring.

The root is useful as a diuretic when used in crude form or liquid extract but does not have a diuretic effect as a tea. In animal research, the seed was shown to have diuretic, analgesic, antipyretic and antimicrobial activities. It is beneficial for indigestion, gas and coughs.

Fennel contains fixed oil, flavonoids, 2-6% essential oil consisting of 50-70% of the sweet trans-anethole and up to 20% of the bitter and camphoraceous (+)-fenchone. It also contains methylchavicol, anisaldehyde, alpha-pinene, alpha-phellandrene and limonene. The seeds contain a fixed oil, protein, organic acids and flavonoids.

Contraindications: An overdose of the essential oil can cause nausea, vomiting, seizures and pulmonary edema. It is contraindicated in pregnancy due to the emmenagogue effect and phytoestrogen activity unless under the guidance of a qualified health care practitioner.


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

Dandelion

Dandelion information

Dandelion - Taraxacum officinalis (in the Asteraceae or Aster family)

Part Used: Whole plant, leaves, flowers, roots.

Taste/Smell: Leaves and root are somewhat bitter but also slightly sweet taste in the root.

Tendencies: Cooling and drying.

Dosage: Decoction: 1 heaping teaspoon of root per cup of water; infusion: 1 heaping tablespoon of the leaf per cup of water; or 1:1 fresh + dry liquid extract: 1-60 drops, 1- 4 times per day in a little water.

Mental picture and specific indications: Dandelion is indicated for persons with a mapped tongue, bitter taste in the mouth and pain in the sternomastoid muscle. It is specific for low-grade internalized heat or infectious conditions, especially if related to allergies. Edema or boggy mucous membranes may be present. There is often a history of chemical insult or other environmental assaults pointing to liver involvement. The individual may feel worse from resting, sitting and lying, and feel better from touch.

Use: (a) Diuretic, whole plant, especially the leaf, (b) Stomachic, (c) Mild laxative, (d) Cholagogue, (e) Choleretic, (f) Anti-platelet aggregating action.

Dandelion is used for arthritis, gout, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, edema and abnormal blood sugar levels. It is indicated for many female problems and skin diseases due to its action on the liver. The whole plant, especially the root, is beneficial to the liver but is slow in producing the desired action. Autumn roots are roasted and used as a coffee substitute.

Dandelion leaves contain aesculin that improves vascular resistance and reduces pathologically-induced capillary wall permeability. Dandelion contains bitter substances, eudesmanolides, germacranolides, triterpenes, sterols, carotenoids, flavonoids, carbohydrates (in the root), 18% fructose in spring, mucilage, 4.5% potassium found in the greens, 2% inulin in spring rising to 40% in autumn. One of the sterols, sitosterol, has anti-inflammatory effects. The diuretic action is due to inhibition of sodium reabsorption.

Contraindications: Physical contact with the fresh latex in dandelions can cause contact dermatitis. Dandelion is contraindicated in bile duct obstruction, acute gall bladder inflammation, acute gastrointestinal inflammation and intestinal blockage.

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

Comfrey

Comfrey information

Comfrey - Symphytum officinalis (in the Boraginaceae or Borage family)

Parts used: Root and main rib of leaf have the most mucilage and allantoin.

Taste/Smell: Mucilaginous, nutritious tasting, bland.

Tendencies: Cooling and moistening.

Dosage: Used externally as a poultice, paste, or fomentation.

Use: Externally: (a) Contusions, (b) Sprains, (c) Dislocations, (e) Wounds, (f) Burns, (g) Ulcers, (h) All inflammatory skin disorders.

Comfrey's demulcent and anti-inflammatory effects have been used historically as an internal agent for soothing mucous membrane irritation in the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract and urinary tract. It acts as an anti-inflammatory when there is damage to the periosteum, promotes callus formation in fractures and decreases inflammation of tendon sheaths. It has been used for arthritis, dislocations, contusions, hematomas, thrombophlebitis, phlebitis, parotitis, and glandular swellings. Comfrey can also be used as a gargle in periodontitis and pharyngitis. But internal use is no longer advised due to the possibility of pyrrolizidine alkaloid poisoning inducing veno-hepato-occlusive disease.

Externally it decreases the healing time for skin wounds and irritations and has been shown to act as a mild analgesic.

Comfrey contains 6-8% allantoin, 0.02-0.07% pyrrolizidine alkaloids, 4-6% tannins, intermedine, aetylintermedine, lycopsamine, acetyllycopsamine, symphytine, mucilage, starch, triterpenes like isobauerenol and sterols like sitosterol. The constituent, allantoin, promotes cell proliferation and is thought to be the main reason for its healing action.

Contraindications: Do not use internally due to possible pyrrolizidine poisoning causing veno-occlusive disease and carcinogenic activity. It is also contraindicated in pregnancy and nursing mothers.

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

Camomile

Chamomile - Matricaria recutita (in the Asteraceae or Aster family)

Parts used: Fresh flowers prior to fully opening. Fresh or dry flowers can be used.

Taste/smell: Sweet, aromatic, slightly bitter.

Dosage: Infusion: 1 heaping tablespoon of fresh flowers per cup of water, infused 5-10 minutes; or 1:1.4 fresh + dry liquid extract: 20-75 drops 1-4 times per day.

Mental picture and specific indications: This nervine is specific for neural irritability in persons with a strong and active nervous system. Mental picture is restless, irritable, sensitive, complaining, wants to have their way, argumentative, acting like a baby and cannot be comforted.

Use: (a) Antispasmodic, (b) Anti-inflammatory, (c) Anti-allergenic, (d) Analgesic, (e) Antipyretic, (f) Antiseptic, (g) Antibacterial against Strep. pyogenes(in vitro research), (h) Antifungal, (i) Carminative.

Chamomile is used for indigestion, gas and accompanying pain, gastritis and gastric ulcers and externally for burns, ulcers and wounds. Its anti-inflammatory action can partially be attributed to chamomile's ability to inhibit arachidonic acid metabolism. Being a mild sedative for nervousness and nightmares, it is especially beneficial for infants and elders who are restless when attempting to sleep. The sedative activity is thought to largely be due to the constituent, apigenin, which can produce mild sedation and decrease anxiety without producing marked depression of CNS activity. Chamomile is indicated for menstrual cramps and babies with colic or who are teething. Poultices used over the spine are helpful for viral meningitis. The ability to relieve pain may be due to its prostaglandin-inhibiting action. It contains anti-inflammatory constituents, alpha bisabolol and chamazulene. Alpha bisabolol additionally has antispasmodic and anti-ulcerogenic properties. Matricin and apigenin are also active constituents in chamomile.

Contraindications: The flowers and tea, as well as other products made from chamomile, may cause an allergenic sensitivity in susceptible individuals. It has caused contact dermatitis, anaphylaxis and other hypersensitive reactions in persons allergic to plants in the Asteraceae, formerly the Compositae, family. These reactions are rare occurrences.

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

Labels, Labels, Labels

So, as I was looking into labelling earlier on in this project I thought it might be relevant to carry it on, however mislabelling medicinal potions just seem irresponsible to me so I won't be doing that. I have decided to explore the media used instead.

When I say 'explore' I have pretty much already decided on copper as it feel more official and permanent I feel it is the most appropriate.  The Labels are almost done in fact, they just need to be oxidised.