The therapeutic worth of plants has been known to humankind since our beginning. Only since about the second decade of the 1900s has U.S. pharmaceuticals taken attention away from the original source of most manufactured drugs... botanicals... This is simply because natural substances and plant extracts can NOT be patented and monopolized for profit. Thus what the drug industry seeks is something within the plant that does the "work" that they can artifically duplicate and thus patent and sell for huge profits.

Fortunately other cultures did not follow this profit-guru, and have maintained natural botanical pharmacology. Thanks to these wise ones we have the modern research about the active ingredients in botanicals.

What makes the difference between using the term nutrients and herbs or more accurately the term of botanicals is unclear... Plants, botanicals or herbs all contain nutrients. Normally nutrients are thought of as isolated components like vitamins and minerals within food sources, such as plants. When plants are spoken of in terms of therapeutic value, it's the nutrient worth that is being referred to, either as a whole or some aspect within the plant.

The website http://www.botanical.com provides indepth information of some 800 plants... The following is an overview of the some commonly used botanicals....

Alfalfa aids in healing allergies, arthritis, morning sickness, peptic ulcers, stomach ailments & bad breath; cleanses the kidneys & removes poisons from the body; neutralizes acids; is an excellent blood purifier & blood thinner; improves the appetite and aids in the assimilation of protein, calcium & other nutrients.

Aloe Vera is also listed with Super-Foods section of this Health Zone... Aloe Vera is the immorality plant... The juice extracted is highly valued for a vast variety of health support. It's usually suggested to be consumed at the rate of one ounce daily, or 1 tablespoon 3 times daily.

Many people keep Aloe Vera house plants to use the fresh gel in the leaves for topical applications to soothe burns, sunburn, cuts, frostbite... It is used for cellulitis and skin care preparations.

Concentrated oral Aloe Vera preparations are being used for many conditons including ulcers, viral and intestinal infections, immune weakness, asthma, Type II diabetes, and cancer. The compound "acemannan" has been isolated and used for feline leukemia, which seems to be caused by a virus that acts similar to HIV... Reports from AIDS victims indicate it improved the immune system at dosages of 800 mg minimum (This extract compound is very expensive and difficult to find a reliable source.)... This amounts to about 3 pints of the fresh juice... Since the "acemannan" compound is unstable it's not known if this compound remains in commerical juice extractions.

Astragalus - Most commonly used as a tincture of 1 - 2 droppers in water... It is a immune system and sperm motility invigorator, energy booster and enhances infection killer cells. Prized by elderly and cancer patients requiring extra protection against infections.

Bilberry - Extracts of 25 percent anthocyanosides are used at 250 - 500 mg daily. Bilbery is valued for its stimulation of the eye protein production "rhodopsin" essential for night vision. Since World War II, PILOTS have used it to enhance vision, especially night sight. The bioflavonoids (anthocyanosides) in Bilberry seem to be attracted to the eye's retina where the anti-oxidants work to solve retinal problems. Any exposure to bright, high-contrast light depletes the supply of rhodopsin. (THIS INCLUDES COMPUTER and TV MONITORS.)

Bilberry extract has been found effective in improving any vascular conditions, such as diabetic glaucoma, cataracts, nearsigtedness, limits blood clots, helps prevent calcium deposits in arteries and joint collagen deterioration. It dilates blood vessels helping relieve hemorrhoids and reduce leg numbness, swelling and varicose veins.

Black Cohosh - Cimicifuga racemosa, the active ingredient, is similar to estrogen's influence, thus is prized by women for relief of menstrual cramps, and for menopausal hot flashes and night sweats. Usual intake is 16 mg daily. It also relieves fibromyalgia muscle pains and nervous system conditions in women and men.

BLESSED THISTLE helps strengthen the heart & lungs; aids in healing urinary, pulmonary & liver disorders; increases circulation to the brain; aids digestion, reduces fever, expels worms, helps alleviate menstrual cramps

BURDOCK ROOT is an excellent blood purifier and cleanser; aids in healing skin blemishes, arthritis & rheumatism; promotes healthy kidney function.

Capsaicin is an extract of Cayenne Pepper. The active ingredients are measured in a HEAT UNITS INDEX. Used as a topical application for pain relief, or internally in capusule for a variety of conditions. Capsule form, Cayenne Pepper is used to lower cholesteral and blood pressure, thin blood, stablize heart rhythm, prevent ulcers, overcome asthma, soothe inflammed bowels and stop incontinence. Capsaicin topical liquid or creams have nerve desensitizing abilities that make it a popular for relief from sore muscle, arthritis, shingles, psoriasis, fibromyalgia, diabetic neuropathy and gum pain.

Cascara Sagrada stimulates secretions in the entire digestive system; helps prevent nervous disorders, colon and constipation problems.

Cat's Claw - Uncaria tomentosa is considered an herbal panacea from the rain forest in Peru. It enhances the immune system, inhibits cancer, lowers blood pressure and cholesterol, and solve inflammatory conditions like arthritis, ulcers, and digestive ailments.

Chamomile is an excellent digestive tract cleanser and toner; aids in calming the nerves; helps to expel worms and parasites; improves appetite; helps eliminate dandruff.

Chapparal aids in healing skin blemishes, acne, arthritis and allergies; promotes hair growth; acts as a natural antibiotic within the body.

Coleus Forskohlii

Comfrey aids in healing respiratory ailments, anemia, arthritis, fractures, mucous membranes, lungs and wounds; soothes gastrointestinal tract; aids normal cell proliferation; helps pancreas regulate blood sugar level; helps promote secretion of the enzyme pepsin and acts as a general aid to digestion.

Cranberry

Echinaceaenhances the body's natural defense in many ways... It acts as a natural antibiotic and works like penicillin targeting bacteria and virus without the side effects caused by antibiotics... It is prized for upper respiratory and yeast infections... aids in reducing fever, infections, mucous buildup and bad breath. It's the most effective botanical blood and lymphatic cleanser. Freeze dried powder forms seem to be most effective as preventive at 750-1,050 mg daily.

Ephedra - Ma Haung is a stimulant of the adrenal glands; helps increase energy level; aids in healing asthma, bronchitis, lung, coughs & congestive disorders. Popularly used in weight control because of its metabolic increasing activities.

Fenugreek - Trigonella foenumgraecum...

Feverfew

Garlic is a herbal panacea for almost any infectious condition... 2,500-3,500 mg daily enhances health of the blood and all organs. A few of its many benefits include: extremely effective in dissolving and cleansing cholesterol from the blood stream thus lowers cholesterol, high blood pressure and blood sugars; keeps fats in the blood from adhering to arteries; blocks thromboxane B2 (which constricts vessel and bronchial passages). It stimulates the digestive tract; kills worms, parasites and harmful bacteria; reduces gas and cramps. It's used by athletes to increaseing physical strength and energy. AVOID supplements promoting Allicin, it can damage body tissues and red blood cells.

Ginger is as effective as aspirin for preventing blood clotting and clustering in veins. Relieves morning sickness from pregnancy. Popular with sailors for seasickness relief. Works better than Drainamine for motion sickness, dizziness and upset stomach. It functions as an anti-inflammatory, thus helpful in conditons like rheumatoid arthritis. It strengths the heart, reduces cholesterol

Ginkgo Biloba, is the oldest species of tree living on Earth. It is the last and only member of an extinct flora. From it is extracted the most widely recommended botanical in Europe and Japan for mental function, memory, circulation and cardiovascular health. Ginkgo Biloba facilitates blood flow in the entire body including the BRAIN ... Thus it... protects and promotes brain functions including memory and mental activity... protects liver, eyes, and all parts of the circulatory system... helps male penis sustain an erection... stabilizes heart rhythm... and has been found helpful in many conditions including circulatory disorders, numbness, cataracts, macular dengeneration, reinopathy, dizziness, tinnitus, headaches, depression, asthma, pre- and menstrual discomforts...

Ginseng is a root, with several varies commonly used... Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus)... Chinese, Korean panax... American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium). Ginseng helps the body with any physiological strengthening and balancing. It requires consistent long-term use to obtain maxiumum benefits. Experience is the only method to determine which variety works best for each individual. The more potent form of Chinese, Korean panax is suggested for conditions like diabetes, cancer or AIDS.

Goldenseal

Gotu Kola - Centella asiatica is an excellent "brain food" which promotes memory and helps alleviate mental fatigue. It's excellent for the eyes, impotence, endurance, and energy. It prized for normalizing blood pressure and nerve tonic.

Gymnema Sylvestre

Hawthorn Berries strengthens muscles and nerves to the heart; aids in relieving emotional stress; regulates high and low blood pressure; combats arteriosclerosis, hypoglycemia and heart disease.

Hypercium - St. John's Wort

Hyssop regulates blood pressure, purifies blood, promotes circulation, excellent aid for eyes, hoarseness, lungs, mucous buildup, nervous disorders and skin problems.

Kava

Licorice has the active ingredient Glycyrrhizin which helps maintain the health of adrenal steriods, the body's inflammation fighting substance. It also enhances the action of other herbs. It works as effectively as codeine for cough suppression. It inhibits virus growth such as hepatitis B and Epstein-Barr, and is even credited with preventing HIV from developing in AIDS. At high levels it causes fluid retention and blood pressure increase.

Mexican Yam - Dioscorea

Mistletoe

Mushrooms

Night-blooming Cereus - Catcus Used primarily as a tincture for its heart strengthening properties, especially effective in mitral valve prolapse and abnormal rhythm. Taken regularly often reduces the amount or need for cardiac medications.

Olive Leaf has the active ingredient of Calcium enolate, which is a very effective yeast, bacteria and virus killer... It has long been known for use against malaria, viral encephalitis and meningities, shingles, herpes, gonorrhea, hepatitis B, pneumonia, tuberculosis... Remember antibiotics don't kill yeasts and bacteria... but Olive Leaf does.. 500 mg daily slowly increasing to 2,000 mg while symptons last then reduce as warranted.

Oregano Oil contain 2 antioxidants - thymol and carvacrol - that act as anti-microbial... If a person can get past the aroma, topical oils also are used for gum aliments, bruises, sprain and rheumantic conditions.

Pau D'Arco

Pygeum Africanum

Rose Hips is used to combat infection and curb stress. It's prized for being the highest herb in Vitamin C content, plus contains an entire C-Complex.

Saraparilla is an excellent blood purifier; helps overcome impotence; relieves inflammation and gas; increases flow of urine; aids rheumatism, heartburn, hormones, gout, fever ad mucous buildup; also used to promote perspiration.

Saw Palmetto - Serenoa Repens...

Spirulina is actually an algae is far more nutritious than any known food containing 65 - 70% protein; has 26 times the Calcium of milk; very high in Vitamin B12 content, contains phosphorous and niacin. It's used for rejuvenation, weight reduction, blood and colon cleanser, and general nutritional benefits.

Tea Tree Oil

Turmeric

Valerian

Vitex Agnus Castus

Yellow Dock is high in Iron thus is used for treating anemia; nourishes, strengthens and tones the whole body, especially the organs of the spleen and liver, thus effective in eliminating Jaundice and Lymphatic problems; excellent for boils, ulcers, blood cleansing, and skin eruptions.

Yohimbe

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