Zingiber officinalis
Ginger
Originally from tropical Asia, ginger has been used as both culinary and medicinal herb in the West for at least 2,000 years. It was introduced into the Americas by the Spaniards and is now cultivated extensively in the West Indies. As a hot, dry herb it was traditionally used for to warm the stomach and dispel chills. In the eighteenth century, ginger was added to many remedies to modify their action and reduce the irritant effects on the stomach. The herb is also used in this way in China to reduce the toxicity of some herbs.
Character: Pungent, hot, and dry.
Constituents: Volatile oil (inc. borneol, citral), phenols, alkaloid, mucilage.
Actions: Circulatory stimulant, peripheral vasodilator, diaphoretic, expectorant, antiemetic, antispasmodic, carminative, antiseptic.
Topically: rubefacient.
PARTS USED
FRESH ROOT
In China, the fresh root is known as sheng jiang and is mainly used as a diaphoretic and expectorant for colds and chills and is also roasted with hot ashes and used for diarrhea or as a styptic. As well as using the root for chills, Western herbalists regard the plant as an effective circulatory stimulant.
DRIED ROOT
Called gan jiang in China, the dried root is used to warm and stimulate the stomach and lung in such conditions as diarrhea related to digestive weakness or chronic bronchitis. The herb is an effective restorative and is often added to classic Chinese tonic formulas. In the West, dried ginger is similarly used as a warming remedy for the stomach and for both travel sickness and sickness in pregnancy. It has a stimulant, warming effect on the womb and can be helpful for menstrual cramps and other irregularities.
GINGER PEEL
Peeled root skin (jiang pi ) is considered as cold in China and is used for edema and abdominal bloating in China.
ESSENTIAL OIL
Used in both East and West for at least 400 years, the oil is recommended in China for malaria and coughs characterized by copious phlegm. In France it is prescribed in drop doses on sugar lumps for both flatulence and fevers and taken before meals as an appetite stimulant. The oil can be added to massage rubs for rheumatic pains and bone injuries.
APPLICATIONS
Fresh root
Decoction: Use 1–2 slices of root to a mug of water, simmer for 10 minutes and drink for chills and catarrhal colds. A pinch of cinnamon can be added to the mixture.
Tincture: Use 2–10 drops of a 1 in 5 tincture per dose as a warming circulatory stimulant where poor circulation may be contributing to chilblains, very cold feet and hands, etc. Also for flatulence, indigestion and nausea.
Dried root
Capsules: Take 1–2 200 mg capsules before travelling for seasickness, travel sickness, etc. Up to 1 g doses can be used for morning sickness in pregnancy.
Decoction: Used in many Chinese tonic formulas in combination with herbs such as ginseng, bai zhu, or specially prepared monkshood as a restorative for yang or spleen energies. Also combined with herbs such as ban xia, huang lian, and huang qin for abdominal fullness, nausea, and excess phlegm.
Essential oil
Massage rub: Add 5–10 drops of essential oil to 25 ml of almond oil as a rub for rheumatism or lumbago. Combine with juniper or eucalyptus oil.
Essential oil: Use 1–2 drops on a sugar lump or in a half a teaspoon of honey for flatulence, menstrual cramps, nausea, or stomach upsets.
CAUTIONS:
• Avoid excessive amount of ginger if the stomach is already hot and over-stimulated as in peptic ulceration.
• Use with respect in early pregnancy although it can be safely taken for morning sickness in the doses described.
AYURVEDIC HERBS
OUT OF INDIA
The Ayurvedic healing tradition in India dates back to the Rigveda, written between 3500 and 1800 B.C. Later theories have also influenced the therapeutic uses of the many thousands of medicinal herbs used in the subcontinent. The Siddha system, which attains spiritual perfection through meditation, for example, started around 2000 B.C. among the Dravidian people of Southern India and was believed to originate directly from the Hindu deity Shiva and his wife, Parvati. Later Arab traders brought the Unani-Tibb tradition (based on ancient Greek theories), which was a favorite with the Moghul emperors from the fourteenth century. Many plants are common to all three systems, but there can often be subtle differences, which can make interpretation of Indian plant therapeutics more complex. India’s many different languages also mean that the same plant can be known by a dozen different names.
Around 75% of India’s population still depend on traditional medicines, which significantly outsell conventional drugs. Many products are complex, and adulteration is all too common; for example, “ashtavarga” used as a fertility tonic, should be made of eight herbs, most of them from the lily family, but analysis has shown at least 42 different plants in samples. Many prepared remedies also contain heavy metals and gemstones and are often regarded suspiciously by Western medicines regulators.
Santalum album – chandana, sandalwood
Traditionally, sandalwood (chandana) is used to cool and calm the body and mind, awaken the intelligence, and open the third eye to increase devotion and meditation. Aromatherapists combine it with rose, neroli, or benzoin oils as a calming, sedative, and antidepressant massage. The wood is used in decoctions for fevers and inflammations and as a circulatory and digestive stimulant. It is known as tan xiangin China and is believed to normalize energy flows to the stomach and spleen, to stimulate the digestion and relieve pain.
Parts used: Inner heartwood, volatile oil.
Key uses: Sandalwood is strongly antiseptic and antibacterial and can be used as a wash or made into a paste for external sores. The oil is used in massage for urinary problems, including cystitis, and digestive upsets with abdominal discomfort. It can be added to warm compresses for dry skin, itching, and irritation, and also added to rosewater as a lotion for acne. A few drops to the brow chakra (third eye) can improve concentration and cool the body in fevers and thirst.
Cautions: Do not take the essential oil internally.
Cinnamomum camphora – camphor, karpura
In Ayurvedic medicine camphor (karpura) is used to open the senses, clear the mind, and help mediation. In India, a pinch of powdered camphor is taken as snuff for nasal congestion and headaches and in infusion for a range of respiratory problems and emotional upsets. It is not used internally in the West since it is known to contain safrole, which is carcinogenic. Instead it is used in medicated oils traditionally used for chest rubs and muscular aches and pains.
Parts used: Crystalized distilled oil.
Key uses: In the West, camphorated oils are used externally for coughs, influenza, bronchitis and breathing difficulties. In aromatherapy, it is used to stimulate heart and respiration and to raise low blood pressure. It can also help balance the nervous system – stimulating in depression and calming in hysteria. A compress soaked in weak camphor infusion can relieve backache, and it is used in lotions for cold sores and chilblains. Camphorated oil can be made by dissolving 25 g of camphor crystals in 500 ml of sesame oil.
Cautions: Do not take camphor internally and use only pure raw camphor, not synthetic substitutes.
Commiphora mukul – guggul/guggula
A close relative of myrrh, guggul (guggula) is purifying and rejuvenating and forms the basis of a series of Ayurvedic remedies known as gugguls. Traditionally it was used as a remedy for arthritis and applied externally in plasters for aches and pains. Like myrrh it is also added to gargles and mouthwashes for sore throats and mouth ulcers. Research suggests that guggul will also reduce high blood cholesterol levels – studies suggested by ancient Sanskrit texts which recommended the herb for treating obesity and lipid disorders.
Parts used: Oleo-gum-resin.
Key uses: In India guggul is combined with herbs such as gokshura (Tribulis terrestris) and the trikatu combination for urinary problems or with triphala and pippali for ulcers and arthritic conditions. The herb is also anti-inflammatory, stimulates white blood cell production, reduces blood clotting, and helps protect heart tissue in degenerative diseases. In the West, extracts are starting to be used to reduce cholesterol.
Cautions: Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Picrorrhiza kurroa – katuka
Katuka is an important bitter digestive remedy used in India to stimulate the digestion, improve appetite, and treat jaundice, diarrhea, and constipation. Modern research has confirmed that it acts to protect the liver from a variety of toxins and in some studies has proved more effective than silymarin from milk thistle. It is the main ingredient in arogyavardhini – a complex remedy used for liver disorders and is also included in ayush-64 – another patent remedy used as an antimalarial.
Parts used: Root.
Key uses: Katuka is used by Western practitioners to stimulate the immune system in acute and chronic infections and in cases of weakened immunity. It has also been used for combating autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and vitiligo. As a bile stimulant, it help to cleanse the gallbladder. It also shows significant antioxidant activity. Typical dosage is 500–2000 mg daily.
Cautions: High doses may cause diarrhea, abdominal griping, and flatulence. It is extremely bitter, which some patients find totally unpalatable, and cases of allergic skin reaction have been reported.
Curcuma longa – turmeric
Turmeric (haridra in Sanskrit, haldi in Hindi and jiang huang in China) is a familiar Indian spice used in flavoring and coloring curries and sauces. Traditionally, it is used in Ayurveda as a digestive, circulatory, and respiratory stimulant, cleansing for the chakras and purifying the body. In folk medicine it is used for scabies, poor eyesight, to encourage milk flow in breastfeeding, and for rheumatic pains. The flowers are used in parts of India for sore throats and indigestion. Modern research has shown turmeric to be anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, to reduce cholesterol levels, stimulate bile production, and possibly act as a cancer preventative.
Parts used: Rhizome.
Key uses: Taken as a digestive stimulant and to combat infections as in gastroenteritis and food poisoning. Externally it was used with honey for sprains and bruises or taken as a milk decoction to cleanse and improve the skin. It is now also being used as an anti-inflammatory for arthritic conditions, to help thin the blood and lower cholesterol levels in cardiovascular disease. Typical dose is 250–1000 mg daily.
Cautions: Turmeric can cause skin rashes in sensitive individuals and may increase sensitivity to sunlight.
Tinospora cordifolia – guduchi
Guduchi powder is used in India as a popular remedy for liver problems, malaria, urinary disorders, and as a tonic during convalescence. It is taken in ghee (clarified butter) twice a day as a bitter tonic. The root is used for diarrhea and dysentery, the stem in infusions as an anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic in urinary diseases and fevers, while the fruits are regarded as a liver tonic and the leaves are cooling for fevers.
Parts used: Root, stem, fruit, leaf, whole plant.
Key uses: Used mainly as a bitter digestive tonic for liver congestion, and jaundice; it is also cooling in fevers and headaches and as a poultice for fractures. Typical dose is 1-2 g, twice a day.
BUSH HERBS
REMEDIES DOWN UNDER
For the Australian Aborigines, any illness that did not have an obvious cause, such as traumatic injuries or battle wounds, was likely to be “sung” – the result of a curse in the form of a ritual drawing placed on a tree. Recovery was only certain if the offending image was found and destroyed. In New Zealand, the warlike Maori took a similar approach, focusing mainly on wound herbs and external remedies with a limited range of internal treatments for fevers and digestive upsets. Before the European settlers arrived, life expectancy barely reached the mid-twenties, so many of the degenerative diseases of old age, common in the West, were unknown. Knowledge of healing herbs tended to be highly regionalized, with different plants used by various indigenous groups. European settlers took little, if any, interest in these native remedies, preferring to import and cultivate familiar Old World species, which now dominate herbal traditions in both countries. Over the past few years, interest has belatedly revived in native healing arts and several traditional remedies are being investigated. Tea tree and eucalyptus are probably the best known of the Aboriginal remedies – used as cure-alls for infections and injuries – and two of the few adopted by the early settlers. Others are proving significant: kangaroo apple (Solanum aviculare), for example, provides a precursor for the production of synthetic sex hormones and corticosteroids, while the bark of Moreton Bay chestnut (Castanospermum australe), a native poison, has been used in AIDS treatments and shows strong antiviral activity to HIV.
Acacia spp. – Australian wattle
Various acacia or wattle trees were an important source of Aboriginal medicines. Australian acacias vary from small shrubs, only a few centimeters high, to large trees reaching 15 meters or more. A. ancistrocarpa, was used to treat headaches, A. holosericea for coughs, colds, and laryngitis, and A. decurrens as a potent astringent for bleeding and mucus discharges. Ashes of certain Acacia spp. were also used in poultices for arthritic pains, and some studies suggest they contain salicylates – anti-inflammatory chemicals found in many European herbs used for similar disorders.
Parts used: Bark, roots.
Key uses: Acacia extracts are used in infusions and decoctions for a wide range of common ailments including common colds, diarrhea, and sore throats.
Pittosporum spp. – lemonwood
Traditionally, infusions of P. phylliraeoides were taken for colds. cramps and to encourage milk flow in nursing mothers; P. venulosum was one of a number of plants used by the Aborigines as aphrodisiacs. In New Zealand, kohukohu (P. tenuifolium) was largely used externally for skin irritations and eczema in the scalp, while gum extracted from the bark of P. eugenioides (tarata) was eaten for bad breath.
Parts used: Leaves, oleo-gum-resin, flowers.
Key uses: Research suggests that the essential oils for Pittospermum spp. are likely to be antimicrobial so may be useful remedies for infections and minor ailments; some anti-inflammatory activity also seems likely, and poultices of the leaves were effective for sores.
Melaleuca spp. – paperbarks
As well as tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) the Australian Aborigines used several other members of the genus for colds and sickness. In the Groote Islands, M. symphocarpa was known as “liniment tree” or mawilyaburmaand used as a chest rub for respiratory problems or applied to the forehead for headaches. A maceration of the leaves was used as a wash for wounds and sores. Crushed leaves from the broad-leaved paperbark or yinukwamba(M. viridiflora) were also macerated as an internal remedy for coughs. Leaves from white paperbark or yirarrnganja (M. leucadendron) were used for coughs, rheumatic aches and pains, stomach upsets, and toothache. Leaves from the small-leaved paperbark M. cajuputi, made liniment for aches and pains and were used in steam inhalations for headaches.
Parts used: Leaves, bark, essential oil.
Key uses: In the West, cajeput (M. cajeputi) and niaouli (M. viridiflora) oils are used in chest rubs (5 drops per 5 ml of almond or vegetable oil) for coughs and colds or can be added to steam inhalants for nasal catarrh and sinus headaches.
Caution: The essential oils can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals and should never be taken internally.
Grewia retusifolia – emu berry
Several members of the Grewia genus, a distant relative of the European linden, were used by Australian aborigines both as food sources and medicine. Fruits of the emu berry are eaten as food, while the root and bark are used medicinally as astringents and anti-inflammatories. The Aboriginals of the Northern Groote Islands, called the tree mamurrinya and roasted the roots before hammering them between stones and making a decoction for diarrhea. The same process of baking and crushing the root was used to make a maceration for treating sore eyes.
Parts used: Root, outer bark, fruit
Key uses: Root or bark decoctions and macerations can be used for diarrhea, inflammations and discharges.
Euphorbia spp. – spurge
Several varieties of spurge are used throughout the South Pacific, mainly for respiratory problems and skin sores. Pill-bearing spurge (E. hirta) was used in Australia for coughs and bronchial disorders and also to relieve asthma attacks. In the Philippines, decoctions of the plant were a traditional eye remedy, and in Hawaii it was used for poultices and gargles. E. glauca, Maori spurge, was used in infusions in New Zealand as a wash for skin sores. The nectar from the flowers of E. atoto was used in Australia for sore throats, while the leaves were used as a breast poultice to encourage milk production in nursing mothers.
Parts used: Aerial parts.
Key uses: Pill-bearing spurge is still used as an asthma remedy in the West in infusions and decoctions. The infusion is also worth trying as a wash for skin sores.
Leptospermum scoparium/Kunzea ericoides – New Zealand tea tree
The leaves of kahikatoa or manuka (L. scoparium) and kanuka (K. ericoides, formerly L. ericoides) were once used as a substitute for tea and were named “tea plant” by Captain Cook. The leaves were also used in steam inhalations by the Maori for colds, while the decoction made a lotion for muscular aches and pains and for urinary complaints. The seeds were used in Hawaii for diarrhea. A bark infusion of kanuka was taken as a calming sedative, while a bark decoction was preferred for diarrhea and dysentery. Young shoots and an infusion of the seed capsules were both used to treat dysentery.
Parts used: Leaves, seeds, seed capsules, bark, shoots.
Key uses: New Zealand tea trees are astringent and antimicrobial. L. scoparium contains an insecticide (leptospermone) which is also anthelmintic. Extracts are astringent and antiseptic and can be used for sores, infections and fevers.
FUNGI
MEDICINAL MUSHROOMS
Although we tend to associate healing, fungi-based remedies with modern antibiotic molds such as penicillin – identified in 1928 by Sir Alexander Fleming – they have been used medicinally since ancient times. Bracket fungi, such as agaric (Polyporus officinalis), collected from larch trees, were used by Dioscorides for a lengthy list of ills ranging from ague and “falling sickness” (epilepsy) to consumption, asthma, digestive upsets, and “the stinging of serpents and the biting of the same.” Hoof fungus (Fomes fomentarius), another bracket variety, most common in Northern England and Scotland on birch and beech trees, makes an effective emergency styptic poultice for cuts and grazes. Many mushrooms have been used for their psychoactive properties – fly agaric (Amanita muscaria) extracts, for example, were eaten by Siberian shaman to induce the trance-like state needed for spirit traveling.
The edible wild mushrooms that make a seasonal appearance on supermarket shelves also have their therapeutic properties. Wood blewits (Lepista nuda), for example, have demonstrated antitumor activity in trials and will help to regulate sugar metabolism, so may be helpful in late-onset diabetes. St George’s mushroom (Calocybe gambosa) is another effective remedy for diabetics. These cream-colored mushrooms traditionally appear around St. George’s Day (April 23) in many parts of Europe and can be found in fields and downland throughout late spring and early summer.
Ganoderma lucidem – reishi mushroom
Known as ling zhi in China, reishi was highly regarded by the ancient Taoists as a spiritual tonic to enhance longevity by strengthening the disciple’s determination to follow the path of virtue, central to Taoist belief. On a physical level, the fungus has been shown to stimulate the immune system, lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and is sedative and expectorant. It contains a number of polysaccharides, which have potent antitumor properties, and will lower blood pressure and act as a heart tonic. Reishi was once rare and only gathered from the wild, but commercial cultivation began in Japan in the 1970s and it is now widely available.
Parts used: Fruiting body.
Key uses: Reishi is a calming sedative for anxiety, insomnia, and nervousness, as well as a useful tonic for debility and exhaustion. It has been recommended in AIDS therapy, and it is used in Asia for degenerative diseases associated with aging such as chronic bronchitis, coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, and cancer. The usual dose is up to 1 g daily.
Cautions: Hemophiliacs are generally advised to avoid reishi, although research studies have shown conflicting results.
Lentinus edodes – shiitake
Shiitake is the second most commonly produced mushroom in the world. Shiitake is the Japanese name, and the mushrooms are known as hua gu and xiang gu in China; edodes in the botanical name means “edible.” Research has shown that it is an effective tonic for the immune system and is strongly antiviral: it has been used in AIDS treatments and is effective against the polio virus, mumps, measles, herpes simplex I and II, and equine encephalitis. Shiitake is also antitumor, lowers cholesterol levels, and acts as an immune stimulant and liver tonic. Shiitake extracts have been used in Japan to help support patients undergoing chemotherapy and are also believed to improve the immune and endocrine function in the elderly.
Parts used: Fruiting body.
Key uses: Shiitake can be used in cooking to help stimulate the immune system, combat common colds, influenza and other viral infections and make a useful addition to anticancer diets. Unlike some fungi, they can also be helpful in candidiasis and will cleanse a sluggish liver and improve digestion. The traditional dose is about 90 g of fresh mushrooms or 15 g of dried in teas or soups. This is quite a significant amount and may lead to digestive upsets. For therapeutic use, concentrated extracts are available in capsules or tablets.
Wolfiporia cocos – tuckahoe or fu ling
Tuckahoe grows on the roots of pine trees and is known in both Chinese and Native American medicine. It is largely used in traditional Chinese medicine as a tonic for the spleen and stomach, to clear dampness and phlegm, treat jaundice and calm the spirit and dispel inappropriate behavior related to spiritual imbalance. In North America, tuckahoe is known as Indian bread and was an important food source. In China, various parts of the plant have different names: fu ling (the sclerotium), fu ling pi (the black outer skin), and fu shen (the tuber). These are used in subtly different ways, with fu ling mainly recommended as a diuretic and stomach tonic and fu shenregarded as a stronger sedative.
Parts used: Sclerotium, outer skin, tuber.
Key uses: Studies have shown tuckahoe to be antitumor, immune stimulant, antiviral, sedative, and analgesic. It is an effective diuretic used for such problems as scanty urination, edema, or painful urinary dysfunction, and is also helpful for palpitations and insomnia. Dosage is usually 9-15 g by decoction or 3-5 ml of tincture.
Cautions: Fu ling should be avoided in excessive urination or prolapse of the urogenital organs.
Cordyceps sinensis – caterpillar fungus
Caterpillar fungus, known as dong chong xia cao in China, is a parasite that grows on caterpillars of the moth Hepialus armoricanus, feeding on the animal and then fruiting in the spring. The traditional remedy used in China was a mixture of dead larvae complete with their fungal parasites, although today the fungus is cultivated on a grain base instead. In ancient China it was kept exclusively for use by the Emperor and his household and was always cooked with duck to increase its potency. Caterpillar fungus is an energy tonic, to strengthen lungs and kidney, and is helpful after chronic illness or exhaustion. It has been shown to have anticancer and antibacterial action and has been successfully used for patients with chronic kidney failure or hepatitis.
Parts used: Whole fungus.
Key uses: The fungus is used for asthma, bronchitis, persistent coughs, and other lung diseases. It is also used for irregular menstruation, traditionally taken in with chicken soup which, like duck, is believed to enhance its action. It also makes a restorative tonic in debility, weakness, and exhaustion associated with overwork. Typical dosage is 1 g of extract or up to 9 g of the crude herb twice a day.
WILD MUSHROOMS
Ceps (Boletus edulis), chanterelles (Cantharellus cibarius), morels (Morchella esculenta), and oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus)
The autumn harvest of wild mushrooms is not only delicious to eat but also therapeutic. Wild ceps – generally found growing under conifers – are used in China as remedies for lumbago, leg pains and aching bones and tendons. Traditionally they are cooked with Siberian ginseng as a fertility remedy for women or with pork to combat vaginal discharges. The French regard them as a good source of minerals to combat fatigue and anemia. Ceps are known to contain eight essential amino acids so may act as a general metabolic tonic. Chanterelles contain a similar mix of amino acids but are also rich in vitamin A so make an important contribution to the diet and can help strengthen the retina and combat night blindness. They are used in European folk medicine as a remedy for colds and infections, suggesting antiviral activity. Highly prized and expensive, morels are used in China as a digestive tonic and are rich in amino acids and sterols. Oyster mushrooms are also a rich source of amino acids and B vitamins and display antitumor properties in laboratory studies. They also lower cholesterol levels, and the Chinese use them in remedies for lumbago and tendon pains.
Parts used: Fruiting bodies.
Key uses: Eat ceps, chanterelles, morels, and oyster mushrooms as a seasonal autumn tonic to combat colds and infections.
SOUTH AMERICAN HERBS
RAINFOREST REMEDIES
Healing plants from South America have been arriving in Europe since the fifteenth century and the days of the Spanish conquistadors. Many rapidly gained “cure-all” status and several have proved important sources of powerful drugs. Jesuit’s bark (Cinchona pubescens) was first “discovered” by missionaries in Lima, Peru, in the 1630s, and became an important remedy for malaria and the original source of the drug quinine. Lignum vitae(Guaiacum officinale) was introduced by the Spaniards in 1508 as a remedy for syphilis; today, it is used by herbalists for treating gout and arthritis. Coca leaves (Erythroxylum coca) were chewed to combat fatigue, while extracts made a ritual psychoactive narcotic for South American tribes from at least 500 A.D. before finding their way to the West, first as an anesthetic and later as a much abused “recreational” drug. Chocolate (Theobroma cacao) was so highly esteemed by the Aztecs that the beans were used as currency. Cocoa powder was used for treating high blood pressure and angina pectoris, while cocoa butter is still used as a soothing ointment for burns and skin sores and as a base for pessaries. Today, new “wonder drugs” are still being discovered in the jungles of South America: many have been investigated by pharmaceutical companies in the hopes of finding powerful new chemicals while the plants themselves often become fashionable favorites in the health food market.
Caution: Many recently introduced South American plants have yet to be fully researched. As a precaution, it is best to avoid them in pregnancy and breastfeeding and take for limited periods only (up to four weeks followed by a break of two weeks).
Uncaria spp. – Peruvian cat’s claw
Cat’s claw, woody vine-like plant covered with thorns resembling the claws of a cat, has been used for centuries by the Ashaninka tribe in Peru as a cure-all. It was first identified by Western researchers in the 1960s, and by 1995 over-the-counter products were readily available. Two species are used: U. tomentosa and U. guianensis, which share many common properties: U. guianensis is said to be more specific for cancer of the female urinary tract and more suitable for digestive problems, while U. tomentosa is better for gynecological problems (including use as a post-childbirth tonic) and to combat the side effects of chemotherapy.
Parts used: Inner bark, although roots and leaves are also used in folk medicine.
Key uses: Traditional uses include arthritis, asthma, gastritis, diabetes, gonorrhea, cirrhosis of the liver, cancer and as a contraceptive. Research suggests that finely powdered bark or root needs to be decocted for at least 45 minutes to extract the active chemicals with a typical effective dose of 20 g of the herb to 1 liter of water taken in 60 ml doses daily.
Caution: Cat’s claw is a traditional contraceptive so is best avoided by women trying to conceive.
Anemopaegma arvense – catuaba
Catuaba may be either Erythroxylum catuaba or Anemopaegma arvense depending on where in South America it originates. The plant is mainly regarded as a potent aphrodisiac – in Brazil, there is a saying that “until a father reaches 60, the son is his, after that the son is catuaba’s.” A World Health Organization survey has identified the plant as worthy of further study for its possible antidepressant action. It is traditionally used in a decoction sweetened with cane sugar brandy or extracts of Stevia rebaudiana (a natural sweetener used in Brazil).
Parts used: Bark.
Key uses: Traditionally a male aphrodisiac, studies suggest that catuaba can be effective in treating male impotence. The Tupi Indians use the herb as a stimulant for the nervous system and as an invigorating tonic for both men and women. In the West, it is marketed in capsules with a recommended dose of 1 g morning and evening.
Paullinia cupana – guarana
Guarana has been known in the West as an energy-giving elixir since the seventeenth century when missionaries reported that members of the Maués-Saterés tribe carried it on journeys to combat hunger, fatigue, fevers, headaches, and muscle cramps. It is a popular drink in Brazil, much preferred to coffee, and is believed to stimulate the nervous system, improve concentration, and speed recovery after illness. It is also used as a diuretic and analgesic for menstrual problems and to relieve the discomfort of extreme heat. Guarana contains a caffeine-like compound called guaranine, which is slower to metabolize so gives a gentler, more sustained stimulating effect.
Parts used: Seeds.
Key uses: Usually described in the West as an energy-giving tonic, guarana can be helpful in chronic fatigue syndrome and is sometimes suggested for seasonal affective disorder (SAD) – tiredness and depression usually in the winter months. Usual dose is 1-2 g daily, in capsules.
Caution: Avoid in high blood pressure and heart disease.
Pfaffia paniculato – paratudo
Paratudo takes its name from paro todo – Portuguese meaning “for everything.” The plant is known as Brazilian ginseng and is regarded in the Amazonian rain forests, where it grows, as a general cure-all and aphrodisiac. It was first described by the botanist Carl von Martius in 1891, but only became known in the West in the 1970s. Since then research has shown that paratudo is rich in steroidal compounds and saponins (similar to Korean ginseng), while pfaffic acid derived from the plant has been patented as an antitumor drug. The alternative common name “suma” is a recent invention for the U.S. health food market.
Parts used: Root
Key uses: Traditionally paratudo was used as an aphrodisiac, wound herb, for diabetes, and in cancer treatments. Since the 1970s the herb has been used effectively for cancer, chronic fatigue syndromes, arthritis, gout, to control cholesterol levels as a preventive for heart disease, and to reverse arterial damage caused by arteriosclerosis. Studies have also shown that it is rich in stigmasterol, which is a natural precursor for estrogen, and studies suggest it can be an effective treatment for menopausal problems and potentially a natural alternative to hormone replacement therapy. It is usually marketed in capsules with a recommended dosage of 1-4 g daily.
Tabebuia impetiginosa – pau d’arco
Pau d’arco, or lapacho, has been recognized as an antitumor and antimicrobial remedy since the 1860s. Tabebuia spp. are traditionally used by Amazonian tribes for treating asthma, diabetes, bronchitis, cancer, rabies, stomach ulcers, syphilis, and various infections. Pau d’arco is generally T. impetiginosa (syn. T. avellenedae) although, as always with wild-crafted South American herbs, contamination with other species is almost inevitable. Research in the early 1990s confirmed that pau d’arco extracts are effective for both cancer and candida infections, while Japanese studies suggest that it can be effective against leukemia and stomach cancer. Studies at the University of São Paulo have identified potent antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal components, and the herb has also been used in treating breast and prostate cancers.
Parts used: Inner bark.
Key uses: In the West pau d’arco is often marketed as an anticandida remedy but is also effective for colds, flu and fevers. High doses have been used in experimental cancer treatments and it is also given for ulcers, rheumatism, high blood pressure, skin infections, urinary inflammations and pelvic inflammatory disease. The herb is generally sold in capsules with a typical recommended dose of 2-3 g daily. Traditionally the decoction is preferred although studies suggest that finely powdered bark is more effective.
Persea americana – avocado
The avocado originates in Central America, although it is now cultivated worldwide as a food plant. Oil, extracted from the seeds, is used as a base for massage oils in aromatherapy and also for minor skin irritations and blemishes. Traditionally the leaves and bark of the plant were used by Guatemalan tribes as a remedy for diarrhea and digestive upsets. Extracts were also taken to stimulate menstruation and as a cleansing remedy for skin diseases and gout. The fruit pulp is used in poultices for skin problems while the fruit skin acts as an anthelmintic to expel parasitic worms.
Parts used: Fruit, leaves, bark, seed oil.
Key uses: Avocados are readily available from food stores. Use the mashed pulp on skin sores and minor wounds. The oil can be used in skin lotions and massage rubs. Leaf and bark extracts are less readily available, although in areas where the plants grow can be gathered fresh for using in decoctions for diarrhea and abdominal bloating.