The Plant Thymes : Hyssop - Herb of the Week

The Plant Thymes : Hyssop - Herb of the Week: Hyssopus officinalis – Hyssop Herb Name - Hyssop Other names— Issopo and Ysop Botanical Name - Hyssopuss Officinalis...

Hyssop - Herb of the Week

Hyssopus officinalis – Hyssop

Herb Name - Hyssop

Other names—Issopo and Ysop

Botanical Name - Hyssopuss Officinalis

Family -  Laminaceae

Parts Used -  Ariel parts

History - Native to the Mediterranean and central Asia.  Hyssop is derived from the Greek language, being known for its purgative properties being mentioned in the Book of Psalms and the Book of Exodus.

Description - Hyssop is a genus of 10 or 12 species which are known for their square stems. They are aromatic perennial plants with erect branched stems that are up to 60cms long with fine hairs that cover the tips. Leaves are narrow oblong and long and are 2-5cm long. They bear small blue flowers in summer. Other well-known species is the Anise hyssop, also known as giant blue hyssop.

Cultivation— Sow seeds in spring and plant out seedlings 40—50cms apart. Cuttings and root divisions can be taken in Spring or autumn. Replace plants every few years. Harvest at the peak of its maturity.

Active Constituents - Essential oils, pinene, camphene, camphor and terinene. Tannis, flavonoids (hyssopin), glycoside (diosmin) and bitter lactones (marrubiin, ursolic acid) and choline.

Actions

·         Anti-catarrhal

·         Anti-spasmodic

·         Expectorant

·         Laxative

·         Diaphoretic

·         Anti-viral

·         Relaxing nerve tonic

·         Sedative

·         Carminative

Indications - Hyssop is used as a favouring agent in eau de cologne and in chartreuse. It can also be used to colour Absinthe and sometimes in combination for making licorice.

In foods is has a slightly bitter, minty flavour and can be liberally added to soups, salads and meat dishes. It was traditionally used as a stewing herb. Cooking suggestions are glazed carrots, cheese and hyssop spread, meat balls, chicken and with cauliflower salad.  

The ability of Hyssop to aid the digestion of fatty meats opens doors for more potential uses of it.  

Its medicinal actions are predominantly as a lung herb. It has a sweet and bitter taste which makes in valuable in the treatment of runny noses, sore throats and lung afflictions.

Its anti-spasmodic action helps with congested feelings in the head and chest, to help reduce phlegm and aid unproductive coughs. It has been used a long time for asthma, bronchitis, coughs and chesty colds.

It will help to eliminate toxins in the gut and to promote cleansing through the skin in the perspiration.

It is also thought to clean and tone the kidneys and as an anti-viral it has shown to be effective on cold sores and herpes simplex virus.

Its bitter taste will help to tone the GIT, while soothing mucus membranes at the same time, as well as improving appetite and relieving flatulence.

As it works as a relaxing nerve tonic it is great for nervous exhaustion, overwork and depression.

Topically it has been used to kill lice, soothe inflamed joints and bruising.

The oil has been known to increase mental alertness.

Hyssop essential oil is great for stability, rheumatism and bruising. Its benefits are for warming, relaxing, healing, refreshing and cleansing.

Therapeutic Dosage -  2-4ml of a 1:1 3 times a day or 2-4ml of 1:5 three times a day.

1 tsp in a cup of boiling water and drink three times daily

Cautions -  The Essential oil has been shown to cause fatal convulsion in rates, humans may want to be cautious. Not recommended in pregnancy.

If you would like to purchase some hyssop, here is our link to our website 

http://www.driedherbsonline.com/individual-medicinal-herbs/hyssop-hyssopus-officinalis/

Until then seeing you all in happiness and health 

Louise Plant 

Thyme - Herb of the Week

Thymus vulgaris – Thyme

Botanical Name  – Thymus vulgaris 

Family – Laminacaea

Other names - Thyme, Common Thyme, Garden Thyme, common garden thyme, Mother of Thyme.

History - Thyme was traditionally used as an antiseptic. Culpepper in the 1600’s noted it to be ‘a strengthener of the lungs, as notable a one as grows, neither is there a better remedy growing for that disease in children which they commonly call chin cough (whooping cough).’  It was used in pre and post-surgical dressings during World War 1.

Description - An aromatic shrub growing to 40cm, with woody stems, small leaves and pink flowers.

Cultivation - It is raised by seed or root division in spring. It prefers light, chalky soils.

Parts Used - The ariel parts are harvested in summer.

Active Constituents - Volatile oil, of highly variable composition; the major constituent is 20 to 54% thymol, with lesser amounts of carvacrol, with l,8-cineole, borneol, geraniol, linalool, bornyl and linalyl acetate, aliphatic phenols, thymol methyl ether and a-pinene.

 Flavonoids; apigenin, eugenol, luteolin, thymonin, naringenin and others Miscellaneous; labiatic acid, caffeic acid, tannins, tetramethoxylated flavones.  etc.

Actions -

·         Carminative

·         Anti-microbial

·         Anti-spasmodic

·         Expectorant

·         Anti-tussive

·         Bactericidal

·         Astringent

·         Anthelmintic

·         Tonic

·         Emmenagogue

·         Resolvent

·         Antiseptic

·         Anti-spasmodic.

·         Antioxidant

·         Anti-fungal

Indications - With its high content of volatile oil, Thyme makes a good carminative for use in dyspepsia and sluggish digestion. This oil is also a strong antiseptic. Used externally as a lotion for infected wounds, and internally for respiratory and digestive infections.

It may be of use as a gargle in laryngitis and tonsillitis, easing sore throats and soothing irritable coughs. It is an excellent cough remedy, producing expectoration and reducing unnecessary spasm not just in the respiratory system. It may be used in bronchitis, whooping cough, pleurisy and asthma, where it clears the lungs of mucus, soothes coughing spasms and acts as an anti-tussive.

As a gentle astringent it has found use in childhood diarrhoea, worms and bed wetting. For whooping cough it combines well with Wild Cherry and Sundew.

As a mouth wash is extremely valuable acting to treat mouth, teeth, gums and throat, having a similar effect to Listerine’s antibacterial action.

Research in the 1990’s in Scotland suggests the volatile oil counteracts the effects of aging, acting as a body tonic and supporting the normal functioning of the body. It is a strong antioxidant and helps to maintain higher levels of essential fatty acids in the brain.

The German Commission E has approved its use for helping with the symptoms of whooping cough, bronchitis and catarrh.

It has been traditionally used for the immune system, especially fungal infections. It is a valuable remedy for the throat, chest infections and hay fever.  It is indicated externally for bites, stings, sciatica and rheumatic pains. It will help ringworm, athlete’s foot, thrush and other fungal infections.

The essential oil is commonly used as an antifungal, antibacterial and an antiprotozoal. The oil will promote hair growth and reduce dandruff, more so when combined with Lavender and Rosemary. In fact 44% showed improvement after 6 months of application.

Further Studies

In 2007 a German study used thyme and ivy syrup with children and adolescents with acute bronchitis. Their study concluded that a 10 day treatment improved and even cured the diseases.

Lab experiments have shown thymol to have antifungal activity against a number of species such as Cryptococcus, Aspergillus, Saprolegnia and Zygorhynchus species, and in 1999 effective against Staph aureus.  

A study reported in the 2010 Journal of  Medicinal Food explain scientists used thyme oil to inhibit 8 type of bacteria. A study at the “Department of Pharmacology at the University” of Milan has concluded that thymol, has the ability to interfere with the formation of candida. A study reported in the April 2004 edition of  Food Control, supports the use of oil of thyme for killing food borne bacteria and extending the shelf life of foods. In a study reported in the journal Letters of Applied Microbiology in 2007, scientists found thymol was effective against a wide variety of fungi and mold species.

For more studies check out this link

http://www.superfoods-scientific-research.com/medicinal-herbs/thyme-plant-and-researches.html

Dosage - Infusion: Pour a cup of boiling water onto 2 teaspoonfuls of the dried herb and let infuse for l0 minutes. tds

Tincture:          1:5       (45%)  2-6 ml tds

Fluid Ext.         (45%)              0.6-4 ml tds

Cautions – Caution in pregnancy

Combinations - For asthmatic problems it will combine well with Lobelia and Ephedra, adding its anti-microbial effect. For whooping cough use it with Wild Cherry and Sundew.

Peppermint - Herb of the week

Mentha pipperita – Peppermint

Common Name – Peppermint

Botanical Name – Mentha pipperita 

Family – Laminaceae

Other names : Peppermint, brady mint, balm mint, curled mint, lamb mint

Parts Used - The aerial parts are used prior to flowering.

History - Peppermint first appeared in England about 300 years ago as a naturally occurring hybrid of water mint and spearmint. .

Description - It grows to 300-900mm, with purple stems that are square. The tops are branching and produce green to purple green, lanceolate to obvate pointed, toothed leaves that are 40-80mm long and 10-25mm wide. Flowers are usually mauve, though can on occasions be white, in conical spikes 30-75mm long.

Cultivation - Peppermint grows well in a wide range on conditions, though it is better suited to more temperature regions, here it appears to grow more vigorously and produce more essential oil content.

Active Constituents - Essential oil, up to l.5%, containing menthol, menthone and menthyl acetate as the major components, with isomenthone, menthofuran, isomenthol, neomenthol, piperitone, a- & b- pinene, limonene, cineole, pulegone, viridiflorol, ledol etc.

Flavonoids; menthoside, rutin and others. Miscellaneous; rosmarinic acid, azulenes, choline, carotenes etc.

Actions

·         Carminative

·         Anti-inflammatory

·         Anti-spasmodic

·         Aromatic

·         Diuretic

·         Sedative

·         Diaphoretic

·         Anti-emetic

·         Nervine

·         Anti-microbial

·         Analgesic

·         Stimulant

·         Stomachic

·         Rubefacient.

Indications - Peppermint is an excellent carminative, having a relaxing effect on the muscles of the digestive system, combats flatulence and stimulates bile and digestive juice flow. It is used to relieve intestinal colic, flatulent dyspepsia and associated conditions. The volatile oil acts as a mild anaesthetic to the stomach wall, which allays feelings of nausea and the desire to vomit, as well as slowing transit time and being an effective treatment for irritable bowel syndrome. Also used in the treatment of ulcerative conditions of the bowels. Relieves nausea & vomiting of pregnancy and travel sickness and to have a relaxing effect upon the gall-bladder.

It is a traditional treatment of fevers, colds and influenza. As an inhalant it is used as temporary relief for nasal catarrh. It inhibits histamine release in animal trials, though the amount of herb needed to exert these effects in humans could be quite large. Where headaches are associated with digestion, Peppermint may help. As a nervine it eases anxiety and tension. In painful periods, it relieves the pain and eases associated tension. Peppermint water helps to prevent painful and cracked nipples in breast feeding.

It is a great remedy for irritable bowel, mixing the herb or oil with slippery elm, gives great relief. In studies there was a 50% reduction is symptoms for over 75% of the patients who tried it. Its effectiveness helps to reduce colonic spasms, stomach indigestion, infantile colic and gas. It is even believed to enhance gastric emptying.

Other uses are for pain of shingles, memory loss, hayfever, chemotherapy induced nausea, prostrate cancer, radiation damage, bad breath, herpes type 1, headaches, muscle pain, stress and removing dandruff.

Externally it is used to relieve itching and inflammations as well as showing antimicrobial activity internally and externally. The oil has been shown to inhibit Helicobacter pylori, staph aureus, E. coli, Listeria, Shigella, Micrococuss flavus, Salmonella and a number of fungi.

Dosage - Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto a heaped teaspoonful of the dried herb and leave to infuse for l0 minutes. This may be drunk as often as desired.

Tincture: l-2ml three times a day.

Cautions - Peppermint could cause problems with oesophageal reflux and safe doses in pregnant women have not yet been determined. Peppermint could increase the oral bioavailability of certain drugs.

If you would like to buy 100g of Organic peppermint, here is the link 

http://www.driedherbsonline.com/?rf=kw&kw=peppermint+

Herb of the Week -Raspberry leaf

Rubus idaeus – Raspberry Leaf

Common Name – Raspberry Leaf

Botanical Name - Rubeus idaeus

Family – Rosaceae

Other Names - Hindberry, Bramble of Mount Ida

Parts Used - The leaf is used, commonly in tea form. The leaves are harvested from December to January, though there is some flexibility in the timing of its harvesting.

History - This herb is native to many parts of Europe. It was known to the ancients and Linnaeus as Ida. In Greek it was called Batos Idaia and in Latin Rubus Idea, the Bramble of Mount Ida. This was possibly because it was abundant on Mount Ida in Asia Minor.

Ancient Chinese, Ayurvedics and Greeks valued raspberry for treating wounds, diarrhoea, fevers and ulcers.

Description - Raspberry grows up to 2m, though most varieties are about1.5m. They usually have prickly or bristly stems though there are now cultivars that have no prickles on the stems. The leaves are green and glabrous on the top, and are light green tormentose underneath. They have 3 to 7 ovate leaflets that are up to 100mm long. The flowers are white and are about 15mm across, in drooping panicles of 1 to 6 flowers, followed by red cone shaped fruits.

Cultivation - Raspberry is generally cultivated by suckers using the layering technique which is preferred as they are better preferred as they has a stronger root system, which themselves will send out less suckers. In preparing plants do not break off the buds that are a short distance from the stem as these produce new shots the following summer. Plant herb 2 feet apart in rows allowing 4 to 5 feet between the rows. Good loam soil is best recommended. 

Active Constituents - Crystalline fruit sugar, Volatile oil, Pectin, Citric, tartaric and malic acids, Mineral salts, Flavonoids kaempferol and quercetin, Tannin and fragarine. It is a rich source of iron, calcium, magnesium and manganese. The vitamins B1, B3 and E are also helpful in pregnancy. Minerals – calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, sulphur, chromium, potassium, copper, selenium, manganese, zinc and sodium.

Actions

·         Astringent

·         Stimulant

·         Laxative

·         Uterine tonic

·         Antioxidant

·         Amphoteric

·         Antispasmodic

·         Refridgerant

·         Alterative

·         Diuretic

Indications - It is commonly used for its astringent action and during the latter part of pregnancy, the fragarine content being the valuable constituent.

It is commonly used during pregnancy to help ease morning sickness, soothe and prevent bleeding gums, relax smooth muscle during contractions, assist with childbirth of the baby and the placenta, calm a cramping uterus, aid fertility, promote breast milk and stop excessive bleeding after childbirth. It is thought that around one fifth of pregnant women take some form of raspberry leaf. Women believe that it will shorten labour and make the birth easier. The use of this herb for remedial purposes dates back to the sixth century and its benefits in childbirth have been recorded as a proven aid in maternity in the most ancient of herbal books.

It helps to tone and relax the pelvic region, uterine muscles as well as stimulating them to help in the process of childbirth. The tea is also a valuable herb for cleansing the afterbirth and to enrich and increase the flow of breast milk. Some women have found it useful in morning sickness when used as a weak tea.

Its astringent actions have also been useful in excessive bleeding during menstruation and to help ease pain. Its high mineral content makes it useful as a reproductive tonic for all female reproductive cycles, helping to regulatethe menstrual cycle and decrease heavy periods.

Raspberry leaf tea can be used as a gargle for sore throats and as a wash for wounds and ulcers. The leaves powdered and combined with slippery elm are good for wounds, burns, scalds and to promote healing. The tea is also very good for laxity of the bowels and will help reduce stomach complaints especially in children. It is an excellent all-purpose herb useful for diarrhoea, dysentery, it helps lower blood sugar levels, stopping excessive bleeding and reducing fevers. It is also a valuable herb as a tea to help cleanse liver congestion.

The ripe fruits of the raspberry are fragrant, subacid and cooling. It will reduce heat and thirst and can be sued as a mild laxative. Raspberry vinegar also from the fruits makes a useful gargle for sore throats. Raspberry syrup will dissolve the tartar of the teeth.

Dosage - Many practitioners recommend that raspberry leaf is best commenced at 32 weeks of pregnancy and continued through to the birth

1oz of the dried leaf to 1 pint of water.

Tablets - Take two 300mg or 400mg tablets with each meal (three times a day) from 32 weeks.

Teabags - 1st trimester- one cup per day -2nd trimester - two cups per day -3rd trimester - up to 4 to 5 teabag cups throughout the day.

Studies

Three midwives from Westmead Hospital in Sydney carried out a observational study on women who were currently taking raspberry leaf in pregnancy. They compared them to women who did not take any raspberry leaf. There were 108 women in the study (57 taking raspberry leaf and 51 who did not take any). Some women started taking raspberry leaf in their pregnancy as early as 8 weeks and others started as late as 39 weeks. Most women however started taking raspberry leaf between 28 and 34 weeks in their pregnancy. The findings of the observational study suggested that the raspberry leaf herb can be consumed by women during their pregnancy for the purpose for which it is taken, that is, to shorten labour with no identified side effects for the women or their babies. An unexpected finding in this study was that the women in the raspberry leaf group were less likely to require an artificial rupture of membranes, a caesarean section, forceps or vacuum birth than the women in the control group.

Two of the three original midwives (Myra Parsons and Michele Simpson) decided that the next step was to perform a randomised controlled trial, using a larger sample, to substantiate the findings of the observational study. This second study was completed earlier this year. Parsons (2000) reports that this second study demonstrated the safety of raspberry leaf tablets (2.4gm daily) taken from 32 weeks pregnancy until the commencement of labour. There were no side effects identified for mother or baby. The analysis of the findings suggested that raspberry leaf tablets shortened the second stage of labour by an average of 10 minutes but made no difference to the length of the first stage of labour. Raspberry leaf tablets reduced the incidence of artificial rupture of membranes, forceps and ventouse births. Although the reduced incidence of these interventions did not prove to be statistically significant - the researches stated that ‘these results are clinically significant’.

http://www.pregnancy.com.au/resources/topics-of-interest/pregnancy/raspberry-leaf.shtml

If you would like to purchase raspberry leaf here is a link :) 

http://www.driedherbsonline.com/individual-medicinal-herbs/raspberry-leaf-rubus-idaeus/

Red Clover - Herb of the week

Trifolium pratense – Red clover

Botanical name – Trifolium Pratense

Family – Fabaceae

History - Red clover is native to Europe, though now it has naturalised in most temperate regions of the world.

Description - It is an erect, leafy plant from the legume family that grows 2 to 3 feet tall. Red clover leaves are large and nearly always have a prominent V-shaped pattern, or watermark, on the leaflets. The undersides of the leaves are hairy. Red clover has very hairy, fleshy stems and dark, pink flowers. Red clover plants form crowns around a taproot and grow erect. Heads consist of approximately 125 flowers. Flowers are rose purple in dense spherical heads up to 30mm across. Flowers are predominantly self-sterile and require pollination by bees for seed to set. The pods are short and single seeded.

Parts Used - The flowers are harvested during full flowering. The leaves and flowers are also used. 

Cultivation - Red clover is a short-lived perennial nitrogen fixing crop. It is one crop that returns more nitrogen and organic to the soil than it consumes. Production during the second year is generally higher than during either the first or third years. Nitrogen fixing bacteria is essential for its growth.

Active Constituents - Volatile oil including benzyl alcohol. Methyl salicylate, isoflavones, daidzein, coumarins, cyanogenic glycosides. The isoflavones occur at a high level and are phytoestrogenic. It also contains calcium, chromium, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, thiamine and Vitamin C.

Actions

·         Antispasmodic

·         Alterative

·         Dermatological agent

·         Anti-neoplastic

·         Anti-inflammatory

·         Anti-coagulant

·         Expectorant

Indications - The herb was traditionally used to treat respiratory issues, skin disorders and female reproductive problems. Historically it was used to treat whooping cough. Bronchitis and sore throats.

Its high isoflavones content has shown it to be valuable for supporting high cholesterol as well as osteoporosis and to help reduce the symptoms of menopause. A study in 2009 did also suggest that it could reduce the risk of prostate cancer as it will decrease the prostate-specific antigens, which are found in high concentrations with men who have prostate cancer.

It can be used to treat breast cancer with a concentrated decoction being applied to the site of the tumour to encourage it to grow outwards and clear the body. The flower tea is drunk daily for breast cancers. There has been some concern on it being used internally with aggressive breast cancers as does have estrogen like effects. Having said this, its hormonal action will reduce hot flushes, night sweats and PMS and can promote breast enhancement and healthy breast life. It will decrease the risk of osteoporosis later on in life and will increase the good HDL cholesterol in pre and post-menopausal women.

It is indicated for skin conditions, as its alterative action makes it invaluable for cleaning the blood. It is extremely effective for inflammatory skin conditions, as well as arthritis. It is a great blood cleanser and is part of the Essiac and Hoxley Formulation as well as my own Trini Tea. It is a great blood and ‘lumps’ purifier. It has been show to thin the blood and to reduce blood clots and arterial plaques.

Researchers at the National Cancer Institute have found anti-tumour properties in red clover from the genestein constituent. Genestein has shown to prevent tumours from developing the blood supply that they need by starving them and thus killing them.  It has many advantages over Soy as its levels are ten times higher. Red clover also has four other esrogenic isoflavones that support this activity.

Because of its powerful blood cleansing action, traditional herbalists have been using it for centuries. In fact one study found that 33 cultures use Red Clover to support health and release disease.

Topically it can help skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.

Its expectorant action makes it useful in spasmodic coughs.

Its significant oestrogenic action has lead to its use in menopause, as well is its increased research into its isoflavones activity. American research has suggested that its anti-coagulant activity is helpful in coronary thrombosis.

Throughout history it has been used as a valuable fodder crop and as a nitrogen fixing plant.

Dosage - 1.5 – 3ml of 1:1 three times daily

1-2ml of 1 :10 three time daily

Cautions - Oestrogenic and it may rupture cysts which can cause pain or a rash. It is C.I. in certain oestrogenic breast cancers.

If you want to purchase any, you can find it here

Until next time, seeing you always in happiness and health 

Louise Plant