Five to Watch - medicinal herbs

Vegetarian Times, May, 1999 by Bree Altman

> In the past few years, we've witnessed a dramatic increase in the therapeutic use of herbs. Americans are spending more than $3 billion a year on natural remedies like St. John's wort for mild depression, echinacea for colds and flu and ginseng for an energy boost. So which herbs will be tomorrow's superstars? For that answer, we polled some of the country's leading authorities: Tim Blakley, herb educator at Frontier Natural Products Cooperative; Mark Blumenthal, executive director of the American Botanical Council; James Duke, Ph.D., author of The Green Pharmacy (Rodale Press, 1997); and Steven Foster, author of 101 Medicinal Herbs (Interweave, 1998).

Herb           Function

Gotu kola      Anti-inflammatory, tonic,
(Centella      astringent, memory enhancer.
asiatica)      And because it helps collagen
               (connective tissue) inhibit production
               of scar tissue, it's useful for
               healing strains, sprains and
               minor burns,

Horse          Astringent, tonic, anti-inflammatory.
chestnut       The saponin (or lathering
(Aesculus      agent) contained in the seeds of
hippocas-      This herb works to strengthen, tone
tanum)         and reduce the fragility of blood
               vessel walls that leads to varicose
               veins. Horse chestnut won't eliminate
               varicose veins, but it can ease
               their discomfort and appearance.
               In fact, it is a useful treatment for
               swelling or bruising of any kind.

Lemon balm     A mild sedative, antiviral and
(Melissa       antispasmodic, lemon balm is
officinalis)   effective in treating insomnia,
               upset stomach from nerves or
(pictured      nausea, insect bites, sores and
above)         genital herpes,

Osha root      Antiviral, antibacterial. Soothes
(Ligusticum    sore throat, cough, bronchial
porteri)     inflammation

Yerba mansa    Anti-inflammatory, antifungal,
Anemopsis      antibacterial, diuretic. Typically
californica)   used to relieve sore throats, gum.
               infections and arthritis pain.

Herb           Dosage(*)

Gotu kola      Tincture: 30 to 40 drops,
(Centella      4 to 5 times daily
asiatica)      Tea: 1 tsp. of dry herb
               dissolved in 1 cup of hot water
               Capsules: 600 milligrams
               (mg.) daily

Horse          Tincture: 30 to 40 drops,
chestnut       2 to 3 times a day, as needed
(Aesculus      Capsules: 300 mg., 2 to 3 daily
hippocas-      Topically: Rub oil, cream or
tanum)         gel into affected area. as
               needed

Lemon balm     Tea: 1 tsp. herb in 1 cup of hot
(Melissa       water, up to 3 times daily
officinalis)   Capsules: 150 to 450 mgs.
               taken in divided doses, daily
(pictured      Topically: Rub in cream to
above)         affected area as needed. Or
               mix 3 to 5 drops of essential oil
               (usually sold as melissa) with
               carrier oil and apply

Osha root      Tincture: 3 to 4 droppersful a
(Ligusticum    day (can be safely doubled if
porteri)       an infection is coming on)
               Capsules: 450 mg., 3 times a
               day, as needed

Yerba mansa    Tincture: 30 to 40 drops in
Anemopsis      water, 3 to 4 times daily (also
californica)   useful to gargle with)
               Capsules: 400 to 500 mg.,
               2 to 3 times daily

Herb           Origin

Gotu kola      Popular in Ayurvedic medicine, it
(Centella      grows in humid or swampy areas
asiatica)      in India, Sri Lanka, South Africa
               and southeastern U.S. To avoid
               potentially harmful bacteria that
               may contaminate the plant, use
               products that are certified
               organic and grown in the U.S.

Horse          Popular in Europe, this herb is
chestnut       native to the Himalayas, the
(Aesculus      Balkan peninsula and Iran.
hippocas-
tanum)

Lemon balm     This member of the mint family,
(Melissa       also known as sweet balm or
officinalis)   melissa, is native to Europe.

(pictured
above)

Osha root      Native to the southern and
(Ligusticum    central Rocky Mountains, Osha
porteri)       grows at relatively high elevations:
               There are several related
               species, but tigusticum porteri
               is the "true" medicinal one.

Yerba mansa    Native to the southwestern U.S.
(Anemopsis     desert, it grows primarily in
californica)   central Arizona, New Mexico,
               Nevada and California.

Herb           Part used

Gotu kola      Leaves and
(Centella      roots
asiatica)

Horse          Seeds
chestnut
(Aesculus
hippocas-
tanum)

Lemon balm     Leaves,
(Melissa       stems,
officinalis)   flowers

(pictured
above)

Osha root      Root
(Ligusticum
porteri)

Yerba mansa    Root
(Anemopsis
californica)

Herb           Warning

Gotu kola      None
(Centella
asiatica)

Horse          Side effects are
chestnut       uncommon,
(Aesculus      though gastrointestinal
hippocas-      irritation,
tanum)         such as gas or
               bloating, may
               occur.

Lemon balm     If using as
(Melissa       essential oil, be
officinalis)   sure to mix with
               a carrier oil
(pictured      (almond, jojoba).
above)         May cause skirt
               irritation when
               applied full
               strength.

Osha root      None
(Ligusticum
porteri)

Yerba mansa    To counter its
(Anemopsis      heat or spiciness,
californica)    take with a full
                glass of water.