Herbs Listings

Herbs - C

• Calamus Root 
  Sharpens mental focus; used as an energy stimulant, and increases endurance and stamina; cures hyperacidity of the stomach and intestines; alleviates cramps, colic, indigestion, appetite loss, and gas; used for bronchitis and chest pain; dilates blood vessels for increased blood flow.                                                                                                                
• Calendula                                                                                    Calendula has a long history of use as a wound-healing and skin-soothing botanical. This lovely marigoldlike flower (although called pot marigold, it is not a true marigold) is considered a vulnerary agent, a substance that promotes healing. Calendula also has anti-inflammatory and weak antimicrobial activity. It is most often used topically for lacerations, abrasions, and skin infections; less commonly, it is used internally to heal inflamed and infected mucous membranes.                                                                                               
• California Poppy                                                                          The California Poppy has been used traditionally mainly as a remedy for toothaches (the root cut and the juices applied directly), and as a tea for headaches, anxiety, and insomnia.  Children seem to benefit from this for mild cases of colic, sleeplessness, and tension or anxiety.                                                                                                
•  Cascara Sagrada                                                                           Cascara sagrada is a natural laxative that comes from the reddish-brown bark of the Rhamnus purshiana tree native to the Pacific Northwest. It was used by various Native American Indian tribes, who also passed their sacred bark on to Spanish explorers.                                                                                                             
  
•  Catnip                                                                                           Taken as a hot infusion, Catnip promotes sweating and is beneficial for colds, flus, fevers, and infectious childhood diseases. It is soothing to the nervous system and calming to the stomach. It aids with flatulence, diarrhea, and colic. It is sometimes used as an enema to cleanse and heal the lower bowel (use in diluted form). Catnip helps to prevent miscarriage and premature birth as well as allays morning sickness.                                                                                                       
  
•  Cat's Claw                                                                                   Promotes the lowering of blood pressure; increases circulation; inhibits the formation of plaque on arterial walls, and prevents the formation of blood clots; effective against many kinds of cancers, arthritis, and PMS; stimulates the immune system; cleanses the intestinal tract, and enhances the action of white blood cells.                                                        
• Cayenne                                                                                            The main medicinal properties of cayenne are derived from a chemical called capsaicin. Capsaicin is the ingredient which gives peppers their HEAT. A pepper's capsaicin content ranges from 0-1.5%. Peppers are measured according to heat units. The degree of heat determines the peppers' usage and value. Generally, the hotter the pepper, the more capsaicin it contains. In addition to adding heat to the pepper, capsaicin acts to reduce platelet stickiness and relieve pain. Other constituents of cayenne are vitamins E, vitamin C and carotenoids.

  Today cayenne is used worldwide to treat a variety of health conditions, including poor circulation, weak digestion, heart disease, chronic pain, sore throats, headaches and toothache.

  Ayurveda also utilizes cayenne to treat poor digestion and gas. Chinese medicine uses cayenne for digestive ailments.

   

  When taken internally, cayenne soothes the digestive tract and stimulates the flow of stomach secretions and saliva. These secretions contain substances which help digest food.

  Cayenne is the greatest herbal aid to circulation and can be used on a regular basis. Dr. Richard Schulze, the medical herbalist, says that "If you master only one herb in your life, master cayenne pepper. It is more powerful than any other."                                                                               
•  Celery Seed                                                                                            Is extremely effective in lowering blood pressure and assisting normal blood flow to the heart; eases joint pain discomfort that occurs due to inflammation; reduces pain and swelling of arthritis; relieves symptoms of rheumatism and gout; promotes a healthy urinary tract by cleaning out the organs that carry urine; acts as a natural diuretic by eliminating excess fluid; promotes healthy kidneys and bladder; treats anxiety and insomnia.                                                                                                    
  
• Chamomile                                                                                        The parts of the chamomile plant used are its flowers. Known as an ingredient in many teas, chamomile is used to relax, aid digestion, relieve headaches and help treat allergies. Chamomile is a popular remedy in France and Spain for gas and cramps of the stomach, to treat colic and to induce sleep. It is also a common ingredient in shampoos and perfumes. 
  Used for eliminating menstrual cramps; reduces inflammation; aids digestion and sleep; acts as a diuretic by eliminating excess fluids; calms shattered nerves; reduces stress and anxiety; relieves indigestion, gas, and flatulence; helpful for colitis, diverticulosis, fever, headaches, and pain; promotes a hormone which rejuvenates hair and skin texture; helps increase mental alertness.                                                                                                          
• Chaparral                                                                                       Chapparal is used for treating such ailments as: tuberculosis, bowel complaints, stomach ulcers and bowel disorders, cancers, and colds and flu. It is found to be beneficial to the walls of capillaries throughout the body, and so are good to take regularly in cases of capillary fragility. Chapparal contains N.D.G.A.. It is responsible for inhibiting several enzyme reactions, including lipo oxyginase, which is responsible for some unhealthy inflammatory and immune-system responses. It has been shown to reduce inflammatory histamine responses in the lung, which is good news for asthma sufferers.    

   

  N.D.G.A. is one of the most highly anti-oxidant substances known to man. Several types of tumors, such as those in uterine fibroids and fibrosystic breast disease, can be helped immensely by a concentrated extract of the plant. Chapparal can improve liver function, causing the liver metablolism to speed up, clearing toxins.                                                                                                                                                              
•  Chaste Tree Berries                                                                       Stimulates the release of hormones, which in turn, stimulates progesterone production; regulates and normalizes hormone levels and menstrual cycles; reduces symptoms of menopause, which include, hot flashes, sweating and vaginal dryness; reduces recurring fibroid cysts of the ovaries and uterus; eases menstrual water retention; helps overcome suppressed or irregular menstruation; helps normalize the ratio of progesterone to estrogen, which helps with, irritability, depression and bloating, which occurs two weeks prior to menstruation; helps keep skin clear of acne due to monthly hormonal shifts.                                                                                                                                        
  
• Chickweed                                                                                           An excellent blood detoxifier; reduces fever and inflammation; dissolves plaque out of the blood vessels; contains anti-cancer properties; reduces water retention during PMS; alkalizes the body from an over-acid condition, caused by an excess of red meat or prescription drugs; promotes weight loss; relieves nasal congestion; lowers blood lipids; increases blood circulation.                                                                                                                                                                                              
  
•  Chicory Root                                                                                    The ancient Egyptians ate large amounts of chicory because it was believed that the plant could purify the blood and liver.  This “purifying effect” is probably why it has been used beneficially with people who have arthritis, rheumatism and gout.  

   

  Women who suffer from premenstrual syndrome (PMS) may find that regular use of chicory root as a bitter and a liver tonic may assist in maintaining hormone balance and lessening the symptoms of PMS. In addition, altering the diet by eating a "bitter" salad that includes fresh dandelion, chicory, and sorrel is believed to strengthen the liver and discourage the growth of candida.

   

  Chicory root has the effects of lowering cholesterol, reducing the pulse rate, and aiding in stomach and liver complaints. It is believed to increase the flow of bile.  Among other internal uses are those for sore throat, hemorrhoids, tuberculosis, abdominal cramps, melancholy, deafness and rashes. The juice of the chicory plant is also used as a laxative for children.

   

  Chicory supports the body's ability to absorb calcium, a nutrient that helps build and maintain strong teeth and bones.  Raftilin inulin and raftilose oligofructose are fibers extracted from chicory root inulin that cannot be digested by the small intestine. Instead, they are fermented by “friendly” bacteria in the large intestine, leading to the increased absorption of calcium and other minerals.

   

  Inulin is a actually a carbohydrate found in large quantities in the chicory root. It is made up of many fructose chains (3 to 60 units) and terminates in one glucose molecule. Inulin can be extracted from the root in a pure form and utilized as a food ingredient or the roots can be sliced and dried and mixed with other ingredients and utilized in foods. In our bodies Inulin readily “breaks down” into prebiotic molecules such as the above mentioned oligofructose ready to feed our “friendly flora”.  So the ingestion of moderate amounts of inulin actually acts as a prebiotic that nourishes the beneficial bacteria in both human and animal digestive systems which, in turn, promotes a healthy digestive tract and improves overall health. The major friendly flora that are fed by inulin are bifidobacterium. The increased the growth of “good” healthy bifidobacterium inhibits the growth of pathogenic bacteria.  Chicory root is one of the highest natural sources of inulin.

  Inulin occurs naturally in large quantities in some of the most famous herbs, such as burdock root, dandelion root, elecampane root and of course, chicory root. It is soluble only in hot water, which is why it has traditionally been consumed in hot teas.

  A study published in 2002 indicates that inulin appears to lower the risk of coloncancer. The precise nature of its protective effects is not yet known, however.

   

  From: www.medherb.com/92INULIN.HTM

  "Inulin is recommended sometimes for diabetics; it has a mildly sweet taste, and is filling like starchy foods, but because it is not absorbed, it does not affect blood sugar levels. Inulin is soluble in hot water, Like inulin is a preferred food for the lactobacilli in the intestine and can improve the balance of friendly bacteria in the bowel. Subjects in one trial were give 15 grams of inulin a day for fifteen days. Lactobacillus bifidobacteria increased by about 10% during that period. Gram-positive bacteria associated with disease declined. Bifidobacteria digest inulin to produce short chain fatty-acids, such as acetic, propionic, and butyric acids. The first two may be used by the liver for energy production, while butyric acid has cancer-preventing properties within the intestine (Spiller, 1994). Recent animal research also shows that inulin prevents precancerous changes in the colon. Ref: Reddy BS, Hamid R, Rao CV Effect of dietary oligofructose and inulin on colonic preneoplastic aberrant crypt foci inhibition. Carcinogenesis 1997 Jul;18(7):1371-1374 

  In addition to enhancing digestive processes, chicory helps to keep the liver healthy. The inclusion of chicory root supplements in the diet supports the proper metabolism of cholesterol.                                                                                  

• Cinnamon                                                                                      Recent studies have determined that consuming as little as one-half teaspoon of Cinnamon each day may reduce blood sugar, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels by as much as 20% in Type II diabetes patients who are not taking insulin it is mildly carminative and used to treat nausea and flatulence. It is also used alone or in combination to treat diarrhea. Chinese herbalists tell of older people, in their 70s and 80s, developing a cough accompanied by frequent spitting of whitish phlegm. A helpful remedy, they suggest, is chewing and swallowing a very small pinch of powdered cinnamon. This remedy can also help people with cold feet and hands, especially at night. Germany's Commission E approves Cinnamon for appetite loss and indigestion. The primary chemical constituents of this herb include cinnamaldehyde, gum, tannin, mannitol, coumarins, and essential oils (aldehydes, eugenol, pinene). Cinnamon is predominantly used as a carminative addition to herbal prescriptions. It is used in flatulent dyspepsia, dyspepsia with nausea, intestinal colic and digestive atony associated with cold & debilitated conditions. It relieves nausea and vomiting, and, because of its mild astringency, it is particularly useful in infantile diarrhea. The cinnamaldehyde component is hypotensive and spasmolytic, and increases peripheral blood flow. The essential oil of this herb is a potent antibacterial, anti-fungal, and uterine stimulant. The various terpenoids found in the volatile oil are believed to account for Cinnamon’s medicinal effects. Test tube studies also show that Cinnamon can augment the action of insulin. However, use of Cinnamon to improve the action of insulin in people with diabetes has yet to be proven in clinical trials.                                                                                                                                                                                            
  
•  Cleavers                                                                                             An extremely effective diuretic and blood cleanser; used to dissolve urinary sediment; used as a body cleanser in treating skin diseases such as, eczema, psoriasis, and other skin eruptions.                                                                                                               
•  Cloves                                                                                          Folklore says that sucking on two whole Cloves without chewing or swallowing them helps to curb the desire for alcohol. Traditional Chinese physicians have long used cloves to treat indigestion, diarrhea, hernia, and ringworm, as well as athlete's foot and other fungal infections. India's traditional Ayurvedic healers have used Cloves since ancient times to treat respiratory and digestive ailments. The medieval German herbalists used cloves as part of anti-gout mixture. Early American Eclectic physicians used cloves to treat digestive complaints, and they added it to bitter herbal medicines to make them more palatable. They were also the first to extract clove oil from the herbal buds, which they used on the gums to relieve toothache. A few drops of the oil in water will stop vomiting, and an infusion will relieve nausea. 

   

  Essential oil of clove is effective against strep, staph and pneumomocci bacterias. Contemporary herbalists recommend vloves for digestive complaints and its oil for toothache. The primary chemical constituents include eugenol, caryophyllene, and tannins. Cloves are said to have a positive effect on stomach ulcers, vomiting, flatulence, and to stimulate the digestive system. It has powerful local antiseptic and mild anesthetic actions. Japanese researchers have discovered that like many spices, clove contains antioxidants. Antioxidants help prevent the cell damage that scientists believe eventually causes cancer. On the other hand, in laboratory tests, the chemical eugenol, has been found to be a weak tumor promoter, making clove one of many healing herbs with both pro- and anti-cancer effects. At this point, scientists aren't sure which way the balance tilts. Until they are, anyone with a history of cancer should not use medicinal amounts of clove. For otherwise healthy non-pregnant, non-nursing adults, powdered clove is considered nontoxic. Additionally, dentists have used clove oil as an oral anesthetic. They also used it to disinfect root canals. Clove oil still is an active ingredient in several mouthwash products and a number of over-the-counter toothache pain-relief preparations. Cloves kill intestinal parasites and exhibits broad anti-microbial properties against fungi and bacteria, thus supporting its traditional use as a treatment for diarrhea, intestinal worms, and other digestive ailments. Like many culinary spices, Cloves helps relax the smooth muscle lining of the digestive tract. And finally, eating cloves is said to be aphrodisiac.                                                                                                                                                                      
•  Club Moss                                                                                           In traditional medical systems of Europe, club moss was used for treating kidney and bladder related disorders, the whole club moss plant was subjected to drying, it would then be chopped, and then used in the preparation of a herbal tea for the patient to drink. Disorders such as diarrhea and dysentery, rabies induced hydrophobia, problems such as gout, the scurvy, and rheumatism began to be treated using the club moss spores in the early 17th century. Lycopodium is the name given to the homeopathic remedies prepared from the club moss; this remedy is made by triturating the club moss in a lactose solution until the spores begin to disintegrate and the oily contents escape into the sugar solution. Disorders such as constipation, the chronic lung and bronchial disorders affecting patients, conditions such as aneurysms, and a persistent fever are homeopathically treated using this club moss based remedy. 

   

  A potent anti-spasmodic, a sedative as well as diuretic actions are evident in the club moss; these qualities of the plant are especially effective in the treatment of chronic urinary complaints and disorders in the urinogenital system of patients.  

   

  Disorders such as persistent indigestion and gastritis can also be treated using the herbal remedy based on the club moss. Itchy, irritated areas on the skin can also be protected and alleviated by application of the prepared club moss spores as a topical herbal treatment.                                                                                                                                                        

•  Coltsfoot                                                                                      Coltsfoot (Tussilago) has a soothing expectorant and antispasmodic action which is effective in the treatment of  acute or chronic bronchitis, irritating coughs, whooping cough and asthma. It reduces non-productive coughs and soothes dry, irritable airways. Its has a role in most conditions of the respiratory tract, including the chronic states of emphysema and silicosis. The mucilages supply the soothing action while the sesquiterpenes are spasmolytic. The triterpene saponins in the flowers provide a stimulating expectorant action.

   

  Tussilago is a mild diuretic and has been used in cystitis. It contains appreciable levels of zinc which may be responsible for the herb's anti-inflammatory and healing properties; the fresh, bruised leaves can be applied to boils, abscesses and ulcers while compresses made from the fresh leaves may help to relieve joint pain. Antibacterial activity has been documented against various Gram-negative bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus hauseri, Proteus vulgaris and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

•  Comfrey                                                                                            Wild comfrey was brought to America by English immigrants for medicinal uses. The allantoin content of comfrey, especially in the root, has resulted in its use in folk medicine for healing wounds, sores, burns, swollen tissue, and broken bones. Allantoin, found in milk of nursing mothers and the fetal allantois, appeared to affect the rate of cell multiplication. Wounds and burns seemed to heal faster when allantoin was applied due to a possible increase in number of white blood cells. Comfrey has been reported to promote healthy skin with its mucilage content that moisturizes and soothes, while the allantoin promotes cell proliferation.                                                                                                                  
  
•  Cornsilk                                                                                                  A soothing diuretic; effective for many urinary tract complaints including bladder and kidney dysfunctions; has a cleansing effect on the circulation of urea and it will cleanse the cystic membrane in cystic catarrh; helps open the urinary tract and removes mucus from the urine; helps dissolve kidney stones; used to treat carpal tunnel syndrome, edema (water retention), obesity, premenstrual syndrome, prostate disorders, gallstones, gallbladder pain, diabetes, and hypertension.                                                                                                                                                                    
•  Couchgrass                                                                                  Couchgrass (Triticum) is a useful remedy in the treatment of urinary infections such as cystitis, urethritis and prostatitis. Its demulcent properties soothe irritation and inflammation. It is also of value in the treatment of prostatitis, and may be used in kidney stones and gravel. Its has a healing action on the urinary mucosa, and is particularly effective for children's conditions and for helping to manage examples of tension in the urinary system such as enuresis and nervous incontinence. As a tonic diuretic, Triticum has been used with other herbs in the treatment of rheumatism.

  The sugar mannitol present in large quantities in this herb, and is known as a standard 'osmotic diuretic', that is, it is absorbed whole from the gut and excreted largely by the kidney tubules. Its presence in the tubules means that extra water has to be retained in order to maintain osmotic pressure. The saponins and vanillin, also have diuretic properties. Silica, present as 30% of the inorganic residue, justifies this herb's use in the treatment of slow-healing wounds and to strengthen the lungs and other tissues. The antibiotic substance help to limit infections in the urinary tubules and elsewhere.                                                                                                                                                                                       

•  Cowslip Flowers                                                                               Cowslip (Primrose)  is a relaxing, sedative remedy, indicated in states of tension and nervous excitability. The flowers, which contain most of the essential oil known as ‘primula camphor’, are indicated in insomnia and nervous tension. The main active constituents are the flavonoids which exhibit anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic activity. They inhibit the release of histamine and act as free radical scavengers. The flowers also have a reputation for treating measles, and an ointment made from them brings relief to sunburn.

   

  The high saponin content in the root probably accounts for its reputation in the treatment of pertussis and bronchitis, while the salicylates explain its use on the Continent in the treatment of arthritic conditions; the root was known as Radix arthritica in the past. The root is also thought to be mildly diuretic and to slow blood clotting.                                                                                                                                                               

•  Crampbark                                                                                             A bush with white flowers and red berries, found in both Europe and North America. As its name implies, the bark of the plant is an anti-spasmodic that been used to fight all kinds of muscle cramps from asthma to menstrual cramps. Crampbark is a uterine tonic, an astringent, and it helps alleviate high blood pressure. It can help with pains that accompany ailments like arthritis when they cause muscles to constrict to compensate for the disease itself.