Herbs Listings

Herbs - T

• Tansy
  Tansy has been used in the past as a carminative to aid digestion. However it is not used much today because of its potential toxicity. When the plant is taken, it is chiefly in order to expel intestinal worms and to help stimulate menstrual bleeding. Tansy may be used externally to kill scabies, fleas, and lice, but even external application of tansy preparations carries the risk of toxicity.                                                                                                                                                                 
• Thuja                                                                                             Ancient peoples burned thuja's aromatic wood along with sacrifices."Thuja" comes from the Latin form of the Greek word thero (to sacrifice). Other species of thuja were used in Egypt for embalming the dead. The botanist Carolus Clusius called the tree arbor vitae, Latin for "tree of life", when he saw one that had been imported from Canada to France. Native Americans used the plant for canoes, baskets, and perfumes, and sometimes boiled twigs for broth when other foods were unavailable or scarce. Oriental thuja, or Platylactus orientalis, has been popular in China for thousands of years, where thuja was cultivated for religious and ornamental purposes.

   

  Native Americans employed thuja for malaria, gout, scurvy, rheumatism, menstrual disorders, and coughs. Thuja's volatile oil acts as a stimulant, a diuretic, and an irritant. Thuja is prepared as an ointment and applied externally to treat joint pain and arthritis. While the parts of the plant usually employed for therapeutic purposes are toxicologically harmless, the compound thujone can be toxic. It can cause vomiting, queasiness, painful diarrhea, and in some cases death. Thuja is used for respiratory tract infections, and in conjunction with antibiotics, in the treatment of bacterial skin infections and Herpes simplex. Homeopaths safely treat headache, eye inflammation, colds, and warts with thuja.

  Thuja has an established antiviral activity. Thuja is most often used to treat warts and polyps, being prescribed both internally and externally for these conditions. 

   

  Thuja is also used as part of a regime for treating cancer -especially cancer of the uterus. Thuja makes an effective expectorant and decongestant remedy, and may be used to treat acute bronchitis and other respiratory infections. Thuja induces menstruation and can be taken to bring on delayed periods, although this use is inadvisable if menstrual pain is severe. Thuja is diuretic and is used to treat acute cystitis and bed-wetting in children. Extracts may be painted on painful joints or muscles as a counter-irritant, improving local blood supply and easing pain and stiffness.

  Other medical uses

  Homeopathy.                                                                                                                                                                        

• Thyme                                                                                          Infections - The antiseptic and tonic properties of thyme make it a useful tonic for the immune system in chronic, especially fungal, infections, as well as an effective remedy for chest infections, such as bronchitis, whooping cough, and pleurisy. The pleasant-tasting infusion can be taken for minor throat and chest infections, and the fresh leaves may be chewed to relieve sore throats.

  Asthma & hay fever - Thyme is prescribed with other herbs for asthma, especially in children. Its invigorating qualities balance the sedative effect of many herbs used for asthma. Thyme is also helpful in hay fever.

  Worms - Thyme is often used to treat worms in children.

  External uses - Applied to the skin, thyme relieves bites and stings, and helps sciatica and rheumatic aches and pains. Thyme helps ringworm, athlete's foot, thrush, and other fungal infections, as well as scabies and lice. The infusion may be added to bathwater as a stimulant.

  Other medical uses - Abscess, Altitude sickness, Wrinkles, Temporomandibular joint syndrome or disorder / TMJ (TMD),Urinary incontinence.                                

   
• Turmeric                                                                                       Traditional remedy - Turmeric improves the action of the liver and is a traditional remedy for jaundice in both Ayurvedic and Chinese herbal medicine. Turmeric is also an ancient herb for digestive problems such as gastritis and acidity, helping to increase mucus production and protect the stomach. Turmeric also alleviates nausea.

  Arthritis & allergies - Even though turmeric does not relieve pain, its anti-inflammatory action makes it useful for arthritis, and other inflammatory conditions  such as asthma and eczema.

  Circulatory disorders - Due to its anti-inflammatory- blood-thinning, and cholesterol- lowering properties, turmeric is now used to reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks.

  Skin conditions - Applied to the skin, turmeric is useful in treating a number of conditions, including psoriasis, and fungal infections such as athlete's foot.

  Other medical uses - Breast cancer, Cervical cancer, Colorectal cancer, Lung cancer, Ovarian cancer, Prostate cancer,Viral infection.                                                                                                                                                                                                 
• Turkey Rhubarb
  

  This plant has a long history beginning in China. It obtained the name Turkey Rhubarb from the route it took in exporting. The Chinese used this root in two different cases. If diarrhea was present, small doses would help arrest it, and also help stimulate the appetite. This utilized the tannin and bitters inherent in the root. In the case of constipation, larger doses were employed. Here the anthraquinones and their strong irritating factor to the digestive tract is used. The root’s actions are so powerful, than when used for diarrhea, it can cause intense cramping. It is an ingredient in many Chinese formulas. More recently, it may be found of benefit in those with diabetic neuropathy. It may play a part in decreasing blood glucose, improve symptoms associated with severe kidney compromise.