Herbal Supplement Information

Melissa. No, I don’t mean your neighbor. And it’s definitely not your mother’s friend’s cat’s vet either. By Melissa, I mean the plant. Melissa officinalis. Otherwise known as bee balm, common balm, or lemon balm.

Melissa officinalis belongs to the mint family, Lamiaceae. And being such, it is known for its refreshing quality like lemon or lemon grass. The name Melissa was actually taken from the Greek “melisso-phyllon” which literally means “bee-leaf.” It was so named because the plant is so rich in nectar, it is commonly planted to feed bees.

Melissa officinalis is a perennial herb that was originally cultivated in Southern Europe. Now, it is common in almost all parts of the world, including Central Europe, Western Asia, North Africa, Panama, and USA. Its leaves have a characteristic lemony scent that’s gentle and soothing. This is perfect since the plant seems to have the propensity of growing in laid-back areas near human habitation.

Nearing the end of summer, the plant produces tiny white flowers that are full of nectar, much to the happiness of bees who feed on it. When in full bloom, the plant becomes even more attractive so that once, because of its beauty, even the Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne ordered that Melissa officinalis be planted in every monastery garden. The stems of Melissa officinalis wither and die at the start of the winter season but with the coming of spring, they spring back to life.

Health Benefits of Melissa

The Melissa officinalis was formerly used for a variety of illnesses and conditions. Traditional medicine has deemed it an all-around plant used to treat anything from gas to sleeping difficulties and even heart problems. Herbalists also applied Melissa balm topically to the temples for insomnia and nerve pain.

Throughout history, Melissa officinalis was used in many cultures for several different reasons. In the 4th century, the plant was introduced to Britain where it has been used chiefly to pacify a disordered nervous system. The London Dispensary (1969) says: “An essence of Balm, given in Canary wine, every morning will renew youth, strengthen the brain, relieve languishing nature and prevent baldness.” Additionally, John Evelyn wrote: “Balm is sovereign for the brain, strengthening the memory and powerfully chasing away melancholy.”

The English were so convinced of the plant’s rejuvenating qualities that they called it the “elixir of life” and used it as an important ingredient in wine-making. Many cultures, besides the English, were enamored by the plant’s many good qualities. Melissa officinalis was known to help clear the head, increase understanding, and sharpen the memory. In fact, the famed Carmelite water that is used to treat nervous headache and neuralgic affectations is actually a spirit of Melissa, combined with lemon-peel, nutmeg, and angelica root.

History has recorded the many virtues of Melissa officinalis. Both Pliny and Dioscorides who are among the wisest of Greeks, believed that it was useful for counteracting the venom from the bites of snakes and scorpions. Today, modern science is continuing to explore the many of benefits of this plant.

Many clinical trials led to the discovery of active constituents present in the plant that makes it so effective as an all-around cure. Terpenes, part of the pleasant-smelling volatile oil from Melissa, are thought to produce this herb’s relaxing and gas-relieving carminative effects. The plant is also found to be rich in flavonoids, phenolic acids, and other compounds which are responsible for its anti-herpes and thyroid-regulating actions.

Myrtle is the common name for a family of shrubs and trees collectively referred to as Myrtaceae. They almost entirely found in tropical regions, especially in America and Australia. Myrtle can also be found in the Mediterranean, North Africa, and Iran.

Myrtle – The Plant

Myrtle is characterized by evergreen leaves that contain aromatic volatile oils. Many varieties of myrtle produce showy blossoms, gums, and resins. The tree produces black berries which, along with the leaves, are used mostly for aromatherapy.

Myrtle – Health Benefits

The use of myrtle can be traced back to the time of the ancient Greeks. It was said that athletes wore evergreen wreaths of myrtle leaves around their crowns during the Olympics. Believing that it was a symbol of immortality, they also used it in many love potions and treatments for different ailments.

During the time of the Romans, myrtle was used to treat respiratory and urinary problems. The Egyptians used it for nervous afflictions. In France, the women drank tea made from crushed myrtle leaves to preserve the youthfulness of their appearance and their overall vigor. And at one time in history, there were even some talks of the myrtle tree as a cure for cancer, but little evidence was found concerning this.

Traditionally, myrtle was used to treat coughs and various types of respiratory infections, such as bronchitis. Because of its astringent properties, it has also gained a reputation for promoting good digestion, treating urinary tract disorders, and prevention infections in wounds. According to modern laboratory studies, the herb contains substances that are anti-inflammatory, making it a good astringent compound. This likely explains the plant’s enduring use for wounds and coughs.

Aside from healing wounds, myrtle is said to be anti-infective and is a good tonic for speeding up the healing process. In the Middle East, it has long been viewed by traditional healers as a useful herb for diabetes. The 1980s saw scientists placing the myrtle herb under the microscope in an attempt to identify the active ingredients that lends it its various medicinal properties.

Results of one study indicated that extract from the herb can lower down blood sugar in mice. This explains the association linking myrtle with diabetes. However, there is still no clear proof that the herb is safe to use and effective for people who have the disease.

Guidelines for Use Myrtle

Myrtle extract is made from plant’s leaves and seeds. Most tests have shown positive effects if the plant extract is taken orally and in liquid form. A typical dose is usually around 1 to 2 ml of the essential oil daily. Make sure that you ask your doctor first before taking it.

Topical formulations are also in practice although not common. Again, be sure to use this plant only under your doctor’s supervision.

There are two varieties of myrtle. Take care that you do not confuse the two. Myrtus communis, the “true” myrtle, is the plant mentioned here. The other variety, called “Madagascar” myrtle (Eugenia jambolana) is a completely different plant and has entirely different effects on the body.

Myrtle is known to work well with other herbs and nutritional supplements. However, avoid using it if you’re taking insulin or oral sulfonylureas. The herb may boost the blood glucose, lowering the effect of these medications.

Green tea is one of the three popular Asian teas sold in Western markets today (the other two being black tea and oolong tea). Like all Chinese herbal teas, green tea comes from the leaves of a small aromatic plant, Camellia sinensis. However, unlike the other two tea types, herbal green tea is tea that has undergone minimal oxidation, thereby, leaving the beneficial antioxidants intact and potent.

There are many health benefits associated with herbal green tea. Below are some of them.

Immune System Booster

Herbal green tea contains high concentrations of antioxidants. The antioxidants are compounds in the body that fights off and destroys disease-causing free radicals. By doing this, herbal green tea can therefore help boost our immune systems to prevent diseases more effectively. Also, free radicals cause the rapid development of aging. The antioxidants in herbal green tea destroy these free radicals, thereby, slowing down the aging process.

The main constituent contained in herbal green tea is polyphenol, an antioxidant. Polyphenols work to keep our cells healthy and strong. If you’ve ever felt completely exhausted or your energy levels are low, it might be because your immune system is overworked. You can combat exhaustion by drinking herbal green tea which contains high amounts of polyphenol to provide you with energy and keep your immune system from getting overworked.

Reduce Cancer

The most important discovery made on herbal green tea is its apparent ability to prevent cancer and perhaps even cure it. Several medical researchers have filed reports based on their studies that the antioxidants present in green tea can inhibit the development of tumor cells by killing and destroying free radicals. What’s more, polyphenols are critical in the destruction of cancer cells without affecting the neighboring healthy cells.

Also, smokers benefit greatly from drinking herbal green tea. According to a recent study, cigarette smokers who drink up to six cups of green tea daily suffer 40 to 50 percent less damage from the toxins caused by cigarette smoke. By doing this, herbal green tea helps reduce the risk of cancer, emphysema, cardiovascular disease and other illnesses associated with cigarette smoking.

For Weight Loss

One of the leading reasons why herbal green tea is one of the hottest-selling tea products today is its ability to burn fat faster. Herbal green tea provides people suffering from obesity the natural way of getting rid of excess fats.

Nearly 67% of Americans are clinically obese, which means that they have health risks due to their being overweight. Herbal green tea contains substances that aid in thermogenesis, the process by which the body converts fats into energy. Various studies have shown that green tea can boost your energy levels and increase metabolic rates.

Eaten by most primitive humans, anthocyanins are essentially natural occurring compounds that largely produced color to the fruit, vegetables, and plants. These compounds which derived its name from two Greek words which means “plant” and “blue”, anthocyanins are the color pigments that make the raspberries red and the blueberries blue.

Anthocyanins are believed to have played a vital role in the high antioxidant activity levels that was observed in the blue and red vegetables and fruits. They are as well largely useful for the red coloring of the buds and young shoots as well as the purple-red colors of the autumn leaves. Such wonder with anthocyanins have been discovered with the result of close to 300 anthocyanins found during the study.

Generally, every vegetable and fruit has its respective anthocyanin profile. Such component of each fruit and vegetable provide a unique “fingerprint”. One of the best examples is that the red wine is composed of over 15 anthocyanin monomers, which are kinds of chemical compounds, in which the different proportions that largely rely on the type of the grape fruit form the different shades of the wine’s color.

Numerous studies also found out that the intense light and low temperatures favor the establishment of the anthocyanin pigments. All of the plant materials are compose of a variety of pigments, and largely some of those change color as the pH of the plan tissue is adjusted, particularly in the case of adding vinegar or other acids while cooking or processing. It is noted that the average anthocyanins are red in acid, violet in neutral, and blue in alkaline solution. With that, it is therefore better to add an acidic substance like the vinegar on the read food that is cooked such as the read cabbage, to prevent the food from turning purple.

There are naturally some factors that impart certain effects on the stability of the anthocyanins. One of those is heat and light sensitivity. With these factors, the anthocyanins pigments can easily be deteriorate especially during the processing of fruits and vegetables. And in the presence of a high sugar concentration, the anthocyanins are rapidly destroyed which lead to the case in which the processed foods containing bigger amounts of sugar or syrup would not have the same composition of anthocyanins than the unprocessed ones.

Anthocyanins, being widely distributed from flowers, to fruits, and to vegetables greatly belong to a throng of plant compounds commonly known as flavonoids. These compounds are subclass of plant polyphenols that may hold antioxidant capabilities and are being studied for its potential in anticancer.

From several studies conducted, it was found out that anthocyanins give certain influences on the human heath conditions. It is believed that anthocyanins’ anti-inflammatory poperties affect the collagen and the nervous system. Also, their potential for protecting both the large and small blood vessels from oxidative damage is said to have derive from the range of health effects and such include extenuating micro-vessel damage from high blood sugar levels that is the main reason for diabetic complications.

With those facts, anthocyanins have certain positive effects on the inflammation and collagen, nervous system, large and small blood vessels, diabetes, and anthocyanins have a great potential for improving eyesight by other mechanisms.

The dandelion is actually a weed that grows in all parts of the North Temperate Zone, in pastures, meadows, waste ground, and it is so abundant that many farmers everywhere in the world find it as a bothersome weed. Its flowers are more noticeable in the early months on the summer and dandelion may be spotted in bloom and effectively spreading its seeds almost throughout the year.

Dandelion has a thick tap root, long jagged leaves that rise directly, and needs to be watered regularly. It contains taraxacin acrystalline, which is a bitter substance, of which the crop greatly varies according to the roots that are gathered at various seasons. Dandelion also has taraxacerinm, which is an acrid resin, with inulin, gluten, gum, and potash. The roots of the dandelion consists no starch, however, early in the year it contain uncrystallizable sugar and laevulin.

In the early days, the dandelion juice was considered as the favorite formulation in official and local medicine. Most of the druggist at that time prided themselves of their dandelion juice, which is basically made from the roots, and its most active preparations derived from the bruised fresh dandelion root. The leaves of the dandelion are not always used, except for producing Herb-Beer. Its seeds are usually collected and dried in the sun. They are best gathered in the evening, towards sunset, or when the damp air has caused the heads to close up, while its tops are cut on a dry day and all the stained or insect-eaten leaves are discarded.

Dandelion is used in the local medicine. Perhaps the first mention of the dandelion as a medicine is found in the works of the Arabian physicians during the tenth and eleventh centuries, who interestingly speak of dandelion as a kind of wild Endive with the name Taraxcacon.

The dandelion roots itself are used and largely cultivated in India as a treatment for liver diseases. Its roots are generally brittle, dark brown in the outer layer, and white internally with a milky juice of bitter taste. As it the dandelion roots are used for medicinal purposes, only the large, fleshy, and well-structured roots are gathered from the forked plants. It is mainly the juice of the root that is still being used for medicinal purposes.

Dandelion is known to be diuretic, tonic, and slightly aperients. It is noted to be a stimulant to the system especially to the urinary organs, thus dandelion is largely applied for treating liver and kidney disorders. From different clinical studies, the plant’s supplement is best taken in combination with other agents.

Dandelion is also said to provide certain relief to those who have hepatic problems. In fact, a broth of the dandelion roots, being sliced and stewed in boiling water with some leaves of Sorrel and an egg yolk has been popular as a treatment for chronic liver congestion.

Dandelion is also applied as a form of bitter tonic in atonic dyspepsia. Aside from that, it is also applied as a mild laxative for habitual constipation. The decoction or extract of this plant is often proved as a beneficial remedy and it has a valuable effect on enhancing the appetite and upholding digestion.

With its health benefits and medicinal uses, dandelion is now widely cultivated as a crop in different areas in the world.

You’ve probably heard of antioxidants before. Antioxidants act as cell protectors. The air we breathe contains Oxygen which is an essential element of life. However, Oxygen can also be damaging to our body. It creates by-products, called free radicals, which can be damaging during normal cellular metabolism. If left unchecked, free radicals may cause anything from heart damage, cataracts, and even cancer because they can weaken our body’s immune system. To counteract these free radicals before they can do damage to the cell, antioxidants bind with them.

Antioxidants come in several forms – Vitamin C, Vitamin E, carotenoids, and flavonoids. Next to Vitamin C, flavonoids are the most important antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables. But what exactly are flavonoids?

Flavonoids: An Introduction

In organic chemistry, flavonoids are described as polyphenolic compounds possessing 15 carbon atoms; two benzene rings joined by linear three carbon chain. So flavonoids are carbon-based elements. That means they’re organic. No wonder flavonoids constitute one of the most characteristic classes of compound sin higher plants. You can easily recognize many flavonoids as flower pigments in most angiosperm families or flowering plants. However, flavonoids do not only occur in flowers, but in all parts of the plant, namely, the fruit, stem, seeds, leaves, and even roots.

How are Flavonoids Good for You?

More and more researchers are beginning to probe into the once-hidden depths of foods and they’re discovering that vitamins and minerals aren’t all there is to it. Flavonoids, they discovered, or bioflavonoids as some like to refer to them, are perhaps one of the largest group of “other” nutrients Researchers have identified more than 4,000 of these organic substances in plants.

Like carotenes, flavonoids are plant pigments. They are the substances that give plants their various colors. And like carotenes, many flavonoids are antioxidants and they help protect plants from damaging free radicals. One distinct difference is that flavonoids are soluble in water while carotenes are oil soluble.

Flavonoids for Long Life

Ever wonder why Asians have apparently longer lifespan than Westerns? Most attribute it to the Asian’s propensity to drink tea. The Chinese especially are fond of herbal teas, such as the common green tea and black tea. Apparently, these two teas contains about 25-30 per cent flavonoids, including quercetin and gallic esters. Like those in grapes and other fruits and vegetables, they also protect against heart disease.

Flavonoids and the French Paradox

If you still haven’t figured out how flavonoids can do for your health, then take the “French Paradox” as a clue. The paradox of the French is that they eat almost four times more butter and three times more lard than Americans do. This means that compared to Americans, the French have higher cholesterol levels and blood pressures. Yet, the French are 2.5 times less likely to die of coronary heart disease than the average American. Now why is that?

Many people have suggested that the answer lies in the French liberal consumption of red wine, a substance rich in beneficial antioxidants such as flavonoids that protect against coronary heart disease and apparently lowers down cholesterol levels. In addition, flavonoids in French red wine can also prevent abnormal blood clots, thus reducing the risk of heart angina or atherosclerosis. In fact, at least eight medical studies have found that a glass or two of wine daily protects against heart disease.

The cold is the oldest known human illness caused by a virus. For thousands of years, man has been afflicted by this disease and until now, a complete cure is yet to be found. However, this doesn’t mean that there’s absolutely nothing to provide relief for this ailment. Europeans and Americans alike use a kind of herb to fight against illnesses, such as colds and flu, minor infections, and a host of other major and minor ailments. This herb is Echinacea and it has been used by many an American and European doctor to treat infectious diseases.

Echinacea: The Plant

The Echinacea is derived from a perennial plant species called Echinacea purpurea. It is the purple cornflower that is found native to the North American soil. Echinacea resembles a black-eyed Susan and you can find that it is common in indigenous central plains where it grows on road banks, prairies, fields, and in dry, open woods. The American Indians called it snake root because it grows from a thick black root which they used to treat bites from snakes.

Its Constituents

Echinacea contains several substances that contribute to its effectiveness as a potent health and medicinal plant. Its constituents include essential oil, polysaccharides, polyacetylenes, betain, glycoside, sesquiterpenes, and caryophylene. Echinacea also contains copper, iron, tannins, protein, fatty acids, and vitamins A, C, and E.

The benefit of Echinacea as an immune-stimulant can be attributed to its high content levels of polysaccharides. Polysaccharides, such as insulin can increase the production of T-cells and augment other natural killer cell activity. Echinacea also contains alkylamides which are fat-soluble and a caffeic acid glycoside called echinacoside. Both these substances contribute to the ability of Echinacea to empower the body’s immune system.

Medicinal and Health Benefits

Echinacea is considered by many herbalists as the best blood purifier. As an effective antibiotic, Echinacea can activate the body’s immune system and increase the chances of fighting off any disease. Due to this attribute, the herb first earned its popularity as way to ward off the common cold and to relieve the symptoms of hay fever.

Echinacea is more than just a pretty flower. Years ago, the Plains Indians used Echinacea to treat bites from various snakes and insects that are poisonous. They also used the herb extract to relieve toothaches and sore throat and treat wounds, mumps, smallpox, and measles. When the first settlers came, they adopted its various therapeutic uses and since that time, Echinacea became one of the top selling herbs in the United States.

Buying Tips

When you buy Echinacea, the first thing you need to keep in mind is its freshness. Echinacea dried roots, encapsulated powders can be old and because of that, their effectiveness might be minimized. So if you really want Echinacea to do wonders, look for fresh root tincture. You can find lots of these in natural food stores. Echinacea tinctures are simply a “steeped” mixture of herb in alcohol.

However, if you must buy the herb powdered, make sure that it’s fresh. Take a piece and taste it. If it has a tingly effect on your tongue and causes you to salivate, then this means that the herb is potent and is still effective for use as a treatment.

1. What is Amaranth ?

Amaranth comes from the Greek word meaning ‘unwithering’. In old tradition, amaranth was considered sacred to god Artemis, as a symbol of immortality and used in pagan burial ceremonies and served many other purposes. It was dubbed as the miracle grain. This staple food of the Aztec empire was ‘lost’ for hundreds of years and thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered in the sixties. It has been grown in the United States. It contains essential amino acid lysine. The tiny seeds of the plant are also rich source of iron. It also contains fiber, copper and magnesium. It can be cooked alone or with grains such as brown rice or buckwheat. Amaranth seeds may come in buff to dark purple color. Other common names for amaranth are lady bleeding, love-lies-bleeding, lovely bleeding, pilewort, prince’s feather, red cockscomb and others. It is often found in the tropics in tropical America, India, Africa and Java.

2. Health Benefits of Amaranth

Amaranth herbal is used by Native Americans as an antidote to snake poison, for contraception and to stop menstruation. The medicinal part used in amaranth herbal is the flowering herb. This part contains mucilage and sugar. Amaranth herbal is available in the following formulations: extract and dried. If used for external applications, it is used as wash for sores and ulcers, for tick bites and reduces tissue swelling from sprains. As a douche, it is used for leucorrhea. It can be used as a gargle to treat ulcerated conditions of throat and mouth.

Amaranth herbal is known to act as the following: 

- Alterative which pertains to the ability of amaranth herbal to change unhealthy conditions and restore them to normal body functions by improving nutrition. 
- Diuretic is amaranth herbal property that increases urine flow cleansing the urinary system. 
- Stimulant is capacity of amaranth herbal to excite the functional activity of the tissues lending more energy. 
- Tonic is another amaranth herbal property that strengthens the organism giving it a feeling of well-being.
- Astringent is a property of amaranth herbal that contracts organic tissue, reduces secretions or discharge mucous and fluid from the body. 
- Diaphoretic is the ability of amaranth herbal to promote sweating. 

Amaranth herbal treats the following ailments:

• Hemorrhages
• Spitting of blood
• Menorrhagia or excessive menstruation
• Diarrhea
• Dysentery
• Gastroenteritis
• Stomach influenza

Pregnant and lactating women must not use amaranth herbal to prevent any side effects.

1. What is Aphrodisiac herbal?

Aphrodisiac herbal is herb which is used to cure impotence or to add more sexual stamina.  There are four types of herbs used as aphrodisiac herbal.  These are:

Narcotics.  Narcotic is an aphrodisiac herbal that could be used to intoxicate the objects of desire and making them incapable to ward off sexual advances.  These are not in a real sense aphrodisiac herbals but are just means to weaken another person and considered illegal.

Herbs that irritate the mucous membrane of the genitalia.  This aphrodisiac herbal produces a warm, itching feeling similar to sexual arousal but could cause dangerous side effects.

Herbs that ease medical disorders that impede normal sexual function.  Herbs that aids in treating symptoms of a number of genitor-urinary tract infections or those that supply badly needed vitamins or minerals that are lacking in the diet are considered aphrodisiac.  This is so because they have the capacity to allow the person with previous physical problems to function normally.  A typical example of this type of aphrodisiac herbal is Ephedra nevadensis which is used to treat kidney, bladder and urinary problems and as aphrodisiac.  Kelp (Macrosystis pyifera) is also considered as aphrodisiac herbal due to its iodine content that could promote sexual drive.

2. Health Benefits of Aphrodisiac Herbal

Aphrodisiac herbal that increases the sexual desire and prowess. They also increase the intensity of sensations that are felt during orgasm.  Extensive research done to find aphrodisiac herbals under this type led to the discovery that Kava Kava root and Damian leaves produce the best result sin stimulating sexual desire and intensity.

Kava Kava is an aphrodisiac herbal that can be obtained in the shrub Piper methysticum which can be found in Polynesian Islands.  The natives would chew the Kava Kava roots then blend this saliva and root mixture with coconut milk.  The resulting liquid was fermented to become a potent beverage that was used for important rituals. The drink relaxes spinal activity giving it a euphoric state of relaxation. Others experience a tingling sensation in the genitalia.
KAVA DRINK as aphrodisiac herbal: mix together in a blender; one ounce of powdered Kava Kava root, two tablespoons of olive oil, one tablespoon of soya lecithin granules and ten ounces of water. Blend on high for one minute. This amount is enough for 2-4 people. 

WARNING: Over use of Kava Kava will cause dangerous respiratory and skin problems.

Damiana is obtained from the shrub Turnera diffusa which originated in the U.S. Southwest and northern Mexico.  Some users of damiana reported that the herb is more effective if combined with saw palmetto an hour before sexual activity.

How to Take Aphrodisiac Herbal ?

To produce this `Damiana liqueur’ as an aphrodisiac herbal, soak one ounce of Damiana Leaves, two tablespoons of Saw Palmetto berries, two tablespoons of Angelica root and a l/2 tablespoon of vanilla pods in 750 ml. of whisky. After one week, strain the mixture through a coffee filter and save the liquid. Re-soak the herbs, etc. in 750 ml. distilled water for another week and then strain this second mixture. Heat the second mix to approximately 80C and dissolve one cup of honey into the hot liquid. After the honey has dissolved, remove from the heat, allow to cool somewhat and then add it to the first (whisky) mixture.

Goldenseal or Hydrastis canadenis is one of the most popular herbs sold on the American market. But why is it so popular? What are its benefits? And where is the science to back it up? But the answers to those questions do not have the same impact as the more pressing question of whether there is enough supply, especially of wild-harvested root, to meet the demand.

Goldenseal is a medicinal plant native to American. The Cherokee Indians were reported to be the first people who introduced it to the early settlers. Goldenseal was used as a Native American remedy to treat skin diseases, wounds, and sore, inflamed eyes. The roots of the Goldenseal are bright and yellow, hence its name.

For decades, goldenseal root has been used to treat all sorts of illnesses and disorders. It has acquired a considerable reputation as a natural antibiotic and as a remedy for various gastric and genitourinary disorders.

As far back as the 1800s, goldenseal was referenced plenty of times in medical writings. According to Benjamin Smith Barton’s Essays Towards a Materia Medica of the United States which was published in three parts from 1798 to 1804, goldenseal was a Cherokee folk cancer remedy. Incidentally, this observation made by Barton in 1788 is one of the earliest observations of the occurrence and treatment of cancer among American Indian groups.

By the late 1700s, goldenseal was a popular strong tea for indigestion. The bitter drink helped stimulate digestion and improve the appetite. Following the Indians, it was used as a decoction to treat skin inflammations and those of the eyes. Its popularity as a herbal antibiotic has continued up to this day. Today, goldenseal is used to treat symptoms of the cold and flu. It is also used as an astringent, antibacterial remedy for the mucous membranes of the body.

1. The Plant

Goldenseal is an herbaceous perennial plant that is long-lived. It is commonly found in deep woods or dense forested areas. The horizontal rhizome creeps beneath the rich forest detritus, resembling a small, crooked finger. When in perfect condition, goldenseal rhizome becomes clump-like with a dense crown and multiple buds. Extending from the rhizome are fibrous rooflets. The root of the goldenseal is the main part used for herbal remedies. Its yellow color makes it distinct from all other look-alike plants and it is also attributed to the prevalence of the main antimicrobial constituent present, berberine.

2. Health Benefits of Goldenseal

Many combination formulas of other herbs use goldenseal as it is reported to improve the potency of other herbs. Preparations have been marketed for the treatment of menstrual disorders, urinary infections, rheumatic and muscular pain and as an antispasmodic or as a cure to relieve the spasms commonly experienced by patients with epilepsy.

Berberine and hydrastine are alkaloids found in goldenseal. They are attributed with the potency of the herb. Similar in action, berberine and hydrastine destroy many types of bacterial and viral infections. These alkaloids can also reduce gastric inflammation and relieve congestion. The alkaloid berberine is the bitter substance that makes the plant a good aid for digestion and as a sedative on the central nervous system.

3. Buying Goldenseal Information

Goldenseal is considered generally safe when taken as directed. However, the herb is potent enough that most dieticians recommend it in small doses only. The most popular products are liquid extracts and capsules containing the whole dried herb. Since the herb is most potent when used in combination with other products, it’s good if you look for Echinacea, garlic, and elderberry in the label before buying.