March 15th, 2007 by admin
Tryptophan
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that is necessary for the production of vitamin B3 (niacin). It is used by the brain to produce serotonin, a necessary neurotransmitter that transfers nerve impulses from one cell to another and is responsible for normal sleep. Consequently, tryptophan helps to combat depression and insomnia and to stabilize moods. Tryptophan helps to control hyperactivity in children, alleviates stress, is good for the heart, aids in weight control by reducing appetite, and enhances the release of growth hormone. Tryptophan is good for migraine headaches, and may reduce some of the effects of nicotine. A sufficient amount of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is necessary for the formation of tryptophan, which, in turn, is required for the formation of serotonin. A lack of tryptophan and magnesium may contribute to coronary artery spasms.
The best dietary sources of tryptophan include brown rice, cottage cheese, bananas, meat, peanuts, and soy protein. This amino acid is not available in supplement form in the United States. In November of 1989, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported evidence linking L-tryptophan supplements to a blood disorder called eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS). Several hundred cases of this illness-which is characterized by an elevated white blood cell count and can also cause such symptoms as fatigue, muscular pain, respiratory ailments, edema, and rash-were reported, and at least one death was attributed to the outbreak. After the CDC established an association between the blood disorder and products containing L-tryptophan in New Mexico, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration first warned consumers to stop taking L-tryptophan supplements, then recalled all products in which L-tryptophan was the sole or a major component. Subsequent research showed that it was contaminants in the supplements, not the tryptophan, that was probably responsible for the problem, but tryptophan supplements are still banned from the market in the United States.
Where is it found ?
Tryptophan is found in: bananas, brown rice, cottage cheese, dried dates, fish, milk, meat, peanuts, turkey and protein rich-foods.
How much to take
L-tryptophan is available through your doctor. When taking it, you should also take a balanced and complete B -complex vitamin formula that has at least 50 to 100 mg of ʕ, ʖ and ʚ with your first or last meal of the day. To induce sleep, take 500 mg of tryptophan a half hour before bed with vitamin ʚ (100 mg), niacinamide (100 mg) and chelated or citrated magnesium (120 to 130 mg). Take it with juice or water, but not protein. As a relaxant, take between meals, during the day, with water or juice, but not protein nor milk. Single dosages over 2000 mg (2 grams) are not recommended.
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February 23rd, 2007 by admin
Boneset
Eupatorium perfoliatum
Agueweed
Boneset
Crosswort
Eupatorium
Feverwort
Indian Sage
Sweating Plant
Thoroughwort
Tse-Ian
Vegetable Antimony
Wood Boneset
Names of plants often reveal much information about them. They can also be misleading. There is little difficulty with the scientific name of boneset, Eupatorium perfoliatum L. The genus name of this member of the daisy family (Asteraceae) derives from Mithridates Eupator, ancient king of Pontus, who first used a closely related plant for medicinal purposes. The species designation, perfoliatum, refers to the manner in which the erect hairy stem of the hardy perennial herb, which attains a height of about five feet and is crowned with heads of white tubular florets, appears to perforate the center of the pairs of oppositely joined leaves. Boneset, the common name, is more likely to lead one astray since the plant was classically employed in the treatment of fevers, not to mend broken bones. However, when it is recognized that the old name for dengue was break bone fever, the derivation becomes clear.
American Indians introduced the use of boneset leaves and flowering tops to the early settlers for the treatment of colds, catarrh, influenza, rheumatism, and all kinds of fevers, including break bone (dengue), intermittent (malaria), and lake (typhoid). To break up colds and flu, the medication is taken in the form of a hot tea to induce sweating and relieve the associated aches and pains. For loss of appetite, indigestion, and as a general bitter tonic, cold boneset infusion is recommended thirty minutes before meals. In either case, the remedy is a bitter, astringent one with a nauseous taste. The hot version is much more likely to cause vomiting than the cold.
Chemical studies have identified some of the constituents of boneset, which include various flavonoid pigments, sterols, and triterpenes. Compounds with pronounced therapeutic virtues are generally absent. However, it has been reported that xyloglucurans from the polysaccharide fractions of aqueous extracts of boneset increased phagocytosis by a factor of 1 to 2.5 in the carbon clearance and granulocyte test, suggesting immunostimulating activity. Eclectic physicians reported using boneset as an effective preventative and treatment for the “Spanish influenza” epidemic of 1918, as well as flu epidemics of the nineteenth century.
The plant held official medication status in the United States from 1820 to 1950, even though boneset was rarely prescribed by physicians, at least during the latter part of that period. Nevertheless, there is presently a revival of interest in the use of boneset among adherents to herbal medicine who employ it primarily to relieve fevers. Although safer and more effective treatments, such as common aspirin, certainly exist, it is comforting to know that the medical literature is essentially devoid of reports of adverse incidents attributed to boneset. Given the presence of potential immunostimulating polysaccharides, coupled with historical reports of efficacy in the prevention and treatment of influenza in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, this herb, relegated to historical obscurity, is deserving of closer scientific scrutiny.
Legendary among North American Indians and early settlers for its capacity to cause profuse perspiration and to loosen the bowels, boneset was used to treat fevers associated with a number of illnesses, including colds and influenza as well as malaria and similar recurrent illnesses. Boneset was usually taken as a hot tea made from the leaves and flowers.
A related species, E. purpureum, more commonly known as joe-pye weed, generally shares the medicinal properties attributed to boneset. Identifiable by its purple flowers, joe-pye weed was named in honor of an Indian medicine man who was famous throughout New England for using it to cure typhus. Most herbal authorities, however, consider the species inferior to boneset in treating fever.
PARTS USED
Aerial parts.
USES
A hot infusion of bone set will bring relief to symptoms of the common cold. Boneset stimulates resistance to viral and bacterial infections, and reduces fever by encouraging sweating. Boneset also loosens phlegm and promotes its removal through coughing, and it has a tonic and laxative effect. Boneset has been taken for rheumatic illness, skin conditions, and worms.
HOMEOPATHY
Boneset was traditionally used for fevers and is said to be a principal Native American remedy for malaria. It became known to the European settlers and was used in New York in 1830 to treat malaria. It is also said to have been recommended in ancient times by Dioscorides for ulcers, dysentery, reptile bites, chronic fevers, and liver disease. The plant is used in herbal medicine for flu with aches and pains.
Eupator is used mainly to treat flu and other feverish illnesses where characteristically there is tremendous bone pain and fever with scanty perspiration and restlessness because of the pain. The bones often feel as if they have been broken. The head, eyeballs, and chest are sore and there is a desire for ice-cold water and cold food. There may be a cough that exacerbates symptoms and can be relieved by going on all fours.
HABITAT AND CULTIVATION
Native to eastern North America, boneset is found in meadows and marshland. Boneset is gathered when in flower in summer.
CONSTITUENTS
Boneset contains sesquiterpene lactones (including eupafolin), polysaccharides, flavonoids, diterpenes, sterols, and volatile oil. The sesquiterpene lactones and polysaccharides are significantly immunostimulant.
HOW MUCH TO TAKE
Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto 1 – 2 teaspoonfuls of the dried herb and leave to infuse for 10 – 15 minutes. This should be drunk as hot as possible. During fevers or the ‘flu it should be drunk every half hour.
Tincture: take 2 – 4ml of the tincture three times a day.
Source: Herbs2000
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February 23rd, 2007 by admin
Colic Root
Aletris farinosa
Ague Grass
Ague Root
Aletris
Aloeroot
Colicroot
Crow Com
Star Grass
True Unicorn Root
Colic root – a perennial herb. Its single stalk grows 1 – 3 feet high from the center of a rosette of pale green, lily like leaves 2 – 7 inches long. Tiny white urn-shaped flowers (May-August), 1/4 – 1/2 inch long, form a spike along the upper part of the leafless stalk. The fruits are leathery egg-shaped capsules containing many seeds. The “root” is actually a rhizome, or underground stem.
Colic root enjoys a degree of medicinal celebrity to the present day. Colic root was listed as a therapeutic herb in the U.S. Pharmacopeia in the 19th century and in the National Formulary until 1947, when the herb lost medicinal standing for lack of conclusive scientific data regarding its usefulness. Current research suggests, however, that colic root may offer some relief for intestinal muscle spasms, the cause of some colic.
The Indians in North America were the first to experiment with colic root, which is native to the eastern United States. For stomachaches, colic, dysentery, and menstrual disorders they took a bitter-tasting tea made from the plant’s roots or leaves. The settlers of Appalachia adopted these uses, adding a few of their own. They applied a poultice of the leaves for the relief of aching backs and sore breasts. Sometimes they used a potent drink of dried and powdered colic root mixed with whiskey or brandy, which surely reduced the pain by one means or the other.
PARTS USED
Rhizome, root, leaves.
USES
Colic root should not be confused with false unicorn root. Colic root is an excellent remedy for sluggish digestion, which may give rise to dyspepsia, flatulence and debility. Its bitter nature will stimulate the digestive process and so it often relieves anorexia (appetite loss). Another name for colic root is true unicorn root which shows its value in the treatment of digestive colic. As all these conditions often have a nervous involvement, this herb has been called a nervine. However, its benefit in anxiety is based on an easing of the physical aspects rather than on a direct relaxation of the nerves. Colic root is reported to be of value in threatened miscarriage, but false unicorn root is preferable here.
HABITAT AND CULTIVATION
Native to eastern North America, colic root grows mainly in swamps and wet, sandy woodland, especially near the seashore. Colic root is harvested commercially in Virginia, Tennessee, and North Carolina.
CONSTITUENTS
Colic root contains steroidal saponins based on diosgenin, as well as a bitter principle; volatile oil, and a resin.
HOW MUCH TO TAKE
Decoction: put 1/2 – 1 tea-spoonful of the root in a cup of water, bring to the boil and simmer for 10 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day.
Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto 1-2 teaspoonfuls of the dried herb and leave to infuse for 10 – 15 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day.
Tincture: take 1 – 2 ml of the tincture three times a day.
COLLECTION AND HARVESTING
The underground parts of colic root are unearthed at the end of flowering in August, washed and cut into pieces and then dried.
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