The Medicinal Uses of Calendula

Disclaimer.  I am not a licensed health practitioner.  This is just another post on an item you might wish to have available if needed so that a physician can treat you and your family as best as possible.  No medication, including those available over the counter, should be taken without consulting a physician.  Information shared here is for educational and entertainment purposes only.  It is not medical advice nor a substitute for licensed medical care.  A qualified, licensed physician or other medical provider should be consulted before beginning any herbal or conventional treatment.


Calendula officinalis is a bright, yellow-orange flower in the marigold family.  It is very easy to grow and thrives in full sun with good soil, but also does well in less-than ideal conditions or with little care.  Harvest the flowers on a dry, sunny day, if possible.  The medicine is strongest when the buds are just opening, and the stickier they are, the better.  The flowers are edible and often added to salads and soups. Calendula is a powerful antiviral, yet it is safe enough for babies. 

Calendula has a wide range of medicinal applications and just as wide an array of preparations for usage.  It is used to treat dermatitis, diaper rash, shingles, and minor wounds--cuts, scrapes, bruises, and bites; to reduce inflammation in joints and relax muscle spasms; for abdominal cramps and constipation; to treat ear infections, sore throats, and gingivitis;  and for hemorrhoids, duodenal and gastric ulcers.

Tincture.  The tincture is best prepared using fresh flowers, in a 1:2 ratio, that is, one part blossoms to two parts alcohol (70%)  It can also be prepared with dried flowers in a 1:5 ratio.  Per Stephen Buhner (author of Herbal Antivirals) the dosage is 5-30 drops, up to four times per day.

Oil.  Calendula oil is used topically to treat skin rashes, eczema, and inflamed lymph glands. To prepare the oil:

• Let freshly picked blossoms wilt for about 12 hours.
• Loosely fill a canning jar with the wilted blossoms.  
• Pour melted coconut or olive oil over the top.  
• Put on a lid and place in a sunny location to let the oil infuse for one month, shaking daily.
• Strain the flowers and pour the oil into a clean jar.  
• Store in a cool, dark place.

Creamy salve.  A creamy calendula salve is used to manage superficial skin issues, such as minor burns, cuts, rashes (including diaper rash), dermatitis, ringworm, and athlete's foot, as well as reduce inflammation in joints and relax muscle spasms.  To prepare a creamy salve:

• Melt 8 ounces calendula oil and 2 ounces grated beeswax or pastilles in a double boiler.
• Add 5 drops lavender essential oil.  
• Pour into a small jar, put the lid on, and store in a cool, dark place.

Salve.  Just this morning, I woke up with an incredible itch on my ear; I figure something bit me as I slept.  It was itching something fierce!  I used some salve a friend (thanks, Lisa!) made for me last year, and the itching ceased immediately.  And it hasn't come back. (It's now been almost 12 hours.)  (Little update:  The itching returned about 9PM last night, so I reapplied more and went to bed.  I must have rolled over and been sleeping on my ear and woke up itching.  Reapplied more at 1AM, went back to bed, and made sure to stay off that side.  Still fine now at 7AM.)  To make a salve, follow the directions for the creamy salve above, but use only 4 ounces of calendula oil.  Pour into a jar or lip balm tubes.

Infusion.  An infusion is used internally to alleviate digestive irritation, abdominal cramps and constipation, ulcers, bladder infections, menstrual cramps, measles, and chickenpox.  It is also used as a mouthwash or gargle for mouth lesions, gingivitis, and sore throat.  And it can be used as a wash for treating wounds.  Prepare an infusion by steeping 2 teaspoons of calendula in boiling water for 10 minutes. 

Poultice.  A calendula poultice provides significant relief for shingles and minor wounds.  To prepare a poultice, soak a clean cloth in a calendula infusion and place it over the wound or rash. 

Contraindications.  Not to be used internally by pregnant women or those wishing to become pregnant.

Cautions.  Calendula may lower blood pressure.  It may also cause drowsiness.

Links to related posts:
The Medicinal Uses of Comfrey
How to Make a Salve


For further reading:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16906636 (abdominal cramps and constipation)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19601397 (wound healing)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3917203 (dental plaque and gingivitis)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16677386 (cancer treatment)
https://ascopubs.org/doi/full/10.1200/jco.2004.07.063 (acute dermatitis in cancer)

Dr. Patrick Jones, The HomeGrown Herbalist, p 109-111.
Rosemary Gladstar, Medicinal Herbs:  A Beginner's Guide, p 112-116
Dr. Stephen Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, p 367.

© 2019, PrepSchoolDaily.blogspot.com  

13 december 2020

The Medicinal Uses of Peppermint

Disclaimer.  I am not a licensed health practitioner.  This is just another post on an item you might wish to have available if needed so that a physician can treat you and your family as best as possible.  No medication, including those available over the counter, should be taken without consulting a physician.  Information shared here is for educational and entertainment purposes only.  It is not medical advice nor a substitute for licensed medical care.  A qualified, licensed physician or other medical provider should be consulted before beginning any herbal or conventional treatment.



Peppermint has flavored or scented gums and candies, desserts, tea, toothpaste, soap, and shampoo, and probably loads of other products forever.  Have you ever noticed how many cold and cough and nausea remedies (Pepto-Bismol, Vicks, NyQuil, Listerine, etc.) contain menthol--one of the primary active constituents in peppermint?  There's a reason for that--it works!  Peppermint is in the same plant family as lavender, spearmint, catmint (catnip), and rosemary.  It's one of the easiest medicinal plants to grow; in fact, some would say that it is too easy.  If it is not well contained, it will spread everywhere.

Peppermint leaves and flowers are best harvested just after flowers begin to emerge. 

Numerous studies have shown that peppermint is antibacterial, insecticidal, and anti-parasitic.  Historically, peppermint has been used to treat not only gastrointestinal upsets, but also tuberculosis, colds, and headaches.  Fresh peppermint leaves are chewed to freshen breath; however, peppermint is most frequently taken in the form of tea or essential oils.

Fresh leaves.  Chewing on fresh peppermint leaves freshens the breath because the peppermint leaves possess antibacterial properties, i.e., they kill bacteria.  Bacteria produce a bad smell.  So bad breath goes away when you chew peppermint leaves.

Infusion.  Steep peppermint leaves or a tea bag in boiling water for 5-10 minutes.  Add sugar or honey to taste.  Drink peppermint tea to:

• relieve headaches and migraines;
• relieve nausea and vomiting;
• relieve menstrual and muscle cramps;
• soothe the respiratory tract and ease cold and flu congestion;
• promote sleep;
• relieve bloating, indigestion, and ulcers due to H. pylori;
• reduce fever.

Essential oil:  Sometimes you need the medicinal effects of peppermint to be a bit more concentrated; after all, you can only drink so much tea.  And that's where essential oils come in.  As essential oils are going to be rather difficult to produce in a collapsed society, plan to acquire a good supply of this valuable item from a reputable source.

• Aromatherapy/steam inhalation:
• stress and nausea--put several drops in a diffuser;
• colds and influenza, for clearing airways--add 10-12 drops to a pot of boiling water and then inhale the steam for 10 minutes;
• though not as effective, in the above situations if unable to use a diffuser, inhale directly from the bottle or rub a drop or two of oil onto your wrists and inhale as needed;
• tuberculosis--as an adjunct to other therapies, put 10 drops in a pot of boiling water and inhale the steam for 20 minutes each day for 2 months.
• Externally:
• nausea--mix 1-2 drops with 1-2 drops of carrier oil and rub behind the ears to prevent nausea;
• tension headache--mix a 1-2 drops into 2 drops of carrier oil and rub a drop on the temples for relief;
• upset stomach and heartburn--dilute 2-3 drops in 1 teaspoon of carrier oil and massage into the stomach;
• colds--dilute 2-3 drops in 1 teaspoon of carrier oil and massage into the chest;
• diabetic neuropathy--dilute a few drops in a carrier oil and massage into the afflicted areas.
• Internally:  Peppermint essential oil is generally recognized as safe when taken internally in very small doses, about 2-3 drops in a carrier oil or in water.
• heartburn, upset stomach--1 drop of essential oil, 1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar, and 1 teaspoon of honey to a glass of warm water and drink;
• asthma, seasonal allergies--2 drops in a glass of water;
• sore throat gargle--2 drops in a glass of warm water to soothe the pain of a sore throat and to kill bacteria.  For added relief, add in 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
• irritable bowel syndrome.  For those concerned about nuclear radiation exposure, a few studies have shown that peppermint oil may provide some protection from radiation.  So far, the studies have been limited to mice and have shown that the peppermint needs to be taken before exposure to radiation. 

Contraindications for internal use:  Because peppermint can relax the sphincter muscle between the stomach and esophagus, it should not be used by people with GERD.  Do not use if you are taking iron supplements or cyclosporins, if you have a heart condition or high blood pressure, or if you are taking medications to reduce or suppress stomach acid production.  Do not use in children under the age of 12.  (Children may use spearmint the same as adults use peppermint;  spearmint is a close relative, but much gentler in its actions.)

Cautions:  Doses above 500 mg can irritate the mouth and stomach and produce a heartburn-like reaction.  May cause skin rashes, allergic reaction, or other irritation.

Other uses:  Peppermint essential oil is used in conjunction with other oils as a mosquito repellent and a pesticide.  Interestingly, it is also used in plumbing and construction to test for leaks by detecting the odor.

Links to related posts:
The Herbal Medic (book review)  
The HomeGrown Herbalist (book review)   
Anti-Nausea Medications   
Spearmint   
Peppermint-Lavender-Rosemary Headache Balm   
Catnip   

For further reading:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16121521 (general review of published articles)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29372567 (overall review of published articles)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23011739 (protection from gamma radiation)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/13678235 (virucidal effect on herpes simplex 1 and 2)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23416804 (irritable bowel syndrome)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26319955 (irritable bowel syndrome)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3403674/ (infantile colic)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28562281 (functional abdominal pain in children)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17427617 (irritable bowel syndrome)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17653649 (gastric emptying; gastroparesis)
https://draxe.com/peppermint-oil-uses-benefits/
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/10/14/peppermint-health-benefits.aspx\
https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/peppermint-oil-uses-benefits-effects#1
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12048423 (postherpetic neuralgia)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17128800 (tuberculosis)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11201253 (hay fever)


© 2019, PrepSchoolDaily.blogspot.com
  

15 november 2020

15 january 2024

The Medicinal Uses of Oregano

Disclaimer.  I am not a licensed health practitioner.  This is just another post on an item you might wish to have available if needed so that a physician can treat you and your family as best as possible.  No medication, including those available over the counter, should be taken without consulting a physician.  Information shared here is for educational and entertainment purposes only.  It is not medical advice nor a substitute for licensed medical care.  A qualified, licensed physician or other medical provider should be consulted before beginning any herbal or conventional treatment.

Precious few clinical trials have been conducted to study the medicinal uses of oregano, Origanum vulgare.  However, it's got a long history of use in folk remedies.

Oregano, an easily grown perennial, is a fabulous addition to the garden as it repels insects.  You can start your own from seed or buy plants at the nursery.  And once you get to the store to pick out your plants or seeds, you realize there are several different kinds of oregano.  And you get mad, because you don't know which kind is best.  So here you go:  Mediterranean oregano, Origanum vulgare, is the most medicinal.  Origanum marjoram is closely related and more often used in seasoning Italian dishes, but is a bit less medicinal.

Only the leaves are used, and as soon as you've got some leaves, you can start using it.  Of course, you don't want to strip all the leaves at once, or you'll kill the plant. 

Of course, most of the world's oregano is grown and used for cooking and in salads.  It's one of the few herbs that is stronger when cooked.  Adding it to your foods is like getting tiny, tiny doses of preventative medicine in each bite you take.  And that's because one of the best properties or medicinal uses of oregano is to strengthen the immune system.  Who doesn't need more of that?

In vitro studies have demonstrated that oregano extracts are active against enterovirus 71,  Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcous aureus, Helicobacter pylori, and Penicillium.  That's pretty impressive, but as noted above, not a lot of clinical trials have been performed.  Researchers are still at the stage of conducting studies on mice.
And these studies on mice have shown that oregano oil can reduce cholesterol, inflammation, and pain.

FRESH OR DRIED HERB

Infusion:  Steep 1-2 teaspoons of fresh or dried herb for 10 minutes in one cup of hot water, three times per day.  Use for heartburn, bloating, and intestinal parasites.

OIL OF OREGANO

Oil of oregano capsules are not the same as oregano essential oil put into capsules.  Oregano essential oil is much more concentrated and powerful.  Oil of oregano is diluted and less potent.  And there there is also oregano oil, which is simply oil infused with oregano and used strictly for cooking.  They are all different animals used for different purposes and are not interchangeable.  Yes, it can be very confusing.

In one of the very few clinical trials on oregano, it was shown that six weeks of supplementation with 600 mg of oil of oregano daily eliminated  Blastocystis hominis, Entamoeba hartmanni and Endolimax nana in 10 out of 14 patients, with the remaining four showing a significant decrease in B. hominis. For those who have never heard of these protozoa and amoeba (I certainly hadn't until I started researching oregano), they are very commonly found parasites, even in first world countries.  They are also generally non-pathogenic, meaning they don't cause symptoms in most people.  People with compromised immune systems are another matter.  Oil of oregano is a common supplement sold in most grocery stores and online.

ESSENTIAL OIL

However, most of the recent experience with oregano is in the form of oregano essential oil.  According to Dr. Joseph Alton, author of The Survival Medicine Handbook, oregano essential oil is safe to ingest.  For a natural pain reliever around wounds, Dr. Alton also advises 2-4 drops of oregano essential oil diluted in a 50-50 concentration with a carrier oil and spread around the edges of the wound.  It can also be used to relieve the pain of insect and spider bites.  When diluted to a strength of four drops in a teaspoon of carrier oil and rubbed on the affected area, it is used to relieve menstrual cramps, rheumatoid arthritis, and muscle pain. 

Something that's been circulating on the internet for awhile, and with which we have personal experience here, is called the morphine bomb.  It is touted for treating chronic, serious back pain.  No, it is not going to get you high or anywhere near that.  I came across the formula when looking for relief for my adult son who is plagued by incapacitating abdominal pain that doctors for the past six years have been unable to diagnose or treat.  He's at the point where he's willing to try anything legal and non-mind-altering.  After it helped him, my two daughters tried it for menstrual cramps as well.

The formula is five drops each of oregano, frankincense, copaiba, and balsam fir essential oils in a capsule, taken every four hours, or as needed.  It helps my son until he develops a tolerance to it.  For my daughters, the one who has excruciating menstrual cramps can't function without it.  For the other daughter, she said it worked, but it wasn't worth the Pine-Sol breath so she wasn't going to take it anymore.

UPDATE (7 October 2019):  Further research has found that most essential oils, even those that are food grade, should not be ingested, and that includes balsam fir. Food grade essential oils are safe to use as flavorings; the person eating the food with the essential oil flavoring is getting a very dilute, minute amount overall.  Taken in the quantities above for the morphine bomb is significant and could have a substantial effect on the liver or kidneys.

For respiratory conditions such as coughs, asthma, croup, bronchitis, cold, sinus, and flu, put a few drops in boiling water and inhale deeply for five minutes. 

For relieving stress and anxiety, again, put a few drops in boiling water and inhale deeply.

Contraindications:  Oil of oregano and oregano essential oil should not be taken by pregnant women in medicinal amounts or treatments.  Culinary usage is perfectly safe.  Oil of oregano and oregano essential oil are not to be taken by individuals who take lithium or by those allergic to mint, marjoram, hyssop, lavender, or basil.  These products may increase bleeding in individuals with bleeding disorders.

Cautions.  Because of the risk of increased bleeding, discontinue the use of medicinal oregano products two weeks before surgery.  Do not use undiluted essential oil directly on the skin as it may burn.  Even when diluted it may cause an allergic reaction.  Oregano may also cause a decrease in the absorption of zinc and/or iron.

Links to related posts:
Herbs and Spices
Herbal Antivirals (book review)
Rosemary
Coconut Oil
Dill Weed

For further reading:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5068374/ (accessed on 22 January 2019)
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf0510079%20 (accessed on 21 January 2019)
https://steptohealth.com/medicinal-uses-oregano-oil/ (accessed on 22 January 2019)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23498188 (accessed on 22 January 2019)
https://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/10-uses-organic-oregano-oil/#references (accessed on 22 January 2019)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16010969 (accessed on 22 January 2019)
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/266259.php (accessed on 21 January 2019)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3769578/ (accessed on 22 January 2019)
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/9-oregano-oil-benefits-and-uses#section11 (accessed on 22 January 2019)


© 2019, PrepSchoolDaily.blogspot.com
  8 july 2024

The Medicinal Uses of Red Raspberry Leaf

Disclaimer.  I am not a licensed health practitioner.  This is just another post on an item you might wish to have available if needed so that a physician can treat you and your family as best as possible.  No medication, including those available over the counter, should be taken without consulting a physician.  Information shared here is for educational and entertainment purposes only.  It is not medical advice nor a substitute for licensed medical care.  A qualified, licensed physician or other medical provider should be consulted before beginning any herbal or conventional treatment.


When my family and I talk about the five years that we lived in Missouri, we usually mention the only three good things about our time there, the three F's:  friends (a few great friends), fireflies (who doesn't love them?), and fireworks (the most phenomenal displays I ever saw were put on by a lawyer friend from church--nothing at Disneyland, or at city/county Fourth of July events, or even Michael Milken's personal event at Lake Tahoe--no, we weren't his guests, just on a neighboring section of the beach--could come close to this lawyer's show).  But as I begin this post on raspberries, I remember how prolific the raspberries in my garden there were.  I spent a couple of hours three times each week during harvest season to pick them.  Wow, I miss those raspberries.

And as delicious and desirable as those raspberries were, the true treasure was in the leaves.  Little did I know then.  Raspberry leaves are loaded with vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C, and E, as well as the essential minerals iron (one ounce of raspberry leaves yields 18% of the RDA for iron), magnesium, potassium, zinc, and calcium.  For this reason alone you are really going to want these gems growing on your property in addition to being able to find them elsewhere.

Time to harvest:  Raspberry leaves should be harvested in the summer, rinsed, and dried well in a dehydrator or in the shade.  Insufficiently dried leaves can become toxic.

Fortunately, raspberry leaves are very easy to use.  Their active constituents are, in contrast to many other herbal remedies, extracted with water.  No alcohol involved.

Infusion:  One to two teaspoons of dried leaves per cup of boiling water.  Let steep for fifteen minutes. Drink three to four cups per day for treating diarrhea, incontinence, PMS symptoms, leg cramps, gout, and arthritis. It is particularly useful for easing painful menstrual cramps and regulating menstrual flow, especially when taken regularly.  Historically, raspberry leaf tea was used to ease labor pains, improve the quality of contractions, and help build a good supply of breast milk.  Though some sources suggest it can be used for treating morning sickness and nausea, it should be used with caution and only under the direction of a licensed medical practitioner during the first and second trimester of pregnancy. 

Decoction:  Steep five tablespoons of raspberry leaves in one quart of water for fifteen minutes.  Use as a rinse or gargle to treat tonsillitis, canker sores, cold sores, gingivitis, and sore throat.  This same decoction can be used for treating eczema, acne, dermatitis, and itching of the skin.  The cooled and filtered decoction is used to treat conjunctivitis of the eyes.

Poultice:  Dip a clean cloth into the decoction above and apply to minor wounds, varicose veins, and minor burns like a sunburn.

Contraindications:  Raspberry leaf is not for internal use in people with gastritis or peptic ulcer, or those with uterine fibroids, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, or endometriosis. 

For further information:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1016/S1526-9523%2801%2900095-2
https://www.drugs.com/npp/raspberry.html#fandc-np5263.b2
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/red-raspberry-leaf-tea#bottom-line
https://theherbalacademy.com/3-raspberry-leaf-benefits-for-women/


© 2019, PrepSchoolDaily.blogspot.com

12 september 2022

27 september 2020