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CACTUS
Cactaceae
Time of administration: afternoon.
Diabetes, infection, hemorrhaging, arthritis, scalp, internal cleanser. The prickly pear (opuntia species) is the best known of all the cacti. It has been used for all of the above, plus rheumatism and to encourage urination. Juice from this and other cacti naturalize internal poisoning and act as an efficient antidote. Pulp from the slashed leaf of this cactus, applied as a poultice to painful tarantula bites will cause the immense swelling to rapidly disappear in no time at all. Also good for swollen glands (lymph), and sore breast in nursing mothers. The nopal pads of the prickly pear are also supposed to contain large amounts of natural, organic insulin, which will strengthen the pancreas and overcome diabetes. A separate kind of plant, the night blooming or large flowered or sweet scented cactus (cactus grandiflorus, of the cactaceae species) grows in Jamaica and is popular in herbal medicine. It contains cactint, acrid resinous glucoside, fat, and wax as its general constituents. It has been used as an effective substitute for digitalis in all types of cardiac disorders. Also useful for gall and kidney problems and for nervous menstrual headaches.
CALAMUS
Improves liver stomach and intestines, reduces desire for tobacco, externally, aids healing of sores and burns
CALENDULA FLOWERS
Calendula officinalis
(marigold) promotes healing of cuts and wounds when applied as a poultice. Alleviates most skin problems, reduces inflammation of digestive tract, gently aids bile secretion. Key nutrients, a, c, silica.
CALIFORNIA POPPY
Eschscholzia californica
CALIFORNIA SPIKENARD
Aralia californica
CAMOMILE
Anthemis nobilis (roman)
Matricaria chamomilla (German)
Good for stomach, relieves cramping associated menstrual cycle
CAPERS
Capparis spinosav
CAPSICUM
Capsicum annuum
Capsicum frutescens
Time of administration: morning to afternoon (afternoon - peak chemical activity).
Use for digestive; stimulant; blood circulation; varicose veins; bleeding, varicose veins, bleeding, improve digestion, blood circulation. Capsicum includes red and green chilies, cayenne, paprika and bell peppers. Stimulant, astringent, carmative, anti spasmodic. A superior crisis herb useful for first aid in most conditions. Taken as a daily tonic, 1/4 tsp, 3 times a day is of benefit for the heart and circulation. Increases the resistance of blood vessels to harmful bacteria and strengthens them against disease organisms. Reduces blood vessel and tissue inflammation. Capsicum carries herbs to the designated sites for which they were intended. Capsicum stimulates circulation and increases the flow of blood through the vessels and arteries. Such a sensation has a flushing kind of action on those joints severely calcified. Capsicum's main purpose is to bring the other important cleansing agents listed above to the troubled sites where they are badly needed. Those herbs can be likened to calm ocean water. Capsicum is the wind which generates them into action. This type of spontaneous activity creates the familiar waves you see at the seashore. As they continually roll in and out, the sand is washed clean of any impressions made. A similar kind of chemical response takes place inside the bloodstream with capsicum and the other cleansing herbs it skillfully manipulates into action. Capsicum goes immediately to the heart once it is taken. From there it and the other herbs are redistributed throughout the system. Capsicum strenghens the heart beat. Capsicum's most recognized ability is to increase and regulate the circulation of the blood throughout the body. Because of this phenomenal characteristic, it can disperse many other herbs more quickly throughout the entire system than it would ordinarily take them to travel alone. After capsicum enters the stomach, it travels immediately to the heart, where it is recycled into the arteries, capillaries, and nerves. This is the route it usually travels and herbs intended for regions around the heart are generally put with capsicum for this purpose. Capsicum also brings a natural warmth to these regions as well. In fact, the presence of ginger helps to temper the fiery qualities of capsicum a little, making it more tolerable to take internally. Capsicum releases the sticky mucous accumulations inside the lungs, throat, and nose. Besides this, capsicum has a certain amount of vitamin C, which helps to build up natural resistance to further colds.
CARAWAY
Carum carvi
Time of Administration: unknown.
Take for indigestion, gas, colic, spasms; digestive; and nervous condition to increase breast milk and for suppressed menstruation, cramps. Strengthens and tones the stomach, as tea or let the seeds stand in cold water overnight. Take the tea in frequent doses.
CARDAMOM
Elettaria cardamomum
Commonly mixed with other spices to treat indigestion and gas. It warms the body and is good for diarrhea, colic and headaches.
CARNATION
Dianthus
CAROB
Ceratonia siliqua
CASCARA SAGRADA
Rhamnus purshiana
Time of administration: afternoon to evening.
Use for gallstones, cirrhosis of the liver and chromic indigestion. Helps stimulate secretions of the entire digestive tract. Increases the secretion of bile. Effective for chronic constipation. Helps relieve hemorrhoids associated with poor bowel movement. Key nutrients. A, iron, selenium, cascarols. The bark of cascara sagrada has emodin, certain resins, purshianin, a glucoside which can be converted into emodin and a sugar, cascarin, a certain enzyme, most likely peristaltin, the usual fixed and volatile oils, and, of course, tannin. The convertible glucoside just mentioned is the same chrysophanic acid as found in rhubarb root. Some pharmacists have suggested storing the bark for at least a year, in order to make it more tolerable in the system, while herbalists believe the time should be extended even longer to include up to 6 years rest before marketing. If the bark of this herb is taken as a single unit, its obnoxious taste can be greatly modified by mixing the powder with some type of argillaceous earth-i.e., Redmond clay, dolomite, magnesium oxide, etc. In fact, if any kind of difficulty arises from the misuse or improper storage of this herb, immediately take 2-3 capsules of clay or some charcoal as an antidote.
CASHEWS,WHOLE
CATNIP
Nepeta cataria
Time of administration: morning and evening.
For small children with colic, excellent sleeping aid, soothes nerves and reduces gas and gastric spasms, digestive problems, diarrhea reduces, lung congestion. Key nutrients. Calcium potassium thymol. Catnip, Nepeta cataria, in the mint family, Labiatae or United States it grows as a roadside weed. The leaves emit an odor that is often stimulating to cats, which respond to catnip by licking it, chewing it, and rolling in it. It grows 50 to 100 cm (20 to 39 in) high, and has spikes with small, pink-splotched whitish flowers. Brewed as a tea, catnip leaves were once used as a sedative or as a remedy for colds. Clinical psychologists report hallucinogenic properties less severe than marijuana attached with its use in cigarettes by young patients desiring to get "high". (Journal of the A.M.A. 207:1349, 208:1190-91).
CAYENNE
Capsicum annuum
Capsicum frutescens
Time of administration: morning to afternoon (afternoon peak chemical activity).
Use for varicose veins, bleeding, improve digestion, blood circulation. Capsicum includes red and green chilies, cayenne, paprika and bell peppers. Stimulant, astringent, carmative, anti spasmodic. A superior crisis herb useful for first aid in most conditions. Taken as a daily tonic, 1/4 tsp, 3 times a day is of benefit for the heart and circulation. Increases the resistance of blood vessels to harmful bacteria and strengthens them against disease organisms. Reduces blood vessel and tissue inflammation. Capsicum stimulates circulation and increases the flow of blood through the vessels and arteries. Such a sensation has a flushing kind of action on those joints severely calcified. Capsicum's main purpose is to bring the other important cleansing agents listed above to the troubled sites where they are badly needed. Those herbs can be likened to calm ocean water. Capsicum is the wind which generates them into action. This type of spontaneous activity creates the familiar waves you see at the seashore. As they continually roll in and out, the sand is washed clean of any impressions made. A similar kind of chemical response takes place inside the bloodstream with capsicum and the other cleansing herbs it skillfully manipulates into action.
CEDAR,RED
Juniperus virginiana
CELERY SEED
Apium graveolens
Effective for incontinence of urine, relieves rheumatism and nervousness
CENTAURY
Centaurium umbellatum
Stimulates secretions in the digestive tract, relives gas and constipation
CHAMOMILE
Anthemis nobilis
Chamaemelum nobile
Also matricaria chamomilla
Time of administration: morning to evening (stormy weather) morning (fair weather).
Use for internal gas, nervousness, insomnia, indigestion cramps spasms. Contains antiseptic, microbial, fungal properties. Stimulates desire for food, reduces fever/local pains. Also contains the amino acid tryptophan, which works like a sedative in the body and will induce sleepiness much as warm milk would. Key nutrients. Niacin, riboflavin, magnesium. Chamomile and slippery elm both effectively remove mucous accumulations from the head, throat, and lungs. Slippery elm also provides a great deal of nourishment to an impoverished system weakened by sickness.
CHAPARRAL
Larrea divaricata
Larrea mexicana
Time of administration: afternoon.
Cancer (melanomas), leukemia, venereal disease, rheumatism and cramps. Blood purifier and antioxidant used for acne tumors warts skin blemishes and arthritis, rebuilds new tissue and tones the body, good for colds and flu, a general cleanser when used with a weight loss program. Contains a substance called nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), which has definite anti-cancer potential in tumors and leukemia. Key nutrients. A, C, thiamine potassium selenium. Chaparral contains a strong antiseptic resin which is very similar to turpentine in its properties. It is especially useful in rheumatism, where its strong chemical substances penetrate deeply into the muscle and tissue walls of the body thus affected by stiff soreness of this type. The plant saponins of this unique cleanser give the herb a "soapy feel" and in aqueous extract solutions in the laboratory, they display a persistent frothy characteristic. Inside the human body they seem to act as kind of a natural "detergent" in scrubbing the system clean of toxic impurities. The plant is high in potassium and sodium. Chaparral is a powerful, blood cleansing herb, useful in the treatment of leukemia and malignant melanomas. Its full chemical properties and behavior are explored under the single herbs list in Section C, arranged alphabetically.
CHARCOAL (ACTIVATED)
U.S.P. grade activated charcoal absorbs many times its own weight in toxins and putrefactive poisons from the digestive system. Valuable for intestinal flu or food poisoning.
CHASTE TREE
Vitex agnus-castus
CHERVIL
Anthriscus cerefolium
Mild slightly sweet herb similar to parsley. Add to soups and stews, fish and steamed vegetables near the end of cooking. Very good with broiled beef. Makes a nice addition to celery, egg plant, peas, potatoes and spinach.
CHIA
Salvia columbariae
CHICKWEED
Stellaria media
Time of administration: morning and late evening internally, early morning to early evening externally.
Helps dissolve plaque in the blood stream, good for weight loss, respiratory cleanser, soothes tissues on contact. Use for congestion blood purifier tetany, toxicity, constipation and obesity. Key nutrients. A, magnesium manganese silica. Chickweed is one of those herbs which serves both as a food and a medicine for those who might require it. Nutritionally, the herb is rich in the B-complex vitamins, ascorbic acid, some Vitamin A and has a lot of calcium, iron, sodium, some phosphorus, zinc, and molybdenum in its flowers, leaves, and stalk. Medicinally the leaves contain an important resin and assorted glycosides which yield wonderfully peculiar antiseptic properties when exposed to the blood. A volatile oil present in the herb permits a chemical change in the basic compound structure of these unnamed glycosides under conditions of warmth and heat. In other words, chickweed's best virtues are brought out when subjected to an influence of heat, either internally or externally. For any kind of body inflammation, whether in or out of the system, it will bring considerable relief and soothe those troubled areas a lot. Its glycosides allow it to become a mild, but effective antidote to minor blood poisoning. Its mucilage qualities are renowned for stomach ulcers and inflamed bowels. It has been used clinically as an application to ophthalmia. There have been some empirical claims made for its purported ability to help minimize obesity somewhat, but such is merely "an old wife's remedy," as Mrs. Grieve points out in her book on herbs. It is without any reliable scientific evidence thus far to warrant serious credibility.
CHICORY
Cichorium intybus
Time of administration: morning and evening.
Effective in disorders of the kidney, liver (jaundice), urinary canal, stomach and spleen, helps to expel morbid matter from the body and generally tones the system.
CHIVES
Allium schoenoprasum
Mild onion flavor. Lends itself well to almost any dish. Particularly good with poached fish, omelets, soft cheeses, baked potatoes and creamed soups.
CHIVES, CHINESE
Allium tuberosum
CHLORELLA
Provides an immediate boost of energy, supplies nutritional needs of extremely low calory intake enhances immune system and oxygen uptake of the blood, cleanses intestinal tract and nutritionally supports healthy colon bacteria. Key nutrients. B12, C, magnesium, phosphorus, protein, iron, chlorophyll.
CHOCOLATE
Theobroma cacao
CILANTRO
(CORIANDER, CHINESE PARSLEY)
All names for the same herb. Distinctive.
CINNAMON
Cinnamomum zeylanicum
CINNAMON,CHINESE
Cinnamomum cassia
CITRONELLA,OIL
Cymbopagon nardus
CITRUS
Citrus
CLEAVERS
Galium aparine
One of the best remedies for kidney and bladder trouble, useful in obstructions of the urinary organs such as stones or gravel. Makes an excellent wash for the skin to clear complexion
CLOVER
Clover, genus Trifolium, belongs to the pea family, Leguminosae. (The term clover also is applied to other plants with three-lobed foliage.) There are approximately 300 species of Trifolium, which are widespread in temperate and subtropical regions. Some species are valuable forage and cover crops, others are grown in lawns as ornamentals. As a LEGUME, clover is useful for building up nitrogen in the soil. Clovers are annual, biennial, or perennial herbs. Some are low growing and trailing, others may grow up to 1 m (3 ft) tall. Leaves normally have three parts. The small white, pink, red, or yellow flowers are borne in dense, soft, rounded, or elongated heads. The most important forage clovers are red clover (T. Pratense), crimson clover (T. Incarnatum), and alsike clover (T. Hybridum). White clover (T. Repens, the original Irish SHAMROCK) is included in some lawn seed mixtures. Other plants called clover are the leguminous Melilotus (sweet clover) and Lespedeae (bush or Japanese clover) and the nonleguminous Orthocarpus (owls clover), and Richardia (Mexican clover).
CLOVES
Caryophyllus aromaticus
Syzygium aromaticum
The oil is excellent to relieve tooth pain, earache, vomiting, nausea, sexual stimulants. A special oil distilled from the flowers of cloves is presently used in many pharmacoutical preparations, to give them taste and aroma. It also mixes easily with grease, soap, and alcohol, and is widely used in the perfume industry. Cloves contains about 14-21% of this volatile oil with about 10-13% of it being tannin. Stronger oils from the flowers are used in the manufacture of vanillin. Its presence in this combination is to disguise certain bitter qualities in the above two herbs and help enhance their total medicinal virtues.
COFFEE
Coffea arabica
COLA NUT
Cola acuminata
COLOMBO ROOT
Good to strengthen and tone the entire system, one of he best and purest tonics. Can be used for colon trouble.
COLTSFOOT
Tussilago farfara
Time of administration: afternoon.
Very soothing to the mucus membranes, improves lung trouble, excellent in clearing the chest of phlegm. Useful for asthma bronchitis and spasmodic cough. Diarrhea, inflammations. The chemical constituents of this herb are: pectine, bitter glucoside tannin, volatile oil, resin, saponin, caoutchouc. (Merck Index, p. 280).
COLUMBINE
Aquilegia
COMFREY LEAF
Symphytum officinale
Time of administration: fresh - blossoms (morning), leaves (afternoon), root (evening), dried - Mid morning to mid afternoon.
Fights infection, helps eliminate blood from urine, blood cleanser, soothes and alleviates ulcers and kidney problems, used for coughs and congestive mucus. Eases pain and helps heal cuts wounds burns and bruises, key nutrients. A riboflavin sodium potassium.
COMFREY ROOT
Symphytum officinale
Time of administration: fresh - blossoms (morning), leaves (afternoon), root (evening), dried - Mid morning to mid afternoon. Fights infection, helps eliminate blood from urine, blood cleanser, soothes and alleviates ulcers and kidney problems, used for coughs and congestive mucus. Eases pain and helps heal cuts wounds burns and bruises, key nutrients. A riboflavin sodium potassium. Comfrey root's mucilaginous properties work on the lungs in the same manner they do in the colon. Comfrey root takes care of all inflammation and painful soreness found in the lungs. It soothes and relieves. Comfrey root, therefore, works a lot longer in the intestines than pepsin does. The mucilage in comfrey root helps to heal ulcers by coating them and destroys amoebic-like bacteria as well as to prevent further growth of such organisms later on. Excessive calcium in the system can affect blood serum, urine, and cause calcification of the soft tissues and renal stones. But there does not seem to be that much direct calcium in this particular fonnula, so chances are exceedingly slim that any of the above would be brought about by taking this supplement. However, if any of the present conditions already exist as a result of too much calcium in the system, it would be wise to avoid this, thereby eliminating possible unnecessary aggravation. Comfrey root and horsetail have the largest amounts of calcium in them. In addition, horsetail is rich in silicon. Phosphorus is essential for the proper absorption of calcium into the system. Plant seeds are generally the richest source of this important mineral, but so are dark leafy-green herbs. Comfrey would appear to have enough phosphorous to handle the calcium present in this herb. Excess consumption may cause slight head, heart, and nerve irregularities. Although this wonderful blend has been specifically designed for each of these three categories, yet too much could result in an overstimulation of either one or all of them. Comfrey root is extremely mucilaginous. In fact it has more mucilage than marshmallow root does. Comfrey root has between 0.6-0.8% allantoin. It also has a lot of natural plant gum. Because the root and not the leaves are used here, we shall confine our remarks only to the allantoin contained therein (for more of a discussion about the leaves, consult Section C of the single herbs and look under Comfrey in the alphabetical listing offered.) The following medical observations about allantoin have been made by professional men of science in respected trade journals published throughout the United States. A podiatrist wrote an article over a decade ago in which he lauded the use of allantoin for "dermatologic disturbances of the feet (i.e., Inflamed ulcerations, dry skin, bromidrosis, and other skin problems of the feet)" and said it is "a valuable cell-proliferant agent which stimulates healthy tissue formation." He went on to say: "It is also a chemical debrider of necrotic [dead] tissue and serves to clean up the area to which it is applied. When such an agent can further be described as bland, nontoxic, soothing and nonirritating, it becomes a tool of more than casual interest to the podiatrist." And a pharmacist reported a year after that in still another trade journal that allantoin is very good for hemorrhoids and exerts a prolonged healing and anti-irritant force wherever it was applied. Finally, a third study concluded: "These reports demonstrate definitely the clinical value of allantoin ointment, and shows we are dealing with a remarkable drug of great promise and wide possibilities in the treatment of infected or slow healing wounds." For scalp problems and facial aggravations such as acne, allantoin is unsurpassed for promoting new healing on these troubled areas of the body.
CORIANDER
Corianderum sativum
Strengthens the heart and stomach
CORNFLOWER
Centaurea cyanus
Use for chronic indigestion, dermatitis, cosmetic, eyewash (conjuctivitus). Cornflower or cyani is a tonic stimulant for the body. The flowers contain important glycosides which have strong antiseptic properties to them, and in some ways, resemble blessed thistle constituents in their prime chemical activity. Certain tannins give them a close edge to the performance of eyebright. While they do not necessarily rival the latter, they have been used with remarkable success in treating the eyes. Years ago a famous French eye wash was manufactured in Paris made exclusively of cyani flowers. Their antigermicidal, antibacterial strength internally nullifies poison rather well, for they have been used as an effective antidote against snake venom and scorpion poison.
CORNSILK
Stigmata maidis
Zea mays
Time of administration: late evening.
Useful where there is trouble with the prostate gland in urinating, excellent remedy for kidney and bladder trouble, scalding urine, bladder infection, bed wetting problems. Active constituents are maizenic acid, fixed oil, resin, mucilage. (Merck Index, p. 1126).
COSTMARY
Chrysanthemum balsamita
COUCHGRASS
Agropyron repens
Use for tonic, cleanser, venereal disease, digestive disorders, intestinal disorders, and urinary problems. Couchgrass contains triticin, glucose, mannite, and inosite. Medicinally, it has been used for treating severe bladder infection (cystitis) and also given as a nutritive drink because of its high silicon and sodium content, with lesser amounts of potassium, zinc, and the B-complex vitamins. Levels of iron and other minerals are quite low and could only offer only minimal help at the most. There seems to be an additional advantage to couch or quackgrass these days. With the present energy shortage growing worse each year, alternative sources for fuel are now being considered by agricultural scientists in this country. Among these are a number of medicinal herbs. Couchgrass is one of them. The plant oil is extremely rich in hydrocarbons which could be converted into gasoline if necessary. Couchgrass also produces a rubberlike compound called gutta, which is currently used in golf ball covers and similar plastics. Thus, some of man's medicines may also become his means of transportation.
COWSLIP
Primula veris
CRAMPBARK
Viburnum opulus
Use for cramps, spasms, epileptic seizures, hypertension and nervousness. Cramp bark contains viburnin, bitter resin, tannin, sugar, and various acids-i.e., Citric, malic, oxalic, and valeric. The dried bark is extremely high in vitamin C and a very good source to supplement the system with. The presence of valeric acid gives the bark a valerian-like or "dirty socks" smell. The bark of the mountain maple has sometimes been substituted for the genuine article by unscrupulous harvesters. However, laboratory analysis will show that the barks differ quite radically (mt. Maple having a fibrous facture) and that the familiarly unpleasant valeric acid is lacking in the maple completely. Cramp bark, as its name implies, is good for muscular spasms of any kind, epileptic fits, all types of nervous disorders, tetany, and severe menstrual or labor pains during period or birth. To a much lesser extent, it works on the heart to correct palpitations and regulate the pulse at a more steady, even beat. Many people are generally familiar with the discovery of natural aspirin and its leading constituent, salicin, from the willow. When salicin is ingested, it is most likely disintegrated to salicylic acid. But this important compound was first isolated from queen-of-the-meadow in 1839. A few years after that it was synthesized. Salicylic acid is the most important ingredient of this plant known to science thus far. The acid is an active disinfectant, undoubtedly superior to phenol in its antiseptic abilities. Its external use is highly recommended for severe eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, and other serious skin rashes. The herb is especially valuable for those kinds of diseases which break out on the skin-i.e., Smallpox, chickenpox, measles, mumps, etc. Internally, this herb works as a strong antibacterial and fungicidal agent. The herb also performs wonders with ringworm infection, too. It is incompatible with iodine, however, and should not be taken internally with kelp and any of the sea herbs and mosses high in this element. Wintergreen leaves and the bark of sweet birch are also very rich in salicylic acid.
CRANBERRY
Nutritionally tones the body, aids in body fluid control when dieting, antiseptic action on the urinary tract. Key nutrients. A C potassium dilute organic acids.
CRANESBILL
Geranium maculatum
CREASOTE BUSH
CUBEB
Piper cubeba
The berry is excellent for chronic bladder troubles, will increase the flow of urine
CULVERS ROOT
Varoniscastrum virgincum
Use as laxative, sluggish liver (production of bile), food poisoning. It's most active ingredients are, a sterol, esters of cinnamic methyoxycinnamin, and fatty acids, resin, saponins, tannin, sugars and leptandrin which causes intense vomiting. Culver's root or leptandra contains a sterol, the esters of cinnamic, methyoxycinnamic and fatty acids, a resin saponin, tannin, and natural sugars. Plant sterols, it should be mentioned, are solid alcohols which occur in a natural state (example: cholesterol). Esters are created from the union of an alcohol and an acid with evident loss of water. The chemical action is reversible, however, and can restore each to their separate states as before. The root of leptandra has a behavioural action quite similar to that of mandrake, the only distinguishing difference being that Culver's manifests more power on the duedenum or the first part of the small intestine, which leads from the stomach to the jejunum, whereas mandrake exerts more force on the liver. Herbalists have found them to be very compatible in the same preparation together. Leptandra promotes intestinal secretions. If Culver's root is taken by itself for any reason, it should always be accompanied by an agent that helps to expel gas as well. Fennel is very good for this, and both it and the root of the other work in harmony together.
CUMIN
Cuminum cyminum
Use for intestinal gas, digestive disorders, headache, mild nervine.
CURRY POWDER
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