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LADY'S SLIPPER
Cypirpedium pubescens
Used for nervousness, headache, insomnia, hysteria, cramps, muscle spasms. Effective remedy for recurring headache, liver and stomach problems. Lady's slipper contains volatile oil, a bitter glucoside, tannin, gallic acid, resins, starch, etc. The volatile oil in fresh plants can cause severe dermatitis, much like poison ivy, oak or sumac would, upon contact with the skin. Certain compounds within the herb itself act quite profoundly on the central nervous system, allaying pain, hysteria, neuralgia, tremors and shakes, and similar discomforts. If the root is taken in large enough quantities it can induce hallucinations similar to those caused by Jimson weed ingestion.
LAMB'S EAR
Stachys byzantina
LAVENDER
Lavendula officinalis
Lavendula vera (english)
Excellent combined with other herbs with a strong taste.
LEEK
Allium ampeloprasum
LEMON
Citrus limon
Time of administration: Citrus fruits (grapefruits, lemons, limes, oranges) manifest a higher chemical activity in the day time than at night.
Use for coughs, colds, fevers, tonsillitis, canker sores, herpes simplex.
As reported elsewhere there has been some tampering with commercially bottled lemon juice. A recent investigation into this matter by government scientists, outlined the problem in these terms: "Since synthetic citric acid costs about one-fifth the price of the acid in lemon juice, the temptation exists to adulterate the juice with citric acid." The report continued: "Adulteration of lemon juice can take either the form of citric acid and water added to a single-strength juice or citric acid alone added to a concentrate. In either case, the net effect is to increase citric acid . . ." Fresh samples of juice representing from 10 to 30 lemons hand-reamed in the scientists' laboratory, were compared with commercial concentrates which had been reconstituted to single strength prior to analysis. The commercial samples came from California, Florida, Arizona, and Italy. With just five of these various commercial samples, a 12, 14, 18, and 22% adulteration with synthetic citric acid and/or water could be detected. This represents a deliberate fraud on the part of certain processors to deceive the consumer with an inferior product. (Carl E. Vandercook, Bruce E. Mackey, and Ruth L. Price, "New Statistical Approach to Evaluation of Lemon Juice", Journal of Agriculturol and Food Chemistry 21:681-83, 1g73).
LEMON BALM
Melissa officinalis
LEMON GRASS
Cymbopogon cittatus
Use for antibacterial, antivirual, antiseptic, fevers (cholera), parasites. Two of the most important constituents in the volatile oil of this herb are citral and citronellal (75-85%) nd some terpenes (turpentine compounds). Peppermint and lemon grass - have been analyzed scientifically in the laboratory for their remarkable antiviral strength. The natural-occurring tannin in peppermint suppressed the activity of influenza virus, Type A, when injected as an aqueous (liquid) extract into virus-infected chicken eggs. Herpes simples virus was also successfully defeated in the same manner. It was the conclusion of scientists performing these experiments at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota that peppermint was "a potent inhibitor of diseases viruses" and manifested strong antiviral activity. Lemon-grass (cymbopogon), on the other hand, was a little harder to trace down for reference research because of the apparent lack of proper scientific nomenclature. However, this obstacle was overcome by cross-checking various guides and manuals to determine its specific genera. Strange as it may seem, this herb does not appear in any of the major reference works available on the market today, but a massive volume from the Drug Research Laboratory in India provided the interesting material desired. Citral is the principle constituent of lemon-grass oil found in the main part of the plant. It is this important ingredient in the herb itself which kills even the most acute influenza viruses in a rapidly short period of time. For fever-induced diseases it is unparalleled, and has also become renowned for quickly treating cholera. For those concerned about such precious oils in dried herbs of this sort, the following information may prove very useful. The percentage of citral varies with the age of the grass. Generally 18-24 months gives oil a citral content of 71-75.5%. Fresh lemon grass contains 78-85.5% citral in its essential oil. However, when the material is harvested and dried, it only experiences a relatively MINOR loss of both. The fairly large residue of oil left in the dried herb now has 72.3% citral-a reduction of only 6-13%, which isn't bad, considering that close to 90% remains available. This is convincing proof that dried herbs DO NOT LOSE ALL of their essential oils, only a very small part. And in cases like this, just a mere fraction at that!
LEMON VERBINA
Aloysia triphylla
LICORICE ROOT
Glycyrrhiza glabra
Time of administration: evening.
CAUTION DO NOT USE WITH GOLDENSEAL
Use for digestion, hoarseness, kidneys, bladder. A mild laxative, strengthens the heart, adrenal circulatory system and reduces hypoglycemia and stress. Used for coughs and respiratory conditions. Is a tonic to the body. Sooth ulcers. Natural cortisone. Key nutrients. C, magnesium, silica. CAUTION: some persons may have an allergic reaction to licorice. Symptoms include swelling at the ankles, increase in weight, water retention and loss of potassium. Symptoms are reversed when the herb is discontinued. Persons to avoid this herd are patients suffering with heart failure, hypertension, kidney disease, obesity, and pregnancy disorders due to a possible electrolyte imbalance in the patients system. Licorice is an interesting herb with an ancient past that has been scientifically explored and properly evaluated. The root relieves bronchitis, sore throat, and coughing. Its unique glycosides will chemically purge excess fluid from the lungs and tbroat and eliminate them from the body through the urinary tract. It is a remarkable herb for endurance, and since viral illnesses of this kind often weaken a person physically, this root will supply the energy necessary to remain fairly active during this period of recovery. The herb owes most of its sweet taste to glycyrrhizin, which is the potassium and calcium salts of glycyrrhizinic acid. The yellow color of the root is due to flavonoids. There are different varieties of licorice on the world market today- three kinds of Spanish, an Italian, Russian, Syrian, Anatolian, and Turkish-Arabian-with an average glycyrrhizin content of about 7% and a general range somewhere between 6% and 13% overall. Recent clinical investigation has shown various medical uses for it in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, Addison's disease and various types of inflammation. Glycyrrhizin is very soluble in hot water and alcohol, but extremely incompatible with acids (although this disagreeable feature is somewhat modified when combined with other herbs.) The glucoside sugars which make up glycyrrhizin act as a form of natural glucose, which when combined with golden seal, work on the pancreas to produce insulin. Glycyrrhizin also serves as a vehicle for other herbs within a combination, but not in the same "binding" manner that ginger would. Too much licorice can cause cardiac depression and edema (swelling accumulation of tissu~e fluids). Take hops and juniper berries to correct this.
LILY-OF-THE-VALLEY
Convallaria majulis
Time of administration: morning.
Used for heart problems, epileptic seizures, nervous spasms, urinary problems, laxative. The entire plant is beneficial but the flower is the most active part of the plant. Excessive internal use can cause abnormal heartbeat and upset stomach. This herb contains glycosides which resemble those in digitalis somewhat. In tincture form, lily-of-the-valley has been successfully used for acute heart failure, cardiac edema, mitral valve insufficiency, dilatation of the left ventricle and cardiac debility. The herb increases the muscular action of the heart and the smaller arteries. The flowers are the most active part used, nevertheless, the entire plant is beneficial for those particular items mentioned above. The singular most important glycoside present in this herb is convallatoxin. This has a powerful effect on the systolic action of the heart, or that period between administration and the actual performance of the remedy itself. Since convallatoxin is quickly eliminated from the body there is virtually no danger of any tissue accumulation as there often can be with the glycosides of digitalis. Still, it pays to exercise great skill and judgment when using something as strong as this. (John Lust, The Herb Book, p. 255, David Potterton, "Herbal Therapy for the Heart", Bestways, June 1979, p. 49).
LINDEN
Tillia x europea, cordata
LINTLES
LIVERWORT
Hepatica triloba
Use for urinary, congestion, gallstones, kidney problems, hemorrhaging, Liverwort contains tannins, important glucosides, mucilage, and various astringent alkaloids. Two American medical doctors have said: "Once the liver is severely damaged, there is no doubt that the general nutritional welfare of the body suffers and the majority of patients with chronic liver disease come to the physician nutritionally bankrupt." The leaves of liverwort are smooth and dark-green (almost an evergreen color) on top. The leaves are rich in vitamin K and some of the B-complex group as well-i.e., Choline, folic acid, and inositol. Here is how these important nutrients work in the body to strengthen the liver. When infectious hepatitis prevails, there is virtually no vitamin K present. Consequently, the liver is unable to produce any plasma prothrombin. But as vitamin K is slowly taken into the system, the synthesis of this vital plasma begins and the level of hepatitis is gradually reduced until it disappears. Cirrhosis of the liver, often resulting from chronic alcoholism, has been successfully treated with some of the B-complex just mentioned. Since liverwort contains both of these nutrients, it is easy to see why such an herb as this would be of obvious benefit to those who take it internally.
LOBELIA
Lobelia inflata
Time of administration: morning and late afternoon.
A powerful nerve relaxant. Balances heart pulse and strengthens cardiovascular tone. Reduces fever due to respiratory congestion. Good against allergies, bronchitis, colds, coughs, headaches and migraine. Key nutrients. A, c, manganese. Lobelia is for painful cramps and the nerves. Lobelia contains about 0.25-0.4% of alkaloids, the most important of which is lobeline. Lobeline has been used in places like Sweden as an oral deterrent to smoking, and internally as a respiratory stimulant for the lungs. Lobeline also works as a mild sedative and drugs the nerve muscles of the lower bowels by constricting the blood vessels somewhat.
LOTUS
Nelumbo
LOVEAGE
Levisticum officinale
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