Herb for Health

Species (Family)
 Acorus calamus L. (Araceae)
Various genetic species (n=12): diploid North American, triploid European, tetraploid Asian, Easter, Indian.


Synonyms(s)
Sweet Flag


Part(s) Used
Rhizome

Food Use
The level of B-ararone permitted in foods is restricted to 0.1mg/kg in foods and beverages, 1mg/kg in alcoholic beverages and in foods containing Acorus calmus or Asarum europaeum. Calamus is listed by the council of Europe as a source of natural food flavouring (category n3). This category indicates that calamus can be added to foodstuffs in the traditionally accepted manner, although there is insufficient information available for an adequate assessment of potential toxicity. Calamus is classified as an unsafe herb by the US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), and the use of the rhizome and its derivatives (oil, extracts) are pronhibited from use in human food.


Herbal User
Calamus is stated to act as a carminative, spasmolytic and diaphoretic. Traditionally it has been indicated for acute and chronic dyspepsia, gastritis and gastric ulcer, intestinal colic and anorexia.


Dosage
Rhizome 1-3g or by infusion three times daily.
Liquid extract 1-3mL (1:1 in 60% alcohol) three times daily.
Tincture 2-4mL (1:5 in 60% alcohol) three times daily.

Pics of Calamus

Calamus's pic

Calamus's pic

Calamus's pic

Calamus's pic

Species (Family)
Calendula officinalis L. (Compositae)


Synonyms(s)
Gold-bloom, Marigold, Marybud, Pot Marigold


Part(s) Used
Flower

Food Use
Calendula is not used in foods. In the USA, calendula is listed as GRAS (Generally Recognised As Safe).


Herbal User
Calendula is stated to possess antispasmodic, mild diaphoretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-haemorrhagic, emmenagogue, vulnerary, styptic and antiseptic properties, Traditionally, it has been used to treat gastrict and duodenal ulcers, amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea and epistaxis; crural ulcers, variose veins, haemorrhoids, anal eczema, protitis, lymphadenoma, inflamed cutaneous lesions (topically) and conjunctivitis (as an eye lotion). The German Commission E approved internal and external use for inflammation of oral and pharyngeal mucosa and external use in treatment of poorly healing sores.
 
Dosage
Dried florest 1-4g or by infusion three times daily.
Liquid extract 0.5-1.0mL (1:1 in 40% alcohol) three times daily.
Calendual Tincture (BPC 1934) 0.3-1.2mL (1:5 in 90% alcohol) three times daily.
External use Tincture-liquid extract (1:1) in 40% alcohol or tincture 1:5 in 90% alcohol. Apply to wounds as such and dilute 1:3 with water for compresses. Ointment 2.5%.

Pics of Calendula

Calendula

Calendula

Calendula

Calendula

Species (Family)
Sanguisorba officimalis L. (Rosaceae)


Synonyms(s)
Garden Burnet, Greater Burnet, Sanguisorba


Part(s) Used
Herb

Food Use
Burnet is not used in foods


Herbal User
Burnet is stated to possess astringent, antihaemorrhagic, styptic and antihaemorrhoidal properties. It has been used for unlcerative colitis, metrorrhagia, and specifically for acute diarrhoea.


Dosage
Dried herb 2-6g or by infusion three times daily
Liquid extract 2-6mL (1:1 in 25% alcohol) three times daily.
Tincture 2-8mL (1:5 in 45% alcohol) three times daily.

Pics of Burnet

Burnet herb

Burnet herb

Burnet herb

Species (Family)
Artium majus Bernh. (Asteraceae/Compositae)


Synonyms(s)
Arctium lappa L. and other Artium species, Lappa


Part(s) Used
Root

Food Use
Burdock is listed by the Council of Europe as a natural source of food flavouring (category N2). This category indicates that burdock can be added to foodstuffs in small quantities, with a possible limitation of an active principle (as yet unspecified in the final product.


Herbal User
Burdock is stated to possess diuretic and orexigenic properties. It has been used for cutaneous eruptions, rheumatism, cystitis, gout, anorexia nervosa, and specifically for eczema and psoriasis.


Dosage
Dried root 2-6g or by infusion three times dialy.
Liquid extract 2-8mL (1:1 in 25% alcohol) three times dialy
Tincture 8-12mL (1:10 in 45% alcohol) three times daily

Pics of Burdock

Pics of Burdock

Pics of Burdock

Species (Family)
Agathosma betulina (Berg.) Pillans (Rutaceae)

Synonyms(s)
Barosma betulina Bart. & Wendl., Round Buchu, Short Buchu
Note that Oval Buchu refres to Agathosma crenulata (L.) Pilans (synonym Barosma crenulata (L.) Hook.) and Long Buchu refres to Agathosma serratifolia (Curt.) Spreeth (synonym Barosma serratifolia (Curt.) Willd).


Part(s) Used
Leaf

Food Use
Buchu is listed by the Council of Europe as a natural source of food flavouring (category N3). This category allows buchu to be added to foodstuffs in the traditionally accepted manner, although there is insufficient information available for an adequate assessment of potential toxicity. In the USA, buchu volatile oil is aproved for food use with concentrations usually up to about 0.0002% (15.4ppm).


Herbal User
Buchu is stated to possess urinary antiseptic and diuretic properties. It has been used for cystitis, urethritis, prostatitis, and specifically for acute catarrhal cysitis.


Dosage
Dried leaf 1-2g by infusion three times daily.

Liquid extract 0.3-1.2 mL (1:1 in 90% alcohol).
Tincture 2-4mL (1:5 in 60% alcohol).

Pics of Buchu

Buchu

Buchu

Buchu

Species (Family)
Sarothamnus scpariun (L.) Koch. (Leguminosae/Papilionaceae)


Synonyms(s)
Cytisus scoparius (L.) Link, Hogweed, Scoparius, Spartium Scoparium L.


Part(s) Used
Flowerhead

Food Use
Broom is listed by the Council of Europe as a natural source of ffod flavouring (category N3). This category indicates that broom can be added to foodstuffs in the traditionally accepted manner, although there is insfficient information available for an adequate assessment of potential toxicity.


Herbal User
Broom is stated to possess cardioactive, diuretic, peripheral vasoconstrictor and antihaemorrhagic properies. It has been used for cardiac drosy, myocardial weakness, tachycardia, profuse menstruation and specifically for funcrional palpitation with lowered blood pressure. Broom is also reported to possess emetic and cathartic properties.


Dosage
Dried tops 1-2 g as decoction.

Liquid extract 1-2 mL (1:1 in 25% alcohol).
Tinture 0.5-2.0mL (1:5 in 45% alcohol).

Pics of Broom

pic of Broom

pic of Broom

pic of Broom

Species (Family)
Borag officinalis L. (Boraginaceae)


Synonyms(s)
Beebread, Bee Plant, Burrage, Starflower (oil)


Part(s) Used
Herb

Food Use
Borage is occasinally used in salads and soups


Herbal User
Borage is stated to possess diaphoretic, expectorant, tonic, anti-inflammatory and galactogue properties. Traditionally, borage has been used to treatmany ailments including fevers, coughs and depression. Borage is also reputted to act as a restorative agent on the adrenal cortex. Borage oil (starflower oil) is used as an lternative source to evening primrose oil for gamolenic acid.


Dosage
Infusion Two 5-mL spoonfuls of dried herb to one cup boiling water three times daily.


Tincture 1-4 mL three times daily


Pics of Borage

Borage's pic

Borage's pic

Borage's pic

Borage's pic