|
|
|
|
Herbs A-F:
|
| Veterinarians use injectable form for fibrosarcoma & feline leukemia. Feline leukemia, like AIDS, is a retrovirus. 70% of cats die within 8 weeks of onset of symptoms. In one study 44 cats with feline leukemia were given injections of acemannan (2 mg/kg) for 6 weeks. At end of 12 week study 71% of cats were alive and in good health. |
Actions:Emmenagogue, antiarthritic
Uses:PMS, menopausal symptoms (vaginal dryness, hot flashes, palpitations, depression,) muscle relaxant and anti-inflammatory.
Active constituents:triterpine glycosides such as cimifugaside, 27-deoxyacetein and the actein. Mechanism of action uncertain. May suppress luteinizing hormone.
Dosage: 40 mg/day dried rhizome
Adverse reactions:Rarely, upset stomach. Overdosing leads to vomiting, headache, dizziness, limb pains, and lowered blood pressure.
Contraindications:Pregnancy, aspirin sensitivity, persons on antihypertensive drugs, or HRT, uterine fibroids, estrogen positive tumors, heart disease.
Long term safety unknown. Should not be used for longer than 6 months.
Medicinal part: fresh fruit (Note: Commercially, bromelain is harvested from the main pineapple stump.)
Actions: Anti-inflammatory, fibrinolytic, proteolytic, antineoplastic.
Uses: Injury, trauma, post-operative swelling, debridement of 3rd degree burns. Post-exercise injury or inflammation. Digestive aid. Useful for ulcerative colitis.
Active Constituent: glycoproteins (similar to papain.)
Dosage: 500 - 2000 mg/day for inflammation. Four X per day for traumatic injury. Note: the activity of Bromelain is measured in MCU (milk clotting units) pr GDU (gelatin-digesting units.) One GDU is equal to 1.5 MCU. Look for 500 mg. tablets that provide at least 1000 GDU per tablet.
Contraindications: Possibly ulcer patients, although as indicated above it is useful for ulcerative colitis.
Drug interactions: Warfarin. Can prolong bleeding time. Tetracyclines in plasma and urine are increased by simultaneous intake of Bromelain.
Actions: antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antineoplastic, immune-enhancing, anti-thrombic, anti-mutagenic
Uses:arthritis, allergies, asthmas, diabetes, chronic fatigue, cancer, ulcers
Active constituents:oxindole alkaloids, quinovic acid glycosides, triterpines, polyphenols, proanthrocyanidins, and plant sterols
Dosage: 250 - 1000 mg up to 3 times per day. Total alkaloid equivalent should be 10-30 mg. Decoction dosage is 60 ml in the AM on an empty stomach
Adverse reactions:No reports of toxicity. Dose-dependent diarrhea. Use for 8 weeks causes a drop in serum estradiol and progesterone levels. (Prevents estrogen from estrogen receptors in breast cancer cells.) There is a single report of renal failure in patient with systemic lupus.
Contraindications:Pregnant and nursing women
Note: Scientific evidence of efficacy is strongest for antiviral, immunostimulating, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Medicinal parts: entire flowering herb or only the flowers
Actions: antioxidant, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, antibacterial, antineoplastic
Uses: effective as antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory agent in the GI tract; mouthwash for mouth irritation or gum infections; gargle for sore throats; lotion for minor skin irritation, wounds, and burns.
Active constituents:Antispasmodics: anthemic acid, apigenin, chamillin, and chamazulene
Anti-inflammatory: azulene, apigenin (potency similar to NSAIDs) Umbelliferone (a fungicide,) bisabolols (posess antimicrobial, antipyretic, and papaverine-like antispasmodic effects,) hydroxycourmarins.
Dosage: single dose: 3 gm as an infusion; liquid extract 1-4 ml or 1 cup tea 3-4 X daily
Adverse reactions: contact dermatitis, allergy, asthma, bronchitis. May precipitate anaphylactic reactions in persons with hay fever and bronchial asthma.
Contraindications: Pregnancy. German Chamomile is believed to be a teratogen, and it can affect the menstrual cycle and have uterine stimulant effects. Both German & Roman Chamomile are believed to be abortifacients.
Drug Interactions: May have additive effect if taken with other anticoagulants. Avoid concomitant use of Alcohol/Benzodiazopines.
Actions: antispasmodic, inhibits platelet adhesiveness, mild sedative, emmenogogue, anti-inflammatory
Uses:dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, metrorrhagia, hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms, plus anemia, arthritis and migraine headache.
Active constituents: ferulic acid, ligustilide, polysaccharides, vitamin E and B12, 6 coumarin derivatives that may exert antispasmodic and vasodilitory effects. One of these, osthol, is a CNS stimulant.
Dosage: Two 500 mg capsules up to 3 X day, standardized to .25% ligustilide.
Adverse reactions:Low toxicity, but does contain high levels of umbelliferone which is photosensitizing. Occasional reports of a slight laxative effect.
Contraindications:Pregnancy and breastfeeding. Possible impact on anticoagulant therapy because of coumarins.
Note: In traditional Chinese Medicine Dong Quai is considered the ultimate all-purpose
women’s tonic. It’s reputation is second only to Ginseng. Typically, it is used
in combination with other herbs such as Vitex, Licorice and Ginseng. Reports of its
effectiveness are considered anecdotal by herbalists in America. Experts disagree about
the presence or absence of phytoestrogens. Animal research in China would appear to
substantiate many of the claims for Dong Quai.
The experience of my patients taking Dong Quai has been positive.
Actions: anti-inflammatory, antiviral; broad-spectrum immune system stimulator Effects believed due to stimulation of T-lymphocyte proliferation and interferon production, and mobilization of other phagocytic leukocytes. Anti-inflammatory effect due to inhibition of pro-inflammatory enzyme, hyaluronidase.
Uses:acute onset bacterial or viral infections, Candida albicans, prostatitis, urinary tract infections.
Active constituents:cichoric acid, polysaccharides, flavonoids, and essential oils. Contains arabinogalactans which have immunostimulatory effects by increasing release of interferon gamma, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1, interleukin-6, and stimulating phagocytosis and natural killer cell activity.
Dosage: 1 oz root to 1 pint water: 1/2-1 cup up to 4 X day
Tincture (1:5) 2-8 ml 3X day/ Dried root powder 1000mg 3X day/ Fresh juice: .5 ml 3 X day
Adverse reactions: Occasional reports of mild allergy.
Contraindications:Persons on immunosuppressive therapy. Currently, Echinacea is not recommended for persons with autoimmune disorders including AIDS. (Theoretically, it may stimulate the auto immune process.) Do not use for longer than 8-10 weeks.
 | Some Echinacea used in research studies was found to be adulterated with Missouri Snake root, probably due to the high price commanded by Echinacea. |
| Echinacea fell out of favor with the widespread use of antibiotics in the 1930s. It has only recently been rediscovered. |
Actions: GLA converted to series 1 prostaglandins which will effect metabolism of arachidonic acid and diminish series 2 prostaglandins and leukotrienes responsible for inflamation and pain, and platelet aggregation.
Uses: PMS, breast pain, cystic breast disease, cholesterol & triglyceride reduction, decrease platelet stickiness, rheumatoid arthritis, atopic dermatitis, multiple sclerosis, and diabetic neuropathy. Evidence re PMS is inconclusive.
Active constituents: cis-linoleic (65-80%,) cis-gamma-linoleic acid [GLA] (8-14%,) oleic acid (6-11%,) palmitic acid (7-10%)
Dosage: Atopic eczema - 6-8 grams daily (divided doses) Mastalgia (breast pain) 3-4 grams daily
Adverse reactions: Occasional mild indigestion, nausea. May lower seizure threshold in patients with seizure disorders.
Contraindications: Pregnancy.
Drug interactions: Case reports of seizures in schizophrenic patients on phenothiazine medication.
Actions: Inhibits platelet aggregation and serotonin (5-HT) secretion; anti-inflammatory (inhibits thromboxane B2 and leukotriene B4 [eicosanoids].) Inhibits Anti-IgE-induced histamine release. Inhibits prostaglandins.
Uses: migraine, arthritis, rheumatic disease, and allergies
Active constituents: Lactones (especially parthenolide,) flavanoids, polyynes, volatile oils
Dosage: Migraine - 200-250 mg daily (.2% parthenolide)
Adverse reactions: Post-Feverfew syndrome in 10% of migraine patients who abruptly stop taking Feverfew. Symptoms: headache, insomnia, muscle stiffness, joint pain, fatigue, nervousness and tension. High potential for sensitization via skin contact.
Contraindications: pregnancy & breastfeeding
Drug interactions: Possibility of interaction with anticoagulants.
© 2002-2006 jstorm"The information presented here is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to replace an individualized consultation with a qualified health professional." |
