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Herbal therapy, botanical therapy, herbalism Herbal therapy or botanical therapy or herbalism: employs parts of plants (seed, stem, flowers, root, bark, leaf) for the relief of conditions, ailments, or complaints; the earliest known form of medicine. Some popular herbs and common applications are: algae (spirulina): the most commonly used variety is blue-green algae. Algae is available in powder, tablet and supplemental fruit drink forms. Used to reduce cholesterol levels and to treat degenerative disorders, including arthritis. Unproven medical benefits include treating obesity, colitis, and diabetes mellitus. aloe or aloe vera: plant widely used as a skin moisturizer and healing agent, especially in treating cuts, burns, insect stings, eczema, bruises, acne, poison ivy rash, sunburn, and psoriasis. arnica: used as an external remedy for bruises, sprains, and sore muscles and joints. astragalus: from a family of peas that benefits digestive processes and the immune system; increases resistance to disease and infections; restores depressed immunity, and is used to treat peripheral vascular diseases and to restore peripheral circulation. black cohosh: helps relieve sinusitis and asthma; lowers cholesterol levels and blood pressure; relieves pain, morning sickness, hot flashes, and menstrual cramps. burdock: with diuretic and orexigenic properties, used to treat cutaneous eruptions, rheumatism, gout, anorexia nervosa, and eczema. calendula: traditionally used to treat gastric and duodenal ulcers, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, and epistaxis; varicose veins, hemorrhoids, and conjunctivitis. capsicum/capsaicin/cayenne fruit: taken orally to improve circulation, digestion, and stop bleeding from ulcers, to relieve nausea, rheumatism, arthritis, and pleurisy. Used externally for painful muscle spasms of shoulder, arm, and spine and to treat arthritis, rheumatism, neuralgia, lumbago, chilblains, intractable pain associated with shingles (herpes zoster), postmastectomy, diabetic neuropathy, and cluster headaches. cat's claw bark: used to treat AIDS patients, arthritis, neurobronchitis, allergies, rheumatism, diverticulosis, Crohn's disease, peptic and gastric ulcers, gastritis, parasites, colitis, leaky bowel syndrome, dysentery, hemorrhoids, cancer, herpes, diabetes, and inflammation. chamomile: often made into a tea and used as a digestive aid, nerve tonic, sleep aid, and appetite stimulant. cranberry fruit: used for the relief of ladder and urinary tract infections, blood disorders, stomach ailments, liver problems, vomiting, appetite loss, scurvy, and cancer. dong quai root: used for hot flashes, menopause, premenstrual syndrome, vaginal dryness, anemia with dizziness and palpitation, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, constipation, rheumatic arthralgia, menorrhalgia, rheumatalgia, functional bleeding, chest, and abdominal pain. echinacea herb, also called purple coneflower: bitter herb used for colds and chronic infections of the respiratory tract and lower urinary tract, treatment of Candida albicans infections, prostatitis, polyarthritis (rheumatoid arthritis). Externally, an ointment is used for poorly healing wounds and chronic ulcerations, burns, eczema, psoriasis, and herpes simplex. evening primrose oil: aids in weight loss, reduces high blood pressure, and helps to treat all skin disorders, female disorders such as cramps and heavy bleeding, hot flashes, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, and alcoholism. feverfew: used for prophylaxis and treatment of migraine headaches, nausea, vomiting, arthritis, fever, and menstrual disorders. . flaxseed: used for female disorders, colon problems, inflammation, and tumors. Promotes strong nails, bones, and teeth and healthy skin. garlic cloves: used in the West primarily for its cardiovascular effects, principally as a support to dietetic measures at elevated levels of lipids in blood and as a preventive measure for age-dependent vascular changes. Garlic is also used for atheroma, prophylaxis of atherosclerosis, hypertension, respiratory infections, and catarrhal conditions and as a natural antibiotic. ginger rhizome: primary uses of ginger are prophylaxis of the nausea and vomiting of motion sickness, dyspepsia, stomachic. It is also used as a tonic digestant in sub-acid gastritis, for lack of appetite, as a postoperative antiemetic for minor surgical procedures, for colic, for morning sickness, anorexia, bronchitis, and rheumatic complaints. ginkgo biloba leaf extract: improves memory loss, brain function, depression, cerebral and peripheral circulation, oxygenation, and blood flow. Good for tinnitus, asthma, Alzheimer's disease, heart and kidney disorders, and glucose utilization. ginseng root: used for impotence, stress, cocaine withdrawal, energy, diabetes, colds, and chest problems. Promotes lung function, enhances immune function, stimulates appetite, and normalizes blood pressure. Varieties popularly used include American ginseng, Asian ginseng, and Siberian ginseng. goldenseal: used to strengthen the immune system; acts as an antibiotic; has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, potentiates insulin, and cleanses the body. Good for colds, flu, inflammation, glandular swelling, gum disease, morning sickness, diabetes, hypoglycemia, and ulcers. grape seed extract: used as a dietary supplement for antioxidant and other cardiovascular benefits and for anti-inflammatory actions. green tea leaf: believed to act as an antioxidant to prevent cancer and possibly other diseases; reduces the risk of stroke; lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease. kava kava rhizome: used to treat nervous anxiety, stress, and restlessness.Contraindicated in pregnancy, nursing, or endogenous depression. licorice root: used for catarrhal conditions of the upper respiratory tract and gastric/duodenal ulcers. Licorce is an ingredient in cough drops and syrups, tonics, laxatives, and antismoking preparations. ma huang: has been used to relieve allergies, asthma, hay fever, colds, and inflammatory conditions. The plant contains two primary alkaloids, ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. passionflower: said to possess sedative, hypnotic, antispasmodic, and calming effects. Used to treat neuralgia, seizures, hysteria, nervous tachycardia, spasmodic asthma, and insomnia. saw palmetto berry: used primarily for urination problems in benign prostate hyperplasia stages 1 and 2. St. John's wort: traditionally used as a muscle relaxant to relieve menstrual problems, as a mild tranquilizer and as a treatment for depression and insomnia. valerian root: used primarily for restlessness, sleeping disorders based on nervous conditions; also good for headaches, colic, gas, pain, stress, anxiety, muscle cramps, and spasms. (See also: Herbal therapy, Alternative Medicine, Body Mind and Soul)
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