Hawthorn Berry

Scientific name: Hawthorn - Crataegus oxyacantha; Smooth Hawthorn - Crataegus laevigata;
Common hawthorn - Crataegus monogyna; Chinese Hawthorn - Crataegus pinnatifida

Other names: Oneseed or single-seed hawthorn(common hawthorn), white horn, hawberry, May-tree, thornapple, mayblossom, whitethorn, hagthorn, cheese Tree

Description:

Common hawthorn - Crataegus monogyna is a small flowering tree or shrub that is native to temperate regions of  Europe, North America, North Africa and Western Asia. It has abundant red berries and its seeds are readily spread into open fields, grasslands and woodlands, thus creating a thorny thicket.  The leaves are long and broad and has 3 to 7-lobed that looks like mittens or paws. The petals are white and sometimes pinkish. The stem is filled with 1-3cm thorns. The fruit, also known as, haw is berry-like and looks like cherries or stones of plums and is brilliant red in color.

The dried haws are made into tablets or capsules.


Parts Used: Dried haws or fruits


Nutritional Benefits and Properties:

Hawthorns are rich in Vitamins C and B-complex.

Hawthorn in general contains amyddalin, flavonoids(vitexin, rutin, quercetin, and hyperoside), flavone-C, flavone glycosides, tannins, catechins, oligomeric proanthocyanidins (epicatechin, procyanidin, and  procyanidin B-2),  triterpene acids (such ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, and crataegolic acid), polyphenols, saponins, hyperoside, cardiotonic amines and phenolic acids (caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, and phenolcarboxylic acids). These chemical constituents have beneficial effects and antioxidant properties.

Flavonoid acts as a natural ACE inhibitoris know to convert angiotensin (angiotensin I) into the active vasoconstrictor (angiotensin II). It widens the arteries and increases the supply of oxygen to the heart.

The bioflavonoids are known to benefit the circulatory system of the by toning and strengthening the muscles of the walls of the arteries which helps prevent aneurism & stroke.


Medicinal Properties and Uses:

Several species of hawthorn have been used in traditional medicine. The ripe fruit and flowers are usually used in herbal medicine.

Heart Problems

Hawthorn is widely known for the treatment of various heart diseases such as angina pectoris as well asatherosclerosis, chest pain, stroke, high blood pressure, stress....

It increases the supply of oxygen to the heart and is effective in increasing the amount of blood per heart beat. It is known to strengthen the heart muscles and dilate the coronary blood vessels. It also lowers blood pressure and reduce the amount of stress place in the heart by inhibiting the angiotensin converting enzyme. Hawthorn also has antioxidants that protect against the formation of plaque(prvents atherosclerosis) and lowers the LDL (poor) cholesterol.

Indigestion
Hawthorn was used in quite a few Chinese medicines to help with the retention of meals inside the belly. Hawthorn’s capabilities to break up fat also causes it to be useful for helping with indigestion that comes on as a result of eating greasy foods.


Other benefits:

Mild diuretic
Astringent quality (relief of sore throat)
Indigestion
Insomnia (fresh hawthorn is best used for this and is made into tea)
Weight loss ( hawthorn reduce the amounts of cholesterol in the body and increases the metabolic process)

Precaution and Side Effects of Hawthorn Berry

Hawthorn should be taken at recommended doses over the short term. Using hawthorn may cause headaches, nausea, vertigo, rashes and palpitations. While overdose may cause cardiac arrhythmia and it may lower the blood pressure at a dangerous level.

Just like in any part of this blog, it is still best to consult your physician before taking medicinal plants/herbs or any medications.

Bladderwrack

Scientific name:  Fucus vesiculosus

Common names: Bladder Fucus, Brown seaweed, Black-Tang, Cutweed, Sea-Wrack, Brown Algae, Kelp-Ware.

Description:

Brown seaweed or brown algae also known as bladderwrack got it's name because of the bladder-like feature or sac
on either side of the midrib that keeps them afloat. The frond is fan-shaped, narrow, wavy and divided into two with a broad midrib running to the apex. The color is brownish green to yellow.  It grows on the Atlantic coasts of Europe and North America and Baltic Sea. It is attached to the rocks found underneath the water. Its root-like
branch attaches itself to the rocks and it grows up to about 3 feet high.  The bladderwrack is used as a herbal medicine and the entire plant is harvested while still small.

Bladderwrack can be eaten raw or cooked, boiled or steamed.

Parts used: Whole plant, dried stem, leaves and root.

Medicinal properties and Health benefits of Bladderwack:

Bladderwrack contains 3 main components namely:

Iodine -The body needs iodine but cannot make it. The thyroid gland needs iodine to make hormones. Lack of iodine

can cause an enlarged thyroid gland (goiter)/hypothyroidism. It regulates thyroid function and metabolism.

Alginic acid - is a type of dietary fiber that helps alleviate constipation, diarrhea, GERD and heartburn.

Fucoidan - a type of dietary fiber that helps lower cholesterol(heart condition) and glucose level (diabetes). It also has anti-inflammatory effect, anti-coagulant (blood-thinning) properties and inhibit cancer growth.

Bladderwrack also contains mannitol, bromine, zeaxantin, algin, polyphenols, proteins, oleic acid, essential fatty acids and fiber.  It is also rich in vitamins like vitamin C, B-vitamins, beta-carotene and has many minerals like sodium, sulfur, magnesium, zinc, iron, and potassium.

Skin Care/Smoother Skin

Bladderwrack in powder form can be added in bath water or facial scrub to smoothen and nourish the skin. It also relieves the eczema and psoriasis.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Bladderwrack can also be brewed or steeped in a quart of hot water and taken internally or applied to the skin to help relieve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.


Precautions:

Bladderwrack is generally safe and considered a safe herb supplement to use. However, if supplements can interact with other drugs and it's still best to consult a doctor when taking this as a supplement.

Agar Agar

Scientific name: Gelidiella Acerosa, genera Gelidium and Gracilaria and Sphaerococcus euchema

Description:

Agar-agar is extracted from marine red algae. The seaweeds (Sphaerococcus Euchema and Gelidium) that grows to 15 to 25 cm high are mostly found off the Pacific coast and the coast of South Africa.  Fronds are elongated, cylindrical, soft or subcartilaginous and dichotomously branched.

The seaweeds are laid out along the shore to get bleached and dried. By boiling them in water the mucilage can be strained and filtrated.  After which it is dried again under the sun.

You'll find the Agar Agar most often in the form of white powder or as a clear bar.  It has almost no color, no taste, calorie-free and has 80% percent fiber.

One can also blanch the entire plant and eat as salad.

Parts Used: Seaweed extract and the whole plant.

Medicinal properties and Uses:

Agar agar contains gelose, protein, galactose, pentose, fructose; iodine, iron and other
trace elements and minerals

This seaweed rich in soluble fiber that is very good for dieters. Agar agar absorbs water making you feel full. So, munching on agar agar before each meal prevents you from overeating.

Constipation - as agar agar is rich in soluble fiber it is used as a bulk laxative because it
absorbs water in the intestines  resulting in increased bowel activity.

Diabetes - Agar Agar will capture the sugars, fats and toxins.

Sores and Swollen knee joints - An agar agar poultice is used for swollen knee joints and sores.

It is also use for menorrhagia, leucorrhea and other intestinal and bladder difficulties.

An agar agar decoction given for dysentery and diarrhea as a folk medicine. It is also found
to be useful for coughs and other pulmonary complaints.

High doses may cause flatulence.

Agar agar readily forms a gel and is used as a stabilizer, thickening, gelling, bulking agent and food additive.

THOUGH THE CONTENT OF THIS BLOG HAD BEEN TRIED/TESTED AND HAD BEEN USED
AS FOLK/HERBAL MEDICINE IT IS STILL BEST TO CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE
TRYING THIS AND AVOID SELF-DIAGNOSIS AND SELF-MEDICATION.

Mugwort

 
Scientific name: Artemisia vulgaris

(Also know as Felon Herb, St. John's Plant, Artemisa, Carline   Thistle and closely related to common wormwood)

Description:

It is a perennial herb native to Africa and abounds on hedge banks and waysides in most parts of England. This tall-growing shrubby plant, has angular stems, often of a purplish hue, rising 3 feet or more in height. The
leaves are smooth and of a dark green tint on the upper surface, and covered with a dense cottony down beneath. They are alternate, pinnately lobed, and the segments being lance-shaped and pointed. The small oval flowers are greenish yellow and are arranged in long, terminal panicles with a cottony appearance.

This shrub has been known since the ancient times and used for centuries as an alternative medicine for its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, hemostatic,  purgative, stimulant, and cleansing
properties. It is also slightly tonic and is of value as a nervine and emmenagogue. Mugwort also has diuretic and diaphoretic action.


Parts Used: Leaves, Stem, roots


The leaves and stems are usually gathered in August and let dry for later herb use. The roots are dug in autumn, cleansed and dried.

Medicinal Properties and Uses:

Constituents: A volatile oil, a sesquiterpene lactone, flavonoids, coumarin derivatives, and triterpenes, an acrid resin and tannin.

* An infusion of the leaves and flowering tops (1 ounce of the herb to 1 pint of boiling water prepared in a covered vessel and given in 1/2 teaspoonful doses, while warm. It is used in the treatment of all conditions
related to the digestive system like bloating, hyperacidity...  and is good for the liver and jaundice.

In similar dose (1/2 teaspoonful), the infusion may be taken cold as a tonic, three times daily.

* As a gargle for sore throat, a wash for sores.

* As a poultice for infections, tumors and to stop bleeding of the uterus.

As a decoction, Mugwort can be used to ease menstrual pain and is also use to reduce and to stop excessive and heavy menstrual bleeding.

* Expel intestinal worms. The leaves have an antibacterial action that inhibits the growth of Staphococcus aureus, Bacillus typhi, pseudomonas, B. dysenteriae, streptococci, B. subtilis, and E. coli.

* The juice and an infusion of the herb were given for intermittent fevers and are good against agues (alternating periods of chills, fever, and sweating associated with malaria).

* As a nervine, it is a popular folklore remedy for epilepsy, palsy and hysterical fits.


THOUGH THE CONTENT OF THIS BLOG HAD BEEN TRIED/TESTED AND HAD BEEN USED
AS FOLK/HERBAL MEDICINE IT IS STILL BEST TO CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE
TRYING THIS.

Noni or Indian Mulberry

Noni (also called Indian Mulberry, noni fruit, noni juice, morinda, wild pine, hog apple


Scientific name: Morinda citrifolia,

Description:

The Noni plant is a small tropical evergreen tree that grows to about 10
feet tall in Tahiti and other Pacific Islands. It has straight trunk, large,
bright green and elliptical leaves, white tubular flowers and bears an ovoid
fruit about the size of a potato which starts out green and ripens into a
"grenade-like" yellow or white fruit. The seeds are reddish brown,
triangular in shape and has an air-sac attached at one end which makes the
seeds buoyant. A mature Noni fruit has a foul taste and odor. Parts of the
noni plant are used as a juice, a tonic, a poultice, and in tea. Its fruit,
bark, and leaves are used in herbal remedies and Polynesian folk medicine.


Medicinal Benefits:

* Increases the levels of antioxidant activity in the body. It also inhibits
or prevent the growth of tumors and helps the immune system.

* Prevents arteriosclerosis as it inhibits low-density-lipoprotein
oxidation. It is also used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure)
because Noni acts as a vasodilators allowing blood vessels to widen thus
increasing blood flow naturally.

* The pancreas is also affected by Noni juice lowering the blood sugar and is good for diabetics.

* The ripe noni fruit is used as a poultice for facial blemishes or as a
remedy for skin sores, boils, or infections.

* The leaves and bark are made into a liquid tonic for urinary problems and
muscle or joint pain.

* The fruit of Noni contains a natural alkaloid xeronine that helps
treat gastric ulcer, menstrual cramps, arthritis, rheumatism, diabetes,
heart disease and cancer.


THOUGH THE CONTENT OF THIS BLOG HAD BEEN TRIED/TESTED AND HAD BEEN USED
AS FOLK/HERBAL MEDICINE IT IS STILL BEST TO CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE TRYING THIS.

Guava

Scientific name: Psidium guajava

Description: 

Guava is indigenous to the Central American region and are cultivated and naturalized throughout the tropics as well as in some subtropical regions. The guava tree is aperennial shrub or a general shade tree that grows up to a height of 4 meters.  It leaves have conspicuous veins, are oblong and tapered at the end. Its green to yellowish fruits contain numerous seeds with a reddish, pink or yellowish flesh that is very delectable as well as nutritious.

Nutritional value:

Guavas are rich in vitamins A and C.  A big guava contains over four times the amount of vitamin C as a single orange (212 mg/100 g fruit) and the quantity of vitamin C increases as the fruit matures. The seeds are known to be rich in omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids.  Depending on the variety, guava has good levels of the dietary minerals that includes phosphorus, potassium, calcim, and magnesium.

Parts Used: Fresh or dried leaves, bark, fruits.

Medicinal Properties:

The guava fruit,leaves and bark of the plant possess some therapeutic properties and have been known to treat various disorders.

The guava with a reddish flesh are extremely rich in antioxidants than the yellowish-green ones.  The guava fruit has carotenoids, flavonoids, saponins, essential oils, eugenol, lectins, triterpenes as well as polyphenols. The fruit is also considered to be an excellent source of a dietary fiber known as pectin. 

The guava leaf is high in flavonoids and quercetin, in fact, the majority of the medicinal properties of guava are attributed to the flavonoids seen in the fruits and leaves.

Indication:

1. Acute Diarrhea, Gastroenteritis, intestinal worm, dysmenorrhea,gastric disorders

Pound guava leaf and boil in a 1 liter of water.  Drink infusions prepared with guava leaves as a tea. Some would combine leaves and bark to prepare a decoction. In tropical countries, townfolks use the leaves, roots, barks as well as the unripe fruits of guava to treat such disorders because of the presence of quercetin and other flavonoids in the guava plant.

2. Nausea and Vomiting

same as above.

3. Vaginal discharges

Prepare a decoction with leaves and bark of the guava tree and use it as a vaginal wash.

4. Toothaches;Bad Breath; Bleeding gums; Mouth sores; sore throat and laryngitis

Chew leaves of guava.  Some would prefer to chew the young leaves of the guava. Others use a decoction prepared with the leaves of guava and use it as a gargle.

5. Wound and skin ulcers

Prepare a decoction of leaves and/ or barks of guava trees or an infusion prepared with guava flowers.  Some would pound the guava leaves and apply it as a poultice over the wound. Guava leaves and bark are used traditionally as a disinfectant and antiseptic.

6. Cough, sore throat and laryngitis

Eat guava fruit for this it is excellent source of Vitamin C (Four times more than oranges).

7. Believed to alleviate hangover when tender guava leaves are chewed before taking intoxicating drinks.

THOUGH THE CONTENT OF THIS BLOG HAD BEEN TRIED & TESTED AND HAD BEEN USED AS FOLK/HERBAL MEDICINE IT IS STILL BEST TO CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR.

Blumea Camphor / Ngai Camphor Plant/ SAMBONG

Description:
It is a strongly aromatic herb that can reach up to 3 m tall. The stems are erect, coarse and half woody. The leaves are leathery in texture, serrated at the margins and narrowly oblong-shaped with tapered
base.  The aggregated flower heads are yellow, sometimes reddish yellow that is 6 to 7 mm long.

Health Benefits:

• Alleviates rheumatism
• Diuretic agent
• Known to dissolve kidney stones
• Treatment of colds & fever
• Anti-diarrheic properties
• Relief of stomach pains and gas pains

Parts Utilized: Whole plant

Indications and Direction of Use:

1. Traumatic injuries, Abscesses, Boils - Fresh leaves that are crushed can be applied as poultice.

2. Arthritis, Rheumatism - Pound fresh leaves and mix it with coconut oil.  Rub it over affected area. To relieve rheumatic pains on the back or waist - soak affected area with warm decoction of boiled blumea camphor leaves.

3.Headache - Use the pounded fresh leaves as poultice on the forehead and hold it in place with a clean piece of cloth.  Some would mix the leaves with coconut oil before rubbing it on the forehead.

4. Cough and colds - the tea is used as an expectorant.

5. Gas pains(children)- rub the ointment consisting of crushed leaves and coconut oil.

Decoction of roots and leaves are also used for cystitis and fever.  One can use the lukewarm decoction as a sponge bath. Tea is also used to cure diarrhea.

THOUGH THE CONTENT OF THIS BLOG HAD BEEN TRIED & TESTED AND HAD BEEN USED AS FOLK/HERBAL MEDICINE IT IS STILL BEST TO CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR.

Spanish Needles

Scientific name: Bidens pilosa

Description: 

A native in North America it is now considered weed as well as an edible plant in some tropical places.  The fresh or dried tender shoots and young leaves are used as a vegetable.  A fruiting Spanish needles can easily cling to clothing.  It is erect, somewhat hairy and the flowers are small, yellow or brown and usually contain 4 to 5 white petals. 

Medicinal Properties:

Spanish needles have been used in traditional medicine for infections from wounds, upper respiratory tract infections like colds and flu, urinary tract infections as well as venereal diseases. The leaves, seeds and roots of spanish needles have also been reported to possess antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antimalarial, diuretic, as well as hypotensive properties.

Parts used: Leaves, seed and roots

Description and Indication of Use:

Dysuria or Painful Urination - drink the expressed sap of a fresh Spanish needles.

Wounds - sap from crushed leaves is used  on fresh wound to speed up clotting of blood.

Gastric pain - Boil spanish needles plant in water until most of the water has evaporated.  Make a pasty mass by mashing it.  Combine it with ginger tea.

THOUGH THE CONTENT OF THIS BLOG HAD BEEN TRIED & TESTED AND HAD BEEN USED AS FOLK/HERBAL MEDICINE IT IS STILL BEST TO CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR.

Billy Goat Weed/Goat Weed

Scientific name: Ageratum conyzoides

Description: A native of tropical America, Billy goat weed is a perennial, hairy, aromatic herb that grows up to 60 cm tall. The leaves are heart-shaped with round toothed margins and are hairy. The small flowering heads are numerous about 5 mm across and are pale blue, purple or white.

Medicinal properties: known to be an analgesic, antispasmodic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and laxative. The extract of the leaves are also known to have hemostatic activity.

Parts used: Whole plant (fresh or sundried)
                     Leaves (air-dried)

Indications and directions for use:

Otitis media – Squeeze out the sap of the fresh plant and drop the sap into the ear.

Wounds – Pound fresh plant. Apply poultice over the wound.

Eczema, furuncle, carbuncle - Mix the powdered leaves (dried) with coconut oil. Rub it over the affected area.

THOUGH THE CONTENT OF THIS BLOG HAD BEEN TRIED & TESTED AND HAD BEEN USED AS FOLK/HERBAL MEDICINE IT IS STILL BEST TO CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR.

Celery

Scientific name:  Apium graveolens ( var dulce)

Description: Celery is a biennial plant, used as a vegetable for its leafy stalk and fleshy taproot or grown for its seeds. It reached around 12 to 16 inches tall and has furrowed stalk composed of a leafy top. The stalks are crunchy and the whole plant has a distinctive smell.

Health Benefits: Celery is a rich source of vitamin C, phalides, tryptophan, folate, dietary fiber, molybdenum, manganese, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, iron, and vitamins B6 (pyridoxine), B1 (thiamin), B2
(riboflavin) and vitamin A . It provides a low-calorie dietary fiber bulk and is thus used in weight-loss diets.

Celery seeds are a great source of calcium.

Parts used:  Fresh plant, seeds.

Indications and Directions for use:

1.    Asthma
The seeds are used as (as a
Pound the celery seeds until powdery and wrap it in a piece of cloth.  This is given as an inhaler and the seeds will act as a bronchodilator. 

2.    Inflammation
The Vitamin C in celery functions as an anti-oxidant and it also helps the immune system.

3.    High Blood pressure/Hypertension

Include celery regularly in the diet, either eaten raw, boiled or stir-fried. Celery has long been recognized in Chinese herbal medicine as effective in lowering blood pressure.

4.    Urinary problems
Squeeze out the sap from a fresh whole herb.  To cook: warm over low flame without boiling it.  Drink the concoction. Or, eat it as raw.


THOUGH THE CONTENT OF THIS BLOG HAD BEEN TRIED & TESTED AND HAD BEEN USED AS FOLK/HERBAL MEDICINE IT IS STILL BEST TO CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR.