There is a description of history and application of twenty-five herbal remedies:

  Aloe Vera(Aloe vera): Aloe is a widely used ingredient in cosmetics (hand lotions, shaving creams, etc.), but first of all it is a medicinal herb. Aloe gel is used externally on the skin essentially for its emollient (skin softening) property.

  Another use for aloe comes from the latex of the leaf. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and a number of European countries have recognized aloe latex as a safe and effective laxative ingredient. For example, in Germany, aloe latex is employed as a stimulant laxative. Normal precautions regarding stimulant laxatives apply to aloe. Like other stimulant laxatives, anthraquinone-containing (a plant-based, organic compound) purgatives like aloe need to be used for the short-term only and not during pregnancy or lactation. Abuse may cause an electrolyte imbalance, resulting in depletion of potassium salts and thus may adversely affect heart function. One should remember that these warnings are for aloe latex used as a laxative, not the aloe gel or juice commonly consumed by health enthusiasts for "inner cleansing."

  Cayenne(Capsicum annuum): Cayenne or red pepper is used of the systemic stimulants. It stimulates blood flow, strengthening the heartbeat and metabolic rate. A general tonic, it is helpful specifically for the circulatory and digestive systems. It may be used in flatulent dyspepsia (imperfect or painful digestion) and colic. Cayenne may be used when there is insufficient peripheral circulation, leading to cold hands and feet and possibly chilblains (a form of cold injury characterized by redness and blistering). It is also useful for debility and for warding off colds. It is widely  used in problems like lumbago (a dull, aching pain in the lumbar region of the back) and rheumatic pains.

 

  Chamomile(Matricaria recutita): Chamomile flower is used in many cultures for its pleasant-tasting tea, consumed as an after-dinner drink to help digestion. In Europe, chamomile is noted as a digestive aid, as a mild anodyne, and for its anti-inflammatory property, especially in over-the-counter preparations for oral hygiene and skin creams. In Germany, chamomile is licensed as an over-the-counter drug for internal use against gastrointestinal spasms and inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The extract is widely applied for skin and mucous membrane inflammations, for bacterial skin diseases of the mouth and gums, for inflammation of the mucous membranes of the throat and airways, and as an external bath and rinse for inflamed conditions of anal and genital regions.

 

  Chasteberry(Vitex agnus-castus): Chasteberry is becoming widely used as an herb that addresses various hormonal imbalances in women. The clinical results are thought to be due to some regulatory effect upon the pituitary gland. Researches have shown that chasteberry helps reinstate a normal estrogen-to-progesterone balance. It is indicated for irregular or painful menstruation, premenstrual syndrome, and other disorders related to hormone function. It is especially beneficial during menopausal changes, relieving symptoms such as hot flashes. It may be used to aid the body in regaining a natural balance after the use of birth control pills. Chasteberry also helps in treating such sicknesses as fibroid cysts that occur in smooth muscle tissue or body cavities. It may also be of value in treating endometriosis. Several studies indicate chasteberry can help control acne in teenagers, both among young women and men.

 

  Echinacea(Echinacea angustifolia): Often called purple coneflower, the term echinacea refers to several species of plants that are generally found in the Great Plains region of North America. The Native Americans of this area widely used medicinal plants. They often utilized echinacea for its external wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties. Dr. Gerhard Madaus, german researcher, imported echinacea seeds to Europe and initiated the first modern scientific research on the immunostimulating properties of this plant. Thanks to his work, echinacea has become one of the most important over-the-counter remedies in Germany, where it is employed for relieving the common cold and flus.

 

  Over 180 products are marketed in Germany, including extracts and fresh-squeezed juices from both the roots and leaves of echinacea. The German government has approved oral dosage of echinacea for use in recurrent infections of the respiratory and urinary tracts, progressive systemic disorders such as tuberculosis, leukosis (abnormal growth of white blood cells), connective tissue disease, multiple sclerosis, and for surface wounds with a poor tendency to cure. Liquid echinacea preparations have    immune-stimulating activity when administered both orally and parenterally (denoting any medication route other than the intestine, e.g., intravenously): they increase the number of leukocytes (white blood cells) and splenocytes (white blood cells of the spleen) and enhance the activity of granulocytes (granular white blood cells) and phagocytes (cells that have the ability to ingest and destroy substances, such as bacteria, protozoa, and cell debris).

 

  Ephedra or Ma-huang(Ephedra sineca): Ephedra is a medicinal plant that has been cultivated for over five thousand years in China, where it was used for asthma and hay fever-like conditions. Also known as ma-huang, the stems contain two primary alkaloids, ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, which are now approved for use in over-the-counter decongestant and bronchial drugs. Ephedrine has a marked peripheral vasoconstricting (causing constriction of the blood vessels) action. Pseudoephedrine is a bronchodilator (able to dilate the windpipe), approved for use in asthma and certain allergy medicines. Ma-huang and its extracts are found in a number of herbal formulas that are designed to increase energy and reduce appetite. Both ephedrine and pseudoephedrine have central nervous system (CNS)-stimulating properties, ephedrine being more active. The CNS activity of these alkaloids has been characterized as being stronger than caffeine and weaker than methamphetamine (a central nervous system stimulant). Therefore this herb should be used with caution or avoided by those with high blood pressure, diabetes, glaucoma, and related conditions where hypertensives are contraindicated.

 

  Feverfew(Tanacetum parthenium): Feverfew is an herbal medicine known since Greco-Roman times. It was applied as a remedy for difficulties associated with young women's menstrual cycles (the word parthenium is derived from the Greek word parthenos, meaning "virgin") and was later used in European herbalism to reduce fevers (the common name feverfew being a corruption of the Latin word febrifuga, an agent that lowers fevers). In the past ten years interest in this herb has essentially increased, because of several clinical studies that have been published in British medical journals. Research shows that feverfew leaves not only bring relief in a significant number of migraine patients who have not responded positively to conventional medications, but also helps to prevent the onset of adjunctive episodes. Recently, the Canadian government's Health Protection Branch (equivalent to the United States' FDA) has approved feverfew leaf extract for migraine prevention, as long as the products contain a minimum of 0.2 percent parthenolide, a substance in the feverfew leaf that has been identified as being the primary active component. Early herbal literature also attributes anti-rheumatic properties to feverfew, but this has not been confirmed by twentieth century research.

 

  Garlic(Allium sativum): Garlic is also medicinal herb, used by traditional medicines all over the world and its applications are as varied as its geographical distribution. The chemistry and pharmacology of garlic is well studied; over one thousand research papers have been published in the past twenty to twenty-five years. Garlic and its preparations are known for their antibiotic, antifungal, and antiviral activity; for use in helping clear congested lungs; for coughs and bronchitis; as a preventive measure for the common cold and flus; and for intestinal worms, dysentery, sinus congestion, certain ulcers, gout, and rheumatism. Garlic even has chemopreventive properties-helping to prevent certain cancers. Recent reports by the National Cancer Institute on a large population of subjects in China indicate that the consumption of garlic and other members of the allium genus (onions, leeks, shallots) can help lower the incidence of stomach cancer.

 

  Western countries have shown interest in the herb's ability to provide important cardiovascular benefits, including slightly lowering blood pressure, aiding in the thinning of the blood, and reducing platelet aggregation (the clustering of disks found in human blood that facilitates blood coagulation). The chemical basis of garlic's anti-thrombotic effect (the ability to prevent harmful blood clotting) has been studied. It has shown an ability to aid certain immune functions, particularly increasing natural killer cells' activity.

  Studies indicate  that be it raw garlic, dried garlic, garlic oil, or a prepared commercial produc it is always beneficial. However, odorless or odor-controlled garlic preparations have a high degree of activity and are appropriate for those who do not wish to suffer the problems associated with garlic's characteristic odor, such as bad breath. In Germany, garlic extracts are approved over-the-counter drugs to supplement dietary measures in patients with elevated blood lipid (liquid fat) levels and to prevent age-associated vascular changes. A scientific panel of the European community has also endorsed garlic for its cardiovascular benefits.

 

  Ginger(Zingiber officinalis): Ginger is widely used as a medicinal herb in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, often added to herbal formulas to increase digestion and the activity of other herbs. In the past ten years, ginger has become best known for its anti-nausea and anti-motion sickness activity. A number of clinical studies have confirmed ginger's ability to act on the gastrointestinal system and allay nausea. Unlike the leading over-the-counter drug, Dramamine, ginger does not relieve nausea by suppressing central nervous system activity. Rather, the effect is explained by the antiemetic (preventing or relieving nausea and vomiting) effects of this herb, which are well documented, though more research is needed. Ginger is also has cardiotonic properties. The herb has been used in traditional medicine for migraine relief, and fresh ginger juice has been applied topically in Traditional Chinese Medicine as a burn remedy.

 

  Ginkgo(Ginkgo biloba): Ginkgos are the oldest living trees on earth. They first appeared about 200 million years ago and, except for a small population in northern China, were almost completely destroyed in the last Ice Age. Ginkgo leaves contain several compounds called ginkgolides that have unique chemical structures. The leaves were mentioned in a major Chinese herbal text of the Ming dynasty in 1436 and another in 1505. A standardized extract was developed in the past twenty years in Germany to treat a number of conditions associated with peripheral circulation. It is currently licensed in Germany for the treatment of cerebral dysfunction, with the following symptoms: difficulty in memory, dizziness, tinnitus, headaches, and emotional instability coupled with anxiety. It is also patented as a supportive treatment for hearing loss due to cervical syndrome and for peripheral arterial circulatory disturbances, such as intermittent claudication (a severe pain in the calf muscles resulting from inadequate blood supply). Ginkgo leaf extracts are also used for heart and eye diseases, and accidents involving brain trauma. At least three volumes of technical papers on the chemistry, pharmacology, and clinical studies on Ginkgo biloba extract have been published.

 

  Ginseng(Panax ginseng, eastern ginseng; Panax quinquefolius, American ginseng): Ginseng has an ancient history and has gathered much folklore about its actions and uses. The genus name Panax is derived from the Latin word panacea meaning "cure all." Many of the claims that surround ginseng are overstated but it is clearly an important remedy, receiving attention by researchers around the world. It is a powerful adaptogen, aiding the body to cope with stress, primarily through effects upon the functioning of the adrenal gland. Ginseng has antioxidant, antihepatotoxic (liver-protecting), and hypoglycemic effects. Thus there is a wide range of possible therapeutic uses. The main application is with weak, debilitated, stressed, or elderly people, where these properties can be especially useful. Moreover, ginseng may lower blood cholesterol and stimulate a range of immune system and endocrine responses. But one should remember that abuse can cause serious side effects, such as headaches, skin problems, and other reactions. For this reason, the proper dosage for the individual should be determined and respected.

 

  Goldenseal(Hydrastis canadensis): American herb goldenseal is used as a tonic remedy that stimulates the immune response. It is also directly antimicrobial itself. It can help in many digestive problems, from peptic ulcers to colitis. Its bitter stimulation helps in loss of appetite, and the alkaloids it contains stimulate production and secretion of digestive juices. The antimicrobial properties are due to alkaloids, such as berberine. Berberine, found in a number of other herbs as well, has marked antimicrobial activity. Not as powerful as an antibiotic, it nonetheless has a broad spectrum of activity. Effects have been demonstrated against bacteria, protozoa, and fungi, including Staphylococcus sp., Streptococcus sp., Candida albicans, and Gardia lanbia. Berberine's action in inhibiting candida prevents the overgrowth of yeast that is a common side effect of antibiotic use. This alkaloid activates macrophages (cells that digest cell debris and other waste matter in the blood) in a number of ways. Traditionally, goldenseal has been used during labor to help contractions, and for this reason it should be avoided during pregnancy. Iit can also be helpful in eczema, ringworm, itching, earache, and conjunctivitis.

 

  Hawthorn(Crataegus oxyacantha): Hawthorn has been used in folk medicine in Europe and China for centuries. Europeans have utilized both the edible fruit as well as the leaves and flowers, primarily for their beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. Hawthorn is one of the primary heart tonics in traditional medicine. Fruit and leaf extracts are known for their cardiotonic, anodyne, and hypotensive activities. In Germany, hawthorn extracts are used clinically for a number of heart-related conditions, often in conjunction with digoxin, the basic conventional pharmaceutical drug. Hawthorn has been extensively tested on animals and humans and is known to cause the following actions: decreases blood pressure with exertion; increases contractility (ability to contract or shorten) of the heart muscle; increases blood flow to the coronary muscle; decreases heart rate; and decreases oxygen use of myocardium (the middle layer of the walls of the heart). In Germany, hawthorn extracts are approved by the German Ministry of Health for declining heart performance, sensations of pressure or restrictions in the heart area, senile heart in cases where digitalis is not yet required, and mild forms of bradyarrhythmia (slow heart beat).

 

  Hops(Humulus lupulus): Hops has been used as a bittering and preservative agent in brewing for centuries. In Germany, due to its calming and sleep-inducing properties, hops was patented for use in states of unrest and anxiety as well as sleep disorders. European medicinal plant researchers have approved the use of hops for such conditions as nervous tension, excitability, restlessness, and sleep disturbances, and as an aid to stimulate appetite. Unlike other types of anodynes, there are neither dependence nor withdrawal symptoms reported with the use of hops, nor are there any reports of negative side effects.

 

  Licorice(Glycyrrhiza glabra): Licorice has an ancient history as a traditional herb medicine. It can effect an endocrine system and liver and other organs, as medical reaserch had shown. Constituents of this herb, called triterpenes, are metabolized in the body into molecules that have a similar structure to the adrenal cortex hormones, which is possibly the basis for licorice's anti-inflammatory action. Glycyrrhizin, a triterpene, prevents liver cell injury caused by many chemicals and is used in the treatment of chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis, especially in Japan. Glycyrrhizin pres the growth of several DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid) viruses, inactivating herpes simplex virus particles irreversibly. Licorice is used as a treatment for peptic ulceration and gastritis, and can be used in the relief of abdominal colic. It is also used for bronchial problems such as bronchitis and coughs. There is a small possibility of affecting electrolyte balance with extended use of large doses of licorice. It can cause retention of sodium, thus raising blood pressure. The whole herb has constituents that counter this but it is best to avoid licorice in cases of hypertension or kidney disease, or during pregnancy.

 

  Milk Thistle(Silybum marianum): In Europethis herb has been used as a liver tonic. Modern phytotherapy indicates its use in a whole range of liver and gall bladder conditions, including hepatitis and cirrhosis. Laboratory and clinical research of this herb reveal exciting data about reversal of toxic liver damage as well as protection from potential hepatotoxic agents. These clinical findings highlight a role for milk thistle in the treatment of toxic/metabolic liver disease (including both alcohol- and drug-induced forms), some forms of hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, and fatty degeneration of the liver. The best results are found in toxic metabolic hepatitis and cirrhosis. Milk thistle shortens the course of viral hepatitis, minimizes post-hepatitis complications, and protects the liver against problems resulting from liver surgery. It is an excellent remedy for use in the prevention and treatment of many liver disorders. 

  Nettle (Urtica dioica): In the Western world nettle is one of the most widely used herbs. This common plant has received little attention from the medical community. Throughout Europe nettle is used as a spring tonic and detoxifying remedy. If used regularly over the long-term it can be remarkably successful in cases of rheumatism and arthritis. It might be surmised that nettle is a safe immunomodulating tonic. A lectin (plant protein) found in a nettle's leaf stimulates the proliferation of human lymphocytes. Traditional use of nettle in the treatment of allergic rhinitis (hayfever) is gaining research support. It is especially indicated for cases of childhood eczema and beneficial in all the varieties of this condition. Fresh nettle has been used as a safe diuretic.

 

  Passion Flower(Passiflora incarnata): Passion flower is used as remedy with mildly anodyne properties. In Germany, passion flower is approved as an over-the-counter drug for states of "nervous unrest." In Europe, passion flower is often added to other calming herbs, usually valerian and hawthorn. Passion flower and hawthorn are often used together as antispasmodics for digestive spasms in cases of gastritis and colitis. Pharmacological studies indicate antispasmodic, sedative, anxiolytic (anxiety-allaying), and hypotensive activity of passion flower extracts.

 

  Peppermint(Mentha piperita): Peppermint has been a popular folk remedy for digestive disorders for over two hundred years. Today  it is one of the most economically significant aromatic food/medicine crops produced in the United States.

  In some countries in Europe, peppermint leaf is recognized as a digestive aid due to the carminative (gas-preventing) and cholagogue (bile increasing) action of the aromatic oil. In Germany, peppermint oil is approved as an over-the-counter drug for upper gastrointestinal cramps and spastic conditions of bile ducts, catarrh (inflammation of mucous membranes) of upper respiratory area, and inflammation of oral mucosa. It is also approved (in enteric, coated capsules) for irritable bowel syndrome, as the oil exerts a relaxing effect on the smooth muscles of the bowel. As many essential oils, peppermint oil also has antibacterial properties. Peppermint oil and menthol are common ingredients in over-the-counter external analgesic products like balms and liniments. In Germany, this combination is approved for external use for muscle and nerve pain. Moreover, peppermint oil is approved by ESCOP (the European Scientific Cooperative in Phytotherapy) for gallbladder inflammation and gallstones, and skin conditions such as pruritis (severe itching) and urticaria (eruption of wheals with intense itching).

 

  St. John's Wort(Hypericum perforatum): A remedy long used as an anti-inflammatory, wound-healing nervine, St. John's Wort has recently regained medical attention because of its mild anodyne and pain-reducing properties,  Taken internally, it has traditionally been used to treat neuralgia, anxiety, tension, and similar problems. It can also ease fibrositis, sciatica, and rheumatic pain. It is even used in the case of menopausal changes triggering irritability and anxiety. It is recommended in the treatment of depression. Recent research has suggested a role for this herb in the treatment of virus infections, from influenza to HIV, and thus it is currently the focus of intense investigation. Used externally, it is a valuable curing and anti-inflammatory remedy. As a lotion it will speed the curing of wounds and bruises, varicose veins, and mild burns. The oil is especially useful for healing sunburn.

 

  Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens): Saw palmetto is a herb that acts to tone and strengthen the male reproductive system. It may be used with safety where a boost to the male sex hormones is required. It is most effective in cases of benign prostatic hypertrophy (enlargement of the prostate gland). The treatment of this condition with plant-based medicines is attracting the attention of the medical community. It can help in cases of prostatitis (inflamed prostate gland) if combined with echinacea and bearberry.

  Senna(Cassia angustifolia): Senna is a laxative from the leaves and pods of the senna plant, a member of the pea family that is derived from ancient Arabic medicine. In Europe and in the United States, extracts from senna are approved in over-the-counter stimulant laxative products. The German government has approved senna for all conditions in which constipation and the need for soft stools is indicated. There are no known negative side effects connected with the use of senna, other than those normally associated with the use of stimulant laxatives, in which case, long-term use or misuse can result in dependency and electrolyte loss. Like other stimulant laxatives, senna should not be used during pregnancy or lactation unless professionally supervised.

 

  Siberian Ginseng or Eleuthero(Eleutherococcus senticosus): Siberian ginseng is one of the best adaptogen herbs, increasing the body's ability to resist and endure stress. This herb has a very low toxicity. Clinical and laboratory researches has been conducted on Siberian ginseng in the former Soviet Union. Initial findings from controlled experiments indicate a dramatic reduction of total disease occurrence, especially in diseases related to environmental stress. This herb can help in treatment of such illnesses as chronic gastritis, diabetes, and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Results from surgical studies show that Siberian ginseng speeds postoperative recovery and is being used in this way in the treatment of cancer patients, easing the stress response that can aggravate metastasis (the spreading of a tumor from its site of origin to distant sites). Siberian ginseng reduces the cytotoxicity (cell-attacking nature) of antineoplastic (cancer-fighting) drugs, and the narcotic effects of anodynes.

 

 Valerian(Valeriana officinalis): The odorous root of valerian has been used in European traditional medicine as a stimulant for centuries. In Germany, valerian root and its teas and extracts are approved as over-the-counter medicines for "states of excitation" and "difficulty in falling asleep owing to nervousness." A scientific team representing the European community has reviewed the scientific research on valerian and concluded that it is a safe nighttime sleep aid. These scientists also found that there are no major negative reactions associated with the use of valerian and, unlike barbiturates and other conventional drugs used for insomnia, valerian does not have a synergy with alcohol. Founder of the American School of Herbalism, Christopher Hobbs, notes that other uses include nervous heart conditions, children's anorexia caused by excitement, trembling, and stomach complaints. He recommends a valerian-hops preparation as a good daytime anodyne as it will not interfere with or slow one's reflexive responses.

 

  Witch Hazel(Hamamelis virginiana): Witch hazel is found in most households in the form of a distilled liquid. It is a safe astringent for common usage. As with all astringents, this herb may be used wherever there has been bleeding, both internally or externally. It is especially useful in the easing of hemorrhoids. Topically it has a well-deserved reputation in the treatment of bruises and inflamed swellings, and also with varicose veins. Witch hazel will stop diarrhea and aid in the treatment of dysentery.