Natural Tranquilly

 Natural Tranquilly

Chamomile Flowers

Latin Name: Matricaria recutita

Common Name: Chamomile, German Chamomile, Wild Chamomile.

Usage: Chamomile is helpful as a digestive aid, tranquilizer, immunostimulant, infection fighter; and in supports of peptic ulcers, arthritis, gastrointestinal spasms, inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal tract, mild sleep disorders, nervous stomach, wounds, inflammation, stomach ulcers, arthritic joint pain. Chamomile is especially helpful in supports of mild sleep disorders in children. Chamomile relaxes the uterus, depresses the Central Nervous System (CNS), and impairs the replication of the polio virus.

History

Chamomile enjoys a long history of use dating from the time of the ancient Egyptians. It was usually taken as a tea. The historical record indicates that Chamomile is a sedative, antispasmodic, carminative and mild pain reliever.

 Additional Information

Recent research confirms marked anti-inflammatory and diaphoretic activity. Chamomile is recommended for acute and chronic inflammatory conditions of the stomach and upper G.I. tract. It will relieve stomach spasms and reduce gas at the same time. German chamomile flowers are the subject of a German therapeutic monograph; internally for gastro-intestinal spasms and inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract; externally for skin an mucous membrane inflammation, bacterial skin disease and for the oral cavity and gums; inflammatory disease of the respiratory tract (as inhalations); bath and irrigation for inflammation of the genital and anal areas (Leung and Foster). Chamomile tea is a superior children's remedy for mild fever, anxiety and restlessness. For gastric distress and nervous stomach, Chamomile can give immediate symptomatic relief, but should be taken over an extended period of time to cure the condition; use hot and sip slowly as a tea several times daily for three to six weeks.

Usage Warnings: Should be avoided by those with ragweed and pollen allergies. Rare instances of allergy have been associated with German chamomile ingestion. Avoid if sensitized to Astor family-related allergies (Asteraceae or Compositae), e.g.. mums. Only five cases of allergy specifically attributed to German chamomile have been identified from 1887 to 1982. According to Tyler . . . this rather remote possibility [of allergic reaction] has been greatly overemphasized in some of the nonmedical literature.

Hops

Common Name: Hops Latin Name: Humulus lupulus

Usage: Hops is used mainly to relax the abdominal area and as a general stress reliever. It is helpful with sleep problems, headaches, indigestion, and PMS. Hops also stimulates the stomach and is a general relaxant.

History

The Romans grew Hops and ate them in the early spring, much like the use of asparagus by the English today. The tender first foliage is listed as a good pot herb and is still eaten by the people of Belgium. Breweries in the Netherlands began using Hops in the fourteenth century, but it wasn't until two centuries later that the English started using it in their brewing processes. Hops has been used as a calmative, especially useful in alleviating nervous stomach, and as a sedative to bring about sleep. A popular folk remedy is a ""Hops filled pillow."" This pillow is used to replace the person's normal pillow which is said to produce a restful, non-narcotic sleep.

Additional Information

Hops has an overriding bitter taste due to the antibiotic, bitter acid content; specifically humulone and lupulone. These bitter principles are important in the production of beers. The antispasmodic and sedative properties are probably due to the flavonoid and volatile oil content present in the flowers.

Usage Warnings: Caution should be used in cases of marked depression.

Kava Kava

Latin Name: Piper methysticum Common Name: Kava Kava, Kava, Awa

Usage: Helpful in the support of insomnia, nervousness, neuralgia (nerve pain), nervous tension, nervous irritability, and irritable bladder syndrome. It is also helpful in relieving pain due to rheumatic difficulties. Research

History

Kava Kava is a shrub native to Polynesia and Melanesia. Its history is tied to its use as a ceremonial drink in the religious rites of the Polynesians. The root when ground and mixed with water and saliva, produces an unique effect on the nervous system. Relaxation, improved mental activity and clarity of thought are all attributed to this plant.

Additional Information

A number of sedative preparations are available in Europe that feature Kava Kava. Not only are these preparations useful for relaxation but they are also proving useful in painful muscle spasms. The analgesic effect of dihydrokavain and dihydromethysticin is 25% greater than aspirin at the same dose. Some success has been noted with Kava Kava in the treatment of various genito-urinary disorders including vaginitis, leucorrhea and incontinence. In German phytomedicine, the dried rhizome and its preparations are used for nervous anxiety, stress and unrest. The German monograph on the plant also notes that continuous use can cause temporary yellow discoloration of hair, skin and nails. Allergic skin reactions have also occurred, but are rare.

Usage Warnings: Do not exceed recommended dosage. Kava Kava works by depressing the central nervous system; therefore, operating complicated or dangerous machinery should be avoided while taking this product.

St. John's Wort

Latin Name: Hypericum Perforatum

Common Name: St. John's Wort, Hypericum, St. Joan's Wort

Usage: St. John's Wort is helpful in support of depression, menopause, cramps, and insomnia. Research

History

For centuries this plant was thought to have the power to drive out devils. With the spread of Christianity, the plant was associated with Saint John the Baptist. It was said to bloom first on his birthday, June 24, and to bleed red oil from its leaf glands on the day in August that he was beheaded. Moreover, the plant was believed to be most potent if harvested for medicinal purposes on St. John's Day. The genus name comes from the Greek, meaning ""above an icon"" and sprigs were once set above images to drive off malevolent spirits. Welsh families used it as a health test until the industrial era. Sprigs were named for each family member and hung overnight from a rafter. The degree to which the sprig had shriveled by morning was said to suggest how soon the person would die. The plant appears to bleed when crushed. This may explain why early Greek and Roman physicians used it to dress wounds. Seventeenth-century herbalist, John Coles, was an exponent of the Doctrine of Signatures. Coles pointed out that the ""little holes"" (glands) in the leaves resembled pores and thus recommended the herb for skin problems of all sorts, including ""hurts and wounds and inward bruises."" It has also been used for nervous disorders, including bedwetting and urinary troubles, nervous coughs, gastric problems, uterine cramping, anemia and worms. Several ancient healers including Dioscorides, Pliny and Hippocrates, also employed the healing properties both internally and externally.

Additional Information

St. John's Wort is a pain-relieving mild sedative and antidepressant. It is effective in a number of nerve-related conditions including anxiety, nervous stress and some types of neuralgia. It has been found helpful in relieving rheumatic and arthritic pains and in treating injuries to the nerves. In controlled studies the hypericin relieved symptoms of anxiety and depression in women probably through a process of monoamine oxidase inhibition. Monoamine oxidase is an enzyme that deaminates, (removes the amino group from a compound), monoamines oxidatively and that affects the nervous system by breaking down monoamine neurotransmitters. St. John's Wort is especially regarded as an herb to use where there are menopausal changes triggering irritability and anxiety. In addition, to relieving neuralgic pain, St. John's Wort will ease fibrositis and sciatica. Externally it is a valuable healing and anti-inflammatory remedy. As a lotion it will speed the healing of wounds and bruises, varicose veins and mild burns. The oil is especially good for healing sunburns. An oil extract of St. John's Wort can be taken for stomach ache, colic, intestinal problems, and as an expectorant for congestion in the lungs. A tea made from the flowers is good for anemia, headache, jaundice, catarrh, uterine cramping, and menstrual difficulties. The height of the plant is two feet. The stems are round and distinguished by two raised lengthwise ridges. The creeping, tufted, yellow brown roots send out runners. The flowers are bright yellow. The leaves are small oblong, light green with transparent oil glands that look like holes. The fruit is small black round or oblong.

Usage Warnings: Limit exposure to the sun since the skin may become photo sensitive and sunburn easily after several days of usage. It is recommended that continuous treatment (longer than two consecutive months) be avoided without a two to three week rest period. Caution should be advised in the case of marked depression.