ELEUTHERO, SIBERIAN GINSENG, NO RELATION TO TRUE GINSENG: HEALTH BENEFITS AND USES OF ELEUTHERO

SIBERIAN GINSENG, ELEUTHERO, ELEUTHEROCOCCUS SENTICOSUS 

Siberian ginseng is no relation to true ginseng, but is so called because it dives new vigour to the elderly. Eleuthero in Greek means to be free, or freedom and I am always reminded of the epitaph on the Greek writer, Nikos Kazantzakis tomb when I hear this word and two Greek friends of mine who are called Eleutherios. Here is the famous inscription on the roughly hewn wooden cross which marks Kazantzakis grave overlooking Heraklio on Crete.

“Δεν ελπίζω τίποτα. Δε φοβούμαι τίποτα. Είμαι λεύτερος.”

The English translation is “I hope for nothing, I fear nothing. I am free.”

  Eleuthero has been used for centuries in Chinese traditional medicine as a tea substitute, the dried leaves are used, and also as a medicinal tea which uses the dried root. It is actually for maintaining good health, rather than for curing an illness, and is an adaptagen which means that it helps the body over a period of time. It can lower blood sugar levels and widens blood vessels, so reduces blood pressure. 

  However it is not recommended that you take it for a prolonged period with six weeks being the maximum. You should not take it if you have high blood pressure though, and it should be avoided by pregnant women. Children should not take Eleuthero either. If you take it you should not drink coffee which could over-stimulate the body and cause side effects.

  If you take it in high doses then you may experience uterine bleeding, dizziness, anxiety, sleeplessness and irritability – the symptoms for which it is taken to combat. It is best taken under the careful supervision of your physician.

  Research has shown that Eleuthero or Siberian ginseng can boost the immune system so making you less prone to colds and flu. It would seem to be stronger than true ginseng in this regard. It is used as is Skullcap and  American ginseng to relieve stress, in the form of a tisane.

  There is some evidence that taking Siberian ginseng can increase an elderly person’s longevity and can help with memory retention. Cicero F. et al 2004 Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics: Supplement (9) pp.69-73, conclude their study, “Effects of Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus maxim) on elderly quality of life: a randomized clinical trial” thus:

“In conclusion, E. senticosus safely improves some aspects of mental health and social functioning after 4 weeks of therapy, although these differences attenuate with continued use.”                                                                                                       

  There is also some evidence that it can be used to fight radiation sickness and the effects of toxic chemicals. In Britain and North America, the root is often taken to decrease stress, although this ability has not been proved conclusively scientifically. In Taiwan it is used against cancer and hepatitis, and in China it is a traditional remedy for bronchitis, heart problems and rheumatism, among other minor ailments. It also seems to be a mood enhancer. In Europe is regarded as safe to use as it has been used for “decades without any indication of serious risks” according to the European Medicines Agency in their Assessment Report dated 2008. (There are some critics of this it should be noted.) The German Commission E has approved its use for a lack of stamina and general debility, as a tonic and for a “tendency to infection.”

  It is a native of the Far East and a member of the Araliaceae family. It also grows in Siberia where the true ginseng could not flourish due to the cold climate. It is also a native of Japan and Eastern China. Synonyms for the genus include: Eleutherococcus asperatus, Hedera senticosus, Acanthopanas asperatus and A. senticosus.

  There is some evidence that taking the root in an infusion internally can help to cure the herpes simplex virus and there are studies to find out what its effects are on cancers, fertility, stomach ulcers, headaches and insomnia. The research already undertaken suggests that it may have an effect on theses diseases and ailments.

SKULLCAP - USED BY SHAMANS AND FOR MEDICINE: USES AND HEALTH BENEFITS OF SKULLCAP

(VIRGINIAN) SKULLCAP, SCUTELLARIA LATERIFLORA 

This skullcap is also called Blue Skullcap, Mad Dog Skullcap, as it was believed that it could cure rabies, and American Mint. It is in fact in the mint family or Labiatiae or Lamiaceae family. This means that it is a relative of calamint, sage, Jupiter’s sage, peppermint, horehound, self-heal, the chaste tree and the small-flowered Chaste tree, ground ivy, the teak tree, yellow, purple and white dead nettles, motherwort, fragrant premna, common germander, Cretan dittany, bugle, Scarlet Bee Balm and marsh woundwort, to name just a few of its relatives. It is a native of North America, and a synonym for the genus is Cassida lateriflora (L) Moench.

  The flowers of this plant actually look a little like those of a foxglove or perhaps a snapdragon, but smaller than those of either. These are in bloom between June and August while the seeds ripen from July to September. The plant grows to heights of around two feet, and has a spread of a little over a foot.                                                                                                           

  The herb is used as a nervine, or a stress reliever on both sides of the Atlantic, but very little research has been done into its properties. It is primarily used for nervousness and stress and is taken in the form of an infusion or tisane, combined sometimes with lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), to take away the bitterness of skullcap.

  Native Americans used this herb extensively for a variety of purposes. It was employed by shamans as it produces visions and also it is a medicinal herb. An infusion was used to promote and stimulate the menstrual flow so it should not be used by pregnant women. It was used as a tonic for the central nervous system and the leaves have antispasmodic properties are slightly astringent and diuretic. These are harvested in early summer and dried for later use. They have been used to treat epilepsy, neuralgia, insomnia, anxiety, delirium tremens, and more recently to help with withdrawal from barbiturates and tranquillizers.

  The tisane or infusion was used for breast pains, and to expel the placenta after childbirth. If you take too much of the herb, you will suffer from nausea, dizziness, confusion and involuntary twitching.

  It has been used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder and as a mild sedative, although very little research has been carried out to confirm or deny how effective it actually is. What research has been done seems to indicate that it might be useful for diabetes patients, Kuroda, M. et al (2012) “Chemical constituents of the aerial parts of Scutellaria lateriflora and their alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activities”

  An earlier study published in Phytomedicine, 2009 May Vol.16 (3) pp 485-493, Zhang Z et al. “Characterization of chemical ingredients and anticonvulsant activity of American skullcap” seemed to vindicate the use of skullcap as an anti-spasmodic for epilepsy.

  However, clearly more research is needed into skullcap and its properties so that we understand how and why it is effective for some ailments. 

ALUM - HISTORY OF USES AND HEALTH BENEFITS OF ALUM

ALUM, SHABBA, SHABB 

Alum is used for a variety of purposes and has been used medicinally for centuries. It comes in several forms including potash alum, soda alum and aluminium potassium sulfate. We get it from bauxite ore, and in Australia there is an above ground source at Bulahdelah (the Alum Mountain) the only known above-ground source n the world. It can occur naturally on rocks, and in sulphur containing volcanic sediment. It is one of those substances, like shilajit or mineral pitch which is not a plant but which is a naturally occurring substance that has health benefits, which is why it is included here.                                                                                                      

  We know that it was used by the ancient Babylonians as a mouthwash, styptic ( which heals skin tissue), a pessary for women who had irregular menstruation, as a nasal douche and as a treatment for STDs and itchy and irritated skin. The Greeks and Arabs continued using it in the same ways and also used it to treat leprosy, ear problems and gum diseases.

  It has been used in the leather industry for tanning, and in baking powder and toothpaste and toothpowder. It was employed in ancient Egypt to purify water for drinking. In Ayurveda it was used for this purpose too.

Alum mountain, Australia

  The ancient Welsh physicians of Myddfai used it in this way- for “proud flesh” which is the sort which is swollen around a healing wound, or flesh that stands higher on the body than normal.

“The following is useful when proud flesh forms in a wound, namely, white alum, reduced to powder, the same powder being applied thereon.

Another for the same purpose. Take a toad that can scarcely creep, beat it with a rod, till irritated, it smells, and dies. Then put it in an earthen pot, closing the same so that no smoke can come out, or air enter in. Then burn it till it is reduced to ashes, and apply the same to the part.”

alum crystal

The alum method seems preferable to the second one!                                        

  If you use it on an open wound it will burn- although it has been used in this way.

  It was discovered in the 1920s that alum could be used as an adjuvant, in other words if it is used in a vaccine preparation the vaccine becomes more effective. It has been widely used since for this medicinal purpose, although it was first used with diphtheria vaccine.  

   You can also use alum as a deodorant as it has been used in crystal form since at east the time of the ancient Egyptians. It prevents the bacteria forming under the armpits which cause body odour. You can grow your own alum crystals too if you want to help your children in their science lessons- alum crystals are easy to grow.

MILK VETCH, HUANG QI, OGI: HEALTH BENEFITS AND USES OF ASTRAGALUS MEMBRANACEUS

MILK VETCH, HUANG QI, OGI, ASTRAGALUS MEMBRANACEUS 

This Astragalus herb has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, sometimes alone and sometimes mixed with other herbs. It is a member of the Fabaceae or Leguminoseae family of plants, or the pea or bean family. Its relatives include carob, the butterfly pea, broom. amaltas, laburnum, and a whole host of other plants. It is also closely related to the plant that produces gum Tragacanth or gond katira.

  It is native to north and eastern China, Mongolia and Korea. However you can plant it indoors or in your garden too. The root is used mainly for medicine, and this is usually harvested from a four-year-old plant and dried for later use. It grows to between 16 and 36 inches high.

  In China it is one of the Fifty Fundamental Herbs as is Marlberry, (Ardisia japonica), cinnamon, the tea plant Camellia sinensis, and jamalgota (Croton tiglium), among others. It is claimed that it can aid longevity as it is beneficial to the immune system. In the Journal of Immunology 2008 a study showed that it can protect against cancer and has anti-ageing and antiviral effects. Other studies have shown that it may be protective of the kidneys, and the Chinese believe that it is especially protective of these if it is combined with angelica. It may combat the onset of senility as it has shown to stimulate nerve growth both in vitro and in vivo.

  It seems that it may be effective against atherosclerosis, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, insomnia, diabetes, chronic hepatitis, genital herpes, AIDS and chemotherapy side effects.  However studies are in their preliminary stages and more needs to be done before there is conclusive evidence of the roots’ benefits.

The sliced root may be added to soups and stews, you can slice 2 to 4 roots and add them to a soup as they will enhance the flavor and add their health benefits, which include relieving stress, whether emotional, physical or mental. However you should fish them out before serving the soup.          

  Astragalus membranaceus is also called A. propinquus, and is beneficial for helping to prevent colds and respiratory diseases such as bronchitis, as it boosts the immune system. It has antioxidant properties so can help combat the free-radical scavengers which can damage healthy cells and cause cancer. Because of its antioxidant properties it may also help to prevent heart disease. Its main use may be to help restore the immune system’s natural functioning in cancer patients who have undergone or are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy, as taking this herb over a prolonger period has helped cancer patients’ longevity.

  So far the results of its use in HIV patients has been mixed, and it is not absolutely certain that it helps with diabetes, although it does have the ability to lower blood sugar levels.

It has been found to have anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties and it also helps athletes combat fatigue.

  The herb is taken in a decoction and is made by taking 4 tablespoons of the dried root chopped, to 4 cups of water and bringing the liquid to the boil and then allowing it to simmer gently for at least forty minutes, before straining it and drinking it.

  The root is an adaptagen which means that it is believed to be able to reduce stress levels, whether they are emotional, physical or mental.