Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus)

Anti-cancer Activist

Fast facts: prevents certain cancers, heals herpes outbreaks, fights flu

Although tarragon has a long and venerable history as a healing plant, you probably know it as a kitchen herb — the pretty green, spiky-looking plant that’s used in expensive bottles of tarragon vinegar. You can still enjoy it just for its flavor, of course, but there’s plenty of reason to think of it as a therapeutic agent as well.

Tarragon contains 72 potential cancer preventives, according to James A. Duke, PhD, a botanist retired from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and author of The CRC Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. The herb’s main cancer-blocking punch comes from a chemical called caffeic acid, which has the ability to cleanse the body of naturally occurring harmful substances known as free radicals. Caffeic acid also has some ability to kill viruses. “Caffeic acid is one ingredient in tarragon I would seek if I were looking to prevent cancer, flu or herpes,” says Dr. Duke.

Help for Herpes “If I had herpes, I would be drinking lemon balm tea with tarragon in it, and I would be applying the tea bag to the blisters,” says Dr. Duke. “Both have antiviral activity, and I’m a great believer in synergy.” Besides, tarragon will add a pleasant flavor to the tea, he says.

For relief from either oral or genital herpes, try a cup of tea with a lemon balm tea bag and one teaspoon of dried tarragon. (You can purchase lemon balm tea in many health food stores.) Let the brew steep for 10 to 15 minutes before drinking. Drink up to three cups a day.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

St. John’s Wort

St. John’s wort is a bushy perennial plant with numerous yellow flowers. It is native to many parts of the world including Europe and the United States. It is a wild growing plant in northern California, southern Oregon and Colorado.

The plant has been used as an herbal remedy since the Middle Ages. Many believed it to have magical powers to protect one from evil. Early Christian mystics named the plant after John the Baptist and is traditionally collected on St. John’s Day, June 25, soaked in olive oil for days to produce a blood red anointing oil known as the “blood of Christ.”

It has a 2,400-year history of safe and effective usage in many folk and herbal remedies. Historically used as a nerve tonic, St. John’s wort is now widely used as a mild antidepressant. It is a potent antiviral and antibacterial that is being investigated as a treatment for AIDS.

One of the best herbs for mood elevation is St. John’s wort. Several controlled studies have shown positive results in treating patients with mild to moderate depression. Improvement was shown with symptoms of sadness, helplessness, hopelessness, anxiety, headache and exhaustion with no reported side effects.

Its action is based on the ability of the active ingredient, hypericin to inhibit the breakdown of neurotransmitters in the brain. The herb also inhibits monoamine oxidase (MAO) and works as a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI); both are actions similar to drugs prescribed for depression. In Germany, nearly half of depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders are treated with hypericin. St. John’s wort should not be taken with any other antidepressants, it is not effective for severe depression, and no one should stop taking any prescribed medications for depression without proper medical care.

St. John’s wort has been administered in the treatment of many illnesses. The most well known action of St. John’s wort is in repairing nerve damage and reducing pain and inflammation. The herb has been used to relieve menstrual cramping, sciatica, and arthritis. It has a favorable action on the secretion of bile and thus soothes the digestive system.

The blossoms have been used in folk medicine to relieve ulcers, gastritis, diarrhea and nausea. St. John’s wort can also be effective in the treatment of incontinence and bed-wetting in children. Externally it is used on cuts as a disinfectant and to relieve inflammation and promote healing. The oil can be applied to sprains, bruises and varicose veins. Folk medicine has also has used it as a treatment for cancer.

The active constituents in the herb (there are over 50) include hypericin and pseudohypericin, flavonoids, tannins and procyanidins. The tannins are responsible for the astringent effect for wound healing. Hypericin increases capillary blood flow and is a MAO inhibitor.

There are many studies documenting the clinical effects of hypericum as an antidepressant treatment similar to several synthetic antidepressants, but with a minimum of side effects. Hypericin has been demonstrated to increase theta waves in the brain. Theta waves normally occur during sleep and have been associated with deep meditation, serene pleasure and heightened creative activity. St. John’s wort effectually may improve perception and clarify thinking processes.

There have been incidences of photosensitization as a side effect in animals. Anyone who is hypersensitive to sunlight or is taking other photosensitizing drugs should be cautious.

Parts Used: Herb tops and flowers. Used as a tea, extract, oil and in tablet form.

Common Use: St. John’s wort has been used traditionally as an herbal treatment for anxiety and depression. It is an effective astringent that promotes wound healing and has antiviral properties that can counter herpes simplex, flu viruses and is being investigated as a treatment for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Note: If you are pregnant or lactating or taking anti-depressants like Prozac, check with your physician before taking St. John’s wort.

Side Effects

Sensitivity to Sunlight.

St. John’s Wort definitely increases your sensitivity to sunlight, which can be a minor problem for those of you who suntan frequently or must spend a great deal of time outdoors.

Fatigue

Potential (minor) Weight Loss.

For many people this can be a good thing. Many people say that they took St. John’s Wort because of their depression, but also found that is has helped them lose a bit of weight. There are even brands of “Diet pills” in the U.S. that actually contain St. John’s Wort as the active

What foods should I avoid?

There has been much debate in this area recently, as it was believed that St. John’s Wort exhibits MAOI traits. If this is true, then people must avoid foods like red wine, alcohol in general, aged cheeses, sausage, etc. Doctors and researchers today believe that St. John’s Wort does not exhibit these properties, and therefore you need not be extremely concerned with the foods you eat.

If you are concerned about this, consult your doctor and get a medical opinion. And have your blood pressure checked before and a few weeks after you start taking St. John’s Wort. When in doubt, play it safe.

General Cautions

If you are pregnant, please do not take St. John’s Wort. If you are taking any heart medication, please consult your doctor before taking St. John’s Wort.

If you are currently taking multiple antidepressants besides the SSRI-based ones (Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Serzone, etc.), please consult your doctor before stopping them all and taking St. John’s Wort..

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Spearmint (Mentha spicata L.)

Spearmint in the mint family (Lamiaceae) has bright green, wrinkled, lance-shaped leaves, spreads by underground stems, and grows to 2 feet in height.1 Small pinkish-lilac flowers appear in summer. It is native to the Mediterranean region but has naturalized in virtually every country to which it has been introduced.1

History and Traditional Use

Spearmint is a common garden mint with a distinct flavor and a reputation for increasing the appetite.1 In the ancient Middle East, it was one of the plants that could be used to pay taxes. It was believed that spearmint would prevent the curdling of milk and help with watering eyes and sores. It was applied with salt to relieve bites from mad dogs, wasps, and bee stings. Spearmint was inhaled to relieve tension in the head and revive memory. As a gargle, it was said to cure sore mouth and gums. Rose leaves and mint were heated and applied outwardly to induce sleep.1 In addition, spearmint was used to treat sore throat, diarrhea, headaches, cramps and colds.2

Modern Medicinal Use

While spearmint has frequently been used in much the same way as peppermint, it has far less menthol, the primary active chemical constituent found in peppermint.3 It is useful in relieving intestinal gas.2 A recent study suggests that spearmint oil may be effective in inhibiting the growth of bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus.4

Modern Consumer Use

Spearmint oil is primarily used as a flavoring agent and can be found in baked goods, candies, chewing gums, desserts, processed fruits, and sauces.2 Spearmint leaves and extracts are used in beverages (alcoholic and nonalcoholic), and other foods. Spearmint leaves and oil are commonly found in herb teas as a flavoring, and in tinctures, capsules, and tablets for colds, fevers, and digestion.2 Spearmint oil is used to flavor toothpaste, mouthwash, and soap.

References

1 Grieve M. A Modern Herbal. New York: Dover Publications; 1971.

2 Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York: Wiley-Interscience; 1996.

3 Foster S, Tyler VE. Tyler’s Honest Herbal. 4nd ed. Binghamton, NY: Haworth Herbal Press; 2000.

4 Imai H, Osawa K, Yasuda H, Hamashima H, Arai T, Sasatsu M. Inhibition by the essential oils of peppermint and spearmint of the growth of pathogenic bacteria. Microbios. 2001; 106 Suppl 1:31-39.

Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra)

Early American Throat Soother

Fast facts: relieves sore throats, soothes burns and skin irritations, eases indigestion, treats minor wounds

When alumni come to visit the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy in Storrs, John Michael Edwards, PhD, is more than happy to show them around the old alma mater. But all the while, he’s got at least one eye on the department’s jar of slippery elm.

It seems that the graduates developed a taste for the stuff when they were students — and they aren’t afraid to raid the jar when they’re back in town, says Dr. Edwards, associate dean of the School of Pharmacy.

“In the old days, the pharmacy students had to be able not only to identify powdered drugs but to identify them in chunks — and slippery elm was one of them,” says Dr. Edwards. “If you suck on a piece of slippery elm, you get this mucilage out of it that’s sort of sweet. Every so often, we have an alumnus who comes back and pounces on the jar of slippery elm bark.”

Former pharmacy students aren’t the first to have coveted slippery elm bark. Before Dutch elm disease decimated the great slippery elm forests of the northeastern United States, this plant was perhaps the country’s favorite home remedy — used in sore throat lozenges and as a hot cereal (like oatmeal) for ulcers, heartburn and common digestive complaints.

That sweet mucilage apparently coats and soothes mucous membranes. “There’s a polysaccharide in the bark that’s very soothing, there’s no question about that,” says Christopher W. W. Beecher, PhD, associate professor of pharmacognosy in the Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy at the University of Illinois at Chicago. A polysaccharide is a kind of carbohydrate.

Soothing Relief You don’t have to scout the forests for slippery elm trees in order to take advantage of this old-fashioned herb. You can still buy slippery elm throat lozenges in health food stores and some drugstores.

If you prefer a pleasant-tasting tea, add a cup of boiling water to a teaspoon of slippery elm powder or to slippery elm tea that you can buy at a health food store. Add sugar or honey to taste.

For a poultice to pack on burns, boils, minor wounds and inflamed skin, simply add enough water to slippery elm powder to create a paste. (Some people are allergic to slippery elm. If you find that the paste irritates your skin, discontinue use.)

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.