Lavender (Lavandula officinalis)

Lavender

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.) in the mint family (Lamiaceae) is an aromatic evergreen subshrub native to the Mediterranean region.1 The plant grows to three feet, and has green to grayish-green foliage and small blue or purple flowers. The essential oil is obtained from the flowering tops.

History and Traditional Use

Lavandula angustifolia (syn. L. vera) has been used to prevent intestinal gas, to increase urine secretion, to prevent and relieve spasm, and as a general tonic.1 In Spain, lavender is used as an antidiabetic agent. The flowers are simmered and the steam inhaled as a cold remedy; a tea has been used to induce or increase menstrual flow; and extracts have been used to treat acne and migraines. The fresh flowers and leaves have been used to treat headache and rheumatic pain. Lavender has a multitude of uses in aromatherapy.

Modern Medicinal Use

Lavender flower is approved for internal use by the German Commission E for mood disturbances such as restlessness or insomnia, certain functional abdominal complaints such as gaseous distension of the stomach, Roehmheld’s syndrome, and nervous intestinal discomfort; it has been approved in bath therapy for the treatment of functional circulatory disorders.2 In Germany the tea is used additionally for lack of appetite.3 In Europe, lavender is commonly used to prevent spasms of smooth muscle (such as in the stomach), to prevent gas formation in the stomach, and as a mild tranquilizer.4

Modern Consumer Use

Lavender is used as a fragrance component in pharmaceutical products such as antiseptic ointments, creams, lotions, and jellies.4 Cosmetic products such as soaps, detergents, creams, lotions, and perfumes also commonly contain lavender as a fragrance component (especially the oil), and the oil is frequently found in insect repellents. In commercial food preparation, the flowers and more commonly the oil are used as a flavoring in beverages (both alcoholic and nonalcoholic), vinegars, baked goods, candy, gelatins, puddings, and frozen dairy desserts.

References

1 DerMarderosian A, Beutler JA. The Review of Natural Products: The Most Complete Source of Natural Product Information. 3rd ed. St Louis (MO): Facts and Comparisons; 2002.

2 Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A, Gruenwald J, Hall T, Riggins CW, Rister RS, editors. Klein S, Rister RS, translators. The Complete German Commission E Monographs&emdash;Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Austin (TX): American Botanical Council; Boston: Integrative Medicine Communication; 1998.

3 Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckmann J, editors. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Austin (TX): American Botanical Council; Newton (MA): Integrative Medicine Communications; 2000.

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

*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.

Kelp

What does it do? Kelp is a sea vegetable that is a concentrated source of minerals, including iodine, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and iron. KelpÑas a source of iodine assists in making thyroid hormones, which are necessary for maintaining normal metabolism in all cells of the body.

Where is it found? Kelp can be one of several brown-colored seaweed species called Laminaria.

In what conditions might kelp be supportive?

Â¥ iodine supplementation

Who is likely to be deficient? People who avoid sea vegetablesÑas well as dairy, seafood, processed food, and the salt shaker, can become deficient in iodine. Although rare in Western societies, iodine deficiency can cause low thyroid function, goiter, and cretinism.

How much should I take? Since the introduction of iodized salt, additional sources of iodine, such as kelp, are unnecessary. However, kelp can be consumed as a source of other minerals.

Are there any side effects or interactions? Extremely high intakes of kelp could provide too much iodine and interfere with normal thyroid function.

*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.

Juniper (Juniperus communis)

Parts used and where grown: Juniper, a type of evergreen tree, grows mainly in the plains regions of Europe as well as in other parts of the world. The medicinal portion of the plant are referred to as berries, but they are actually dark blue-black scales from the cones of the tree. Unlike other pine cones, the juniper cones are fleshy and soft.

In what conditions might juniper be supportive?

Â¥ edema (water retention)

Â¥ urinary tract infection

Historical or traditional use: Aside from being used as the flavoring agent in gin, juniper trees have contributed to the making of everything from soap to perfume.1 Medicinally, many conditions have been treated with juniper berries including gout, warts and skin growths, cancer, upset stomach, and various urinary tract and kidney diseases.

Active constituents: The volatile oils, particularly 4-terpineol, cause an increase in urine volume.2 Some evidence suggests it may lower uric acid levels, although further study is required to confirm this action. Although juniper lignans inhibit the herpes simplex virus in laboratory studies, treatment for human herpes infections by juniper has yet to be proven.3 Juniper contains bitter substances, at least partly accounting for its traditional use in digestive upset and related problems.

How much should I take? To make a tea, 250 ml (1 cup) of boiling water is added to 1 U.S. teaspoon (15 grams) of juniper berries and allowed to steep for twenty minutes in a tightly covered container. One cup can be drunk each morning and night. Juniper is often combined with other diuretic and antimicrobial herbs. As a capsule or tablet, 1-2 grams can be taken three times per day, or 1-2 ml of tincture can be taken three times per day.

Are there any side effects or interactions? Due to potential damage to the kidneys, juniper should never be taken for more than six weeks continuously. Anyone with serious kidney diseases or taking diuretic drugs should not take juniper. Application of the essential oil directly to skin can cause a rash. Pregnant women should avoid juniper, as it may cause uterine contractions.

References:

1. Duke JA. CRC Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1985, 256. 2. Tyler VE. Herbs of Choice: The Therapeutic Use of Phytomedicinals. Binghamton, NY: Pharmaceutical Products Press, 1994, 76-7. 3. Markkanen T, Markinen ML, Nikoskelainen J, et al. Antiherpetic agent from juniper tree (Juniperus communis), its purification, identification and testing in primary human amnion cell cultures. Drugs Exptl Clin Res 1981;7:691-7.

*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.

Jasmine

Jasmine (Jasminum officinale L.) in the Olive family (Oleaceae) is a deciduous twining vine with fragrant white flowers.

History and Traditional Use

J. officinale is native to the Himalayas, northern Iran, Afghanistan, and the Caucasus.1 The flower and the essential oil extracted from it have been used extensively in cosmetics and perfumery, and as a calmative (relaxing properties, sedative) and aphrodisiac (intensifies sexual desire).2 It has also been used to treat coughs and difficult breathing.3 When the leaves are boiled, an essential oil is obtained which has been used for irritations of the eye.4 In India, the root of jasmine is considered a valuable external application for ringworm. In China, the leaves are used as a blood-purifier, and it is also considered to be a powerful killer of parasitic intestinal worms, especially tapeworm. J. officinale var. grandiflorum (L.) Kobuski is used in China to treat hepatitis, pain caused by liver cirrhosis, and abdominal pain caused by dysentery.2

Modern Medicinal Use

Very little current research exists on the medicinal uses of jasmine. One study reported on the mind-stimulating effect of jasmine.5 Another study measured sleep quality, post-sleep mood and alertness, and cognitive performance of subjects who were exposed to jasmine fragrance.6 The subjects experienced greater sleep efficiency and less sleep movement, and upon awakening, were less anxious, performed cognitive tests more rapidly, and showed greater alertness in the afternoon hours. While more research is needed, these findings seem to indicate that jasmine fragrance could be used to improve sleep, alertness, and mental performance.

Modern Consumer Use

In skin care, jasmine is used in the treatment of dry, irritated, sensitive skin, and to prevent muscular spasms and sprains in muscles and joints.3 Jasmine is widely used in fragrance formulations, including creams, lotions, and perfumes. Jasmine absolute and the oil are used as flavor ingredients in most major food products including alcoholic (e.g. liqueurs) and soft drinks, and the dried flowers are used in Chinese jasmine tea.2

References

1 Bown D. The Herb Society of America New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses. London: DK Publishing; 2001.

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

3 Lawless J. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils: The Complete Guide to the Use of Oils in Aroma Therapy and Herbalism. Rockport (MA): Element Books; 1995.

4 Grieve M. A Modern Herbal. Volume 1. New York: Dover Publications, Inc; 1971.

5 Schnaubelt K. Medical Aromatherapy: Healing with Essential Oils. Berkeley (CA): Frog. Ltd.; 1999.

6 Raudenbush G, Koon J, Smith J, Zoladz P. Effects of odorant administration on objective and subjective measures of sleep quality, post-sleep mood and alertness, and cognitive performance. North American Journal of Psychology 2003;5(2):181-192.

*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.