Turmeric (Curcuma longa)

Fast facts: aids digestion, relieves arthritis, treats dysentery, protects the liver, combats heart disease, wards off ulcers, prevents certain cancers.

Most Americans are only vaguely aware of turmeric as an ingredient in Indian curry. We certainly don’t think of it as a healing herb. Indians do, however.

A great deal of scientific research — almost all of it Indian — shows that turmeric aids digestion, prevents ulcers, protects the liver, helps prevent heart disease and may one day be used to treat cancer.

A relative of ginger, turmeric has held a place of honor in India’s traditional Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. It was used as a digestive aid and treatment for fever, wounds, infections, dysentery, arthritis, jaundice and other liver problems. The Chinese adopted turmeric and used it similarly.

“Turmeric stimulates the flow of bile,” says Pi-Kwang Tsung, Ph.D., former assistant professor of pathology at the University of Connecticut Medical School in Farmington and currently editor of The East-West Medical Digest. “This means it helps digest fats, confirming its traditional use as a digestive herb.”

“Turmeric has strong liver-protective properties,” agrees Bernie Olin, Pharm.D., editor of The Lawrence Review of Natural Products, a St. Louis-based newsletter that summarizes scientific research on medicinal herbs. If you drink alcohol regularly and/or take high doses of many pharmaceutical drugs — including the common pain reliever acetaminophen (Tylenol) — medical researchers say you may be at risk for liver damage. Using turmeric may offer a degree of protection.

The latest studies show that turmeric also protects the stomach lining and helps prevent ulcers, says Alan R. Gaby, M.D., a Baltimore physician who practices nutritional and natural medicine and is president of the American Holistic Medical Association.”Turmeric’s anti-ulcer effect should be cause for celebration among curry lovers with Type-A personalities, like myself.”

And several studies show that curcumin, an active chemicalin turmeric, has anti-inflammatory action, lending credence to the herb’s traditional use in treating arthritis.

“Turmeric’s anti-ulcer effect should be cause for celebration among curry lovers with Type-A personalities, like myself.” And several studies show that curcumin, an active chemical in turmeric, has anti-inflammatory action, lending credence to the herb’s traditional use in treating arthritis.

Like most culinary herbs, turmeric helps retard food spoilage because it has antibacterial action. In laboratory tests, turmeric also fights protozoa-microbes that cause a multitude of human ills. These tests lend credence to the herb’s traditional use in treating dysentery, which is caused by this type of microorganism.

Powerful protection Several medical studies now suggest that turmeric may also help prevent heart disease by lowering cholesterol and preventing the formation of the internal blood clots that trigger heart attack (and many strokes). These findings come from studies done with laboratory animals and cannot necessarily be applied to people. But turmeric is a tasty spice that does no harm, and these studies suggest it might do some real good.

After a while, you begin to wonder if there’s anything turmeric can’t do. Sure enough, it even has potential as a cancer fighter. Several studies on laboratory animals show that curcumin has anti-cancer activity, probably because it is a powerful antioxidant. (Antioxidants are substances that counteract naturally occurring toxic substances called free radicals.)

Evidence from a recent study, a human trial in smokers, makes this herb look even more beneficial. Smokers’ urine contains substances (mutagens) that cause genetic mutation. Mutagens are often carcinogens, or cancer causers. Indian researchers added 1.5 grams of turmeric a day (about a teaspoon) to the diet of 16 smokers for a month. The result was a significant reduction in urinary mutagens.

Giving turmeric a try Since Indian research shows that even a teaspoon of turmeric has medicinal value, it makes a lot of sense to enjoy turmeric as the Indians do — as a seasoning in foods.

Turmeric tastes pleasant, but in large amounts it becomes somewhat bitter. If you’d prefer to make a medicinal drink to aid digestion and possibly help prevent heart disease, use one teaspoon of turmeric powder per cup of warm milk. Drink up to three cups a day. Unusually large amounts of turmeric may cause stomach upset. If you find the drink doesn’t agree with you, discontinue use.

Ulcers, arthritis, liver disease, heart disease and cancer all require professional treatment. If you’d like to use turmeric in addition to standard therapies, discuss it with your doctor. Medicinal turmeric preparations should not be given to children under 2. For older children and people over 65, start with low-strength preparations and increase strength if necessary.

*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.

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) in the mint family (Lamiaceae) is an evergreen subshrub native to the Mediterranean and cultivated throughout Europe and the United States.1 It grows to 1 1Ž2 feet in height, has gray-green, hairy stems, and small white to lavender flowers. Thyme oil is produced by steam distillation of the dried or partially dried leaves and flowering tops.1

History and Traditional Use

In classical Rome, thyme was added to cheeses and alcoholic beverages for its aromatic flavor.2 The name thyme may have come from the Greek word meaning courage; thyme was thought to possess courage and strength and women often gave a sprig of thyme to their favorite knight.3 Seventh century herbalist Nicholas Culpepper notes that thyme was useful for whooping cough, shortness of breath, stomach pains, and gout.2 He also suggested that a thyme ointment could be used to abolish abscesses and warts. Thyme oil was an ingredient in an herbal cigarette which was smoked to relieve an upset stomach, headache, or fatigue.2 Thyme essence was used in perfumes and embalming oils.3 Both fresh and dried thyme was used to destroy intestinal worms, to prevent spasms, to relieve intestinal gas, and as an expectorant and sedative.1

Modern Medicinal Use

Thyme is approved by the German Commission E for symptoms of bronchitis and whooping cough, and for the treatment of upper respiratory tract inflammations.4 It has also been used to improve digestion5 and to treat stomatitis (an inflammation of the mouth) and bad breath.6 Thyme oil has been used for the treatment of bedwetting in children.7

Modern Consumer Use

Thyme is a commonly used culinary herb. Thyme oil is used in antiseptic mouthwashes, cough drops and liniments, either for its flavor or its healing properties.1 Thymol, one of the primary active chemical constituents of thyme is used similarly, as well as in dental formulas and antifungal preparations for the skin. Thyme oil is used in creams, detergents, lotions, perfumes, soaps and toothpastes. Thyme is used in many food products, including baked goods, condiments, processed vegetables, and soups.1

References

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

2 Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckmann J, editors. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Austin, TX: American Botanical Council; Boston: Integrative Medicine Communications; 2000.

3 Grieve M. A Modern Herbal. New York: Dover Publications; 1979.

4 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 Monographs3Ž4Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Austin, TX: American Botanical Council; Boston: Integrative Medicine Communication; 1998.

5 Stecher PG, ed. The Merck Index: An Encyclopedia of Chemicals and Drugs, 8nd ed. Rahway, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc; 1968. Cited in Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckmann J, editors. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Austin, TX: American Botanical Council; Boston: Integrative Medicine Communications; 2000.

6 ESCOP. “Thymi herba.” Monographs on the Medicinal Uses of Plant Drugs. Exeter, UK: European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy; 1997. Cited in Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckmann J, editors. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Austin, TX: American Botanical Council; Boston: Integrative Medicine Communications; 2000.

7 Barnes J, Anderson LA, Phillipson JD. Herbal Medicines. 2nd ed. London: Pharmaceutical Press; 2002.

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.