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| For optimum results combine herbs with common-sense health habits, including exercise and proper nutrition. |
| Herb | Traditional Uses | Modern Uses/Indications | Recommended Dosage |
| Black cohosh
(Cimicifuga racemosa) | rheumatism, snakebites, menstrual cramps, muscle soreness | rheumatism; symptoms of menopause, especially hot flashes | 1 capsule standardized extract 2x daily;
10-40 drops tincture 2-3x daily |
| Cranberry
(Vaccinium macrocarpon) | externally on wounds; urinary tract infections | bladder infection, incontinence | 2-4 capsules standardized extract daily;
1 cup unsweetened juice 1-2x daily |
| Echinacea
(Echinacea spp.) | snakebites, toothaches, sore throat, infections | colds, flu, urinary tract infections, gum problems | 2-3 droppersful tincture 2-3x daily;
1 cup tea 3-4x daily |
| Elder
(Sambucus spp.) | colds, flu, fever | colds, flu, fever | 2-3 cups tea 3x daily;
2 droppersful tincture 2x daily |
| Garlic
(Allium sativum) | colds, bronchitis, dysentery, earaches | colds, flu, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, parasites | 2-4 perles daily; 2-3 minced cloves daily with meals |
| Ginger
(Zingiber officinale) | arthritis, digestive problems, colds, coughs | nausea, motion sickness, morning sickness, poor blood circulation, colds | 1 cup tea 2-3x daily; 2-4 droppersful
tincture or 2 capsules powder 2-3x daily |
| Ginkgo
(Ginkgo biloba) | spermatorrhea, incontinence | Alzheimer's disease, tinnitus, macular degeneration, improvement of blood circulation, memory | 1 capsule standardized extract 2-3x daily;
1 dropperful tincture 2-3x daily |
| Ginseng
(Panax ginseng) | general weakness, convalescence, to increase longevity; sexual tonic | fatigue, convalescence, weak digestion, recurring infections | 1-3 droppersful tincture or
1-2 capsules standardized extract 2-3x daily |
| Green tea
(Camellia sinensis) | externally for sunburn and inflamed eyes; to increase longevity | antioxidant; heart disease, ulcers, cancer, plaque formation | 1 cup tea 2-3x daily;
1-2 capsules standardized extract daily |
| Hawthorn
(Crataegus laevigata) | heart disease, digestive upsets, weak digestion, diarrhea | heart palpitations, atherosclerosis, hypertension, weak heart, angina | 1-2 tablets or capsules standardized extract 2-3x daily |
| Kava
(Piper methysticum) | urinary tract disorders, rheumatism, toothache, nervousness | tension, nervousness, insomnia, tight muscles, anxiety | 1-2 tablets standardized extract
or 2-4 droppersful tincture 2-3x daily |
| Licorice
(Glycyrrhiza glabra) | sore throat, coughs, weak digestion, diarrhea, upset stomach | inflammatory conditions, viruses, digestive weakness, coughs, chronic fatigue syndrome | 1 cup tea or 1-2 droppersful tincture
2-3x daily; 1-2 capsules of deglycyrrhinated licorice (DGL), twice daily |
| Milk thistle
(Silybum marianum) | poor digestion, gallstones, jaundice, liver disorders | hepatitis C and other forms of hepatitis, cirrhosis, jaundice; liver protection for tipplers or drug users | 2-4 droppersful tincture or
1-2 capsules standardized extract 2-3x daily |
| Psyllium
(Plantago spp.) | amoebic dysentery, diarrhea,
constipation | constipation, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, high cholesterol | 1-2 teaspoons in 1 cup warm water 1-2x daily |
| Reishi
(Ganoderma lucidum) | chronic hepatitis, hypertension, nerve weakness, bronchitis | anxiety, insomnia, weakened immunity, insomnia, chronic fatigue syndrome | 1 cup tea or 2-3 tablets standardized
extract 2-3x daily with meals |
| St. John's wort
(Hypericum perforatum) | bruises, spinal injury, shock, headache | depression, insomnia, injuries involving nerve trauma, bedwetting in children | 4 droppersful tincture in the a.m. and
3 in the p.m. or 2 capsules standardized extract in the a.m. and 1 in the p.m. |
| Saw palmetto
(Serenoa repens) | urinary tract disorders, bronchitis; aphrodisiac | benign prostatic hypertrophy, weakness of genital or urinary organs | 2 tablets standardized extract
(look for solvent-free on label ) 2x daily |
| Siberian ginseng
(Eleutherococcus senticosus) | respiratory tract disorders; to increase stamina, energy | stress, exhaustion, blood sugar swings, jet lag | 40 drops tincture or
2 tablets standardized extract 2x daily |
| Valerian
(Valeriana officinalis) | menstrual cramps, nausea, insomnia, anxiety | anxiety, insomnia, nervousness, menstrual cramps | 40 drops tincture or 1 cup tea 3-4x daily |
| Vitex
(Vitex agnus-castus) | menstrual disorders, to increase mother's milk; aphrodisiac | premenstrual syndrome, menopause, insufficient flow of mother's milk | 1-2 droppersful tincture in the a.m. or 2-4 capsules standardized extract 2x daily |
| If you are pregnant, nursing, taking pharmaceuticals or have other health considerations, consult your health care pratitioner before taking any herbs. |
