Category: Herbs

What is damiana ?

Damiana comes from the leaves of Turnera diffusa, a shrub found in Mexico, South America, and the southwestern United States. Some herbalists believe damiana can “improve the sexual ability of the enfeebled and aged.” The herb has an aromatic scent and a pleasing taste.

Common doses of damiana

Damiana is available as a tincture, capsule, powder, or tea. Some experts recommend the following doses:

• As a tincture, up to 2.5 milliliters taken orally three times a daily.
• As a powdered herb, 18 grams in a 500-milliliter decoction, taken as a tea three times a day.

Why people use damiana herb

• As an aphrodisiac
• Constipation
• Fluid retention
• To induce euphoria and relaxation

Side effects of damiana

Call your health care practitioner if you experience hallucinations when using damiana. Damiana also can cause irritation of the urethra, which might explain why some people believe the herb has aphrodisiac effects. Taking excessive amounts may result in liver injury.

Interactions

Combining herbs with certain drugs may alter their action or produce unwanted side effects. Tell your health care practitioner about any prescription or nonprescription drugs you’re taking.

Important points to remember

• Don’t use damiana if you’re pregnant or breast-feeding.
• Avoid hazardous activities, such as driving, until you kmow how this herb affects you.

What the research shows

Although some herbalists believe damiana has aphrodisiac and hallucinogenic effects, no evidence supports these claims. A detailed review of damiana’s history indicates such claims stem from a hoax.

Other names for damiana : –

Other names for damiana include herba de la pastora, Mexican damiana, old woman’s broom, and rosemary.

Products containing damiana are sold under such names as Damiania and Damiana Root.

Useful References

• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S037887410800500X
• https://www.researchgate.net/publication/49778311

What is daisy ?

The Iroquois Indians used the daisy to aid digestion. Several chemical compounds come from the fresh or dried flowers and leaves of Bellis perennis, a common perennial herb.

Common doses of Daisy

Daisy comes as a dried herb and a tincture. Some experts recommend the following doses:

• As a tincture, 2 to 4 milliliters taken three times daily.
• As an infusion, 1 teaspoon of dried herb steeped in boiling water for 10 minutes, taken three times daily.

Why people use daisy herb

• Arthritis
• As an expectorant
• Bruises
• Cough
• Diarrhea
• Kidney disorders
• Liver disorders
• Muscle spasms
• Nasal inflammation
• Pain
• Rheumatism
• Skin disorders
• To aid digestion
• To “purify” the blood
• Wounds

Side effects of daisy

Call your health care practitioner if you experience unusual symptoms when using daisy for medicinal purposes.

Interactions

Combining herbs with certain drugs may alter their action or produce unwanted side effects. Tell your health care practitioner about any prescription or nonprescription drugs you’re taking.

Important points to remember

• Don’t use daisy medicinally if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Although daisies have been eaten in some parts of the world, their effects haven’t been documented. Use caution when ingesting.

What the research shows

Although the daisy has a long history of safety, this history is based on verbal reports, not clinical data. The herb’s chemical components haven’t been thoroughly evaluated.

Other names for daisy : –

Other names for daisy include bairnwort, bruisewort, common daisy, and day’s eye.

No known products containing daisy are available commercially.

What is Daffodil ?

Traditionally, preparations made from boiled daffodil bulbs were used to induce vomiting. Today, some people use daffodil in the form of powdered flowers or extract from Narcissus pseudonarcissus, In the Narcissus family (Amaryllidaceae). These plants are common in Europe and the United States.

Common doses of daffodil

Daffodil comes as powdered flowers and extract. Some experts recommend the following dose:

• To induce vomiting, 20 grains to 2 drams of powdered flowers or 2 to 3 grains of extract taken orally.

Why people use daffodil herb

• Burns
• Joint pain
• Muscle strain
• Respiratory congestion
• To induce vomiting
• wounds

Side effects of daffodil

Call your health care practitioner if you experience any of these possible side effects of daffodil:

• excessive salivation
• nausea
• skin irritation
• unusually small pupils
• vomiting.

Daffodil also can cause:

• collapse of the respiratory system, heart, and blood vessels
• death (by paralyzing the central nervous system).

Interactions

Combining herbs with certain drugs may alter their action or produce unwanted side effects. Tell your health care practitioner about any prescription or nonprescription drugs you’re taking.

Important points to remember

• Avoid this herb if you’re pregnant or breast-feeding.
• Don’t consume any part of the daffodil plant. The flowers and bulbs are poisonous, and ingesting even small quantities can lead to rapid death. Accidental poisoning by daffodil bulbs has been reported in the United States, Britain, Switzerland, Germany, Finland, Sweden, and the Netherlands.
• Keep plant parts out of reach of children and pets.

What the research shows

In studies, a substance derived from daffodil inhibited HIV and cytomegalovirus infections. This leads scientists to believe the herb has potential for biochemical research and may contribute to the development of new laboratory tests for these viruses.

However, little evidence supports medicinal uses of daffodil. Therapeutic claims aren’t based on controlled studies in people. What’s more, daffodil plants are toxic and must not be taken internally.

Other names for daffodil : –

Other names for daffodil include daffydown-dilly, fleur de coucou, Lent lily, Narcissus, and porillon.

No known products containing daffodil are available commercially.

Useful References

• http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-5721
• https://www.gardenherbs.org/simples/daffodil.htm

What is cinnamon?

A popular spice used In cooking, cinnamon also Is found In small amounts In many toothpastes, mouthwashes, gargles, lotions, liniments, soaps, detergents, and other products. Active components come from the dried bark, leaves, and twigs of various species of Cinnamomum-Ceylon cinnamon (C. zeylandicum, Saigon cinnamon (C.lourerii, and others. C. zeylanlum grows in Sri Lanka, southeastern India, Indonesia, South America, and the West Indies. The essential oils are removed by steam-distilling the dried bark and leaves.

Common doses of cinnamon

Cinnamon comes as dried bark, dried leaves, powder, and cinnamon oil. Experts disagree on what dose to take.

Why people use cinnamon herb

• Abdominal pain
• Chest pain
• Common cold
• Diarrhea
• Fungal infection
• Gynecologic disorders
• High blood pressure
• Kidney problem
• Pain

Side effects of cinnamon

Call your health care practitioner if you experience any of these possible side effects of cinnamon:

• allergic reactions, including skin irritation, second degree burns, fast breathing, increased perspiration, and unusual excitement followed by drowsiness.
• facial flushing
• gingivitis (gum inflammation)
• inflamed, cracked lips
• inflammation in or around the mouth
• fast pulse
• shortness of breath
• tongue inflammation

Cinnamon also can cause increased intestinal activity.

Interactions

Combining herbs with certain drugs may alter their action or produce unwanted side effects. Tell your health care practitioner about any prescription or nonprescription drugs you’re taking.

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Important points to remember

• If you’re pregnant or breast-feeding, don’t use cinnamon in amounts greater than those normally found in foods.
• Be aware that cinnamon and its components can cause allergic reactions, such as skin irritation (including second-degree bums) and mucous membrane reactions.
• Know that some children use cinnamon products as recreational drugs.

What the research shows

Few studies have evaluated claims for cinnamon’s proposed uses. More research must be done to determine whether it’s safe and effective. In the meantime, medical experts caution against using cinnamon except as a spice.

Other names for cinnamon : –

Other names for cinnamon include Bataviacassia, Chinese cinnamon, Padang cassia, Panang cinnamon and Saigon cassia.

Various manufacturers produce cinnamon for use as a spice.

Useful References

• https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11418-009-0326-8
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16190627
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4003790/

What is chicory?

Some people use chicory as a coffee substitute because of the herb’s coffee like flavor and aroma. Unlike coffee, it may have a sedative effect. In fact, some people add it to coffee to offset the stimulation caused by caffeine.

Active chicory components come from the dried roots of Cichorium intybus, a European biennial or perennial herb. Some people use the leaves of young plants­as potherbs, blanching older plants leaves and eating them like celery. The roots can be boiled and eaten with butter. More commonly, they’re roasted and added to coffee or tea for a bitter taste. The roasted, dried root serves as a coffee substitute.

Common doses of chicory

Chicory comes as the crude herb, root (roasted and unroasted), and extracts. Some experts recommend the following dose:

• As the crude herb, 3 grams taken orally daily.

Why people use chicory herb

• As a coffee or tee additive.
• As a coffee substitute
• Constipation
• Fluid retention.

Side effects of chicory

Call your health care practitioner if you experience skin irritation when using chicory.

Interactions

Combining herbs with certain drugs may alter their action or produce unwanted side effects. Tell your health care practitioner about any prescription or nonprescription drugs you’re taking.

Important points to remember

• Use chicory with caution or avoid it entirely if you have heart disease. The herb may act on the heart

What the research shows

Claims that chicory combats the stimulant effects of coffee and tea remain unproven. The herb may have some use in treating irregular heartbeats, but more research is needed. Chicory’s laxative properties also remain unproven. Medical experts advise against using chicory until studies are completed.

Other names for chicory : –

Other names for chicory include blue sailors, garden endive, succory, and wild succory.

A product containing chicory is sold as Chicory.

Useful References

• https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/archives/parsons/vegetables/endive.html
• https://academic.oup.com/jn/article/137/11/2493S/4664495
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25807561

What is chaulmoogra oil ?

Modern leprosy drugs wouldn’t exist without chaulmoogra oil, which comes from the seeds of Hydnocarpus wightiana, H. anthelmintica, and Taraktogenos kurzii. This herb was discovered in the 1920s by Joseph Rock, a botanist who’d heard that a certain plant he’d never seen could cure leprosy. While searching for the plant throughout the Far East and India, he obtained some seeds in an Indian market. Rock learned that they came from a tall local tree with leathery leaves and white flowers. He collected the seeds and naturalized the plant In Hawaii. About 20 years later, active components from the seeds provided the basic materials for the first leprosy drugs.

Common doses of chaulmoogra oil

Chaulmoogra oil is available as a topical oil. Some people inject a salt form of the oil under the skin. Experts disagree on what dose to take.

Why people use chaulmoogra oil

• Leprosy.

Side effects of chaulmoogra oil

Call your health care practitioner if you experience stomach irritation after injecting chaulmoogra oil under the skin. Also be aware that such injections may cause calcium deposits to form under the skin.

Interactions

Combining herbs with certain drugs may alter their action or produce unwanted side effects. Tell your health care practitioner about any prescription or nonprescription drugs you’re taking.

Important points to remember

• Don’t use this herb if you’re pregnant or breast-feeding.
• If you suspect you may have leprosy, seek medical advice from a health care practitioner who has experience in leprosy treatment. He or she may recommend more conventional treatment.
• Don’t try to self-inject this herb except under close supervision of a health care practitioner who has experience in leprosy treatment.

What the research shows

Medical experts caution people not to use chaUlmoogra oil because safer leprosy treatments exist. The herb’s role in treating leprosy and other disorders hasn’t been determined.

Other names for chaulmoogra oil : –

Other names for chaulmoogra oil include chaulmogra oil, gynocardia oil, and hyilll carpus oil.

No known products containing chaulmoogra oil are commercially available.

Useful References

• https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-621/chaulmoogra

What is chaste tree?

According to legend, monks chewed chaste-tree leaves to help them maintain their celibacy vows. The herb comes from the dried, ripened fruits and root bark of Vitex agnus-castus. A German formulation of chaste tree is used for certain menstrual disorders, premenstrual syndrome, breast pain, Inadequate lactation, and menopause symptoms

Common doses of chaste tree

Chaste tree is available as capsules, tinctures, and teas. A German study used a dose of a 20 milligram capsule taken orally twice a day.

Why people use chaste tree

• Acne
• Inadequate lactation
• Ovarian insufficiency
• Uterine bleeding

Side effects of chaste tree

Call your health care practitioner if you experience any of these possible side effects of chaste tree:

• abdominal pain
• increased menstrual flow
• cramping
• itching
• diarrhea
• rash.
• headache

Interactions

Combining herbs with certain drugs may alter their action or produce unwanted side effects. Tell your health care practitioner about any prescription or nonprescription drugs you’re taking.

Important points to remember

• Avoid this herb if you’re pregnant or breast-feeding or if you’re trying to get pregnant
• Be aware that most information on chaste tree comes from foreign studies whose results are hard to interpret.

What the research shows

A German study showed that chaste tree had value in treating women with certain reproductive hormone imbalances. However, another report argued against using this herb in women with multiple follicular development because of the alterations in hormone levels that resulted.

Medical experts believe the herb may be worth Investigating in disorders specific to women but don’t yet have enough data on it’s long-term safely and effectiveness to recommend it.

Other names for chaste tree : –

Other names for chaste tree include agneau chaste, chasteberry, gatillier, hemp tree, kcuschbaum, and monk’s pepper.

No known products containing chaste tree are commercially available.

Useful References

• https://mediherb.com/media/797310/chaste-tree-pds.pdf
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10787228?dopt=Abstract
• https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/hn-2181002

What is chaparral?

Native Americans traditionally used chaparral for medicinal purposes. The herb’s active components come from the leaves of Larrea tridentata or L. divaricata, a desert-dwelling evergreen shrub native to the southwestern United States and Mexico.
From the late 1950s to the 1970s, some people drank chaparral tea to fight cancer. In 1970, the Food and Drug Administration removed the herb from its “generally recognized as safe” list.

Common doses of chaparral

Chaparral comes as tablets, capsules, and teas. Experts disagree on what dose to take. For daily consumption, some recommend the tea.

Why people use chaparral herb

• Bronchitis
• Common cold
• Pain
• Skin disorders

Side effects of chaparral

Call your health care practitioner if you experience skin irritation when using chaparral.

Chaparral can also cause kidney cancer, kidney cysts, and liver damage.

Interactions

Combining herbs with certain drugs may alter their action or produce unwanted side effects. Tell your health care practitioner about any prescription or nonprescription drugs you’re taking.

Important points to remember

• Know that this herb can cause serious liver damage. The damage usually resolves once the person stops using chaparral. However, some people have experienced severe irreversible liver damage and acute liver failure and required liver transplants. Call your health care practitioner promptly if you experience possible symptoms of liver damage, such as jaundice and fatigue

What the research shows

Studies investigating chaparral’s active component in treating cancer, AIDS, and Alzheimer’s disease have shown conflicting results. Further research is needed. In the meantime, medical experts don’t recommend this herb because it has been linked to liver damage

Other names for chaparral : –

Other names for chaparral include creosote bush, greasewood, and Hediondilla.

No known products containing chaparral are commercially available.

Useful References

• https://livertox.nih.gov/Chaparral.htm

What is chamomile?

Chamomile comes in several varieties. The German or Hungarian version, called Matricaria recutila (M. chamomllla), is known as “true” chamomile. Roman or English chamomile comes from Chamaemelum nobile (Anthemis nobile).

Common doses of chamomile

Chamomile comes as capsules (354 and 360 milligrams), a liquid, and a tea. It’s also found in many cosmetic products. Most experts recommend the following dose:

• As a tea, add 1 tablespoon of the flower head to hot water for 10 to 15 minutes, and take up to four times a day.

Why people use chamomile herb

• Eczema
• Eye irritation
• Hemorrhoids
• Insomnia
• Menstrual disorders
• Migraine
• Skin blisters
• Stomach disorders
• Throat discomfort
• To clean the skin

Side effects of chamomile

Call your health care practitioner if you experience any of these possible side effects of chamomile:

• allergic conjunctivitis (eye inflammation)
• skin irritation
• severe allergic reaction (chest tightness, wheezing, hives, itching, and rash)
• vomiting.

Interactions

Combining herbs with certain drugs may alter their action or produce unwanted side effects. Tell your health care practitioner about any prescription or nonprescription drugs you’re taking, especially:

• blood thinners such as Coumadin (don’t use chamomile when taking these drugs).
• any other drugs, because chamomile may make them less effective.

Important points to remember

• Don’t use chamomile if you’re pregnant or breast-feeding because the herb may trigger miscarriage. Also, be aware that some chamomile components have caused dam age to animal embryos and fetuses.
• Use chamomile cautiously if you’re allergic to components of the herb’s volatile oil or if you have a history of skin irritation.
• Avoid chamomile if you have a history of asthma or allergic dermatitis.
• Be aware that long-term consumption of chamomile tea may have a cumulative therapeutic effect

What the research shows

Researchers found that oral chamomile induced a deep sleep in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization. Scientists don’t have enough information to verify claims that chamomile eases muscle spasms and inflammation and is effective in treating digestive disorders.

Other names for chamomile : –

Other names for chamomile include common chamomile, English chamomile, German chamomile, Hungarian chamomile, Roman chamomile, sweet false chamomile, true chamomile, and wild chamomile.

Products containing chamomile are sold under such names as Chamomile Flowers, Chamomile Tea, Chamomile Organic, Chamomilla, and Classic Chamomile.

Useful References

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2995283/
• https://nccih.nih.gov/health/chamomile/ataglance.htm

What is centaury?

Herbalists claims for centaury stem from its traditional use as a bitter tonic to stimulate the appetite. Active components are extracted from the leaves, stems, and flowers of Centaurium erythraea, C. umbellatum, and C. minus. These annual or biennial herbs belong to the Gentian family (Gentianaceae). Vermouth and soma nonalcoholic beverages contain trace amounts of centaury.

Common doses of centaury

Centaury is available as the crude herb. For most uses, experts recommend the following dose:

• 2 to 4 milliliters of a liquid extract (1:1 in 25% alcohol) or infusion taken three times a day.

Some German experts suggest I to 2 grams of the crude herb daily.

Why people use centaury herb

• As an astringent in cosmetics
• Kidney stones

Side effects of centaury

Call your health care practitioner if you experience unusual symptoms when using centaury.

Interactions

Combining herbs with certain drugs may alter their action or produce unwanted side effects. Tell your health care practitioner about any prescription or nonprescription drugs you’re taking.

Important points to remember

• Avoid centaury if you’re pregnant or breast-feeding.
• Be aware that medical experts know little about this herb’s effectiveness.
• Avoid chronic centaury use because long-term effects aren’t known.
• Know that some people refer to C. erythraea as Erythraea centaurium.

What the research shows

Medical experts caution against using centaury for any medical condition because they know nothing about its safety or effectiveness. No information from human clinical trials is available.

Other names for centaury : –

Other names for centaury include bitter herb, Centaurea, common centaury, European centaury, lesser centaury, and minor centaury.

No known products containing centaury are available commercially.

Useful References

• https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=CEER5
• https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-399/centaury