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HERBAL COMBINATIONS
for COMMON ILLNESSES
Healing herbs are often used in combinations when
combatting an illness. Herbs are combined to give the benefits
needed from each, some to give a boost to others, some to boost the
body with healing energies. Below are some of the more popular
herbal combinations. The herbs can be taken singly for these
illnesses as well, although the suggested combinations are best.
Don't fret if you don't have all of the suggested herbs for any
given combination - use what you have, and add the rest as soon as
you can. These combinations can usually be in any form you choose -
teas, tinctures, capsules, etc. You will want to use equal parts of
each herb, or use more of the herb most needed, with equal parts of
the booster herbs.
Remember that in any herbal healing undertaken, diet is also very important. These combinations
are not meant to be used in the place of a doctor's advice. Also
realize that you should not take herbs continually over a long
period of time on a daily basis, as your body may build an immunity
to the herb itself, or you may experience side effects. The
exception to this would be when treating a chronic illness, but even
then, there should be time off for your body from the herbs on a
regular schedule. Herbs are medicine, and should always be
treated as such.
Often, when taking antibiotic herbs, or prescription antibiotics,
the natural bacteria in our digestive system is destroyed, making
digestion difficult (and sometimes causing constipation) for several
days to several weeks. To combat this, eat fresh real yogurt
daily (not the stuff with lots of sugar and flavors, and make sure
it has active cultures), or take acidophilus or probiotic capsules,
to restore the natural digestive bacteria. This can also help to
alleviate vaginal yeast infections in women.
When using an herb or herbal combination to combat an illness or
strengthen various systems in the body, it is best to start with a
small amount, and then wait a few hours to be sure you are not going
to have an adverse reaction, before continuing with the therapy.
Stop any ingestion of herbs at the first sign of any adverse
reaction.
This is of course not a complete list, this is only to
give you a general idea of what may be needed for common ailments.
My book has more information on additional illnesses, and there are
plenty of naturopathic doctors available, including myself, to
answer questions about other ailments. This listing is not meant to
diagnose, only to inform. Your body and medical history may dictate
that you need very different combinations from these to treat your
specific ailments.
ACNEHerbs Used: Evening Primrose Oil,
Raspberry Leaf, Nettle, Dandelion, Lemon Grass
Recipe for Acne
Help
Bring to a simmer in a non-metallic pan 2 quarts water, 3
tablespoons Witchhazel bark, 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon, 1
tablespoon ground cloves; let simmer for 5 minutes. Then add 1/2 cup
chopped fresh thyme, 1 cup fresh chopped peppermint leaves, and 1/2
cup fresh chopped marjoram. Simmer 5 more minutes, set aside until
cold. Mix 1/2 cup of the simmered mixture with 2 teaspoons cider
vinegar, 2 ounces grain alcohol(vodka is best), 4 drops lemon oil,
and enough water to make one pint. Apply with cotton to acne prone
areas after washing. A good aloe moisturizer afterwards is
recommended.
ALLERGIESHerbs used: Blessed Thistle,
Scullcap, Goldenseal, Cayenne, Marshmallow, Lobelia,
Burdock.
Other uses: Colds, Hay Fever, Upper respiratory
infections
ANEMIAHerbs Used: Red Beet, Yellow Dock,
Lobelia, Burdock, Nettle, Mullein
Other uses: Energy, Fatigue,
Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease
ARTERIOSCLEROSISHerbs Used: Cayenne, Garlic,
Hawthorne, Parsley
Other Uses: Blood Pressure, Heart
ARTHRITISHerbs Used: Yucca, Comfrey, Alfalfa,
Yarrow, Cayenne, Lobelia, Burdock, Chaparral, Black Cohosh, Cat's
Claw, Lemon Grass
Other uses: Bursitis, Rheumatism, Gout, Blood
Cleanser
CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROMEHerbs Used: For the
acute phase of CFS, a combination of echinacea, goldenseal, and
licorice. If this combination is needed for more than seven days,
add potassium-rich foods and/or herbs to your diet. For the chronic
phase, a combination of goldenseal, astragulus, licorice, ginseng,
and evening primrose oil. One month on, one month off is the
recommended usage frame.
Other Uses: The combination of herbs for
the chronic phase is being studied for the treatment of Multiple
Sclerosis.
COLDSHerbs used: Chamomile, Slippery Elm,
Cayenne, Goldenseal, Myrrh, Peppermint, Sage, Lemon Grass, Rose
Hips, Garlic
Other uses: Bronchitis, Ear infections, Fevers, Flu,
Tonsillitis
COLICHerbs Used: Alfalfa, Peppermint, Fennel,
Catnip
Other uses: Digestive disorders, Heartburn, Appetite
CONSTIPATIONHerbs Used: Aloe Vera, Slippery
Elm, Barberry
Other uses: Cleansing, Colon
COUGHSHerbs Used: Elecampane, Wild Cherry
Bark, Licorice, Comfrey Root, Lobelia
Other uses: Hay fever, Sore
throats
DRUG WITHDRAWALHerbs Used: Chamomile, Ginseng,
Licorice, Cayenne, Gotu Kola
Other uses: Endurance, Energy,
Memory
EARACHESHerbs Used: Oil of Mullein, Garlic
Oil, or Lobelia Extract drops directly into the ear.
ENERGYHerbs Used: Cayenne, Ginseng, Gotu
Kola
Also add: Bee pollen, bee propolis, royal jelly
Other
uses: Endurance, Fatigue, Memory
EYE PROBLEMSHerbs Used: Goldenseal, Bayberry,
Eyebright
Other uses: Eyewash, Allergies, Hay fever, Cataracts
FEMALE PROBLEMSHerbs Used: Black Cohosh,
Ginger, Raspberry Leaf, Blessed Thistle, Dong Quai
Other uses:
Hormonal balance, Vaginal problems, Uterine infections
FLUHerbs Used: Ginger, Cayenne, Goldenseal,
Licorice
Other uses: Nausea, Motion sickness
FRACTURESHerbs Used: Comfrey, Horsetail,
Alfalfa, Slippery Elm
Other uses: Fingernails, Hair, Joints,
Teeth
GALL BLADDER (TO CLEANSE)
Before bed, mix together the juice of 2 lemons, 4 ounces olive oil,
6 ounces Coke Classic; drink. Upon rising, take 10 ounces of
magnesium citrate (available in drug stores). Do not eat until you
have had your first bowel movement. Bowel movements will continue
sporadically for several hours, so do this on a day you are at home!
GUM DISEASEHerbs Used: Goldenseal, Myrrh
(both internally and as a mouthwash)
HEARTHerbs Used: Hawthorne, Cayenne,
Garlic
Other uses: Arteriosclerosis, Cholesterol, Circulation
HEARTBURNHerbs Used: Anise seed, Fennel seed,
Peppermint, Cinnamon, Lavendar
IMMUNE SUPPORTHerbs Used: pau d'arco(taheebo),
Echinacea, Burdock, Spirulina, Kelp, Cat's Claw
INFECTIONSHerbs Used: Echinacea, Goldenseal,
Cayenne, Myrrh
Other uses: Colds, Earaches, Fevers, Flu, Measles,
Mumps
INSECTS, REPELLINGFor repelling insects on
skin: Mix 1 teaspoon each of essential oils of pennyroyal,
citronella, eucalyptus, rosemary, and tansy. Shake oils in 1 cup of
vegetable or olive oil. Store away from light in a sealed container.
Use by rubbing a small amount between the palms of your hands, and
then apply to any exposed skin. Avoid applying to the face to
prevent eye contact. Reapply as necessary. Discontinue using if a
rash develops(some people are sensitive to pennyroyal oil. Test on a
small area first). Also safe for animal use. DO NOT INCLUDE THE
PENNYROYAL OIL IF PREGNANT OR NURSING!!
INSOMNIAHerbs Used: Valerian, Scullcap,
Hops
Other uses: Headaches, Stress, Hyperactivity
KIDNEYSHerbs Used: Juniper, Uva Ursi,
Marshmallow, Ginger, Goldenseal, Dandelion
Other uses: Bladder,
Urinary problems
LIVERHerbs Used: Dandelion, Parsley,
Horsetail, Blessed (or Milk) Thistle, Chamomile, Lobelia, Wild Yam,
Ginger, Sassafras, Kelp
Other uses: Cleansing, Kidneys, Spleen,
Gall Bladder
LUNGSHerbs Used: Comfrey, Fenugreek,
Marshmallow, Mullein, Chickweed
Other uses: Asthma, Bronchitis,
Coughs, Hay Fever, Pneumonia
MEMORYHerbs Used: Gingko Biloba, Gotu Kola,
Ginseng
Other Uses: Energy, Circulation, Tinnitus
MENOPAUSE
Herbs Used: Black Cohosh, Licorice, False
Unicorn, Ginseng, Squaw Vine, Blessed Thistle
Other uses: Hormone
imbalance, Menstrual problems, Hot flashes, Uterine problems
MENSTRUAL CRAMPSHerbs Used: Cramp Bark, Ginger
root, Raspberry Leaf, Yellow Dock, Vitex, Wild Yam
MIGRAINESHerbs Used: Fenugreek, Thyme,
Lobelia, Wood Betony, Feverfew
Other uses: Fever, Flu, Headache
MORNING SICKNESSHerbs Used: Wild Yam,
Dandelion, Ginger, Vitex
NERVESHerbs Used: Black Cohosh, Cayenne,
Valerian, Ginger, St. Johnswort, Hops, Wood Betony
Other uses:
Headaches, Anxiety, Stress
POISON IVY/OAKHerbs Used: Burdock, Mullein,
Yellow Dock (bathing in a peppermint tea bath will relieve the
itching as well as aid in drying up the oak/ivy)
Other uses,
Itching, Insect Bites
PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROMEHerbs Used: Evening
Primrose Oil, Dong Quai, Vitex
Other uses: Menstrual regulation,
Painful breasts
PROSTATEHerbs Used: Black Cohosh,
Licorice, Kelp, Gotu Kola, Ginger, Cayenne, Juniper, Uva Ursi,
Taheebo, Saw Palmetto, Cat's Claw
Other uses: Bladder, Liver,
Spleen
REDUCING WEIGHTHerbs Used: Chickweed,
Licorice, Safflower, Echinacea, Black Walnut, Hawthorn, Papaya,
Fennel, Dandelion
Other uses: Energy, Cleanser
SEXUAL DESIRE
Stimulant:Damiana, Ginseng, Saw Palmetto, Gotu Kola
Depressant:Hops, Scullcap, Valerian
SKINHerbs Used: Horsetail, Sage,
Rosemary
Other uses: Hair, Nails
SORE THROATHerbs Used: Marshamallow,
Fenugreek
Alternate: Cayenne, Ginger mixed with honey and lemon
STOP SMOKINGHerbs Used: Hops, Scullcap,
Slippery Elm, Valerian, Lobelia
Other uses: Cough, Nerves, Stress
THYROIDHerbs Used: Irish Moss, Kelp, Parsley,
Black Walnut, Sarsparilla
Other uses: Fatigue, Glands, Lymphatic
System
TUMORSHerbs Used: Chaparral, Red Clover,
Taheebo (Pau d'arco)
Other uses: Cleansing, Blood Disorders
ULCERSHerbs Used: Cayenne, Goldenseal, Myrrh,
Marshmallow, Calendula
Other uses: Indigestion, Heartburn
YEAST INFECTIONHerbs Used: Cayenne, Garlic,
White Oak Bark, Marshmallow, Mullein (all mixed together and used as
a bolus)
Other uses: Leuchorea,
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