Owl of Minerva Herbal Advisory
HERBS J - L
Created thousands of years ago by our herbal ancestors who originally crafted extracts by batching plant material with water; liquid herbal extracts have found an almost permanent place to call home within our cupboards. Among the advantages of herbal extracts are their ability to preserve the active constituents, ease of use and their long shelf life. From here we can effortlessly and conveniently add herbal extracts to our water, tea, juice, or they can be taken directly. This is a great way to administer the healing power of plants to our seemingly excited and aggravated lives.
Lady's Mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris)
Introduction
A popular medieval herb, used for gynaeological problems, menopause and wounds. Works well with gastroenteritis. It has astringent properties which are useful for mouthwashes, and laryngitis.
History: It has been referenced in many medicinal and magical circles since the middle ages. Its first appearance in a botanical tome was in Jerome Bock's "History of Plants" in 1532. Its scientific name Alchemilla is a derivative of the Arab work Alkemelych, or alchemy, so called for the plant's magical healing potency. Folklore concerning Lady's Mantle seems to focus on the dew that is gathered on the leaves at the center of its furrowed leaves, which is said to be a key ingredient in several alchemical formulas. The dew was also said to be collected and used as a beauty lotion. Lady's Mantle was first associated with the worship of the Earth Mother, but as Christianity spread, and like many pagan symbols before it, it was absorbed and eventually became associated with the Virgin Mary. Although its leaves bear a striking resemblance to cilantro, lady's mantle is in the rose family. Constituents: Tannins and flavonoids, chiefly quercetin.
Parts Used: The above-ground parts of the plant, dried.
Summary: The most common use of lady's mantle in ancient times was to treat sudden infections of the mouth and throat. Cuts, scrapes, and burns were bathed in warm teas of lady's mantle to prevent infection. Lady's mantle tea has also been used to treat heavy menstruation, menstrual cramps, and disagreeable symptoms of menopause. Some modern herbalists recommend lady's mantle as a treatment for diabetes; it may help prevent circulatory problems in diabetics. It has also been used as a green dye for wool for centuries.
Constituents: Tannin, bitter principle, traces of essential oil, salicylic acid.
Precautions: None.
Dose: 1-3 ml 3 x daily.
Lavendar (Lavendula angustifolia)
Also known as
- Common Lavender
- Garden Lavender
- Spike Lavender
- Sweet Lavender
- True Lavender
Introduction
The mind and the body can be relaxed and soothed down by the inhalation of an herbal infusion or herbal tincture made from the essential oil of the lavender, smelling the lavender flowers also induces this effect in the body. The herbal remedy made from the herb is effective in the treatment of prolonged anxiety, chronic and persistent nervousness, as well as in alleviating the physical symptoms induced by excessive stress such as tension headaches, persistent migraine, cardiac palpitations and sleep disorders like . The emotions are said to be brought into balance by the application of lavender oil, it is said to elevate flagging spirits, helping in relieving insomnia, depression, and enabling the person to overcome inner disharmony and mental problems. The stimulating effect of the lavender is another potent property of the herb, the remedy brings a tonic effect on the nervous system, and it helps to restore the vitality to individuals affected by long term nervous exhaustion and mental trauma. Scientist have been researching the main chemical constituents of the essential oil for many decades now, from the results, it is believed to have a very low toxicity in the human body and possesses significant antiseptic and bactericidal effects. Nervous excitability, irritability and pain are also reduced by the lavender.
Parts used: flowers
Constituents: volatile oil (up to 3%) containing over 40 constituents, including linalyl acetate (30-60%), cineole (10%), linalool, nerol, borneol, flavonoids,tannins, coumarins.
Combination potential: for depression combine with rosemary, kola or skullcap. For headaches it may be used with lady's slipper or valerian.
Dose: Chronic headaches and prolonged depression can be treated by taking doses of up to five ml of the remedy, two times every day.
Precautions: Avoid during pregnancy. The essential oil is dangerous inlarge doses and so direction of useage should be obtained from an expert if used.
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Introduction
Nerve tonic, anti-viral and antidepressant. Good for depression and tension.
Melissa comes from the Greek for "honey bee" and lemon balm has the same healing and tonic properties as honey and royal jelly. Specific also for for cold sores and stress.
History: Ancient Greeks favourite for healing and tonic effects. Alchemist Paracelus made elixirs of it in the 18th century used as a restorative tonic.
Parts used: Leaves, aerial parts
Dose: 5-10 drops x 3 daily.
Constituents: Volatile oil, polyphenols, tannins, bitter principle, flavonoids, rosmarinic acid.
Combination potential: Meadowsweet and chamomile for inflammation of the digestive system or hops as a bitter and antispasmodic. Skullcap, wood betony or vervain for a sedative or restorative effect when agitated or tense.
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Also known as
- Chinese Licorice
- Gan Cao
- Kan-ts'ao
- Kuo-lao
- Licorice
- Ling-t'ung
- Liquorice
- Mei-ts'ao
- Mi-kan
- Mi-ts'ao
- Sweet Licorice
- Sweet Wood
- Yasti Madhu
IntroductionUsed since 500 BC, licuorice has world wide usage. Modern research has shown it to have effects upon, amongst other organs, the endocrine system and liver. The triterpenes of Glycyrrhiza are metabolized in the body to molecules that have a similar structure to the adrenal cortex hormones. This is possibly the basis of the herbs anti-inflammatory action. As an anti-hepatotoxic it can be effective in the treatment of chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis, for which it is been widely used in Japan. Much of the liver orientated research has focused upon the triterpene glycyrrhizin. This inhibits hepatocyte injury caused by carbon tetrachloride, benzene hexachloride and PCB. Antibody production is enhanced by glycyrrhizin, possibly through the production of interleukin. Glycyrrhizin inhibits the growth of several DNA and RNA viruses, inactivating Herpes simplex virus particles irreversibly. It has a wide range of uses in bronchial problems such as catarrh, bronchitis and coughs in general. Licorice is used in allopathic medicine as a treatment for peptic ulceration, a similar use to its herbal use in gastritis and ulcers. It can be used in the relief of abdominal colic. Parts used: root
Constituents: saponins, glycosides (inc. glycyrrhizin), estrogenic substances, coumarins, flavonoids, sterols, choline, asparagine, volatile oil.
Dose: 1-2 ml 3 times daily.
Combination potential: For bronchitis combine with coltsfoot, or white horehound. For gastric problems combine with marshmallow, comfrey and meadowsweet.
Precautions: Long term and high intake of licorice which contains glycyrrhizin can be quite harmful. It can increase blood pressure and can cause retention of water in the body. Some people are more sensitive to glycyrrhizin and in them the effects are more pronounced. One gram of glycyrrhizin or about 10 grams of licorice root a day is enough to cause problems. So long term use should be avoided or should be done only under strict supervision of competent doctors.