Herbs E - K

One of the most popular herbs in America today is the Native American medicinal plant known as echinacea. Echinacea is primarily used to reduce the symptoms and duration of the common cold and flu and to alleviate the symptoms associated with them, such as sore throat (pharyngitis), cough, and fever. Many herbalists also recommend echinacea to help boost the activity of the immune system and to help the body fight infections. Echinacea is known to contains active substances that enhance the activity of the immune system, relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and have hormonal, antiviral, and antioxidant effects. For this reason, professional herbalists also recommend echinacea to treat urinary tract infections, vaginal yeast (candida) infections, ear infections (also known as otitits media), athlete`s foot, sinusitis, hay fever (also called allergic rhinitis), as well as slow-healing wounds. Echinacea Benefits * Echinacea (when taken at the first sign of a cold for 8 to 10 days) reduces cold symptoms or shortens their duration * Enhances the activity of the immune system * Relieve pain and helps reduce inflammation * Has hormonal, antiviral, and antioxidant effects

Folklore: Echinacea (when taken at the first sign of a cold for 8 to 10 days) reduces cold symptons or shortens their duration, Relieves pain and helps to reduce inflammation, Has hormonal, antiviral, and antioxidant effects.

Elderberry (Sambucus Nigra) may be used as a diaphoretic to break fevers, urinary complaints, edema, rheumatic complaints, colds & flu symptoms and muscle pain.

Folklore: Traditionally used as a diaphoretic to break fevers, urinary complaints, edema, rheumatic complaints, colds & flu symptoms and muscle pain.

Hydrated Magnesium Sulfate; Use as a purge; reduces inflammation.

Uses include great healing properties; kills germs/ infections; eases lung congestion; heart stimulant; attracts healing vibrations; protection.

Folklore: Kills germs, infections. Eases lung congestion. Heart Stimulant.

Change energy of ones attitude, memory aid, gain visionary experiences.

Folklore: used in a variety of forms (compress, eyewach, infusion) for eye disorders, hayfever, and catarrh.

Uses include flavoring agent; aids digestion and weight loss; relieves gas; imparts strength, vitality, sexual virility; protection; prevents curses, possession and negative problems.

Folklore: flavoring agent, aids digestion and weight loss, relieves gas, imparts strength, vitality, sexual virility.

HFEVCB: Feverfew cut 1 Lb. Reduces high blood pressure, Digestive Aid, Reduces inflammation, Mild tranquilizing effect, Sleep Aid, Chronic migraine relief.

Folklore: Reduces blood pressure. Digestive aid. Reduces inflammation. Mild tranquilizing effect, sleep aid. Chronic migraine relief.

Used for money spells. Also useful in healing and protection spells.

Also known as Linseed.

Uses include cleasing system; treats flatulence, colic; take at onset of colds; eases sore throat; stimulates saliva; aphrodisiac; to win at court; doubles money; pyschic; hex breaking; sex magick. Galangal = Little John.

Magickal Lore: Sun/Leo - cleanses system, flatulent, colic. Take at onset of colds. Aphrodisiac. To win at court, double money, psychic, hex breaking.

Uses include culinary spice, nutrient; for colds/flu/infection; reduce blood pressure/cholesterol; magickal healing; protection; exorcism.

Uses include culinary spice, nutrient; for colds/flu/infection; reduce blood pressure/cholesterol; magickal healing; protection; exorcism.

Clinical trials have demonstrated that ginkgo preparations are effective in the treatment of arterial insufficiency, particularly in the lower limbs and brain. Patients with intermittent claudication showed significant improvements in pain-free walking time and maximum walking distance. Elderly patients with chronic cerebral insufficiency demonstrated a significant regression of major symptoms including vertigo, tinnitus, headache, short-term memory, vigilance and mood changes. Ginkgo has been shown to improve glucose utilisation within the brain. It improves the transmission of nerve impulses and increases alertness by increasing the brain`s alpha wave rhythms and decreasing theta rhythms. It has a demonstrable effect on the venous system too and is used to treat conditions such as varicose veins. Ginkgo alleviates male impotence where the underlying cause is impaired blood circulation to erectile tissue; initial signs of improvement were seen to commence after 8 weeks of Ginkgo biloba supplementation and, after 6 months, 50% of patients had regained potency. Recent research has shown that the extract GBE from the yellow autumn leaves contains a vitamin that strengthens blood vessels, reduces the production of tissue-damaging free radicals and improves cellular energy. The bioflavonoids protect and maintain the integrity of capillary walls, inhibit lipid peroxidation within cell membranes, stabilise the cell membranes involved in the blood-brain barrier, destroy free radicals and inactivate their formation. Ginkgo has been shown to improve eyesight in senile macular degeneration and to neutralise the effects of oxygen free radicals produced in the eyes. Ginkgo is thought to alleviate allergies by inhibiting the activity of eosinophils, an action attributed to Ginkgolide B. Its ability to reduce inflammation may make it valuable in the future for conditions such as autoimmune problems, multiple sclerosis and organ transplants. Some anti-tumour activity against sarcoma in mice has been recorded.

Treatment of arterial insufficiency, vertigo, tinnitus, headache, short-term memorys. Ginkgo has been shown to improve glucose utilisation within the brain. It improves the transmission of nerve impulses and increases alertness by increasing the brain`s alpha wave rhythms and decreasing theta rhythms. Ginkgo alleviates male impotence where the underlying cause is impaired blood circulation to erectile tissue; initial signs of improvement were seen to commence after 8 weeksIts ability to reduce inflammation may make it valuable in the future for conditions such as autoimmune problems, multiple sclerosis and organ transplants. Some anti-tumour activity against sarcoma in mice has been recorded.

Uses include rejuvenation; longevity; sexual potency; antidepressant; equalizes blood pressure; aids digestion; love spells; beauty; healing; protection.

Folklore: a tonic, particularly for people weakened by disease, old age, or stress.

Heart and circulation, acting upon the heart by either stimulating or depressing its activity depending upon the need. The precise mode of action which results in the dilating of the coronary blood supply and the tendency to slow down or stabilize the contractility of the heart muscle is not yet fully understood, but it is safe to use as a long-term treatment for a weak or failing heart, and has a beneficial effect on cardiac arrhythmias, especially extra systoles and paroxysmal tachycardia. Also a useful diuretic. Other clinical observations included a reduction in elevated blood levels of pyruvic and lactic acid, normalization of prolonged systole and prevention of ECG changes due to hypoxia. As a tonic for the circulatory system Crataegus finds its primary use in the treatment of hypertension, atherosclerosis and angina pectoris. It is also applicable to peripheral circulatory conditions, such as intermittent claudication and Raynaud`s disease. The flavonoids in Crataegus are vasodilatory, as is the condensed tannin phlobaphene. These dilate the peripheral blood vessels and have a specific action on the coronary circulation. The cyanogenic glycosides are sedative and increase the parasympathetic (vagal) tone of the heart, thus slowing it down. Trimethylamine stimulates the pulse rate slightly, and has a peripheral vasoconstrictor effect. The sedative effects of the cyanogenic glycosides combine with the vasodilatory effects to lower high blood pressure, but the cardiotonic activity actually helps to raise low blood pressure. Crataegus does not contain digitalis-like substances, but is a gentle remedy requiring extended use. It should also be used in the follow-up therapy of myocardial infarction. Both the flowers and the berries are astringent and a decoction of these will help ease sore throats.

Folklore: Heart and circulation, acting upon the heart by either stimulating or depressing its activity depending upon the need. Also a useful diuretic. As a tonic for the circulatory system Crataegus finds its primary use in the treatment of hypertension, atherosclerosis and angina pectoris. The sedative effects of the cyanogenic glycosides combine with the vasodilatory effects to lower high blood pressure, but the cardiotonic activity actually helps to raise low blood pressure. Crataegus does not contain digitalis-like substances, but is a gentle remedy requiring extended use. Both the flowers and the berries are astringent and a decoction of these will help ease sore throats.

Uses includes all purpose healing; cures sore throats; gamble successfully.

Folklore: as a mouthwash or gargle for sore throats.