Chaparral

(Larrea divaricata) Part used: Leaves. Properties: Alternative, antibiotic, antiseptic, parasiticide. What it affects: Stomach, intestine, and blood.

Preparation and amount: Infusion: Steep 5-15 min. Take 6 oz. 3 times daily. Tincture: Take 10-20 drops 3 times daily. Powder: Take 2-10 #0 capsules (10-60 grains) 3 times daily.

Purposes: Internally, chaparral is one of the best herbal antibiotics. It is useful against bacteria, viruses, and parasites, both internally and externally. It fights free radicals and chelates heavy metals. It has anti-HIV activity. It protects against harmful effects of radiation. It may be taken internally for colds and flus, inflammations of the respiratory and intestinal tracts, diarrhea, and urinary tract infections.

• Chaparral protects against the formation of tumors, cancer cells, and over-exposure to sunlight. It contains a substance called NDGA (nordihydrogauraretic acid), which is a powerful antioxidant, useful in preserving fats and oils, and a powerful anti-tumor agent. American Indians used it to treat cancer. It relieves pain and is good for skin disorders. It is excellent as an addition to an herbal formula in the treatment of kidney and bladder infections.

Externally, chaparral is applied to wounds as an antiseptic. As an fomentation, it is applied to the skin for skin diseases, psoriasis, herpes, scabies, eczema, arthritic pains, skin parasites; it is to the scalp as a hair tonic and for dandruff. It makes a good hair rinse. A liniment made from chaparral or a bath made by soaking the leaves in the water is used for rheumatism.

Note: Chaparral is very bitter and is usually mixed with other herbs or taken in tincture form. Pau d’arco (Tabebuia heptaphylla), also called lapacho or taheebo, has similar antibiotic and anti-cancer properties, but is less harsh than chaparral.

Chamomile (mansanilya in tagalog)

(Camomile) – (Matricaria chamomilla) Part used: Flowers. Properties: Emmenagogue, nervine, sedative, carminative, diaphoretic, tonic. What it affects: Nerves, stomach, kidneys, spleen and liver.

Preparation and amount: Infusion: Steep 10-30 min. (do not boil flowers) Take 6 oz. 2-3  times daily. Tincture: Take 30-60 drops 3 times daily. Fluid extract: Take 1/2 – 1 tsp. 3 times daily. Powder: Take 5-10 #0 capsules (30-60 grains) 3 times daily.

Purposes: Internally, chamomile is good for insomnia and nervousness. It increases appetite and helps those with weak stomach. It reduce inflammation, and aids digestion and sleep. Six ounces of the infusion or 1-2 teaspoons of the tincture at a time is good for menstrual cramps, kidney, spleen, or bladder problems. It acts as a diuretic and nerve tonic, and is useful remedy for stress, anxiety and indigestion.

• Chamomile can be safely used for children with colds, indigestion and nervous disorders. It helps relieve cramping associated with the menstrual cycle and will bring on the period. It can also be used as a relaxing antispasmodic, anodyne bath additive. It is good for dizziness, gas, hysteria, jaundice, kidney problems, measles and swellings. It is also good for lumbago, rheumatic problems and rashes.

Externally, chamomile can be used as a mouthwash for minor mouth and gum infections. The tea is a good wash for sore eyes and open sores. Use it as a wash or compress for skin problems and inflammation, including inflammation of the mucous tissues. Keeping a mouthful in the mouth for a time will temporarily relieve toothache. Use it for a sitz (sitting) bath, to help hemorrhoids, or as a foot- or hand-bath for sweaty feet or hands. For hemorrhoids and wounds, the flowers are also made into a salve. To help asthma in children or to relieve the symptoms of a cold, try a vapor bath of the tea. A fomentation can be used for cramps, gas and swellings.

Note: This is German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla). Do not confuse it with Roman chamomile (Anthemis nobilis), which is also a good but lesser-used herb; it is quite different in its properties and applications, yet sometimes it is also called chamomile.

Warning: Chamomile should not be used daily for a lengthy period, for this could lead to constipation, or ragweed allergy. Those allergic to ragweed should use it with caution (same family). It should not be used with sedatives or alcohol.

Wild Celery (wild kintsay in tagalog)

(Apium graveolens) Part used: Root, seeds. Properties: Carminative, diuretic, nervine, stimulant, tonic. What it affects: Kidneys, bladder and nerves.

Preparation and amount: Decoction (root, seeds): Simmer 5-15 min. Take 1 oz. 3 times daily. Fluid extract: Take 10-30 drops as needed. Essential oil: Take 1-2 drops 2 times daily. Powder: Take 4-10 #0 capsules 3 times daily.

Purposes: Internally, wild celery is good for arthritis, gout and kidney problems. It acts as a diuretic, anti-oxidant and sedative. It reduces blood pressure, relieves muscle spasms and improves appetite. A decoction of celery seed is useful for incontinence of urine, dropsy, rheumatism, neuralgia, and to aid in ridding the body of excess acid. It can be used for gout, tendencies toward overweight, flatulence, chronic pulmonary catarrh and deficiency diseases. The root can be eaten raw or made into broth, to treat kidney ailments and rheumatism. It also promotes the onset of menstruation. When eaten as a salad vegetable or made into a tea, it will help clear up skin problems.

Warning: During pregnancy, the seeds of wild celery should not be used, nor large amounts of the herb. It is a strong diuretic and should not be used when acute kidney problems exist (but moderate use is all right when kidney problems are not chronic).

Cayenne (paminton in tagalog)

(Capsicum anuum) Part used: Fruit. Properties: Carminative, stimulant, antispasmodic, astringent. What it affects: Heart, circulation, stomach and kidneys.

Preparation and amount: Infusion: 1 tsp. to 1 cup boiling water, taken in 1/2 fluid oz. doses. Pour water over cayenne. Tincture: Take 5-15 drops 3 times daily. Fluid extract: Take 10-15 drops 3 times daily. Oil: For toothache, clean the cavity and place cotton, saturated with the oil, into the cavity; use sparingly, as it is very potent. Powder (internal): Take 1-2 #0 capsules (1-10 grains) 3 times daily. Powder (external): For external bleeding, powder may be placed directly on the wound.

Purposes: Dr. Christopher, a well-known herbalist of the mid-twentieth century, said that if he only had two herbs, he would select charcoal and cayenne. Cayenne is powerful in its ability to attract blood to a body part. Since it is the blood which brings healing, this is an important quality.

Internally, when added to herbal formulas, cayenne stimulates the action of other herbs. It stops heart attacks; and is used for flus, colds, indigestion, and lack of vitality. It is good for treating the spleen, pancreas, kidneys; and it is effective as a fomentation for rheumatism, inflammation, pleurisy, sores and wounds.

• Cayenne is useful for arteriosclerosis, arthritis, asthma, bleeding, high or low blood pressure, bronchitis, chills, colds, convulsions, coughs, indigestion, infections, jaundice, ulcers and varicose veins.

Externally, cayenne is used for frostbite, painful joints, swellings and varicose veins. It can be rubbed on toothaches and swellings. Sprinkled on bleeding cuts, it will immediately stop the bleeding.

Warning: Very excessive use can damage the kidneys and lead to pleurisy or gastro-enteritis. Prolonged application to the skin can cause dermatitis and raise blisters. When cooked, it becomes an irritant. It is best to use cayenne primarily as a medicine, and only very small amounts as a food additive. Apply it with a glove.

Catnip (katmint in tagalog)

(Nepata cataria) Part used: Tops. Properties: Carminative, diaphoretic, sedative, nervine. What it affects: Nerves and intestines.

Preparation and amount: Infusion: Steep 5-15 min. Take 1 oz. to 1 cup as needed (do not boil herb). Tincture: Take 1/2 – 1 tsp. as needed. Fluid extract: Take 1/4 - 1 tsp. as needed. Powder: Take 5-10 #0 capsules (30-60 grains) 3 times daily.

Purposes: Internally, it is wonderful for children and infants when gas, stomach cramps, or nervousness occur. This is the children’s herb, but it is also helpful to grown-ups. It is famous for its gentle sedative effect on the nervous system, reducing nervous tension.

• Catnip is used for mumps, painful swellings, chronic bronchitis and diarrhea. Use catnip as an enema, to expel worms. Drink the tea for headache caused by indigestion. It is frequently used in enemas, to relax and gentle restore the tone of the bowels. It is an excellent herb for children, especially when mixed in a tea with chamomile, spearmint and lemon balm. It is also good for insomnia.

• Catnip is also used for colds, bronchitis, dizziness, fever, gas, diarrhea, headache, hysteria, insomnia, morning sickness, mumps, smallpox, and urine retention. It quickly reduces fevers when a catnip tea enema is taken. It stimulates the appetite.

Internally, use catnip as a fomentation for mumps and painful swelling.