Devil’s Claw (satanas ng koko in tagalog)

(Harpagophytum procumbens) Part used: Root. Properties: Alternative, discutient, lithotriptic, stimulant. What if affects: Liver, stomach, joints and kidneys.

Preparation and amount: Infusion: Steep 30 min. 1-2 cups daily. Decoction: Simmer 15 min. Take 6 oz. 3 times daily. Tincture: Take 1/2 - 1 tsp. 3 times daily. Powder: Take 2-3 #0 capsules (15-30 grains) 3 times daily.

Purposes: Internally, devil’s claw is primarily used for rheumatism, gout, lumbago and arthritis It is a blood cleanser which removes deposits in the joints and aids in elimination of uric acid from the body. It reduces inflammation and relieves pain. Acting as a diuretic, sedative, and digestive stimulant, it is good for allergies, liver, gallbladder, kidneys, arteriosclerosis and menopausal symptoms.

Warning: Do not use during pregnancy.

Dandelion (dandelyon in tagalog)

(Taraxacum officinale) Part used: Leaf and root. Properties: Cholagogue, diuretic, hepatic, lithotriptic, stomachic, alternative, astringent, galactagogue. What it affects: Liver, kidneys, gallbladder, stomach, pancreas, intestines and blood.

Preparation and amount: Infusion: Steep 30 min. Take 3-4 cup daily, hot or cold. Decoction: Simmer root 30 min. Take 6 oz. frequently or 3-4 times daily, hot or cold. Tincture: Take 30 -60 drops (1/2 – 1 tsp.) frequently. Powder (leaves): Take 10-20 #0 capsules (60-120 grains) frequently. Powder (root): Take 5-10 #0 capsules 30-60 grains frequently.

Purposes: Internally, dandelion is especially important in promoting the formation of bile and removing excess water from the body in edematous conditions resulting from liver problems. The root decidedly affects all forms of secretion and excretion from the body. By removing poisons from the system, it acts as a tonic and stimulant as well. It cleanses the body and liver. It is especially good as a blood cleanser for diabetes, dropsy and eczema. Because of its high mineral content, it is used to treat anemia. It reduces serum cholesterol and uric acid levels. Lukewarm dandelion tea is useful for dyspepsia with constipation, fever and insomnia.

• Dandelion improves the functioning of the pancreas, kidneys, spleen and stomach. An infusion of the fresh root is good for gallstones, jaundice, and other liver problems. For stomachaches, drink 1/2 cup of the infusion every 1/2 hour until relief is obtained. The root is a specific for hypoglycemia. Take a cup of the tea 2-3 times a day and maintain a balanced diet. With a good diet, the root tea can eliminate adult-onset diabetes. The root tea will also help lower blood pressure, thus aiding the action of the heart.

• Dandelion relieves menopausal symptoms and is useful for boils (taken internally), breast tumors, cirrhosis of the liver, constipation, liver, and spleen enlargement, fluid retention, hepatitis, jaundice, bronchitis, low blood sugar and rheumatism. It may help prevent age spots on the skin. Serious cases of hepatitis have been cured with the use of dandelion root tea within a week or two when the diet is controlled properly and limited to easily digested foods.

• The fresh juice is particularly effective, but a tea can also be prepared, Dandelion leaves are healthful as salad greens, especially in springtime. The roasted root is a coffee substitute.

Crampbark

(Viburnum opulus) Part used: Bark. Properties: Antispasmodic, astringent, nervine. What it affects: Nerves, heart and reproductive organs.

Preparation and amount: Infusion: Steep 30 min. Take 3 oz. 3-4 times daily. Decoction: 1 oz. herb to 1 qt. water. Simmer 30 min. Take 1 Tbsp. 3-4 times daily or as needed. Tincture: 1/2 - 1 tsp. 3-4 times daily. Fluid extract: Take 1/2 – 2 tsp. 3-4 times daily. Powder: Take 5-10 #0 capsules (30-60 grains) 3-4 times daily.

Purposes: Cramp bark is especially helpful for the relief of menstrual cramps. It can be combined with equal parts of ginger, angelica root, three parts chamomile and taken as a warm tea for all cramps and convulsions. It is also useful for any spasms of involuntary muscles, hysteria, and painful or excessive uterine bleeding. It helps alleviate acute heart palpitation and rheumatism. For asthma, make a decoction of 1/2 oz. of the bark to a pint of water; take 1 Tbsp. frequently as needed.

Note: Cramp bark has properties very similar to black haw; one can generally substitute for the other.

Warning: It is useful for heart palpitations, cramps during pregnancy, and to prevent miscarriage. Avoid using it in the third trimester of pregnancy.

Corn Silk (buhok mais in tagalog)

(Zea mays) Part used: Leaves. Properties: Diuretic, lithotriptic, demulcent. What it affects: Kidneys, bladder and prostate.

Preparation and amount: Infusion: Steep 5-15 min. Take 3 oz. as needed. Tincture: Take 5-20 drops 3 times daily. Fluid extract: Take ¼ - ½  tsp. 3 times daily. Powder: Take 1-5 #0 capsules (5-30 grains) 3 times daily.

Purposes: Corn silk is the best single herb for increasing urine flow, thus helping to eliminate kidney and bladder problems.

Internally, corn silk tea is used for bed-wetting, chronic cystitis, inflammation of kidneys and bladder, kidney stones, prostatitis, excess uric acid and urine retention. It is a good remedy for all inflammatory conditions of the urethra, bladder, prostate and kidney; it can remove gravel from the kidneys, bladder and prostate. It help the aged, when their urine is scanty and has heavy sediment. Use it with other kidney herbs, when the urinary tract needs to be opened up or when there is mucus in the urine. It lessens the frequency of bed-wetting, when taken several hours before bedtime. It is good for dropsy and edema, when a weak heart is the cause. It is used for carpal tunnel syndrome and prostate disorders.

Comfrey (komprey in tagalog)

(Symphytum officinale) Part used: Leaves and root. Properties: Demulcent, expectorate, mucilage, vulnerary; alternative, astringent, nutritive. What it affects: Bones and muscles, general effects on whole body.

Preparation and amount: Infusion (leaves): Steep 30 min. Take 6 oz. 3 times daily. Decoction (root): Simmer 30 minutes. Take 3 oz. frequently. Tincture: Take 1/2 – 1 tsp. 3 times daily. Fluid extract: Take 1/2 – 2 tsp. 3 times daily. Powder: Take 5-10 #0 capsules (30-60 grains) 3 times daily.

Purposes: Comfrey is an all-around good remedy. It has a healing, soothing effect on every organ it contacts. It may be used both internally and externally for the healing of fractures, wounds, sores and ulcers. It aids cell proliferation, helping to heal wounds rapidly.

Internally, comfrey is excellent for dysentery; one of the best for internal bleeding; excellent for coughs; catarrh; ulcerated bowels, stomach and lungs. It helps the pancreas in regulating blood sugar levels. It helps relieve irritations associated with the gallbladder, kidneys, small intestines and stomach. It helps promote the secretion of pepsin and is a general aid to the digestion. Comfrey has the highest content of mucilage of any of the herbs. Its demulcent properties, especially of the root, have been used to treat lug troubles and coughs. It is used for anemia, arthritis, asthma, internal bleeding, as a blood purifier, bronchitis, calcium deficiency, colitis, coughs, diarrhea, dysentery, emphysema and gallbladder inflammation.

Externally, comfrey is used for boils, bruises, burns, psoriasis and sprains. It is good for bedsores, bites and stings, leg ulcers, nosebleeds, psoriasis, scabies, skin rashes and sunburn. For bleeding, use a strong decoction of the root, using 1/2 – 1 oz. of the root every two hours until the bleeding has stopped. Bruise the fresh leaves and apply as a poultice to wounds, burns, open sores, gangrene, and moist ulcers. The tea can also be put on them.

• Keep some comfrey growing in your garden. Once established, it will keep coming up year after year. It is extremely prolific and versatile. A small piece of the root will reproduce itself in any shady, moist area in a very short time.