Fo-Ti (Ho Shou Wu)

(Polygonum multiflorum) Part used: Root. Properties: Stimulant, tonic, astringent, diuretic. What it affects: Liver, stomach, kidneys and reproductive organs.

Preparation and amount: Decoction: Simmer 5-15 min. Take 2 oz. 2-4 times daily. Tincture: Take 15-30 drops 3 times daily. Fluid extract: Take 5-20 drops 3 times daily. Powder: Take 2-3 #0 capsules (10-15 grains) 3 times daily.

Purposes: Internally, fo-ti focuses on helping the endocrine glands by strengthening them. It acts as a tonic and nutritive herb. It is also a digestive tonic. Take it either as a decoction or as a powder.

Flaxseed (linseed in tagalog)

(Linum usitatissimum) Part used: Seed. Properties: Demulcent, emollient, laxative, mucilage, nutritional. What it affects: Lungs, throat, intestines and stomach.

Preparation and amount: Infusion: Steep 5-15 min. Take 1 cup daily. Decoction: Take 2 oz. 3 times daily. Tincture: Take 15-40 drops 3 times daily or as needed. Fluid extract: Take 15-30 drops 3 times daily or as needed. Powder: Take 10-20 #0 capsules (60-120 grains) once daily.

Purposes: Flaxseed is even more mucilaginous than slippery elm and useful for a variety of problems. It is better than olive oil, for the purposes for which it is used.

Internally, flaxseed is used for asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, constipation, coughs, diarrhea, enteritis, flatulence, hemorrhoids, stomach ulcers, pleurisy, and lung, and chest problems. It is also good for all intestinal inflammations.

Eating the seed intact is good for constipation. Take 1-2 Tbsp. whole seeds and swallow with lots of water if necessary. Then eat stewed prunes. The seeds swell up in the intestines, encouraging elimination by increasing the volume of fecal matter.

To eliminate gallstones, take 1 ½ - 2 Tbsp. flaxseed oil and lie down on your left side for half an hour. The gallstones will pass into the intestines and be eliminated from there.

Externally, flaxseed is excellent in poultices for sores, boils, inflammation, and tumors. Combine it with slippery elm for boils, oozing sores , and burns.

Caution: It is best to avoid flaxseed if you have diverticulitis.

Fenugreek

(Trigonella foenum graecum) Part used: Seed. Properties: Demulcent, emollient, expectorant, aphrodisiac, astringent, galactagogue, tonic. What it affects: Lungs, stomach, intestines and reproductive organs.

Preparation and amount: Infusion: Steep 5-15 min. Take 1 cup during the day, hot or cold. Decoction: Simmer 5-15 min. Take 6 oz. 3 times a day. Tincture: 30-60 drops 3 times daily. Fluid extract: Take ½ - 1 tsp. 3 times daily. Powder: Take 2-10 #0 capsules (10-60 grains) 3 times daily.

Purposes: Internally, Fenugreek is one of the oldest medicinal plants. Dating to Hippocrates and the ancient Egyptians. It is useful for all mucous conditions of the lungs. Large amounts of the decoction are given to strengthen those suffering from tuberculosis or recovering from an illness. It is also good for fevers, bronchitis, stomach, ulcers, diabetes, gout, asthma, emphysema, hay fever, heartburn, hoarseness, migraines, neuralgia, sciatica and gas. By reducing mucus, it helps asthma and sinus problems. Promotes lactation in nursing mothers. Helps lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Good for the eyes.

Externally, fenugreek is used for boils, carbuncles, abscesses, sore throat, dry skin conditions. The tea is excellent for sore throats (drink and gargle). Make a poultice of pulverized seeds and place over wounds, fistulas, tomurs, sores, areas of gouty pains, swollen glands, and skin irritations.

Note: The taste can be improved by mixing it with peppermint oil, lemon extract, or honey.

Fennel (mansanilya in tagalog)

(Foeniculum vulgare) Part used: Seed. Properties: Antispasmodic, aromatic, carminative, diuretic, expectorant, galactagogue, stimulant. What it affects: Stomach, nerves, intestines and eyes.

Preparation and amount: Infusion: Steep 5-15 min. Take 6 oz. 3 times daily. Fluid extract: Take 5-60 drops 3 times daily. Oil: Take 1-5 drops 3 times daily. Powder: Take the average doe of 3 #0 capsules (15 grains).

Purposes: Internally, although the seeds are mainly used, both the seeds and root of fennel are excellent stomach and intestinal remedies. It promotes the function of the kidneys, liver, and spleen, and helps clear the lungs. It helps to arouse the appetite, and relieve colic and abdominal cramps. It relieves abdominal and colon disorders. It expels mucous accumulations, It is specially used to reduce gastro-intestinal tract spasms and expel flatulence. For this purposes, take fennel oil with honey or as a saturated solution in water. Add it also to gargle for coughing and hoarseness. It is used to treat acid stomach, colic and cramps. In larger doses, it removes obstructions of the liver, spleen and gallbladder. Fennel will increase the flow of urine, menstrual blood and mother’s milk.

Externally, fennel can be used as an eyewash.

False Unicorn (maling kabayong may sungay in tagalog)

(Chamailirium luteum [Helonias]) Part used: Root. Properties: Emmenagogue, tonic, diuretic, emetic, parasiticide, stimulant. What it affects: Uterus and kidneys.

Preparation and amount: Decoction: Simmer 5-15 min. Take 6 oz. 3 times daily. Tincture: Take 15-30 drops 3 times daily. Fluid extract: Take 1/2 - 1 tsp. 3 times daily. Powder: Take 2-5 #0 capsules (15-30 grains) 3 times daily.

Purposes: Internally, the primary use of this herb is in the treatment of female sterility and impotence. Taking it is said to increase the likelihood of getting pregnant. It balances sexual hormones, help treat infertility, and prevent miscarriage. For these purposes, it may be taken daily for several months. One or 2 #00 capsules of the powdered root are taken 3 times daily for a number of months, either alone or in combination with other herbs.

• The root is also used in the treatment of painful or irregular menstruation, or the lack of it. It is also good for leucorrhea and menorrhagia. Small amounts may be taken during the early part of pregnancy, to relieve morning sickness.

• False unicorn is used for glandular tonic, prolapsed uterus, uterine and ovarian problems, and uterine displacement.

• This herb is also used for prostate disorders, spermatorrhea, diabetes, digestive tonic, intestinal weakness, and urinary tract tonic.

• False unicorn root is usually combined with other herbs, such as cramp bark or black haw; but it can be taken alone. During threatening situations, 15 drops of the tincture or 1/2 tsp. of the fluid extract can be taken every hour. 

Note: Do not confuse false unicorn root with true unicorn root (Aletris farinose), also known as star grass; this has similar properties, but it primarily used as a diuretic.