Horehound (horhun in tagalog)

(Marrubium vulgare) Part used: Tops. Properties: Diaphoretic, expectorant, tonic. What it affects: Lungs, chest and stomach.

Preparation and amount: Infusion: Steep 20 min. Take 6 oz. at a time, frequently. Tincture: Take 20-60 drops 3 times daily. Fluid extract: Take 1/2 - 1 tsp. 3 times daily. Syrup: Take 1/2 - 1 tsp. 3 times daily. Powder: Take 5-10 #0 capsules (30-60 grains) 3 times daily.

Purposes: Internally, horehound is especially useful as a remedy for coughing and bronchial problems. As an expectorant for bronchial catarrh, it can be taken as a tea or syrup. It is used for acute and chronic bronchitis, as well as coughs and hoarseness. It is useful in chronic sore throats and pulmonary problems. Use it in syrup form for children.

• Horehound is also used for typhoid fever. It is said to restore the normal balance of secretions by various organs and glands. It is used for heart conditions, to calm heart action. It is also used for asthma, dyspepsia, hay fever, bloating, fevers, and jaundice. It boost the immune system. Taken warm, it is diuretic; taken cold, it makes a good stomach tonic.

Externally, the tea or the crushed leaves of horehound can be applied for temporary or persistent skin problems.

Hops (kandirit in tagalog)

(Humulus lupulus) Part used: Strobiles. Properties: Nervine, stomachic, anodyne, carminative, cholagogue, tonic. What it affects: Nerves, stomach, blood, liver and gallbladder.

Preparation and amount: Infusion: Steep 5-15 min. Take 6 oz. 3 times daily, hot or cold. Tincture: Take 15-30 drops (1/2 – 1 tsp.) 3 times daily. Fluid extract: Take 10-15 drops 3 times daily. Powder: Take 5-10 #0 capsules (30-60 grains) 3 times daily.

Purposes: Hops is an excellent nervine and will produce sleep when insomnia is present. Internally, it has a very calming effect on the entire system. It is used for nervous diarrhea, insomnia, restlessness, headaches, shock, weak nerves, hyperactivity, nervousness, pain, stress, nervous stomach, and relieves anxiety.

• But it also has other uses. Hops is used for coughs, fever, indigestion, jaundice, morning sickness, stomach tonic, throat, bronchial tubes, chest ailments, toothache and ulcers. It will stimulate the appetite, dispel flatulence, and relieve intestinal cramps. It is useful for cardiovascular disorders, sexually transmitted diseases, toothaches, and ulcers. Cold tea before meals will increase digestion. The dry herb that is placed inside a pillow will induce sleep.

Externally, it is used for boils, bruises, earaches, inflammations, rheumatic pains, skin ailments and ulcers.

Note: Hops lose their effectiveness as internal medication rapidly when stored.

Hawthorn

(Crataegus oxycantha) Part used: Fruit. Properties: Tonic, antispasmodic, astringent, diuretic, sedative. What it affects: Heart, circulation, nerves and kidneys.

Preparation and amount: Infusion: Steep 5-15 min. Take 1 cup 2-3 times daily. Decoction: Simmer 5-15 min. Take 6 oz. 3 times daily. Tincture: Take 15-30 drops (1/2 – 1 tsp.) 3 times daily. Fluid extract: Take 10-15 drops 3 times daily. Powder: Take 10 #0 capsules (60 grains) 3 times daily.

Purposes: This is the herb for the heart! Internally, hawthorn normalizes blood pressure by regulating heart action. It dilates the coronary blood vessels. Those are the ones that nourish the heart itself. Taking the herb over a period of time will generally lower blood pressure. (Keep in mind that a key factor in lowering blood pressure is drinking enough water every day!) But it normalizes blood pressure, helping to elevate low blood pressure. It helps rapid or arrhythmic heartbeat, inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis), arteriosclerosis, and nervous heart problems. It is good for heart muscles weakened by age. Taking it regularly strengthens the heart muscle. It helps prevent hardening of the arteries; it is excellent for feeble heart action, valvular insufficiency, and irregular pulse.

• Hawthorn tea is also for nervous conditions, particularly insomnia. A decoction of the berries is good for sore throats and acid conditions of the blood. American Indians used it to treat rheumatism. In china, it is used to aid digestion.

Gravel Root (bato root in tagalog)

(Queen of the Meadow) – (Eupatorium purpureum) Part used: Root. Properties: Diuretic, lithotriptic, astringent, nervine, stimulant. What it affects: Kidneys, bladder, nerves and joints.

Preparation and amount: Infusion (herb): Steep 5-15 min. Take 1-2 cups daily. Decoction (root): Simmer 6-15 min. Take 1-2 oz. as needed up to 2 cups daily. Tincture: Take 30-60 drops (1/2 – 1 tsp.) 3 times daily. Fluid extract: Take 1/2 - 1 tsp. 3 times daily. Powder: 5 #0 capsules (30 grains) 3 times daily.

Purposes: Internally, gravel root is one of the best remedies for gravel and stones in the kidneys and bladder. It is also used to treat the uric acid deposits in joints, which make them so painful. It also work to reduce water retention and deal with prostate disorders. A strong decoction is used: 1 oz. of the root boiled in a pint of water for one hour: Take a quarter cup at a time, as needed. When using a tincture, take 1 tsp. at a time. 

• In addition, gravel root is a nerve tonic and used for many female problems, alone or in combination. This includes dysmenorrheal, endometritis, leucorrhea, chronic uterine diseases, labor pains, and threatened abortions. Gravel root is also used for cystitis, edema, gout, rheumatism, weak pelvic organs, gonorrhea, cystitis, bright’s diseases, bloody urine, and backache.

Gotu Kola (goto halaman ng kola)

(Centella Asiatica) Part used: Tops. Properties: Nervine, tonic, alternative, antipyretic, diuretic. What it affects: Brain nerves, kidneys, bladder, heart and circulation.

Preparation and amount: Infusion: steep 5-15 min. Take 3 oz. 3 times daily. Tincture: Take 15-30 drops 3 times daily. Fluid extract: Take 1/2 – 1 tsp. 3 times daily. Powder: 5-10 #0 capsules (30-60 grains) 3 times daily.

Purposes: Gotu kola is a very common medicinal plant throughout India and the tropical countries. Internally, it is one of the best herbs for the nerves and brain, including, epilepsy, schizophrenia, and loss of memory. It decrease fatigue and depression, and stimulates the central nervous system. To treat nervous disorders, gotu kola oil is applied externally over the entire body, including the scalp. This oil (called Brahmi oil) is an herbal extract in sesame oil. To make it, add enough sesame oil to cover the herb; cover and let stand 14 days; then squeeze out the oil.

• Gotu kola has remarkable rejuvenating properties similar to those of fo-ti and ginseng. It neutralizes blood acids and cools the blood, thus making it of great value in all fevers and inflammations. It is both a blood purifier and diuretic. It is good for heart and liver function. It helps eliminate excess fluids. It promotes the healing of wounds and is good for varicose veins. It is used to treat rheumatism, blood deseases, connective tissue disorders, poor appetite, kidney stones, and sleep problems.