Olive (oliba in tagalog)

(Olea europaea) Part used: Leaves, bark and fruit. Properties: Oil: Cholagogue, demulcent, emollient, laxative. Leaves: Antiseptic, astringent, febrifuge, tranquilizer. What it affects: Digestive tract, other internal organs, blood.

Preparation and amount: Infusion: Steep 1-2 tsp. of leaves in 1 cup of water for 10 min. Take 2 tsp. Decoction: Boil 2 handfuls of leaves or bark in 1 quart water until 1 cup of liquid remains. Oil: As a laxative, take 1-2 fluid oz; as a cholagogue, take 1-2 tsp. at a time.

Purposes: The olive has been used for food and medicines from earliest times. Internally, a decoction of the leaves or inner bark of the tree is effective against fever. An infusion of the leaves has a calming effect on nervous people.

• Olive oil, taken internally, increases the secretion of bile and acts as a laxative by encouraging muscular contraction in the bowels. It is soothing to the mucous membraces and is said to dissolve cholesterol.

• The leaf of the olive helps the system resist colds and flus. It fights bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites; and it is good for most infectious diseases. It appears to lower blood pressure. It is also used for diarrheal diseases, inflammatory arthritis, psoriases, and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Externally, olive oil is useful insect bites, sprains, burns, bruises, and intense itching (pruritus). Combined with rosemary, it is helpful in treating dandruff.

Note: Olive oil is frequently used as a base for liniments and ointments. Only use cold-pressed olive oil.

Oat Straw (obena dayami in tagalog)

(Avena sataiva) Part used: Stem and fruit. Properties: Nervine, tonic, antispasmodic, stimulant. What it affects: Nerves, uterus, stomach, and lungs.

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

Purposes: Internally, oat straw tea is recommended for chest and kidney problems. It acts as an antidepressand and a restorative nerve tonic. It increases perspiration. For bed-wetting, give this tea to children. It is also good for insomnia, colic, depression, stress, epilepsy, heart palpitation, occipital headaches, weak muscles from nerve exhaustion, nervous diseases, and stomach problems.

Externally, oat straw tea is used in Europe for a number of ailments. Full bath (adding a gallon of the tea to the bath): good for rheumatism problems, paralysis, lumbago, liver ailments, gout, kidney and gravel problems. Sitz bath: bladder and abdominal problems, intestinal colic, and bed-wetting. Local wash: skin disease, frostbite, flaky skin, wounds, chilblains, and eye problems. 

• Fresh oats (not oat straw): An extract made from fresh oat berries, picked when the milky substances is in the grain, is good for the brain and functions of the body. It is a specific for weak nerves and can be used as a nerve tonic. It will overcome most diseases caused by nervous disorders and physical exhaustion, including ovarian and uterine disorders.

Nettles (netles in tagalog)

(Urtica urens) Part used: Tops. Properties: Alternative, nutritive, antiseptic,expectorant, hemostatic. What it affects: Lungs, kidneys, bladder, and blood.

Preparation and amount: Infusion: Steep 5-15 min. Take 3 oz. frequently. Tincture: Take 5-15 drops frequently. Fluid extract: Take 1/2 – 1 tsp. frequently. Powder: Take 3- 10 #0 capsules (20-60 grains) frequently. Juice: 1 tsp. as needed.

Purposes: Internally, nettles is considered a specific for asthma when taken over a prolonged period, providing an expectorant and antispasmodic. The tea will expel phlegm from the lungs. Combine it with equal parts of comfrey, mullein, and a pinch of lobelia. Make a tea from this formula; and, using an ounce of herbs steeped in a pint of boiled water, take 4 times a day. The seeds are used in cough medicines. The leaves can be pounded and used as a poultice for rheumatic pains. The tea made from the root will help cure dropsy.

• Nettles is good for benign prostatic hyperplasia, anemia, hay fever, and other allergic disorders. The tea is good for kidney problems, diarrhea, dysentery, arthritis, inflammatory conditions, hemorrhoids, goiter, mucous conditions of the lungs, and gravel in the kidneys. To stop intestinal bleeding, extract the fresh juice and take 1 tsp. every hour. Use it as a tea for anemia in children. The fresh leaves may be used in salads.

Externally, a poultice of nettles and slippery elm will stop bleeding when applied to the skin. Use fresh leaves. It stimulates hair follicle growth, and reduces a buildup of scalp oils. Use it as a hair rinse, to restore natural color.

Note: An antidote to poisoning from nettle sting in fresh bruised yellow dock that is rubbed over the affected area.

Myrrh (mira in tagalog)

(Commiphora mayrrha) Part used: Gum. Properties: Antiseptic, emmenagogue, carminative, expectorant, stimulant. What it affects: Stomach and lungs.

Preparation and amount: Infusion: Steep 5-15 min. Take 3 oz. 3-4 times daily. Tincture: 30-60 drops (1/2-1 tsp.) 3-4 times daily. Powder: Take 2-6 #0 capsules (10-40 grains) 3-4 times daily.

Purposes: Myrrh is a strong antiseptic and works well with goldenseal. Mix them in equal parts.

Internally, myrrh is a powerful antiseptic, and ranks with goldenseal and Echinacea. It is often combined in equal parts with goldenseal as a specific for intestinal ulcers, intestinal catarrh, bad breath, and other mucous membrane problems. It is an antiseptic, disinfectant, expectorant, and deodorizer. Myrrh destroy putrefaction in the intestines and prevents blood absorption of toxins. The tincture added to water is an excellent mouth wash for spongy gums, pyorrhea, and all throat diseases. It destroys putrefication in the intestine. It stimulants the immune system and gastric secretions; and it is good for sinusitis, sore throat, herpes simplex, and ulcers. It treats chronic diarrhea, lung disease, and general body weaknesses.

• Use myrrh for hemorrhoids, bedsores, asthma, boils, cankers, chronic catarrh, colitis, coughs, digestive tonic bleeding gums, herpes, indigestion, infections, leucorrhea, mouth sores, skin diseases, thrush, and ulcers. Small doses will help remove toxins from the stomach and intestines.

Externally, myrrh is used for cankers, cuts, bleeding gums, leucorrhea, abscesses, boils, mouth sores, skin disease, thrush, and wounds. It is a good wash for wounds and skin diseases. The powder will dry up most skin problems. It is excellent for most problems involving pus, externally or internally. It helps fight harmful bacteria in the mouth. Insert the tincture of myrrh in the sinuses for all sinus infections and inflammations. If the sinuses are too sensitive, dilute it with water.

Note: Other gums and resinous materials from conifers, such as pine and fir, have similar properties.

Warning: Myrrh and other gums should not be used in large amounts over a long period of time, for they contain potent volatile oils that are toxic in large amounts.

Mullein (halaman ng malen in tagalog)

(Great mullein) – (verbascum Thapsus) Part used: Leaf. Properties: Demulcent, expectorant, antispasmodic, astringent, diuretic, vulnerary. What it affects: Lungs, glands and lymph.

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

Purposes: Internally, mullein tea is a good remedy for coughs, bronchitis, bronchial catarrh, and whooping cough. It is commonly used as a nervine and antispasmodic. It can be used for gastro-intestinal catarrh and cramps in the digestive tract. It is useful for hemorrhoids, diarrhea, hemorrhages of the lungs, and shortness of breath. For lungs and coughs, use a tea made of mullein, yerba santa, wild cherry bark, licorice, and comfrey root. It is used in kidney formulas, to soothe inflammations. The leaves are also used to treat lymphatic congestion. It is also for hay fever, swollen glands, diarrhea, asthma, sinus congestion, and tumors.

Externally, mullein oil is one of the best remedies for ear infection. Put 2-3 drops of the warm oil in the ear overnight or 2-3 times daily. It is also used for the lymphatic congestion that results in earaches, as well as toothaches. For external use on inflammations or painful skin conditions, use the tea or a fomentation of the leaves boiled or steeped in vinegar and water. It is also used for diaper rashes and inflamed eyes.

Note: Four different herbs are called “mullein” The primary medicinal one is described here. The others are black mullein (Verbascum nigrum) and two European species: common mullein (Verbascum phlomoides) and orange mullein (Verbascum phlomoides). The last two have medicinal properties similar to great mullein.