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THE TOP 10 HEALING HERBS
By
Bruce Burnett, CH"Popularity," said Will Rogers, "is the easiest thing in the world to gain and it is the hardest thing to hold."
Ask 10 herbalists to list the top 10 healing herbs and you'll get 11 different answers. Criteria vary, and the field of natural health, as with all endeavors, is subject to fads and fashions.
Yet there are some herbs with enduring status. For instance, garlic, I hope, would be on everyone's list.
So, there is some confessed subjectivity in the following. In addition to their healing qualities, the following herbs have been chosen for their ready availability, their versatility (culinary and adaptogenic use), proven history versus trendiness and actual therapeutic value versus mere symptom reduction. Herbs are listed in alphabetical order.
Astragalus (astragalus membranaceus)
Known in China as huang qi, astragalus is an energy tonic and adaptogen, which some herbalists regard as superior to ginseng. Although not used for acute illnesses, astragalus is a powerful immune booster especially valuable for the prevention of viral infections such as the common cold. Chinese herbalists maintain that the herb warms and tones the wei qi, a protective energy that circulates just beneath the skin, helping the body to adapt to the cold and physical exertion. Cayenne (Capsicum frutescens)
Cayenne is a warming herb and taken internally or applied topically is the purest and safest stimulant known. It improves circulation, promotes good digestion and will counter infection. Chickweed (Stellaria media)
Chickweed is effective for a variety of ailments, taken internally or applied topically. Its major constituents are: ascorbic acid (vitamin C), beta-carotene (precursor to vitamin A), calcium, coumarins (which soothe the vascular system and may benefit migraine sufferers), genistein (a potent cancer fighter), gamma-linolenic acid (GLA - an omega-6 essential fatty acid), flavonoids (substances found in fresh vegetables and fruits which evidence suggests confer great health benefits including protection from heart disease and cancer), magnesium, niacin (vitamin B3), potassium, riboflavin (vitamin B2), rutin (a bioflavonoid that strengthens capillaries and is effective for bruises, varicose veins and hemorrhoids.
Chickweed also shows antiviral, anti-microbial and anticancer activity), iron, manganese (important for protein and fat metabolism and blood sugar regulation), silicon (an immune booster, anti-aging compound and promoter of cardiovascular health), thiamin (vitamin B1) and zinc.Dandelion (Taxaxacum officinale)
Dandelion leaves are more nutritious than spinach. In addition to its nutritional qualities, the dandelion leaf is a powerful diuretic and is used as a cleanser and to treat high blood pressure by reducing the volume of excess body fluids. Unlike pharmaceutical diuretics, which cause a loss of potassium, dandelion leaves contain high amounts of this important mineral and provide a net gain. Herbalists endorse dandelion root as one of the most effective detoxifying herbs. It works primarily on the liver and gall bladder to remove waste and toxins. German research, published in 1959, validated dandelion root as an effective liver cleanser and bile stimulator. Because of these qualities, the root has helped clear up many eczema-like skin problems. Dandelion leaf and root are sanctioned by herbalists for the prevention of gallstones and may even help to dissolve already formed gallstones. The fresh latex from dandelion stems has also been used to banish warts if applied several times daily.
Garlic (Allium sativum)
Garlic is the champion herb for lowering cholesterol and high blood pressure. It is a powerful antibiotic: garlic juice applied to moss bandages was used to dress wounds during WW1. Garlic is effective in treating bronchial and digestive infections and it also reduces blood sugar levels, helping in the treatment of late-onset diabetes. Its antifungal qualities make garlic an efficient combater of yeast and fungal infections such as athlete's foot and candida. Cultures that ingest high amounts of garlic have significantly lower incidences of cancer, especially cancers of the gastrointestinal tract. The Japanese Journal of Cancer recently published the results of research studies indicating that garlic also protects against esophageal and stomach cancer. The miracle constituent responsible for all this, along with garlic's infamous door, is a sulfur compound called allicin. Only when garlic is sliced or crushed do two ingredients, alliin and an enzyme, allinase, combine to form allicin.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Ginger is a warming herb. It is used as a digestive aid to relieve nausea and to stimulate circulation. It is effective in the early stages of colds and flu to induce sweating and help the body eliminate waste. Ginger tea has long been popular with women for dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation).
Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)
Ginkgo leaves have a remarkable ability to improve circulation, especially to the brain, making it the most useful herb in the treatment of senile dementia, but it is also of value to healthy people to improve memory and mental function. Ginkgo also has antiallergenic and anti-inflammatory properties; useful in treating asthma. Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum)
In traditional Ayurvedic medicine, this sacramental herb is fever reducing, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, blood purifying, anti-parasitic, cough suppressing, diuretic, immune strengthening, a digestive aid, mind and memory enhancing and a nerve tonic. But it is Holy Basil's demonstrated ability to lower cortisol and blood sugar levels that make it one of the hottest new supplements in North America.
Holy basil is an adaptogen, enabling the body to "adapt" to and manage non-specific mental or physical stress. A study published in 1991 in the Indian Journal of Pharmacology, compared Holy Basil favorably to two other well-known adaptogens, Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus) and Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng). The study found that Holy Basil was the most potent anti-stress agent of the three herbs and also had the highest margin of safety.
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
In his excellent book, The Green Pharmacy, James A. Duke, Ph.D., recommends lemon balm for the treatment of: amenorrhea (lack of menstruation), chronic fatigue syndrome, hypothyroidism (under-active thyroid), Graves disease (over-active thyroid), headache, herpes virus, insomnia, shingles and viral infections. This delicious herb is in the mint family and a cup of lemon balm tea after dinner aids digestion and promotes sleep.Turmeric (Curmuma longa)
Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory and is used successfully for both arthritis and athletic and over-use injuries. Its anti-inflammatory action is equal to and sometimes better than cortisone and phenylbutazone treatment. In traditional Indian Ayurvedic medicine, the herb is considered a natural antibiotic while strengthening digestion and improving intestinal flora. Turmeric's antioxidant value makes it five times more effective as a free radical scavenger than vitamin E and it has powerful anti-cancer and anti-cholesterol properties.
Some herbalists recommend using turmeric's antibacterial constituent (curmunin) topically to fight certain skin conditions such as psoriasis and athlete's foot. Turmeric has also been shown to inhibit blood clotting. This could pose a problem for people with clotting disorders and they, along with anybody using anticoagulant medication, should avoid the spice.
Herbs that almost made the list and would probably be on the top 10 roll of other herbalists include:
Calendula - excellent for treating skin problems and an important source of the antioxidant, lutein.
Chamomile - arguably the most popular medicinal herb in Europe as a digestive and sleep aid and for treating a variety of skin problems.
Echinacea - powerful immune booster.
Ginseng - popular adaptogen.
Goldenseal - strong antibacterial and antiviral herb, especially effective for sinus infections; Hawthorn - important herb for heart health.
Lavender - relaxing herb with anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-bacterial qualities.
Licorice - demulcent (soothes mucous membranes), expectorant, anti-inflammatory, mild laxative and adrenal curative.
Milk thistle - liver restorer.
Nettles - astringent, diuretic, tonic and hypotensive (reduces blood pressure).
Mint - effective in the treatment of indigestion, arthritis, backache, gallstones, herpes virus and morning sickness.
Oregano - potent anti-bacterial and anti-viral herb.
Rosemary - aids recovery from long-term stress and chronic illness. Stimulates circulation to the brain, improving memory and concentration. Also eases migraine and other headaches.
St. John's wort - anti-depressive; Tea tree - anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-viral; Thyme - tonic, antiseptic and muscle-relaxant and Valerian - effective relaxant and sleep aid.
The magnitude of plants with therapeutic properties is astounding. Some 70,000 species, from lichens to towering trees, have been used throughout history for medicinal purposes. About 500 herbs are still employed in conventional medicine, although the whole plant is rarely used, often at the sacrifice of the synergistic qualities of the herb. So, choosing the top 10 is not an easy task. But the herbs chosen have proven their worth through efficacy and popularity. Herbal medicine boasts demonstrated usefulness and effectiveness. We must nurture and propagate this knowledge for the benefit of future generations.References:
Bruce Burnett, CH 2002. HerbWise growing cooking wellbeing.
Ladysmith: HerbWise Inc.
Thomas Bartram 1995. Bartram's Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine.
London: Grace Publishers.
James A. Duke, Ph.D. 1997. The Green Pharmacy. Emmaus, Pennsylvania:
Rodale Press
Andrew Chevallier, FNIMH 2000. Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine.
London: Dorling Kindersley Limited.
Stephen Foster, 1996. Herbs for your Health. Loveland, Colorado:
Interweave Press.
