FEVERFEW, GARLIC & GINGER USE AS HERBS

Common name: FEVERFEW

Botanical name: TANACETUM PARTHENIUM

Family: COMPOSITAE

Part used: Leaves

Constituents and uses: This remedy has two different, equally useful applications. It has been tested in migraine clinics and found to be successful in about seventy per cent of migraine cases- achieving at least partial improvement and often total remission of the problem. It helps to open up the constricted blood-vessels in the brain that cause the pain in the majority of migraine cases. It contains volatile oil and tannin.

The anti-arthritic properties where discovered when migraine sufferers taking Feverfew found that their arthritis was also improving. It is one of the few anti-inflammatory remedies that is likely to bring about an improvement when taken by itself rather than in combination with other remedies - other anti-inflammatory herbs may help improve the condition in other ways.

It is best taken in the spring and summer as freshly picked leaves- one or two large leaves daily should be put in a sandwich ( to mask the bitter taste, and the possible irritating effects on the mouth). The plant dies off in the winter. Capsules containing the freeze-dried leaves are available, alternatively the dried leaves can be taken as an infusion.

Common name: GARLIC

Botanical name: ALLIUM SATIVUM

Family: LILLICEAE

Part used: 'Clove' - in botanical terms, a corm

Constituents and uses: this plant is best known for its culinary properties, but is highly beneficial as preventative medicine when taken regularly. An important point, however, it's that to retain in greatest benefit, it must be eaten raw - cooking destroys most of its therapeutic properties. It can't aims a high amount of volatile oil and when the clove is crushed, certain constituents in this interact to produce the characteristically odoured, actively antiseptic principle of the plants. This is of great benefit in the treatment of infections in the digestive tract, and has the remarkable ability to act selectively against harmful micro-organisms here, while living intact the beneficial bacterial populations which aid the digestive process. 

As constituents are absorbed into the bloodstream and dispersed around the body, the antiseptic principles, when passing through the blood-vessels in the lungs, diffuse out through the lung membranes and are 'breathed out' of the. Body. The remedy is therefore excellent against respiratory infections - both deep in the lungs and throat and higher up in the nasal passages or sinuses. This explains why the smell of Garlic is so persistent - it is due to the way that is comes out of the body, rather than how it goes in.

The second great benefit of the is its importance as an aid to circulatory problems. It contains a 'healing' mineral called germanium and a group of substances which help to control fat levels in the bloodstream - an important action, as fat deposition is a great problem in hardening of the arteries,angina, and many cases of high blood-pressure. It also helps to prevent thrombosis by counteracting the tendency of clot-forming sells to stick together within the blood-vessels. Up to one clove of fresh raw Garlic should be taken daily, in divided doses, for the benefit of one's general health. If the taste is found to be really unacceptable, Garlic Oil capsules can be substituted - 2 or 3, if taken at night, will have passed out of the body by the following morning. 

Common name: GINGER

Botanical name: ZINGIBERIS OFFICINALE

Family: ZINGIBERACEAE 

Part used: Root

Constituents and uses: One of the strongest of the aromatic remedies. It contains volatile oils and phenols and has a strong stimulant action on the digestion circulation. It helps to clam flatulence and colic but, although less hot then cayenne, is best initially given in small doses, as it can be irritating to the stomach in large doses. One recently discovered benefit is the ease it bring to sufferers of travel-sickness - it seems to have a directly soothing effect to prevent vomiting and dizziness. It has a warming, anti-chilling effect on the whole circulation, promoting blood-flow to the extremities, and is useful internally and locally for problems related to poor circulation due to cold weather, typically chilblains.

  Make an infusion of the finely sliced fresh root of a strength to suit individual taste. Alternatively, use well-preserved powdered ginger- it should still have the characteristic aromatic scent. For travel-sickness, small piece of crystallized ginger can be taken, before starting and throughout the journey.

For hand and footbaths, a strong infusion should be made and added to a bowl of warm water. Immerse the hands or feet for about 5-10 minutes. If the bath causes stinging on any broken skin, add more water until an acceptable dilution is reached.