Friday, March 5, 2010

In My Medicine Cabinet

Hydrastis or Goldenseal is a staple in my medicine cabinet. I have the one with Elderberry from http://www.organipharm.com/default.aspx

I take a tablespoon maybe 2 to 3 times a week. I can't remember the last time I had a cold or the flu!

http://greenmedinfo.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/elderberries-photo.jpgGoldenseal

Elderberry & Goldenseal Pictures


Description

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), is a member of the Ranunculaceae family. Goldenseal is a perennial that grows in the wild from Georgia to Canada. The plant grows from a yellowish root and forms a hairy stem with five-parted leaves, green white flowers with no petal and a fruit that resembles a raspberry. In the 19th century, the expansion of farming lands and the popularity of its medicinal properties among the early settlers and Native American Indians led the plant to become an endangered species. It is now cultivated and its high price and demand may result in adulterated products. As a result of the endangered status of goldenseal, a handful of environmentally conscious supplement companies have taken the position of substituting other berberine-containing herbs for goldenseal in their immune support formulas. Other plants that contain relatively high concentrations of Berberine (the alkaloid thought to contribute to the immune-stimulating effect of Goldenseal) include Goldenthread (Coptis chinensis), Oregon Grape (Berberis aquifolium), Barberry (Berberis vulgaris), and Tree Turmeric (Berberis aristata).

Claims

  • Immune system support (immunostimulant, antimicrobial)
  • Anti-cancer effects (colon cancer)
  • Antioxidant
  • Treats/prevents urinary tract infections

http://www.life-enthusiast.com/index/Ingredients/Plants/Goldenseal


Elderberries

The berries have few calories and lots of nutrition. They provide very large amounts of potassium and beta-carotene, as well as sugar and fruit acids, calcium, phosphorous and vitamin C.

Looking at or even thinking about the elderberry bush evokes a flood of magical associations and images of the pastóEuropean ladies dousing their white skin with elder flower water, and crystal goblets filled with elderberry wine. In European folklore, fairies and elves would appear if you sat underneath an elder bush on midsummer night. The lovely elder possessed potent magic, with the ability to drive away witches, and kill serpents. Carrying the twigs in your pocket was a charm against certain diseases. One of these tales bears some truth: Sleeping under the elder supposedly produces a drugged, dream-filled sleepóthe fragrance is actually a mildly sedative. Perhaps the visions of fairies and elves resulted from dreaming under an elder bush.

My experience with the elder indicates that much of its charmed reputation among Europeans and Native Americans comes from its ability to heal. The flowers and fruit are medicinal. Hippocrates already recognized this in 400 B.C. (He used a smaller European species with similar properties, that doesnít grow in America.)

Due to their diuretic and detoxifying properties, people eat elderberries to lose weight. The flowers have been used in cosmetics since ancient times. Distilled elder flower water softens, tone and restores the skin. Elder flower infusion cleanses the skin, lightens freckles, and soothes sunburn. Its Bioflavinoids promote circulation and strengthen the capillaries.

http://www.wildmanstevebrill.com/Plants.Folder/Elderberry.html