Introduction
Oriental Herbalism is a system of herbal treatment. It is not applied in the way that most herbs and medicines are used in our Western world. For example, all medicines (including herbal medicines) under western schools of thought are used because they are known to produce certain effects. St. John's Wort and Prozac are used for depression because they are both known to counter depression in the human body.
Chinese herbal medicine developed as an integral part of the Chinese medical tradition. It is used to re-harmonize imbalances in the body as a whole, rather than simply to cure symptoms. For example, a cough would not be treated simply with a cough remedy. The cough is just a symptom. The practitioner would first determine the general imbalances in the body that produced the cough and then choose an appropriate group of herbs to treat the problem as a whole.
The Properties of Herbs
To use herbs within the scope of Chinese Herbology, one must first understand the properties (the personality which dictates how an herb will function) of each herb beyond the scope of its category. Properties are tastes, temperatures, and qualities of a herb. The possible tastes are sweet, sour, bitter, pungent, bland, salty, astringent, and aromatic. It may have other qualities such as toxic. The possible temperatures are cool, cold, warm, neutral, and hot. It is very important to understand that herbs do not possess one quality. They are most always a combination of properties and temperatures and may reach one to as many as twelve organ systems. These combinations of qualities give each herb their character, and if you understand the functions behind the properties, than you can surmise what a herb is capable of before even becoming acquainted with it.
Learning to combine the appropriate formula for each patient is a medical art which takes years to develop. A tremendous amount of respect should be given to those who do it well.
Allergies are usually very treatable but at the same time very frustrating. Runny nose, itchy eyes, scratchy throat and plugged ears and headaches all mark the things allergy sufferers go through. Pollen, smog, grass, trees, perfumes, cleaning solutions, mold/spores, and dust, are the airborne irritants that lead to those symptoms. If those symptoms linger, then eventually infections can occur, specifically bacterial infections. Then the cycle of antibiotics, decongestants and antihistamines start.
Usually, we can head things off in advance. If we know the time of year that affects us, sometimes taking 2-4,000mgs of vitamin C daily can protect our mucous membranes. Additionally, take B5(pantothenic acid) 250mg 3 x a day since this strengthens the immune system.
Quercitin (a bioflavinoid from grape seed) and/or green tea taken 3 x a day can reduce the allergies once they get started since they can shrink swollen membranes.
Nettles or nettles with eyebright are very good at reducing the inflamed, itchy effect of allergies. The nettles is good for the mucous membranes of the sinuses and the eyebright is great for the eyes.
Spraying your sinuses with either Oceans or Natureade saline solutions is a great way to eliminate the stuff (pollen, grass, dust etc.), that gets stuck in our sinuses and also help shrink the swollen membranes. The other great thing is that it can be used indefinitely and it’s non-addicting. Great for kids as well!
Speaking of kids, Herbs for Kids make some great herbal products that are tasty and very effective and most of all safe for children. Sinus and Immune, Immune, and Respiratory and Throat, are the best ones to keep on hand.
If you have a full blown allergy attack, Zand makes a product called Decongest Herbal. It’s actually great for allergies and viral and bacterial infections, but it really works well for acute allergy symptoms. One note, though it does contain Ma huang (ephedra), it is very safe if used for short periods of time, but people that are caffeine sensitive, have heart problems, kidney problems and hypertension should check with their practitioner before using.
If this allergy should turn into an infection then on the hour you should use Echinacea and Goldenseal. If in tincture form, then 2 droppers (not drops) hourly; if in capsule form, 2 - 4 capsules hourly, and drink a lot of water. Water will transport the therapeutic effects of the herbs into all the nooks and crannies that the bugs like to hide in. Not to mention it will carry away all the waste left behind from the infection.
Finally if you get too many infections, usually your immune system will pay the price. So on the times you ARE NOT sick, use an herb called Astragalus 2 x a day either in tincture or capsule form (follow the Echinacea advice). This will boost your immune system. As you get closer to allergy infection time or cold and flu time, then for two weeks use Astragalus and then stop. Then for the next two weeks, use the Echinacea and Goldenseal, then stop. Then for one week use the vitamin C (earlier paragraph), then go back to the beginning.
Hope that helps!
Majid Ali, L.Ac.
__________________________
As the name implies, the extract is derived form the leaves of the olive plant. Because it is a source of many phytochemicals (plant based enzymes) it has the ability to be antibacterial, antiviral, and even antiparasitic. A product called oleuopein which enzymes break down into elenolic acid appears to be the real important ingredient in fighting off various infections. In fact much of this was discovered after finding the soil where the waste was dumped after processing the the olive pulp for oil, nothing could grow! Now don’t worry it won’t kill off any of the good guys in the body but it will do a great job of fighting off pathogens (phew!).
The entire leaf is found to also contain a complex structure of flavinoids (a powerful antioxidant) and esters (precursors to chemical reactions), which appears to inhibit the pathogen from creating it’s own resistance to our bodies’ defenses. The bugs, as I like to call them, will try to mutate or change spots to stay alive. The olive leaf appears to destroy the protein coating around bacteria and viruses, thereby making them more exposed to our immune system.
So olive leaf is recommended for colds, flus, cold sores, ear infections, eye infections, nose and throat infections, impetigo, pink eye, parasites, and most other bacterial and viral and fungal infections (candida is one).
Olive leaf also boosts the immune system by increasing the function of phagocytosis (they gobble up bugs) in the white blood cells.
It has been clinically reported to have helped in cases of chronic fatigue syndrome, AIDS, Herpes, Epstein-Barr, bladder infections, yeast infections, and Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Because olive leaf is also a vasodilator and has an effect on blood pressure, be sure to check with your practitioner or doctor if you are on any heart or blood pressure medications.
Majid Ali, L.Ac.
Green tea is very popular these days. It's been in the orient and used there
for many, many years. What many people do not know is that the green and black
tea is made from the same tea plant (camellia sinensis). The difference of the
two is that the black tea is dried longer and fermented and the green tea has
not been treated.
Researchers have found that although both teas have strong antioxidants (they
remove waste from the cells), the green tea is the more potent. Green tea is
full of a potent bioflavinoid (just like oranges) called polyphenols. The
strongest being EGCG or in particular (for those that just need to know)
Epigallocatechin Gallate (phew). Research has discovered that this EGCG is 200
times stronger than Vitamin E. It is therefore more adept at capturing and
neutralizing free radicals and oxidants that can create the waste that can
damage the cells.
It appears to also reduce the build up of fatty plaque and even reduce blood
pressure. It has antibacterial properties and also antihistamine capabilities
and could be used for allergies and reducing sinus infections. Speaking of
infections, the mere drinking of green tea may reduce the build up the bacteria
in our mouths that may become harmful to our teeth and gums. It is thought to be
very helpful with cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, high cholesterol, cardiovascular
disease, varied infections, and improve immune functions (it sounds too good to
be true, eh?).
It is thought that 3-4 cups a day is the best amount to take in and give the
best results. Be careful of the caffiene if you're sensitive and get the decaf
if you are drinking that much. Also becareful of how you brew it. If you steep
it to long you will reduce the potency of your tea. The best way is to boil your
water. Remove from the heat and let it sit for a couple of minutes. THEN, pour
into a cup with your tea bag and let it steep for no more than 3 maybe 4
minutes. Remove the tea bag and enjoy!!!
Majid Ali, L.Ac.
Send mail to
webmaster@myherbguy.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2001 - 2005 Majid Ali, MyHerbGuy.Com