Herbs

1
Herbs Healing

• Dr Karen Bridgman
• PhD. M Sc(Hons), M Ed (Higher Ed), M App Sci
• Permaculture North
• 15th June 2007

2
Choices of plants

• Herbs culinary and medicinal (often both)
• Foods to supplement diet
• Australian Aboriginal foods medicines
• Shelter from neighbours
• Perfumed flowers
• Beautiful flowers
• The Polynesian collection

3
The Mechanics

• Mulch
• Sugar cane leaves, Banana leaves,
• Taro leaves, other leaves and twigs, mulched
  angophora
• Fertiliser
• Worm dirt, worm wee
• Organic cow manure
• Organic mushroom compost (not as much)
• Biodynamic preparation (occasionally)
• Fish emulsion (Organic Charlie Carp, Eco fish),
• Seaweeds or Seasol (occasionally)
• Dynamic lifter (small amounts if needed)

4
The Mechanics

• Recycling
• Household scraps to worm farm
• Bamboo stakes
• Leaves and twigs for mulch
• Reseeding encouraged
• Seed collecting
• Spinach, Chervil, Asian greens

5
Garden Issues

• Lack of sun (all year)
• Lots of trees (Angophoras mainly). North below
  ridge
• Soil a band of dark silty soil along side
• Main band - sandstone stones and thick clay - Ph
  8.5
• Close to the sea
• Watering and waste water
• Wildlife
• Ticks up the back
• Possums, Bandicoots
• Northern Beaches rats
• Variety of organisms that eat

6
House-keeping

• Many ways to use medicines
• (inc herbal medicines)
• First Aid home remedies for minor conditions
• Wellness and illness prevention combination of
  self help and professional advice
• Improving health in chronic dis-ease
  professional advice and management
• Treating chronic dis-ease professional advice,
  management and monitoring

7
Health / Illness

• All Medicine is about making changes
• Art of wellness vs technological solutions
• Wellness (Health) Model - small changes early
• Disease Model - large changes later
• There is a place for both models and they have
  complementary strengths and weaknesses.

8
Plants as medicines

• From the beginning of human habitation on this
  planet, plants have been used as foods and as
  medicines. A process of meticulous observation.
• Healers had extensive training and initiation.
• Until the advent of the pharmaceutical industry,
  plants were the major source of medicines.
• 80 of the worlds population still relies on
  plant medicines (WHO figures) to treat illness.
• Much can be done from home for short term mild
  problems, but any complex or chronic condition
  MUST be treated by a qualified practitioner

9
Herbs Pharmaceuticals

• Herbs Pharmaceuticals work along same pathways
  so potential for interactions.
• Drugs (? 70) have been developed from plants
• Both positive negative aspects to this
• Pharmaceuticals
• Advantage speed of improvement, can be life
  saving
• Disadvantage side effects, not health promoting
• Herbal medicines (botanicals) generally have a
  wide therapeutic window multiple effects
• Compared with drugs, which are purified chemical
  substances and have narrow therapeutic windows
• Remember all herbs are therapeutic substances

10
Plants as medicines

• Plants contain healing properties that affect
  every system of the body and if used wisely can
  be very effective.
• They need to be used in the context of a healthy
  diet lifestyle.
• Today many people have lost the knowledge (and
  confidence) of maintaining their health using
  plants.
• Remember
• Plants are medicines and as such have an ideal
  dose.
• Everything we ingest has the potential for
  toxicity.
• Many plants that we call weeds are potent herbal
  medicines.

11
Preparations

• Infusions, Decoctions (water based)
• Tonic wines
• Tinctures and Fluid extracts (alcohol based)
• Syrups, Juices, Glycetracts
• Oils
• Tablets and Capsules
• Creams, Salves, Ointments, Lotions
• Poultices, Compresses
• Washes, Hand and Foot Baths
• Pessaries, Suppositories

12
The Culinary Herbs Spices

• Lemon Balm
• Peppermint
• Green Tea

• Parsley
• Sage
• Rosemary
• Thyme
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Turmeric

13
Sage Salvia officinalis

• Parts Used Leaf
• Specific for relief of night sweats
• Anti-infective (antiseptic)
• Hormonal
• Antispasmodic
• Digestive (upset stomach diarrhoea)
• The Singers remedy
• Topically to reduce throat and gum inflammation

14
Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis

• Parts Used Leaf
• Rosemary for memory
• Relieves headache and anxiety
• Antioxidant
• General tonic
• Antispasmodic
• Topically stimulates circulation, antimicrobial
• antifungal

15
Thyme Thymus vulgaris

• Parts Used Leaf
• Antibiotic
• Use to relieve colds and flu
• Relieves coughing, expectorant
• For coughs, colds, bronchitis, upper respiratory
  tract infections
• Effective against H.pylori in combination
• Can be used as a gargle with Sage for sore throats

16
Garlic Allium sativum

• Parts Used Bulbs (cloves)
• Antibiotic, Antiviral, Antifungal
• Antiparasitic, Anthelmintic
• For all acute and chronic infections
• Relieves colds, flu, whooping cough
• Stimulates immune system
• Regulates cholesterol levels
• Normalises the cardiovascular system

17
Zingiber officinale (Ginger)
Parts Used Root Nausea vomiting, travel
sickness, digestive symptoms colic wind To
treat vertigo Arthritis Decreases cardiovascular
risk Prophylaxis for migraines (with
feverfew) Topical ginger compress for
mastitis Cautions low dose in children, low dose
1 week before surgery.
18
Turmeric Curcuma longa

• Parts Used Root (rhizomes)
• Antioxidant
• Anti-inflammatory
• Protects against degenerative disease
• Regulates cholesterol levels
• Digestive
• Liver tonic (stimulates bile)

19
Lemon Balm Melissa officinalis

• Parts Used Leaf
• The Arabian Scholars Herb
• Antiviral (including herpes)
• Relieves insomnia calming
• Digestive for nervous stomachs
• Good for children
• Topically as a cream to relieve herpes
  infections

20
Peppermint Mentha x piperita

• Parts Used Leaf
• Antispasmodic
• Relives irritable bowel syndrome
• Spasmodic gut complaints
• Cooling, antibacterial
• Improves bile production and secretion
• Gall bladder
• Reduces catarrh of respiratory tract
• Oil antimicrobial, relieves headaches

21
Green tea Camellia sinensis

• Part used top leaf bud
• High in antioxidants
• Protects against chronic degenerative disease
• Stimulant
• Diuretic
• Anti-diarrhoeal
• Can be used topically for skin disease including
  sunburn

22
The Flowers

• Calendula
• Chamomile
• Lavender

23
Calendula officinalis (Calendula)

• Parts Used Flower
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antiseptic
• Lymphatic cleanser
• Cell regranulator
• Inflammation of the mouth throat
• Topically for poorly healing wounds,
• Leg ulcers, bruises, boils rashes
• Research excellent for preventing burns from
  radiotherapy

24
Chamomile Matricaria recutita

• Parts Used Flower heads
• Calming and digestive
• Anti-spasmodic
• Anti-inflammatory
• Relieves travel sickness
• Great for anxious children with colic
• Topically to relieve skin inflammation

25
Lavender Lavandula angustifolia

• Parts Used Flower spikes
• Calming
• Relieves headaches
• Antimicrobial
• Calming herb for digestive complaints
• Restlessness and insomnia
• Oil treats wounds, sunburn, muscular aches and
  pains, relieves migraine

26
The Weeds

• Chickweed
• Dandelion
• Stinging Nettle
• Ribwort
• Shepherds Purse
• (Comfrey)

27
Chickweed Stellaria media

• Parts Used Whole herb
• Topically Internally - To relieve itchy skin
• Relieves rashes, eczema
• Varicose veins and haemorrhoids
• Internally
• anti-inflammatory
• Used to relieve arthritis
• Reduces excess fat (diuretic laxative)

28
Dandelion Taraxacum officinale

• Parts Used 2 3 year old Roots
• Classic remedy for the liver and gallbladder
• Anti-rheumatic
• Digestive (high inulin)
• Parts Used Leaf
• Diuretic (reduces fluid retention)
• (high potassium magnesium)
• Bitter tonic, Digestive

29
Stinging Nettle Urtica dioica

• Parts Used Leaf
• Blood cleanser
• Anti-inflammatory (Anti-rheumatic)
• Helps dissolve urinary gravel
• Highly mineralised
• Parts Used Root
• Reduces enlarged prostate

30
Plantago lanceolata (Ribwort)

• Parts Used Leaf
• Anti-inflammatory
• Detoxifying
• Coughs, bronchitis, mucus congestion,
  tonsillitis, sinusitis, hayfever
• Reduces bleeding
• Cell regranulator
• Improves immunity
• Digestive
• Topically wounds, gargle for sore throat
• Related to psyllium husks

31
Shepherds Purse Capsella bursa-pastoris

• Parts used whole herb
• Antihaemorhagic (Styptic)
• (used to stop excess bleeding)
• Urinary Antiseptic
• Used to reduce heavy menstrual bleeding,
• Cystitis
• Diarrhoea
• Topically to reduce bleeding wounds, nosebleeds

32
Symphytum officinale (Comfrey)
Parts Used Leaf root Topical use only Slow
wound healing As a poultice for broken bones
(knit-bone) Inflammation, bruises, sprains,
dislocations, pulled ligaments
muscles Traditionally internal use was for lung
disorders, gastritis, stomach ulcers and internal
bleeding
33
The Trees

• Eucalyptus
• Lemon Myrtle
• Olive

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Eucalyptus (globulus) spp

• Parts Used Mature Leaf
• Antiseptic, Antibacterial
• Expectorant
• Relieves lung infections, urinary tract
  infections
• Reduces fevers
• Bleeding gums
• Oil used as inhalant for colds, flu, croup

35
Backhousia citriodora (Lemon Myrtle)

• Parts Used Leaf
• Sedative
• Antiviral
• Antifungal
• Antibacterial
• Used for colds, flu, Bronchitis
• Immune stimulating
• Digestive - Indigestion
• Taste corrective

36
Oleo europa (Olive)
Parts Used Leaf For all infections Colds,
flu Antibacterial antiviral Reduces
inflammation Improves digestion Relieves fluid
retention Assists in lowering blood
pressure Oil Regulates cholesterol
levels Improves fat metabolism Mild laxative
37
Others

• Aloe vera
• Elder Flower Fruit
• Stevia

38
Aloe vera
Parts Used Leaf, resin, gel Gastro-intestinal
disorders, ulcers, inflammation, infections.
Viral conditions including herpes influenza
type A. Asthma, Diabetes. Topically wound
healing, burns including sunburn, inflammation,
ulcers, frostbite, genital herpes, radiation
induced dermatitis Excellent first aid remedy
39
Sambucus nigra (Elder)
Parts Used Flowers berries Colds, influenza
(especially in the early stages), hayfever,
sinusitis, allergies, Fever management Also for
bronchitis, sore throat, measles, scarlet
fever Relieves pain, diuretic Antifungal
40
Stevia rebaudiana
Parts Used Leaf Reduces cravings for sugar
fats Hypoglycaemic Antifungal,
Antimicrobial Hypotensive, Vasodilator, Diuretic
Tonic increases energy mental activity Leaf
is 30 times sweeter than sugar Stimulates insulin
secretion via a direct action on beta cells
41
Australian Native Plants

• Hop bush (Dodonaea viscosa)
• Emu Bush (Eremophilia longifolia)
• Round leaf mint bush (Prostanthera rotundifolia)

42
Hop bush (Dodonaea viscosa)

• Parts used Leaf , Stem Root
• Antioxidant
• Anti-inflammatory
• Analgaesic
• Wound healing
• Traditional Use
• Toothaches, cuts, wounds,
• stingray bites
• Lung Disorders
• Digestive
• Pain and swelling

43
Emu Bush (Eremophilia longifolia)

• Parts Used Leaf bark
• Traditional Use
• Topically for sores and wounds
• Internally for colds
• Smoked to relieve headaches
• Caution be careful of dose as can have
  cardiotonic effects

44
Round leaf mint bush (Prostanthera rotundifolia)

• Parts Used Leaf
• Astringent
• Diarrhoea
• Carminative
• Flavouring for culinary use

45
Specific Questions

• Migraine Feverfew leaf
• HBP Hawthorn Fl, Lf Berry, Motherwort Lf,
  Meadowsweet Lf, Mistletoe bracts, Yarrow Lf Fl
• High cholesterol Globe artichoke Lf, Turmeric,
  Garlic, Green Tea, St Marys Thistle etc
• ? Roseacea
• See practitioner for detailed treatment for
  complex conditions.

46
References

• Grieve Mrs M. (1st Pub 1931 this ed 1984) A
  Modern Herbal. Great Britain, Penguin.
• Culpeper, Nicolas. (1st published 1826- this ed
  2003). Culpepers Complete Herbal Eglish
  Physician. London, Collins Brown
• Lassak E McCarthy T. (3rd ed 2001) Australian
  Medicinal Plants. Sydney. New Holland Pub.
• Shipard, Isabell. (2003) How can I use Herbs in
  my Daily Life. Nambour, David Stewart
• Van Wyk B Wink M (2004) Medicinal Plants of the
  World. Pretoria, Briza Pub.
• Whitten, Greg. (3rd ed 2004) Herbal Harvest.
  Melbourne, Bloomings Books
• Photos K. Bridgman