12 Essential Herbs
(Page 4 of 7)
April/May 2006
By Michael Castleman
Note: Both green tea and black tea come from the leaves of the same plant. Drying the leaves produces green tea. Fermenting them yields black tea. Both green and black tea help prevent heart disease and cancer, but for reasons that remain unclear, only green tea has been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer.
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Dosage: One to four cups a day, or as much as you can tolerate. A cup of tea has approximately half the caffeine of a cup of instant coffee, and one-third the caffeine of a cup of brewed coffee.
Cautions: Tea contains caffeine that may cause insomnia and irritability.
Herbs To Treat Common Complaints
Although herbal medicine is not the answer for every ailment, herbs can be used effectively to treat many health conditions, including those below.
Black Cohosh for Menopausal Discomforts. For 40 years, Europeans have used black cohosh to treat hot flashes. During the past decade, this herb has become popular in the United States. Several studies have questioned its benefit, but a clear majority have shown that black cohosh is effective. Its also safe for women who cant take hormones, such as those with a history of breast cancer.
Dosage: Products vary, so follow the label directions.
Cautions: Side effects are rare, but may include stomach distress. Black cohosh should not be used by pregnant women.
Cranberry for Urinary Tract Infection. Cranberry juice and the dried berries and extract prevent bacteria from sticking to the bladder wall long enough to cause infection. Many studies confirm cranberrys value in preventing urinary tract infection. Canadian researchers gave 150 women one of three treatments: cranberry juice (three cups per day), cranberry tablets (three per day) or a placebo. A year later, the women who took cranberry had experienced significantly fewer infections than the placebo group. Cranberry juice and dried cranberries are available at supermarkets. Capsules containing cranberry extract are available at health food stores and most pharmacies.
Dosage: If you use cranberry juice cocktail, drink at least three cups a day. If you use dried cranberries, munch on a handful or two a day. For commercial cranberry extract, be sure to follow the label directions.
Cautions: None.
Echinacea for Colds. The root and sometimes the aboveground portions of this daisylike flower have been shown to bolster the immune system and help the body fight colds. Some studies have shown no treatment benefit, but most show that echinacea minimizes cold symptoms and speeds recovery. The most comprehensive investigation of echinaceas cold-fighting effectiveness was a University of Wisconsin analysis of nine studies. Eight showed significant treatment benefit milder symptoms and briefer colds.
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