Materials of Medicine
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Arctium lappa (Burdock)Family: Asteraceae Habitat: Native to Europe and grown in temperate zones in US and Asia. Prefers moist soil and will grow in abandoned lots and by roads. It is a thistle plant. It has a biennial root which gives rise to the stem, growing 3-4 feet tall. It has large, wavy, dull, pale green leaves with a gray down on the undersurface. The leaves will be large at the base of the plant and small near the top. The flowers are tubular, purple, pale pink or white and globular and are enclosed in a burr. Part Used: Root, seeds and leaves Active Constituents: The root contains up to 50% inulin, tannin (phylobaphone), polyacetylenes (immune stimulating), volatile oils (acetic, proprionic, butyric, isovaleric), non-hydroxyl acids (lauric, myristic, stearic, palmitic) and polyphenolic acids. The seeds contain 15-30% fixed oils, a bitter glycoside (arctiin) and chlorogenic acid. The leaves contain arctiol, fukinone, and taraxasterol. Medicinal Actions: Alterative, antimutagenic, diuretic, diaphoretic, laxative, immunostimulatory, anti-inflammatory, choleretic, cholagogue, bitter Energetics: Cool to neutral, sweet Medicinal Use: The historical use for this herb is as a food. It has long been used as a tonic food. As an alterative, it “improves the quality of the blood, increases the appetite, promotes digestion, and accelerates the processes of elimination” (Felter, p. 82). Alteratives assist the body in detoxification processes and promote normal function. Arctium has a bitter action, stimulating the release of HCl and other digestive enzymes. It has a mild choleretic and cholagogue effect and can be used in conditions of either excess or deficiency. The leaves exhibit the highest level of choleretic activity. It has a slow and gentle mechanism of action, often requiring treatment for several weeks to months. It is used to treat constipation, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, deficiencies of detoxification and many skin conditions. Arctium stimulates the sebaceous glands and the apocrine glands, restoring the natural layer of oil present on the skin. It is used to treat eczema, acne, psoriasis and hyper-reactive skin. It is also used topically to treat acne, carbuncles and furuncles due to anti-microbial action. Arctium stimulates the activity of WBCs making it a useful adjunct in the treatment of infection. It also has anti-inflammatory action, and is used to treat autoimmune diseases. It enhances the elimination of uric acid through the kidneys (root & leaf) so is used to treat gout and RA. A 1990 study in Planta Medica (56:659) demonstrated that Arctium minus spp. decreased inflammation in RA sufferers by 57% versus 46% decrease in control group. Other studies reveal that it will lower blood sugar levels in rats. In France, it is commonly used to lower blood sugar and to help remove adipose tissue from the body. The leaves have been used topically to treat bruises, skin eruptions and burns.
Fluid Extract (1:2 or 1:1) : .5 to 2 ml TID Arctostaphylos uva ursi (Bearberry)Family: Ericaceae Part Used: Leaves (Young) Active Constituents: Flavonoids, glycosides, phenolic glycoside Arbutin (converted into antiseptic oxidized hydroquinone in alkaline urine) resin, ursolic acid, tannin Medicinal Actions: Anti-microbial, antiseptic, astringent, demulcent, diuretic, oxytocic, tonic Arctostaphylos is best known as a urinary anti-microbial and tonifier. It will reduce the inflammation and increase the ability of the organs to function. It is said to best treat urinary tract infections when the urine is alkaline. This is because the Arbutin is known to be converted into hydroquinone in alkaline urine. This does not take into account the unidentified glycosides and the action of the resins. The whole plant is best used because the plant itself will alkalize urine. The flavonoids also assist in the assimilation of the Arbutin itself. You may add bicarbonate (baking soda) to the formula to further assist in alkalization and the anti-microbial action of the herb. The urine may turn dark brown or brownish green color when using this protocol due to the oxidation of the hydroquinone. Arctostaphylos seems to be most effective against E. coli infections. The herb is also a diuretic that will increase tone and function to the urinary tract. It may be indicated for longer use when a patient presents with an atonic bladder or urinary system. The symptoms of increased urinary frequency, incontinence and urgency would decrease. It is also astringent in its action, which contributes to the tonification of the urinary system. Specific indications for the use of this herb include “its direct influence is upon relaxed conditions of the bladder walls, to which it imparts tone and induces normal contraction. It restrains excessive mucous discharges”. Ellingwood.
Infusion: 1 tsp/cup H2O BID-6 X QD Decoction: 2 tsp/cup H2O TID – QID Tincture (1:5): 2-5 ml QID Fluid Extract (1:1): 1 – 3 ml QID Capsules: 200 – 400 mg QID Astragalus membranaceus (Yellow Vetch, Huang Chi)Family: Fabaceae (Leguminoseae) Habitat/Botanical Description: It is a perennial plant that grown up to 140 cm with pinnate leaves in leaflets of an elliptic shape. The racemes are axillary with a calyx that is tubular. Part Used: Root Active Constituents: Choline, flavonoids, nutrients (amino acids-gamma aminobutyric acid, canavanine), phytosterols (beta-sitosterol), polysaccharides, triterpenoid saponins (astragalosides), volatile oil Medicinal Actions: Adaptogenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, cardiotonic, diuretic, hepatoprotective, hypotensive, immunomodulator Energetic Use: In Chinese medicine it is considered a Qi tonic to spleen and stomach and a blood tonic. It is sweet and slightly warm. Medicinal Use: Astragalus is an herb used in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. It is an herb that has action in nearly all body systems. It strengthens the immune system, energizes the body and builds deep immune strength. Astragalus is used to treat chronic immune imbalances (chronic colds, EBV, HIV, candida, etc.). It also stimulates bone marrow (RBCs, WBCs, platelets), thus supporting immune function and protecting the body against infection. It inhibits chemotherapy induced immunosuppression. In the immune system, it affects several pathways of immune function. It is considered an immunomodulator due to its ability to enhance and strengthen immune function. It enhances cytotoxicity of NK cells, potentiates interleukin-2 cell cytotoxicity and enhances T-cell function. It was shown to reduce nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antibodies in blood cell cultures in myasthenia gravis patients (K. Bone & Simon Mills). It even works to support normal immune function in patients during chemotherapy. It will also reduce the negative sequelae of chemo and radiation (fatigue, weight loss, anemia, nausea and loss of strength). In patients with repeated colds, it was shown to increase IgA and IgG and prevent recurrence. It also enhances interferon activity. This is probably the pathway by which it provides anti-viral activity. Best results were obtained when dosing persisted for 8 weeks or more. It seems to normalize immune function and reduce damage from autoimmune conditions. It protected kidneys and lung from damage by autoantibody complexes. It also enhances the body’s production of interferon, providing antiviral activity. The adaptogenic activity of Astragalus is shown in both in-vitro and in-vivo testing. It enhances tolerance to stress and increases mitochondrial function without increasing the mitochondrial oxygen consumption. It is used to enhance recovery of deficient or depleted patients and will prevent infection, reduce or clear autoimmune disease symptoms, and protects against oxidative damage. In the cardiovascular system, it shows a positive inotropic action on heart muscle, probably through Na+-K+-ATPase modulation. This can also reduce blood pressure and even reduce plasma rennin activity. There is a small study using patients with angina that revealed cardiac output increased after two weeks of treatment. It strengthens left ventricular function and reduced free radical damage in patients post MI. It seems to increase SOD (super oxide dismutase) activity in cardiac muscle, and decreases lipid peroxidation. It is considered a cardiac tonic. It has also shown a hepatoprotective effect and has a mild choleretic action. It reduces oxidative damage to hepatocytes and increased cellular repair. It has been used in patients with chronic viral hepatitis and reduced levels of inflammation and symptoms when taken for 4 – 12 weeks. It has also shown ability to increase motility of human sperm. In aged patients, it normalized intestinal flora balance and enhanced motility of the small intestine. Contraindications: Not advised during acute infections in general, though some disagree. Toxicity: None Drug Interactions: None, in fact enhances effectiveness of all drugs tested with too date (4/03) Pharmacy: Decoction: 1 Tbl/cup water TID Tincture (1:5): 5 ml TID Fluid Extract (1:2): 2 – 4 ml BID |