Materials of Medicine

Curcuma longa (Turmeric)

Family: Zingiberaceae

Flavonoids, proteins, minerals, polysaccharides (ukonan-A, ukonan-D), resins, vitamins (including carotenoids like capsaicin), volatile oils

Anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, antineoplastic, antioxidant, bitter, carminative, cholagogue, choleretic, emmenagogue, hypolipidemic, hypotensive, vulnerary, hepatoprotective

Medicinal Uses:

Its chief use is in the manufacture of curry powders. Many of the medicinal uses of Curcuma arise from its actions on the liver. It has the ability to stimulate the secretion of HCl and bile. It also stimulates the gall bladder to emulsify and release the bile into the digestive tract, assisting in a general detoxifying action.

It also acts as an antioxidant in the body in general, and in the liver specifically. It prevents lipid peroxidation from a variety of agents, thus anyone with toxic exposure that manifests with signs of liver damage would benefit from Curcuma. It has been shown to inhibit inflammation in the hepatocytes, skin, joints, muscles and nerves. Studies indicate that curcumin is as powerful an antioxidant as vitamins C and E, and even beta-carotene. Antioxidants are also powerful preservatives, which helps explain why turmeric has long been sprinkled on food to help retain its freshness.

Curcuma is a strong anti-inflammatory agent and has been shown to be effective for such conditions as RA, OA, trauma and post op. The interest in the plant's potential for preventing neurologic diseases, such as MS and Alzheimer's, was spurred by the realization that elderly Indian populations that consume large amounts of turmeric are far less likely than their Western counterparts to develop such ailments. Scientists conjecture that turmeric benefits such neurologic illnesses by minimizing inflammation. More research in this area is clearly required before specific recommendations can be made.

Curcuma also inhibits platelet aggregation. It has anti-tumor effects, possibly due to the polysaccharide content. It has been used to treat and prevent cancer formation, initiation, promotion, and progression. Curcuma also has a mild ability to inhibit gram-positive bacteria and the essential oil is antifungal. It has some ability to inhibit the mutagenic action of tobacco smoke (like curcumin).

It has some action as an emmenagogue, and is commonly used with arthritis, especially of an autoimmune etiology. It is also used for psoriasis, eczema and acne.

Contraindications:

Use in a patient with bile duct obstruction and in pregnancy.

Infusion - ½ tsp to 1 Tbl powdered root/C. H2O, X 15 min. Take one Tbl. In water TID- QID

Tincture (1:5) - 15 drops TID-QID or ½ tsp. BID - TID

Fluid Extract (1:1) - 10 drops BID to TID or ¼ tsp. TID-QID

Powdered Herb - ½ tsp. P.o. QD to QID

Capsules SE - 100 mg. QD to TID

Acute inflammation: 400-600mg curcumin TID-QID

Crataegus oxycantha (Hawthorne)

Amines, flavonoids, phenolic acids, procyanadins, tannins, vitamins – ascorbic acid

Anti-oxidant, astringent, cardiac tonic, cardioprotective, diuretic, nutritive, muscle tonic

The specific indications for the use of Crataegus include “cardiac weakness, with valvular murmurs, sighing respiration, or other difficult breathing, especially when associated with nerve depression or neurasthenia; mitral regurgitation, with valvular insufficiency; cardiac pain; dyspnea; rapid and feeble heart action; marked anemia, associated with heart irregularity; cardiac hypertrophy; and heart strain, due to over exertion or accompanying nervous explosions”. Felter.

Crataegus is a model for a cardiac tonic. Its action is gentle, slow acting and lasting and is referred to as “food for the heart.” The flowers and leaves have been shown to cause a positive inotropic effect in heart muscle, though the berries have traditionally been the portions of the plant used. The flavonoids and procyanidins will improve coronary circulation, cause an increase in energy stores and calcium in myocardial cells and increase nutrition and intracellular oxygen consumption. Because of the increased function of the cardiac and arterial muscle, it is used to treat hypertension, hypotension, angina, CHF and coronary artery disease. It has also been shown to increase the tensile binding strength of connective tissue in general. Crataegus is used to reduce cardiac plaque formation, though the mechanism is unknown. It is safe for long-term use and will take several weeks before there is a therapeutic effect.

Because of the smooth muscle relaxing and bronchodilating actions, it is also a good tonic to add to formulas for the treatment of asthma. It also works on an energetic level to strengthen the function of this part of the body.

On an energetic basis, Crataegus is used to treat heart associated issues. It is used to treat both broken and closed hearts and to protect a heart too readily opened.

Toxicity: None
Pharmacy:

Infusions (Leaf & Flower): 1 Tbl/Cup TID

Decoctions (Berries): Tbl/Cup TID

Tincture (1:1, 1:5): 60 drops TID – QID (severe disease, 1 tsp TID)

Solid Extract: ¼ to ½ tsp. TID

Cynara scolymus (Artichoke)

Bitter (cynaropicrin) a sesquiterpene lactone, flavonoids (luteolin glycosides cynaroside and scolymoside),

polyphenols including 1,5-dicaffeoyl-D-quinic acid (cynarin), hydrocinnamic acid (luteolin), and caffeic acid.

Medicinal Actions:

Anti-emetic, antioxidant, bitter, carminative, choleretic, hypolipidemic, spasmolytic

Artichoke is a powerful bitter, both stimulating appetite and digestion. It is an herb of choice for the treatment of liver inflammation like hepatitis, or conditions of liver stagnation. It reduces eructation, gas and abdominal bloating that occur after meals. It has been shown to reduce inflammation and liver damage in patients with hepatitis. It also reduces oxidative damage to the hepatocytes that occurs from infection, inflammation and exposure to environmental or food toxins. The antioxidant effects may go beyond the liver into other portions of the digestive system. Human studies show a marked lipemic action in both cholesterol and triglycerides in hyperlipidemic patients. It has also shown that it normalizes cholesterol synthesis in the liver. In patients with hyperlipidemic, it was shown to inhibit synthesis of cholesterol by the hepatocytes. It also reduces oxidation of cholesterol. Consider this herb as a normalizer of lipid synthesis.

The antioxidant effects of Cynara have also been demonstrated to occur in the cardiovascular system. It reduces arteriosclerotic plaque damage in the vessels and reduces serum cholesterol levels.

Toxicity: None demonstrated

Drug interactions: None known

Pharmacology:

Leaf as Infusion: 1 – 2 Tbl/cup water BID to TID

Blossom as Food – One artichoke a day (avoid the butter dip)

Tincture (1:5): 5 ml. BID – TID

Fluid Extract (1:1, 1:2): 2 ml. BID – TID