Herb Review

Alstonia (Alstonia scolaris, A constricta): There are 43 species of alstonia trees. The bark of the tree is used medicinally in the Pacific Rim and India. Constricta, which is native to Australia, is used extensively as an Aboriginal folk remedy for fever, chronic diarrhea, dysentery and rheumatism. Scholaris, found growing mostly in India, Pakistan and the Philippines, is used for the same purposes, but may also be employed as a treatment for malaria, and is thought to have aphrodisiac qualities. In all cases the bark is powdered and made into a tea. The inner bark of Alstonia constricta is said to possess marked antiperiodic properties, while the outer bark is stated to have been efficacious in curing certain forms of rheumatism. Continue reading…

Aquilaria malaccensis (Agarwood): Internally for digestive and bronchial complaints, fevers, and rheumatism (bark, wood). Because of its astringent nature, the powdered wood of the aloe tree provide an effective skin tonic and is recommended by Ayurvedic physicians as an application for restoring pigment in leucoderma. Powdered aloeswood provides an antiseptic so gentle it is used for ear and eye infections as well as on open wounds.

Aloe, Cape (Aloe ferox): The bitter yellow juice found just below the skin has been harvested for centuries for its laxative properties, the treatment of arthritis, for its healing properties and for use in cosmetics. The hard, black, resinous product is known as Cape aloes or aloe lump and is used mainly for its laxative properties but is also taken for arthritis. Cape Aloe contains aloin, principally used as a purgative, particularly for sedentary or phlegmatic types. Aloe tincture or extract is very gentle and slow-acting although too frequent use is said to induce piles. Taken in large doses, it can have a drastic effect, even causing abortion, so it should never be taken by pregnant women. Continue reading…

Aloe (Aloe barbadensis): Commercial aloe juice is made from the inner leaf, which is blended and strained, with a preservative added. To make aloe “gel”, the juice is thickened with seaweed to mimic the leaf’s original thick consistency. The crystalline part called aloin, a brownish gel found alongside the leaf blade, is powdered and used in some commercial laxatives. It is so strong that it must be combined with other herbs to prevent intestinal griping. The commercial juice and gel remove this part of the leaf, so both the juice and the gel are soothing to digestive tract irritations, such as peptic ulcers and colitis. Continue reading…

Almond, Indian (Terminalia catappa): Extracts from the leaves and bark of the plant have proven anticarcinogenic, anti-HIV and hepatoprotective properties (liver regenerating effects), including anti-diabetic effects. The leaves and bark have been used traditionally in the South Pacific, for fungal related conditions. It may be potentially beneficial for overall immune support, liver detoxification and antioxidant support. The leaves contain agents for chemo-prevention of cancer and probably have anticarciogenic potential. Continue reading…

Almond (Prunus communis): Bitter almonds when distilled yield an essential oil containing about 5% of prussic acid. Almonds are usually processed to extract almond oil for cosmetic purposes. It is helpful for alleviating itchy skin conditions, such as eczema. The oil is popular with masseuses and aromatherapists as it is light, easily absorbed, and makes an excellent carrier oil for essential oils. Little is used for medicinal purposes, but almond flour is sometimes used as sustaining food for diabetics. Almond milk is still drunk as a kidney tonic and to ease heartburn. Continue reading…