Posts

Ginger

/in /by

A favorite herb for the colder months. Ginger is invigorating, energizing and delicious. We add it to many of our concoctions, including all of our Fire Cider, our Seasonal Chai blends, our Elderberry-Ginger Syrup blend, our Energy Tonic tea, our Achy Joints tea, our Kava-Ginger Muscle balm, and our Kava-Ginger Bath blend.  A hot cup of ginger tea will drive the chill from your body, and adding a concentrated tea to your bath water is an incredible way to relax tight and achy muscles.

BOTANICAL NAME:  Zingiber officinale

COMMON NAME(S): Jamaican ginger, African ginger, Calcutta ginger, Green ginger (fresh ginger)

FAMILY: Zingiberaceae

PARTS USED: Rhizome, incorrectly called root

DESCRIPTION: Ginger has a perennial rhizome or stem which creeps and increases in size underground. Roots grow from the bottom of the rhizome and shoots from the upper surface.

In the spring it sends up from its rhizome a green reed-like stalk about 2 feet high, with narrow lanceolate leaves. These leaves die back after the growing season. The flowering stalk rises directly from the rhizome with the leaves and consists of an oblong spike with scalloped green bracts. From each bract one or more white or yellowish-green flowers is produced, blooming for several days. The underground rhizome is the source of commercial “ginger root”. (Grieve, M. 1931. A Modern Herbal.)

HABITAT: tropical climates; can be grown in temperate regions if brought indoors during the cold months. Z. officinale is thought to originally be native to southeast Asia, although no one knows for sure exactly where. It has become so widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions of the world that it is rarely found growing wild. Ginger prefers warm, humid, sunny and low altitude locations with well-drained, fertile soil.

HARVESTING/PROPAGATION: harvest the rhizome after 1 year of growth. Cultivated propagation has been done by root cuttings for so long many cultivars no longer produce seeds. You can plant the rhizome about two inches deep in pots and keep them well-watered until it begins to sprout. Start indoors in the early spring and then move the pots outside when the weather warms up.

ENERGETICS AND TASTE: pungent, sweet, bitter, very warming, drying 

CONSTITUENTS: Volatile(essential) oil (1-3%) containing sesquiterpenes zingiberene and B-bisabolene, B-sesquiphellandrene,  oleoresin and ar-curcumene; some monoterpenes such as geranial and neral; (4-10%) Pungent compounds (non-volatile phenols, arylalkanes) including gingerols (strong anti-inflammatory), shogaols, gingerdiols, gingerdiones; Vitamins: B6, niacin, panthothenic acid, riboflavin, thiamin, Vitamin C, beta carotenes, choline; Minerals: copper, magnesium, magnanese, potassium, phosphorous, iron, zinc, calcium, sodium, selenium; Other: lecithin, resins, carbohydrates (40-60%), protein, lipids, phosphatidic acid

SOLUBILITY: water, alcohol, glycerin, honey, vinegar, oil

ACTIONS: diffusive, diaphoretic, circulatory stimulant, carminative, antispasmodic, rubefacient (local irritant), anti-inflammatory, emmenagogue, sialagogue, antimicrobial, expectorant, anti-cancer

PROPERTIES:  Ginger increases the circulation of blood and qi (the vital energy of the body). It improves digestion, stimulates blood flow to the stomach, eases nausea and motion sickness (lots of clinical trials show it is more effective than Dramamine), and relaxes the smooth muscles of the GI tract. The sharp, pungent compounds of this spicy rhizome cut through mucus and support expectoration from the lungs. Its warming, circulatory supporting properties make it helpful for cold/damp types of arthritis (those kinds that are worse from cold and inactivity, and better with warmth & movement).

Ginger brings blood flow to the joints and to the skin. As a diaphoretic, it helps bring blood to the capillaries on the surface of the body and brings on a sweat. This can be very helpful for fevers, especially when someone has a low-grade fever or fever with pronounced chills and cool, clammy skin. Ginger will help the fever mechanism work more effectively and clear the illness more quickly.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, fresh ginger promotes sweating and releases exterior cold. Fresh ginger is used for vomiting, cough, intolerance to cold, runny nose, nasal congestion and general aches and pains. Dried ginger is considered to be more heating to the interior and can be more irritating to the mucus membranes. Dried ginger is used to strengthen circulation, appetite and digestion, and to thin mucus that has become thick and difficult to expectorate.

INDICATIONS:

  • anorexia, loss of appetite
  • nausea, vomiting, motion sickness
  • flatulence
  • borborygmus
  • gastric & intestinal spasms
  • painful menses, cramping
  • amenorrhea due to poor circulation
  • cold extremities
  • acute colds & flu
  • sore, achy muscles
  • cough with copious amounts of clear or white mucus
  • sinus congestion

CONTRAINDICATIONS: 

  • According to Comm E, use of ginger is contraindicated in patients with gallstones.
  • Some sources say ginger should not be administered during pregnancy, however, several traditions have used small quantities for morning sickness. A daily dose of 2gm dried ginger is okay.
  • Careful with peptic ulceration; ginger can aggravate existing ulcers, though regular use may be helpful in preventing future ulcers
  • The irritating pungent qualities of ginger can also aggravate heartburn/GERD. Use smaller amounts in between meals.
  • Drug interactions – care with blood thinning agents

PREPARATION AND DOSAGE: Hot decoction of rhizome is best for colds/flus. Fresh ginger decoction is incredible added to hot bath water, to aid with diaphoresis and to relax achy, tense muscles. Can also be used topically as a poultice, salve or liniment to bring blood flow and/or relax spasm in certain areas.  Can also be made into syrups, infused into honey, vinegar, vegetable glycerin, or used fresh or powdered in food. 

Dried root, powder – 500mg 2-4 x/day or 2-4 total grams a day

Dried root water infusion = .25- 1.0 g in 150 ml water 3X a day

Fresh root as food – up t0 100 grams a day

Fresh root water infusion = 1-2 g in 8 oz water, simmered

Tablets 500 mg 1 tab 2-4x day

Tincture: 1.7 – 5 ml /day (assuming 1:5 potency)

COMBINATIONS: Ginger makes a great addition to a formula as a “driving herb” or an herb that can help with the assimilation and circulation of the other herbs. It can make up 10-20% of a tea or tincture formula. Try it with feverfew and ginkgo for a migraine, elderflower and yarrow for fever, onion and garlic for a chronic cough or acute congestion, and dandelion and chamomile for digestion.

HISTORY/FOLKLORE/MYTHOLOGY: Ginger was introduced into the Americas after the discovery of that country by the Spaniards. Francisco de Mendosa transplanted it from the East Indies into Spain, where Spanish-Americans cultivated it vigorously, so that in 1547 they exported 22,053 cwt (1 cwt = 112 lbs) to Europe. (Grieve, M. 1931. A Modern Herbal.)

There is a native variety of ginger that grows in the shady woodlands of North America. Its botanical name is Asarum canadense. It is not as pungent as Asian ginger, but it does have carminative, expectorant and stimulating properties. Wild ginger was used by Native Americans for fever, coughs and pain and to stimulate appetite, much like Asian ginger. It is a low-growing plant with heart-shaped leaves. Please be sure to use a reputable identification guide if you want to look for this in the wild. And practice ethical wild-crafting techniques, taking no more than 30% of a healthy, large population, and leaving smaller stands untouched.

REFERENCES:

  1. Bone, Kerry. A Clinical Guide to Blending Liquid Herbs: Herbal Formulations for the Individual Patient. St. Louis, MO: Churchill Livingstone, 2003. pgs. 227-231 Print.
  2. “Ginger” American Botanical Council Clinical Guide. Web 15 Sept 2020 http://cms.herbalgram.org/ABCGuide/Monographs/GingerGuideMonograph.html
  3. Grieve, M. 1931. A Modern Herbal
  4. Kress, Henriette.  “Zingiber (U.S.P.) – Ginger, King’s American Dispensatory, 1898) Henriette’s Herbal Homepage. n.d. Web. 15 Sept 2020 https://www.henriettes-herb.com/eclectic/kings/zingiber.html
  5. Tilgner, Dr. Sharol Marie. Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth. 2nd ed. Pleasant Hill, OR: Wise Acres LLC, 2009. pgs. 91-93  Print
  6. Vermeulen, N. 1999. Encyclopaedia of Herbs.
  7. Wood, Matthew. The Earthwise Herbal: A Complete Guide to Old World Medicinal Plants. Berkeley, CA.: North Atlantic Books, 2009. Pgs. 533-537 Print.
*This article is for educatinal purposes only. The information contained in this has not been reviewed by the FDA and is not intended to treat, prevent, cure or diagnose any disease*

Solomon’s Seal

/in /by

The name Solomon’s Seal comes from the Biblical King Solomon, whose divinely-gifted ring had a special seal that aided him in magically commanding demons. According to lore, King Solomon placed his seal upon the plant in recognition of its great value. If you dig up a rhizome of Solomon’s seal, you can see the scarring on the rhizomes from where old shoots once sprouted. They look like the marks of an old-fashioned wax seal made by a ring.

There is a great deal of herbal lore about this plant. Galen (130-200 A.D.) recommended Solomon’s seal to remove freckles and skin spots.  It was said to improve complexions and help women retail beauty and agelessness (perhaps because of its tightening effect on connective tissue?). And sixteenth century English herbalist John Gerard has some misogynistic suggestions for bruising that I will not repeat here.

Native Americans and the 19th century Eclectic physicians used Solomon’s seal for a variety of “female troubles”. It has applications for first aid, and the urinary, cardiovascular, respiratory and digestive systems, but its main claim to fame is as a tonic to the musculoskeletal system…

Botanical Name: Polygonatum biflorum

Family: Asparagaceae

Description: Native to North America, Europe, Siberia and Asia. It grows in deciduous woodlands with full to partial shade. The stems form arches with alternate, parallel-veined leaves. The creamy tubular bell-like flowers hang from the undersides of the stems, going on to form blackish blue berries.

Part Used: Rhizome

Taste: Sweet, bitter

Energetics: cooling, relaxing, toning, moistening

Actions: demulcent, yin  tonic, expectorant, nutritive, vulnerary, anti-inflammatory, relaxant, cardotonic (mild), amphoteric

Constituents: Asparagin, Convallarin (a cardiac glycoside), steroidal saponins, saponosides (including Diosgenin), Allatonin, Sapogenin, lectins, non-protein amino acids

Uses: A superior tonic and anti-inflammatory for the connective tissue, Solomon’s seal is ideal for connective tissue injuries (tennis elbow, carpal tunnel, arthritis, partial tears of the rotator cuff, runner’s knee, mild tears of the meniscus of the ACL, disc injuries and sacroiliac pain.

As an amphoteric (an herb that works bidirectionally), Solomon’s seal can both tighten and restore tone to overly loose ligaments, muscles and tendons, and loosen the forementioned tissues when they are overly tightened. According to herbalist Jim McDonald, Solomon’s seal nourishes and moistens dried out, atrophic tissues by improving the production of synovial fluid.  I think of Solomon’s seal for loud, crackling joints and joint pain that is worse after exertion.

As a demulcent herb, Solomon’s seal is soothing and moistening to the digestive tract. It also soothes hot and irritated tissues of the urinary tract and respiratory system. Traditional Chinese Medicine classifies Solomon’s seal a yin tonic, meaning that it strengthens the yin faculties (the nourishing, lubricating, restorative aspects of the body). It is used in China to balance dryness (dry cough, dry throat, diabetes) and build yin. It is said to restore color to the hair, build marrow and increase semen (all signs that Solomon’s Seal builds Kidney yin/Jing)

Signatures: Herbalist Matthew Wood talks about Solomon’s seal as “Wolf Medicine”. Wolf medicines have a right angle in the way that they grow, and we see this in the horizontal growth of the rhizome that grows perpendicular to the vertical shoots. Wolf medicines act on the tendons, ligaments, joints and gallbladder. They are indicated when we need to make a sharp turn in our life, to make a radical change, but lack the ‘gall’ to do it.
Another signature is how the white, knobby rhizomes resemble bones and joints (especially finger bones).

Preparations:

  • Decoction: 1 tsp dried rhizome per 8 oz water, simmered for 10-15 minutes, then steeped for another 45-50 minutes. Drink 4 oz 3 x per day. Decoction may also be applied topically as a compress
  • Tincture: fresh root 1:3, 95% alcohol; dried root 1:5, 50% alcohol; 5 drops to 3 ml 3 x a day. Tincture may also be applied topically as a liniment
  • Salve: oil extract (1:4). Applied topically
  • Poultice: fresh root can be mashed and applied topically for bruises, hemorrhoids and inflammations

Contraindications:

  • Solomon’s seal does contain trace amounts of cardiac glycosides, and may potentiate the effects of cardioactive medications
  • Large doses may cause gastric upset
  • Berries are toxic

Works Consulted;

  • Maude Grieves, A Modern Herbal
  • Michael Tierra, East West School of Planetary Herbology Natural Medicinal Herbs
  • Robyn McKenzie, Solomon’s Seal- Eclectic School of Herbal Medicine
  • Matthew Wood, Herbalist Matthew Wood gives an in-depth discussion of the Doctrine of Signatures

*** This information is for educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to treat, cure or prevent any disease ***

Find Solomon’s Seal in our Achy Joints Salve

Gotu Kola

/in /by
(Centella asiatica)

What do pain, Celiac’s disease, world peace and yoga have in common? Well, they are all national themes for the month of September, AND they can all be improved with the help of a little herb called Gotu Kola- a sub-tropical creeping plant that thrives in swampy habitats.

Maybe you have heard of this plant and its potential for improving cognitive function? It’s true that this tiny creeping vine can revitalize the brain and nervous system, increase mental concentration, and combat cognitive decline associated with aging. But it does much more than that! Gotu Kola is also a tonic for our blood vessels and connective tissue.   As a systemic anti-inflammatory, it is helpful for autoimmune conditions.  And it has a reputation for relieving depression, anxiety, and expanding consciousness. Read on to learn more about the wonderful benefits of this humble herb.

Brain Tonic

Gotu Kola, also known as Brahmi (not to be confused with Bacopa, which is also referred to as Brahmi), is an important herb to the Ayurvedic lineage of herbal medicine.  In fact, “brahmi” means “godlike,” which shows just how revered this herb is in India  where it us used to aid in meditation.  It is considered a rasayana, or a rejuvenative tonic for the brain and nervous system and it is said to re-vitalize the nervous system, increase attention span, and support graceful aging (5).

Studies have demonstrated cognitive-enhancing and anti-oxidant properties in rats, supporting the idea that gotu kola could help prevent Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive deficits that result from oxidative damge and neurotoxicity (1).

More recently, a study out of Korea shows that components in brahmi/gotu kola show potential for supporting healthy memory. It is, afterall, the food of elephants, and we know that their memories are excellent (5)! This is why gotu kola is the main herb in our Sparkling Mind Tea formula.

Vascular & Connective Tissue Tonic

Gotu Kola also nourishes and tonifies our vascular tissues. According to herbalist Matthew Wood, gotu kola stimulates blood flow in the capillaries, reduces venous stagnation, improves cholesterol balance, helps break down aged red blood cells, reduces urea in the blood (acidity), and increases circulation to the extremities and the brain. (4).  This makes gotu kola useful in any condition involving vascular insufficiency, leading to hypertension, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, or edema.

As a  nourishing tonic to the connective tissue, gotu kola can be useful in conditions involving damaged or inflamed tendons, ligaments and joints, such as arthritis, rheumatism, and tendinitis. This relief is further amplified by gotu kola’s systemic anti-inflammatory effect. Herbalist David Winston teaches that gotu kola is specific for “connective tissue disorders and skin conditions where the tissue is red, hot, and inflamed” (3). He uses gotu kola in many formulas for auto-immune conditions and skin conditions, including lupus, psoriasis and eczema.

Wound-Healing

Many auto-immune conditions begin in the gut, from chronic inflammation (often related to food allergies/sensitivities) in the intestines, which leads to leaky gut, which leads to an over-reactive, hyper-sensitive immune system. Gotu kola, with its cooling and anti-inflammatry properties, can heal damage to the intestinal lining, making it useful for Celiac’s disease, as well as any condition with red, hot, inflamed tissue. This vulnerary, or tissue healing, action applies to internal or external wounds, speeding the healing of ulcers and burns and preventing scarring from surgery (1, 3).

Effects on Mood & Consciousness

A nerve tonic, rejuvenant, sedative, and antidepressant, gotu kola has been traditionally used to modulate anxiety and improve mood. It is believed that these effects are partly due to an increase in neurotransmitter production (1). In both Chinese and Ayurvedic traditions, Gotu Kola is considered a supreme Shen (spiritual) and Sattva (reality enhancing) tonic herb.  It has been shown to harmonize trans-hemispheric communication in the brain, which is likely why it is used by yogis, monks and meditators for its psychic and awareness-enhancing effects (2), and why we include gotu kola in our Yogic Tea. Brain hemisphere synchronization produces changes in brainwave states associated with expanded states of consciousness (2).

The Hindus consider it a powerful herb for balancing and opening the crown chakra, which is one of the primary points through which intuition is believed to enter the mind/body (2).  Gotu kola is also said to act directly on the pineal gland (brow chakra) (2). Taken long term, gotu kola may increase intuitive awareness, an idea that is certainly supported by thousands of years of antecdotal evidence. What an incredibly useful plant for our times! And a perfect ally to get to know this September, as we celebrate yoga, set intentions for world peace, and spread awareness around safe therapeutic options for chronic pain.

Tastes & Energetics: bitter, sweet, astringent, cooling, drying

Indications: mental and physical fatigue, anxiety, depression, senility, loss of memory, hypertension, peptic ulcers, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, edema, lupus, scleroderma, dermal tuberculosis, psoriasis, leprosy, septic wounds (external), arthritis, rheumatism, damaged ligaments and tendons, tendinitis, cellulitis, Parkinson’s disease, low thyroid function contributing to depression, dry skin, cold extremeties, poor digestion, weight gain and/or little endurance., eczema, psoriasis, arthritis, cellulitis

Contraindications: Gotu Kola has no known toxicity when used in recommended doses (approx. 1 gram daily of dried leaf or 4-8 ml of liquid extracts) and there are no reports documenting negative interactions between gotu kola and medications (1). There is always the potential for allergic reaction to any herb, but this risk is greatly reduced when using whole plant preparations. Theoretically, gotu kola is not recommended for women who are trying to get pregnant. And little information is available on the safety of this plant for nursing mothers. My personal opinion is that in moderate doses, it is perfectly safe, but please do your own research and only do what makes you feel comfortable.

Shop Gotu Kola products at tonicherbshop.com:

Yogic Tea
Sparkling Mind Tea
Gotu Kola-Dried Herb
Gotu Kola Extract

Sources:

  1. Gohil, K. et al. (2010). Pharmacological Review on Centella asiatica: A Potential Herbal Cure-all. Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sept-Oct; 72(5): 546-556.

2. Faerman, Justin. 3 Powerful Ancient Herbs To Raise Consciosuness and Awareness; Waking Times: February 2016. <https://www.wakingtimes.com/2016/02/01/3-powerful-ancient-herbs-that-raise-consciousness-and-expand-awareness/>

3. Winston, David. Herbal Therapeutics: Specific Indications for Herbs & Formulas, 11th edition.  Broadway, NJ: Herbal Therapeutics Research Library, 2017. p.130.

4. Wood, Matthew (2008). Earthwise Herbal, Volume 1: A Complete Guide to Old World Medicinal Plants. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books, 2008. p. 174

5. Khalsa, KP. Five Great Ayurvedic Herbs for the Mind and Memory; The Banyan Vine: August 21, 2018. <https://www.banyanbotanicals.com/info/blog-banyan-vine/details/five-great-ayurvedic-herbs-for-the-mind-and-memory/>

**This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease**