Betty's Herb Databaase

A decision

2010-09-29T16:28:00.001-07:00

I will be posting all future herbs at betty.tracyent.com

See you there.

California Poppy

2010-08-20T08:15:00.000-07:00

I was recently given a bunch of California Poppy seeds. I am waiting for fall to plant them. I have always loved the beautiful bright orange flowers.

My Herbalist teacher recently mentioned on her facebook account that after undergoing a painful diagnostic test, she intended to use this herb to help get rid of the pain and let her sleep. I had never heard of it used medicinally, though I have heard of our local Prickly Poppy (big white flowers) being used like that (and of course everyone has heard of the Opium Poppy and its affects).

(Source for picture: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:California_poppy_(Eschscholzia_californica)_-_22.jpg)

Ca Poppies contain isoquinoline alkaloids, which are known to have pain-relieving properties.Other active constituents include opiate alkaloids (completely free of toxicity), chelerthyrine alkaloids, flavone glycosides and zinc.

A little research tells me that the California Poppy is good for:

a painkiller when applied directly to the afflicted area.
toothache
chronic bed wetting.
hypnotic for children to sedate them and help them sleep.
colic and gall bladder pain.
sedative for headaches
insomnia
antidepressant
acute nerve and muscular centered pain.
anxiety,
high fever,
rapid pulse
persistent spasmodic cough
nervousness,
restless,
agitation,
insomnia,
sedative,
intestinal colic,
rheumatism,
earaches
analgesic
tincture is used for antimicrobial properties applied externally to cuts and scrapes.
head lice
antispasmodic
to improve intellectual capacity, memory and concentration in the elderly.
leaves of the flower used externally in powder form for antimicrobial properties
ADD, ADHD in children and young adults
oxygenates the circulatory system
normalize psychological functions by influencing the neurotransmitters without depressing the central nervous system.
helps the body absorb vitamin A.
Contains the B complex vitamins
European communities use it for hyperactivity,

sleeplessness
coughs for children
included in preparations for insomnia for adults.

German Commission E lists California poppy as an antispasmodic and sedative.
relaxing, so it works well in cases of pain with anxiety.
tincture from the root as an external wash for suppressing lactation
A key alkaloid (chelerthyrine) inhibits a body protein (kinase C) that contributes to persistent pain.
used both internally and externally to alleviate inflammatory and arthritic pain.

Plant Parts Used: (the entire plant of the Californian poppy is harvested in maturity.)

Root,
leaves
seeds.

Bitter to the taste with subtle euphoric properties,
considered a sub-opiate

Toxicity: There have been no indications of toxicity for Eschscholzia californica in experimental studies or in anecdotal reports.

Contraindications and cautions:

fever,
pregnancy;
concurrently with prescription drugs and psychiatric medications.

When used in higher doses California Poppy acts as a sedative, inducing a pleasant drowsy feeling, not enough to promote marked sedation, but powerful enough that tasks such as driving or operating machinery are best avoided under its influence.

Herbalists have observed that crude herb extracts of the various poppy species are less addictive and less potent in their activities than the purified alkaloids (opium in the red poppy), with fewer side-effects. Unlike opiates or even the stronger acting Poppy species, Rudolf Weiss states that the effect of California Poppy is towards "establishing equilibrium," and is not at all narcotic (1988, 289).

Use in:

lotion,
liniment,
tincture
plaster.
infusion
tinctures
dried powder of herbs
Moore recommending that it be combined with Valerian for a stronger effect (1993, 112).

Felter and Lloyd considered Eschscholzia to be an "…analgesic and soporific without the dangers attending opiates, quieting pain and producing (a) calm sleep" (1893).

Science in the Profit Interest : Herb News

2010-04-20T22:55:00.000-07:00

Science in the Profit Interest : Herb News

Bee Balm

2010-04-15T17:20:00.000-07:00

Other Names:
Oswego tea

Monarda didyma (mint)

Description

Roots:

Stems: 3’ hairy, upright, bushy, square

Leaves: large, toothed (sometimes smooth), smells like thyme or oregano

Flowers: 1-3” terminal clusters, scarlet, tubular, dense head

Fruits:

Grows

Soil- wet, hardy, rich soil; shade,

Where-

What to Collect- young leaves and flowers

When to collect- June- August,

Buy- roots or seeds

Planted-

Use

• Short/ Long term use

• Activator Builder Cleanser

Preserve-

A (Above ground parts, bind at cut, dried in shade, chop, store in jars)

B (large roots, cut, dry on newspaper, chop ¼”,)

C (fruits, very wet, hang in cheesecloth drapes)

D (Barks, string on bailing wire and hang)

Form- infusion/tea, decoction, tincture, powder, Poultice, ointment. baths, Salad, stir fry, pot herb, aromatic,

Vitamins-A C

Minerals- calcium, potassium, phosphorus, iron

Uses- seasoning, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-helminthic, (roots and leaves) worms, poultice- skin infection, tea- mouth and throat infection, stimulant, gas, stops menstruation, potpourri

Astragalis

2009-09-30T17:13:00.000-07:00

Other names:
Astragalus membranaceous

Description
Roots:
Stems:
Leaves:
Flowers:
Fruits:

Grows
Soil-
Where-
What to Collect-
When to collect-
Buy-
Planted-
Ease of obtaining-

Use
· Short/ Long term use
· Activator Builder Cleanser
Preserve-
A (Above ground parts, bind at cut, dried in shade, chop, store in jars)
B (large roots, cut, dry on newspaper, chop ¼”,)
C (fruits, very wet, hang in cheesecloth drapes)
D (Barks, string on bailing wire and hang)
Form- infusion/tea, decoction, tincture, powder, Poultice, ointment. baths, Salad, stir fry Vitamins-
Minerals-
Uses- colds, flu (prevents “homesteading” of viruses in lungs), immune enhancer, warts, anti-viral, diabetes, heart disease, blood pressure, diuretic, mild stimulant, adaptogenic, immune stimulant, ant-cancer, hyperthyroid

Alfalfa

2009-08-18T15:07:00.000-07:00

Medicago sativa

Description
Roots: deep 20’-30’
Stems: 1’-3’, perennial legume
Leaves: clover like, trifoliate, slightly toothed margins, alternate
Flowers: clusters, purple, ½”
Fruits: corkscrew

Grows
Soil- grassy slopes and fields, moist, deep soil, a nitrogen fixer (1),
Where-
What to Collect- stalk, leaves, flowers, seeds
When to collect- April-October,
Buy- thebulkherbstore.com
Planted-
Ease of obtaining- 1 2 3 4 5

Use
· Short/ Long term use
· Activator Builder Cleanser

Preserve-
A (Above ground parts, bind at cut, dried in shade, chop, store in jars)
B (large roots, cut, dry on newspaper, chop ¼”,)
C (fruits, very wet, hang in cheesecloth drapes)
D (Barks, string on bailing wire and hang)

Form- infusion/tea, decoction, tincture, powder, Poultice, ointment. baths, Salad, stir fry, pot herb, aromatic,

Vitamins- C A, D, K, niacin, b1, eight amino acids, chlorophyll
Minerals- calcium, magnesium, protein, potassium, beta-carotene, chlorophyll, iron, phosphorus, sulfur, chlorine, sodium, silicon,

Uses- laxative, diuretic, UTI, arthritis, appetite, stimulant, overall tonic, anemia, osteoporosis, hot flashes, blood purifier, inflammations, rheumatism, tooth decay, debility, anorexia, weak digestion, hypertension, gout, anemia

Cautions: bad for Lupus, et al. potential reaction to Warfin.

Notes:

References: I+HE+MP