Sambucus spp., elderberry or elder, can be found throughout the Pacific Northwest. It is recognizable by its large leaves that are divided into 5-7 leaflets and its white foul-smelling flowers that grow in a cluster. In the summer bright red to dark berries, depending on species, form. Medicinally both the berry and the flower are [...]
Trigonella foenum-graecum, fenugreek, is a popular Asian herb used in curries. The name Trigonella is derived from the Greek word trigonon, which means triangle in reference to the three-sided petal of the flower. Medicinally it used for the treatment of diabetes, high cholesterol, digestive complaints, and erectile dysfunction. It is also commonly used to help [...]
May is Blood Pressure Awareness Month, so it seems fitting to have an herb that addresses high blood pressure. Indian snakeroot, Rauwolfia serpentina, is one such herb. Traditionally used as an antidote to snake bites, Rawolfia contains an alkaloid that is highly effective at lowering blood pressure. Reserpine is the name of this alkaloid and it [...]
Vitex agnus-castus, also known as Chaste tree or chasteberry has long been used to treat a variety of women’s hormonal complaints. Medicinally the berry is used and has an amphoteric effect. The word amphoteric is commonly used in chemistry to describe a compounds ability to act as either an acid or a base. Similarly, the [...]
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate and is one of the most common reasons older men visit the doctor. BPH causes a host of urinary symptoms including increased frequency, urgency, and hesitancy. It is also responsible for those numerous nighttime trips to the bathroom. Because many of the same symptoms [...]
Flax, Linum usitatissimum, is probably best known for its cholesterol lowering effects; however, it has many other health benefits. Hot flashes, for example, can greatly diminish when two tablespoons of ground flax daily are incorporated into the diet. In addition to being high in omega-3 fatty acids, flax is high in lignans. Lignans are phytochemicals [...]
Ashwagandha, or Withania somnifera, is a popular Ayurvedic (the traditional medicine of India) herb that has been used for at least three thousand years. This herb belongs to the night shade family and is commonly used today as it was traditionally: as an adaptogen. An adaptogen is an herb that increases our resistance to stress [...]
Native to India, Gymnema sylvestre is best known for its use in treating diabetes. This woody, climbing plant also goes by its Hindi name gurmar, which means “sugar destroyer.” I first experienced this plant during my studies at Bastyr. We drank a tea made from the leaves and then were given something sweet to eat. We [...]
The common name mullein is derived from the Middle English word moleyne, which means soft. A fitting name if you have felt the soft downy leaves on this plant. The latin name Verbascum is derived from the Latin word for beard, barbascum. Medicinally, both the leaf and flower are used and is a powerful respiratory [...]
On my way to work this morning I saw several fennel plants poking through the soil. Fennel’s Latin name, Foeniculum vulgare, is derived from the Latin word foenum, meaning hay. This is in reference to the finely divided leaves. Medicinally the seed is used for a variety of complaints ranging from conjunctivitis to increasing milk [...]
