Bradley J. Willcox, D. Craig Willcox, and Makoto Suzuki See book keywords and concepts |
Folkloric claims. turmeric is from the ginger family. The stalk of the plant is the part most commonly used in both herbal and traditional medicine, and is the part that provides the distinctive yellowish-orange powder that adds flavor and color to curry. It was probably brought to Okinawa centuries ago from
India, which had active trade relations with the Ryukyu Kingdom (as Okinawa was formerly known). In Ayurvedic medicine, the traditional medicine of India that Dr. |
Gale Maleskey See book keywords and concepts |
Weiss may also use a mixture of bromelain, a protein-dissolving enzyme found in pineapple, and curcumin, the yellow pigment in turmeric, for people with angina. Bromelain helps reduce the formation of fibrous tissue and clots in damaged arteries, and curcumin acts somewhat like aspirin, he says. It helps to reduce the tendency for blood to clot and also reduces inflammation.
For the best therapeutic effect, Dr. Weiss recommends divided doses. A standard dose of bromelain is 125 to 450 milligrams three times a day on an empty stomach, he says. |
Spices and Herbs as Add-Ons
Curcumin, a yellow pigment that comes from the Indian spice turmeric, acts as a strong natural anti-inflammatory and anti-clotting agent, says Dr. Weiss. Its anti-clotting properties resemble those of aspirin, which is commonly prescribed to help thin the blood and improve blood flow. "I like to use a mixture of curcumin and bromelain instead of aspirin with my patients," he says.
Dr. Weiss first prescribes a mixture of bromelain and curcumin, along with anticoagulants (blood thinners), to dissolve a clot. |
the Editors of FC&A Medical Publishing See book keywords and concepts |
Ease the inflammation and ache of your next flare-up with a pot of ginger tea or a heaping plate of curry. turmeric, the leading spice in curry, and ginger both contain curcumin, an antioxidant with pain-fighting powers. In laboratory studies, curcumin appeared to be as potent as NSAIDs, like ibuprofen.
To be a vegetarian or not to be
Eating vegetarian could be the key to a life free from RA. According to a European study, cutting meats from your diet appears to promote a balance of bacteria in your digestive system. |
Laurie Deutsch Mozian, M.S., R.D. See book keywords and concepts |
It is also a component of curry powder. turmeric is an excellent source of the antioxidant compounds curcumin and tumerin.
Turnips
Turnips are relatives of cabbage. This root vegetable contains indoles and isothiocynates. They are also fair sources of beta-carotene and ascorbic acid. This cold-weather crop is easy to grow. The above-ground greens are often eaten as well.
Walnuts. See Nuts and Seeds.
Watercress
Watercress is a cruciferous vegetable that is a source of the phytochemicals sulforaphane, indole-3-carbinol, dithiolethione, lutein, and zeaxanthin. |
Jean Carper See book keywords and concepts |
Oriental medicine uses capsicum peppers, black pepper, mustard, garlic, turmeric, and other spices to treat colds, sinusitis, bronchitis, and asthma. Russians use horseradish to cure colds.
Dr. Ziment discovered that such folk remedies, just like modern drugs, have a common action: they invariably affect the viscosity and consequent movement of mucus in the lungs—not something most people dwell on unless they have problems. |
Mark Stengler, N.D. See book keywords and concepts |
Curcumin extracted from turmeric has potent antiinflammatory properties. Indole 3 carbinol is helpful for women with abnormal pap smears, indicating cervical dysplasia.
Studies are ongoing in regards to isolated phytonutrients and their benefit in the treatment of specific diseases.
DOSAGE
The recommended dosage for the supplemental form really varies depending on the phytonutrient and what it is being used for. Consult the listing and description in this section.
WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS? |
Infection
Studies have shown that turmeric inhibits the growth of several bacteria as well as fungi. I especially recommend it for respiratory tract infections and for hepatitis.
Uva Ursi
"I think I have a urinary tract infection. I feel burning when I go to the bathroom and feel feverish today."
Karen, my 25-year-old patient, also looked feverish—and a quick check with the thermometer confirmed that she had a low-grade fever. My suspicions were confirmed when the nurse came by a few minutes later with the results of the urinalysis. |
Andrew Chevallier See book keywords and concepts |
Related Species In Chinese herbal medicine zedoary is often substituted for turmeric (C. longa, p. 88).
Cuscuta epithymum
( Convolvulaceae )
Dodder, hellweed, devie's guts
Description Leafless parasitic plant. Has threadlike stems, which are usually yellow-red in color, and small scented pale pink flowers.
Habitat & Cultivation Dodder grows throughout Europe, Asia, and southern Africa. It prefers coastal and mountainous regions, and is gathered in summer. Parts Used Aerial parts. Constituents I )odder contains flavonoids (including kaempferol and quercitin) and hydroxycinnamic acid. |
Related Species
Various Zingiber species are used medicinally, but no other has benefits equal to ginger. turmeric (Curcuma longa, p. 88) is a close relative.
Key Constituents
¦ Volatile oil, (1-3%)
- zingiberene (20—30%)
¦ Oleoresin (4—7.5%)
- gingerol, shogaols
Key Actions
¦ Antiemetic
¦ Carminative
¦ Circulatory stimulant
¦ Inhibits coughing
¦ Anti-inflammatory
¦ Antiseptic
Sliced, dried rhizome
& Key Preparations & Their Uses
Cautions Do not take ginger medicinal doses if suffering from peptic ulcers. |
The herbs turmeric (Curcuma longa, p. 88), cardamom (Eletteria cardamomutu. p. 91), and ginger (Zingiber officinale, p. 153), which are all used in cooking, protect against gastrointestinal discomfort and infection.
Remedies for Common Ailments
Herbal knowledge is continuing to grow as more people choose herbs as an alternative to pharmaceutical drugs. The following remedies are safe and effective treatments for a range of common ailments but, like all medicines, they must be treated with respect. The suggestions given here are mostly quite straightforward. |
Christian Ratsch See book keywords and concepts |
In the United States, spices (cinnamon, coriander, ginger, paradise grains, nutmeg and mace, cardamom, pepper, chilies, cumin, turmeric, vanilla) are often added. In Germany, henbane beer (pilsner) is being brewed once again, and a Swiss brewery introduced a hemp beer to the market in 1996. A mixture of wheat beer and a guarana extract (Paullinia cupana) is popular in Brazil and is now available in Europe as well. In Belgium, a wheat beer known as Floris Chocolat is made with chocolate (cf. Theobroma cacao). |
The slaked lime used for betel chewing is sometimes colored with powdered yellow turmeric (Curcuma longaL. [syn. Curcuma domestical Zingiberaceae); coconut oil is added to keep the lime from
In Nepal and India, pieces of betel nuts (Arecha catechu) and anise seeds (Pimpinella anisum) may be chewed together in place of betel quids. This mixture is used mainly after meals as a digestive aid. (Anise plant; woodcut from Gerard, The Herball or General History of Plants, 1633)
"A man went to the pig hunt. He sat down under a tree on which a betel pepper plant was growing. |
Its roots are galanga and ginger, its branches are pure white turmeric, and its flowers are of delicate nutmeg, the bark is sweet aromatic cinnamon, the fruits are wonderfully scented cloves.
You also find plenty of cubeb."
"The Ballad of the Land of Plenty" (Ireland, fourteenth century) in Schlaraffenland [Land of Milk and Honey] (Richter 1984,137)
Asarabacca [Asarum europaeum L.; Aristolochiaceae) is rich in the psychoactive asarone. |
John Heinerman See book keywords and concepts |
In India and China, a little powdered turmeric is mixed with the juice from half a squeezed lime and a little water to make a smooth, even paste, which then is put directly onto herpes lesions, leprosy sores, measles, mumps, chickenpox and so forth with excellent results. Several crushed zinc tablets (50 mg. each) may also be added if desired. The same paste works well for snakebites, insect stings, and ringworm, too. |
Christian Ratsch See book keywords and concepts |
AlJGEN LACHEN, LlPPEN BLUHEN
[Eyes Laugh, Lips Blossom] (Huu 1985, 46)
Name turmeric ylang-ylang flowers ashes lime, slaked lime lime soil marmalade perfumes, various sugar (sugarcane) sugar syrup tree bark
Stock Plant/Source
Curcuma longa L.
Cananga odorata (Lam.) Hook. pearls limestone corals mussel and snail shells river shells (Sepik) river snails (Ceylon) slaked lime various fruits
Saccharum officinarum L. |
Rebecca Wood See book keywords and concepts |
They are especially beneficial added to sweet or heavy foods and include: asafetida, basil, bay leaf, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, cumin, epazote, fennel, fenugreek, fresh ginger, mace, marjoram, mustard seeds in moderation, nutmeg, oregano, savory, thyme, and turmeric. Very hot spices, such as dried ginger, chiles, or mustard, may aggravate vata, especially in hot, windy, or dry climates.
Nuts and Seeds are moistening, heavy, and warming and so nourish vata as long as they're taken in small, easy-to-digest quantities. Enjoy them raw or lightly roasted. |
Patricia Hausman & Judith Benn Hurley See book keywords and concepts |
Top with mild white cheese and bake until the
1 tablespoon olive oil 1 medium onion, chopped 1 medium carrot, chopped 1 stalk celery with leaves, chopped 4 cups chicken or beef stock juice and pulp of
1 lemon Yi cup lentils
1 cup sweet corn kernels
2 cloves garlic
1 teaspoon cumin seed 1 teaspoon coriander seed
Yi teaspoon turmeric Yz teaspoon hot pepper sauce, or to taste
Lentil Stew with Curry Paste
In a large stockpot, warm oil over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and celery and saute, stirring occasionally, until vegetables have wilted and are fragrant, about 7 minutes. |
In a spice grinder or a mortar and pestle, combine garlic, cumin, coriander, turmeric, and hot pepper sauce, then grind into a paste.
When stew is ready, add paste and stir well to combine. Simmer for an additional 15 minutes, or until lentils are tender. Serve hot. This mixture is good with warm pitas or topped with plain low-fat yogurt.
Makes 4 servings
LETTUCE
Go for the Green
(See also Greens)
10 calories per cup romaine (raw)
Are you a salad lover? If so, you probably know that salads offer a delicious way to get more fruits and vegetables onto the menu. |
Mark Stengler, N.D. See book keywords and concepts |
Turmeric and its constituent curcumin also reduce cholesterol levels and increase the good cholesterol. It reduces the levels of lipid peroxides (oxidants that can initiate atherosclerosis)." Soni KB, Kuttan R, Effect of oral curcumin administration on serum peroxides and cholesterol levels in human volunteers. Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 1992; 36(4):273-275.
VALERIAN
• "... If you take a dose that's too high, you may have symptoms that include blurred vision, change in heartbeat, headache, nausea, and uneasiness." Mills S, Bone K, Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy. |
Schuyler W. Lininger, Jr. DC See book keywords and concepts |
Two capsules containing 250 mg turmeric powder were given 4 times per day.
Licorice (p. 440) protects the mucous membranes lining the digestive tract by increasing production of mucin, a substance that protects against stomach acid and other harmful substances.32 Licorice root in its deg-lycyrrhizinated form (DGL) has the glycyrrhizic acid removed (glycyrrhizic acid is the portion of licorice root associated with increasing blood pressure and water retention in some persons). The mucous membrane-healing part of the root, however, remains in DGL. |
Turmeric ..............465
Bahupatra/Bhuiamla .........452
Barberry ..................395
Bearberry ..................466
Bed Straw..................412
Bilberry....................396
Bitter Melon................397
Black Cohosh...............397
Blackberry .................398
Blessed Thistle ..............399
Bloodroot..................399
Blue Cohosh................400
Blue Flag...................400
Blueberry ..................401
Boldo .....................401
Boneset....................402
Borage ....................402
Boswellia ..................403
Buchu............. |
Refer to rheumatoid arthritis (p. 571) for specific recommendations for these herbs.
Are There Any Side Effects or Interactions? Refer to the individual herb for information about any side effects or interactions.
Checklist for Bursitis
Ranking
Nutritional Supplements
Herbs
Secondary
Vitamin B,, (p. 337)
Other
Vitamin B, (p. 339)
Boswellia (p. 403) Cayenne (p. 408) turmeric (p. 465) White willow (p. 468)
See also: Homeopathic Remedies for Bursitis (p. 522)
Canker Sores (Mouth Ulcers)
Mouth ulcers, or canker sores, are small ulcerations within the mouth. |
Mark Stengler, N.D. See book keywords and concepts |
A double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over study of 42 people with osteoarthritis were randomized to receive a formula containing ashwagandah (also boswellia, turmeric, and zinc) or placebo for three months." Kulkarni RR, Patki PS, Jog VP, et al., Treatment of osteoarthritis with a herbomineral formulation: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. / Ethnopharmacol 1991; 33:91-95.
ASTRAGALUS
• "----the interferon levels remained elevated for two months after astragalus supplementation ended." Yunde H, Guoliang M, Sfmhua W, et al. |
Sheldon Saul Hendler and David Rorvik See book keywords and concepts |
It has also inhibited vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation in vitro. A turmeric extract was recently shown to significantly inhibit LDL-cholesterol oxidation in rabbits with experimental atherosclerosis.
The curcuminoids have demonstrated antiviral, anti-fungal and immunomodulating effects, mostly in vitro. Curcumin has been described as having HIV-1-inhibiting effects in vitro. In a clinical trial of curcumin in 40 subjects with HIV-1 infection, however, the substance was ineffective in reducing viral load or increasing CD4 counts. |
Christian Ratsch See book keywords and concepts |
Amomum melegueta), black pepper (Piper nigrum), peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.), turmeric (Curcuma longa), cassia (Cinnamomum cassia), fennel seeds (Nigella sativa), monk's pepper (Vitex agnus-castas), belladonna (Atropa belladonna), and violet root (Viola odorata L.) (Norman 1991, 96f.*). The consumption of large quantities of this spice mixture is said to produce psychoactive and aphrodisiac effects. Cubeb pepper is also an ingredient in Oriental joy pills and was once used as an additive to wine (see Vitis vinifera).
Piper elongatum Vahl [syn. Artanthe elongata (Vahl) Miq. |
Bill Gottlieb See book keywords and concepts |
Repeat as necessary until the bod breaks and begins to heal.Turmeric can stain skin and clothes, cautions Dr. Lad, so be sure to wear old garments when using this remedy. Any skin discoloration should wash off in two weeks, he adds.
¦Hi
Food Therapy
"Eat foods that are rich in vitamin A and zinc, because these nutrients aid in skin healing and repair and can help relieve bods," says Allan Magaziner, D.O., a nutritional medicine specialist and head of the Magaziner Medical Center in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. |
Sheldon Saul Hendler and David Rorvik See book keywords and concepts |
Some of the curcuminoids and turmeric extracts have exhibited some in vitro anti-fungal activity, specifically against Candida albicans, Candida kruseii and Candida parapsilosis. Recently, curcumin was shown to have various immunomodulating effects in vitro, which the researchers concluded might indicate some therapeutic potential for curcumin in T helper l(Thl)-mediated immune diseases. Research is ongoing.
Recently, curcumin was administered to subjects with chronic anterior uveitis (375 milligrams three times daily for 12 weeks). |
Oral administration of a turmeric extract inhibits LDL oxidation and has hypocholesterolemic effects in rabbits with experimental atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis. 1999; 147:371-378.
Sidhu GS, Mani H, Gaddipati JP, et al. Curcumin enhances wound healing in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats and genetically diabetic mice. Wound Rep Reg. 1999; 7:362-374.
Venkatesan N. Pulmonary protective effects of curcumin against paraquat toxicity. Life Sci. 2000; 66:PL21-PL28.
Venkatesan N, Punithavathi D, Arumugam V. Curcumin prevents adriamycin nephrotoxicity in rats. Br J Pharmacol. 2000; 129:231-234. |
Rebecca Wood See book keywords and concepts |
Bypass ground saffron, which is often adulterated with turmeric.
See Herbs and Spices.
SAGE
(Salvia officinalis)
A perennial herb with a spicy, sharp, and herby aroma, sage is a universal flavoring agent long valued for its medicinal properties. The small bushy plant with downy green or gray-green leaves has small pink, purple, or white blossoms. It is not to be confused with the larger, similar-smelling sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata), which covers much of the high deserts of the western United States and is too overpowering to add to food. |