Medicinal Uses of Herbs

Interest in medicinal herbs is on the rise. Dr. Varro E. Tyler is a professor, author and noted expert in the field of pharmacognosy which is the study of the theraputic value of drugs made from plants. Dr. Tyler shared his thoughts with me about several plants found to have proven medical benefits.

When the cold and flu season is upon us, there's a lot of talk about herbal cures and medicines. And you have to wonder, can a lot of the things we grow in our gardens help us? I asked Dr. Varro Tyler, one of the leading experts on herbal medicines, if they really work.

Dr. Tyler: Yes, some of the time and some of them. In other words, there are products that are effective and safe, there are products that are not. And there are products that fall somewhere in the middle. And so you can't just generalize.

A couple of herbs that have been found to be effective are echinacea or purple coneflower, for boosting the body's immune system and garlic for helping with cholesterol. But, according to Dr. Tyler, whatever you take should be prepared in specific ways and in measured doses.

Dr. Tyler: If you purchase these things you want to be sure to purchase them from a reliable source. You want to purchase them as a standardized preparation. Fortunately, there are some companies in this country that are beginning to market nothing but standardized preparations.

So many of these are available in health food stores and pharmacies. But I just had to ask Dr. Tyler, does he take herbal medicines?

Dr. Tyler: Well, I do. But I'm fortunate enough that I don't need very many medicines. And as an old time pharmacist, I don't believe in taking anything you don't need.

Well, that just makes good sense and so does looking a little further into some of these remedies that come out of the garden. For more information, here's a list of books that deal with nutritional and herbal cures:

  • Healthy Living, Linda G. Rector-Page N.D., P.H.D.
  • Prescription For Nutritional Healing, James F. Balch M.D. & Phyllis A Balch C.N.C.
  • Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, Michael Murray N.D. and Joseph Pizzomo N.D.
  • Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide, The Burton Goldberg Group

     

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Comments

Migraine Help

by circusvue on April 25, 2011 09:55
Our family has found that avoiding the ingredient, MSG (monosodium glutamate) in foods has cured most of our migraines. MSG is found in about 80% of processed foods. Read the labels. The one son who drinks a lot of milk (calcium) does not get migraines. Another thing that seems to give us migraines is a change in the weather. We are currently looking into a barometric pressure maybe causing some of the migraines.
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Acid Reflux, arthritis

by babybird on April 26, 2010 12:31
I am in need of a natural way to help with acid reflux disease. I began encountering digestive problems and 33 treatments of radiation for breast cancer in 1995-97. It only continues to get worse as I grow older, a poor 61 year old who feels ready for the grave but just isn't ready to dig the grave. My mother died with breast cancer and 3 months later unfortunately I found my tumor. She also had arthritis in her hands and spine. This I also suffer with. Doctors only prescribe Prilosec and Darvocett for the pain but I am now ready for natural healing, not a miracle, but to live without chronic pain. The doctors also prescribe anti depressants which they believe helps with pain but its only a mask. Very complicated but all true. I would certainly appreciate any suggestions you maybe able to offer and have found this site to be very informative. Regards, Babybird
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lists

by Verna on April 16, 2010 10:01
Hello, I have been trying to find a list of herbal plants that I can grow for home medical uses. Do you have any help on the subject?
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anti-inflammatory

by michele on January 22, 2010 04:37
what are some natural anti-anflammatories? the side effects from prescribed anti-inflammatories are many and am looking for a more natural way or a dietary change by incorporation more foods that act as an anti-inflammatory....any ideas?
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migraine headaches

by Reyna M. on December 12, 2009 02:12
Hello, I have suffered from migraines for many years and would like to know if there is any alternative options that may help. I am tired of taking prescription medication due to all of the side effects. I am aware that you are not a neurologist but I am desperate at this point. I have tried just about all medications and nothing seems to help. So I have weened myself down to the bare minimal. Ready to try alternatives...
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Migraine

by circusvue
Our family has found that avoiding the ingredient, MSG (monosodium glutamate) in foods has cured most of our migraines. MSG is found in about 80% of processed foods. Read the labels. The one son who drinks a lot of milk (calcium) does not get migraines. Another thing that seems to give us migraines is a change in the weather. We are currently looking into a barometric pressure maybe causing some of the migraines.

This article

by Alice on December 11, 2009 12:37
I gotta admit, I was expecting much more of an article from you about this subject. I was pretty disappointed, it's not like your articles on gardens and flowers! I take echinacea when I feel a cold coming on, but I only take it for a couple days and that usually helps me through the worst part of it. I also takeValerian root when I can't sleep at night. It helps and it doesn't leave me feeling "hung over" like some medicines do. I don't take either of these all the time, just when I feel I need them. I think that more people should learn about natural remedies and stop running to the doctor all the time. They are so busy now and have so many clients that it's hard to get into see them, my doctor anyway. Besides, I'm on SSD and only have medicare as insurance. Sometimes it's easier and certainly cheaper to go for the herbal remedy rather than the doctor, especially if you know what your problem is AND you know your herbals. You have to know your herbals and what they can help you with though.
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Re: Medicinal Uses of Herbs

by Louise on December 7, 2009 07:39
You can use cloves for tooth pain - just bite on the clove and it numbes the tooth - Did anyone find out what helps hair lose?
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Dr. Tyler's opinions

by RuthAnn Fitzpatrick, MD on October 25, 2009 05:17
I appreciate Dr. Tyler's comment "I don't believe in taking anything you don't need." I am not against herbal medicines. I am concerned that much of the public believes they are without harm and take themselves or administer to their animals products that are not needed.
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stink bugs

by charlie rizzolo on October 5, 2009 07:53
My house has been infested with stink bugs this year and I would like to know how to get rid of them permanently
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how to harvest Echinacea

by susan on August 3, 2009 09:39
After searching the web for hours, I still can't find answers to my questions. Can you help: 1. what parts of the flower are used: petals, top-most leaves, the prickly cone/center 2. after drying, should they be crushed, sliced, left whole 3. is there a video clip that shows how to do this Thanks for what you can do for me.
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Echinacea

by nancy williams on July 24, 2009 11:34
I was flying home from Europe and had a bad cold. A friend who was traveling with me offered me some Echinacea. Instead of getting better, I developed diarrhea that lasted the whole trip home and made me miserable. I am gluten intolerant and I took the pill without reading the fine print. Reading the fine print even on a herbal medicine should always be done!
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teeth pain

by Linda on July 14, 2009 01:08
I need something ]for a toothache ive has for 4 days
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medicinal

by on January 25, 2009 04:13
What herb would be benfeficial for tooth pain?
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Herbal Medicine

by Vicki M. Cochrane on December 9, 2008 06:51
I am so happy to see you including this information from your letter. I have all of the books that you recommend here and they are very good ones. We use alot of what we grow, in managing our general health. My Autumn garden is still growing nicely and it is ready to snow tonight. Something perhaps some of your readers might give some thought to. If the seeds don't grow, you are not out that much, but,most of mine do and it is wonderful to pick a fresh salad, or spinach, carrots, even PEAS....YUM, and the herbs have been moved inside. Great Growing, Merry Christmas, Vicki
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rosemary for hair loss

by Frances on July 7, 2008 08:36
I have heard that rosemary oil restores hair . My friend puts 5 drops on scalp 2x a week first 2 weeks and then 1x thereafter. She says hair has come back. I tried it and think I'm losing more hair. I have tried duluting the oil in water. Do you have any suggestions?
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