Troubled by asthma, bronchitis or other respiratory problems’? Marshmallow Root aids the body in expelling excess fluid and will soothe the mucous membranes and a dry, hacking cough. The herb is good for easing bladder infection, digestive upsets, fluid retention, intestinal disorders, kidney problems, sinusitis and sore throat, and it is a natural source of beta-carotene, amino acids, minerals and vitamins.
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If all you want is a kiss, walk under a bough of Mistletoe, but if you are exhausted, irritable or suffering from headache or hypertension, try Mistletoe for relief. Perhaps more importantly, there are very hopeful and exciting studies currently being conducted on Mistletoe in the area of immune therapy, which show promise in building defense against disease.
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Melilot is considered a natural anticoagulant (its main active constituent is coumarinl) with blood thinning properties that may be very helpful as a venous tonic, improving the flow of blood through the veins to the heart and may thus relieve varicose veins and swollen legs. Melilot also helps to clear congestion, reduce retained fluid and ease aching and painful joints.
PLANT DESCRIPTION:
Melilot is a biennial or perennial herb with smooth, erect, multi-branched stems, bearing serrate leaflets and sweet-smelling, white or light yellow flowers that grow in towering spikes to a height of five feet.
The tender plant is a native of Europe (Melilotus officinalis, or Yellow Sweet Clover) and has been naturalized across North America (Melilotus vulgaris, or White Sweet Clover), where it has been widely cultivated as a valuable feed crop for animals. The two species may be used interchangeably. Melilot may be found on roadsides and in fields; waste places and chalky banks in well-drained-to-dry, neutral-to-alkaline soil in sun and is drought tolerant.
HISTORY:
The plant’s botanical name, Melilotus, is derived from two Latin words, mel, meaning “honey” and lotus, meaning the “lotus flower,” referring to the great sweetness of the plant and the fact that it is such a great favorite of bees. Melilot has been used medicinally for thousands of years.
Ancient Egyptians used it to treat intestinal worms and earache, and the second-century physician, Galen, prescribed it in poultices for the relief of inflammations and swollen joints. In Anglo-Saxon England. Melilot was made into a salve for wounds and sores, a remedy that may still be found in rural British areas as “Melilot plasters.” Horses, cattle (and bees) love the tender and aromatic Melilot, and it is highly regarded as a fodder. Interestingly, however, in the 1920s, farmers began to store Melilot as animal feed, but because it was not thoroughly dried, it fermented and produced a coumarin compound, which not only gives the plant its sweet vanilla taste, but also becomes a potent anticoagulant and blood-thinning agent (as evidenced by hemorrhaging in the herds, which was, subsequently, remedied by thorough drying of the clover). The whole plant has a sweet vanilla fragrance that intensifies as Ihe plant is dried, and when not fermented, it is a valuable addition to animal diets and is now widely respected commercially for that purpose.
Additional commercial uses for Melilot include its addition to Gruyere cheese and a green Swiss cheese called Schabzieger. It is also used to flavor marinades and rabbit stews, and it makes a fine and refreshing tea that is not only pleasant to drink, but is also said to relieve flatulence and alleviate congestion of the lymph system. Melilots most important constituent is the chrystalline coumarin compound and its related compounds (melilotic acid, orthocoumaric acid, hydrocoumaric acid, melilotic anhydride), flavonoids, glycoside (meliotoside), dicoumarol and lactone (a fragrant oil); and the flowers and aerial parts of the plant are used in herbal medicine.
MEDICAL USES:
Melilot contains coumarins and when the plant is fermented, it produces dicoumarol, a potent anticoagulant. It is said to be a good venous tonic that increases the blood flow through the veins to the heart and has been used in cases of painful, swollen veins of the legs that are associated with poor venous return or raised abdominal pressure (as in obesity, pregnancy or persistent constipation). Melilot is believed to also help alleviate varicose veins, blood clots, phlebitis and thrombotic conditions.
As a mild astringent, Melilot has been used to clear congestion. When taken internally, it is said to relieve congestion of the lymph glands and painful congestive menstruation; and when used externally, it is said to ease hemorrhoids.
Melilot is an aromatic herb that has been used as a soothing digestive aid and has been thought to be particularly effective in cases of flatulence. Supporting healthy digestive health, Melilot is also said to relieve colic, indigestion and stomach problems.
As a diuretic, Melilot promotes the flow of urine, and as such, it helps to relieve excess fluid retention and edema (the accumulation of fluid in tissues that results in swelling),
Melilot is also believed to be a mildly sedative herb that relieves temporary palpitations, sleeplessness, spasms, anxiety and the pain of tension headaches, earaches and neuralgia.
As an expectorant, Melilot helps to loosen and expel phlegm from the lungs, and it is said to be helpful in cases of bronchitis.
Used externally, Melilot has been effective in poultices for inflammations and wounds, particularly in delicate parts of the body, i.e. eyes. It is also said to have emollient and soothing properties that help to reduce inflammation and ease painful swollen joints, severe bruising, arthritis and rheumatic pain. It is also believed to be effective in drawing out toxins and is therefore useful for boils and other skin problems.
DOSAGES:
Take two (2) capsules, one (1) time each day with water at mealtimes.
PRECAUTIONS:
Pregnant and nursing women should not use Melilot. People who use prescription blood thinners (warfarin, Coumadin, aspirin, etc.), or those with any blood-clotting problem should not use Melilot. For those individuals who take prescription medications, it is wise to consult a health care provider before using this herb, as there may be interactions with other drugs. Overuse (many times the recommended dosage) may induce vomiting and other symptoms of poisoning.
Suffering from headache, fever, arthritic and joint pain? Rather than reach for aspirin, why not try Meadowsweet instead? It is the natural version of aspirin without the digestive upsets and bleeding that may accompany the synthetic product It is even said to soothe digestive upsets, as well as the pains and aches of inflammatory ailments.
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Papaya contains papain, a remarkable, protein-dissolving enzyme that eases many stomach ailments and is an exceptional aid to digestion. A rich source of minerals and vitamins A, C and E, papain also breaks down wheat gluten, which may be of great help those with Celiac disease.
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Pansy is a colorful addition to our salad bowls and ancient love potions, but more importantly. Pansy is a soothing expectorant that has been used to treat lung problems (bronchitis, dry cough and asthma), as well as numerous skin problems (diaper rash, weeping eczema, cradle cap).
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You’ll get a high dose of vitamins C and A, potassium (important for lowering blood pressure), calcium (good for osteoporosis) and folic acid (which may help prevent cardiovascular disease). Parsley also acts as a mild laxative and diuretic.
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Papaya Leaf contains a remarkable protein-dissolving enzyme called papain, and if you suffer from indigestion or heartburn, gives Papaya Leaf a try! The enzyme in Papaya Leaf also breaks down wheat gluten and carbohydrates for extra digestive protection.
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Passion Flower is a very gentle (but effective) sedative that has a depressant effect on the central nervous system The alkaloids and flavonoids are believed to be effective, non-addictive sedatives, which promote restful, sound sleep, particularly in cases of nervous insomnia. It is one of nature’s best tranquilizers and has been used for centuries as a reliable remedy for nervous, menopausal and premenstrual tension, irritability, and fatigue and tension headaches It is said to gently shift moods, alter perception and aid concentration, and the alkaloids are thought to act in a similar way as MAO inhibitors, which may be of some help in cases of depression. In Italy, Passion Flower is used to treat hyperactive children.
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Parsley Root is an old-time remedy for digestive disorders, kidney and liver problems, menstrual irregularities, and cleansing the blood and body of toxins. Don’t forget to take Parsley for a healthy dose of vitamins, minerals and nutrients. Its chlorophyll content makes it a wonderful breath freshener.
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