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Poor Circulation,

Poor circulation is a general term which includes conditions such as insufficient peripheral circulation (cold hands and feet) and ñàpillary fragility (a tendency to bruise easily). Treatment for the condition utilizes herbs which stimulate circulation and provide tone to the peripheral blood vessels and fine surface capillaries.

4 parts Angelica root

6 parts Dandelion root

6 parts Rosehips

1 part Ginger root

1 part Cayenne Pepper

1 part Cinnamon bark

1 part Clove buds

Infusion: 1/2-l cup 3 times per day

Poor circulation seems more common in women than men, and is especially felt during winter. The above formula can be taken as a ‘winter tonic’ by those who suffer from poor circulation, coldness, cramp, chilblains, etc. It can also be used to help overcome bruising problems associated with capillary fragility.

Haemorrhage and Bleeding

To arrest bleeding from cuts and wounds:

Shepherd’s Purse herb

Yarrow herb

Plantain leaves

Mullein leaves

Poultice or compress of any of the above herbs, fresh or dried: apply directly to affected area

Distilled Witch Hazel (Hamamelis Water)

Apply on cotton wool to affected area

For internal bleeding:

Shepherd’s Purse herb

Stinging Nettle herb

Yarrow herb

Plantain leaves

Mullein leaves

Cayenne Pepper

Infusion of any of the above alone or in combination: 1/2-I cup every 15-30 minutes until bleeding is checked

For severe bleeding or haemorrhage, internal or external, seek professional attention immediately. In emergencies the following remedy may be employed, together with standard first-aid procedures:

Shepherd’s Purse herb

Decoction of fresh or dried plant: 1/2-1 cup every 15-30 minutes until bleeding is checked – with external bleeding, employ a poultice (or apply the decoction as a compress to the wound) also

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Achillea millefolium

Action: Diaphoretic, antipyretic, hypotensive, astringent, haemostatic, stimulant, diuretic, antiseptic.

Systems Affected: General effects on the whole body.

Preparation and Dosage (thrice daily): Dried flowering plant, dose 2-4 grams by infusion.

Yarrow has been associated since ancient times with wound-healing and the stemming of blood-flow. Known as the soldier’s herb, it was supposedly used by Achilles to heal his warrior’s wounds, hence its generic name Achillea. Its fine feather-like foliage is reflected in the specific name millefolium (thousand-leaf). An aromatic perennial native to Europe, it is widespread in temperate zones.

The plant has several medicinal uses. It has a diaphoretic and tonic action which is employed in treating colds, flu and fever (for which purpose it is often combined with Elder flowers and Peppermint). It is also given to children for measles, chicken pox and other eruptive diseases. The hot infusion raises body temperature, equalizes the circulation and promotes perspiration.

It has a beneficial effect on circulation and is used as a specific treatment by professional herbalists for thrombotic conditions with high blood pressure. It is also of benefit in haemorrhoids and varicose veins.

Yarrow has a tonic effect on digestion and is used to treat dyspepsia, impaired liver function of nervous origin, diarrhoea and dysentery. It helps to regulate menstrual periods. The warm infusion relieves cramp and reduces excessive menstrual bleeding. It is also of use in menopausal disturbances.

The herb contains essential oils, which are antiseptic, and tannins, which are astringent. It can be applied directly to wounds (cuts, injuries and varicose ulcers) to stop bleeding and as an ointment to bleeding haemorrhoids. The fresh leaves, pounded, can be used as a poultice, or a strong infusion can be applied as a lotion or in compresses.

Yarrow is used as a cleanser for greasy skin. Repeated application of the infusion improves the complexion and helps to remove pimples and scabbing. The infusion is sometimes used with Chamomile as a shampoo for fair hair. The fresh leaf is used to alleviate toothache. Yarrow tea is sometimes used as a short term general tonic or pick-me-up.

Cautionary Notes: Excessive doses may cause headaches and dizziness.

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Petroselinum crispum

Synonyms, Apium petroselinum

Carum petroselinum

Action: Diuretic, emmenagogue, stomachic, carminative, tonic.

Systems Affected: Stomach, liver, gall-bladder, kidneys, bladder, uterus.

Preparation and Dosage (thrice daily): Dried root, dose 2-5 grams by decoction. Dried leaves, dose 2-5 grams of infusion.

Parsley is native to Europe but has been introduced to most parts of the world and is now extensively grown in gardens and as a commercial crop. It has been used as a food, as a garnish and as a medicinal plant since the time of the Greeks and Romans. It is probably the best known of all garnishing herbs and a number of varieties exists. The curly form is most favoured in English-speaking countries, but at least three other forms are commonly cultivated: the Neapolitan or celery-leaved; the fern-leaved; and the Hamburg or turnip-rooted.

Parsley seed is notoriously difficult and slow to germinate, taking up to eight weeks. The plain-leaved varieties withstand extremes of cold and dryness better than the curly-leaved varieties.

Parsley is rich in iron, calcium and other minerals, as well as vitamins and various trace elements. The essential oil contains apiol, which stimulates appetite and increases blood-flow to the digestive tract, uterus and mucosae, and myristicin, also found in nutmeg.

The decoction of the root stimulates kidney and bladder function, and is thus used to treat fluid retention, aching back in the lumbar region, gravel and stone in the kidneys and retention of urine.

A strong decoction of the root is used to regulate the flow in suppressed or irregular menstruation. Parsley also exerts an influence on the liver and gall-bladder and is sometimes combined with other herbs in treating jaundice and gall-stones.

The leaves are sometimes prepared as an infusion but are best taken fresh, as a salad vegetable. Their mineral and vitamin content is a useful adjunct in treating anaemia and general debility. For medicinal purposes the root is normally gathered when two years old.

Cautionary Notes: Parsley should not generally be taken where kidney inflammation exists, as it may over-stimulate and exhaust kidney function. It is important to take the proper dosage of Parsley, as very large doses taken frequently or for extended periods of time may cause abortion and polyneuritis. Excessive quantities of apiol and myristicin can induce fatty degeneration of the liver and kidneys and gastrointestinal haemorrhage.

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Couchgrass (Agropyron repens; Synonym, Triticum repens)

Action: Diuretic, urinary antiseptic.

Systems Affected: Kidneys, bladder.

Preparation and Dosage (thrice daily): Dried rhizome, dose 4-8 grams by infusion.

Native to Europe, Couchgrass is now widely distributed throughout the world. A well-known and troublesome weed to gardeners, the young leaves and stems are eaten by cats and dogs to induce vomiting.

The plant has a long history of medicinal use dating back to the time of Dioscorides and Pliny. A diuretic and urinary antiseptic, it is used to treat cystitis, urethritis, retention of urine and urinary stones or gravel. It is specific for cystitis with irritation and inflammation of the urinary tract.

The rhizomes are collected in autumn, stripped of the attached roots, cut into small strips and dried.

Cramp Bark     (Viburnum opuius)

Action: Antispasmodic, nervine, sedative, emmenagogue, astringent.

Systems Affected: Nerves, heart, muscles, urogenital organs.

Preparation and Dosage (thrice daily): Dried bark, dose 2-5 grams by decoction.

Also known as Guelder Rose, Cramp Bark is an attractive shrub growing up to 4 meters in height. The plant is indigenous to Europe, northern Asia and North America, but is now widespread as an ornamental. The wild Viburnum opulus, which bears fruit similar to cranberries, is the one used by herbalists, whereas a sterile, and thus non-fruiting, cultivar is often found in horticultural lists as the Snowball Tree.

As its name implies, Cramp Bark acts as an antispasmodic to the body, and is good for period pain, abdominal cramps and colic, muscle cramps, fits, fainting, neuralgia, convulsions, spasms and nervous disorders of all kinds.

Tonic and relaxant to the ovaries and uterus, it is regarded as specific for uterine dysfunction and for ovarian and uterine pain.

It is sometimes employed in acute cases of heart palpitations and rheumatism, and is also useful for asthma. It is helpful in cases of bed-wetting in children.

Cramp Bark works to best advantage when combined with other herbs such as Skullcap, Ginger, Angelica and Chamomile. It is highly regarded as an antispasmodic and is one of the best female regulators in nature.

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Essential Oils

Essential oils, some of which (Cloves, Eucalyptus, Peppermint, etc.) are commercially available, should be used with care. They are highly concentrated substances which can be irritating and even toxic in large amounts. Used externally as analgesics or rubefacients, they should be kept clear of eyes, nose, mouth and all mucous membranes. Normally only a few drops are used for rubbing into the skin, as applied in large amounts they can cause severe irritation and burning. Essential oils supply the active ingredients for salves and liniments such as Tiger Balm.

With a few exceptions, such as the use of Clove Oil for toothache, essential oils are not normally used internally. There have been several reports in America of toxic reactions and even fatal poisonings resulting from their misuse. Very small amounts are used extensively in liqueurs, perfumes, cosmetics, pharmaceutical preparations, incense and cooking, but essential oils should not be considered a form of medicine for internal use.

Tannins

Many herbs contain tannins, substances which bind up proteins and in so doing have an astringent effect. A correlation appears to exist between extensive drinking of tannin-rich teas and the occurrence of oesophageal and stomach cancer. In countries where black tea is consumed in large quantities the rate of such cancers tends to be high, but where black tea is commonly taken with milk this increased rate is not found. The tannins, it appears, become bound to proteins in the milk and are thus rendered insoluble.

Astringent herb teas should be used as needed, but excessive use is best avoided. When an astringent herb is used for properties other than astringency, a little milk can be added to neutralize the tannins. There is no reason, however, to avoid the occasional use of astringents, and their use from time to time as required is certainly no cause for alarm — it is rather the continued high intake of tannin-rich substances, as in black tea, which should be warned against.

Herbs particularly high in tannins are the roots and barks, such as Blackberry, Yellow Dock and Comfrey, and a few leaf herbs such as Peppermint and Cleavers.

High Blood Pressure

Those with a history of high blood pressure should avoid herbs that stimulate heart action or constrict blood vessels. Liquorice in particular should be avoided, but the cautionary notes for individual herbs should be consulted for relevant information. Such persons should generally use only small amounts of stimulants, instead using more of the nervine, antispasmodic and sedative herbs. However, three stimulants, Cayenne Pepper, Garlic and Yarrow, also seem to be useful in reducing blood pressure.

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