The Herbal Encyclopedia Disability UK

HERBAL COMBINATIONS for ILLNESSES

Healing herbs are often used in combinations when combatting an illness. Herbs are combined to give the benefits needed from each, some to give a boost to others, some to boost the body with healing energies. Below are some of the more popular herbal combinations. The herbs can be taken singly for these illnesses as well, although the suggested combinations are best. Don't fret if you don't have all of the suggested herbs for any given combination - use what you have, and add the rest as soon as you can. These combinations can usually be in any form you choose - teas, tinctures, capsules, etc. You will want to use equal parts of each herb, or use more of the herb most needed, with equal parts of the booster herbs.

Remember that in any herbal healing undertaken, diet is also very important. These combinations are not meant to be used in the place of a doctor's advice. Also realize that you should not take herbs continually over a long period of time on a daily basis, as your body may build an immunity to the herb itself, or you may experience side effects. The exception to this would be when treating a chronic illness, but even then, there should be time off for your body from the herbs on a regular schedule. Herbs are medicine, and should always be treated as such.

Often, when taking antibiotic herbs, or prescription antibiotics, the natural bacteria in our digestive system is destroyed, making digestion difficult (and sometimes causing constipation) for several days to several weeks. To combat this, eat fresh real yogurt daily (not the stuff with lots of sugar and flavors, and make sure it has active cultures), or take acidophilus or probiotic capsules, to restore the natural digestive bacteria. This can also help to alleviate vaginal yeast infections in women.

When using an herb or herbal combination to combat an illness or strengthen various systems in the body, it is best to start with a small amount, and then wait a few hours to be sure you are not going to have an adverse reaction, before continuing with the therapy. Stop any ingestion of herbs at the first sign of any adverse reaction.

This is of course not a complete list, this is only to give you a general idea of what may be needed for common ailments. My book has more information on additional illnesses, and there are plenty of naturopathic doctors available, including myself, to answer questions about other ailments. This listing is not meant to diagnose, only to inform. Your body and medical history may dictate that you need very different combinations from these to treat your specific ailments.

Herbs Used: Evening Primrose Oil, Raspberry Leaf, Nettle, Dandelion, Lemon Grass Recipe for Acne Help Bring to a simmer in a non-metallic pan 2 quarts water, 3 tablespoons Witchhazel bark, 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon, 1 tablespoon ground cloves; let simmer for 5 minutes. Then add 1/2 cup chopped fresh thyme, 1 cup fresh chopped peppermint leaves, and 1/2 cup fresh chopped marjoram. Simmer 5 more minutes, set aside until cold. Mix 1/2 cup of the simmered mixture with 2 teaspoons cider vinegar, 2 ounces grain alcohol(vodka is best), 4 drops lemon oil, and enough water to make one pint. Apply with cotton to acne prone areas after washing. A good aloe moisturizer afterwards is recommended.

Herbs used: Blessed Thistle, Scullcap, Goldenseal, Cayenne, Marshmallow, Lobelia, Burdock. Other uses: Colds, Hay Fever, Upper respiratory infections

Herbs Used: Red Beet, Yellow Dock, Lobelia, Burdock, Nettle, Mullein Other uses: Energy, Fatigue, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease

Herbs Used: Cayenne, Garlic, Hawthorne, Parsley Other Uses: Blood Pressure, Heart

Herbs Used: Yucca, Comfrey, Alfalfa, Yarrow, Cayenne, Lobelia, Burdock, Chaparral, Black Cohosh, Cat's Claw, Lemon Grass Other uses: Bursitis, Rheumatism, Gout, Blood Cleanser

Herbs Used: For the acute phase of CFS, a combination of echinacea, goldenseal, and licorice. If this combination is needed for more than seven days, add potassium-rich foods and/or herbs to your diet. For the chronic phase, a combination of goldenseal, astragulus, licorice, ginseng, and evening primrose oil. One month on, one month off is the recommended usage frame. Other Uses: The combination of herbs for the chronic phase is being studied for the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis.

Herbs used: Chamomile, Slippery Elm, Cayenne, Goldenseal, Myrrh, Peppermint, Sage, Lemon Grass, Rose Hips, Garlic Other uses: Bronchitis, Ear infections, Fevers, Flu, Tonsillitis

Herbs Used: Alfalfa, Peppermint, Fennel, Catnip Other uses: Digestive disorders, Heartburn, Appetite

Herbs Used: Aloe Vera, Slippery Elm, Barberry Other uses: Cleansing, Colon

Herbs Used: Elecampane, Wild Cherry Bark, Licorice, Comfrey Root, Lobelia Other uses: Hay fever, Sore throats

Apply cream made from calendula, or a cream made from aloe.

Herbs Used: Chamomile, Ginseng, Licorice, Cayenne, Gotu Kola Other uses: Endurance, Energy, Memory

Herbs Used: Oil of Mullein, Garlic Oil, or Lobelia Extract drops directly into the ear.

Herbs Used: Cayenne, Ginseng, Gotu Kola Also add: Bee pollen, bee propolis, royal jelly Other uses: Endurance, Fatigue, Memory

Herbs Used: Goldenseal, Bayberry, Eyebright Other uses: Eyewash, Allergies, Hay fever, Cataracts

Herbs Used: Black Cohosh, Ginger, Raspberry Leaf, Blessed Thistle, Dong Quai Other uses: Hormonal balance, Vaginal problems, Uterine infections

Herbs Used: Ginger, Cayenne, Goldenseal, Licorice Other uses: Nausea, Motion sickness

Herbs Used: Comfrey, Horsetail, Alfalfa, Slippery Elm Other uses: Fingernails, Hair, Joints, Teeth

Before bed, mix together the juice of 2 lemons, 4 ounces olive oil, 6 ounces Coke Classic; drink. Upon rising, take 10 ounces of magnesium citrate (available in drug stores). Do not eat until you have had your first bowel movement. Bowel movements will continue sporadically for several hours, so do this on a day you are at home!

Herbs Used: Goldenseal, Myrrh (both internally and as a mouthwash)

HEART

Herbs Used: Hawthorne, Cayenne, Garlic Other uses: Arteriosclerosis, Cholesterol, Circulation

Herbs Used: Anise seed, Fennel seed, Peppermint, Cinnamon, Lavendar

IMMUNE SUPPORT

Herbs Used: pau d'arco(taheebo), Echinacea, Burdock, Spirulina, Kelp, Cat's Claw

Herbs Used: Echinacea, Goldenseal, Cayenne, Myrrh Other uses: Colds, Earaches, Fevers, Flu, Measles, Mumps

For repelling insects on skin: Mix 1 teaspoon each of essential oils of pennyroyal, citronella, eucalyptus, rosemary, and tansy. Shake oils in 1 cup of vegetable or olive oil. Store away from light in a sealed container. Use by rubbing a small amount between the palms of your hands, and then apply to any exposed skin. Avoid applying to the face to prevent eye contact. Reapply as necessary. Discontinue using if a rash develops(some people are sensitive to pennyroyal oil. Test on a small area first). Also safe for animal use. DO NOT INCLUDE THE PENNYROYAL OIL IF PREGNANT OR NURSING!!

Herbs Used: Valerian, Scullcap, Hops Other uses: Headaches, Stress, Hyperactivity

Herbs Used: Juniper, Uva Ursi, Marshmallow, Ginger, Goldenseal, Dandelion Other uses: Bladder, Urinary problems

Herbs Used: Dandelion, Parsley, Horsetail, Blessed (or Milk) Thistle, Chamomile, Lobelia, Wild Yam, Ginger, Sassafras, Kelp Other uses: Cleansing, Kidneys, Spleen, Gall Bladder

Herbs Used: Comfrey, Fenugreek, Marshmallow, Mullein, Chickweed Other uses: Asthma, Bronchitis, Coughs, Hay Fever, Pneumonia

Herbs Used: Gingko Biloba, Gotu Kola, Ginseng Other Uses: Energy, Circulation, Tinnitus

Herbs Used: Black Cohosh, Licorice, False Unicorn, Ginseng, Squaw Vine, Blessed Thistle Other uses: Hormone imbalance, Menstrual problems, Hot flashes, Uterine problems

Herbs Used: Cramp Bark, Ginger root, Raspberry Leaf, Yellow Dock, Vitex, Wild Yam

Herbs Used: Fenugreek, Thyme, Lobelia, Wood Betony, Feverfew Other uses: Fever, Flu, Headache

Herbs Used: Wild Yam, Dandelion, Ginger, Vitex

Herbs Used: Black Cohosh, Cayenne, Valerian, Ginger, St. Johnswort, Hops, Wood Betony Other uses: Headaches, Anxiety, Stress

Herbs Used: Burdock, Mullein, Yellow Dock (bathing in a peppermint tea bath will relieve the itching as well as aid in drying up the oak/ivy) Other uses, Itching, Insect Bites

Herbs Used: Evening Primrose Oil, Dong Quai, Vitex Other uses: Menstrual regulation, Painful breasts

Herbs Used: Black Cohosh, Licorice, Kelp, Gotu Kola, Ginger, Cayenne, Juniper, Uva Ursi, Taheebo, Saw Palmetto, Cat's Claw Other uses: Bladder, Liver, Spleen

Herbs Used: Chickweed, Licorice, Safflower, Echinacea, Black Walnut, Hawthorn, Papaya, Fennel, Dandelion Other uses: Energy

SEXUAL DESIRE

Stimulant:Damiana, Ginseng, Saw Palmetto, Gotu Kola Depressant:Hops, Scullcap, Valerian

Herbs Used: Horsetail, Sage, Rosemary Other uses: Hair, Nails

SORE THROAT

Herbs Used: Marshamallow, Fenugreek Alternate: Cayenne, Ginger mixed with honey and lemon

Herbs Used: Hops, Scullcap, Slippery Elm, Valerian, Lobelia Other uses: Cough, Nerves, Stress

Herbs Used: Irish Moss, Kelp, Parsley, Black Walnut, Sarsparilla Other uses: Fatigue, Glands, Lymphatic System

Herbs Used: Chaparral, Red Clover, Taheebo (Pau d'arco) Other uses: Cleansing, Blood Disorders

ULCERS

Herbs Used: Cayenne, Goldenseal, Myrrh, Marshmallow, Calendula Other uses: Indigestion, Heartburn

YEAST INFECTION

Herbs Used: Cayenne, Garlic, White Oak Bark, Marshmallow, Mullein (all mixed together and used as a bolus) Other uses: Leuchorea, Vagina

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