Peppermint

Latin: Mentha × piperita

Arabic: Naenae

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): Bo He

“Very hot in nature, peppermint may be use to advantage to promote perspiration and overpower the cold.” (Robert Thomson, in “The Grosset Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine” (1980))

A “gastric adaptogen, gastro-intestinal antispasmodic.” (Menzies-Trull in "The Herbalist's Prescriber")

“Peppermint is one of the best carminatives available.” (David Hoffman in “The New Holistic Herbal”).

Dan Bensky and Andrew Gamble, in “Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica” list it under “cool acrid herbs that release the exterior”.  It is “acrid, aromatic and cooling … [it] disperses wind-heat.”

Cleavers

Latin: Galium aparine

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM):  Zhu Yang Yang

A “relaxing, diffusive and soothing diuretic.” (Menzies-Trull in "The Herbalist's Prescriber")

“Cleavers is a very valuable plant and is perhaps the best tonic to the lymphatic system available.” (David Hoffman in “The New Holistic Herbal”).

Boneset

Latin: Eupatorium Perfoliatum

Also known as Feverwort

A “relaxing diaphoretic” (Menzies-Trull in "The Herbalist's Prescriber")

“Boneset is perhaps the best remedy for the relief of the associated symptoms that accompany influenza … [To] clear the upper respiratory tract of mucous congestion … [[To] ease constipation.” (David Hoffman in “The New Holistic Herbal”).

Burdock Root

Latin: Arctium Lapa

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): Niu Bang Zi

“Burdock is used the world over as a blood-purifying agent as well as a diaphoretic, a diuretic, and an alterative.” (Robert Thomson, in “The Grosset Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine” (1980))

A “vaso-tonic alterative” (Menzies-Trull in "The Herbalist's Prescriber")

A “most valuable remedy for the treatment of skin conditions which result in dry and scaly skin. It may be most effective for psoriasis if used over a long period of time. Similarly, all types of eczema (though primarily the dry kinds) may be treated if Burdock used over a period of time … useful as part of a wider treatment for rheumatic complaints, especially where they are associated with psoriasis … It will aid digestion and appetite … in general Burdock will move the body to a state of integration and health…” (David Hoffman in “The New Holistic Herbal”).

Dan Bensky and Andrew Gamble, in “Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica” say it is, “acrid, bitter, cold … disperses wind-heat … clears heat … vents rashes… moistens intestines…”

False Unicorn Root

Latin: Chamaelirium Luteum

A “central nervous system tropho-restorative.” (Menzies-Trull in "The Herbalist's Prescriber")

“…one of the best tonics and strengtheners of the reproductive system that we have. Though primarily used for the female system, it can be equally beneficial for men … The body may use this herb to balance and tone and thus it will aid in apparently opposite situations.” (David Hoffman in “The New Holistic Herbal”).

Raspberry Leaves

Latin: Rubus Idaeus,

Arabic: Toot al-aleeq

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): Fu Pen Zi (translation: “overturned fruit bowl) (Fructus Rubi Chingii)

An “excellent herb … one of the best things for women in labor … it is also much used for relief of urethral irritation and is soothing for the kidneys, urinary tract, and ducts.” (Robert Thomson, in “The Grosset Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine” (1980))

A “tonic.” (Menzies-Trull in "The Herbalist's Prescriber")

An “astringent, tonic, refrigerant, parturient … Raspberry leaves have a long tradition of use in pregnancy to strengthen and tone the tissue of the womb, assisting contractions and checking any haemorrhage during labour. As an astringent it may be used in a wide range of cases, including diarrhoea, leucorrhoea and other loose conditions. It is valuable in the easing of mouth problems such as mouth ulcers, bleeding gums and inflammations. As a gargle it will help sore throats.” (David Hoffman in “The New Holistic Herbal”).

Dan Bensky and Andrew Gamble, in “Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica” say it is, “sweet, astringent, slightly warm … [it] augments and stabilizes the kidneys … assists the Yang and improves vision: for poor vision, sore lower back, and impotence due to Liver and Kidney deficiency.”

Celery Seeds

Latin: Apium Graveolens

Arabic: Karafs

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): Qin Cai

As-Suyuti in "Medicine of the Prophet" mentions its neutralizing effects on eating spleen meat.

Ibn Qayyim in "Medicine of the Prophet" said, "…the garden variety sweetens the breath greatly, and if the stem is worn around the neck, it is beneficial for toothache.  It is hot and dry though some say it is moist. It opens obstructions of the liver and spleen. Its leaves, when moist, are beneficial for a cold stomach and liver, are diuretic and emmenagogue, and break stone.  Its seeds have a stronger effect in this and are aphrodisiac and beneficial for bad breath.”

An “anti-septic diuretic.” (Menzies-Trull in "The Herbalist's Prescriber")

An “anti-rheumatic, diuretic, carminative, sedative … Celery seeds find their main use in the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis and gout. They are especially useful in rheumatoid arthritis where there is associated mental depression.” (David Hoffman in “The New Holistic Herbal”).

Nettles

Latin: Urtica Dioica

Arabic: Qaras

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): Xun Ma

An “immune modulator and vaso-tonic alterative.” (Menzies-Trull in "The Herbalist's Prescriber")

“Nettles are one of the most widely applicable plants we have. They strengthen and support the whole body.” (David Hoffman in “The New Holistic Herbal”).

Skullcap

 Latin: Scutellaria Lateriflora

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): Huang Qin

A “nervine and anti-spasdmodic, and is slightly astringent … it has been known to render the patient free of disturbance in many cases of hydrophobia. This is also true in cases of insomnia, excitability, and restlessness.” (Robert Thomson, in “The Grosset Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine” (1980))

A “central nervous system vaso-dilator and antispasmodic.” (Menzies-Trull in "The Herbalist's Prescriber")

“Skullcap is perhaps the most widely relevant nervine available to us in the materia medica. It relaxes states of nervous tension whilst at the same time renewing and revivifying the central nervous system … it may be used in all exhausted or depressed conditions.” (David Hoffman in “The New Holistic Herbal”).

Dan Bensky and Andrew Gamble, in “Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica” say, in the section headed “Herbs that clear Heat and Dry Dampness”, that it is, “bitter, cold … [it] clears heat and drains fire … drains dampness … sedates ascendant Liver yang…”.  

Hawthorn Berries

Latin: Crataegus oxycanthoides

Arabic: Zaaroor

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): Shan Zha

A “cardiac muscle tonic” (Menzies-Trull in "The Herbalist's Prescriber").

“Hawthorn berries provide us with one of the best tonic remedies for the heart and circulatory system. They act in a normalising way upon the heart by either stimulating or depressing its activity depending on the need. In other words, hawthorn berries will move the heart to normal function in a gentle way. As a long-term treatment, they may safely be used in heart failure and weakness.” (David Hoffman in “The New Holistic Herbal”).

Dan Bensky and Andrew Gamble, in “Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica” say hawthorn berries are, “sour, sweet, slightly warm” and are used for food stagnation, blood statis,  diarrhoea and, “used recently for hypertension, coronary heart disease, and elevated serum cholesterol.”

Mullein

Latin: verbascum thapsus

Chinese Traditional Medicine (TCM): Jia Yan Ye

“A demulcent expectorant” (Menzies-Trull in "The Herbalist's Prescriber").

“A very beneficial respiratory remedy useful in most conditions that affect this vital system.” (David Hoffman in “The New Holistic Herbal”).

Unani Tibb: For, amongst other things, coughs, colds, chest and haemorrhoids (Robert Thomson, in “The Grosset Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine” (1980).

Buchu

Agathosma betulina

A “stimulating urinary tonic” (Menzies-Trull in "The Herbalist's Prescriber").

“Buchu may be used in any infection of the genito-urinary system, such as cystisis, urethritis and prostatisis. It’s healing and soothing properties indicate its use together with other relevant remedies in any condition of this system.” (David Hoffman in “The New Holistic Herbal”).

Using Food for health preservation

Ibn Sina is quoted as saying in “Avicenna’s Medicine” that “One who is seeking health preservation should endeavour not to have the essence of their food as medicinal foods such as green, leafy vegetables and fruits, and alike. 

"The attenuant food [that which thins or dilutes the fluids] chars blood (i.e. oxidizes), and heavy food causes phlegm and weightiness of the body.

"Food should be composed of meat, especially that of the young goat, young beef, and young lamb; wheat that has been cleaned and is free from contamination … sweets that are suitable to [the individual’s] temperament [mijaaz]; and good drinks made of fragrant herbs.

Other than that is used for treatment and preservation.”

The Direction of Correction

“The correction of disease occurs from the top of the body downward and from the inside outward. Thus, the first sign of crisis often is headache, lastly diarrhoea.” (Robert Thomson, in “The Grosset Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine” (1980))

Detoxification

Detoxification

“Detoxification can reduce the toxic overload. Detoxifcation cleansing by fasting, dietary changes, enema, hydrotherapy: sauna/steam, supports immune function.” (Menzies-Trull in "The Herbalist's Prescriber")

Herbs to prevent problems appearing

David Hoffman in his introduction to “The New Holistic Herbal” states, “Herbs can be used freely and safely as part of one’s lifestyle without thinking of them as ‘medicines’. For specific health needs, their best use would be preventative … There are specific herbs which strengthen and tone specific organs and systems … the following may be safely used over extended periods of time:

Circulatory system: Hawthorn Berries (Crataegus oxyacanthoides) (Shan Zha)

Respiratory system: Mullein (Verbascum Thapsus) (Jia Yan Ye)

Digestive system: Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) (Xuan Gao Wen Zi Cao)

Nervous system: Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora -Labiatae) (Not Baical Skullcap Root which is Huang Qin - Radix Scutellariae Baicalensis - Labiatae)

Skin: Nettles (Urtica) (Xun Ma)

Muscular and skeletal system: Celery Seed (Apium Graveolens) (Qin Cai)

Reproductive system: Raspberry Leaves (Rubus idaeus) (Fu Pen Zi)

Urinary system: Buchu** (Agathosma betulina) …”

(We’ve added in italics the Latin and, where known, the Chinese Medicine name.)

**Contraindicated in pregnancy

The Healing Crisis

The healing crisis. In Arabic: al-bahraan.  It is, "the sudden change in the condition of the patient suffering from acute fever, which is usually accompanied by excessive sweating and rapid decrease in temperature. The abnormal heat of fever acts on the maturing of the superfluous matters so that they can be dealt with by the body. It is also described as a detoxification process.” Ibn Sina, as quoted in “Avicenna’s Medicine”.

“Crisis in terms of substance repulsed, has five modes: vomiting, diarrhoea, nosebleeding, urination, and perspiration. Crisis by urine or perspiration is incomplete because a thin substance is thrown out and a thick one remains. Crisis by vomiting, nosebleeding, or diarrhoea is complete.” (Robert Thomson, in “The Grosset Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine” (1980))

It is, as they say, a Good Thing.

Wild Rue

Peganum harmala, commonly called esfand, wild rue, Syrian rue, African rue, spilani, harmel, or aspand.

Not related to rue (ruta graveolens).

Cited by Robert Thomson, in “Natural Medicine” (Wildwood House, London, 1981) as one of the top herbs for a natural medicine herbalist to stock.

It is said to have antioxidant and antimutagenic properties and has been used as an emmenagogue and abortifacient agent. Also as an anthelmintic.

Image: By Lazaregagnidze (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Red Clover

Robert Thomson, in “The Grosset Encyclopaedia of Natural Medicine” says, “…it is used in the treatment of malignant ulcers, scrofula, indolent sores, burns, whooping cough and various spasms, and bronchial and renal conditions. The warm tea is very soothing to the nerves.”

In latin it is called trifolium pratense.

In TCM it is Mu.

Sweet Wormwood

Wormwood, also known as sweet wormwood, sweet annie, sweet sagewort, annual mugwort or annual wormwood.  In TCM it is Qing Hao.  The latin name is artemisia annua.

A December 2016 study found that, “A centuries-old herbal medicine, discovered by Chinese scientists and used to effectively treat malaria, has been found to potentially aid in the treatment of tuberculosis and may slow the evolution of drug resistance.”

In fact, wormwood is well known not just within the TCM system but also in western natural medicine and Unani Tibb.

Menzies-Trull, in "The Herbalist's Prescriber" says it is an anti-infective with cautions for diarrhoea, headache and tinnitus.

Robert Thomson, in “The Grosset Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine” (1980), says, of wormwood (artemisia absinthium), “The tops and leaves are used as a tonic, a stomachic, a stimulant febriluge, an anthelmintic, and a narcotic … it is a first-rate treatment of enfeebled digestion and debility … It is also treated for [amongst other things] loss of appetite … diabetes … obstinate diarrhoea.”

Image

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AMing_herbal%3B_(painting)%3B_Sweet_wormwood_Wellcome_L0039414.jpg