Herpes and Rheumatoid Arthritis Herbs

Billberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.)

Extracts of bilberry have antiviral properties in cell culture for herpes simplex virus II, influenza, and vaccinia viruses. Kills or inhibits the growth of funguses, yeasts, and bacteria. It also kills protozoans such as Trichomonas vaginalis. Bilberry is an anti-inflammatory herb. Anthocyanins in the herb act to prevent capillary fragility and inhibit platelet aggregation. Also has potential for the prevention of thrombosis and may reverse attacks of angina from results of animal studies. Was found to prevent atherosclerosis in cholesterol loaded animals. Further, bilberry is an antihistamine; it improves vision and has potential for the treatment of pigmentary retinitis.

Dosage - People often take 240-480 mg per day of bilberry herbal extract in capsules or tablets standardized to provide 25 % anthocyanosides.

• Berries: 1 teaspoon dried (Billberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.)) berries with 1 cup of water, 1 cup per day
• Tincture: Take 15 to 40 drops in water, 3 or more times a day as needed.

Toxitity, Cautions & Cotraindications - In recommended amounts, there are no known side effects with bilberry extract. Bilberry does not interact with commonly prescribed drugs, and there are no known Contraindications to its use during pregnancy or lactation. Leaves can produce symptoms of poisoning if used over long periods. More info here!

Cat's Claw (Uncaria tomentosa)

Cats claw contains a group of oxidole alkaloids that has been documented with immune-stimulant and antileukemic properties. Another group of chemicals called quinovic acid glycosides have documented anti-inflammatory and antiviral actions. Antioxidant chemicals (tannins, catechins and procyanidins) as well as plant sterols (beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol, and campesterol) account for the plant's anti-inflammatory properties. A class of compounds known as carboxyl alkyl esters found in cat's claw has been documented with immunostimulant, anti-inflammatory, anticancerous, and cell-repairing properties. Cat's claw contains ajmalicine, akuammigine, campesterol, catechin, carboxyl alkyl esters, chlorogenic acid, cinchonain, corynantheine, corynoxeine, daucosterol, epicatechin, harman, hirsuteine, hirsutine, iso-pteropodine, loganic acid, lyaloside, mitraphylline, oleanolic acid, palmitoleic acid, procyanidins, pteropodine quinovic acid glycosides, rhynchophylline, rutin, sitosterols, speciophylline, stigmasterol, strictosidines, uncarine A thru F, and vaccenic acid.

Uncaria tomentosa has very low toxicity even if taken in large amounts. This may be of interest for those suffering from painful joints who are unable to take medications due to side effects. Uncaria tomentosa as an extract called "Krallendon" is being tested at Immodel, an Australian laboratory, by Dr. Keplinger, the director. The articles discussed Dr. Keplinger’s success in using Uncaria tomentosa to treat allergies, neurobronchitis, genital herpes and herpes zoster.

• AIDS
• Feline Leukemia Virus
• Genital and Oral Herpes
• Shingles (Herpes Zoster)

Dosage - three to six grams (cats claw (Uncaria tomentosa)) a day could be used for therapeutic dosages, and studies have used up to 20 grams a day for those seriously afflicted with illness and disease.

Contra-indications - Uña de gato is contraindicated for transplant carriers because of possible graft rejection. During pregnancy, or if nursing, uña de gato should not be used. More info here!

Cordyceps

Cordyceps fungus has the ability to increase the ATP (adenosine tri-phosphate) production in human cell's mitochondria, thus increasing the energy levels of people using it. Compounds found in cordyceps are classified as HDP "Host Defense Potentiators". These compounds include: hemicellulose, polysaccharides, polysaccharide-peptides, nucleosides, triterpeniods, complex starches, and other metabolites. Combinations of these compounds are now believed to target the human immune system as well as aid in neuron transmission, metabolism, hormonal balance and nutrient and oxygen transport. They support the development of lymphoid stem cells and other important body defense responses. More info here!

Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian Ginseng))

Eleutherococcus was able to help the body's immune system to defend itself against respiratory tract infections, viruses and influenza-type illnesses by increasing the number of immune fighter cells, particularly T-Helper cells. It combats the incidence and severity of Herpes simplex viruses, responsible for cold sores and genital Herpes infections. It has also been found to assist those that work in extremes of climate to function effectively, athletes in the transportation of oxygen to the muscles effectively and eliminating toxins. A crude extract derived from the root of Eleutherococcus senticosus maxim (E. maxim) has been utilized to treat various disorders. This Eleutherococcus senticosus maxim root extract is marketed under the name CM-4.TM. (United States Patent 7097862 - trademark of Omega Pharmaceutical, Inc. for an Eleutherococcus senticosus maxim extract). The Eleutherococcus senticosus maxim extract inhibits TNF (tumor necrosis factor) of both TNF-.alpha. and TNF-.beta.

• Extraction Method:
• Eleutherococcus senticosus maxim root is extracted, shaken free of dirt and sand, and washed with cold flowing water. The root is then dried by baking for one hour at 80.degree. C. After baking, the roots are allowed to continue drying in a vacuum drier at 60.degree. C. or in a warm, dry and well-ventilated location. Then roots are selected based on the following criteria:
1. the root is whole or in small parts, the bark on the outside is a yellow-brown color and internally the root is white,
2. the outside bark of the root is wrinkled, indicating that it has dried properly,
3. breaking the root open reveals a white, slightly fibrous, strongly scented aromatic characteristic odor, and
4.   the taste is of the root is spicy and slightly bitter.
• The selected roots are then ground into a medium-coarse powder. This powder is mixed with a protic solvent such as 40% ethanol (60% water) by volume for the extraction (1 kg powder per liter of 40% ethanol) and the mixture is heated (Pharmacopeia of USSR, page 522). The extraction can be accomplished with other protic solutions, such as water or alcohol-water solutions, for example 10 100% ethanol solutions with water.
• The resulting extract is a darkish brown fluid of a specific color, is transparent, and is bitter. This extract has a dry residue of not less than 6% (Pharmacopeia, supra, p. 253), and an alcohol content of not less than 33% (Pharmacopeia, supra, p. 813).

• Administration:
• The Eleutherococcus senticosus maxim extract of the disclosure may be conveniently formulated into various pharmaceutical compositions composed of Eleutherococcus senticosus maxim extract in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, latest edition, by E. W. Martin (Mack Publ. Co., Easton Pa.) (which is incorporated by reference herein) discloses typical carriers and conventional methods of preparing pharmaceutical compositions that may be used in conjunction with the preparation of formulations.
• Depending on the intended mode of administration, the pharmaceutical compositions may be in the form of solid, semi-solid or liquid dosage forms, such as, for example, tablets, suppositories, pills, capsules, powders, liquids, suspensions, lotions, creams, gels, or the like, preferably in unit dosage form suitable for single administration of a precise dosage. The compositions will include, as noted above, an effective amount of Eleutherococcus senticosus maxim extract in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and, in addition, may include other medicinal agents, pharmaceutical agents, carriers, adjuvants, diluents, etc.
• For solid compositions, conventional nontoxic solid carriers include, for example, pharmaceutical grades of mannitol, lactose, starch, magnesium stearate, sodium saccharin, talc, cellulose, glucose, sucrose, magnesium carbonate, and the like. Liquid pharmaceutically administrable compositions can, for example, be prepared by dissolving, dispersing, etc., Eleutherococcus senticosus maxim extract as described herein and optional pharmaceutical adjuvants in an excipient, such as, for example, water, saline, aqueous dextrose, glycerol, ethanol, and the like, to thereby form a solution or suspension. If desired, the pharmaceutical composition to be administered may also contain minor amounts of nontoxic auxiliary substances such as wetting or emulsifying agents, pH buffering agents and the like, for example, sodium acetate, sorbitan monolaurate, triethanolamine sodium acetate, triethanolamine oleate, etc. Actual methods of preparing such dosage forms are known, or will be apparent, to those skilled in this art; for example, see Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, referenced above.
• For oral administration, fine powders or granules may contain diluting, dispersing, and/or surface active agents, and may be presented in water or in a syrup, in capsules or sachets in the dry state, or in a nonaqueous solution or suspension wherein suspending agents may be included, in tablets wherein binders and lubricants may be included, or in a suspension in water or a syrup. Where desirable or necessary, flavoring, preserving, suspending, thickening, or emulsifying agents may be included. Tablets and granules are preferred oral administration forms, and these may be coated.

• Dosage -
• The Eleutherococcus senticosus maxim extract can be administered on a daily basis to a subject, in an amount equivalent to about 0.5 7 ml of an about 27.5% by volume ethanol in water extract of Eleutherococcus. Such administration can be in any pharmaceutical composition described above, or a combination thereof.
• In alternate embodiments of administration to a subject, an equivalent of about 3.3 ml of Eleutherococcus senticosus maxim extract is administered to the subject on a daily basis. Such administration can be in any pharmaceutical composition described above, or a combination thereof.
• The Eleutherococcus senticosus maxim extract can be taken as a single dose daily, or in multiple doses daily. Alternatively, an extract is administered to the subject before breakfast daily, and an equivalent of about 1.1 ml of Eleutherococcus senticosus maxim extract is administered to the subject daily at lunch.

• Traditional Dosages of ginseng used in Chinese medicine are given as 2–8 g (euthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian Ginseng))) as a tonic and 15–20 g for acute conditions. Researchers who studied the potenial effectiveness of ginseng as a treatment for diabetes found that 1–3 g of American ginseng taken 40 minutes before a meal was effective in reducing blood sugar levels. Because dried ginseng root is hard and brittle, it must be simmered for about 45 minutes to extract the ginsenosides. Two to three teaspoonsful of dried root are used per cup. Powder made from American ginseng can be made into tea or taken with water or juice. One-half to one teaspoon is recommended per serving. American ginseng is usually taken two to three times per day between meals. For Siberian ginseng, the recommended dosage for the powdered form is 1–2 g daily, taken in capsules or mixed with water or juice. The dose should be divided and taken two or three times per day between meals. The recommended dosage for liquid extract of Siberian ginseng is 1–2 mL twice daily. More info here!

Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica)

Gotu Kola has been found to have important healing effects on solid tissues, including skin, connective tissues, lymph tissues, blood vessels, and mucous membranes. Centella has found its most successful applications in treatment of conditions involving venous insufficiency, tissue inflammation and infection and post-surgical healing. It strengthens the adrenal glands while cleansing the blood to treat skin impurities minor burns and scars. It is said to combat stress and depression, energize flagging mental powers, premature aging, fight sterility, ward off a nervous breakdown, and improve reflexes. Centella asiatica extracts which contains asiaticoside, were investigated for their intracellular activities against herpes simplex viruses by plaque inhibition assay and shown to have inhibitory effects on tested virus

Dosage Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) -

• Fresh Plant Tincture [1:2], 15-30 drops to 3X a day.
• Standard Infusion 1-2 ounces.
• Dry Herb Tincture [1:5, 50% alcohol] 20-40 drops, to 4X a day.

Dosages - Herbal tea infusion - The standard way to make an infusion, unless otherwise specified, is to pour a cup of boiling water over 1 to 2 oz.of the dried herb to be infused, let it stand for 5 minutes, strain it, and drink it.

• Fresh plant material - When the recipe refers to fresh plant material to be used, a 1/4 cup fresh material is used, following the method above.
• Dried material - When the recipe refers to using dried material, use 2 teaspoons of material when making it.
• Bark or seeds - Should the recipe call for bark or seeds to be used, use 2 teaspoons of seeds or 1 tablespoon of bark.
• Sweetening your infusion - You could sweeten your health drink with honey, should you so require, and a dash of fresh lemon juice may also enhance the taste.

Contra-indcations - do not use during pregnancy or during breast feeding. Consuming high doses of gotu kola can cause nausea, dizziness, and sedation, individuals should refrain from taking this herb with medications that promote sleep or reduce anxiety. More info here!

Horsetaill (Equisetum arvense)

Horsetail - besides the wound healing, connective tissue strengthening, and genitourinary properties, horsetail grass also possesses styptic properties, helping to heal bleeding ulcers. The plant has been used for arthritis and atherosclerosis since both joint and arterial tissue are rich in silica. It acts as a mild diuretic. It is also invaluable in the treatment of incontinence and bed wetting in children. It is considered a specific in cases of inflammation or benign enlargement of the prostate gland. Externally it is a vulnerary. In some cases it has been found to ease the pain of rheumatism and stimulate the healing of chilblains.

Constituents include:

• Alkaloids, including nicotine, palustrine and palustrinine
• Flavonoids such as isoquercitrin and equicetrin
• Sterols including cholesterol, isofucosterol, campesterol.
• Silicic acid.
• Misc: a saponin equisitonin, dimethylsulphone, thiaminase & aconitic acid.

 Dosage Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) -

• Tea: daily 1-4 grams per day. Tea has to boil for 20 minutes to remove silicic acid.
• Bath: A useful bath can be made to help in rheumatic pain and chilblains. Allow l00 grams (3 l/2 ounces of the herb to steep in hot water for an hour. Add this to the bath.
• Compresses: Prepare tea and soak towel.Place on wounds, chilblains, ulcers,etc.
• Tincture: take 2-6 ml of the tincture three times a day

Use only herbs gathered upstream...inorganic fertilizer runoff alters the chemistry. More Info here!

Peruvian Bark (Cinchona spp)

Jesuit's Powder, also called Peruvian Bark, or Cinchona, is the historical remedy for all forms of malaria. The powdered bark of this South American Andes tree is the source of quinine, which became famous for the treatment of malaria, fever and pain in the 17th century. Its main active principle, quinine, is now chemically synthesized. The term quinine comes from the Peruvian ghina, or quina-quina. Another compound in chinchona, quinidine, is now a standard anti-arrhythmic medication. Quinine is the source of the bitter taste in tonic water. The mixed drink gin and tonic originated in British colonial India when the British population would mix their medicinal quinine tonic with gin to make it more palatable. See Peruvian Bark (Cinchona spp)

Uva ursi (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)

Uva ursi contains a high concentration of arbutin, an antiseptic phenolis glycosides which has diuretic and urinary antiseptic actions. They relieve pain from bladder stones, cystitis, nephritis and kidney stones. Arbutin is converted in the body to hydroquinones and glucose which has antiseptic and disinfecting properties if the urine is alkaline. The hydroquinone will turn the urine green. Uva ursi also contains allantion which is known for its soothing and tissue-repairing properties.Uva ursi requires an alkaline pH to work. It is contraindicated as a urinary disinfectant under conditions of acid urine. Urine can be made alkaline by ingesting a heaping teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda.

DosageUva ursi (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) -

• Tincture [1:5, 50% alcohol] 30-60 drops in 8 oz. of water, to 3X a day.
• Standard Infusion 3-4 ounces to 3X a day.   For sitz bath, 8-12 ounces
• Standard Infusion in warm water; sit in it morning and evening.

Toxicity, Cautions & Contraindications - Nontoxic beyond the following cautions: Uva ursi requires an alkaline pH to work. It is contraindicated as a urinary disinfectant under conditions of acid urine. Urine can be made alkaline by ingesting a heaping teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda. Contraindicated as a diuretic or flushing agent in acute cystitis. Can induce gastric irritation if overused due to the tannin concentration. Uva Ursi should not be used by children or pregnant women, and should never be used for prolonged periods of time or in high doses unless under the supervision of health care professional.

More info here!

 


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