Introduction:

Slippery elm (Ulmus rubra) is a tree native to the central and eastern United States and Ontario, Canada. The inner bark of the tree has been used as a remedy for many common ailments, like fevers, wounds, and sore throats.

Uses:

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Slippery elm bark is a demulcent. This means that it is capable of soothing the lining of the stomach and intestines and reducing irritation. Demulcents are sometimes referred to as muco protective agents.

Recent studies have shown that slippery elm bark can help treat the symptoms associated with inflammatory bowel diseases like; Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Soothing a Cough and Sore Throat

Slippery elm contains mucilage, a sticky mixture of sugars that can’t be broken down by the human digestive tract. The mucilage coats the throat, so it’s no surprise that slippery elm is found commercially in many brands of throat lozenges. Slippery elm is believed to be an anti-tussive, meaning it’s great for coughs and for symptoms of other upper respiratory ailments like bronchitis or asthma.

Irritation of the Urinary Tract

Slippery elm is sometimes recommended to people who experience unexplained inflammation of the urinary tract, like those with interstitial cystitis (painful bladder syndrome). Slippery elm powder is thought to soothe the lining of the urinary tract. Therefore, it might help alleviate the painful irritating symptoms. Again, studies are needed to either support or refute these claims. As a mild diuretic, it also helps increase the flow of urine and eliminate waste from the body.

Heartburn and GERD

Slippery elm may be helpful for treating occasional heartburn, also known as acid reflux. It’s also considered an herbal remedy for gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD).

GERD is a chronic disease that occurs when stomach acid flows back into esophagus and irritates the lining. The mucilage of slippery elm coats the esophagus and may help prevent the irritation and inflammation that occurs when stomach acid flows up the esophagus.

How to use the Slippery elm bark?

The inner bark is dried and powdered. It’s available in the following forms.

• lozenges
• tablets
• fine powder
  for making teas and extracts
• coarse powder
  for making a poultice

Safety of the Slippery elm bark:

Slippery elm is approved for over-the-counter use as a demulcent for soothing sore throats and mucus membranes. However, there have been few clinical studies done to date to test the safety and efficacy of slippery elm bark.

Conclusion:

Slippery elm (Ulmus fulva) has been used as an herbal remedy in North America for centuries. Native Americans used slippery elm in healing salves for wounds, boils, ulcers, burns, and skin inflammation. It was also taken orally to relieve coughs, sore throats, diarrhea, and stomach problems. More studies and research is needed to test its efficacy and side effects.

Introduction:

Comfrey is a plant. Even though this plant contains poisonous chemicals called pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs).  Comfrey is used as a tea for upset stomach, ulcers, heavy menstrual periods, diarrhea, bloody urine, persistent cough, painful breathing such as pleuritis, bronchitis, cancer, and chest pain (angina). It is also used as a gargle for gum disease and sore throat.

Mode of action:

The chemicals in comfrey might have a healing effect and reduce inflammation when applied to the skin. However, comfrey contains toxic chemicals that can be absorbed through the skin.

Uses and effectiveness:

• Back pain. Applying a specific comfrey extract to the affected area for 5 days seems to decrease lower or upper back pain.
• Osteoarthritis. Applying a specific comfrey extract  to the affected area for 3 weeks or applying a specific cream containing comfrey extract, tannic acid, Aloe vera gel, eucalyptus oil, and frankincense oil  to the affected are for 12 weeks seems to decrease pain in people with knee osteoarthritis.
• Sprains. Early research suggests that applying comfrey ointment to the affected area for up to 2 weeks improves mobility, decreases pain, and reduces tenderness and swelling of sprains. The effect of comfrey ointment in relieving pain and reducing swelling seems to be comparable to the effects of diclofenac gel.

May also be effective in:

• Bruises.
• Skin ulcers.
• Wounds.
• Broken bones.
• Heavy menstrual periods.
• Diarrhea.
• Cough.
• Sore throat.
• Gum disease.
• Joint pain.
• Chest pain.
• Cancer.
• Inflammation

Special precaution:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Comfrey is likely unsafe to take by mouth or apply to the skin if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. In addition to causing liver damage and possibly cancer, the PAs in comfrey might also cause birth defects. Even topical use is unwise, since the PAs can be absorbed through the skin.

Broken or damaged skin: Don’t apply comfrey to broken or damaged skin. Doing so might expose you to large amounts of the chemicals in comfrey that can cause liver damage and other serious health effects.

Liver disease: There is a concern that comfrey might make liver disease worse. Don’t use comfrey if you have any problems with your liver.

Conclusion:

Modern scientific studies have found some evidence to support comfrey’s use in treating minor wounds and joint pain, but oral preparations of the plant have also been linked to liver damage and cancer. You should never take comfrey by mouth. You should also avoid using it on open wounds.  Comfrey may be safe to apply to your skin or closed wounds for short periods. Always talk to your doctor before using products that contain it. It is best avoided especially if you are:

• a child
• an older adult
• pregnant
• breast-feeding
• someone with a history of liver disease

Introduction:

Roman chamomile is a plant. The flower heads are used to make medicine.  Roman chamomile is used for various digestive disorders including indigestion, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and intestinal gas due to mental stress. Women use it for morning sickness and painful menstrual periods. It is also used for pain and swelling of the lining of the nose and mouth, sinus pain (sinusitis), and joint disorders.

Uses & Effectiveness:

• Indigestion.
• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Painful periods.
• Sore throat.
• Sinusitis.
• Eczema.
• Wounds.
• Sore nipples and gums.
• Liver and gallbladder problems.
• Frostbite.
• Diaper rash.
• Hemorrhoids.

Side Effects:

Roman chamomile seems safe for most people when taken by mouth as medicine and in foods. In large amounts, it can cause vomiting. It can also cause an allergic reaction in people sensitive to ragweed, marigolds, daisies, or similar herbs.  The essential oil of Roman chamomile also seems to be safe when inhaled or applied to the skin.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Roman chamomile is LIKELY UNSAFE when taken by mouth in medicinal amounts during pregnancy. Roman chamomile is believed to cause miscarriages.  Avoid using Roman chamomile if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Allergy to ragweed and related plants: Roman chamomile may cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to the Asteraceae/Compositae family. Members of this family include ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, and many others. If you have allergies, be sure to check with your healthcare provider before taking Roman chamomile.

Conclusion:

Traditionally, Roman chamomile has been used to treat nausea, vomiting, heartburn, and gas. It is often used today to relieve anxiety. Used on the skin, it may also reduce inflammation from cuts or hemorrhoids. It is sometimes used to ease the discomfort from eczema and gingivitis (swollen gums).

Introduction:

Native to southern Africa, devil’s claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) gets its name from the tiny hooks that cover its fruit. Historically, devil’s claw has been used to treat pain, liver and kidney problems, fever, and malaria. It has also been used in ointments to heal sores, boils, and other skin problems.

The root of Devil’s Claw has been used medicinally for thousands of years by the San and Khoi people of the Kalahari Desert. Ancient African healers would use this root to treat a wide spectrum of complaints, ranging from pain during child birth, fevers, wounds and joint pain to its most common application for indigestion.

Benefits of Devil’s Claw:

Arthritis

Devil’s Claw has been studied extensively for the pain relief it can provide to sufferers of arthritis and osteoarthritis. Studies have demonstrated that this herb is effective in decreasing knee and hip osteoarthritis pain; however the mechanism by which it does it is not well understood. Devil’s Claw components, called iridoid glucosides, especially harpagoside, may be responsible for its anti-inflammatory effects.  Devil’s Claw is also beneficial in decreasing the progression of osteoarthritis by preventing cartilage degradation.

Digestive Health

Known as a powerful digestive tonic, the flavonoids and phytosterols found in Devil’s Claw are antioxidant, choleretic (stimulate bile production) and antispasmodic which help to maintain overall digestive health. It can provide considerable relief from heartburn as it soothes the inflammation caused by acid reflux. Devil’s Claw can also help in relieving the symptoms of an upset stomach by suppressing inflammation of the stomach.

Weight Loss

In a study conducted at the University College of Cork in Ireland, it was shown that Devil’s Claw can slow down or even stop the production of the “hunger hormone” ghrelin. This herb may be useful for weight loss in suppressing hunger pangs if overeating is a problem, and it has shown promise in the treatment of “Binge Eating Disorder”. In fact Devil’s Claw is now being investigated for its use as an anti-obesity treatment.

Wound Healing:

The root of Devil’s Claw can be applied to wounds to stimulate healing. The anti-inflammatory effects of this herb coupled with the pain relief it provides are thought to be responsible for its traditional use as a skin healer.

Precautions:

Taking high doses of Devil’s Claw may upset the stomach in some people. Individuals with stomach ulcers, gallstones or duodenal ulcers should not take Devil’s Claw.

There have yet to be any studies on Devil’s Claw and pregnant or breastfeeding women and is therefore not recommended. 

People with heart disease or high or low blood pressure should consult their healthcare professional before taking Devil’s Claw.

Devil’s Claw might thin the blood and so people taking blood thinning medication should consult a doctor before taking this herb.

Diabetics should not take Devil’s Claw except under strict medical supervision, since it can significantly lower the dose of insulin required.

Conclusion:        

Devil’s claw was introduced to Europe in the early 1900s, where the dried roots have been used to restore appetite, relieve heartburn, and reduce pain and inflammation. Today, devil’s claw is used widely in Germany and France to fight inflammation or relieve arthritis pain, headache, and low back pain.