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Herb Uses - C, D, E Herbs
Cinquefoil (Potentilla reptans and P. canadensis) The outer bark of the root has been used as a remedy for
diarrhea and internal hemorrhages. The powder also makes an astringent for mouth sores and relieves diarrhea.
Taken with honey, it relieves sore throats, coughs and fever. A decoction made by boiling 1 ½ ounces of root in a quart
of water until the liquid is reduced to one pint, or an infusion of one ounce of the dried leafy tops, steeped for 10 or 15
minutes in a pint of water, are both suggested in old herbals.
Clary Sage (Salvia sclaria) Like its relative sage, clary tea, the leaf juice in ale or beer, was recommended for
many types of women’s problems, including delayed or painful menstruation. It was once used to stop night
sweating in tuberculosis patients. An astringent is gargled, douched and poured over skin wounds. It is
combined with other herbs for kidney problems. The clary seeds form a thick mucilage when soaked for a few
minutes and placed in the eye, helps to removed, small irritating particles. A tea of the leaves is also used as an
eyewash. Clary is also used to reduce muscle spasms.
It is used today mainly to treat digestive problems such as gas and indigestion. It is also regarded as a
tonic, calming herb that helps relieve premenstrual problems. Because of its estrogen-stimulating action, clary
sage is most effective when levels of this hormone are low. The plant can therefore be a valuable remedy for
complaints associated with menopause, particularly hot flashes.
Cleavers (Galium aparine): valuable tonic to the lymphatic system. It would be used in swollen glands
anywhere in the body and especially in tonsillitis and in adenoid trouble. It eliminates excess fluid, counteracts
inflammations, and urinary infections, hepatitis and venereal disease. In the East Indies, the juice of the herb
taken in teaspoonful doses is considered a very effective treatment for gonorrhea. It is a blood purifier as well
as an effective diuretic. Thus it is excellent for inflammations, both taken internally and applied topically in the
form of a poultice. It has a good reputation as an external application for cancerous growths and tumors. A
decoction sponged on the face with a soft cloth is useful for sunburn and freckles A tea is considered excellent
for the treatment of psoriasis. According to French research in 1947, an extract of the plant appears to lower
blood pressure.
Cloves (Syzigium aromaticum or Eugenia Caryophyllata): : Traditional Chinese physicians have long used the
herb to treat indigestion, diarrhea, hernia, and ringworm, as well as athlete’s foot and other fungal infections.
India’s traditional Ayurvedic healers have used clove since ancient times to treat respiratory and digestive
ailments. America’s 19 th century Eclectic physicians used clove to treat digestive complaints and added it to
bitter herb-medicine preparations to make them more palatable. The Eclectics were also the first to extract
clove oil from the herbal buds. It has antiseptic, stimulant, stomachic and digestive properties. As an
anti-infectant, cloves are effective against coli bacilli, streptococci, staphylococci, pneumococci and as an
antimycotic. The oil, too, is used in dentistry for its antiseptic and analgesic properties, and, like the whole
cloves and powdered cloves, for local pain-relieving purposes. Eugenol is a local anesthetic used in dental
fillings and cements; a rubifacient and a carminative. It is also an irritant and an allergic sensitizer. Besides
all their other uses, cloves can be used to treat acne, skin ulcers, sores, and styes. They also make a potent
mosquito and moth repellent which is where the clove studded orange pomander comes from.
Cocoa (Theobroma cacao): Although cacao is most often used as a food, it also has therapeutic value as a
nervous system stimulant. In Central America and the Caribbean, the seeds are taken as a heart and kidney
tonic. The plant may be used to treat angina and as a diuretic. Cacao butter makes a good lip salve, and is often
used as a base for suppositories. In 1994, Argentinian researchers showed that cacao extracts counter the
bacteria responsible for boils and septicemia.
Chocolate naturally contains a drug substance, theobromine, which is chemically similar to caffeine, and
has a similar mild habit forming, stimulating effect on humans. Its action on muscle, the kidneys and the heart
is more pronounced. It is used principally for its diuretic effect due to stimulation of the renal epithelium; it is
especially useful when there is an accumulation of fluid in the body resulting from cardiac failure, when it is
often given with digitalis to relieve dilatation. It is also employed in high blood pressure, as it dilates the
blood-vessels. Many people are "addicted" to this drug and humorously refer to themselves as "chocoholics".
Although chocolate is as mildly addicting as is coffee and other caffeine containing drinks, its effect is
relatively innocuous.
Central Americans have used cocoa for centuries to treat fever, coughs and complaints of pregnancy
and childbirth. They have also rubbed cocoa butter on burns, chapped lips, balding heads and the sore nipples
of nursing mothers. The Eclectics recommended cocoa butter externally as a wound dressing and salve. For
internal use, they prescribed hot cocoa for asthma and as a nutritive for invalids and persons convalescing from
acute illness.
There is no evidence that chocolate causes acne, kidney stones, or infant colic. However, chocolate
does contain chemicals (tyramines) that trigger headaches in some people, particularly those prone to
migraines. Many people find a cup of hot chocolate soothes their stomachs after meals. The problem is that
cocoa and chocolate may cause heartburn. The herb relaxes the valve between the stomach and the esophagus,
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