Everything Herbal - Main Page - PS-Survival.com

Herb Uses - C, D, E Herbs
Cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium) Cocklebur fruits are used to treat arthritis and rheumatism, to open the nasal
passages and sinuses, for allergic rhinitis with headache, chronic lumbago, leprosy and pruritis (severe itching) of the
skin. Three or four pods boiled in water will stop the most obstinate diarrhea. A teaspoon of the crushed pods boiled
for five minutes has analgesic, diuretic, and antispasmodic effects. This herb is very obnoxious in its natural state, as
the seed pods tend to adhere to animal fur and human clothing. It is, however, a very valuable therapeutic agent
widely used by the Chinese for rheumatic aches and pains as well as sinus blockage. Extracts of the plant have been
shown to control tumor growth in laboratory animals. The stem and leaves used to treat German measles. A tea of
the leaves is a useful diuretic and is especially useful for chronic cystitis; a rounded teaspoon of the chopped leaves in
tea, morning and afternoon. A tincture of the crushed seeds is both clotting and antiseptic for skin abrasions, and is a
good first aid dressing.
Codonopsis (Codonopsis pilosula and Codonopsis tangshen ) Codonopsis has a central place in Chinese herbal
medicine as a gentle tonic that increase energy levels and helps the body adapt to stress for both sexes. Research
has confirmed this use. Codonopsis is thought to be similar in action to ginseng, but it is milder and has a
shorter-lasting effect. It is given to those who find ginseng too strong a tonic and is used interchangeably with ginseng
in Chinese herbal formulas. In Chinese herbal medicine, codonopsis is considered to tone the qui, lungs, and spleen.
It improves vitality and helps to balance metabolic function. It is a gentle tonic remedy that helps to revive the system
as a whole. Codonopsis is taken in particular for tired limbs, general fatigue, and for digestive problems such as
appetite loss, vomiting, and diarrhea. It is thought to nourish the yin of the stomach without making it too “wet,” and at
the same time to tone the spleen without making it too “dry.” It is beneficial in any chronic illness where “spleen qi
deficiency” is a contributory factor. Codonopsis is given as a tonic to people who are stressed and have “false-fire”
symptoms, including tense neck muscles, headaches, irritability, and high blood pressure, and who find the tonic
action of ginseng too strong. Codonopsis is reputedly more successful in reducing levels of adrenaline, and therefore
stress, than ginseng. The herb is taken regularly by nursing mothers in China to increase milk production and as a
tonic to “build strong blood.” Codonopsis clears excessive mucus from the lungs and is useful for respiratory
problems, including shortness of breath and asthma
Laboratory experiments have demonstrated that codonopsis increases hemoglobin and red blood cell levels,
and lowers blood pressure. Other research has confirmed the ability of codonopsis to help increase endurance to
stress and to maintain alertness.
Cola (Cola acuminata) Kola nut stimulates the central nervous system and the body as a whole. It increases
alertness and muscular strength, counters lethargy, and has been used extensively both in western African and
Anglo-American herbal medicine as an antidepressant, particularly during recovery from chronic illness. Like coffee,
kola is used to treat headaches and migraine. It is diuretic and astringent and may be taken for diarrhea and
dysentery. It will aid in states of depression and may in some people give rise to euphoric states. Through the
stimulation it will be a valuable part of the treatment for anorexia. It can be viewed as specific in cases of depression
associated with weakness and debility.
Coleus (Coleus forskohlii): Coleus contains forskolin. That constituent was researched by an Indian/German
company and shown to be a powerful medicine for heart failure, glaucoma, and bronchial asthma. Forskolin
lowers high blood pressure, relaxes smooth muscle, increases the release of hormones from the thyroid gland,
stimulates digestive secretion, and reduces pressure within the eye. Coleus has been prescribed to treat
congestive heart failure and poor coronary blood flow. It also improves circulation of blood to the brain. (Take
only under professional supervision.) Forskolin reduces preload and afterload of the heart due to its vasodilating
action and augments myocardial contractility due to its positive inotropic action without affecting myocardial
oxygen consumption. Forskolin relaxed contracted airways in-vitro and prevented methacholine and
acetylcholine induced bronchoconstriction in asthmatics and healthy subjects respectively.
Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara): : Coltsfoot leaves have long been recommended for lung problems such as
laryngitis, bronchitis and asthma and to control spastic coughing. Both Ayurvedic and Chinese physicians have
prescribed it for similar problems. It is a soothing expectorant and the flavonoids it contains reduce
inflammation, especially in the bronchials. It is also applied as a poultice to sores and ulcerations and as a
cream for cold sores. It can also be inhaled or smoked on its own as a remedy for asthma, bronchitis and
various congestions of the lungs. It may also be taken as a strong tea mixture or as an infusion for the above
conditions. Soluble in both water and diluted alcohol.
A German study showed the herb increases the activity of the microscopic hairs in the breathing tubes
that move mucus out of the respiratory tract. Another experiment shows that the herb suppresses a substance
(platelet activating factor or PAF) in the body that is involved in triggering asthma attacks.
Comfrey (Symphytum officinale): : Comfrey leaves and especially the root contain allantoin, a cell proliferant
that increases the healing of wounds. It also stops bleeding, is soothing, and is certainly the most popular
ingredient in herbal skin sales for wounds, inflammation, rashes, varicose veins, hemorrhoids and just about
any skin problem. Taken internally, comfrey repairs the digestive tract lining, helping to heal peptic and
duodenal ulcers and colitis. Studies show it inhibits prostaglandins, which cause inflammation of the
stomach lining. Comfrey has been used to treat a variety of respiratory diseases and is a specific when these
involve coughing of blood. In cases of bleeding of the lungs, stomach or bowels the leaves or root should be
http://www.herbnet.com/Herb%20Uses_CDE.htm (10 of 19) [5/17/2004 9:22:59 AM]