The Herbal Encyclopedia

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HERBAL COMBINATIONS for ILLNESSES

 

Healing herbs are often used in combinations when combatting an illness. Herbs are combined to give the benefits needed from each, some to give a boost to others, some to boost the body with healing energies. Below are some of the more popular herbal combinations. The herbs can be taken singly for these illnesses as well, although the suggested combinations are best. Don't fret if you don't have all of the suggested herbs for any given combination - use what you have, and add the rest as soon as you can. These combinations can usually be in any form you choose - teas, tinctures, capsules, etc. You will want to use equal parts of each herb, or use more of the herb most needed, with equal parts of the booster herbs.

Remember that in any herbal healing undertaken, diet is also very important. These combinations are not meant to be used in the place of a doctor's advice. Also realize that you should not take herbs continually over a long period of time on a daily basis, as your body may build an immunity to the herb itself, or you may experience side effects. The exception to this would be when treating a chronic illness, but even then, there should be time off for your body from the herbs on a regular schedule. Herbs are medicine, and should always be treated as such.

Often, when taking antibiotic herbs, or prescription antibiotics, the natural bacteria in our digestive system is destroyed, making digestion difficult (and sometimes causing constipation) for several days to several weeks. To combat this, eat fresh real yogurt daily (not the stuff with lots of sugar and flavors, and make sure it has active cultures), or take acidophilus or probiotic capsules, to restore the natural digestive bacteria. This can also help to alleviate vaginal yeast infections in women.

When using an herb or herbal combination to combat an illness or strengthen various systems in the body, it is best to start with a small amount, and then wait a few hours to be sure you are not going to have an adverse reaction, before continuing with the therapy. Stop any ingestion of herbs at the first sign of any adverse reaction.

This is of course not a complete list, this is only to give you a general idea of what may be needed for common ailments. My book has more information on additional illnesses, and there are plenty of naturopathic doctors available, including myself, to answer questions about other ailments. This listing is not meant to diagnose, only to inform. Your body and medical history may dictate that you need very different combinations from these to treat your specific ailments.

 

 

ACNE

Herbs Used: Evening Primrose Oil, Raspberry Leaf, Nettle, Dandelion, Lemon Grass
Recipe for Acne Help
Bring to a simmer in a non-metallic pan 2 quarts water, 3 tablespoons Witchhazel bark, 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon, 1 tablespoon ground cloves; let simmer for 5 minutes. Then add 1/2 cup chopped fresh thyme, 1 cup fresh chopped peppermint leaves, and 1/2 cup fresh chopped marjoram. Simmer 5 more minutes, set aside until cold. Mix 1/2 cup of the simmered mixture with 2 teaspoons cider vinegar, 2 ounces grain alcohol(vodka is best), 4 drops lemon oil, and enough water to make one pint. Apply with cotton to acne prone areas after washing. A good aloe moisturizer afterwards is recommended.

 

ALLERGIES

Herbs used: Blessed Thistle, Scullcap, Goldenseal, Cayenne, Marshmallow, Lobelia, Burdock.
Other uses: Colds, Hay Fever, Upper respiratory infections

 

ANEMIA

Herbs Used: Red Beet, Yellow Dock, Lobelia, Burdock, Nettle, Mullein
Other uses: Energy, Fatigue, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease

 

ARTERIOSCLEROSIS

Herbs Used: Cayenne, Garlic, Hawthorne, Parsley
Other Uses: Blood Pressure, Heart

 

ARTHRITIS

Herbs Used: Yucca, Comfrey, Alfalfa, Yarrow, Cayenne, Lobelia, Burdock, Chaparral, Black Cohosh, Cat's Claw, Lemon Grass
Other uses: Bursitis, Rheumatism, Gout, Blood Cleanser

 

CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME

Herbs Used: For the acute phase of CFS, a combination of echinacea, goldenseal, and licorice. If this combination is needed for more than seven days, add potassium-rich foods and/or herbs to your diet. For the chronic phase, a combination of goldenseal, astragulus, licorice, ginseng, and evening primrose oil. One month on, one month off is the recommended usage frame.
Other Uses: The combination of herbs for the chronic phase is being studied for the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis.

 

COLDS

Herbs used: Chamomile, Slippery Elm, Cayenne, Goldenseal, Myrrh, Peppermint, Sage, Lemon Grass, Rose Hips, Garlic
Other uses: Bronchitis, Ear infections, Fevers, Flu, Tonsillitis

 

COLIC

Herbs Used: Alfalfa, Peppermint, Fennel, Catnip
Other uses: Digestive disorders, Heartburn, Appetite

 

CONSTIPATION

Herbs Used: Aloe Vera, Slippery Elm, Barberry
Other uses: Cleansing, Colon

 

COUGHS

Herbs Used: Elecampane, Wild Cherry Bark, Licorice, Comfrey Root, Lobelia
Other uses: Hay fever, Sore throats

 

DRUG WITHDRAWAL

Herbs Used: Chamomile, Ginseng, Licorice, Cayenne, Gotu Kola
Other uses: Endurance, Energy, Memory

 

EARACHES

Herbs Used: Oil of Mullein, Garlic Oil, or Lobelia Extract drops directly into the ear.

 

ENERGY

Herbs Used: Cayenne, Ginseng, Gotu Kola
Also add: Bee pollen, bee propolis, royal jelly
Other uses: Endurance, Fatigue, Memory

 

EYE PROBLEMS

Herbs Used: Goldenseal, Bayberry, Eyebright
Other uses: Eyewash, Allergies, Hay fever, Cataracts

 

FEMALE PROBLEMS

Herbs Used: Black Cohosh, Ginger, Raspberry Leaf, Blessed Thistle, Dong Quai
Other uses: Hormonal balance, Vaginal problems, Uterine infections

 

FLU

Herbs Used: Ginger, Cayenne, Goldenseal, Licorice
Other uses: Nausea, Motion sickness

 

FRACTURES

Herbs Used: Comfrey, Horsetail, Alfalfa, Slippery Elm
Other uses: Fingernails, Hair, Joints, Teeth

 

GALL BLADDER (TO CLEANSE)

 

Before bed, mix together the juice of 2 lemons, 4 ounces olive oil, 6 ounces Coke Classic; drink. Upon rising, take 10 ounces of magnesium citrate (available in drug stores). Do not eat until you have had your first bowel movement. Bowel movements will continue sporadically for several hours, so do this on a day you are at home!

 

GUM DISEASE

Herbs Used: Goldenseal, Myrrh (both internally and as a mouthwash)

 

HEART

Herbs Used: Hawthorne, Cayenne, Garlic
Other uses: Arteriosclerosis, Cholesterol, Circulation

 

HEARTBURN

Herbs Used: Anise seed, Fennel seed, Peppermint, Cinnamon, Lavendar

 

IMMUNE SUPPORT

Herbs Used: pau d'arco(taheebo), Echinacea, Burdock, Spirulina, Kelp, Cat's Claw

 

INFECTIONS

Herbs Used: Echinacea, Goldenseal, Cayenne, Myrrh
Other uses: Colds, Earaches, Fevers, Flu, Measles, Mumps

 

INSECTS, REPELLING

For repelling insects on skin: Mix 1 teaspoon each of essential oils of pennyroyal, citronella, eucalyptus, rosemary, and tansy. Shake oils in 1 cup of vegetable or olive oil. Store away from light in a sealed container. Use by rubbing a small amount between the palms of your hands, and then apply to any exposed skin. Avoid applying to the face to prevent eye contact. Reapply as necessary. Discontinue using if a rash develops(some people are sensitive to pennyroyal oil. Test on a small area first). Also safe for animal use. DO NOT INCLUDE THE PENNYROYAL OIL IF PREGNANT OR NURSING!!

 

INSOMNIA

Herbs Used: Valerian, Scullcap, Hops
Other uses: Headaches, Stress, Hyperactivity

 

KIDNEYS

Herbs Used: Juniper, Uva Ursi, Marshmallow, Ginger, Goldenseal, Dandelion
Other uses: Bladder, Urinary problems

 

LIVER

Herbs Used: Dandelion, Parsley, Horsetail, Blessed (or Milk) Thistle, Chamomile, Lobelia, Wild Yam, Ginger, Sassafras, Kelp
Other uses: Cleansing, Kidneys, Spleen, Gall Bladder

 

LUNGS

Herbs Used: Comfrey, Fenugreek, Marshmallow, Mullein, Chickweed
Other uses: Asthma, Bronchitis, Coughs, Hay Fever, Pneumonia

 

MEMORY

Herbs Used: Gingko Biloba, Gotu Kola, Ginseng
Other Uses: Energy, Circulation, Tinnitus

 

MENOPAUSE

Herbs Used: Black Cohosh, Licorice, False Unicorn, Ginseng, Squaw Vine, Blessed Thistle
Other uses: Hormone imbalance, Menstrual problems, Hot flashes, Uterine problems

 

MENSTRUAL CRAMPS

Herbs Used: Cramp Bark, Ginger root, Raspberry Leaf, Yellow Dock, Vitex, Wild Yam

 

MIGRAINES

Herbs Used: Fenugreek, Thyme, Lobelia, Wood Betony, Feverfew
Other uses: Fever, Flu, Headache

 

MORNING SICKNESS

Herbs Used: Wild Yam, Dandelion, Ginger, Vitex

 

NERVES

Herbs Used: Black Cohosh, Cayenne, Valerian, Ginger, St. Johnswort, Hops, Wood Betony
Other uses: Headaches, Anxiety, Stress

 

POISON IVY/OAK

Herbs Used: Burdock, Mullein, Yellow Dock (bathing in a peppermint tea bath will relieve the itching as well as aid in drying up the oak/ivy)
Other uses, Itching, Insect Bites

 

PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME

Herbs Used: Evening Primrose Oil, Dong Quai, Vitex
Other uses: Menstrual regulation, Painful breasts

 

PROSTATE

Herbs Used: Black Cohosh, Licorice, Kelp, Gotu Kola, Ginger, Cayenne, Juniper, Uva Ursi, Taheebo, Saw Palmetto, Cat's Claw
Other uses: Bladder, Liver, Spleen

 

REDUCING WEIGHT

Herbs Used: Chickweed, Licorice, Safflower, Echinacea, Black Walnut, Hawthorn, Papaya, Fennel, Dandelion
Other uses: Energy, Cleanser

 

SEXUAL DESIRE

Stimulant:

Damiana, Ginseng, Saw Palmetto, Gotu Kola
 

Depressant:

Hops, Scullcap, Valerian

 

SKIN

Herbs Used: Horsetail, Sage, Rosemary
Other uses: Hair, Nails

 

SORE THROAT

Herbs Used: Marshamallow, Fenugreek
Alternate: Cayenne, Ginger mixed with honey and lemon

 

STOP SMOKING

Herbs Used: Hops, Scullcap, Slippery Elm, Valerian, Lobelia
Other uses: Cough, Nerves, Stress

 

THYROID

Herbs Used: Irish Moss, Kelp, Parsley, Black Walnut, Sarsparilla
Other uses: Fatigue, Glands, Lymphatic System

 

TUMORS

Herbs Used: Chaparral, Red Clover, Taheebo (Pau d'arco)
Other uses: Cleansing, Blood Disorders

 

ULCERS

Herbs Used: Cayenne, Goldenseal, Myrrh, Marshmallow, Calendula
Other uses: Indigestion, Heartburn

 

YEAST INFECTION

Herbs Used: Cayenne, Garlic, White Oak Bark, Marshmallow, Mullein (all mixed together and used as a bolus)
Other uses: Leuchorea, Vagina

 

OTHER HERBAL INFORMATION

Safety With Herbs - an article that is self-explanatory and very important! Please Read!!

How to Gather, Store, and Use Your Herbs - this includes making teas, creams, etc.

Herbal Healing for Pets - Our animal companions need good natural care too!

Herbs and Menopause - how you can avoid problems as you gracefully age

Pregnancy and Infertility - tips to help dealing with infertility and herbs you can and shouldn't use during the blessed event and/or nursing

Herbs for Men - guys have special needs too!

Herbs for Children - protect our little ones naturally