European herbal medicine, the tradi-
tion from which contemporary American herbalism mainly derives, does not see much overlap between food plants and herbal medicines. Foods you eat, spices make the food taste better, and herbal medicine you take in a tincture. Asian medical systems, however, make no dis- tinction between the two. Food is just less concentrated herbal medicine, and every meal is viewed as a chance to get in more healing herbs. In fact, the Chinese word for the medicinal brew that people use daily to maintain their health is “soup.” The complex cuisines of China and India began, thousands of years ago, as recipes to get healing herbs and foods into people. Gradually, as the process evolved, complicated mixtures of food ingredients, herbal medicines, and flavorings co- alesced into a tasty amalgam that warms the soul, heals the body, and pleases the palate. For example, Indian food typically starts with a combination, a “masala”, of onions, garlic, ginger, and other various spices, selected for their medicinal virtues, and taste. Since many of these herbs can cause gas, additional herbs, such as fennel and coriander seeds, are added to coun- teract that tendency. Ginger and mustard, for example, speed up the digestive pro- cess, so that the meal is efficiently pro- cessed and moved through the digestive tract.
Although the list of herbal medicine foods is huge, here is a selection of rem- edies that are easy to find, and particu- larly effective.
The carrot and parsley family (Umbel-
liferae), in particular, is a huge source of edible plants and good tasting medicines. These plants grow all over the world, and are used in a broad range of cultures. This group of plant medicines has unusual chemistry, so they make their way into the kitchens and medicine chests of many native medical systems. The seeds are typically the medicinal part, but various parts are used, depending on the plant. Some well-known members of this family include parsley, coriander (cilantro is co- riander greens), fennel, anise, cumin, and dill.
pounds that act
Plants in this family contain com- like calcium channel
blockers, benefiting angina. Herbs in this family generally have estrogenic action, especially the seeds. The popular Chinese herb dong quai is in this family. These parsley relatives are prized around the world for treating intestinal gas, a prop- erty herbalists call “carminative.”
Fennel In my personal clinical experience, I
would pick fennel seed as the premiere carminative in the world, especially for adults. Literally, I have never seen a case of painful gas that was not relieved by fennel seeds, provided of course, that the dose was high enough. Fennel contains creosol and alpha- pinene, substances that loosen lung mucus and help clear the chest, benefiting asth- ma. Recent research shows that this spice also lowers blood pressure. This herb has been used for centuries
Christen Duke, ANP-C
www.RobinhoodIntegrativeHealth.com Christen Duke, ANP-C
Christen Duke, ANP is a board certified Adult Nurse Practitioner with over 18 years experience in adult medicine. Using a natural, holistic approach, she encourages and assists people to maximize their health through optimal nu- trition, supplementation, and bio- identical hormone replacement. She continues to expand her mas- tery of other integrative issues. Christen’s goal for her patients is for them to live healthy lives feel- ing their best.
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to promote lactation, which makes sense, from what we now know about its hor- monal action. It will also hasten a period. As a bonus, it increases libido. For gas, try chewing 1 Tbs. of the tasty
seeds, or brew a tea with 1 Tbs. seeds in a cup of water. You may use the powdered seeds as a seasoning, or in capsules. Of course, you can also steam the stalk as a delicious celery-like vegetable. The properties are similar, but milder than the seed.
Dill
Dill seed is, for gas, for children, what fennel seed is for adults. Called “the secret of British nannies,” dill is the active ingre- dient in the famous “gripe water,” the colic remedy taken round the world in the British empire.
Dill seed is truly miraculous for infant colic. It can save a parent’s sanity. Dill promotes menstruation, so it can be used to encourage a late period. For adults, dill, along with fennel, treats heartburn. The weed is milder. In a pinch, fennel and dill can be interchanged. For infant colic, brew 2 Tbs. dill seed in 1 cup of water, cool, sweeten, put in a bottle or dropper, and serve to the screaming baby. You will carry a sleeping tyke back to bed.
Parsley Ever notice that green sprig of garnish at the edge of your plate? Usually dis- carded, that parsley is one powerful herbal medicine. While the seeds, leaf, and root of this plant are all used for food, the main herbal uses come from the leaf. Parsley is a source, as you might ex-
pect, of phytoestrogens, so it has potential for treating osteoporosis and amenorrhea, and for promoting lactation. This medicine has a long history of use with the urinary system. Research shows that it is diuretic and it has a long history of herbal use in treating bladder infection. Parsley treats angina. Crushed, and applied to a bruise, it heals. It inhibits the release of histamine, so is useful for aller- gies and hives. It prevents and treats kidney stones. Parsley is a treasure trove of vitamins
and minerals. It is a rich source of boron and fluorine, critical minerals for bone health. It contains 3.5 times as much vita- min C as oranges, and twice as much calcium as broccoli.
Because parsley is a rich source of
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