Promotes A Healthy Digestive System

Price range: 1-2 containers: $12.95 each.  3-5: $11.95.  6+: $10.95

 

All Natural Laxative provides a refreshing and proprietary blend
of traditional herbal remedies for digestive complaints.  

Each of the several ingredients of All Natural Laxative adds its own particular benefits to the healthy workings of the digestive system, as well as relief from common ailments and adverse conditions.

 

 

 

Click here for listing of ingredients


Summary of Ingredients:

Senna Leaf was used as early as 3500 years ago by ancient Egyptian physicians as an herbal remedy for constipation.  It is a main ingredient in common over-the-counter laxatives such as Ex-Lax.  It works by stimulating the colon, thereby preventing the full absorption of fluids in the stool, a common cause of constipation.

Buckthorn Bark has a long history of medicinal usage in western Europe and the United States.  Its active principle is called a dihydroxyl anthracene derivative which inhibits a stationary state in the colon.

Cascara Sagrada, a relative of Buckthorn Bark, is found in the pacific Northwest where historically it was used by Native Americans.  Like Senna Leaf, Cascara Sagrada is still used in over-the-counter laxatives.

Aloe juice is a powerful, natural laxative, but it is usually too powerful to act as a practical laxative solution.  Mitigated in this formula by other ingredients, the cleansing power of aloe juice is presented in perfect balance.

Butternut Bark is an old-fashioned remedy for hemorrhoids, gallbladder disorders, and skin diseases.  It is also used to fight fevers and cold symptoms.  Like many of this formula’s ingredients, butternut bark works as a strong anti-microbial and anti-parasitic agent by flushing out harmful bacteria and worms from the body’s digestive system.

Slippery Elm, like butternut bark, has traditionally been used to fight cold symptoms, but it is also effective against diarrhea, inflammation, skin irritation, mucus build-up, and as a diuretic.

Red Clover is a remarkably diverse herbal supplement.  It is used to treat psoriasis and eczema (skin infections), bronchitis, whooping cough, constipation, asthma, athlete’s foot, conjunctivitis, pain from the gout, hot flashes, and prostate cancer.  The sources of its diverse benefits are the volatile oils, isoflavanoids, coumarin derivatives, cyanogenic glycosides, and genistein, which has been shown to restore estrogen balance in menopausal women. 

Fennel Seed, like red clover, has been used in a variety of herbal remedies, including remedies for colic, gastrointestinal pains, heart burn, milk production, sore eyes, kidney stones, weight loss, longevity, and altitude sickness.

Angelica Root is used in traditional Chinese herbal medicine to reduce pain, dilate the blood vessels, relax uterine muscles, reduce menstrual cramps and the symptoms of menopause, and to treat allergies, asthma, and arthritis.

Peppermint Leaf is a well-known natural substance used to treat headaches, upset stomachs, skin irritations, nausea, diarrhea, and menstrual cramps.  It has a special quality as a calming agent – thought to reduce stress, calm anxieties associated with depression, and soothe skin irritations from hives, poison ivy, and poison oak.  Peppermint leaf improves the flow of bile, which helps the body digest fats.

Yarrow is used to stop bleeding both internally and externally.  It has a content rich in vitamins A, C, E, F, and K, as well as healthy levels of potassium and selenium.  It is also used to reduce fevers, appetite, sweating, and to expel toxins.


All Natural Laxative formula is not only a laxative, but an abundant source of natural ingredients which increases the overall health of all of the body’s systems.  Drawing on rich traditions of herbal treatment from around the globe, this formula is as diverse as it is unique. 

 

 

 

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Below is more information on each ingredient in this formula from the University of Maryland Medical Center, the American Botanical Council, the Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine, and other credible sources on herbal supplements.

 

More Information on Senna Leaf 

 

from NutraSanus.com…
Senna (Cassia angustifolia) is a small shrub that grows in regions of the upper Nile of North Africa and Arabia. The ancient Egyptian doctors used senna over 3500 years ago for their royal patients and the elite. It was also used by the Arabian physicians as far back 9th century A.D. After being introduced to Europe during the Crusades, its popularity as an herbal remedy exploded. While available as single product, senna is often combined with a variety of aromatic herbs.

Today senna is a commonly used laxative and is found as an active ingredient in products such as Senokot, Fletcher's Castoria, and Ex-Lax Gentle Nature. Senna can be found growing naturally in most tropical regions of the world. Both its leaves and its seeds are medicinal. Senna is able to relieve constipation by stimulating the colon, thereby speeding along the passage of the contents. Consequently, there is less time for fluid to be absorbed from the stool and it remains soft.

And from Yogi Tea…
Senna leaf is a strong purgative that is commonly used for constipation. It may also be used to detoxify the body, expel worms or act as a diuretic.

Senna is a 2-foot high shrub with greyish to yellowish green leaves. "Cassia senna" or "Alexandrian senna" (Cassia acutifolia) is native to tropical Africa and cultivated in Somalia, Egypt, Sudan and elsewhere. Interestingly, senna is a member of the bean family, Leguminosae, so senna bushes produce pods, which also have purgative action. The pods are flat and kidney shaped, with the imprint of the seed showing through the pod. They are milder than the leaves.

The active ingredients in senna are anthraquinone compounds. The principal active constituents are called sennosides A, B, C, and D. All four glycosides are responsible for the activity. They are composed of various configurations of aloe-emodin and rhein, and occur as glycosides in the plant. The sennosides are water-soluble, so the herb works well as a tea. The anthraquinone glycosides pass unchanged into the colon where bacteria hydrolyse the glycoside bond yielding the free anthraquinones (aglycones). These free anthraquinones are absorbed into the blood, and then re-secreted into the large intestine, where they stimulate smooth muscle contraction and defecation. If the herb is soaked in cold water, these resins are not extracted, so a cold infusion does have less of a laxative action. A hot senna tea is a stronger laxative.

Senna leaf has a bitter taste and cold energy. Ayurveda says that it will reduce kapha and is employed for clearing pitta from the small intestine. Though senna is a laxative, which theoretically should be good for vata, it is a peristalsis enhancer that will provoke vata in the long run through its bitter taste and cold energy. Ayurveda also uses senna for irritating skin conditions and when one is overweight.

Because of its substantial squeezing action, senna is usually used along with warming carminative herbs, such as ginger and fennel, which reduce potential cramping.
Use caution with senna where there are hemorrhoids, inflammatory conditions of the gastro intestinal tract, diarrhea or pregnancy. Repeated use of senna or similar strong purgatives may weaken the tone of the colon. In some people, moistening therapy by laxative oil might be a better way to deal with chronic constipation.

References:
Krumbiegel G, Schulz HU. Rhein and aloe-emodin kinetics from senna laxatives in man. Pharmacology 1993 Oct;47 Suppl 1:120-4 Department of Pharmacokinetics, Madaus AG, Koln, FRG.
Franz G. The senna drug and its chemistry. Pharmacology 1993 Oct;47 Suppl 1:2-6 Department of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, FRG.

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More information on Buckthorn Bark

 

from herbalgram.com…
Latin Name: Rhamnus frangula
Pharmacopeial Name: Frangulae cortex
Other Names: frangula, alder buckthorn

Overview
The source of dried buckthorn bark, the alder buckthorn, is a shrub native to Europe and western parts of Asia (Schulz et al., 1998). Its medicinal use as a purgative laxative dates back to at least 1650, when buckthorn berries first appeared in the London Pharmacopoeia (Trease and Evans, 1989). In the United States, buckthorn was included in the National Formulary as an official drug from 1820 to 1830 and again from 1880 to 1910 (Boyle, 1991; Tyler, 1994).
Buckthorn bark is an ingredient in laxative teas, extracts, and tablets in Europe. It is also added to sunscreens (Leung and Foster, 1996). In the past, buckthorn was among the botanicals included in Harry Hoxsey's folk cancer remedy, the Hoxsey formula (Hartwell, 1971). Although current adaptations of the Hoxsey formula tend not to include buckthorn bark, tests have demonstrated that the anthraquinone derivatives in buckthorn may have anticancer effects. In particular, emodin, which is sometimes referred to as frangula emodin, frangulic acid, and rheum emodin, has stopped the growth of potato tubers, inhibited Walkers sarcoma in vitro, and is cytotoxic to at least three human tumor cell lines. These effects may be due to antiangiogenic actions. The same constituent is also found in many other plant species, including yellow dock and rhubarb (Trease and Evans, 1989; Harborne and Baxter, 1993; Kupchan and Karim, 1976).

Many Rhamnus species share anthraquinone derivative constituents and provide characteristic laxative actions. These constituents were isolated by botanists early on in the study of plant chemistry. They are chemically classified as anthraquinone derivatives and give buckthorn heartwood a bright red-yellow color, used for centuries as a dye for textiles (Trease and Evans, 1989).

In the United States, Rhamnus purshiana, more commonly known as cascara sagrada, grows throughout northern California and British Columbia. Further down the Pacific coast, R. californica grows; this was a source of cathartic remedies used by Spanish priests. R. frangula is the European species; its fragile wood tastes extremely bitter and the strong odor it imparts is evidenced by its German common name, faulbaum, meaning rotten tree (Schulz et al., 1998). Although European buckthorn has been cultivated in the United States, most commercial European buckthorn is grown in Eastern Europe and Russia and sold in Europe (Trease and Evans, 1989).

Because the anthraquinones in freshly dried buckthorn bark can cause extreme gastrointestinal irritation, including severe intestinal spasm, as well as vomiting, the bark is aged for a year to allow oxidation of the anthrones (Samuelsson, 1992), or it is heated and dried in order to induce artificial aging. Either process makes the effects of buckthorn preparations suitable for treating constipation that occurs in patients with hemorrhoids, anal fissures, or post-surgical pain (Schulz et al., 1998).

Chemistry and Pharmacology
The main constituents of the dried bark are the anthraquinone glycosides A and B and frangulins A and B, which make up 3–7%, other anthraquinones, glycosides, dianthrones, aglycones, flavonoids, and tannins (Bradley, 1992; ESCOP, 1997; Newall et al., 1996; Wichtl and Bisset, 1994).

1,8-dihydroxy-anthracene derivatives have a laxative effect. These compounds increase the motility of the colon by inhibiting stationary and stimulating propulsive contractions. This results in accelerated intestinal passage and, because of the shortened contraction time, a reduction in liquid absorption through the lumen. In addition, stimulation of active chloride secretion increases the water and electrolyte content of intestinal contents. Systematic studies pertaining to the kinetics of buckthorn bark preparations are not available; however, it must be supposed that the aglycones contained in the drug are already absorbed in the upper small intestine. The b-glycosides are prodrugs which are neither absorbed nor cleaved in the upper gastrointestinal tract. They are degraded in the colon by bacterial enzymes to anthrones. Anthrones are the laxative metabolites. Active metabolites of other anthronoids, such as rhein, infiltrate in small amounts into the milk ducts. A laxative effect on nursing infants has not been observed. The placental permeability for rhein is very small.

Drug preparations (i.e., herbal stimulant laxatives) have a higher general toxicity than the pure glycosides, presumably due to the content of aglycones. Experiments pertaining to the genotoxicity of buckthorn and its preparations are not available. Some positive data were obtained for aloe-emodin, emodin, physcion, and chrysophanol. No data are available for their carcinogenicity.

The fresh bark contains free anthrone and must be stored for one year or artificially aged by heat and aeration. The use of illegally processed buckthorn bark, e.g., fresh bark, will cause severe vomiting, possibly with spasms.

References:
Boyle, W. 1991. Official Herbs: Botanical Substances in the United States Pharmacopoeias 1820–1990. East Palestine, OH: Buckeye Naturopathic Press.
Bradley, P.R. (ed.). 1992. British Herbal Compendium, Vol. 1. Bournemouth: British Herbal Medicine Association. 99–101.
Braun, R. et al. 1997. Standardzulassungen f r Fertigarzneimittel—Text and Kommentar. Stuttgart: Deutscher Apotheker Verlag.
ESCOP. 1997. "Frangulae cortex." Monographs on the Medicinal Uses of Plant Drugs. Exeter, U.K.: European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy.
Harborne, J. and H. Baxter. 1993. Phytochemical Dictionary: A Handbook of Bioactive Compounds from Plants. Washington, D.C.: Taylor and Francis.
Hartwell, J.L. 1971. Plants used against cancer: a survey. Lloydia 34(1):103–160.
Karnick, C.R. 1994. Pharmacopoeial Standards of Herbal Plants, Vol. 1. Delhi: Sri Satguru Publications. 142–143.
Kupchan, S. and A. Karim. 1976. Tumor inhibitors. 114. Aloe emodin: antileukemic principle isolated from Rhamnus frangula L. Lloydia 39(4):223–224.
Leung, A.Y. and S. Foster. 1996. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics, 2nd ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Meyer-Buchtela, E. 1999. Tee-Rezepturen—Ein Handbuch f r Apotheker und ƒrzte. Stuttgart: Deutscher Apotheker Verlag.
Newall, C.A., L.A. Anderson, J.D. Phillipson. 1996. Herbal Medicines: A Guide for Health-Care Professionals. London: The Pharmaceutical Press.
sterreichisches Arzneibuch. ( AB). 1991. Wien: Verlag der sterreichischen Staatsdruckerei.
Samuelsson, G. 1992. Drugs of Natural Origin: A Textbook of Pharmacognosy. Stockholm: Sweden Pharmaceutical Press.
Schulz, V., R. H‰nsel, V.E. Tyler. 1998. Rational Phytotherapy: A Physicians' Guide to Herbal Medicine. New York: Springer.
Trease, G.E. and W.C. Evans. 1989. Trease and Evans' Pharmacognosy, 13th ed. London; Philadelphia: BailliËre Tindall.
Tyler, V.E. 1994. Herbs of Choice: The Therapeutic Use of Phytomedicinals. New York: Pharmaceutical Products Press.
Wichtl, M. (ed.). 1989. Teedrogen, 2nd ed. Stuttgart: Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft.
Wichtl, M. and N.G. Bisset (eds.). 1994. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals. Stuttgart: Medpharm Scientific Publishers. 208–211.

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More information on Cascara Sagrada
from the American Botanical Council.

Rhamnus purshiana
Source
Cascara sagrada is the dried, aged bark of a small tree in the buckthorn family native to the Pacific Northwest. The bark is harvested mostly from wild trees in Oregon, Washington, and southern British Columbia. The bark is aged for a year so that the active principles become milder, as freshly dried bark produces too strong a laxative for safe use; it also contains a compound that induces vomiting.

Traditional Use
The name cascara sagrada is Spanish for "sacred bark". Long used as a laxative by Native American groups of the northwest Pacific coast, cascara sagrada bark was not introduced into formal medical practice in the United States until 1877. In 1890, it replaced the berries of the European buckthorn (R. catharticus) as an official laxative. It is still used in over-the-counter laxatives available in every pharmacy in the United States.

Current Status
Dried, aged cascara sagrada bark is widely accepted as a mild and effective treatment for chronic constipation. The bark contains compounds called anthraquinones (cascarosides A and B) which are transformed by intestinal bacteria into substances that increase peristalsis in the large intestine and help restore its tone.

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More information on Aloe Gel
from the University of Maryland Medical Center

“Aloe gel is often confused with another part of the aloe plant known as aloe juice, but the two substances are quite different. Aloe juice (also known as aloe latex or aloe sap) is a yellow, bitter liquid derived from the outer layer of the aloe leaf. It contains substances that, when taken by mouth, have very strong laxative effects. For example, in a study of 35 men and women with constipation, those who received capsules containing aloe latex, and other laxatives including psyllium (a natural substance high in fiber) experienced softer and more frequent stools compared to those who received placebo.

“Although aloe latex is a powerful laxative, it is not used frequently because it can cause painful cramping. Other gentler, herbal laxatives from the same plant family as aloe (such as cascara and senna) are generally recommended first.”

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More information on Butternut Bark
from webvitamins.com

“Butternut, or Juglans cinerea, is used for the bark which has cathartic properties. Butternut trees can be found throughout the forests of the United States. Other common names of Butternut bark are White Walnut, Oil Nut, Lemon Walnut, and Black Walnut.

“Butternut bark is commonly used for gallbladder disorders, for hemorrhoids, and for treatment of skin diseases. Orally, Butternut bark can also be used as a gentle, stimulant laxative, antimicrobial, andtiparasitic, and tonic.

“[Butternut Bark is ]an excellent gentle laxative, very good for chronic constipation.  It will expel worms from the intestines.  Butternut bark is an old fashioned remedy for sluggish liver, fevers, and colds.”

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More information on Slippery Elm

from the University of Maryland Medical Center

“While there has been little scientific research on slippery elm, it has a long history of use based on clinical experience. Some of the conditions that seem to respond to slippery elm include sore throat, cough, mild respiratory ailments, gastritis, peptic ulcer and other gastrointestinal conditions, diarrhea, wounds, burns, boils and other skin conditions (external), and as a skin softener.

“Slippery elm has been used in Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine for gastrointestinal symptoms including bloody diarrhea. This herb is thought to work for such intestinal problems because of its demulcent properties, which means that it coats and soothes the digestive tract. Recent laboratory research on slippery elm suggests that this traditional application may prove to have scientific merit in treating inflammatory bowel disease (namely, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis); the authors of this study propose that it is the antioxidant properties of slippery elm that would offer such protection. Conclusions regarding this preliminary information, however, will have to wait on studies of people.”

And from botanical.com…
---Medicinal Action and Uses---Demulcent, emollient, expectorant, diuretic, nutritive. The bark of this American Elm, though not in this country as in the United States an official drug, is considered one of the most valuable remedies in herbal practice, the abundant mucilage it contains having wonderfully strengthening and healing qualities.

It not only has a most soothing and healing action on all the parts it comes in contact with, but in addition possesses as much nutrition as is contained in oatmeal, and when made into gruel forms a wholesome and sustaining food for infants and invalids. It forms the basis of many patent foods.

Slippery Elm Food is generally made by mixing a teaspoonful of the powder into a thin and perfectly smooth paste with cold water and then pouring on a pint of boiling water, steadily stirring meanwhile. It can, if desired, be flavoured with cinnamon, nutmeg or lemon rind.
This makes an excellent drink in cases of irritation of the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines, and taken at night will induce sleep.

Another mode of preparation is to beat up an egg with a teaspoonful of the powdered bark, pouring boiling milk over it and sweetening it.

Taken unsweetened, three times a day, Elm Food gives excellent results in gastritis, gastric catarrh, mucous colitis and enteritis, being tolerated by the stomach when all other foods fail, and is of great value in bronchitis, bleeding from the lungs and consumption (being most healing to the lungs), soothing a cough and building up and preventing wasting.

A Slippery Elm compound excellent for coughs is made as follows: Cut obliquely one or more ounces of bark into pieces about the thickness of a match; add a pinch of Cayenne flavour with a slice of lemon and sweeten, infusing the whole in a pint of boiling water and letting it stand for 25 minutes. Take this frequently in small doses: for a consumptive patient, about a pint a day is recommended. It is considered one of the best remedies that can be given as it combines both demulcent and stimulating properties. Being mucilaginous, it rolls up the mucous material so troublesome to the patient and passes it down through the intestines.

In typhoid fever, the Slippery Elm drink, prepared as for coughs, is recommended, serving a threefold purpose, to cleanse, heal and strengthen, the patient being allowed to drink as much as desired until thirst has abated, and other remedies can be used. If the patient is not thirsty, a dose of 2 large tablespoonfuls every hour for an adult has been prescribed.

Slippery Elm bark possesses also great influence upon diseases of the female organs.
It is particularly valuable both medicinally and as an injection in dysentery and other diseases of the bowels, cystitis and irritation of the urinary tract.

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More information on Red Clover

From the Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine...

Description:
Red clover (Trifolium pratense) is a familiar meadow herb, one of 250 species in the Leguminosae, or pea family. The Irish shamrock is another species in this family of plants. Red clover is a European native naturalized throughout North America and Canada. This familiar short-lived perennial grows wild along roadsides, in meadows, and in fields, and is extensively cultivated as a forage crop for cattle. It grows best in soils that are rich in calcium, potassium, and phosphorus. The common names for this sweet herb include wild clover, meadow trefoil, bee bread, trefoil, cow grass, purple clover, and three-leafed grass.

Red clover grows to about 2 ft (61 cm) high from a short, woody rootstock. The leaves are palmate and arranged alternately along the round, grooved, and hairy stem. They are divided into three oblong or oval leaflets, a characteristic that has given the genus its name. The dark green leaves often have a splash of a pale green or white on each leaflet. The leaf margins are toothed. The red-purple or magenta-hued blossoms comprise numerous florets that form a globe-shaped flower on the end of the stalk. Red clover blooms throughout the summer. The edible blossoms are sweet-tasting with a honey-like fragrance. Bees are attracted to clover blossoms, but seem to prefer the white blossoms of another common variety of clover, often growing nearby.

General use:
In folk tradition, red clover was associated with the Christian doctrine of the Trinity because of its threefold leaflets. In England it was worn as a magic charm to protect against evil. The herb's value as a medicinal remedy was not well known until the herb made its way to North America. Native American herbalists soon found numerous medicinal uses for this common wayside beauty. Red clover was used as a cancer treatment; the blossoms, combined with other herbs, became commercially popular in the United States in the 1930s. Numerous so-called "Trifolium Compounds" were marketed as blood purifiers, or alteratives, to help clear the body of metabolic toxins. The herb was listed in the National Formulary of the United States until 1946.

Red clover has most often been used to treat such skin inflammations as psoriasis and eczema. It also acts as an expectorant and demulcent, and is helpful in the treatment of bronchitis and spasmodic coughs, particularly whooping cough. Red clover may stimulate the liver and gall bladder and has been used for constipation and sluggish appetite. The blossoms were smoked as a remedy for asthma. An infusion of red clover blossoms used as a skin wash, or a poultice prepared from fresh blossoms, may relieve the irritation of athlete's foot or insect bites. The infusion is also useful as an external skin wash in the treatment of persistent sores and ulcers, and may help speed healing. As an eyewash, red clover tincture diluted with fresh water may relieve conjunctivitis. An ointment prepared from red clover is helpful for lymphatic swellings, and a compress made with it may relieve the pain of arthritis and gout. More recently, red clover has been studied as an alternative remedy for hot flashes in menopausal women as well as hot flashes in men following surgery for prostate cancer.
Many of the chemical constituents present in red clover have been identified, including volatile oil, isoflavonoids, coumarin derivatives, and cyanogenic glycosides. Few scientific studies, however, have confirmed the folk use of red clover remedies. The genistein found in red clover has been found to contribute to the shrinking of cancerous tumors in vitro by preventing growth of the new blood vessels that feed the tumors. One of the first studies using purified extract of red clover, published in 1999, concluded that use of red clover in standardized extracts that include specific quantities of the four isoflavones genistein, daidzein, biochanin and formononetin, resulted in improved heart health in postmenopausal women. Red clover is considered by some herbalists to be a phytoestrogenic herb, useful in restoring estrogen balance in women. The chemical formononetin, found in red clover, acts on the body in a similar way as estrogen.

Periodicals:
Howes, J., M. Waring, L. Huang, and L. G. Howes. "Long-Term Pharmacokinetics of an Extract of Isoflavones from Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)." Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 8 (April 2002): 135-142.
Moyad, M. A. "Complementary/Alternative Therapies for Reducing Hot Flashes in Prostate Cancer Patients: Reevaluating the Existing Indirect Data from Studies of Breast Cancer and Postmenopausal Women." Urology 59 (April 2002) (4 Supplement 1): 20-33.

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More information on Fennel Seed

From NutraSanus…
“Native to Europe, Fennel is now cultivated in many regions in North America, Western Asia, China and Iraq. The fennel seed is used in herbal medicine as remedy for colic (in combination with chamomile, vervain, licorice and lemon balm), gastrointestinal pains, bronchitis, and heart burn.

“The major chemical compound found in fennel, terpenoid anethole, is believed responsible for fennel's ability to inhibit spasms in smooth muscles such as those in the intestinal tract. This is thought to contribute to fennel's use as a carminative, a gas-relieving and gastrointestinal tract cramp-relieving agent.

“When combined, peppermint, fennel, caraway, and wormwood appear to have a soothing effect on the intestines. This combination of herbs may also be useful when used in connection with: indigestion, heartburn, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).”

And from herbs2000:

Uses of fennel:
The primary use of fennel seeds is to relieve bloating, but they also settle stomach pain, stimulate the appetite, and are diuretic and anti-inflammatory. Like anise and caraway the seeds make an excellent infusion for settling the digestion and reducing abdominal distension. The seeds help in the treatment of kidney stones and, combined with urinary antiseptics such as uva-ursi make an effective treatment for cystitis. An infusion of the seeds may be taken as a gargle for sore throats and as a mild expectorant. Fennel is safe for children and, as an infusion or syrup, can be given for colic and painful teething in babies. Fennel increases breast-milk production, and is still used as an eyewash for sore eyes and conjunctivitis. The seeds have a longstanding reputation as an aid to weight loss and to longevity. Essential oil from the sweet variety is used for its digestive and relaxing properties.

Other medical uses: Altitude sickness.

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More information on Angelica Root

From the Healthcare Village network…
Uses: Tincture or decoction for convalescence, persistent fevers, indigestion, and weak digestion in general, colic and cramping pains, coughs, poor circulation and general weakness with feelings of cold.

And from NutraSanus…
Chinese Angelica, also called Dong Quai or Angelica Root, is used mainly to treat menstrual cramps, regulate menstrual periods, and lessen menopausal symptoms. Although it has been used for centuries in oriental medicine to treat a variety of disorders, there isn't sufficient clinical evidence to substantiate its use for many of these conditions.

Dong quai (angelica root) contains subtances that, in clinical tests, have exhibited activities that may reduce pain, dilate blood vessels, and stimulate the relaxation of uterine muscles. The main use of Chinese Angelic Root (also called Dong Quai) as a medicinal herb is for treating female reproductive disorders, specifically for relieving mentrual cramps, regulating cycles and lessening the symptoms of menopause. However, there is no conclusive proof that angelica is effective in treating these conditions.

In oriental medicine, chinese angelica root is frequently combined with other herbal products and used to treat conditions including allergies, arthritis, asthma, or high blood pressure. Some studies have shown it has some ability to increase immune system function slightly, so it may indeed aid in relieving the symptoms associated with allergies. It has also been shown to exhibit mild anti-inflammatory properties, which may make it useful for arthritis, asthma, and other inflammatory conditions. One of the chemical substance present in angelic root has shown to promote relaxation of blood vessels, which may help to lower high blood pressure.

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More Information on Peppermint Leaf

From Herbal remedies...

Peppermint leaf became famous because of its use as a folk remedy for stomach ailments. Originally used for its oil, peppermint has been employed as a flavoring and therapeutic agent.
Peppermint leaf (Mentha x piperita), a popular flavoring for gum, toothpaste, and tea, also serves as a calming agent to soothe an upset stomach or to aid in digestion. Because it has a calming and numbing effect, it has been used to treat headaches, skin irritations, anxiety associated with depression, nausea, diarrhea, menstrual cramps, and flatulence. It is also widely used to treat symptoms of the common cold. These and other conditions for which peppermint may be beneficial are listed below.

Indigestion: Peppermint calms the muscles of the stomach and improves the flow of bile, which the body uses to digest fats. As a result, food passes through the stomach more quickly. It is important to know, however, if your symptoms of indigestion are related to a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD, peppermint should not be used.

Flatulence / Bloating: Peppermint relaxes the muscles that allow the body to rid itself of painful digestive gas.

Menstrual Cramps: Peppermint has the potential to influence menstrual periods and, because it relaxes muscles, may help to relieve painful cramps.

Gallstones: Peppermint oil may help the body break down gallstones.

Itching and Skin Irritations: Peppermint, when applied topically, has a soothing and cooling effect on skin irritations caused by hives, poison ivy, or poison oak.

Tension Headache: Research has shown that peppermint applied to the forehead and temples compares favorably with acetaminophen (a commonly used over the counter medication) in terms of its ability to reduce headache symptoms.

Colds and Flu: Peppermint and its main active agent, menthol, are effective decongestants. Because menthol thins mucus, it is also a good expectorant, meaning that it helps loosen and breaks up coughs with phlegm. It is soothing and calming for sore throats (pharyngitis) and dry coughs as well.

Studies on Peppermint Leaf:

“Modulatory effects of Mentha piperita on lung tumor incidence, genotoxicity, and oxidative stress in benzo[a]pyrene-treated Swiss albino mice.”

Author:           Samarth,-R-M; Panwar,-M; Kumar,-A

Citation:         Environ-Mol-Mutagen. 2006 Apr; 47(3): 192-8

Abstract:        Mentha piperita or peppermint is currently used for alleviating nausea, flatulence, and vomiting. In the present investigation, we evaluated the chemopreventive, antigenotoxic, and antioxidative effects of an aqueous extract of Mentha piperita leaves. One-day-old Swiss albino mice were treated with a single subcutaneous injection of 0.5 mg benzo[a]pyrene (BP) and then given either water or a Mentha extract (ME; 1 g/kg body weight) by gavage starting at 3 weeks of age (weaning). The mice were killed at 9 weeks of age and tested for lung tumor incidence (chemoprevention); bone marrow micronucleus and chromosome aberration frequency (antigenotoxicity); and levels of liver and lung sulfhydral groups, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity, and lipid peroxidation (LPO) (antioxidative properties). The ME treatment resulted in a significant reduction in the number of lung adenomas from an incidence of 67.92% in animals given only BP to 26.31%, an inhibition of 61.26%. Tumor multiplicity was 1.22 in the BP-alone group and 1.15 in the BP + ME group. In addition, compared with the animals in the BP-alone group, ME reduced the frequency of chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei in bone marrow cells and decreased the levels of LPO and increased reduced glutathione content, and SOD and CAT activities in liver as well as lung. The results of this study indicate that ME is chemopreventive and antigenotoxic when given subsequent to an initiating dose of BP in newborn Swiss albino mice. The chemopreventive action and antigenotoxic effects observed in the present study may be due to the antioxidative properties of ME. (c) 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

”Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.”

Author:           Hadley,-S-K; Gaarder,-S-M

Citation:         Am-Fam-Physician. 2005 Dec 15; 72(12): 2501-6

Abstract:        Irritable bowel syndrome affects 10 to 15 percent of the U.S. population to some degree. This condition is defined as abdominal pain and discomfort with altered bowel habits in the absence of any other mechanical, inflammatory, or biochemical explanation for these symptoms. Irritable bowel syndrome is more likely to affect women than men and is most common in patients 30 to 50 years of age. Symptoms are improved equally by diets
supplemented with fiber or hydrolyzed guar gum, but more patients prefer hydrolyzed guar gum. Antispasmodic agents may be used as needed, but anticholinergic and other side effects limit their use in some patients. Loperamide is an option for treatment of moderately severe diarrhea. Antidepressants have been shown to relieve pain and may be effective in low doses.

Trials using alosetron showed a clinically significant, although modest, gain over placebo, but it is indicated only for women with severe diarrhea-predominant symptoms or for those in whom conventional treatment has failed. Tegaserod has an advantage over placebo in constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome; it is indicated for up to 12 weeks of treatment in women. However, postmarketing reports of severe diarrhea and ischemic colitis further limit its use. Herbal therapies such as peppermint oil also may be effective in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. Therapies should focus on specific gastrointestinal dysfunctions (e.g., constipation, diarrhea, pain), and medications only should be used when nonprescription remedies do not work or when symptoms are severe.

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More information on Yarrow

From the Holistic Health Encyclopedia
(Achillea Millefolium) For centuries Yarrow has been used to stop bleeding both internally and externally. Yarrow, a member of the sunflower family, contains an alkaloid principle called achillein, as well as some tannin and fairly high amounts of selenium, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin F, and vitamin K.

Having a variety of effects on the body, Yarrow is known to alleviate inflammation, reduce fevers, stimulate the appetite and encourage sweating, expelling toxins from the body.
Yarrow's astringent properties are especially helpful in stopping nosebleeds, excessive menstruation and diarrhea. Yarrow is also known for relieving muscle spasms, arthritis, and easing digestion.

Studies on Yarrow:

“Preliminary screening study of reproductive outcomes after exposure to yarrow in the pregnant rat.”

Author:           Boswell-Ruys,-C-L; Ritchie,-H-E; Brown-Woodman,-P-D

Citation:         Birth-Defects-Res-Part-B-Dev-Reprod-Toxicol. 2003 Oct; 68(5): 416-20

Abstract:        BACKGROUND: Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is used for the treatment of diarrhea, as a urinary antiseptic, hypotensive, and diuretic. Yarrow also has traditionally been used as an abortifacient, emmenagogue, contraceptive, and for stimulating uterine contractions. For this reason, it is contra-indicated for use in pregnancy. There has, however, been little scientific research carried out to either confirm or refute this recommendation. METHODS: Female rats were dosed, orally by gavage using 56 times the human dose of yarrow daily on either gestation days (GD) 1-8 or GD 8-15. Two groups of controls were included; the first received water and the second received an equivalent dose of ethanol to that found in the yarrow preparation over the two gestation periods. On GD 20, rats were sacrificed, placentae were weighed, and corpora lutea counted. The fetuses were weighed and examined for signs of external, internal or skeletal malformations. RESULTS: The dose used was not materno-toxic. There was no increase in pre - or post-implantation losses suggesting that yarrow was neither an abortifacient nor a contraceptive. Placental weights were increased in rats treated with yarrow on GD 8-15 compared to water and ethanol controls and on GD 1-8 compared to water control fetuses. Body weight was reduced in fetuses exposed to yarrow on GD 8-15 compared to water control fetuses. There was no difference in incidence of external or internal malformations. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study it was found that yarrow, when administered to rats at 56 times the human dose, was associated with reduced fetal weight and increased placental weight. In the absence of a no observable effect level for these variables it must be concluded that the consumption of yarrow is contraindicated during pregnancy until further investigations have been carried out. Copyright 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

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