Cakti Blog

Witch hazel leaf is useful for making teas to treat diarrhea in children. It contains tannins that slow the leakage of fluids into the lumen (central opening) of the intestine, but it does not contain the harsher elagitannins that are found in the bark.

Witch hazel leaf is more appropriate than witch hazel bark when there is an allergic component to symptoms; witch hazel bark is more appropriate than witch hazel leaf when the problem is vascular weakness (for instance, hemorrhoids) without allergy.

The analgesic action of willow bark depends on symbiotic or “friendly” intestinal bacteria to digest is components into painkilling forms. Aspirin does not require digestion by intestinal bacteria, and works more quickly. Willow bark, on the other hand, continues to provide pain relief longer than aspirin.

Unlike aspirin, the salicylates in willow bark do not increase the risk of bleeding. They do not usually irritate the lining of the stomach. For these reasons, willow bark may be useful for people who have chronic joint pain but cannot take NSAIDs or COX-2 inhibitors.

Vitex Berries have been used for centuries to treat constipation, flatulence, and hangovers, and to bring on menstruation and lactation. In modern herbal medicine, the herb is mainly used to treat breast swelling and breast pain caused by excessive secretion of the hormone prolactin during PMS or cyclic mastalgia. The herb can lengthen the proliferative (first) phase of the menstrual cycle, and also relieve water weight, headache, and fatigue.

Spearmint, like peppermint, is a digestive remedy. It relieves gas and stops gastrointestinal spasms. Unlike peppermint, spearmint is also a diuretic.

Senna encourages bowel movement by inhibiting the smooth muscles that retain stool and stimulating the smooth muscles that push stool through the intestine. The herb doesn’t work unless the sennosides in the herb are transformed into rheinanthrones by beneficial bacteria in the colon.

Schisandra has the ability to help those that suffer from Hepatitis. The lignans in the berry appear to protect the liver by stimulating cells that produce much needed antioxidants.

Because of its adaptogenic properties, it has been applied next to some herbal medicines like Ginseng as a stimulator for the central nervous system, increased brain efficiency, improved reflexes, and an accelerated rate of endurance.

The traditional use of sassafras tea in herbal medicine is to help the immune system recover from a bout with poison oak or sumac, especially when the leaf has been chewed and peri anal inflammation has resulted.

Sassafras tea is also used to induce sweating to break a fever, and in douches to relieve inflammation caused by urinary tract infection in women.

The essential oil is applied to the scalp to treat lice.