Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) of the family Valerianaceae, is a tall perennial herb with hollow stems that bear white or reddish flowers. The vertical rhizome and attached rootlets are harvested in the autumn of the second year's growth. These plant parts possess an unpleasant aroma due to the contained volatile oils.
Valerian extract, derived from the dried rhizomes and roots of the plant, has been used for thousands of years as a folk remedy, tranquilizer and calmative for several disorders such as restlessness, nervousness, insomnia, hysteria, menstrual problems, and as a sedative for "nervous" stomach. Valerian extracts are currently used in scores of compounds and teas in Europe.
Most current treatments for insomnia work by disrupting natural sleep rhythms and risk psychologically addiction. Natural sedatives, free of side effects, are constantly being sought. In the early 80's many people turned to L-tryptophan (no longer available) as a sleep aid. More recently western consumers have become aware of the benefits of low-dose melatonin. Now health conscious consumers in Europe and United States are discovering that valerian root has a calming effect and helps them fall asleep more easily.
The German Commission E monograph for health authorities indicates that valerian is a safe and effective anti-anxiety agent and sedative for treatment of restlessness and sleep disturbances resulting from nervous conditions. Valerian is perhaps best characterized as a minor tranquilizer when administered in the form of a tea, a tincture or an extract.
During the past three decades extensive studies on Valerian have identified several unstable esters called valepotriates believed to be the primary source of the plants sedative effects. Researchers have found that although Valerian is effective in producing depression of the central nervous system, neither the tested valepotriates, nor the sesquiterpenes valerenic acid or valeranone, nor the volatile oil itself displayed any such activity. This has led to speculation that it is a combination of volatile oil components, valepotriates or their derivatives that is responsible for Valerians calmative actions.
For example, a 1985 study conducted in the Netherlands showed no anxiety-reducing activity by an extract of valerian root or purified valepotriates. However, the study did find that didrovaltrate, a valepotriate, as well as valeranon, an essential oil component from the herb, were able to produce a pronounced smooth-muscle relaxant effect on the intestines. The researchers concluded that certain valerian preparations may produce a calming effect indirectly through local spasmolytic activity.
A another study conducted in Russia, researchers reported that valepotriates inhibited caffeine-stimulated motor activity and prolonged barbiturate-induced sleeping time in mice and rats. This translates to anti-anxiety and sedative activities. In other research, valerenic acid and related sesquiterpens have been found to inhibit the breakdown of the neurotransmitter, aminobutyric acid.
Overall, Valerian is relatively safe and no significant side effects or contraindications are noted, though those with impaired kidney or liver functions should not take valerian except under a physician's supervision. Valerian can interact with alcohol, certain antihistamines, muscle relaxants, psychotropic drugs and narcotics. Those taking any of these drugs should take valerian only under the supervision of a Doctor.
White Birch Bark is considered both a bitter and an astringent. A leaf tea made by infusion is said to eliminate gravel and dissolve kidney stones when taken daily for a time. This herb has also been used successfully as a cream, salve, wash or bath additive for the treatment of skin problems, including Melanoma, resulting from the action of the betulinic acid occurring naturally in the bark of the tree. Also, the inner bark contains an oil which is sometimes substituted for wintergreen in various over-the-counter (OTC) skin liniments.
White Walnut, during the last century, was known as one of the "most mild and effective laxatives" available, and as one of the "best and safest" laxatives to be found. Today, White Walnut root bark is getting a well-deserved renewal on interest in its well-documented cathartic properties. White Walnut is good not only as a laxative, but also as a treatment for liver disorders and intestinal sickness, as practiced extensively in homeopathy.
White Walnut, also called Butternut Bark of Root, is used to expel, rather than kill, worms (vermifuge) during the normal course of laxative-induced cleansing of the body. When combined with anthelmintics, White Walnut provides the means to eliminate a parasitic mass from the body.
These properties of the herb were well known in America in the early 1800's and probably even earlier.
White Willow Bark
The bark of the common Willow tree, also known as the Pussy Willow, is the source of a wide range of phenolic glycosides, of which the most important is salicin. Like Aspirin, indications for Willow bark include mile feverish colds and infections (influenza), acute and chronic rheumatic disorders, mild headaches, and pain caused by inflammation.
White Willow Bark has been known for at least 2,000 years for its ability to alleviate pain and reduce fever. It is used to break fevers, soothe headaches, and reduce pain and swelling in arthritic joints. White Willow Bark is also beneficial for infections, heartburn, cancer, and neuralgia. It is used in dyspepsia connected with the debility of the digestive organs. In convalescence from acute diseases, in worms, chronic diarrhea and dysentery, its tonic and astringent combination renders it very useful. As an astringent, it has also been recommended for internal bleeding and as a diuretic for gouty and rheumatic problems. White Willow Bark is also very useful in acute phases and for muscle pains. Some reports also hint that White Willow Bark reduces blood sugar level and inhibits the production of prostaglandins that cause cramping in females.
In many studies performed in Denmark, this herb has been used with Thermogenic herbs like Ephedra to document the effectiveness in weight loss. This Aspirin and Aspirin-like compound containing herb has been extensively studied and has established its anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting bioactivities.
Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), a synthetic replacement for salicin, has potentially dangerous gastrointestinal side effects. In its natural form, salicin passes harmlessly through the gastrointestinal tract, becoming saligenin and glucose. The saligenin is then converted to salicylic acid in the blood and the liver. The conversion process takes a few hours, so results will not be felt immediately, but are usually sustained for several hours.
Caution: If you are pregnant or nursing please check with your professional before using Willow bark. Individuals who are allergic to salycylates should avoid Willow bark.
Salicin is helpful for mild feverish colds and infections (influenza), acute and chronic rheumatic disorders, mild headaches, and pain caused by inflammation. Does not have the dangerous side effects associated with Aspirin.
Wild Balsam (Impatiens aurea), also known as Jewelweed, has tall & branching, tender & delicate succulent annuals, with swollen joints, growing in low-lying, damp, rather rich soil, beside streams and in similar damp localities. They are smooth and somewhat glaucous, the stems somewhat translucent, the foliage showing a brilliant silvery surface when immersed in water, which will not adhere to the surface.
Wild Balsam has an acrid, burning taste and act strongly as an emetic, cathartic and diuretic, but is considered dangerous, and its use has been termed "wholly questionable".
The chemical constituents of this herb are not known, though the leaves apparently contain tannin, which causes them to be employed as an outward application for piles, proving an excellent remedy, the freshly gathered plants being boiled in lard and an ointment made of them. The fresh juice of the herb appears to relieve cutaneous irritation of various kinds, especially that due to Rheas poisoning.
Wild Cherry Bark is an excellent calming and soothing agent for irritated mucosal surfaces, but is of little value during an actual allergic reaction. Its primary action in an herbal respiratory formulation is to soothe any mildly irritated surfaces that result from allergens escaping the adsorptive action of normal mucosal surfaces.
Wild Indigo is a herb to be considered whenever there is a focused infection. It is especially useful in the treatment of infections and catarrh in the ear, nose and throat. Wild Indigo may be used for cases of laryngitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis and catarrhal infections of the nose and sinus.
Wild Indigo exhibits anti-microbial and anti-catarrhal properties. Taken both internally, and as a mouthwash, Wild Indigo will heal mouth ulcers, gingivitis and help in the control of pyorrhea. Systemically, it may also be helpful in the treatment of enlarged and inflamed lymph glands (lymphadenitis), and also to reduce fevers. Externally, an ointment containing this herb will help infected ulcers and ease sore nipples. A douche of the decoction will help leucorrhoea.
Ellingwood has lot to say about this neglected remedy: "The agent has been widely used for many years by our practitioners in the treatment of typhoid conditions, and has established its position as an important remedy. It has an apparent dynamic influence upon the glandular structure of the intestinal canal, directly antagonizing disease influences here, and re-enforcing the character of the blood, preventing the destruction of the red corpuscles and carrying off waste material. In malignant tonsillitis and diphtheritic laryngitis, it has been long used with excellent results. In phagedena with gangrenous tendencies wherever located, it has exercised a markedly curative influence. It is useful in dysentery where there is offensive breath and fetid discharges of a dark prune juice character. In scarlet fever, with its specific indications, it is a useful remedy. Large doses are not necessary, but it should be employed early, and the use persisted. In the treatment of low fevers, this agent is said to exercise marked sedative power over the fever. Homeopathic physicians prescribe it to control the fever. There is no doubt that in proportion as the cause of the fever is destroyed, the temperature abates. Any inhibitory influence directly upon the heart and circulation cannot be attributed to it, yet it soothes cerebral excitement to a certain extent, having a beneficial influence upon delirium."
Wild Indigo is advised in all diseases of the glandular system, and in hepatic derangements especially, with symptoms of the character. In the various forms of stomatitis, putrid sore throat and scarlatina; in inflammation of the bowels, where there is a tendency to typhoid conditions, especially ulcerative inflammation of any of the internal organs; in dyspepsia, with great irritability and offensive decomposition of food; in scrofula and in cutaneous infections, the agent should be long continued. In the long protracted and sluggish forms of fevers, with great depression of the vital forces; in ulceration of the nipples or mammary glands, or of the cervix uteri, it is spoken of highly."
For the treatment of infections, Wild Indigo may be used with Echinacea and Myrrh. For lymphatic problems, it can be combined effectively with Cleavers and Poke Root.
Wild Pansy (Viola tricolor), or Heartsease, being very different in habit from any other kind of Viola, is abundantly met with almost throughout Britain. Though found on hedgebanks and waste ground, it seems in an especial degree a weed of cultivation, found most freely in cornfields and garden ground. It blossoms almost throughout the entire floral season, expanding its attractive little flowers in the early days of summer and keeping up a succession of blossom until late in autumn. Many kinds are common in meadows in America, and as early as February the fields about Washington are quite gay with their flowers.
For medicinal use, the whole herb is collected in the wild state, and then dried. The herb contains an active chemical principle, Violine (a substance similar to Emetin, having an emeto-cathartic action), mucilage, resin, sugar, salicylic acid and a bitter principle. When bruised, the plant, and especially the root, smells like peach kernels or prussic acid. The seeds are considered to have the same therapeutic activity as the leaves and flowers.
Wild Pansy was formerly in much repute as a remedy for epilepsy, asthma and numerous other complaints, and the flowers were considered cordial and good in diseases of the heart, from which may have arisen its popular name of "Wild Pansy" as much as from belief in it as a love potion. A strong decoction of syrup of the herb and flowers was recommended by the older herbalists for skin diseases and a homeopathic medicinal tincture is still made from it with spirits of wine, using the entire plant, and given in small diluted doses for the cure of cutaneous eruptions.
Wild Pansy was formerly official in the United States Pharmacopoeia, and is still employed in America in the form of an ointment and poultice in eczema and other skin troubles, and internally for bronchitis.
Some years ago attention was called to this herb by a writer in the Medical Journal as a valuable remedy for the cutaneous disorder called crusta lactes, or Scald head, in children. For this purpose, a handful of the fresh herb boiled in milk was recommended to be given every morning and evening: poultices formed of the leaves were likewise applied with success. By several medical writers its use is said to have proved very efficacious in this complaint.
The herbaceous parts of the plant have been employed for their mucilaginous, demulcent and expectorant properties. The root and seeds are also emetic and purgative, which properties as well as the expectorant action of the plant are doubtless due to the presence of the Violine.
Wild Yam contains a multitude of hormone-like compounds that have been used to effectively treat a variety of medical problems.
Researchers have long believed that certain species of the Dioscorea plant (wild yam) are due to the existence of specialized phytochemicals called "hormone precursors". Hormone precursors assist in the body's production of prohormones, such as DHEA and Pregnenalone. These substances help regulate the body's metabolism. Unfortunately, the body's natural levels of prohormones begins to decrease in the 20's. Research has shown a direct correlation between this drop in prohormone levels and obesity, lethargy, and other degenerative health conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Most products contain a Dioscorea complex with standardized levels of these prohormone precursors that provides effective building blocks for supporting the body's production of these substances.
The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia recognizes wild yam root as a spasmolytic, mild diaphoretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, and it is listed for use in the treatment of the following: intestinal colic, diverticulitis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, muscular rheumatism, cramps, intermittent claudication, and ovarian & uterine pain.
Willow exhibits analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and tonic properties. Willow is an ancient remedy which has been used in various forms for rheumatism & gout, and for fevers and aches & pains of all kinds. Willow is usually considered to be the natural form and origin of the modern-day "aspirin".
