Tag: flatulent colic

Juniper

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“Juniper”

Long associated with ritual cleansing, juniper was burned at temples as part of regular purification rites. Several medicinal recipes survive in Egyptian papyri dating to 1550 BC. In central European folk medicine, the oil extracted from juniper berries was regarded as a cure-all for typhoid, cholera, dysentery, tape worms and other ills associated with poverty.

Botanical Name: Juniperus communis

Common Name: Juniper
Family: Cupressaceae (formerly Pinaceae)
Part Used: Dried ripe fruit – pick after they have turned from green to purplish-blue – this process can take 2 years!

Active Constituents:

  • Volatile oil (0.5-2.0%)
  • Resin (10%)
  • Bitter principle – juniperin
  • Organic acids
  • Flavonoids
  • Phenolic compounds (antioxidant)
  • Tannins – anthocyanins

Qualities: Warm, dry, neutral, slightly pungent, bitter-sweet

Person-Picture:

Minnie mouse ankles – Hall.

Kidney slowness, puffy ankles, bladder weakness, heart insufficiency. 

“A remedy to treat tapeworm: juniper berries 5 parts, white oil 5 parts is taken for one day” – Egyptian 1550 BC

Actions:

  • Antiseptic
  • Diuretic
  • Carminative
  • Bitter digestive tonic
  • Increases elimination of uric acid metabolites
  • Antirheumatic

Indications:

  • URINARY – Cystitis – acute or chronic. Specifically cystitis in the absence of renal inflammation.
  • MSK – Rheumatic disorders – gout, arthritis – externally to ease arthritic pain in joints and muscles
  • GIT – Flatulent colic and dyspepsia
  • Diabetics with fluid
  • Fluid retention etc with adrenal gland issues/picture (Hall)

Specific Indication: Cystitis in the absence of renal inflammation

Dose: 1:2 LE 10-20ml / week

Use berries in a casserole/stew/hotpot with celeriac/celery (but don’t over-do!)

Combinations:

  • Other urinary antiseptics – BUCHU or UVA-URSI
  • Dorothy Hall says to combine with celery because balances the soda/potassium levels
  • Buchu & dandelion

Cautions and Interactions: None Known

Caution with kidney stones (Hall).

Contraindications: Kidney disease or inflammation. Pregnancy (uterine stimulant and abortifacient)

OTHER USES:

  • INFUSION: Sip a weak infusion (15g berries to 500ml water) for stomach upsets, chills or period pain
  • ESSENTIAL OIL LOTION: Add 5 drops oil to 50ml equal parts rosewater and witch hazel for oily skin and acne
  • CHEST RUB: Dilute 10 drops juniper essential oil and 10 drops thyme oil in 20ml almond oil and rub into chest for stubborn coughs

References & Links to Articles:

Fennel

Published on by kelly80charlie041 Comment

“Fennel”

Romans believed that
serpents sucked the juice of fennel to improve their eyesight,
and Pilny recommended it for
‘dimness of human vision’.
In medieval times, chewing fennel seeds was found to stop gastric rumbles during church sermons.
Latin binomial: Foeniculum vulgare

 

Common Name(s): Fennel

Family: Umbelliferaae

Part(s) used: Seeds (Root can be used but not as effective)

Qualities: Warming, dry, pungent & sweet (Ody)

 Constituents:

Up to 6% volatile oil which includes anethole and fenchone. Fatty oil – 10%

 

“…both the seeds, leaves and root of our Garden Fennel are much used in drinks and broths for those that are grown fat…” – William Coles, 1650

Actions:

  • Carminative
  • Aromatic
  • Anti-spasmodic
  • Stimulant
  • Galactagogue
  • Rubefacient
  • Expectorant (Hoffman)
  • Appetite stimulating
  • Estrogen modulating
  • Anti-microbial (Bone)
  • Circulatory Stimulant (Ody)
  • Anti-inflammatory (Ody)
  • Diuretic (Ody)

Indications:

  • Flatulent colic – esp. in infants.
  • Flatulent dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome (Bone).
  • Ease gripping of the abdomen
  • Increasing reduced appetite and suppression of food cravings (Bone).
  • Wheezing, shortness of breath and chronic cough.
  • Calming effect on bronchitis (Hoffman).
  • Amenorrhea and supressed lactation (Bone).
  • Will increase the flow of milk in nursing mothers (Hoffman).
  • LACTATION — help with COLIC IN BABIES
  • Used topically in treatment of conjunctivitis and blepharitis – also as a gargle for pharyngitis.
  • SAFE IN LACTATION
  • Safe for Children – stomach aches 

Traditionally used in TCM for abdominal pain with anorexia, vomiting and diarrhoea, or dysmenorrhea with cold sensation (Bone).

  • Externally, the oil eases muscular and rheumatic pains (Hoffman).
  • Possible benefit for obesity (Bone)
May have a slight oestrogen property — helps breastmilk and regulate reproductive cycles. 

Contraindications/ Cautions:

  • Rare allergic reaction may ocur in this plant family (Bone).
  • Fennel is a uterine stimulant – avoid high doses during pregnancy – small amounts in cooking/tea are safe
  • Avoid large doses in oestrogen dominant conditions

Dosage:

INFUSION: Pour a cup of boiling water onto 1-2 teaspoons of slightly crushed seeds and leave to infuse for 10 minutes. This should be drunk 3 times a day. The ease flatulence – take a cup half an hour before meals (Hoffman).

3-6ml of 1:2 liquid extract per day – 20-40ml per week (Bone).

Combinations:

  • Dyspepsia treatment in combonation with wormwood, caraway and peppermint.
  • Bloating, flatulence and chronic digestive problems with caraway, peppermint and gentian.
  • Infantile colic with lemon balm, chamomile, vervain and licorice.
  • Chronic non-specific colitis – with dandelion root, st. Johns wort, lemon balm and calendula.
  • Ody suggests combination with laxatives such as rhubarb root or senna to prevent griping
  • Mouthwash of infusion can be used for gum disorders, loose teeth, laryngitis or sore throats (Ody)
  • Make a chest rub by dissolving 25 drops each of Thyme oil, Eucalyptus oil and Fennel oil into 25ml of Almond oil

 

References:

Hoffman, D. (1990). Holistic Herbal. London: Thorsons

Bone, K. (2003). A Clinical Guide to Blending Liquid Herbs: Herbal Formulations for the Individual Patient. St Louis, Missouri: Elsevier.

Ody, Penelope (1998). The Herb Society’s Complete Medicinal Herbal. Milan: Dorling Kindersley