Passionflower for Anxiety can be Dangerous

Passionflower for Herbal Remedies, Herbal Medicine

This family of plants is also known as Passiflora. Passionflower is available as infusions, teas, liquid extracts, and tinctures.

Studies suggest that specific species may have medicinal benefits. For example, Passiflora incarnata Purple Passionflower may help treat anxiety, insomnia, seizures, hysteria, and nervous disorders. Native 

American Indians have used passionflower to boils, wounds, earaches, and liver problems.  Passiflora foetida is more commonly known as stinking passionflower that has been shown to help with ulcers and digestion issues.

Passionflower was used in North American beginning in the 1800’s to treat nervous restlessness and gastrointestinal spasms. In short, the effects of passionflower were believed to be primarily on the nervous system, particularly for anxiety due to mental worry and overwork.

Passionflower has been examined for use in treating anxiety, insomnia, diabetes, menopausal symptoms, and cough. However, there are limited quality clinical trials to recommend passion flower for any indication. (reference)

Doses:

There are not enough studies to know what dosages for children, so be careful.  In addition, it is important to stress that these dosages are not prescriptions, but merely suggested guidelines. 

• Infusions: 2.5 grams, 3 to 4 times daily
• Teas: Tea made from 4 to 8 grams of dried herb, daily²
• Liquid extract: 10 to 30 drops, 3 times daily
• Tincture: 10 to 60 drops, 3 times daily

Passionflower Warning

In general, passionflower is considered safe and nontoxic. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), however, does not regulate the production of herbs and supplements. Most herbs and supplements are not thoroughly tested, and there is no guarantee regarding the ingredients or safety of the products.

Medications are known to have possible interactions with passionflower. These include antihistamines, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and narcotics. In addition, any antidepressant has the potential to interfere with its potency as well.  Other herbal remedies that may cause issues with passionflower are kava and valerian root. Finally, substances like alcohol, caffeine, and aspirin may not mix well with passionflower usage.

Take care if you are taking blood thinners or anti-inflammatory medications, as these have been shown to have possible passionflower interactions

It may induce contractions if you’re pregnant. It can cause sleepiness, dizziness, confusion. Because of this, it should not be taken with sedative medications. Also, it’s not safe for pregnant women or breast-feeding women.

For more Herbal Remedies go to Better Herb News

Butterbur Big as Your Head to Treat Cough and Migraines

Butterbur

This herb is a distant relative of the sunflower.  its leaves are big enough to protect from the sun or rain.

The leaves are analgesic, anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic, antispasmodic, diuretic, and cardiotonic. They treat cough and asthma. It can also strengthen digestion and aid in gastrointestinal problems. It can treat colic. The leaves also treat minor wounds and skin eruptions.

Shows a remarkable ability to help relieve allergy and asthma symptoms, prevent migraines and headaches, reduce inflammation and muscle spasms. 

It can protect the heart and brain and alleviate stomach ulcers and bladder issues. Butterbur extract offers lasting relief as effectively as some pharmaceutical medications, without the negative side effects typical of drugs.

It goes by many other names including butter dock, coltsfoot, bog rhubarb, and exwort. People used the plant's large, round leaves to wrap butter, hence its name. Butterbur. Its leaves, stems, and rhizomes contain unique compounds that herbalists can extract and sell as over-the-counter supplements. Formulations include soft capsules, tinctures, powders, and teas.

Bee Balm for the Common Cold.

Bee Balm

 Medicinal Properties of Bee Balm. Bee balm is antimicrobial and soothing, so it's often used to treat colds and flu. It also has a soothing effect on the digestive tract and helps to treat indigestion, bloating and nausea.

The leaves make a medicinal tea. It treats colds, headaches, fevers, digestive disorders, nasal congestion, sore throat, menstrual pain, and insomnia. In addition, it acts as an ointment too for eczema, psoriasis, and acne.

BeeBalm contains high concentrations of thymol, which is a strong antiseptic. Thymol is the main ingredient in many commercial types of mouthwash.

Bee Balm promotes stagnant digestion and relieves discomfort such as bloating, cramping and excessive gas.  It soothes gastric and intestinal pain in the absence of inflammation, especially in Cholera Morbus and overcomes nausea and vomiting. 

Bee Balm is a strong antifungal, lending itself to combatting topical infections as well as imbalanced flora such as candida overgrowth and chronic vaginal yeast infections.

For candida overgrowth try drinking regular cups of tea or drops of the tincture. For chronic vaginal yeast infections drink the tea internally as well as use the cooled tea as a douche. 

Bee balm alone can be a wonderful pharmacy for the cold and flu season. The infused honey can soothe a sore throat. The hot tea can ease the discomfort of a fever and the inhaled steam can loosen congested mucus in the nose and lungs. 

Native Americans Found a Way to Relieve Headaches

BearBerry 

Leaves used for tea in Northern Europe and native Americans for bladder treatment, for women to help prevent miscarriage and after childbirth.

The leaves are smoked to relieve headaches. 

Salve from the leaves also treat canker sores, sore gums, burns, and minor cuts.

Internally, bearberry boosts the immune system due to its antibacterial agents. It also detoxifies the body, eases stomach problems, speeds up the body’s healing process, and reduces inflammation.

If you live in the northern half of the United States, you’ve probably passed by bearberry and never even knew it Growes like a ground cover, max is 12 inches tall.