Levomenol

When I need a lift, I drop a handful of lemon balm leaves in a pot of steaming water to soothe my cares away. To help iron out occasional kinks in my stomach, I make peppermint tea from the rich-flavored black-stemmed variety held captive in a submerged pot in my kitchen garden. When flower buds appear on my German chamomile, I harvest them all for a relaxing apple-scented tea to toast the end of a difficult day.

All of these herbs, so different in flavor, are alike in one important sense--they contain actual therapeutic compounds.

Healthful herbs, many of which are used as pharmaceuticals in Germany and other European countries, are gaining popularity in the United States where sales of herbal remedies have been doubling every four years. Because herbs are categorized as dietary supplements, and not actual medicines, you can buy them without needing a prescription, insurance approval, or co-pay. You also can grow many herbs in your own garden for pennies.

WHY ARE HERBS HEALTHFUL?

Herbs, many of which are aromatic, may contain essential oils and complementary components that have antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and other medicinal properties. A lot of them also taste good! Use herbs to flavor sauces, soups, roasts, and other recipes and to cut back on less healthy additives like salt, sugar, or fat. You also can steep herbs in hot water for caffeine-free teas. Some herbs, including dandelions and parsley, are healthful sources of vitamins and minerals, which have their own important roles to play in the body.

The quantity and quality of these good-for-you ingredients, however, can vary in any herb depending on growing conditions, harvest time, processing, and dozens of other variables. Inconsistencies in the contents of commercial herb products mean some brands work better than others and some can be totally ineffective. This problem is at the root of much of the controversy surrounding therapeutic herb use.

Even the form of the herb--garden fresh, dried, powdered, or extracted--can influence its potency. Which form will work best varies with the kind of herb and the reason you are taking it.

* Fresh: Fresh leaves, stems, and roots, cut in the garden or purchased at the store are in their most natural state. Fresh sprigs of culinary herbs have the richest, most complex flavor and are ideal for cuisine. Garlic cloves, good for more than chasing away vampires, offer the most health benefits when eaten fresh. You also can juice fresh herbs, straining the liquid components from the flesh to make a flavorful health-cocktail. Try mixing parsley, garlic, onions, and antioxidant rich vegetables, such as tomatoes and carrots.

Some healthful herbs, however, may not be appealing, available, or powerful enough to use fresh and so come in other forms.

* Water Extracts: You can draw some essences from herbs by steeping them in hot water. Teas of leaves stems, and flowers, also called infusions, contain water-soluble compounds which provide flavor and more. Tea is an effective way to enjoy peppermint, but with chamomile it only extracts about 15 percent of volatile oils. You may simmer tougher herbal roots and barks to make them into decoctions, another form of water extract.

* Alcohol Extracts: You can buy or make alcoholic extracts, also called tinctures, to release herbal compounds that won't be drawn out in water alone. Old-time herbalists dunked herbs in wine or liquor for this effect. In the past and in the present as well, a tincture of sage has been used as a mouthwash.

* Essential Oils: Stronger isn't always better when it comes to healthful herbs. Powerfully concentrated essential oils, distilled from a huge assortment of herbs, are great for freshening the fragrance of potpourri or for aromatherapy, but not for drinking. Consuming essential oils can make you extremely ill or even kill you and are best avoided for safety sake.

HEALING OR HARMFUL?

Just because a product comes from an herb doesn't always mean that it's healthy, although that is the popular notion. Herbs such as the castor bean and poison hemlock, which killed ancient Greek philosopher Socrates, are toxic. According to the Carcinogenic Potency Project at the University of California, Berkeley, herbs also can be carcinogenic. A good example is comfrey, which can possibly cause cancer or liver damage if consumed. If you intend to use a particular herb, learn all you can about it, ensuring it is benign and that you will be taking it in therapeutic forms and amounts.

You need to know which herbs can have harmful side effects and interactions with other drugs or food supplements. Some herbal products may come with fillers, weeds, or other adulterants, so buy only from top quality suppliers. For more information on specific medicinal herbs, see The Honest Herbal, by E. Tyler (1993, Pharmaceutical Products Press, New York, NY); PDR for Herbal Medicines, (1999, Medical Economics Company, Montvale, NJ); and HerbalGram, Journal of the American Botanical Council and the Herb Research Foundation (512-926-4900).

Another way to be safe is to consult a doctor before using an herb regularly or before taking it in conjunction with other medications. Some physicians are now adding the use of herbs to their medical practice. One such physician is Dr. Don Novey M.D., who directs the Center for Complementary Medicine in Park Ridge, IL. Dr. Novey uses herbs and supplements, working closely with a select team of alternative medicine practitioners to blend regular, herbal, and natural medicine in a safe, supervised setting. Novey also has written the Clinician's Complete Reference to Complementary/Alternative Medicine to help other physicians learn more about herbs.

Aloe

(Aloe barbadensis syn.Aloe vera)

Portion Used: Leaf

Active Ingredients: Mucilage-rich gel

Used For: Skin irritations and burns

Documented Effectiveness: Soothing; studies conflict on whether aloe actually promotes healing

Cautions: Aloe, consumed as a laxative, can cause potassium loss and other complications

Some Formulations Available: Fresh gel from broken leaf may be most effective; extracts are found in cosmetics, lotions, and other products

Growth Guide: Tender perennial for sun

Cayenne

(Capsicum annuum or C. frutescens)

Portion Used: Fruit

Active Ingredients: Capsaicinoids including capsaicin; also Vitamin C

Used Topically For: Arthritis, muscle spasms

Documented Effectiveness: Initially irritates skin, then feelings of pain change to warmth and pain relief

Cautions: May cause blistering; overdosing is possible; avoid contact with eyes, nose, and other sensitive areas

Some Formulations Available: Fresh and dried peppers, muscle rubs, creams, tinctures

Growth Guide: Warm-season annual or tender perennial for sunny site

Chamomile

(Matricaria chamomilla)

Portion Used: Flower buds or heads

Active Ingredients: Volatile oils, including alpha bisobolol, bisabololoxides A and B, apigen, angelic acid, matricin, levomenol and chamazulene, flavone glycosides, coumarins, and others

Used For: Inflammation of digestive tract, colds, wounds

Documented Effectiveness: Antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial

Cautions: May cause allergic reactions, sometimes severe

Some Formulations Available: Infusion (tea)

Growth Guide: Annual for sun

Echinacea

(Echinacea purpurea or E. angustifolia)

Portion Used: Roots, leaves, or whole plant

Active Ingredients: Polysaccharides, alkamides, volatile oils, and others

Used For: Colds and infections

Documented Effectiveness: Above-ground portions may stimulate immune system, increasing number of white blood cells and spleen cells; root portions can be antibacterial; actual effectiveness remains controversial

Cautions: Could activate autoimmune diseases and cause complications in people with allergies and other medical problems; limit continual use to 4 to 6 weeks

Some Formulations Available: Expressed juice, capsules, alcoholic extracts, dried and fresh herb

Growth Guide: Hardy perennial for sunny sites

Garlic

(Allium sativum)

Portion Used: Whole bulb, fresh or dried, also leaves

Active Ingredients: Alliins, including allylalliin and allicin

Used For: Discourage colds and infections, lower lipids in blood

Documented Effectiveness: Antibacterial, antimycotic, lipid lowering, inhibits platelet aggregation

Cautions: Can cause bad breath; and in large amounts, may irritate the stomach or cause allergic reactions

Some Formulations Available: Fresh, dried, minced, powdered, garlic oil, garlic extract (unlikely to Influence blood lipid levels), aqueous extract, fermented

Growth Guide: Hardy perennial planted and harvested in the late summer or early autumn

Ginger

(Zingiber officinale)

Portion Used: Root/rhizome

Active Ingredients: Volatile oils, including zingiberene, gingerols, and diarylheptanoids

Used For: Encourage poor appetite or alleviate nausea

Documented Effectiveness: Antiemetic and anti-inflammatory

Cautions: Avoid if you have gallstones

Some Formulations Available: Fresh, powdered, dried, infusion, candied

Growth Guide: Tender perennial for sunny sites

Ginkgo

(Ginkgo biloba)

Portion Used: Leaves, fresh or dried

Active Ingredients: Flavonoids, bioflavinoids, terpenes, and others

Used For: Improve concentration and memory, diminish dizziness and ringing in the ears

Documented Effectiveness: Clinical studies show improves blood flow; documented effective for memory disorders in patients with cerebral insufficiency; questionably effective for tinnitus

Cautions: May cause hypersensitivity; may inhibit blood clotting and shouldn't be used with anticoagulants; at high doses may cause diarrhea, nausea and other problems

Some Formulations Available: Liquid extract or dried herb

Growth Guide: Hardy tree for sun

Ginseng

(Panax ginseng or L. quinquefolius)

Portion Used: Root

Active Ingredient: Triterpene saponins, including ginsenoside, aglycones, and others

Used For: Tiredness, lack of stamina

Documented Effectiveness: Subject to controversy

Cautions: Overdose is possible; may cause insomnia, nervousness, and diarrhea; some products may not truly contain ginseng

Some Formulations Available: Infusions, liquid, tinctures, powdered forms

Growth Guide: Hardy perennial for shade garden

Hops

(Humulus lupulus)

Portion Used: Female flowers, fresh fruits

Active Ingredients: Bitter acids, aclyphloroglucinols, polyphenols, volatile oils and others

Used For: Nervousness, sleeplessness; added to beer as a flavoring and preservative

Documented Effectiveness: Sedative

Cautions: Bitter-flavored

Some Formulations Available: Fresh, powder, infusion, decoction

Growth Guide: Hardy perennial vine

A Lemon Balm

(Melissa officinalis)

Portion Used: Leaves and whole plant

Active Ingredients: Volatile oils, including geranial, neral, citronellal

Used For: Tension, sleeplessness, cold sores

Documented Effectiveness: Cold sores, nervousness, sleeping problems, stomach upsets, herpes simplex virus

Cautions: Volatile oils evaporate quickly from dried product

Some Formulations Available: Fresh, powdered, liquid extracts

Growth Guide: Hardy perennial for sun or partial sun

Parsley

(Petroselinum crispum)

Portion Used: Whole plant, fresh or dried

Active Ingredient: Volatile oils, including apiole and myristicin which are particularly abundant in the fruit; furocoumarins, flavonoids, and vitamins, including Vitamin C, carotene, and vitamins B1 and B2

Used For: Vitamin pick-me-up, best in small quantities added to vegetable juices; chew as a mouth freshener

Documented Effectiveness: N/A

Cautions: Overdoses of volatile oil can cause poisonings

Some Formulations Available: Fresh, dried, infusions, tablets

Growth Guide: Hardy biennial for sun or partial sun

Peppermint

(Mentha x piperita)

Portion Used: Stems, leaves, and flowers, fresh and dried

Active Ingredients: Volatile oils, including methanol and methone, caffeic acid, flonoids

Used For: Indigestion and gas, antispasmodic

Documented Effectiveness: Relieves spasm of digestive tract

Cautions: Can overdose on methol and essential oils; methol can cause allergic reactions

Some Formulations Available: Fresh, dried, essential oil, liquid preparations, ointments

Growth Guide: Hardy perennial for moist sun or shade

Rose Hips

(Rosa canina and other large-fruited roses)

Portion Used: Fruit or hip

Active Ingredients: Vitamin C, pectin, and fruit acids, including malic and citric acid

Used For: Prevention of colds or flu, mild laxative, lemony flavor in herb tea

Documented Effectiveness: Pectin and fruit acids act as slight diuretic and laxative; vitamin C may help prevent colds and flu

Cautions: Some commercial products may contain very little vitamin C

Some Formulations Available: Infusions, tablets, fresh and dried fruit

Growth Guide: Hardy shrub for sun

Sage

(Salvia officinalis)

Portion Used: Leaves and flowers, fresh or dried

Active Ingredients: Volatile oils, including thujone, camphor, caffeic acids including rosmarinic acid, diterpenes

Used For: Gargle

Documented Effectiveness: Antiseptic, antibiotic, antispasmodic

Cautions: Volatile oils can be toxic and should not be consumed; avoid if pregnant; overdose with convulsions possible

Some Formulations Available: Infusions, powdered, alcoholic extracts, topical applications, pressed juice

Growth Guide: Hardy perennial for sunny, well-drained site

Tea, Green

(Camellia sinensis)

Portion Used: Leaves, dried

Active Ingredients: Purine alkaloids, including caffeine and theobromine, catechin polyphenols, caffeic acid derivatives, Vitamin B complex, Vitamin C, fluoride, and more

Used For: Prevention of esophageal, skin, and certain other cancers

Documented Effectiveness: Caffeine stimulates central nervous system; reduces risk of digestive tract cancers

Cautions: High tannin content can irritate stomach; pregnant women should avoid

Some Formulations Available: Infusion

Growth Guide: Tropical shrub for sun

St. John's Wort

(Hypericum perforatum)

Portion Used: Whole above-ground plant in flower, fresh or dried

Active Ingredients: Anthracene derivatives, including hypericin, pseudohypericin, flavonoids including hyperoside and rutin, volatile oils, and others

Used For: Anxiety and mild to moderate depression

Documented Effectiveness: Mildly antidepressant and sedative; includes monoamine oxidase inhibitors and inhibits reuptake of serotonin

Cautions: Digestion problems; extended use may encourage skin problems when exposed to sunlight; some products may not contain active ingredients

Some Formulations Available: Powder, liquid, solid, capsule, infusion

Growth Guide: Hardy perennial for sunny site

Valerian

(Valerian officinalis)

Portion Used: Root/rhizome

Possible Active Ingredients: Valepotriates, volatile oils, sesquiterpenes, pyridine alkaloids, caffeic acid derivatives

Used For: Restlessness, sleeping problems, nervousness

Documented Effectiveness: Muscle relaxer, sedative, sleep promoter

Cautions: With long-term use, problems such as headache, sleeplessness, and cardiac problems may occur; may cause morning drowsiness

Some Formulations Available: Juice, tincture, tea, extract

Growth Guide: Hardy perennial

Photos on pages 20, 23, 24 and 26 courtesy of Richter's, a 35-year-old herb company which is the most diverse and most-quoted herbal seed and plant company in Canada. For information on the herbs mentioned call 905-640-6677.

Flower & Garden does not take a position on herbs. Instead it provides information to allow its readers to make their own informed decisions. As with any herb and/or medication, it is wise to consult a professional.

RELATED ARTICLE: Which Herb is Which?

When buying herbs, you are bound to play the name game at one time or another. Healing herbs may be called by a common name or botanical name, both of which can cause some confusion.

Chamomile, for instance, may refer to German chamomile (Matricaria recutita), a favorite for teas, or Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile), a perennial used primarily for herbal lawns or ground covers. Even botanical names such as Echinacea, for the purple coneflower, may refer to (Echinacea angustfolia), (E. pallida), or (E. purpurea), which are different species with some variation in chemical composition.

Have both common and botanical names on hand when buying herbs so you can be certain to get exactly what you want.

Flower & Garden was recently notified that Susan McClure, a garden writer for the Chicago Sun Times and author of numerous books on garden-related topics, has died. Our condolences go out to her family.

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