Understanding and Using Herbal Medicines, Part 4

The Complete Guide To Herbal Medicines
by Charles W. Fetrow, Pharm.D., Juan R. Avila, Pharm.D.

(Page 4 of 4)

Vapor and inhalation treatments

Many herbalists recommend herbal vapor and inhalation treatments for respiratory and sinus conditions. The treatment helps open congested sinuses and lung passages, promote mucus discharge, and ease breathing.

One inhalation method requires a sink and an herbal oil. Fill the sink with very hot water and add 2 to 5 drops of the herbal oil. Let the hot water trickle into the sink to keep the water steaming. As the mixture becomes diluted, you may need to add a few more drops of the herbal oil. Then inhale the steam for 5 minutes.

Another method involves heating a large, wide pot of water, adding a handful of dried or fresh herbs, and bringing the pot to a boil. After the herbs have simmered for 5 minutes, remove the pot from the heat and place it on a trivet to cool slightly. (If you're using an aromatic oil, first heat the water to just short of boiling and then remove it from the heat.) With the pot on a trivet, add 4 to 5 drops of the oil. Then drape a towel over your head to form a tent and lean over the pot, inhaling the steam for 5 minutes. Remember, though — if the vapor is too hot, it can burn your nasal passages.

Herbal baths

An herb that's in a soluble agent, such as baking soda or aloe gel, may be dissolved in hot bath water. An herb in an oatmeal-type preparation may be finely-milled or whirled it into a powder in a blender. You may also bag fresh or dried herbs in a square of cheesecloth or place them in a washcloth and tie the cloth securely. The goal is maximum release of the herbal essence without having parts of the herb floating in the bath water. Full baths require about 6 ounces (170 grams) of dried or fresh herbs.

As the tub fills with water, place the bagged herbs under a forceful stream of comfortably hot water, and then drag them through the bath water to better distribute the herbal essence. Squeezing the bag releases a rich stream of essence that you can direct to the affected body part. You may also gently rub the bag over itching skin. Caution: Herbs with pointy or rough edges may be too irritating to use this way.

You can also add an herbal infusion to bath water. To make the infusion, soak 6 tablespoons (57 grams) of dried or fresh herbs overnight in 3 cups (710 milliliters) of hot water. The next morning, pour the strained infusion directly into the bath water.

Poultices and compresses

A poultice is a moist paste made from crushed herbs that's applied directly to the affected area, or wrapped in cloth to keep it in place and then applied. Poultices are useful for treating bruises, wounds, and abscesses.

Use only fresh herbs for poultices. One preparation method involves wrapping the herbs in a clean white cloth (such as gauze, linen, cotton, or muslin), folding the cloth several times, and crushing the herbs to a pulp with a rolling pin. (Pulping the herb directly onto the poultice cloth helps retain its juices and makes the poultice more effective.) Then expose the pulp and apply it to the affected area. To trap the herbal juices and hold them in place, wrap the entire area with a woolen cloth or towel. This type of poultice can remain in place overnight.

You can also prepare the herbs by placing them in a steamer, colander, strainer, or sieve over a pot of rapidly boiling water and allowing the steam to penetrate and wilt the herbs. After 5 minutes, spread the softened, warmed herbs on a clean white cloth (such as loosely woven cheesecloth) and apply the cloth to the affected area. To help retain the heat, wrap the poultice with a woolen cloth or towel. You can leave this type of poultice on for 20 minutes or overnight if you find the wrap comforting and soothing.

Compresses are effective for bleeding, bruises, muscle cramps, and headaches. They may be hot or cold, depending on the herb and the purpose for using it. To make a compress soak a soft cloth in a strong herbal tea, a tincture or glycerite, an oil, or aromatic water. Then wring it out and apply it to the affected area. You may use a bandage or plastic wrap to hold the compress in place.

Oils, ointments, salves, and rubs

Herbal oils usually are expressed from the peels of lemons, oranges, or other citrus fruits. Because they may irritate the skin, they're commonly diluted in fatty oils or water before being topically applied. Essential oils are used in massage and aromatherapy. They may be diluted to prevent skin irritation.

To make an herbal oil, wash fresh herbs and let them dry overnight. Then slice the herbs (or crumble them if you're using dry herbs), place them in a glass bottle or jar, and cover them with about I inch (2.5 cm) of fight virgin olive oil, almond oil, or sunflower oil. Cover the container tightly and let it stand in a warm area, such as on a stove or in the sunshine, for 2 weeks. Strain the oil before use.

Herbal ointments, salves, and rubs are applied topically for a variety of conditions. Examples include:

• calendula ointment for broken skin and wounds

• goldenseal applied to infections, rashes, and skin irritations

• aloe vera gel for minor burns

• heat-producing herbs for muscle aches and strains.

Commercial varieties of ointments, salves, and rubs usually are more appealing than homemade concoctions.

You can make an ointment in a ceramic or glass double boiler by heating 2 ounces (60 milliliters) of vegetable lanolin or beeswax until it liquefies. Once the lanolin or wax melts, add 80 to 120 drops of tincture and mix the compound together. Then pour the formula into a glass container and refrigerate it until it hardens. You can substitute a strong herbal tea made from fresh or dried herbs for a store-bought tincture.

Visiting an herbalist

If you decide to visit an herbalist, expect to start with an evaluation, including a review of your medical history. The herbalist may check your pulse and tongue to assess you and may perform a more thorough physical examination. Some herbalists assess the iris, a technique known as iridology, to aid diagnosis. This procedure involves correlating minute markings on the iris with specific parts of the body.

Most herbalists also ask if you're taking prescription or nonprescription drugs to avoid an interaction with an herb or to prevent a cumulative effect. For example, St. John's wort, an herb used as antidepressant, shouldn't be taken with a prescription antidepressant. If you're a female, the herbalist will ask if you're pregnant or breastfeeding because certain herbs can cause miscarriage, harm the fetus, or pass to the infant in breast milk, causing side effects.

After the evaluation, the herbalist may suggest individual herbs or herbal combinations to treat a particular condition. Medicinal plants may be combined to increase their therapeutic effect, alter the individual actions of each herb, or minimize or negate toxic effects of stronger herbs. An herbal combination, or compound, may make the remedy more effective. (Me art of herbal compounding has been practiced for over 5,000 years and is the basis of today's herbal practice.)

Herbal dosages

No dosages for herbal remedies have been established. Manufacturers' guidelines must be adjusted to each person based on such factors as age, weight, and whether he or she is using other herbs or drugs.

Keep in mind that herbal remedies take time to work. The length of therapy depends on the specific herb, whether youre using it as a therapy (to relieve symptoms), a tonic (to build strength), or both. If you're using an herb for therapy, you may need to take it only for a brief period — typically, 1 to 4 weeks. If you're using an herbal remedy as a tonic, expect to take it for a longer period — usually 4 to 6 months or longer. For example, hawthorn, a tonic for the heart and blood vessels, is most effective when used for 6 to 12 consecutive months.

As with other drugs, be sure to take the herb at the appropriate times of the day. Some herbs are more effective when taken in the morning; others, in the evening.

Also, some herbs work best if used with a resting cycle. For example, an herbalist might recommend that you take an herb for 6 days followed by I day off, 6 weeks on and I week off, 6 months on and 1 month off, or a similar pattern. According to advocates of the resting cycle, each period of rest from the herb treatment allows its effect to become integrated into the body. If the desired effect doesn't appear in the specified time or if side effects develop, the dosage or herb may be changed.

Avoiding problems

Although their overall risk to public health appears to be low, some traditional herbal remedies have been associated with potentially serious side effects. For example, ma huang, an ingredient in numerous diet pills, contains the same active ingredient that's in the chodilator ephedrine and can cause irregular heartbeats, seizures, and death. A few other herbs have also been linked to death and other complications.

To promote safer and more effective therapy, follow these guidelines:

• Before you start the herbal regimen, make sure you understand the potential risks involved in self-treatment. These include misdiagnosing your ailment, taking the wrong herb, worsening your condition by delaying conventional treatment, taking an herb that counteracts or interacts with prescribed medical treatment, and aggravating other disorders.

• Familiarize yourself with the herb's actions and side effects before you start taking it. Possible symptoms of sensitivity or side effects include headache, upset stomach, and a rash. Also, some people are predisposed to react to particular herbs. For example, if you're feeling depressed, taking certain herbs used to treat insomnia may heighten your depression. This warning may appear on the herbal remedy package, but the lack of federal regulation means there's no guarantee that remedies will carry adequate warnings.

• Discontinue the herb if you develop a side effect, such as headache, an upset stomach, or a rash.

• If you respond favorably but too intensely to an herb, decrease the dosage or stop taking it altogether. For example, if you're taking a laxative herb to treat constipation, stop taking it if you experience diarrhea.

• If you experience side effects, you may be taking the herb too often or continuing therapy for too long. Sometimes symptoms stem from an incorrect dosage. For instance, eating large amounts of black licorice on a daily basis can lead to high blood pressure.

Copyright © 2000 by Springhouse Corporation

About the Author

Charles W. Fetrow, Pharm.D., is coordinator of pharmacokinetics, outpatient anticoagulation, and drug evaluation services at St. Francis Medical Center in Pittsburgh. Dr. Fetrow teaches pharmacology topics at St. Francis and at Duquesne University.

Juan R. Avila, Pharm.D., Formerly an assistant professor at Shenandoah University and Duquesne University and a clinical pharmacy specialist at St. Francis Medical Center in Pittsburgh, is now medical therapeutics liaison for Sanofi-Synthelabo Pharmaceuticals in New York.