SPECIAL
 

Raspberry

© David L. Hoffmann B.Sc. (Hons), M.N.I.M.H.

Rubus idaeus
Rosaceae
Habitat: Cultivated in most temperate countries.
Collection: The leaves may be collected throughout the growing season. Dry slowly in a well-ventilated area to ensure proper preservation of properties.
Part Used: Leaves and fruit.

Constituents:

• Polypeptides
• Flavonoids, mainly glycosides of kaempferol and quercitin.
• Tannins
• Fruit sugar
• Volatile oil
• Pectin
• Citric acid
• Malic acid.

Actions: Astringent, tonic, parturient.

Indications: Raspberry leaves have a long tradition of use in pregnancy to strengthen and tone the tissue of the womb, assisting contractions and checking any haemorrhage during labour. As an astringent it may be used in a wide range of cases, including diarrhoea, leucorrhoea and other loose conditions. It is valuable in the easing of mouth problems such as mouth ulcers, bleeding gums and inflammations. As a gargle it will help sore throats. Raspberry is also very rich in iron and calcium.

Preparations & Dosage: Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto 2 teaspoonfuls of the dried herb and let infuse for l0-l5 minutes. This may be drunk freely.

Tincture: take 2-4 ml of the tincture three times a day.

Red Clover

© David L. Hoffmann B.Sc. (Hons), M.N.I.M.H.

Trifolium pratense
Papilionaceae
Habitat: Widely distributed throughout Europe including Britain, naturalized in N. America and many other parts of the world.
Collection: The flowerheads are gathered between May and September.
Part Used: Flowerheads.

Constituents:

• Isoflavones; biochanin A, daidzein, formononnetin, genistein, pratensein, trifoside
• Other flavonoids including pectolinarin and trifoliin (=isoquercitrin)
• Volatile oil, containing furfural
• Clovamides; L-Dopa-caffeic acid conjugates
• Coumarins; coumestrol, medicagol and coumarin
• Miscellaneous; a galactomannan, resins, minerals vitamins, phytoalexins.

Actions: Alterative, expectorant, anti-spasmodic.

Indications: Red Clover is one of the most useful remedies for children with skin problems. It may be used with complete safety in any case of childhood eczema. It may also be of value in other chronic skin conditions such as psoriasis. Whilst being most useful with children it can also be of value for adults. The expectorant and anti-spasmodic action give this remedy a role in the treatment of coughs and bronchitis, but especially in whooping cough. As an alterative it is indicated in a wide range of problems when approached in a holistic sense. There is some evidence to suggest and anti-neoplastic action in animals.

Priest & Priest tell us that it is a "mild, stimulating and relaxing alterative with a special affinity for the throat and salivary glands. Especially indicated for debilitated children with chronic bronchial or throat conditions." They give the following specific indications: Salivary gland congestion. Spasmodic or croupy coughs. Pertussis. Pharyngeal inflammation. Chronic skin eruptions.

Ellingwood recommends it for the following pathologies: irritable conditions of the larynx, whooping cough, the cough of measles.

Combinations: For skin problems it combines well with Yellow Dock and Nettles.

Preparations & Dosage: Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water ontol-3 teaspoonfuls of the dried herb and leave to infuse for l0-l5 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day.

Tincture: take 2-6 ml of the tincture three times a day.

Rhubarb Root

© David L. Hoffmann B.Sc. (Hons), M.N.I.M.H.

Rheum palmatum
Part Used: Rhizome of Rheum palmatum and other species, not the garden rhubarb.

Constituents:

• Anthraquinone derivatives such as chrysophanic acid (=chrysophanol),emodin, aloe-emodin, rhein & physcion, with their O-glycosides such asglucorhein, chrysophanein, glucoemodin; sennosides A-E, reidin C &others.
• Tannins; in Chinese Rhubarb: d-catechin and epicatechin gallate, withvarious cinnamoyl and coumaroyl golloyl glucosides and fructoses.
• Stilbene derivatives; related stilbene glycosides present in other types
• Miscellaneous; volatile oil, containing diisobutyl phthalate, cinnamic and ferulic acids; rutin, fatty acids, calcium oxalate etc.

Actions: Bitter, laxative, astringent.

Indications: Rhubarb Root has a purgative action for use in the treatment of constipation, but also has an astringent effect following this. It therefore has a truly cleansing action upon the gut, removing debris and then astringing with antiseptic properties as well. Note: Rhubarb Root may color the urine yellow or red. Priest & Priest tell us that it is a "mild stimulating tonic to alimentary mucous membrane, liver and gall ducts -removes viscid mucus. Small doses - tonic hepatic. Large doses - cathartic. "They give the following specific indications: diarrhoea and dysentary, summer diarrhoea, functional dyspepsia.

Ellingwood recommends it for the following pathologies: atonicconditions of the bowels, with debility or general relaxation, wether diarrhoea, dysentary, choleramorbus, cholera infantum.

King's Dispensatory gives it specific indications and uses as "gastricirritation, nausea, vomiting, elongated tongue reddened at tip and edges; irritative diarrhoea with tenderness on pressure; sour smelling discharges imparting to a child a sour odour; gastro-intestinal irritation with nervous irritability, restlessness, screaming and convulsive muscular contractions; constipation, with a sense of intestinal constriction and abdominal contraction; light-coloured fecal discharge

Preparations & Dosage: Decoction: put l/2 - l teaspoonful of the root in a cup of water, bring to the boil and simmer gently for l0 minutes.This should be drunk morning and evening. Tincture: take l-2ml of the tincture three times a day.

Rosemary

© David L. Hoffmann B.Sc. (Hons), M.N.I.M.H.

Rosmarinus officinalis
Habitat: Native to the Mediterranean region, cultivated widely elsewhere.
Collection: The leaves may be gathered throughout the summer but are at their best during flowering time.
Part Used: Leaves and twigs.

Constituents:

• Volatile oil: composed of borneol, camphene, camphor,cineole, limonene, linalool, isobutyl acetate, 3-octanone,terpineol, verbenol etc.
• Flavonoids: apigenin, diosmetin, diosmin, genkwanin, 6-methoxygenkwanin, hispidulin, sinensetin, luteolin and derivatives
• Rosmarinic acid and other phenolic acids
• Diterpenes such as picrosalvin (= carnosol), carnosolic acid androsmariquinone
• Miscellaneous; rosmaricine, the triterpenes ursolic acid, oleanolic acid & derivatives.

Actions: Carminative, anti-spasmodic, anti-depressive, rubefacient, anti-microbial, emmenagogue.

Indications: Rosemary is a circulatory and nervine stimulant, which in addition to the toning and calming effect on the digestion is used where psychological tension is present. This may show for instance as flatulent dyspepsia, headache or depression associated with debility. Externally it may be used to ease muscular pain, sciatica and neuralgia. It acts as a stimulant to both the hair follicles and circulation in the scalp and thus may be helpful inpremature baldness. The oil is most effective here.

Priest & Priest tell us that it is a "diffuse stimulant and relaxing tonic with special influence upon stomach and cerebrum. It soothes the nervous system and is tonic to the vaso-motor function and peripheral circulation. It is a suitable tonic for the elderly" They give the following specific indications: a tonic conditions of the stomach; gastric headache; adolescent hypotonia, asthenia with pallid complexion; circulatory weakness following stress or illness.

Combinations: For depression it may be used with Skullcap, Kola and Oats.

Preparations & Dosage: Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water ontol-2 teaspoonfuls of the dried herb and leave to infuse in a covered container for l0-l5 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day. Tincture: take l-2 ml of the tincture three times a day.

Rue

© David L. Hoffmann B.Sc. (Hons), M.N.I.M.H.

Ruta graveolens
Rutaceae
Names: Garden Rue, Herb of Grace, Herbygrass.
Habitat: Native to Southern Europe, cultivated in Britain and elsewhere as an ornamental.
Collection: The herb should be collected before the flowers open in the summer and dried in the shade.
Part Used: Dried aerial parts.

Constituents:

• Volatile oil, 2-undecanone (50-90%), 2-haptanol, 2-nonanol, 2-nonanone, limonene, pinene, anisic acid, phenol, guiacol and others
• Flavonoids such as quercitin and rutin
• Coumarins: bergapten, daphnoretin, isoimperatorin, naphthoherniarin, psoralen, pangelin, rutamarin, rutarin, scopoletin and umbelliferone
• Alkaloids: arborinine, [[gamma]]-fagarine, graveoline, graveolinine, kokusaginine, rutacridine.
• Lignans, in the root; savinin and helioxanthin.

Actions: Anti-spasmodic, emmenagogue, anti-tussive, anti-microbial, bitter, abortifacient.

Indications: Rue is a herb with an ancient history. The genus name " Ruta " comes from the Greek work " reuo ", to set free, showing its reputation as a freer from disease. Its main use is the regulation of menstrual periods, where it is used to bring on suppressed menses. The oil of Rue is a powerful abortifacient, therefore the plant is best avoided during pregnancy. The other area of usage is due to the plant's anti-spasmodic action. It may be used to relax smooth muscles, especially in the digestive system where it will ease griping and bowel tension. The easing of spasm gives it a role in the stopping of spasmodic coughs. It also increases peripheral circulation and lowers elevated blood pressure. If the fresh leaf is chewed, it will relieve tension headaches, ease palpitations and other anxiety problems.

To quote King's Dispensatory - " Its action is chiefly directed upon the uterus, and is capable of exciting menorrhagia, inflammation and miscarriage. It has been successfully used in flatulent colic, hysteria, some nervous complaints, epilepsy, and as an excellent vermifuge. Rue is a stimulant to the genito-urinary tract, and, in small doses, might prove a remedy in a tonic conditions of those parts. Owing to its affinity for the nervous system, it relieves irritation and pain when administered in small amounts.

CAUTION: Avoid during pregnancy.

Combinations: For use in the regulation of periods it will combine well with False Unicorn Root and Life Root.

Preparations & Dosage: Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto l-2 teaspoonfuls of the dried herb and leave to infuse for l0-l5 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day. Tincture: take l-4ml of the tincture three times a day.