In this month's newsletter, we will continue our ongoing segment about herbs. Briefly, we will cover the variety of forms in which herbs are used, following with a discussion on the merits of Gingko Biloba.

For your good health. . . .

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The Many Forms of Herbs -

Many forms of herbs, made from the essential parts of plants, are available in stores, today. For clarification of these different types, we have included some of the more common ways herbs are used in the following list.

For oral consumption:

One of the fastest growing markets of herbs in recent years has been capsules and tablets, made from the beneficial ingredients of powdered herbs. The convenience, and not having to taste the herb, appeals to most consumers.

Extracts or tinctures, which are highly concentrated forms of herbs, assimilate easily. By cold-pressing the leaves and other nutritional parts of plants, or soaking them in alcohol or water, extracts and tinctures can be produced.

Tinctures usually have much more alcohol than extracts. Recently, alcohol-free herbal extracts have become more commonly available. Both may be diluted in water or juice before ingesting.

Placing fresh herbs in balsamic, rice, or raw apple cider vinegar makes an herbal flavored salad vinegar, with excellent nutritional benefits included. (Raw apple cider vinegar is the healthiest of vinegars.) Let stand for at least two weeks.

For external use:

Essential oils are made from herbs by either distilling or cold pressing. The concentration of herbs is usually high, and the typical recommended dose is one or two drops of a quality essential oil.

Health practitioners recommend diluting most oils. Water or "carrier" oils, such as olive and other vegetable oils, are used to dilute the essential oil before applying on burns, abrasions, dry areas, or other skin conditions. Eucalyptus and tea tree oils may not need diluting, depending on the application.

Essential oils should not be taken orally unless under the direction of a trained health professional. Essential oils can also be applied to certain energy centers of the body, called Chakras. This helps to promote energy, health, or peace of mind, depending on the type of oil used.

The extensive training and use of essential oils is a rapidly growing health discipline known as Aromatherapy. A future article will address Aromatherapy more in depth.

Ointments, balms, and salves can be made for applying to sores, bruises, skin inflammations, bites, sunburns, rashes, etc. by mixing herbal extracts, powders, essential oils, or teas with a cream or lotion.

Compresses can be applied directly to an injured area by soaking a cloth in a warm, or cool, herbal solution.

Poultices are made by forming a very warm, moist mass of flour, mustard, or ground herbs enclosed in a loosely woven cloth and applied for up to 24 hours to the affected area of the body. This can help relieve pain and inflammation. The poultice needs to be quite warm, so the cloth should be changed whenever it cools.

Herb of the Month - Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgoes are among the oldest living trees on earth. References to the ginkgo leaves have been found in written Chinese herbal documents of the Ming dynasty, from 1436 and 1505. In recent years, several volumes of research papers have been published about Ginkgo Biloba.

Ginkgo Biloba (also spelled "Gingko") is an herb becoming more popular due to its role in improving brain function. There is a standing joke in our home, whenever my memory lapses; someone will question whether I have been taking my Ginkgo. Usually, the answer is "I forgot".

My experience has been that if I include it with my daily nutrients, I notice a definite improvement in my memory. My lapse of memory problem does not reoccur until I either get lazy, or run out and have not replenished my supply for several weeks.

That is when my family starts asking, "are you remembering to take your ginkgo?"

Evidently, ginkgo improves brain functioning by increasing oxygen, blood flow, and circulation to the brain. Because of this, ginkgo can help with depression, certain types of headaches, and even ringing in the ears.

In addition, it has been used for brain trauma resulting from accidents. Due to improved circulation, Ginkgo has also been known to help with leg cramps, asthma, eczema, along with eye, kidney and heart disease.

So, this month remember to "remember" the Ginkgo . . .

RESOURCES:

"Prescription For Nutritional Healing: A Practical A-Z Reference To Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs & Food Supplements", James F. Balch, M.D., Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C. Avery Publishing Group, 1997. - Available through our Book Store at: http://appliedhealth.com/bookstore.html#ankrNutriHealing

"Alternative Medicine," Burton Goldberg Group. Future Medicine Publishing, Inc., 1994.

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