E - HERBS

Edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum):
It is not toxic, but has been used traditionally in folk medicine as a remedy against abdominal and respiratory diseases. Extracts and individual constituents of Leontopodium alpinum were tested for their antimicrobial activity in two different assays. Extracts were screened in agar diffusion assays, whereas the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of single compounds were determined by the microbroth dilution method according to NCCLS criteria. Significant antimicrobial activities were found against various strains of Enterococcus faecium, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Streptococcus pyogenes strains. These results support the ethnomedicinal use of Leontopodium alpinum for the treatment of respiratory and abdominal disorders.

Elder: (Sambucus nigra):
Key actions: Flowers: expectorant, reduces phlegm, circulatory stimulant, promote sweating, diuretic, topically anti-inflammatory; Berries: promote sweating, diuretic, laxative; Bark: purgative, promotes vomiting, diuretic; topically--emollient. The berries help coughs, colic, sore throats, asthma and flu. A pinch of cinnamon makes the tea more warming. The berries have also been taken for rheumatism and erysipelas. They are mildly laxative and also help diarrhea.

The flowers are infused for fevers, eruptive skin conditions such as measles and severe bronchial and lung problems. The infusion is relaxing and produces a mild perspiration that helps to reduce fever. The flowering tops tone the mucous linings of the nose and throat, increasing their resistance to infection. They are prescribed for chronic congestion, allergies, ear infections and candidiasis. Infusions of the flowering tops and other herbs can reduce the severity of hay fever attacks if taken for some months before the onset of the hay fever season. A classic flu remedy is a mixture of elderflower, yarrow and peppermint teas.

By encouraging sweating and urine production, elder flowering tops promote the removal of waste products from the body and are of value in arthritic conditions. The specific compounds in elder flowers have not been well established for the diuretic and laxative properties. The compound sambuculin A and a mixture of alpha- and beta-amyrin palmitate have been found to exhibit strong antihepatotoxic activity against liver damage induced experimentally by carbon tetrachloride.

The bark’s energetics are bitter and toxic. Only bark that has been aged for a year or more should be used or cyanide poisoning may result. The Western species are more toxic.

This herb has two compounds that are active against flu viruses. It also prevents the virus from invading respiratory tract cells. A patented Israeli drug (Sambucol) that contains elderberry is active against various strains of viruses. It also stimulated the immune system and has shown some activity in preliminary trials against other viruses, such as Epstein-Barr, herpes and even HIV.

Elder, Dwarf (Aralia hispida):
Very valuable in dropsy, gravel, suppression of urine, and other urinary disorders. The bark of the root is the strongest, but that of the stem is also used. It is a relaxant and mild stimulant, acting with but moderate promptness, leaving behind gentle tonic effect, and influencing the kidneys chiefly. A portion of its power is unquestionably expended upon the uterus, and slightly upon the circulation toward the surface; both of which effects have usually been overlooked. It has a slightly warming, bitter taste, and is rather pleasant to the stomach.

It is mostly used in compounds for dropsy, and is one of the best of its class; but for any sub-acute or chronic torpor of the renal organs, with aching back and scanty urine, it is an agent of peculiar value. In high-colored urine, and in chronic aching and weakness of the bladder, it is equally beneficial. It promotes menstruation a little; and is a good adjunct to other remedies in the treatment of mild leucorrhea, amenorrhea, and other female disorders. It is generally prepared in decoction, two ounces to the quart; of which two or three fluid ounces may be given three times a day. Used warm, it will promote gentle diaphoresis.

A tea made from the leaves is diaphoretic. An infusion of the root has been used in the treatment of heart diseases.

Elder, Mexican (Sambucus mexicana):
An infusion of the blossoms has been used in the treatment of upset stomachs, fevers, sore throats, colds and flu. A decoction of the roots has been used in the treatment of constipation. A widely used treatment for fever, combined with equal parts of Brook Mint or Pennyroyal as a tea. A tea of the flowers and/or dried berries acts as a simple diuretic to treat water retention. As a face wash for acne and pimples, use a tea of the flowers. Take as a tea up to 3 times a day.

Elecampane (Inula helenium):
European scientists have discovered elecampane contains a chemical, alantolactone, that helps expel intestinal parasites and is better than santonin and less toxic (1 teaspoon of root to a cup of water, bring to boil and simmer 20 minutes, drinking up to 3 cups a day). It is also anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and fungicidal adding to its potential therapeutic action in the intestine.

All chronic lung conditions such as bronchitis and asthma are helped by it. It is generally mixed with other lung herbs (often white horehound, coltsfoot, pleurisy root and yarrow). It is a constitutional treatment for general catarrhal conditions such as chronic pulmonary affections that have symptoms of cough, shortness of breath, wheezing in the lungs, a specific for whooping cough in children, pneumonia, diseases of the breast and malignant fevers, hepatic torpor, dyspepsia and the feeling of stitches in the side caused by the spleen. It’s warming for a cold, wet cough. It doesn’t suppress the cough, but increases expectoration.

Elecampane produces an active principle called helenin, which is antiseptic and antibacterial, making the root useful in salves and surgical dressings. Elecampane contains an essential oil that consists primarily of sesquiterpene lactones. The root also contains the complex carbohydrate inulin. This starchy material swells and forms a slippery suspension when mixed with digestive fluids. The inulin soothes the lining of the digestive tract and provides the benefits of viscous fiber. It also apparently elicits a sympathetic expectorant response to mucous membranes of the respiratory system.

A bitter-aromatic tonic, elecampane root increases appetite and promotes digestion. Europeans with indigestion still sometimes sip on a cordial made by infusing the roots, sugar and currants in white port. In Russia, the whole root is preserved in vodka to store it for winter use. Soluble in alcohol and partially in water. Used in China for certain cancers. Wash used for facial neuralgia, sciatica. Experimentally, tea strongly sedative to mice.

Elephant Tree (Bursera microphylla):
The resin was an Aztec remedy. In the 16th century, Fray Bernardino de Sahagun wrote that a little ground copal, the size of a small fingernail, added to water and drunk only7 once a day on an empty stomach would cure diarrhea. The resin, bark and leaves are steeped in tequila or grain alcohol to make a tincture that is applied to gum sores, cold sores, and abscessed teeth. The dried stems and leaves are drunk in a tea to relieve painful urination, and as a stimulating expectorant for slowly healing bronchitis and chest colds. A tea of the leaves or the leaves and bark is used as a tonic to fortify the immune system.

Elephantheads (Pedicularis groenlandica):
The Cheyenne Drug used a tea of powdered leaves and stems taken to stop or loosen a coughs. They also used a tea of smashed leaves and stems taken for coughs. All of the Pedicularis' are tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, powerful aphrodisiacs, and sedatives. They are often employed medicinally for muscle pain and tension, particularly back pain. . It is also used for muscle strain due to overwork, sprains, joint pain, night-time cramps, and as a preliminary before bodywork such as massage. It is very relaxing to voluntary muscles, but large amounts can make a person goofy and lethargic. Pedicularis are also used for their psychological effects, good for anger, fear, pain, anxiety. The whole flowering herb is harvested for the tincture, but only the flowers, fresh or dried, are made into a tea. At least one Native American tribe is known to smoke the flowers of certain Pedicularis species for their medicinal effects and narcotic effects. These plants are a welcome addition to any smoking mixture both as flavor and a narcotic. Elephant's Head is claimed to have the best flavor but is the mildest, but every Pedicularis has an excellent taste. P. Densiflora being the most potent species

Elodea (Elodea canadensis):
An infusion of the plant has been used as a strong emetic.

Embauba (Cecropia peltata):
The corrosive and astringent latex is used against warts, calluses, herpes, ulcers, dysentery, and venereal diseases. A tea made from the leaves is widely employed as a cure for asthma and thought to be useful in treating a wide variety of other ailments including liver disease, cardiovascular problems, Parkinson's disease, and snakebite. It also is used to ease childbirth and menstrual complaints. Various substances have been extracted from yagrumo hembra for medicinal use, including one that increases cardiac muscular contraction and acts upon the kidneys as a diuretic. A substance extracted from the roots is said to heal wounds, and the leaves are often used as a poultice to reduce swelling and as an abrasive

Enchanter's Nightshade (Circaea lutetiana):
The plant has been used as a treatment on wounds. A compound infusion has been drunk and also used as a wash on injured parts of the body.

Epazote (Chenopodium ambrosioides)
Has been used for centuries beginning with the Mayans. By the middle of the 18th century, medicinal use of the plant was firmly established in the US. Mexican mothers steep epazote in milk and sugar to rid their children of intestinal parasites, especially roundworms and hookworms. Helps prevent flatulence. The ingredient ascaridol is a powerful worm expellent. The Catawba made a poultice from the plant, which they used to detoxify snake bite and other poisonings. It has also been used as a digestive remedy, being generally taken to settle colic and stomach pains. Wormseed leaves have antispasmodic properties. A decoction of the leaves or of the whole plant brings relief to a variety of gastrointentinal problems. Its muscle-relaxing action has led to its use in the treatment of spasmodic coughs and asthma. The plant also has external uses. Juice expressed from the whole herb is applied as a wash for hemorrhoids. In addition, the whole plant is thought to have wound-healing properties. Dose: of the oil, 4-20 drops with honey, or molasses, for children according to age. The infusion of the tops and pulverized seeds, 1 teaspoonful to 1 cupful of boiling water; steep 15 min. administer in wineglassful amounts. To expel worms: omit the evening meal, give the prescribed dose and again in the morning before breakfast, followed by a herbal cathartic; repeat for three days to make sure the larva is expelled. Was official in the US Pharmacopeia for more than a century, from 1820-1947.

From: herbnet.com