Ginger Herbarium
Latin Name: Zingiber officinale Roscoe
Family: Zingiberaceae
Descriptive Characteristics: The root is tan in color though the “proper” descriptions are white or black. The difference being, white is peeled, black is not. I’m familiar with the root you get in the store but had never seen a dried one until I got the package from school. Heinerman (1996) describes this plant as erect. I need to post pics because that is an apt description. The plant gets 3-4 feet in height and the leaves can be 6 inches long (p. 251).
Part of the plant used: Root
Texture: rough, A fresh root is dry but smooth on the outside.
Color: Tan
Aroma: Like ginger… Makes toddler run when put into a jar to make a tincture.
Flavor: Like ginger
Constituents: volatile oils, sesquiterpenes zingiberene and b-bisabolene; oleoresin containing gingerols, gingerdiols, gingerdiones, dihydrogingerdiones; lipids (Hoffman, 2003, p. 597). Chevallier (2016) says volatile oil (zingiberene) and oleoresin (gingerol and shogaols) (p. 155)
Therapeutic Actions: Stimulant, carminative, antispasmodic, rubefacient, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, hypoglycemic, hypertensive, antihypercholesterolemic, cholagogic, anti-platelet aggregation, anti-inflammatory, and stomachic (Hoffman, p. 597). Ginger is commonly known to be good for upset stomach. I add it to my tea when I have a cold to sooth my sore throats on the way down. Chevallier (2016) says anti-inflammatory, circulatory stimulant, antiemetic, antiviral, digestive stimulant (p. 155).
Indications: warms the stomach, digestion, nausea, cramps headaches (Griffin). Hoffman (2003) says motion sickness, stimulates circulation – chilblains, cramps. Promotes perspiration, sore throats, externally for fibrositis and muscle sprains. Appetite stimulant, digestive problems, antioxidant and anti-microbial properties make it a food preservative (p. 597). Chevallier (2016) says all digestive problems including indigestion, nausea, gas, bloating, and cramps – all gastrointestinal issues, including food poisoning. Circulatory stimulant which helps with chilblains and cold hands and feet. Antiviral activity helps with
coughs, colds, flu, etc. Stimulates sweating to help with fevers (p. 155).
Formulary: The formula for my tea is 1 cup water, 1/8 teaspoon powdered ginger, honey to taste and 2 squeezes of lemon. This helps soothe the throat and cough.
Nature’s Prescriptions (2008)
Joint pain (p. 29): 5g fresh/1g powdered /day. Same dosage if your platelets like to clot (p. 38).
Headache (p. 111): 1t of powdered ginger in a hot foot bath. Put both feet in the water. Cover the foot bath with a towel to retain heat. Close eyes and relax.
Migraines (p. 113-4): 500-600mg of powdered ginger at onset. Consuming ginger in a daily diet also helps. 2-4g are recommended/day. Steeping ginger root in hot water for 15 minutes is also a good remedy.
Menopause-related fatigue and weakness (p. 168): mix equal parts ginger, oat straw, gingko biloba, and Siberian ginseng. Drink as a tea, cook with it or add powdered to capsules.
Nausea (p. 175-6)/Motion sickness (p. 170-1): capsules of 250-500mg powdered ginger, a tea with 2t to 1c, steeped for 10 min. Raw ginger by itself will burn your throat.
Sore throat/Mucus (p. 64): 3-4 thin slices simmered in a pint of water for 10-30 min.
Griffin, J. (1997).
Heart palpitations/earaches (p. 33): Ginger infusion.
Cold (p. 76): 1T freshly grated ginger in 1 c boiled water for 15min (infusion)
Bronchitis (P. 131): 2 ounces each: elecampane, comfrey, horehound leaves, and ginger. Add pleurisy root. Grind into powder. Use 1t to make a tea in 1 pint water.
Stomach cramps (p. 133): ½ t baking soda dissolved in 1T hot ginger tea.
Pain/spasm/cramp tonic (p.144-6): 4T cramp bark or blackhaw, ¼ in fresh ginger or ½ cinnamon stick, and 1 oz chamomile flower. Simmer the first 2 ingredients in 2c water for 20 min, covered. Add chamomile, with heat off. Cover, steep 15 minutes as it cools. ½ c every 30 min.
Lung tonic (p.148): 2T pleurisy root, 1T mullein root, 2T elecampane root, 1T cramp bark or blackhaw, 1T licorice or ginger, 2T osha root (only if cough is productive), 2T yucca, dried/split (only if there is wheezing). Simmer in 2c water, covered, 15 min. Strain, ½ c daily for lungs, ½ c 3/day for congestion.
Digestion (p.151): 1/2t each freshly ground: ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, citrus peel. Simmer in 2c water for 10 min. Strain, drink ½ c with a meal.
Circulation (p. 153): 2T each celery seed and ginger root. Simmer in 2c water for 10 min. Sip ½ c.
Blood sugar (p. 154): 2T suma root, 2T fenugreek seeds, 1/2t or 2 slices licorice or ginger root, 2T ho shou wu (Foti), and 2T chinese foxglove. Simmer in 2c water for 30 min. Strain, drink ½ c 2/day.
Immune/energy (p. 156): 1 small tang kuei root (omit if taking estrogen blockers), 2T suma, 2T Siberian gensing or ho shou wu (foti), 5 jujube red dates, 2T bupleurum falcatum, 1/4t ginger or licorice. Simmer in 2c water for 30 min, covered strain, drink ½ c daily.
Rejuvenating menopause tonic (p. 156-7): 2T black cohosh, 2 small tang kuei roots (omit if taking estrogen blockers), 1T wild yam root, 1T chasteberries, ¼ t (1/4 slice) ginger or licorice. Make a tincture and use 1t in water daily or simmer in 2c water, covered for 30 min. Strain. Sip ½ c daily for heat, heaviness, and emotions.
Nausea/morning sickness (p. 158): 1T lemon grass, ¼ inch ginger or 1/8t powdered ginger, 1t chamomile. Steep in 2c boiled water for 15 min. Strain. Sip ½ c daily.
Nausea/pain (p. 160): 2T ginger. Steep in 2c boiled water for 15-20 min. Wet cloth. Apply to area every 15 min.
Relaxing tonic (p. 222): 3 c distilled water, 2 small tang kuei roots, 2 jujube red dates, 4 slices white peony root, 1 slice fresh ginger or dried Chinese licorice. Simmer, covered for 1 hour. Strain. Drink ½ -1 c to relieve tension.
Clear skin (p. 222): ½ c schizandra berries, ½ c jujube red dates, 1 piece licorice or ginger. Soak schizandra berries, immersed, overnight, Drain. Combine in 4c water the 3 ingredients. Simmer, covered 15-20 min. Sip 1c daily.
Female tonic (p. 223): 1 small tang kuei (omit if on estrogen blockers), 2 slices white peony root, 3 pieces bupleurum, 2 jujube red dates, 1 piece licorice or ginger. Simmer in 2-3c water for 1 hour. Drink 1c daily.
Promote well-being/enhance digestion (p. 203): 2 t fresh grated ginger, 4 cardamom seeds, 8 cloves, 1 cinnamon stick, 2T milk. Add herbs to 8c water. Simmer to reduce by half. Strain and add milk.
Chevallier (2016)
Chilblains (p. 302): Internally, grate 1t of fresh ginger into your food each day. Externally, apply fresh ginger to unopened chilblains each day.
Cold, flu, fevers (p. 311): Infuse 2-3 slices of ginger in 3/4c water for at least 5 minutes. Drink 3c /day.
Cold sores (p. 304): Internally, eat 1-2 cloves of garlic and 1-2 slices of ginger each day. Externally, apply fresh ginger, half a clove of garlic or lemon juice to cold sores, shingles, or pockmarks up to 6 times a day.
Constipation (p. 307): Steep 3-6 senna pods and 2-3 slices (1g) of ginger in 3/4c warm water. Take for up to 10 days.
Digestive upsets, gas, colic (p. 318): ¼ level t to ¼ c water, 1-2 /day.
Fever (p. 311): Make an infusion with 1t each yarrow and boneset. Add a pinch of cayenne to 3/4c water. Steep 5 minutes. Take up to 2 1/3 c /day. Alternate additions are 1-2 of the following: 2-3 cloves, 1/2t grated or powdered ginger, ½ t cinnamon, 1-2 crushed cardamom seeds, or 2-3 crushed peppercorns.
High Blood Pressure, arteriosclerosis (p. 301): Grate 1t of fresh ginger into your food each day.
Morning sickness (p. 317): make an infusion with ½ - 1 t ginger to 3/4c water. Sip throughout the day. Drink up to 1 2/3 c daily.
Nausea and motion sickness (p. 306): Make an infusion: 1-2 slices of fresh root, ¼-1/2 t of powdered or grated herb to 3/4c water. Infuse at least 5 minutes. Drink hot, up to 3c /day
Heinerman (1996, p. 254-5)
Hypertensive headaches: mix powdered ginger with cold water to make a paste. Apply to the forehead and temples and lie down for a while.
Fever/mucous: Tea: 2 level T to 2c boiling water. Cover and steep 30 min. drink 1 cup every 2 ½ hours.
Digestion: 4T ginger, brown sugar and ghee (clarified butter). Begin with 1t, increase by ½ t each day until the 6th day then reverse it, reducing my ½ t each day until the 11th day when you take the rest.
Dosage:
ABC
Unless otherwise prescribed: 2–4 g per day cut rhizome or dried extract.
Powdered rhizome: 0.25–1.0 g, three times daily.
Infusion or decoction: 0.25–1.0 g in 150 ml boiled water, three times daily.
1:1 Fluid Extract (g/ml): 0.25–1.0 ml, three times daily.
1:5 Tincture (g/ml): 1.25–5.0 ml, three times daily.
Hoffman (2003, p. 597)
1:5 40% Tincture: 1.5-5 ml 3 times per day
Tea: 1 cup boiling hot water over 1 teaspoon of fresh root (steep 5 minutes)
1:1 40% Fluid extract: .25-1 ml 3 times per day.
Nature’s Prescriptions (2008)
Joint pain (p. 29): 5g fresh/1g powdered /day. Same dosage if your platelets like to clot (p. 38).
Chevallier (2016, p. 155)
Infusion: for nausea drink ¾ 3/day
Essential oil: arthritis 5 drops to 20 drops carrier oil
Capsules: morning sickness, 75mg every hour
Tincture: digestion, 30 drops in water 2/day
Safety: Hoffman says it can enhance anti-coagulants when used in large doses. (p. 597)
Lab, Notes And Media:
On 10 April, I used fresh 95g of ginger which I shredded with my potato peel. My menstruum was 475ml. I used 50% alcohol, no dilution. 2 days later I started a larger amount but didn’t write down the numbers in my notes. I got a yield of the first jar of about 435ml 2 weeks later. The second batch wasn’t done until 23 May and I got a yield of 800ml.
Family: Zingiberaceae
Descriptive Characteristics: The root is tan in color though the “proper” descriptions are white or black. The difference being, white is peeled, black is not. I’m familiar with the root you get in the store but had never seen a dried one until I got the package from school. Heinerman (1996) describes this plant as erect. I need to post pics because that is an apt description. The plant gets 3-4 feet in height and the leaves can be 6 inches long (p. 251).
Part of the plant used: Root
Texture: rough, A fresh root is dry but smooth on the outside.
Color: Tan
Aroma: Like ginger… Makes toddler run when put into a jar to make a tincture.
Flavor: Like ginger
Constituents: volatile oils, sesquiterpenes zingiberene and b-bisabolene; oleoresin containing gingerols, gingerdiols, gingerdiones, dihydrogingerdiones; lipids (Hoffman, 2003, p. 597). Chevallier (2016) says volatile oil (zingiberene) and oleoresin (gingerol and shogaols) (p. 155)
Therapeutic Actions: Stimulant, carminative, antispasmodic, rubefacient, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, hypoglycemic, hypertensive, antihypercholesterolemic, cholagogic, anti-platelet aggregation, anti-inflammatory, and stomachic (Hoffman, p. 597). Ginger is commonly known to be good for upset stomach. I add it to my tea when I have a cold to sooth my sore throats on the way down. Chevallier (2016) says anti-inflammatory, circulatory stimulant, antiemetic, antiviral, digestive stimulant (p. 155).
Indications: warms the stomach, digestion, nausea, cramps headaches (Griffin). Hoffman (2003) says motion sickness, stimulates circulation – chilblains, cramps. Promotes perspiration, sore throats, externally for fibrositis and muscle sprains. Appetite stimulant, digestive problems, antioxidant and anti-microbial properties make it a food preservative (p. 597). Chevallier (2016) says all digestive problems including indigestion, nausea, gas, bloating, and cramps – all gastrointestinal issues, including food poisoning. Circulatory stimulant which helps with chilblains and cold hands and feet. Antiviral activity helps with
coughs, colds, flu, etc. Stimulates sweating to help with fevers (p. 155).
Formulary: The formula for my tea is 1 cup water, 1/8 teaspoon powdered ginger, honey to taste and 2 squeezes of lemon. This helps soothe the throat and cough.
Nature’s Prescriptions (2008)
Joint pain (p. 29): 5g fresh/1g powdered /day. Same dosage if your platelets like to clot (p. 38).
Headache (p. 111): 1t of powdered ginger in a hot foot bath. Put both feet in the water. Cover the foot bath with a towel to retain heat. Close eyes and relax.
Migraines (p. 113-4): 500-600mg of powdered ginger at onset. Consuming ginger in a daily diet also helps. 2-4g are recommended/day. Steeping ginger root in hot water for 15 minutes is also a good remedy.
Menopause-related fatigue and weakness (p. 168): mix equal parts ginger, oat straw, gingko biloba, and Siberian ginseng. Drink as a tea, cook with it or add powdered to capsules.
Nausea (p. 175-6)/Motion sickness (p. 170-1): capsules of 250-500mg powdered ginger, a tea with 2t to 1c, steeped for 10 min. Raw ginger by itself will burn your throat.
Sore throat/Mucus (p. 64): 3-4 thin slices simmered in a pint of water for 10-30 min.
Griffin, J. (1997).
Heart palpitations/earaches (p. 33): Ginger infusion.
Cold (p. 76): 1T freshly grated ginger in 1 c boiled water for 15min (infusion)
Bronchitis (P. 131): 2 ounces each: elecampane, comfrey, horehound leaves, and ginger. Add pleurisy root. Grind into powder. Use 1t to make a tea in 1 pint water.
Stomach cramps (p. 133): ½ t baking soda dissolved in 1T hot ginger tea.
Pain/spasm/cramp tonic (p.144-6): 4T cramp bark or blackhaw, ¼ in fresh ginger or ½ cinnamon stick, and 1 oz chamomile flower. Simmer the first 2 ingredients in 2c water for 20 min, covered. Add chamomile, with heat off. Cover, steep 15 minutes as it cools. ½ c every 30 min.
Lung tonic (p.148): 2T pleurisy root, 1T mullein root, 2T elecampane root, 1T cramp bark or blackhaw, 1T licorice or ginger, 2T osha root (only if cough is productive), 2T yucca, dried/split (only if there is wheezing). Simmer in 2c water, covered, 15 min. Strain, ½ c daily for lungs, ½ c 3/day for congestion.
Digestion (p.151): 1/2t each freshly ground: ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, citrus peel. Simmer in 2c water for 10 min. Strain, drink ½ c with a meal.
Circulation (p. 153): 2T each celery seed and ginger root. Simmer in 2c water for 10 min. Sip ½ c.
Blood sugar (p. 154): 2T suma root, 2T fenugreek seeds, 1/2t or 2 slices licorice or ginger root, 2T ho shou wu (Foti), and 2T chinese foxglove. Simmer in 2c water for 30 min. Strain, drink ½ c 2/day.
Immune/energy (p. 156): 1 small tang kuei root (omit if taking estrogen blockers), 2T suma, 2T Siberian gensing or ho shou wu (foti), 5 jujube red dates, 2T bupleurum falcatum, 1/4t ginger or licorice. Simmer in 2c water for 30 min, covered strain, drink ½ c daily.
Rejuvenating menopause tonic (p. 156-7): 2T black cohosh, 2 small tang kuei roots (omit if taking estrogen blockers), 1T wild yam root, 1T chasteberries, ¼ t (1/4 slice) ginger or licorice. Make a tincture and use 1t in water daily or simmer in 2c water, covered for 30 min. Strain. Sip ½ c daily for heat, heaviness, and emotions.
Nausea/morning sickness (p. 158): 1T lemon grass, ¼ inch ginger or 1/8t powdered ginger, 1t chamomile. Steep in 2c boiled water for 15 min. Strain. Sip ½ c daily.
Nausea/pain (p. 160): 2T ginger. Steep in 2c boiled water for 15-20 min. Wet cloth. Apply to area every 15 min.
Relaxing tonic (p. 222): 3 c distilled water, 2 small tang kuei roots, 2 jujube red dates, 4 slices white peony root, 1 slice fresh ginger or dried Chinese licorice. Simmer, covered for 1 hour. Strain. Drink ½ -1 c to relieve tension.
Clear skin (p. 222): ½ c schizandra berries, ½ c jujube red dates, 1 piece licorice or ginger. Soak schizandra berries, immersed, overnight, Drain. Combine in 4c water the 3 ingredients. Simmer, covered 15-20 min. Sip 1c daily.
Female tonic (p. 223): 1 small tang kuei (omit if on estrogen blockers), 2 slices white peony root, 3 pieces bupleurum, 2 jujube red dates, 1 piece licorice or ginger. Simmer in 2-3c water for 1 hour. Drink 1c daily.
Promote well-being/enhance digestion (p. 203): 2 t fresh grated ginger, 4 cardamom seeds, 8 cloves, 1 cinnamon stick, 2T milk. Add herbs to 8c water. Simmer to reduce by half. Strain and add milk.
Chevallier (2016)
Chilblains (p. 302): Internally, grate 1t of fresh ginger into your food each day. Externally, apply fresh ginger to unopened chilblains each day.
Cold, flu, fevers (p. 311): Infuse 2-3 slices of ginger in 3/4c water for at least 5 minutes. Drink 3c /day.
Cold sores (p. 304): Internally, eat 1-2 cloves of garlic and 1-2 slices of ginger each day. Externally, apply fresh ginger, half a clove of garlic or lemon juice to cold sores, shingles, or pockmarks up to 6 times a day.
Constipation (p. 307): Steep 3-6 senna pods and 2-3 slices (1g) of ginger in 3/4c warm water. Take for up to 10 days.
Digestive upsets, gas, colic (p. 318): ¼ level t to ¼ c water, 1-2 /day.
Fever (p. 311): Make an infusion with 1t each yarrow and boneset. Add a pinch of cayenne to 3/4c water. Steep 5 minutes. Take up to 2 1/3 c /day. Alternate additions are 1-2 of the following: 2-3 cloves, 1/2t grated or powdered ginger, ½ t cinnamon, 1-2 crushed cardamom seeds, or 2-3 crushed peppercorns.
High Blood Pressure, arteriosclerosis (p. 301): Grate 1t of fresh ginger into your food each day.
Morning sickness (p. 317): make an infusion with ½ - 1 t ginger to 3/4c water. Sip throughout the day. Drink up to 1 2/3 c daily.
Nausea and motion sickness (p. 306): Make an infusion: 1-2 slices of fresh root, ¼-1/2 t of powdered or grated herb to 3/4c water. Infuse at least 5 minutes. Drink hot, up to 3c /day
Heinerman (1996, p. 254-5)
Hypertensive headaches: mix powdered ginger with cold water to make a paste. Apply to the forehead and temples and lie down for a while.
Fever/mucous: Tea: 2 level T to 2c boiling water. Cover and steep 30 min. drink 1 cup every 2 ½ hours.
Digestion: 4T ginger, brown sugar and ghee (clarified butter). Begin with 1t, increase by ½ t each day until the 6th day then reverse it, reducing my ½ t each day until the 11th day when you take the rest.
Dosage:
ABC
Unless otherwise prescribed: 2–4 g per day cut rhizome or dried extract.
Powdered rhizome: 0.25–1.0 g, three times daily.
Infusion or decoction: 0.25–1.0 g in 150 ml boiled water, three times daily.
1:1 Fluid Extract (g/ml): 0.25–1.0 ml, three times daily.
1:5 Tincture (g/ml): 1.25–5.0 ml, three times daily.
Hoffman (2003, p. 597)
1:5 40% Tincture: 1.5-5 ml 3 times per day
Tea: 1 cup boiling hot water over 1 teaspoon of fresh root (steep 5 minutes)
1:1 40% Fluid extract: .25-1 ml 3 times per day.
Nature’s Prescriptions (2008)
Joint pain (p. 29): 5g fresh/1g powdered /day. Same dosage if your platelets like to clot (p. 38).
Chevallier (2016, p. 155)
Infusion: for nausea drink ¾ 3/day
Essential oil: arthritis 5 drops to 20 drops carrier oil
Capsules: morning sickness, 75mg every hour
Tincture: digestion, 30 drops in water 2/day
Safety: Hoffman says it can enhance anti-coagulants when used in large doses. (p. 597)
Lab, Notes And Media:
On 10 April, I used fresh 95g of ginger which I shredded with my potato peel. My menstruum was 475ml. I used 50% alcohol, no dilution. 2 days later I started a larger amount but didn’t write down the numbers in my notes. I got a yield of the first jar of about 435ml 2 weeks later. The second batch wasn’t done until 23 May and I got a yield of 800ml.
Teeth oil
3 heaping teaspoons of coconut oil
10 drops of clove and tea tree oils
3-4 drops of the following tinctures: licorice, elder flowers, white willow bark, chamomile, ginger
I chose these for a few reasons. I needed anti-microbial and pain as well as flavor. My daughter doesn't like strong flavors and clove is STRONG and required for this. If the issue were in the back of her mouth, like a molar, I would have omitted the tea tree oil. The flavor is close to that of pumpkin spice but the clove is still a bit strong. The coconut oil required heating, of course, for incorporation of the other ingredients but the tinctures needed heating to remove the alcohol as well. I don't even want to imagine how much it would have hurt had I not done that and the alcohol touched those teeth! You could actually go much higher on the tinctures since the per dosage amount is so high, even for a child (but I'd say no more than 10 drops for a child). Also, this is to be SPIT OUT, not swallowed. That's why I said I'd omit the tea tree if it were more of a swallow risk. The other ingredients are not at a dosage that would hurt if she swallowed that minute amount.
I applied this with my finger at first, knowing the brush would hurt. Now I'm using the brush to make sure to get any infection that is trying to hide deeper in the gum and fester there in case I decide to quit treatment. They are wishful thinking. You don't hurt my baby! :) She complains when I tell her I'm going to do this but she sits there like a big girl now and pushes out that bottom lip and lets me get it done. She knows it's what's making the pain go away. Since it's just being applied to the teeth that are infected, she isn't getting a huge dosage either. An adult could brush their whole mouth with this with no negative consequences but you have to be careful with the little ones. Also, don't use this UNDER the age of 2.
Research:
I’m actually amazed that such a common culinary herb hasn’t had more research done.
Chamani et al. (2011) tested several herbs to address the lack of salivation which yielded promising results with ginger, though the constituent responsible is yet unknown.
References
American Botanical Council Retrieved from http://cms.herbalgram.org/herbstream/achs/HerbalMedicine/index.html#param.wapp?sw_page=@@@@@@@expEView%3Fufgp%3DGingerroot.html
Chamani, G., Zarei, M. R., Mehrabani, M., and Taghiabadi, Y. (2011). Evaluation of Effects of Zingiber officinale on Salivation in Rats. Acta Medica Iranica, Vol. 49, No. 6 (2011)
Chevallier, A. (2016). Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine: 550 Herbs and Remedies for common Ailments. New York, NY: DK, a Division of Penguin Random House, LLC. p. 155.
Gladstar, R. (2012). Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide. North Adams, MA: Storey Publishing. P. 17, 29, 52, 63, 66, 68-9, 74, 78-82, 98-9, 110, 138, 147, 164, 205-214.
Griffin, J. (1997). Mother Nature’s Herbal: A Complete Guide for Experiencing the Beauty, Knowledge, & Synergy of Everything that Grows. Woodbury, MN: Llewellyn Publications. P. 7-11, 33, 55, 62, 76, 84, 91, 106, 115, 131, 133-4, 140, 144-6, 148, 151, 153-4, 156-8, 160, 172, 174, 189-90, 192, 195, 201-8, 210-12, 218-20, 222-3, 225, 227-31, 234-5.
Heinerman, J. (1996). Healing Herbs and Spices, Heinerman’s Encyclopedia of. Reward Books. 251-55.
Hoffman, David. (2003). Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press. p. 597.
Kennedy, A. (2007). Herbal Medicine: Natural Remedies, 150 Herbal Remedies to Common Ailments. Berkeley, CA: Althea Press. p. 41, 65, 91, 96, 99, 104, 113, 123, 131, 133, 138, 145, 154, 156, 161, 166, 169, 198.
(2008). Nature's Prescriptions: Foods, Vitamins, and Supplements that Prevent Disease. FC&A Medical Publishing. P. 28-9, 38, 111, 113-4, 168, 175-6, 64, 170-1.
Gardening
Griffin, J. (1997). Mother Nature’s Herbal: A Complete Guide for Experiencing the Beauty, Knowledge, & Synergy of Everything that Grows. Woodbury, MN: Llewellyn Publications.272, 277, 299-305, 310, 324-6.
3 heaping teaspoons of coconut oil
10 drops of clove and tea tree oils
3-4 drops of the following tinctures: licorice, elder flowers, white willow bark, chamomile, ginger
I chose these for a few reasons. I needed anti-microbial and pain as well as flavor. My daughter doesn't like strong flavors and clove is STRONG and required for this. If the issue were in the back of her mouth, like a molar, I would have omitted the tea tree oil. The flavor is close to that of pumpkin spice but the clove is still a bit strong. The coconut oil required heating, of course, for incorporation of the other ingredients but the tinctures needed heating to remove the alcohol as well. I don't even want to imagine how much it would have hurt had I not done that and the alcohol touched those teeth! You could actually go much higher on the tinctures since the per dosage amount is so high, even for a child (but I'd say no more than 10 drops for a child). Also, this is to be SPIT OUT, not swallowed. That's why I said I'd omit the tea tree if it were more of a swallow risk. The other ingredients are not at a dosage that would hurt if she swallowed that minute amount.
I applied this with my finger at first, knowing the brush would hurt. Now I'm using the brush to make sure to get any infection that is trying to hide deeper in the gum and fester there in case I decide to quit treatment. They are wishful thinking. You don't hurt my baby! :) She complains when I tell her I'm going to do this but she sits there like a big girl now and pushes out that bottom lip and lets me get it done. She knows it's what's making the pain go away. Since it's just being applied to the teeth that are infected, she isn't getting a huge dosage either. An adult could brush their whole mouth with this with no negative consequences but you have to be careful with the little ones. Also, don't use this UNDER the age of 2.
Research:
I’m actually amazed that such a common culinary herb hasn’t had more research done.
Chamani et al. (2011) tested several herbs to address the lack of salivation which yielded promising results with ginger, though the constituent responsible is yet unknown.
References
American Botanical Council Retrieved from http://cms.herbalgram.org/herbstream/achs/HerbalMedicine/index.html#param.wapp?sw_page=@@@@@@@expEView%3Fufgp%3DGingerroot.html
Chamani, G., Zarei, M. R., Mehrabani, M., and Taghiabadi, Y. (2011). Evaluation of Effects of Zingiber officinale on Salivation in Rats. Acta Medica Iranica, Vol. 49, No. 6 (2011)
Chevallier, A. (2016). Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine: 550 Herbs and Remedies for common Ailments. New York, NY: DK, a Division of Penguin Random House, LLC. p. 155.
Gladstar, R. (2012). Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide. North Adams, MA: Storey Publishing. P. 17, 29, 52, 63, 66, 68-9, 74, 78-82, 98-9, 110, 138, 147, 164, 205-214.
Griffin, J. (1997). Mother Nature’s Herbal: A Complete Guide for Experiencing the Beauty, Knowledge, & Synergy of Everything that Grows. Woodbury, MN: Llewellyn Publications. P. 7-11, 33, 55, 62, 76, 84, 91, 106, 115, 131, 133-4, 140, 144-6, 148, 151, 153-4, 156-8, 160, 172, 174, 189-90, 192, 195, 201-8, 210-12, 218-20, 222-3, 225, 227-31, 234-5.
Heinerman, J. (1996). Healing Herbs and Spices, Heinerman’s Encyclopedia of. Reward Books. 251-55.
Hoffman, David. (2003). Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press. p. 597.
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