The image above is from the class lesson I attended.

On to the constituents of lemon balm

Bitter Principles: See Bitters in the Therapeutic Actions list.

Caffeic Acid (Phenolic Acids, Polyphenolic Acid): it has antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial, and cardioprotective properties (Ganora, 2009, p. 108). It adds synergy for antimicrobial, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects in herbs such as echinacea.

Caryophyllene Oxide (Volatile Oil):

Catechins (Tannin, Flavonols (flavan-3-ols), Flavonoids, Phenolic Compounds) is very common, especially in woody plants. Flavonols are strong antioxidants, mild astringents, and anticarcinogenic. They are soluble in hot water and are antioxidant, antiangiogenic, pro-apoptotic (against cancer specifically), antiatherosclerotic (prevents the build-up of bad cholesterol), antihypertensive, cardioprotective, antimicrobial, and may prevent metabolic syndrome (Hoffman, 2003, p. 108; Ganora, 2009, p. 66, 118, 123, 156).

Citral (Essential Oil) is the antiseptic property normally found in citrus oils. This constituent is the combination of two enantiomers which are gernaial and naral (Ganora, 2009, p. 136).

Citronellal (Volatile Oil):

Flavonoids: All polyphenolic plant pigments of a specific structure. There are over 4,000 of them. These are broken down into categories: Catechins, dihydrochalones, chalones, flavanones (dihydroflavones), flavones, isoflavones, anthocyanides, aurones, flavanols, and flavonols. This general property is immunomodulatory due to antioxidant/free-radical scavenging ability (Hoffman, 2006, p. 100-102, 152, 167, 170, 174).

Geraniol (Volatile Oil):

Linalool (Volatile oil) can be used as an antiseptic, sedative and is fungistatic. It can be found in perfumes (Hoffman, 2003, p. 64).

Luteolin-7-glucoside (Flavonoid):

Nerol (Volatile Oil, Also spelled Neral):

Polyphenolic Acids:

Pomolic Acid (Triterpenic Acid):

Protocarechuic Acid (Polyphenolic Acid):

Resins are not water-soluble and need either alcohol or oil to extract the constituents.  The older the sample, the harder it is to extract.

Rhamnazin (Flavonoid):

Rosmarinic Acid (Phenolic Acids, Polyphenolic Acid) is a phenylpropanoid dimer which comes from the rosemary plant but is found in other plants as well.  There are quite a few in the Lamiaceae and Boraginaceae families, including thyme.  This is a powerful antioxidant, preservative, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, antimicrobial, neuroprotective, and anti-allergic compound (Ganora, 2009, p. 65, 109). This is one of the compounds in my Lamiaceae family paper from last semester (2) that gave the plants the ability to help fight off colds. This is water-soluble.

Tannins (Polyphenolic Acid) can damper some of the harsher effects of some constituents but excessive use of them can cause certain cancers. In lab studies, they can inhibit fungi, yeast, bacteria and viruses. They do inhibit some other cancers and are antioxidants. There are different kinds of tannins so the risks vary. They are present in plants to protect them in various ways, depending on location (Hoffman, 2003, p. 114-117, 201).

Terpene (also called isoprenoids): These are secondary metabolites. They allow the plant to prosper in its environment.  There are more than 20,000 of them (Hoffman, 2003, p. 62-89, 152, 199; Ganora, 2009, p. 44, 45, 46, 68, 79, 85, 93, 116, 133, 134, 139, 140, 147, 154).

Triterpenes are oil-soluble as well as high percentage alcohol soluble. These tend to make great essential oils and are used for steam therapies, like making a peppermint oil and using that to help with congestion through steam, as an example. Reading this section, this can get pretty complicated so I'll only add a bit more if requested. While most triterpenes are NOT water soluble, the glycoside triterpenoids are which is why it's important to know which is which (Ganora, 2009, p. 45, 46, 68, 134, 140, 141, 142, 144).

Triterpenic Acids:

Ursolic Acid (Triterpenoid saponin aglycones) is chemoprotective, anticarcinigenic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and hepaprotective (Ganora, 2009, p. 46, 69, 141).

Volatile oil: Volatile just means they evaporate more quickly than other substances. If it says "volatile", you want to use the plant as fresh as possible and try not to warm it up in any way (Ganora, 2009, p. 52, 57, 61, 134, 139). Chevallier (2016) says volatile oils are what is extracted from the plant to make essential oils and are made of a lot of compounds, sometimes as much as 100 (p. 14).

Have a Great Day!

The image above is from the class lesson I attended.

Finally!  I have a post for this herb.  I have already gone through all of the actions and I have defined them previously so the next post on this herb will go straight to the constituents.  Love and Light!

On to lemon balm!

Constituents: Hoffman (2003) says volatile oil (neral, geranial, caryophyllene oxide, terpenes), flavonoids (luteolin-7-glucoside, rhamnazin), polyphenolics (protocarechuic acid, caffeic acid, rosemarinic acid, tannins), triterpenic acids (ursolic acid, pomolic acid) (p. 567). Chevallier (2016) says volatile oil (citral, caryophyllene oxide, linalool, citronellal), flavonoids, triterpenes, polyphenols, and tannins (p. 113). Gladstar (2012) says citral, citronellal, tannins, bitters, polyphenols, Vitamin C, Calcium, magnesium, catechin, resins, and flavonoids (p. 157).

Therapeutic Actions: Hoffman says carminative, nervine, antispasmodic, antidepressant, diaphoretic, antimicrobial, and hepatic (p. 567). Chevallier (2016) says relaxant, antispasmodic, increases sweating, carminative, antiviral, and nerve tonic (p. 113).

Indications: Hoffman (2003) says dyspeptic flatulence, anxiety/depression induced dyspepsia, tension, stress, helps issues that result as a problem between the digestive tract and the nervous system. Neuralgia, palpitations caused by anxiety, insomnia, tension migraine, heart tonic, circulatory tonic, vasodilates peripheral blood vessels thus lowering blood pressure, flu.  If making a tea, it has anti-viral properties. If a lotion is the extraction method, it can treat herpes (p. 567).  Clark (2011) says anxiety, depression, digestive disorders, headaches, stress, restlessness, cold sores, bites, and fever (p. 43, 67, 72). Griffin (1997) says melancholy, wounds, venomous bites, toothaches, alleviate nervous ticks, prevent fainting, colds, facials, increases circulation, and asthma (p. 72, 107, 116, 164, 304, 324, 325).  Chevallier (2016) says calms the nervous system, Herpes simplex virus, lifts the mood, encourages longevity, wounds, palpitations, toothache, anxiety, mild depression, restlessness, irritability, panic attacks, racing heart, digestive problems caused by anxiety indigestion, acidity, nausea, bloating, colicky pains, cold sores, overactive thyroid, cuts, insect stings and fevers (p. 113). Gladstar (2012) says heart disease, heartache, depression, anxiety, longevity, nervous disorders, and viral and bacterial infections (p. 156).

Safety: Hoffman (2003), says it may interfere with the function of thyroid hormones (p. 567). Chevallier (2016) says this herb inhibits thyroid function (p. 113). Because of the thyroid issue, if you have an overactive thyroid, this herb is great for you.  If you have an underactive thyroid or at risk of having one, avoid this herb.

Have a Great Day!

The image above is the tincture I made of red clover.

I'm STILL working on lemon balm.  I have 3 more sources to put in there.  No, it's not really that long but I have been doing a lot of work around the house.  We can now use the tub in the master bath as it was used for storage prior to yesterday! 

Below are some constituents I researched and never posted so I am posting those now. Tomorrow WILL be a new herb even if I don't get through all these sources today.  Love and Light!

Isoflavones:  Fallon says some but not all isoflavones have anti-thyroid properties (Fallon, 2001, p. 502). (Black Cohosh, Red Clover)

Genistein (Isoflavones): phytoestrogenic. Fallon says this has anti-thyroid properties (Fallon, 2001, p. 502). (Red Clover)

Quercetin (Flavonoid) Fallon says this has anti-thyroid properties (Hoffman, 2003, p. 14; Fallon, 2001, p. 502). (Buchu, Cinnamon, European elder, Marshmallow, Passionflower)

Have a Great Day!

I'm still working on lemon balm for today but some interesting things are happening under my grow light!  I hope to have the herb done for tomorrow.

On to the constituents of garlic

Allicin (cysteine sulfoxide) is the result of alliinase and alliin coming into contact with one another.  This is what happens when garlic is crushed. This is what causes the odor associated with garlic, which made the herb famous for offending the nose. It has clinically demonstrated antidiabetic, antihypertensive, antibiotic, and hypolipidemic properties. It also inhibits platelet aggregation (blood clotting). Ganora adds antibacterial, antimicrobial and antifungal and that it breaks down fairly quickly.  In oil, it transforms into other chemicals that make it anticancer, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antithrombotic, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic, and cardioprotective (Hoffman, 2003, p. 39, 60, 174; Ganora, 2009, p. 11, 23, 45, 50, 57, 65, 104).

Alliin (cysteine sulfoxide) (Organosulfur Compound, Volatile Oil, amino acid, amino acid) is converted to allicin by the enzyme alliinase and is anti-platelet aggregation. Ganora adds antioxidant, cardioprotective, and anticarcinogenic (Hoffman, 2003, p. 60; Ganora, 2009, p. 23, 50, 57, 65, 104).

Alliinase (cysteine sulfoxide) is the enzyme that changes alliin into allicin by being exposed to the air. Cooking kills this enzyme and prevents the conversion to allicin (Hoffman, 2003, p. 60, 174, 526; Ganora, 2009, p. 50, 65, 104).

Have a Great Day!

The image above is from the class lesson I attended.

On to the constituents of garlic!

Allicin

Alliinase is the enzyme that changes alliin into allicin (Hoffman, 2003, p. 60, 174, 526).

Alliin (Organosulfur Compound, Volatile Oil): (Hoffman, 2003, p. 60).

Essential Oils are steam soluble. These are often the active compounds in the plant but even more so, they are often needed to activate the other constituents of the plant for a synergistic effect (Ganora, 2009, p. 19, 43, 45, 46, 51, 68 ,109, 134, 137, 139).

Flavonoids: All polyphenolic plant pigments of a specific structure. There are over 4,000 of them. These are broken down into categories: Catechins, dihydrochalones, chalones, flavanones (dihydroflavones), flavones, isoflavones, anthocyanides, aurones, flavanols, and flavonols. This general property is immunomodulatory due to antioxidant/free-radical scavenging ability (Hoffman, 2006, p. 100-102, 152, 167, 170, 174).

Germanium:

Minerals: This just means the plant/herb is a good source of at least one mineral.

Scordinins:

sulfur compounds:

Magnesium

Phosphorus

Potassium

Selenium

Vitamin A

Vitamin B

Vitamin C

Vitamin E

Have a Great Day!

The image above is from the class lesson I attended.

I have the herbarium posted and all the lists updated for this herb.  Love and Light!

On to the actions of garlic!

Anti-diabetic means it reduces blood sugar which leads to a diagnosis of diabetes.

Hypocholesteremic means it reduces cholesterol.

Have a Great Day!

The image above is from the class lesson I attended.  I plan to grow this myself so I hope to have my own images in the near future.

To get the most out of your garlic, chops it (mince, however you plan to use it) and let it sit for 10 minutes to allow that allicin to form. Love and Light!

On to garlic!

Constituents: Hoffman (2003) says organosulfur compounds (alliin, which is converted to allicin by the enzyme alliinase), alliinase, Vitamin B, minerals and flavonoids (p. 526). Chevallier (2016) says volatile oil (alliin, alliinase, allicin), scordinins, selenium, Vitamins A, B, C, and E (p. 59). Gladstar (2012) says alliin (converts to allicin when crushed), essential oils, sulfur compounds, germanium, selenium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, vitamin A, B vitamins, and vitamin C (p. 71).

Therapeutic Actions: Hoffman (2003) says antimicrobial, diaphoretic, hypocholesteremic, cholagogue, hypotensive, and antispasmodic (p. 526). Chevallier (2016) says antibiotic, expectorant, increases sweating, lowers blood pressure, reduces blood clotting, anti-diabetic, and expels worms (p. 59). Gladstar (2012) says antiseptic, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, and vermifuge (p. 71). Heinerman (1996) says antibiotic, antiviral, and anti-bacterial (p. 245).

Indications: Hoffman (2003) says it helps the alimentary tract against bacteria, viruses, and parasites; respiratory infections such as bronchitis, catarrh, colds and flu; whooping cough, asthma, prevent respiratory and digestive issues, supports gut flora/kills pathogens, reduces cholesterol and triglycerides, prevents atherosclerosis, thrombosis, hypertension, heart attack, gastrointestinal cancer and stroke, externally for ringworm and pinworm (suppository) (p. 526). Chevallier (2016) says lowers blood fat levels (includes cholesterol), thins blood, reduces blood pressure, reduces blood sugar levels, tuberculosis, typhoid, wound dressing, chest infections, colds, flu, ear infections, reduce mucus, digestive infections, intestinal parasites, prevents circulatory issues and strokes, lowers cholesterol and blood pressure, hay fever, asthma, enlarged prostate, osteoarthritis, fungal skin conditions, and stomach and colon cancer (p. 59). Gladstar (2012) says colds, flu, sore throats, sluggish digestion, boosts immune function, infections, antibiotic resistant bacteria, intestinal worms, cholesterol, prevents blood clots, and lowers blood sugar (p. 71). Heinerman (1996) says skin infection, tumors, STDs, diabetes, intestinal parasites, roundworms, pinworms, cholesterol, triglycerides, toothaches, major and minor burns (p. 247-8).

Safety: Hoffman (2003) says too much can irritate intestinal mucous, cause nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and burning in the mouth. Contact dermatitis is possible.  It may potentiate anticoagulants and anti-inflammatories (p. 526).

Have a Great Day!

The image above is from the lesson I attended.

On to the constituents of feverfew.

Articanin (Sesquiterpene Lactone): Hoffman calls this one of the 5 sesquiterpene lactones that makes feverfew such an effective headache remedy (Hoffman, 2003, p. 370).

Canin (Sesquiterpene Lactones): Hoffman calls this one of the 5 sesquiterpene lactones that makes feverfew such an effective headache remedy (Hoffman, 2003, p. 370).

Parthenolide (Sesquiterpene Lactone): Hoffman calls this one of the 5 sesquiterpene lactones that makes feverfew such an effective headache remedy. It is found in the leaf of feverfew and has cytotoxic, antitumor, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. Ganora says this is anti-inflammatory and prevents migraines as well as having digestive bitter properties (Hoffman, 2003, p. 370). (Hoffman, 2003, p. 71, 370; Ganora, 2009, p. 31, 49, 68, 138). 

Pyrethrin (Ester): These are bitter. This gives the plant insecticidal properties (Hoffman, 2003, p. 62; Ganora, 2009, p. 134).

Secotanapartholide (Sesquiterpene Lactone): Hoffman calls this one of the 5 sesquiterpene lactones that makes feverfew such an effective headache remedy (Hoffman, 2003, p. 370).

Terpene (also called isoprenoids): These are secondary metabolites. They allow the plant to prosper in its environment.  There are more than 20,000 of them (Hoffman, 2003, p. 62-89, 152, 199; Ganora, 2009, p. 44, 45, 46, 68, 79, 85, 93, 116, 133, 134, 139, 140, 147, 154).

Have a Great Day!

The image above is from the class lesson I attended.

On to the constituents of feverfew.

1,8-cineole (Volatile Oil) has anthelmintic, expectorant, and antiseptic properties and repels cockroaches. Ganora adds antimicrobial and it is also called monoterpene cineole.  It also has another name which I'll add when I find it.  The spelling makes it a "twenty-dollar-word". She goes on to add it has anti-cancer properties and is great for upper respiratory issues (Hoffman, 2003, p. 66; Ganora, 2009, p. 68, 135).

Alpha-pinene (Volatile Oil): Hoffman says this is used in the manufacture of camphor, insecticides, perfume bases, and synthetic pine oil and that is can cause skin eruptions, delirium, ataxia, and kidney damage (Hoffman, 2003, p. 64).

Apigenin (Flavonoid), occasionally on leaves and in ferns, has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, diuretic, and hypotensive properties (Hoffman, 2003, p. 106).

Articanin (Sesquiterpene Lactone):

Borneol (Volatile oil) is used mainly to make esters, used in cosmetics.  It can also be found in some perfumes and can be toxic to the nervous system of mammals (Hoffman, 2003, p. 64).

Camphor (Essential oil, sesquiterpene) can irritate the skin. It is also a rubefacient. It cools the skin and has anesthetic and antipruritic actions. Hoffman says here this is used as a moth repellent and having worked with this, I can believe it!  It's also used as a preservative in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals (Hoffman, 2003, p. 65, 86).

Diosmetin (Flavonoid):

Essential Oils are steam soluble. These are often the active compounds in the plant but even more so, they are often needed to activate the other constituents of the plant for a synergistic effect (Ganora, 2009, p. 19, 43, 45, 46, 51, 68 ,109, 134, 137, 139).

Jaceidin (Flavonoid):

Jaceosidin (Flavonoid):

Monoterpenes: are soluble in steam, fixed oils and middle to high percentage alcohol solutions. These are generally found in essential oils as major, volatile compounds.  Ganora has a LOT of information on these but I think this is the most important information for this audience (Ganora, 2009, p. 44, 46, 51, 68, 134, 136, 139).

Parthenoslide (Sesquiterpene Lactone):

Pyrethrin (Ester): These are bitter.

Quercetin (Flavonoid) reduces allergy-induced inflammation, inhibits the growth of head and neck cancers, inhibits reverse transcriptase. Fallon says this has anti-thyroid properties. Cohen says it prevents gout. Pierre says it fights cancer and prevents heart disease.  Also, process cherries, such as those in a can, have twice as much as fresh cherries (Hoffman, 2003, p. 14; Fallon, 2001, p. 502; Cohen, 2007, p. 262; Pierre, 2005, p. 8-9).

Sabinene (Volatile oil):

Santamiarin (Sesquiterpene Lactone):

Sesquiterpene lactones: these can kill sheep and goats - are highly irritating to their nose, eyes, and gastrointestinal tracts. Other lactones break down the toxins through metabolism. These can help with cancer but can also be cytotoxic so they are often avoided. These have antisceptic properties. (Hoffman, 2003, p. 70, 174, 199, 370; Petersen, 2018, p. 101).

Sesquiterpenes (in volatile oil): Constituents are often classified based on structure and this particular one makes that hard...  There are over 200 structure types. The 3 main structures are acyclic, monocytclic, and bicyclic. Some of these act as pheromones for communication between plants. Some provide a defensive role (Hoffman, 2003, p. 67).

Terpene:

Thujone (Volatile oil) may cause convulsions if ingested. Thankfully, he adds 30mg/kg of weight is a toxic level and this is cumulative so ingesting this could be a bad thing. It also causes lesions in the brain's cortex.  He does point out if you make a tea (water extract), you won't get the toxic dose.  (Hoffman, 2003, p. 66, 199, 530).

Umbellulone (Sesquiterpene):

Beta-carotene: is found in all green leaves of higher plants and mosses, algae and ferns.  Hoffman calls this the most important Vitamin A precursor. It is used commercially as food coloring and as sunscreen to protect against erythropoietic protoporphyria.  Converts to Vitamin A in the body and is responsible or orange and sometimes reddish pigment.  (Hoffman, 2003, p. 85).

Calcium is known as for bone-building but is needed for much more in the body. In addition to your bones, it helps with nerve impulses, blood pressure, blood clotting, and muscle contraction. Too much calcium can cause loss of appetite, constipation, drowsiness, dry mouth, depression, high blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, and irregular heart beat (FC&A Medical Publishing, p. 298-9). If you don't have enough for these functions, your body WILL pull calcium from your bones. Ganora just talks about solubility of this mineral but I'm leaving the pages here anyway (Ganora, 2009, p. 8, 78, 82, 83)

Iron: is a mineral that is vital for human health.  While some don't know but most do, not having enough iron in the body will cause anemia. Too much is considered toxic. There must be a proper balance of this mineral in the body to maintain health.  While Ganora mentions this mineral, she discusses blockers of it so I'm leaving the reference here even though I didn't use it (Ganora, 2009, p. 8, 82).

Magnesium:

Manganese:

Phospherous:

Selenium:

Vitamin B1:

Vitamin B2:

Vitamin B3: This is also known as nicotinic acid or niacin.

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that boosts the immune system.

Zinc: anti-inflammatory (Hoffman, 2003, p. 590).

Have a Great Day!