Herb Information Packet Series
All the information you need to use herbs safely and effectively
Here you can read summaries of our Herb Information Packets on health conditions and related topics.
All the information you need to use herbs safely and effectively
Here you can read summaries of our Herb Information Packets on health conditions and related topics.
Click the packet title to order
MEDICINAL MUSHROOMS
Information on the health benefits of medicinal mushrooms. Also includes recipes and an overview on how to grow medicinal mushrooms. Types covered include: Shiitake (Lentinula), Reishi (Ganoderma), Maitake (Grifola), Enokitake (Flammulina), Cordyceps, Lion's mane (Hericium), Polyporus, Trametes, Portobello, and Himematsutake.
MENOPAUSE
Comprehensive information on treating menopausal complaints; including hot flashes, night sweats, depression, mood swings, vaginal changes, and insomnia. Conventional hormonal therapy is contrasted with natural and botanical hormonal replacement therapy, with clinical research support given. Also examined are the factors that lead to osteoporosis, and preventive nutritional, lifestyle and exercise strategies. Herbs mentioned include: soy, licorice, wild yam, dong quai, ginseng, vitex, dandelion, fenugreek, hops, nettles, red clover, raspberry, hawthorn, lemon balm, witch hazel, passionflower, sage, black cohosh, burdock, motherwort, St. John's wort, ginger, oat, echinacea, calendula, evening primrose oil and fennel.
MEN'S HERBS
Information including herbal, nutritional, dietary, and lifestyle considerations specific to men. Topics include prostate health, erectile dysfunction, alternatives to Viagra, exercise, and overall health and virility. Herbs discussed include: saw palmetto, arnica, calendula, chamomile, Echinacea, fennel, ginger, peppermint, tea-tree oil, valerian, yarrow, pygeum, pumpkin seeds, nettle, burdock, licorice, marshmallow, sarsaparilla, citrus pectin, fava bean, ginkgo, yohimbe, anise, cardamom, cinnamon, ginseng, oat, muira pauma, ashwagandha, guarana, soy, and tribulus.
MENSTRUATION
Information on herbal, nutritional, dietary, and lifestyle considerations for healthy menstruation. Topics include the menstrual cycle, hormonal imbalances, cramps, PMS, endometriosis, migraines, acne, amenorrhoea (scanty or lack of flow), and dysmenorrhoea (heavy or painful flow). Herbs discussed include: vitex, dong quai, black cohosh, evening primrose, feverfew, calendula, lavender, licorice, comfrey, tea-tree oil, ginger, chamomile, red clover, cramp bark, valerian, skullcap, passion flower, yarrow, angelica, cinnamon, saw palmetto, blue cohosh, raspberry leaf, pennyroyal, and peony root.
MIND/MEMORY
Information on herbs beneficial for memory improvement, mental alertness, dementia, and senility. Herbs discussed include: ginkgo, anise, blue cohosh, ginseng, rosemary, bee pollen, brahmi, gotu kola, and laurel.
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
Helpful articles addressing lifestyle, nutritional, and herbal therapies with research support. Homeopathic treatments and resources for MS are mentioned. Treatment considerations and recommendations are also included. Herbs discussed include: turmeric, black currant oil, flaxseed, ginkgo, chlorella, echinacea, Siberian ginseng, burdock, pau d'arco, chaparral, garlic, sarsaparilla, and goldenseal.
MUSCULO-SKELETAL SYSTEM
Helpful information about common conditions of the muscular-skeletal system. Topics covered include: antirheumatics, anti-inflammatories, rheumatism, arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, muscle cramps, wounds, sprains, bruises, aches and pains, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Herbal therapies, and recipes for external applications are included. Herbs discussed include: black mustard, cayenne, chickweed, lavender, lobelia, myrrh, sassafras, white mustard, willow bark, arnica, kava, wormwood, black cohosh, ginger, dandelion, devil's claw, yucca, comfrey, and many more.
NAUSEA
Useful information on nausea. Health topics discussed include: motion sickness, morning sickness, dizziness, and vertigo. Clinical research studies are provided. Nutritional and herbal therapies are discussed and recipes are also provided. Herbs mentioned include; ginger, basil, peppermint, nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, fennel, patchouli, and spearmint.
OSTEOARTHRITIS
Comprehensive information on osteoarthritis. Treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs compared to herbal medicines is discussed, along with causes and symptoms, as well as dosage, side effect and safety information. Various forms of treatment, including nutritional and physical therapies are discussed, and clinical research information for herbs and nutritional supplements is included as well. Includes information on glucosamine and chondroitin. Herbs discussed include: meadowsweet, black cohosh, wild yam, willow, devil's claw, ginger, nettles, ginkgo, dandelion, burdock, turmeric, yucca, hawthorn, elderflower, peppermint, yarrow, garlic, cayenne, boswellia, evening primrose, flaxseed, borage, yucca, feverfew, and bromelain.
OSTEOPOROSIS
Helpful information about osteoporosis. Nutritional, herbal and lifestyle recommendations are suggested. Medications that contribute to bone loss are listed, as are some of the risk factors of osteoporosis. The role of hormones in osteoporosis is discussed. Herbs mentioned include: dong quai, licorice, unicorn root, black cohosh, fennel, false unicorn root, wild yam, red clover, saw palmetto, hops, alfalfa, kudzu, horsetail, evening primrose, nettle, black pepper, soy, purslane, bugleweed, kale, jute, and more.
OVARIAN CYSTS
Information on herbal, nutritional, dietary, and lifestyle considerations for the treatment of ovarian cysts. Topics include conventional vs. alternative methods of treatment, symptoms, cyst types, and hormonal balancing. Herbs discussed include: vitex, black cohosh, gymnema sylvestre, dandelion, ginger, milk thistle, wild yam, black haw, licorice, saw palmetto, peony root, hops, dandelion and red root.
PAIN/INFLAMMATION
Information about the management of pain and inflammation. Dosage information is provided. Sports injuries are discussed. Some of those mentioned include abrasions, bruises, strains and sprains. Quercetin is discussed at length. Herbs mentioned include: arnica, evening primrose oil, echinacea, bupleurum, willow bark, juniper, feverfew, ginger, meadow sweet, valerian, hypericum, wild yam, cayenne, kava, devil's claw, licorice, and others.
PARASITES
Helpful information on herbs that have been used to aid in the elimination of parasites, including tapeworms, roundworms, schistosoma, protozoa, and giardia. Lice, scabies, pinworms, and Lyme's disease are also discussed. Prevention, hygiene, traveler's concerns, and children's safety issues are also discussed. Herbs mentioned include: goldenseal, basil, barberry, astragalus, Oregon grape root, black walnut, basil, clove, elecampane, garlic, echinacea, turmeric, fenugreek, wormwood, anise, gentian, garlic, ginger, slippery elm, celandine, and cubeb.
PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Information on herbal and nutritional therapies for treating Parkinson's disease. Important safety information and research is included as well. Massage therapy is also addressed as an adjunct therapy. Herbs discussed include: evening primrose, kava, St. John's wort, ginkgo, fava bean, belladonna, henbane, thornapple, oat, passion flower, and jimson weed.
PETS, HERBS FOR
General information on natural pet care. Home remedies, herbal recipes, and homeopathic therapies are included, as well as household and garden plants that are toxic to pets. Topics covered are: parasites, fleas, sores, urinary problems, skin conditions, arthritis, tumors, colds, diarrhea, periodontal disease, thyroid disease, and more. Also included is information on how to administer herbs to pets, a list of holistic veterinary associations, and a list of websites to visit for further information. Herbs mentioned include: alfalfa, burdock, catnip, comfrey, dandelion, fennel, garlic, red clover, parsley, thyme, wormwood, goldenseal, arnica, mullein, calendula, slippery elm, licorice, and rosemary.
PHARMACISTS, HERB INFO FOR
Useful information about herbal drugs and phytomedicines. There is information about how to choose safe and effective herbs, the legal status of Dietary Supplements in the US, and statistics on the growing consumer trend toward herbs. Some homeopathic remedies are discussed. Drugs that are derived naturally from plants are also discussed. Herbs mentioned include: garlic, gingko, echinacea, feverfew, valerian, saw palmetto, St. John's wort and more.
PHYTOSTEROLS (Hormonally active plants)
Extensive information on phytoestrogens, and other plant hormones. Herbs are discussed that have shown benefit as a natural form of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) in the treatment of menopausal symptoms, with some clinical research support. The human endocrine system is examined, as well as the adrenal hormone DHEA and its health effects. Herbs mentioned include: flaxseed, wild yam, dong quai, licorice, unicorn, black cohosh, saw palmetto, ginseng, evening primrose oil, sarsaparilla, fenugreek, vitex, goat's rue, rhubarb, yucca, black cohosh, and soy.
PMS Helpful information on treating the mood swings, tension, headaches, breast pain, irritability, and bloating that are associated with premenstrual syndrome. The different types of PMS are examined with specific treatment options for each. Nutrition, herbs, and lifestyle recommendations are also included. Herbs useful for hormonal balancing are discussed as well. Herbs discussed include: false unicorn root, black haw, milk thistle, dong quai, Siberian ginseng, evening primrose oil, vitex, black currant oil, raspberry, cramp bark, safflower, borage, cranberry, tea tree, uva ursi, kelp, bromelain, and soy.
PREGNANCY
Comprehensive information for expectant mothers. Herbal tonics and nutrition are discussed, as well as extensive information on the herbs to avoid during pregnancy. Advice on preventing miscarriage and morning sickness, and herbs that are thought to aid in labor, delivery, recovery, and lactation are also mentioned. The importance of prenatal nutrition is discussed. Herbs discussed include: raspberry, nettles, lemon balm, red clover, ginger, blue cohosh, squaw vine, false unicorn, soy, and too many contraindicated herbs to mention.
PROSTATE-see MEN'S HERBS
PSORIASIS
Helpful information on herbal, nutritional, and detoxification treatment options for psoriasis. Topical remedies are discussed, and clinical research is provided. Nutritional therapies and lifestyle suggestions are also mentioned. Herbs mentioned include: aloe vera, flax, goldenseal, sarsaparilla, licorice, chamomile, dandelion, burdock, yellow dock, cayenne, angelica, oat, purslane, lavender, milk thistle, cleavers, and bishop's weed.
