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This is part two of four installments of our herbal supplements encyclopedia. Please see the bottom of this page for links to the other encyclopedia health article sections.

Garlic
Garlic has been used as a medicine and a food since the time of the Egyptian pharaohs and the earliest Chinese dynasties. Folk medicine suggests garlic may relieve high blood pressure, digestive ailments, menstrual pain and diabetes, and that external application may relieve corns, calluses, ear infections, muscle and nerve pain and sciatica. Garlic guards against hardening of the arteries through its proven ability to lower cholesterol. It also has proven antibiotic properties and a mild anti-clotting effect on the blood.

When garlic cells are crushed they release allicin, the active ingredient responsible for garlic’s characteristic odor. To be effective, garlic preparations must smell of allicin. Garlic is a known remedy for bronchitis, colds, coughs, fever, sore throat and infection.

At recommended dosages, garlic is safe for most people. If you are taking anti-clotting drugs or are preparing for surgery, check with your doctor before taking garlic. Ingesting large quantities of garlic may cause stomach distress and will lead to bad breath and body odor. Frequent hand contact with garlic may cause eczema (an itching and weeping rash), although this is rare.

Photo by Alessandro Paiva

Geranium
Derived from a Bulgarian plant called Geranium sanguineum, this herbal extract may have potent antiviral effects. It has been suggested that geranium can suppress the growth of infectious viruses, so if you have a bad cold or the flu geranium may help speed your recovery.

Ginger Root
Among the proven medicinal uses of ginger root are its effectiveness in preventing nausea and vomiting, and as an appetite stimulant. It is also taken to loosen phlegm, relieve gas and tighten the tissues. In Asian medicine it is used as a treatment for asthma, shortness of breath, water retention, earache and diarrhea. Homeopathic practitioners recommend it for sexual disorders as well.

Native to Southeast Asia, ginger was brought to Spain and then to America by the Spanish in the 15th and 16th centuries. It is now commercially cultivated in tropical regions of the United States, India, China and the West Indies. The plant is a creeping perennial that spreads underground, but only the root is medicinal.

At customary dosage levels, ginger root poses no problems to most people. It should not, however, be used by pregnant women to curb morning sickness. People with gallstones should also avoid using ginger root unless approved by a physician.

Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba is thought to improve mental focus and concentration, and research does indicate there is improved blood flow to the brain along with enhanced alertness. One drawback, however, is the possibility of developing a headache when using this supplement.

Ginseng
Ginseng is one of the herbal supplements known as an “adaptogen.” Adaptogens help the body adapt to higher levels of stress. Ginseng may also help with increasing one’s endurance, and it may speed recovery after illness. There are a number of varieties of ginseng:

* Indian ginseng, know as “ashwagandha,” is used in India as a “vitalizer” and purportedly helps treat symptoms of arthritis, asthma, bronchitis and cancer. Adults have shown an increased number of red blood cells after taking ginseng.

* American ginseng, or Panax quinquefolius, may be useful as a laxative.

* Korean ginseng, also known as Panax ginseng, is thought to have mild central nervous system effects. It may also improve performance and stamina, and aid concentration and reaction times in the elderly.

* Siberian ginseng, or Eleutherococcus senticosus, is the most popular type of ginseng. It has been used in Russia for centuries for its purported ability to stimulate the immune system. It is also thought to be a remedy for stress, fatigue and complete nervous breakdown.

Goldenseal, Barberry, Oregon Grape and Goldthread
These four herbs all contain high amounts of the active ingredient “berberine,” which is believed to have a number of beneficial effects on the immune system. Berberine has been used in clinical trials to treat infectious diarrhea, trachoma (an infection of the eye) and liver disorders (cirrhosis), but there have been no detailed studies.

Gotu Kola
Ayurvedic medicine practitioners recommend gotu kola as a gentle sedative and for treating insomnia. It also helps improve memory and can help alleviate mental fatigue. Studies have shown that gotu kola can also be used as a treatment for varicose veins. It can partially restore the vein wall and lining, and reduce leg aching and heaviness.

Grape Seed Extract
Grape seed extract is a good source of various potent flavone antioxidants. Although it is similar to Pycnogenol (pine bark extract), the most potent free-radical scavengers are found only in grape seed extract.

Guarana
Guarana is caffeine in herbal form. Guarana is between 2.5 and 5 percent caffeine, which is two and a half times the amount of caffeine in the coffee bean. There is no performance benefit in taking guarana.

Hawthorn
Hawthorn is a diuretic and is also used as a sedative. Hawthorn relaxes the blood vessels so blood flows more easily, which can increase circulation and lower blood pressure. The herb is also believed to strengthen the heart.

Hops
Hops are most commonly used as a flavoring agent in beer, but have been used throughout history for soothing the stomach and encouraging healthy digestion. Research indicates hops can also have a positive effect on irritability, tension and insomnia.

Horse Chestnut
Also known as “buckeye,” horse chestnut is considered beneficial for diseases of the circulatory system, including edema, phlebitis, hardening of the arteries, varicose veins, stroke, heart attack, leg ulcers, sunburn, hemorrhoids and diarrhea.

Hyssop
Hyssop’s minty leaves can be found in many salads and poultry stuffing, but as an herbal remedy it is most beneficial as a “tonic” (to energize the body) and to soothe sore throats.

Juniper
Juniper has been used for years as a diuretic. It can also stimulate the appetite and decrease flatulence and indigestion.

Kava Kava
In the islands of the South Pacific, kava kava is used as a ritual beverage for ceremonial purposes, but it’s also well-known for its sedative qualities, for alleviating urinary tract infections, and as a pain reliever or muscle relaxant. Kava kava is also a great remedy for pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) and menstrual cramps. Research indicates kava kava may help hyperactivity in children.

Lavender
Lavender is a natural antibiotic and antiseptic. It is also beneficial for sleep disorders and nervous stomach.

Licorice
While you may associate licorice with that chewy black candy, natural licorice is actually a plant in the pea family. Ancient Egyptians used licorice for treating coughs and lung disease. Traditional Chinese medicine recommends licorice as an antacid, and it is suggested for treatment of the spleen, liver and kidney. Licorice can also relieve coughs and bronchial spasms.

Read part one (A-F)
Read part three (M-R)
Read part four (S-Z)

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