Herbs that warm the body and speed circulation, led by cayenne and ginger, with the heart and brain herbs hawthorn and ginkgo. Chapter 5 teaches this family as a whole.
No. 102Cayenne
Traditional uses and main actions
The king of herbs for Christopher and Schulze, and one of Arukah's three most important remedies (Chapter 3). The great blood-mover: it stops bleeding inside and out, feeds the heart, revives the fainting and shocked, warms cold hands and feet, equalizes blood pressure, and carries other herbs through the body.
How it's prepared
Powder in hot water ("cayenne tea"); tincture (the first aid form); capsules; oil and ointment outside; packed into wounds.
Typical amounts
Daily, start with 5 drops of tincture or ⅛ teaspoon powder 3 times a day and build up. Emergency, 5–10 dropperfuls of tincture (1–2 if unconscious) or a heaping teaspoon to a tablespoon of powder in warm water, repeated in 5 minutes, while calling for help.
Cautions and interactions
Call emergency services first in any emergency. Keep it out of the eyes (flush with milk or oil). Start low; may cause heartburn at first. Large daily amounts add to blood thinners.
Taught in Lessons 3, 5 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapters of the same number in this book).
No. 103Ginger
Traditional uses and main actions
Christopher's "metabolism booster" and Schulze's second choice for circulation. Warms the body and digestion; the best herb for nausea (morning sickness, motion sickness, after surgery); eases gas, cramps and menstrual pain; brings on a sweat in colds and flu; and reduces inflammation and arthritis pain. Part of many of Christopher's formulas. Its essential oil pairs with digestion points in acupressure (Chapter 7).
How it's prepared
Fresh root tea (slice and simmer); powder; capsules; ginger honey; fresh juice; hot footbath or bath.
Typical amounts
Tea, a few slices of fresh root per cup, 2–4 cups a day; for nausea in pregnancy, up to about 1 gram of dried ginger a day; capsules, 500 mg 2–3 times a day.
Cautions and interactions
Very safe. Large amounts add to blood thinners. May cause heartburn in some.
Taught in Lessons 5, 7 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapters of the same number in this book).
No. 104Prickly Ash
Traditional uses and main actions
A warming circulatory stimulant for cold hands and feet, poor circulation, rheumatism and arthritis, and for toothache (chewing the bark numbs the mouth). Part of Christopher's Red Clover Combination.
How it's prepared
Tincture; decoction.
Typical amounts
Tincture, 10–30 drops 2–3 times a day; decoction, 1 teaspoon per cup, 2 cups a day.
Cautions and interactions
Not in pregnancy. May upset a sensitive stomach.
Taught in Lesson 5 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapter of the same number in this book).
No. 105Peppermint
Traditional uses and main actions
Christopher's "mental clarity booster": a cooling stimulant that relieves indigestion, gas, nausea, heartburn, colic and headaches; brings on a sweat in fevers (with yarrow and elder); and clears the head. The essential oil is used on acupressure points for nausea, focus and neck tension (Chapter 7).
How it's prepared
Covered tea; tincture; essential oil (diluted, outside, or inhaled).
Typical amounts
Tea, 1–2 teaspoons per cup, freely; enteric-coated oil capsules for an irritable bowel, as labeled.
Cautions and interactions
The tea is very safe, though it can worsen reflux in some people, and it reduces breast milk. Keep the essential oil off and away from the face of children under six.
Taught in Lessons 5, 7 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapters of the same number in this book).
No. 106Cloves
Traditional uses and main actions
A warming, numbing antiseptic: the classic remedy for toothache, a carminative for gas and nausea, an antiparasitic, and part of Christopher's composition powder and the "thieves" blends.
How it's prepared
Whole clove held against a sore tooth; tea; powder; diluted oil.
Typical amounts
Tea, ½ teaspoon per cup; a clove or a drop of diluted oil on a sore tooth.
Cautions and interactions
Clove essential oil burns the skin and gums undiluted; dilute it, and never give it to children by mouth. Adds to blood thinners in large amounts.
Taught in Lesson 5 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapter of the same number in this book).
No. 107Horseradish
Traditional uses and main actions
Christopher's "detoxifier": a hot, pungent root that clears the sinuses instantly, loosens congestion, stimulates digestion and circulation, and is a diuretic. One of the bitter herbs of Passover and an ingredient of fire cider and Schulze's SuperTonic.
How it's prepared
Freshly grated, alone or in honey or vinegar; poultice on the chest (briefly).
Typical amounts
¼–½ teaspoon of freshly grated root, a few times a day.
Cautions and interactions
Strong: can irritate the stomach, and poultices can blister the skin. Not in large amounts in pregnancy, with stomach ulcers or with low thyroid.
Taught in Lesson 5 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapter of the same number in this book).
No. 108Black Pepper
Traditional uses and main actions
A warming stimulant and carminative that helps digestion and makes other herbs (especially turmeric's curcumin) far better absorbed. Christopher said to use black pepper, at three times the amount, if there is no cayenne for an emergency.
How it's prepared
Freshly ground in food; with turmeric in golden milk.
Typical amounts
Food amounts.
Cautions and interactions
Very safe in food amounts. Its piperine changes how the body absorbs some drugs.
Taught in Lesson 5 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapter of the same number in this book).
No. 109Virginia Snakeroot
Traditional uses and main actions
Listed by Christopher as a stimulant and diaphoretic, once used for fevers and as a snakebite remedy.
How it's prepared
Historically, small amounts in tea or tincture.
Typical amounts
Not recommended today; use ginger, cayenne or prickly ash for the same purposes.
Cautions and interactions
Like all Aristolochia species, it contains aristolochic acid, which damages the kidneys and causes cancer. Herbs containing it are banned in many countries. Do not take it.
Taught in Lesson 5 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapter of the same number in this book).
No. 110Hawthorn
Traditional uses and main actions
The great heart tonic: it strengthens the heart muscle, steadies the rhythm, gently lowers blood pressure, improves circulation to the heart, and calms the nerves. Dr. Schulze's Heart Formula is 3 parts hawthorn berry to 1 part cayenne; I sometimes add it to Arukah Herbal Calcium. Part of Christopher's Adrenetone.
How it's prepared
Tea; tincture; syrup or jam of the berries.
Typical amounts
Tincture, 1–2 dropperfuls 2–3 times a day; tea, 1–2 teaspoons per cup, 2–3 cups a day; it works over weeks to months.
Cautions and interactions
Very safe as a food-like herb, but it adds to heart drugs (digoxin, beta-blockers, blood pressure medicines), so those may need to come down with the prescriber.
Taught in Lessons 3, 5 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapters of the same number in this book).
No. 111Ginkgo
Traditional uses and main actions
The ancient tree's leaf improves circulation to the brain, hands and feet: used for memory and focus, ringing in the ears, dizziness and cold extremities. Part of Dr. Schulze's Brain Tonic with cayenne.
How it's prepared
Standardized extract; tincture; tea.
Typical amounts
Extract, 120–240 mg a day; tincture, 1–2 dropperfuls 2–3 times a day.
Cautions and interactions
Adds to blood thinners: stop two weeks before surgery. Not with seizure disorders. The seeds and fruit pulp are irritating and are not this remedy.
Taught in Lessons 3, 5 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapters of the same number in this book).