Herbs that strengthen and restore, mostly bitters that wake up digestion and the liver: goldenseal, gentian, barberry's cousins, myrrh, milk thistle, turmeric and others. Chapter 5 teaches this family as a whole.
- Goldenseal
- Gentian
- Calumba
- American Colombo
- Peruvian Bark
- European Centaury
- Myrrh
- Milk Thistle
- Fennel
- Turmeric
No. 112Goldenseal
Traditional uses and main actions
Christopher's great tonic and antiseptic for the mucous membranes: infections of the sinuses, throat, gut, bladder and vagina; mouth sores and gum disease; eye infections (as a strained eyewash); infected wounds. A bitter digestive tonic. Part of BPE, INF, Nu-Fem, Herbal Eyebright and Schulze's Anti-Infection formula.
How it's prepared
Tincture; capsules; powder on wounds; strained eyewash; mouthwash.
Typical amounts
Tincture, 1–2 dropperfuls 3 times a day; capsules, 500 mg 3 times a day; for no more than 2–3 weeks at a time.
Cautions and interactions
Endangered in the wild: buy cultivated. Not in pregnancy, breastfeeding or for newborns. Its berberine lowers blood sugar and slows the liver's clearing of many drugs (check every medication). Long use can upset gut flora.
Taught in Lessons 3, 5 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapters of the same number in this book).
No. 113Gentian
Traditional uses and main actions
The classic bitter, one of the bitterest substances known: a few drops before meals stimulate appetite, stomach acid, bile and pancreatic enzymes. Used for poor appetite, indigestion, bloating and convalescence.
How it's prepared
Tincture or "digestive bitters" before meals.
Typical amounts
5–20 drops in a little water, 10–15 minutes before meals.
Cautions and interactions
Not with stomach ulcers or active heartburn. Not in pregnancy.
Taught in Lesson 5 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapter of the same number in this book).
No. 114Calumba
Traditional uses and main actions
An African bitter tonic used for weak digestion, poor appetite and diarrhea. Unlike many bitters it has no tannin, so it is gentle on the stomach.
How it's prepared
Cold infusion; tincture.
Typical amounts
Tincture, 10–30 drops before meals.
Cautions and interactions
Generally safe in small amounts. Not in pregnancy.
Taught in Lesson 5 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapter of the same number in this book).
No. 115American Colombo
Traditional uses and main actions
A North American gentian-family bitter used in place of calumba as a digestive tonic.
How it's prepared
Tincture or infusion of the dried root.
Typical amounts
Small bitter doses before meals.
Cautions and interactions
The fresh root is emetic and laxative; use dried, in small amounts.
Taught in Lesson 5 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapter of the same number in this book).
No. 116Peruvian Bark
Traditional uses and main actions
The source of quinine, the first effective medicine for malaria, and the bark Hahnemann tested on himself to discover the law of similars (Chapter 8). A strong bitter tonic for poor appetite, fevers and leg cramps (quinine).
How it's prepared
Tincture or decoction in small amounts; tonic water contains a trace.
Typical amounts
Small bitter doses only.
Cautions and interactions
Quinine can cause ringing in the ears, headache and, rarely, serious blood and heart-rhythm reactions. Not in pregnancy, or with heart rhythm problems.
Taught in Lessons 5, 8 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapters of the same number in this book).
No. 117European Centaury
Traditional uses and main actions
A gentle bitter for weak digestion, poor appetite, heartburn and a sluggish liver, used in Europe for centuries.
How it's prepared
Tea; tincture.
Typical amounts
Tea, 1 teaspoon per cup, before meals.
Cautions and interactions
Not with stomach ulcers.
Taught in Lesson 5 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapter of the same number in this book).
No. 118Myrrh
Traditional uses and main actions
The ancient resin of the holy anointing oil, and one of the best antiseptic and healing herbs for the mouth and gums (sores, gum disease, sore throat), infected wounds and ulcers. Part of Schulze's Anti-Infection formula and Kloss's liniment.
How it's prepared
Tincture (needs high-proof alcohol); mouthwash and gargle; on wounds.
Typical amounts
Tincture, 10–30 drops in water as a gargle or mouthwash several times a day.
Cautions and interactions
Not in pregnancy by mouth. Can lower blood sugar slightly.
Taught in Lessons 3, 5 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapters of the same number in this book).
No. 119Milk Thistle
Traditional uses and main actions
The liver's protector: its silymarin shields liver cells from toxins and helps them regenerate. Used for a sluggish or damaged liver, fatty liver, and while taking liver-burdening drugs or cleansing. The standard hospital antidote in Europe for death cap mushroom poisoning is an injectable form of it.
How it's prepared
Freshly ground seeds on food; standardized extract; tincture.
Typical amounts
Extract, 200–400 mg of silymarin a day; ground seed, 1 tablespoon a day.
Cautions and interactions
Very safe. Allergy in people sensitive to the daisy family. May lower blood sugar.
Taught in Lesson 5 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapter of the same number in this book).
No. 120Fennel
Traditional uses and main actions
The gentle carminative: relieves gas, bloating, colic (in babies, often through the nursing mother) and indigestion; increases breast milk; eases coughs. Part of Christopher's Lower Bowel Tonic, added to keep laxatives from cramping.
How it's prepared
Tea of the lightly crushed seeds; chewed after meals.
Typical amounts
Tea, 1 teaspoon crushed seeds per cup, 3 cups a day.
Cautions and interactions
Food and tea amounts are safe. The essential oil is not for children or pregnancy.
Taught in Lesson 5 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapter of the same number in this book).
No. 121Turmeric
Traditional uses and main actions
The golden root of Ayurveda: a strong anti-inflammatory for arthritis and pain, a liver and digestive herb, and an antioxidant. Its curcumin is poorly absorbed alone; take it with black pepper and fat, as in Indian cooking and golden milk.
How it's prepared
In food; golden milk; capsules with black pepper; paste outside.
Typical amounts
1–3 grams of powder a day in food; extracts as labeled.
Cautions and interactions
Adds to blood thinners. Avoid large doses with gallstones or a blocked bile duct, and before surgery. Food amounts are fine in pregnancy; medicinal doses are not.
Taught in Lesson 5 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapter of the same number in this book).