Health conditions starting with D and herbal remedies used to treat them

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Dandelion Tincture Demulcent Diabetes Digestion Diverticulitis

Dandruff Depression Diaphoretic Disinfectant Dropsy

Debility Detox Diarrhea Diuretic Dysentary

DISCLAIMER: These pages are presented solely as a source of INFORMATION and ENTERTAINMENT and to provide stern warnings against use where appropriate. No claims are made for the efficacy of any herb nor for any historical herbal treatment. In no way can the information provided here take the place of the standard, legal, medical practice of any country. Additionally, some of these plants are extremely toxic and should be used only by licensed professionals who have the means to process them properly into appropriate pharmaceuticals. One final note: many plants were used for a wide range of illnesses in the past, but be aware that many of the historical uses have proven to be ineffective for the problems to which they were applied.

DANDELION TINCTURE Combine 4 oz. of finely powdered leaves or finely cut root (or combination of both) with 1 pint of 100 proof vodka in a large mouthed jar with a lid. Cap tightly and place out of direct light for 2 weeks, during which time shake daily. Strain off liquid and bottle in glass amber tincture bottle or other suitable container.

DANDRUFF
(also used for psoriasis and seborrhea)
Herbs traditionally used for this condition

Agave
Aloe
Chamomile
Comfrey
. English elm
English ivy
Eng. walnut
Figwort
. Honey
Horsetail
Nettle
Olive
. Pine tar
Quassia
Rosemary
Tea tree oil
Willow (all)

HAIR RINSE
Combine ½ cup violet leaves or flowers (or combination of both), ½ cup red clover blossoms, ½ cup peppermint and ½ cup nettle. Using ¼ cup of this mixture, add to 2 cups water and bring to a slow boil. Simmer for 5 minutes, then strain out the herbs and add enough cold water for a comfortable rinse. Shampoo hair and then rinse with the herb water.

DEBILITY Those in a weakened state and invalids can be strengthened by the nutritive but easy to digest barley water. Wash 2 oz. of barley and discard the water. Boil the barley in 1 pint of water briefly and then discard the water. Place the barley in 4 pints of water and add a washed lemon peel. Boil this down to 2 pints. Strain and add 2 oz of honey to the water. Use freely for colds and is especially good for children and invalids.
A tonic combination is equal parts of Lemon balm and St. Johnswort. Combine the two herbs and use 1 tsp per ½ cup of water just off the boil. Steep for 10 minutes, then sweeten with honey and take 1 to 1½ cups in mouthful doses through the day. Can be used for an extended period of time.

DEMULCENT
An agent which protects and soothes internal mucous membranes.
Some herbal demulcents are

Arrowroot
Coltsfoot
Licorice
Marshmallow
Slippery elm bark

DEPRESSION Depression is a condition which afflicts all of us at one time or another. The danger lies in allowing it to continue for too long a period of time...not that we ever really notice when we slip into that state termed clinical depression. Once there however, it requires professional help to get up and out of the swamp of our unhappy brain chemistry. There has been some evidence that people suffering from depression have reduced folate levels (B vitamins). For this reason the following has been recommended and is said to take 4 or 5 days to begin working. Vitamin B complex 100 with Choline: 3 per day for 2 days; then 2 per day for 3 days; then 1 per day ongoing.
Herbally, St. Johnswort is the primary substance used. The English translation ofGerman Commission E Monographs (©1998, first edition, American Botanical Council) gives the dosage as 2 to 4 grams of the herb or 0.2-1 mg of total hypericin in other forms such as tincture, etc.
Where anxiety is present, Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata) is considered a safe and gentle herb which has often been referred to as nature's tranquilizer.

DETOX
A modern term which refers to feeling "off" and wanting something to cleanse (detox) the system overall.
TEA #1
Combine 1/8 cup nettle, 1 cup red clover blossoms, 1/3 cup blue violet leaves, 1/3 c. dandelion leaves (or root), 1/3 cup chickweed, ¼ cup plantain, 1/8 c. selfheal, 1/8 cup green barley, ¼ cup burdock root. Use 1 heaping tsp of this combination to 1 cup of boiling-hot water and steep 10 minutes. Drink 1 cup daily. Extra vitamin C at this time is also helpful.

TEA #2 Combine ½ cup yellow dock, ¼ cup Milk thistle, ¼ cup burdock root, ¼ cup echinacea, ½ cup dandelion leaves (or root), 1/8 cup sarsaparilla, ½ cup red clover, ¼ cup hibiscus, 1 tbsp ginger, 1 tbsp fenugreek, 1 tbsp cascara sagrada. Use 1 tsp per cup of water just off the boil, steep 10 minutes and drink 1 cup daily.

DIABETES A serious condition which must be under the care of a medical professional. The best that herbalism can offer is to help utilize insulin more effectively. To that end herbs which have been used traditionally are numerous, but primary is Goat's Rue. Two others of importance are Blueberry leaves and peeled Pumpkin seeds. Bean pods are also considered useful and can be included in any of the teas in equal parts. Other foods which may help are Artichokes, Jerusalem artichokes and Kidney beans. Some information indicates that diabetics may be intolerant to aloe juice.

TEA #1 Mix equal parts of peeled Pumpkin seeds and Blueberry (or Bilberry) leaves. Steep 1 tbsp in 1 cup water just off the boil for 10 minutes. Take 1 cup during the course of the day, unsweetened, in mouthful doses.

TEA #2 Mix equal parts Blueberry leaves, Dandelion leaves and Blackberry leaves. Steep for 10 minutes and take 1 to 1½ cups, unsweetened, in mouthful doses during the day, but not 1 hour before or after a meal.

Herbs used Historically

Artichoke
Bilberry
Blue Cohosh
Chickory
Common lettuce
Dandelion Dwarf Nettle
Elecampane
Eur. centaury
Fenugreek
Flax
Goat's rue Juniper
Kidney bean
Jerusalem artichoke
Nettle
Onion
Queen of the Meadow Saw Palmetto
Spotted Cranbill
Sumac
Wild red raspberry
Wintergreen
.

DIAPHORETIC
An agent which produces sweating. Useful for colds and other feverish conditions.
Some herbal examples are

Angelica
Boneset
Burdock root Elder flowers
Hyssop
Thyme

DIARRHEA Grate 1 ripe apple and allow the pulp to stand at room temperature for several hours. The pulp becomes dark. The oxidized pectin in the fruit is the same basic ingredient as found in Kaopectate and is safe for children and adults.

TEA Combine equal parts of Agrimony, Cranesbill and Lemon balm. Make an infusion of 1 tsp to a cup of boiling hot water, steep 7 minutes and drink regularly throught the day until symptoms subside.

In cases of PROLONGED DIARRHEA (as commonly see in third world countries) a combination of ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp baking soda, ¼ tsp potassium chloride, 2 tbsp sugar is utilized by professionals. 1 to 2 tbsp is combined in a liter of water. This is used to restore electrolyte balance.

CHRONIC DIARRHEA
Alstonia bark taken as a tea.

Herbs used Traditionally
What is significant about most of these herbs listed is that they are high in tannins or other astringent properties with Alstonia bark, Cranesbill and Tormentil being those chiefly used.

Acacia
Alpine cranberry
Alstonia bark
Amaranth
Amer. Mtn Ash
Apple
Barberry
Basil
Bear's Garlic
Beechdrops
Bennet
Betony
Bilberry
Bistort
Bitter Milkwort
Black Elder
. Blackberry
Black birch
Black cohosh
Black currant
Black walnut
Brier hip
Calendula
Carrot
Catnip
Cinnamon fern
Colombo
Coltsfoot
Columbine
Comfrey
Dropwort
Eglantine rose
. Eur. Five-finger grass
Eur. goldenrod
European vervain
Five-finger grass
Garden thyme
Garlic
Great Burnet
Ground ivy
Herb Robert
Horse chestnut
Horsemint
Horse weed
Hounds tongue
Hyssop
Iceland moss
Knotgrass
. Lady's mantle
Lady's thumb
Larch
Life everlasting
Lion's foot
Loosestrife
Lungwort
Madder
Magnolia
Meadowsweet
Motherwort
Mouse ear
Pansy
Pearly Everlasting
Peppermint
Periwinkle (both)
. Pilewort
Plantain
Pomegranate
Privet
Radish
Red alder
Rhatany
Rhubarb
Rock Rose
Rough avens
Rowan
Sage
Savory,
Silverweed
Slippery elm
Smooth alder
. Spotted cranebill
Sticklewort
Sumac
Sweet fern
Sweet gum
Tormentil
Virginia mouse-ear
Water avens
Wax myrtle
White pond lily
Wild black cherry
Wild red raspberry
Wild strawberry
Winter savory
Witch grass
Witch hazel
Woundwort

DIGESTION If Mother Nature was going to make us omniverous, you'd have thought she'd have given us the cast iron equipment we needed to go along with it. Think of your digestive system beginning at your lips and ending at your rectum for that's exactly what it does. It's essentially a long, non-stop tube from one end to the other with little pouches and specialized areas along the way to deal with the different stages of digesting your intake. Problems are many and varied and anything beyond the simple problems should be referred to a medical professional. One of the best known digestive aids is ginger. Peppermint is also well known as a primary herb for this problem, although if you suffer from acid reflux disease, you should NOT use peppermint.

SIMPLE INDIGESTION
(also gas and bloating)
CORIANDER WATER
Crush a handful of coriander seeds and place in 1 quart of water; allow it to stand until the taste of the seeds is well taken up by the water. Then add ¼ lb of sugar. When the sugar is well mixed, drink the water.

FENUGREEK WATER
(also useful for diarrhea)
1 oz of seeds simmered in 1 pint of water in a covered pan for 15 minutes; cool and drink a wineglassful.
TINCTURE #1
Combine 2 tbsp crushed fennel seed, 2 tbsp crushed coriander seed, 2 tbsp crushed dill seed, 2 tbsp powdered cinnamon and 2 tbsp peppermint leaves with 4 oz of 100 proof vodka. Place in a wide-mouthed jar and allow to steep for 2 weeks out of direct light. Shake daily, then strain and bottle the tincture. Take 5 to 10 drops as needed for relief.

TINCTURE #2
(crush or bruise all seeds) Combine ¼ tsp anise seed, ¼ tsp caraway seed, ¼ tsp coriander seed, ¼ tsp dill seed, ¼ tsp powdered chickweed, ¼ tsp powdered ginger, ¼ tsp peppermint, 1/8 tsp cinnamon. In a large mouthed jar combine herbs with 2 oz of 100 proof vodka; cover tightly and let stand in the jar for 2 weeks while shaking daily; strain and bottle. Use 5 to 10 drops.

ANGELICA LIQUEUR Combine 1 oz of freshly gather stems of Angelica (chopped) and 1 oz of skinned bitter almonds (pulped) with 2 pints of goo brandy. Allow to set for 5 days, then strain and add a pint of liquid sugar. Good digestive aid.

ANGELICA-HOPS BITTERS Combine 1 oz of dried angelica, 1 oz of holy thistle and ½ oz hops. Infuse in 3 pints of boiling water until cold. Strain. Take a wineglassful several times a day before meals to improve appetite and aid digestion.

ANISE DROP
Place 2 or 3 drops of the oil of anise on a sugar cube and eat.
TEA #1
1 tsp peppermint, 1 tsp creme de menthe liqueur, 1 cup boiling water. Pour water over peppermint and allow to steep for 5 minutes. Add liqueur.

TEA #2 Combine 1 large piece of bruised ginger root and 1 pint of boiling water; simmer for 15 to 20 minutes; strain out the root. Add 1 tbsp of honey and a tbsp or so of Perrier or equivalent type of water.

TEA #3 Mix equal amounts of Lemon balm, chamomile, and peppermint. Use 2 tsp per cup of boiling water and steep 5 to 7 minutes. Take unsweetened in mouthful doses.

TEA #4 Combine equal parts of caraway seed, chamomile, peppermint and anise seed. Steep 1 tbsp in 1/2 cup of boiling water for 7 minutes. Take ½ cup once or twice a day.

TEA #5 Combine equal parts of chamomile, lemon balm, fennel seed, anise seed, and caraway seed. Steep 1 tsp in ½ cup of boiling water for 8 minutes. Take ½ to 1 cup a day.

TEA #6
1 or 2 whole cloves added to a cup of tea.
TONIC #1
(similar to Angostura bitters)
Combine ½ oz of crushed anise seed, ½ oz crushed coriander seed, ¼ oz ground ginger, ¼ oz powdered orange peel, 1 oz ground gentian root, 1 c. dark red wine (like a Burgandy) 1 c. good quality whisky. Combine the herbs and liquids in a wide-mouthed jar. Allow to steep for 2 weeks out of direct light. Strain, pressing as much liquid from the herbs as possible, then filter the liquid through a coffee filter. Bottle and label. Dose is 1 to 2 tbsp.

TONIC #2
Lemon juice and water first thing in the morning to tone the stomach.
NOTE: Wines have long been used as digestive aids.
WINE #1
2 oz of fresh ginger root and 1 pint of white wine. Combine and allow to steep for 2 weeks out of direct light. Dose is 1 tbsp before and after meals.

WINE #2 1 bottle white wine or Medeira red wine, 1 handful of chamomile flowers. Combine and allow to steep for 1 to 2 weeks, shaking daily. Strain. Dose is 1 tbsp to settle the stomach.

WINE #3 1 bottle white wine, 1 handful fresh rosemary leaves (or 2 tbsp of dried leaves). Combine and allow to steep for 1 to 2 weeks. Strain out herbs and use in small quanitities whenever needed. Also useful for mild depression (quiets the nerves).

WINE #4 To 1 pint of Madeira wine add ½ tbsp fresh rosemary (1 tsp dried), 1 small bruised nutmeg, 1 inch of bruised ginger root, 1 inch of bruised cinnamon bark and 12 large raisins. Place the herbs in the wine and cap tightly. Allow to steep for 10 days out of direct light. Strain off the herbs and combine with a fresh bottle of Madeira. Mix thoroughly. Sip a small amount at a time whenever needed to settle the stomach.

BILIOUSNESS Combine flowers and leaves of dandelion (about 2 tbsp per cup of boiling water) with 1 cup of water just off the boil. Steep 10 minutes; strain and add a bit of honey; drink several times a day.

COLIC
(infant and adult)

Bruise 1 tsp of dill seeds and add to 1 cup water just off the boil. Steep 10 minutes and strain. For infants allow to cool to room temp.
Crush 1 tsp caraway seeds and simmer in 1 cup of milk for 10 minutes. Strain. Give in ½ to 1 tsp doses, depending on body weight.
Bruise 2 tbsp caraway seeds and steep for 6 hours in cold water; strain and give ½ tsp at a time for child or infant.

HEARTBURN 1½ oz marshmallow root, 1½ oz hawthorn berries, 1 tsp peppermint. Simmer marshmallow and hawthorn in 1 quart of water for 20 minutes. Remove from heat and add peppermint. Allow to steep for 10 minutes. Strain and drink ½ cup evey 2 hours until relief is obtained.

NAUSEA
A little anisette liqueur in water.

Herbs Historically use for Digestion It should be noted that some of these are not directly active against digestive upset, but are considered assisting herbs; that is, they tend to work on either pain, or else are more specifically active in toning or affecting one of the major digestive organs.

Amer. angelica
Amer. centaury
Anise
Artichoke
Balm
Barberry
Betony
Birch (both)
Black mustard
Buck bean
Chamomile
Caraway
Carline thistle
Carrot
Cascara sagrada
Cayenne
Colombo
Comfrey
Coriander Chickweed
Cinnamon
Cornflower
Cubeb
Dandelion
Dill
Dogbane
Elecampane
Eucalyptus
Eur. angelica
Eur. centaury
Eur. linden
Eur. sanicle
Fennel
Feverfew
Fringe tree
Fumitory
Garlic
Gentian (all) Ginger
Goldenseal
Goldthread
Hops
Horsemint
Horseradish
Hyssop
Iceland moss
Imperial masterwort
Ironweed
Juniper
Laurel
Lavender
Lovage
Magnolia
Masterwort
Milk thistle
Mother of thyme
Mugwort Nutmeg
Oat
Orange
Oswego tea
Papaya
Parsley
Peppermint
Peruvian bark
Purple goatsbeard
Quassia
Red eyebright
Red pimpernel
Red sage
Rhubarb
Rosemary
Saffron
Sage
St. Benedict thistle
Sallow Sandalwood Savory
Star anise
Strawberry-bush
Sweet annie
Sweet cicely
Sweet marjoram
Turkey corn
Turtlebloom
Valerian
Virginia snakeroot
White mustard
Wild Bergamot
Wild Black cherry
Wild ginger
Winterberry
Winter savory
Withania
Wormwood
Yellow goatsbeard

DISINFECTANT/ASTRINGENT

Tea of white oak bark (a heaping tsp in powder form to a cup of boiling water steeped 30 minutes).
Either wild Alumroot, Goldenseal or Myrrh; ½ tsp to 1 cup of water just off the boil and steeped 10 minutes.
A strong sage tea can be used to clease the sick room.

DIURETIC An agent which promotes release of fluid from the cells resulting in increased urination. Some herbs used specifically are Bearberry, Burdock seed, Cornsilk, Horsetail and Wild Carrot.

TEA Mix equal parts of Asparagus root, Fennel root Celery root and Parsley root. Steep 1 tsp in ½ cup of boiling hot water. Take ½ to 1 cup daily, unsweetened, in mouthful doses.

DIVERTICULITIS Infusions of Lemon balm, Chamomile or Peppermint sipped slowly through the day are considered helpful. Also 1 clove of garlic eaten raw daily in the diet.

COMPOUND TINCTURE Combine tinctures of 2 parts wild yam, 1 part valerian, 1 part cramp bark, and 1 part peppermint. (Consult Basics page for how to make a standard tincture.) Taken 1 tsp 3 times a day.

DROPSY
Obsolete term used to describe heart failure, chronic renal disease and other fluid-retaining states.

DYSENTARY
See Diarrhea
Primary herb used has been Alstonia Bark but dysentary has several causes and all need to be under the care of a physician.

©1998 by Ernestina Parziale, CH

Dandelion Tincture	Demulcent	Diabetes	Digestion	Diverticulitis
Dandruff	Depression	Diaphoretic	Disinfectant	Dropsy
Debility	Detox	Diarrhea	Diuretic	Dysentary