Coleus forskohlii

Wall, M. (2014). Coleus. Retrieved from: http://www.truestarhealth.com/Notes/2071003.html

Botanical Name: Coleus forskohlii
Common name: Coleus (Bone, 2003, p. 156)
Family: Labiatae (Bone, 2003, p. 156)
Parts used: Root (Bone, 2003, p. 156)

Constituents: Forskolin (Bone, 2003, p. 156)

Actions

• Hypotensive (Bone, 2003, p. 156)
• Antiplatelet (Bone, 2003, p. 156)
• Broncho-spasmolytic (Bone, 2003, p. 156)
• Spasmolytic (Bone, 2003, p. 156)
• Cardiotonic (Bone, 2003, p. 156)
• Digestive stimulant (Bone, 2003, p. 156)
• Aromatic digestive (Bone, 2003, p. 156)
• Galactagogue (Natural Standard, 2014)

 

Indications

• Congestive heart disease (Bone, 2003, p. 156)
• Asthma (Bone, 2003, p. 156)
• Glaucoma (topical) (Bone, 2003, p. 156)
• Hypertension (Bone, 2003, p. 156)
• Ischemic heart disease (Bone, 2003, p. 156)
• Thrombosis (relating to platelet activity) (Bone, 2003, p. 156)
• Depression & Schizophrenia (Natural Standard, 2014)
• Erectile dysfunction (Natural Standard, 2014)

 

Preparation & Dosage

3-6mL liquid extract (1:1)/day

40-90mL liquid extract (1:1)/week

4-6 drops liquid extract (1:1) prepared in water/saline for an eye bath (allow alcohol to evaporate before administered)

(Bone, 2003, p. 156)

 

Cautions: Peptic ulcer (Bone, 2003, p. 156)

 

Contraindications: Contraindicated in hypotension (Bone, 2003, p. 156)

Cinnamomus zeylanicum

Heavenly Products. (2014). Cinnamomum zeylanicum (Ceylon Cinnamon- Dried Bark and Powder). Retrieved from: https://www.heavenly-products.com/cart/index.php?cPath=156_129_272

Botanical Name: Cinnamomus zeylanicum
Common name: Cinnamon
Family: Lauraceae (Natural Standard, 2014)
Parts used: Bark (Natural Standard, 2014)

Constituents: Essential oil, cinnamic aldehyde (Bone, 2003, p. 149)

Actions

• Antioxidant (Natural Standard, 2014)
• Analgesic (Natural Standard, 2014)
• Circulatory Stimulant (Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 147)
• Aromatic digestive (Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 192)
• Warming expectorant (Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 240)
• Carminative (Bone, 2003, p. 149)
• Astringent (Bone, 2003, p. 149)

Indications

• Loss of appetite (Bone, 2003, p. 149)
• Dyspeptic complaints (Bone, 2003, p. 149)
• Common cold and influenza (Bone, 2003, p. 149)
• Uterine haemorrhage (Bone, 2003, p. 149)
• Metabolic Syndrome (Ziegenfuss, Hofheins, Mendel, Landis & Anderson, 2006)
• Oral Candidiasis (Quale, Landman, Zaman, Bumey & Sathe, 1996)
• Allergic rhinitis (Natural Standard, 2014)
• Wound healing (Natural Standard, 2014)
• Increase in sperm quality (Natural Standard, 2014)
• Acute infections (promotes immune activities) (Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 150)

 

Dosage & Preparation:

• Liquid extract (1:2): 3-6mL/day or 20-40mL/week (Bone, 2003, p. 149)
• One study showed that 500 mg/day of cinnamon (Cinnulin PF^®) for 12-weeks lead to significant improvements in symptoms of metabolic syndrome such as fasting blood sugar, systolic blood pressure, and body composition (Ziegenfuss et al., 2006).

 

Cautions

• May cause contact sensitivity due to cinnamic aldehyde (Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 104; Bone, 2003, p. 149)
• As a aromatic and expectorant cinnamon may cause or irritate GI reflux (Bone & Mills, 2013, pp. 196, 240)
• Pregnancy (Bone, 2003, p. 149)

 

Combination:

• In TCM the herb is a component of Shi-Quan-Da-Bu-Tang combination (Natural Standard, 2014)

Foeniculum vulgare

Plants for a Future. (2012). Foeniculum vulgare- Mill. Retrieved from: Plants for a Future: http://www.pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?LatinName=Foeniculum+vulgare

Biopix. (n.d.). Almindelig Fennikel (Foeniculum vulgare). Retrieved from: Biopix: http://www.biopix.dk/almindelig-fennikel-foeniculum-vulgare_photo-47736.aspx

Latin Binomial: Foeniculum vulgare

Common name: Fennel (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 551)

Family: Apiacae (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 551)

Parts used: Seeds (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 551), Fruit (Rahimi & Ardekani, 2013, p. 73).

Constituents: Volatile oils, Flavonoids, Coumarines (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 551).

Actions:

• Carminative
• Aromatic
• Antispasmodic
• Anti-inflammatory
• Galactagogue
• Hepatic

(Hoffmann, 2003, p. 551)

• Antifungal
• Antibacterial

(Abrams et al, 2013, pp.1-2).

 

Qualities: In Chinese medicine it is considered to have a hot and dry nature (Rahimi & Ardekani, 2013, p. 73).

 

Indications

• Remedy to relieve stomach and intestinal discomfort such as flatulence and colic (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 551).
• Due to its aromatic properties, it has the potential to aid in stimulating appetite as well as digestions (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 551).
• Foeniculum vulgare may be used externally, its essential oils aiding in muscular and rheumatic discomfort (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 551).
• Externally, an infusion used as a compress has also seen successful in treating disease of the eye, such as conjunctiveitis (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 551).
• Helpful in relieving nausea and vomiting (Rahimi & Ardekani, 2013, p. 73)
• Potentially for kidney and bladder disease due to its diuretic action (Rahimi & Ardekani, 2013, p. 73).

 

Preparation & Dosage

Tincure: 1-2mL tds

Infusion: 1-2 tsp/cup tds

(Hoffmann, 2003, p. 551)

 

Cautions

• According to secondary sources, Foeniculum vulgare may potentially interfere with various blood and heart medications, hormone therapy, various antibiotics, and diabetes medication, and therefore when administering treatment the treatment of the individual should be taken into account and considered with medical advice (Abrams et al., 2013).
• Potential iron ion-chelating activity (Abrams et al., 2013).

 

Contradictions

Oral supplementation is not recommended during pregnancy or lactation. Contradictions apply with known allergy to fennel or other members of the apiaceae family. Not recommended in the case of certain severe respiratory conditions. May be contradicted in the case of fennel aromatherapy in the case of epilepsy (Abrams et al., 2013).

 

REFERENCE

Abrams, T., Conquer, J., Giese, N., Hackman, D., Issac, R., McLean, A., Miranda, M., Rusie, E., Ulbricht, C., Welch, S., & Windsor, R. (2013). Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare). Natural Standard Professional Monograph. Retrieved from: http://www.naturalstandard.com.ezproxy.think.edu.au/databases/herbssupplements/fennel.asp?

Hoffmann, D. (2003). Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester Vermont: Healing Arts Press.

Rahimi, R. and Ardekani, M. (2013). Medicinal Properties of Foeniculum Vulgare Mill. in Traditional Iranian Medicine and Modern Phytotherapy. Chinese Journal of Intergrative Medicine, 19(1), 73-79.