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An Interesting Herb Fact
The Healing Power of Marshmallow
It is believed that the marshmallow plant has been used to create herbal remedies since Ancient Egyptian times. The plant itself takes its name from the Greek world altho, which roughly translates as "to heal." The root of the marshmallow plant is very rich in sugar, and herbalists consider the plant to be very mucilaginous. The mucilaginous nature of the plant is thought to make the tissues soften. The leaves of the marshmallow plant are often used as an expectorant. It is also known as a...
Two Natural Herbs to Detoxify Your Liver
Your liver may just be
one of the most overlooked organs in your body. Your liver is vital to
your body's ability to filter out any number of toxins or poisons that
may enter your body. Here are two highly regarded herbs that can help
detoxify your liver so that it is working at its highest capacity.
Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum): Milk thistle seeds are essentially
comprised of three components that are collectively referred to as
silymarin. Milk thistle seeds are well known for their ability to
protect and heal the damage incurred by the liver. In many European
studies, milk thistle seeds have been known to aid in the treatment of
cirrhosis of the liver caused by alcoholism. Studies have shown that
the use of milk thistle seeds may even help extend the survival rates
of some alcoholics who suffer from cirrhosis of the liver. Milk thistle
seeds have even been shown to speed the recovery from hepatitis. Other
research has shown that milk thistle seeds may be the best weapons
against amanita, perhaps better known as mushroom poisoning. In one
study, Swiss researchers found that patients treated with milk thistle
seeds had a better survival rate against "death cap" mushroom poisoning
than those treated with conventional medicine. Many well known
researchers have even gone so far as to advocate the use of milk
thistle seeds in cases where alcoholism is known. It is recommended
that a typical dose be taken, which is approximately 140 milligrams of
silymarin three times a day during the periods where the patient is
experiencing the most liver stress due to the use of alcohol or drugs,
or whenever liver enzymes are known to be elevated.
It is rare to hear of side effects from the consumption of milk thistle
seeds, but those side effects that have been identified include nausea,
hives, itching, headaches, stomach distress, and joint paint.
Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus): This herb is often also
referred to as Siberian ginseng. Whatever it may be called, this herb
is a well-known adaptogen that is known to help stimulate the immune
system and boost energy levels. Eluethero has been used in traditional
Chinese medicine for thousands of years, where it has been used as a
tonic to protect against the effects of excessive toxins. Recent Korean
studies have shown that the stems of the Eleuthero plant contain
polysaccharides, which are believed to help enhance the function of the
liver and reduce the levels of enzymes that may be related to liver
disorders. In several animal studies, the use of leather was shown to
reduce the number of toxins, especially ethanol and tetanus. Eleuthero
is now recommended by herbalists to detoxify the liver, especially
after the use of medications that contain statins or other enzymes that
have been identified as stressors on the liver. Recommended doses are 3
grams of dry leather root per day for up to one month, or 16
milliliters of leather extract one to three times a day for up to two
months. |
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