Coleus forskohlii

Coleus forskohlii plant belongs to the mint family native to the mountains of India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The rootstock portion of this plant has been used since long in Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani systems of medicine. The active ingredient is forskolin known to activate an enzyme called adenylate cyclase which increases the amount of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). cAMP is perhaps the most important compound involved in diverse cellular functions. 

Effective for: 

• Eczema 
• Asthma 
• Psoriasis 
• Angina 
• High blood pressure 

Supplements: 

Forskolin content in root is typically 0.2-0.3 percent. A standardized extract with a concentrated forskolin content is recommended. 

Recommended Dose: 

50 mg of extract 2 to 3 times a day 

Side effects and precautions: 

Animal studies indicate an extremely low order of toxicity for forskolin.

Cayenne pepper

Cayenne pepper also known as chili or red hot pepper is a fruit of a tropical plant. Capsaicin is the active ingredient extracted from cayenne pepper used extensively as a painkiller. Other active constituents include carotenoids, vitamin A and C and volatile oils. 

Effective for: 

• Antioxidant support 
• Atherosclerosis 
• Pain relief 
• Diabetic neuropathy 
• Cluster headaches 
• Arthritis 
• Psoriasis 

Supplements: 

Cayenne’s strength is measured in “heat index” and not milligrams, the higher the heat index the more of the active ingredient it contains. 

Recommended Dose: 

• Cayenne pepper can be used liberally in the diet. 
• Creams containing 0.025 or 0.075 percent capsaicin for topical application 

Side effects and precautions: 

Cayenne pepper is generally recognized as safe.

Bromelain

Bromelain refers to a group of sulfur-containing enzymes found in pineapple stems. Bromelain was introduced as a therapeutic agent in 1957 and gained its reputation from its widespread use in sports medicine and trauma treatment. Bromelain has been reported to exert a wide variety of pharmacological effects such as prevention of swelling, smooth muscle relaxation, minimize blood clotting, promotion of healing in injured muscles and joints, relieving discomfort from asthma, arthritis, colitis. 

Effective for: 

• Anti inflammation 
• Sports injuries 
• Respiratory tract infections 
• Painful menstruation 
• Cancer therapy 

Supplements: 

Only high quality supplements are capable for its therapeutic effects, tablets or capsule rated as 2,000 GDU should be considered. 

Recommended Dose: 

For anti inflammation 600 mg per day 

Side effects and precautions: 

No significant side effects have been reported.

Hawthorn

Hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha) is a spiny shrub that is native to Europe. The leaves, berries and flowers of the hawthorn plant contain flavonoids such as anthocyanidins and proanthocyanidins that are the active ingredient. Hawthorn flavonoids have a very strong “vitamin P” activity that includes the ability to increase intracellular levels of vitamin C and strengthen blood capillaries. These flavonoids also possess significant collagen-stabilizing action. In addition, hawthorn extract also contains cardiotonic amines, choline and acetylcholine, purine derivatives, amygdalin, pectins and triterpene acids. Hawthorn flowers and berries have been primarily used by cardiologists to strengthen the heart and as a mild diuretic with no side effects. Unfortunately, pharmaceutical companies have extracted a single ingredient from hawthorn to create a drug called digoxin that has many side effects. 

Effective for: 

• Angina 
• Atherosclerosis 
• Congestive heart failure 
• High blood pressure 

Supplements: 

Hawthorn supplements available as fluid extract, freeze dried berries, flower extract and as berries or flowers. 

Recommended Dose: 

• Hawthorn fluid extract 1-2 ml daily 
• Hawthorn flower extract 100-250 mg daily 

Side effects and precautions: 

Hawthorn has been shown to have a low toxicity.

Valerian

Valerian is a plant native to North America and Europe. The rootstock of this plant is used for medicinal purposes.. The important active compounds of valerian are the valepotriates and valeric acid. Valerian’s traditional use has been as a sedative and conditions associated with pain. 

Effective for: 

• Insomnia 
• Stress and anxiety 

Supplements: 

Most forms of the herb are beneficial 

Recommended Dose: 

• Dried root: 1-2 gms 
• Valerian extract: 150-300 mg 

Side effects and precautions: 

Valerian is generally regarded as safe and is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration.

Kava

Kava herb is a member of the pepper family and its rootstock is used for medicinal purposes. Kava is a natural tranquilizer, it lifts anxiety without causing drowsiness. Kava also elevates mood and its tea makes an ideal substitute for coffee or alcohol. The pharmacological activities of kava is believed mainly due to kavalactones (also referred to as kava alphapyrones). 

Effective for: 

• Anxiety 
• Depression 
• Insomnia 

Supplements: 

Tea and tinctures are a good way to take kava. Capsules with standardized concentration of kavalactones is also equally helpful. 

Recommended Dose: 

• 45-70 mg three times daily for anxiolytic effects
• 180-210 mg of kavalactones 1 hour before bedtime as a sedative 

Side effects and precautions: 

• No known side effects have been reported at therapeutic doses. 
• Prolonged use at extreme high doses can cause low levels of serum albumin, protein, urea and bilirubin.

Bilberry

Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) or European blueberry is a shrub that is native to Europe. The pharmacologically active constituents of bilberries include flavonoid compounds known as anthocyanosides. Biberries has been used as foods for its nutritive value and medicinally in the treatment of scurvy and urinary complaints. 

Effective for: 

• Diabetic retinopathy 
• Macular degeneration 
• Cataract 
• Glaucoma 
• Varicose veins 

Supplements: 

The standard dose for bilberry should be base on its anthocyanoside content. 

Recommended Dose: 

• Anthocyanosides- 20-40 mg 
• Billberry extract (25% anthocyanoside) 80-160 mg 

Side effects and precautions: 

Bilberry is generally safe to use.

Feverfew

Feverfew is a member of the sunflower family. The name feverfew is a corrupted version of the word febrifuge, used to signify its tonic and fever dispelling qualities. The major active ingredient in feverfew is sesquiterpene lactones, principally parthenolide. Feverfew has been used for many centuries for treatment of migraines and arthritis. Feverfew has been show in the laboratory to act like a nonsteroidal anti inflammatory agent (NSAID) such as asprin. 

Effective for: 

Anti Inflammation 

Fever 

Migraine 

Rheumatoid arthritis 

Supplements: 

The effectiveness of feverfew depends on the amount of parthenolide which is about 0.4 to 0.66%. 

Recommended Dose: 

For migraine headaches 25- 80mg of dried powdered leaves once daily 

Side effects and precautions: 

Feverfew is generally safe to use.

St. John’s wort

St. John’s wort is a shrubby plant with numerous bright yellow flowers and is a native to many parts of the world. The active ingredient is hypericin and pseudohypericin found in the leaves and flowers. Other active components include flavonoids, essential oils and medium chain fatty acid alcohols. In Europe, St. John’s wort has a long history of use for treatment of wounds, kidney and lung ailments and depression. 

Effective for: 

• AIDS 
• Anti bacterial 
• Anti viral 
• Depression 
• Sleep disorders 

Supplements: 

The best preparation to use is the extract of St. John’s wort standardized to contain 0.3% hypericin. 

Recommended Dose: 

As a antidepressant 300 mg thrice daily 

Side effects and precautions: 

St. John’s wort can cause severe photosensitivity in animals grazing on the plant, however photosensitivity is rare amongst humans.

Gotu kola

Gotu kola or centella (Centella asiatica) is a plant native to many parts of Asia, Australia and Africa. The active constituents of Gotu Kola are known to be triterpenoid compounds (Asiatic acid, madecassic acid, asiaticoside, madecassoside). Goyu kola has been used as medicine in India since the prehistoric times. The medicinal use of Gotu kola includes its remarkable wound healing abilities and treatment for skin conditions.

Effective for:

• Burns 
• Cellulite 
• Improves mental function 
• Keloids 
• Leprosy 
• Liver cirrhosis 
• Scleroderma 
• Varicose veins 
• Wound healing 

Supplements:

Concentration of triterpenoids vary between 1.1 and 8% it is difficult to calculate an dosage when simply using the crude plant

Recommended Dose:

• Standardized extract (40% asiaticoside, 30% Asiatic acid, 30% madecassic acid, 1-2% madecassoside)- 60-120 ml per day 
• Plant leaves dried- 2-4 gms daily 
• Tincture (1:5)- 10 to 20 ml daily 
• Fluid extract (1:1)- 2-4 ml daily 

Side effects and precautions:

Gotu kola and its extracts are very well tolerated, especially orally.

Turmeric

Turmeric is a perennial herb belonging to the ginger family. The thick rhizome part of the turmeric herb is used as spice in cooking and for therapeutic purposes. Turmeric has been used for 4000 years to treat a variety of conditions. The active component of turmeric is curcumin which is a powerful antioxidant, it helps lower two enzymes in the body that cause inflammation and increases bile production.

Effective for:

• Anti inflammatory 
• Anti microbial 
• Cancer prevention and treatment adjunct 
• Gallstones 
• Helps cleanse skin and provide nourishment 
• Improves digestion 
• Irritable bowel syndrome 
• Liver disorders 
• Lowers blood cholesterol 

Supplements:

Turmeric is available as capsules containing turmeric powder, fluid extract and tincture containing curcumin

Recommended Dose:

• Curcumin 400 mg- 1,200 mg thrice daily for anti inflammatory effects 
• Turmeric as dried powder 1.5- 3 gms per day

Side effects and precautions:
Turmeric and curcumin supplements are considered safe when taken at recommended doses.

Ginger

Ginger-the under ground stem (rhizome) of the plant has been used for medicinal purposes and as a spice for thousands of years. Ginger is used either in fresh, dried, powered form or as a juice or a oil. Ginger contains chemicals that may reduce nausea and inflammation. The active ingredients of ginger root are thought to be volatile oils and pungent phenol compounds (Gingerols and Shogaols). These chemicals are thought work primarily in the stomach and intestines and may also work in the brain and nervous system to control nausea. 

Effective for:

• Anti-inflammatory 
• Arthritic pain 
• Gastro-intestinal distress 
• Migraine headaches 
• Morning sickness in pregnant women 
• Motion sickness 
• Nausea and vomiting 
• Reduce cholesterol 

Supplements:

• Ginger is available in extracts, tinctures, capsules and oil. Fresh ginger root can also be prepared as a tea. 

Recommended Dose:

• Standardized dose 74-2000 mg (containing 4% volatile oils or 5% total pungent compounds) in divided doses.
• For arthritic pain and pregnancy induced vomiting 250 mg 4 times daily.
• 1-2 gms of dry powered ginger for nausea and vomiting.

Side effects and precautions:

• Ginger is likely safe for most people.

Fenugreek

Fenugreek is a plant and is a common ingredient in food dishes from the Indian subcontinent. The culinary uses of fenugreek includes using dried leaf as a herb, its fresh leaf as a vegetable/ microgreens and the seeds as a spice. Fenugreek has a maple syrup like aroma to it. The seeds of fenugreek is of most therapeutic value. Fenugreek appears to slow absorption of sugars in the stomach and stimulate insulin is used for digestive aid, for increases milk flow in breast feeding woman, diabetes. 

Effective for:

• Break up congestion and loosen phlegm (Cold, Bronchitis) 
• Diabetes (Type I and II) 
• Erectile dysfunction 
• Heartburn 
• Increase milk supply in lactating women 
• Reduce high cholesterol 
• Reduce high triglycerides 
• Stomach upset 

Supplements:

• Tea brewed from fenugreek seeds or powered from of the seeds.

Recommended Dose:

• 3-7 gm three time daily for breast feeding women. 
• 25-100 gm daily to reduce blood sugar, triglycerides and cholesterol. 

Side effects and precautions:

• Fenugreek is mostly safe but precaution must be taken with people with allergies.