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fighters against disease, why turn to herbs?
“I briefly mentioned our own defense system and there are many other fascinating mechanisms at work constantly to maintain our body’s balance,” Kathleen said. “At times, though, we need outside help.”
“Several drugs on the market today are synthetic reproductions of many-of the plants we have right here in Rappahannock. For example, the popular heart medicine Digitalis or Lanoxin is from foxglove. Tljjs drug has an inotrophic effect, i.e. it greatly strengthens the contraction of the heart muscle, which is an obvious benefit to some. At the same time, the drug as well as the herb can be quite toxic.”
“Researchers have found that lily of the valley produces similar effects, but with less toxicity.”
“The Chinese,” continued Kathleen, “were on to Sudafed in 5J,000 B.C. Th'e plant ephedra dries mucous membranes without the ill effects on the nervous system.”
Kathleen cited a few more examples of herbs whose properties have been copied in synthetic drugs.
“That pesty yellow critter1 we’re trying to rid our lawns of — dandelion — has been highly reputable among herbalists for centuries. The early colonists cultivated dandelion as a foodstuff and medicine. It is a potent diuretic, but as anyone taking a strong diuretic knoft^-with the kidney releasing so much water, the mineral potassium is often depleted. Dandelion is a valuable natural source of potassium.”
“As with so many other herbs, this is a perfect example of how the natural medicine keeps the system balanced.”
“Common mullein, which people can recognize along the roadside as a two-to-three foot tall spiked plant with yellow flowers at the tip in the springtime, was greatly used by the Indians for bronchial disorders. The broad leaves at the base, which resemble soft lambs’ ears, were rolled and smoked. They found this broke up a lot of the mucous congestion.”
“Yarrow, whose Latin name is Achillea Millefolium, is so-called because of the ‘thousand leaf appearance but also because Achilles is said . to have used the herb as a poultice in . treating his soldiers’ wounds.”
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