List of medicinal plants
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| − | [[File:Petersilie kraus.jpg|thumb|left|Parsley]]The Claims: Parsley is touted as a general anti-toxin<ref>Is this even a medical term?</ref>, control blood pressure, cure diabetes<ref>Yes, CURE, not just aid or help control</ref> | + | [[File:Petersilie kraus.jpg|thumb|left|Parsley]]The Claims: Parsley is touted as a general anti-toxin<ref>Is this even a medical term?</ref>, control blood pressure, cure diabetes,<ref>Yes, CURE, not just aid or help control.</ref> urinary tract infections, prevents cancer, stimulates contractions of the uterus, cures rheumatism, treats kidney and bladder stones,<ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21566309 debunked]</ref> and can even remove tooth aches. |
The Truth: Surprisingly, it is dangerous for women, as it can cause the uterus to contract prematurely and should not be inserted into or rubbed near the uterus. It is also helpful for treating cancer patients, as it contains high levels of Apiginin, which prevent blood from reaching the tumor<ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21382660|pubmed]</ref>. And it has mild anti microbial use - on those days when you can't run to your medicine cabinet and grab a tube of far more effective antibiotic.{{clear}} | The Truth: Surprisingly, it is dangerous for women, as it can cause the uterus to contract prematurely and should not be inserted into or rubbed near the uterus. It is also helpful for treating cancer patients, as it contains high levels of Apiginin, which prevent blood from reaching the tumor<ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21382660|pubmed]</ref>. And it has mild anti microbial use - on those days when you can't run to your medicine cabinet and grab a tube of far more effective antibiotic.{{clear}} | ||
Revision as of 03:57, 22 January 2013
| Against allopathy |
| Alternative articles |
This is a list of various Herbs & Spices used by herbalists, alternative medicine and naturalists, that lists the purported effects of each as well as any actually scientifically verifiable effects.
“”Herbal products such as St. John's wort are classified as dietary supplements by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA's requirements for testing and obtaining approval to sell dietary supplements are different from its requirements for drugs. Unlike drugs, herbal products can be sold without requiring studies on dosage, safety, or effectiveness.
The strength and quality of herbal products are often unpredictable. Products can differ in content not only from brand to brand, but from batch to batch. Information on labels may be misleading or inaccurate. In addition, "natural" does not necessarily mean "safe." Many natural substances can have harmful effects–especially if they are taken in large quantities or if they interact with other supplements or with prescription medicines. |
| —National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine |
The plants are listed alphabetically.
Contents |
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a spice obtained from the inner bark of several trees from the genus Cinnamomum that is used in both sweet and savoury foods. Cinnamon trees are native to South East Asia, and its origin was mysterious in Europe until the sixteenth century. Most of the spice sold in the U.S. as culinary cinnamon is from the species Cinnamonium cassia, a.k.a. Chinese cinnamon.
Claims: Lowers LDL cholestrol, Maintains Blood sugar, promotes appetite for elderly and sick, antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, stops tumor growth, anti inflamitory, arthritis, hair loss and bladder infections, colds, upset stomach, and even pimples.[1]
Truth: Apparently, it really does stop tumor growth - but the cinnamon is injected into the tumor -- of mice. Clearly, it's not really a home remedy[2] The indications are quite good that it has an effect on blood sugar, however the details remain unknown [3]. None of the other claims seem to hold up, however.
Garlic
Allium sativum, commonly known as garlic, is a pungent species in the onion genus, Allium. Its close relatives include the onion, shallot, leek, chive,and rakkyo. Dating back over 6,000 years, garlic is native to central Asia, and has long been a staple in the Mediterranean region, as well as a frequent seasoning in Asia, Africa, and Europe. It has been used throughout its history for both culinary and medicinal purposes. Apparently useful against vampires.Claims: Fights minor viral infections such as cold and sore throat, lowers blood sugar and blood pressure, reduces risk of certain cancers.
Truth: Known antimicrobial effect in vitro, tests suggest some effect on throat infections in greater-than-typical amounts. Cancer claims based on large-scale statistics of incidence and diet, probably bullshit. Blood sugar and blood pressure claims indeterminate. Seductive effect on body odor well-documented and conclusive. Freshens breath for up to twelve hours.Ginseng
The oriental wonder plant. Cures everything from feeling tired to being dead for a hundred years .[4] Also improves the libido, whatever that is, allegedly.Oregano
Oil of oregano is a herbal supplement often vaunted as an anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, abortifactant, anti-asthma, anti-malaria, anti-oxident, and anti-cold/flu/headache medication (take your pick). While it has a higher rate of success on malaria and bacteria on the skin than normal water, it has significantly less sucess than any standard over the counter antibiotic or medicinal anti malaria[5] As with most woo, there is always a glint of truth that gets warped into $$$$$[6]. It is a good antioxident, but not more so than the raw oregano which tastes better and makes wicked salads. [7]
And, despite its name, it tastes absolutely foul (as this user will attest).Parsley
The Claims: Parsley is touted as a general anti-toxin[8], control blood pressure, cure diabetes,[9] urinary tract infections, prevents cancer, stimulates contractions of the uterus, cures rheumatism, treats kidney and bladder stones,[10] and can even remove tooth aches. The Truth: Surprisingly, it is dangerous for women, as it can cause the uterus to contract prematurely and should not be inserted into or rubbed near the uterus. It is also helpful for treating cancer patients, as it contains high levels of Apiginin, which prevent blood from reaching the tumor[11]. And it has mild anti microbial use - on those days when you can't run to your medicine cabinet and grab a tube of far more effective antibiotic.St. John's Wort
Regarded by herbalists as an effective treatment for depression[12]. May interfere with effectiveness of other drugs.[13]Tobacco
Woad
In addition to producing a blue dye (think Mel Gibson in Braveheart), woad has claimed medicinal uses. Chemicals from woad might be used to prevent cancer, as it can produce high levels of glucobrassicin.[14] Young leaves when damaged can produce more glucobrassicin, up to 65 times as much.[15]Indigowoad Root is a traditional Chinese medicine herb that comes from the roots of woad, but often incorrectly listed under the synonymic name, Isatis indigotica. It is also known as Radix isatidis The herb is cultivated in various regions of northern China. The roots are harvested during the autumn and dried. The dried root is then processed into granules, which are most commonly consumed dissolved in hot water or tea. The product, called Banlangen Keli, is very popular throughout China, and used to remove toxic heat, soothe sore throat and to treat influenza, measles, mumps, syphilis, or scarlet fever. It is also used for pharyngitis, laryngitis, erysipelas, and carbuncle, and to prevent hepatitis A, epidemic meningitis, cancer and inflammation. Possible minor side effects include allergic reactions and dizziness; only large dosages or long term usage can be toxic to the kidneys.
These treatments have not generally been evaluated clinically.
See also
Footnotes
- ↑ This is a reference of the claim to cure, please don't try these recopies.
- ↑ http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_6801/is_2_21/ai_n32462270/
- ↑ [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21480806 pubmed
- ↑ Not really, but some of the claims ...
- ↑ from Pubmed
- ↑ Pubmed
- ↑ Indeed, the stuff can cause gastrointestinal issues and allergic reactions.
- ↑ Is this even a medical term?
- ↑ Yes, CURE, not just aid or help control.
- ↑ debunked
- ↑ [1]
- ↑ debunked twice Pubmed
- ↑ Risks associated with St John's Wort.
- ↑ "War paint plant 'tackles cancer'". BBC online
- ↑ "Celts' warpaint may be weapon to beat cancer". The Telegraph