Common Herbs Used in MME’S Kitchen

Peppermint:
Parts Used: Dried leaf

Summary: peppermint leaf is great for supporting the gastrointestinal tract as well as the gallbladder and bile ducts. It is specifically used to support healthy bowel function. Peppermint oil may be used for aromatherapy, helping to support the upper respiratory system for brief periods during times of need.

Precautions: For best results, avoid boiling a peppermint tea, and instead add simmering water to a cup of the material instead of boiling directly.

Elderberry:
Parts Used: Most commonly the flowers or berries. Dried fruits are less bitter than fresh. The branches and leaves are poisonous. The small stem which is sometimes left on the berry is safe.

Summary: Elderflower is used for swollen sinuses, colds, influenza, swine flu, bronchitis, diabetes, and constipation. It is also used to increase urine production and to increase sweating. Elderflower is also used as a gargle and mouthwash for coughs, colds, hoarseness and shortness of breath.

Precautions: None for flowers. the unripe and raw fruit, seeds, bark and leaves contain a component, sambunigrin, which may cause vomiting or severe diarrhea if ingested.

Raspberry Leaf:
Parts Used: Dried leaf. Raspberry leaves gathered in spring before the plant flowers have the highest antioxidant content.

Summary: Red raspberry leaf is used for gastrointestinal tract disorders, including diarrhea; for respiratory system disorders, including flu and swine flu; and for heart problems, fever, diabetes, and vitamin deficiency. It is also used to promote sweating, urination, and bile production. Some people use it for general purification of skin and blood.

Precautions: Safe dosages for children under the age of 6 and for persons with liver or kidney disease have not been established.

Red Clover:
Parts Used: Flowers and sometimes the leaf

Summary: Red clover is used for cancer prevention, indigestion, high cholesterol, whooping cough, cough, asthma, bronchitis, and sexually transmitted diseases.

Precautions: Red clover should not be taken by pregnant or nursing women, as the effects on developing fetus and infants is not determined. There are some studies that suggest taking red clover may affect fetal development. It is also recommended that you do not take red Clover while on blood thinning medication.

Calendula Flower:
Parts Used: Dried flowers:

Summary: Calendula flower is used to prevent muscle spasms, start menstrual periods, and reduce fever. It is also used for treating sore throat and mouth, menstrual cramps, cancer, and stomach and duodenal ulcers.

Precautions: None

Spearmint Leaf:
Parts Used: The leaf, dried and cut.

Summary: is used for sore throat, colds, headaches, toothaches, cramps, cancer and inflammation of respiratory tract. Some people use it as a stimulant, germ-killer, local pain-killer, and anti-spasm medication.

Precautions: Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of spearmint during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Lobelia:
Parts Used: Aerial parts during the seeding stage

Summary: Lobelia is used for breathing problems including asthma, bronchitis, whooping cough, and shortness of breath (apnea) in newborn infants. Some people take lobelia as a sedative to help them relax. Other people use it to increase sweating.

Precautions: Because of its similarity to nicotine, lobelia may be dangerous to susceptible populations, including children, pregnant women, and individuals with cardiac disease. Excessive use will cause nausea and vomiting. Not recommended for use by pregnant women.

Skullcap:
Parts Used: The above-ground parts of the plant, dried.

Summary: Skullcap is a comforting herb, traditionally used to alleviate nervous tension and exhaustion. It is used to promote emotional well being and relaxation during times of occasional distress.

Precautions: Not toxic in normal amounts, although overdoses of skullcap tincture may cause confusion, giddiness, stupor, and seizures. Due to its use in expelling afterbirth, it should not be used by pregnant women

Mullen Leaf:

Summery: cough, congestion, bronchitis, asthma, constipation, pain, inflammation, migraine, sleep, gout.

Precautions:
Small hairs on mullein leaf may cause mechanical irritation in the mouth and throat if not filtered out of extracts prior to consumption. We recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.

Wild Lettuce:
Parts Used: leaf and stem

Summary: Wild lettuce is used for whooping cough, asthma, urinary tract problems, cough, trouble sleeping (insomnia), restlessness, excitability in children, painful menstrual periods, excessive sex drive in women (nymphomania), muscular or joint pains, poor circulation, swollen genitals in men (priapism), and as an opium substitute in cough preparations.

Precautions: None

St. John's Wort:

Parts Used: The dried flowering tops and leaf.

Summary: St John's Wort is traditionally used to support healthy mood and promote emotional well-being. Numerous clinical trials have studied the efficacy of St John's Wort in this capacity, with most of them showing positive results that are comparable to conventional treatments.

Precautions: St. John's wort extracts may increase sensitivity to sunlight and risk of sunburn, but this is extremely rare when the whole herb is used. Not to be used with a MAO or Protease inhibitor.

Lemon Balm:
Parts Used: The leaf, dried and cut

Summary: lemon balm is for supporting a calm and healthy sleep. It has also been approved in supporting the gastrointestinal tract. Lemon balm has been shown in clinical trials to support healthy memory and cognitive function, as well as to increase self-reported calmness.

Precautions: Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of lemon balm during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Colts Foot:
Parts Used: Leaves, and sometimes the buds and flowers

Summary: Despite safety concerns, people take colts foot for lung problems such as bronchitis, asthma, and whooping cough. Also great for upper respiratory tract complaints including sore mouth and throat, cough, and hoarseness.

Precautions: Colts foot should not be used by pregnant women, as it may be an abortifacient, and the alkaloids seem to have a particularly harmful effect on the liver of the developing infant. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids present in the plant are potentially toxic in large doses, but have not proven toxic in the doses usually used to treat coughs. Still, it is recommended that colts foot tea or syrup not be used for more than 4-6 weeks at a time.

Hops Flower:
Parts Used: The cone and grains of the hops flower.

Summary: Insomnia Treatment For those who have trouble getting to sleep, hops can provide some significant benefits. Hops have a sedative effect, for which the plant was used long before it made its debut in brewing beer.Treating Anxiety and Nervousness. The sedative properties of hops also help with nervousness and anxiety.Hops have long been used for treating digestive problems. Diarrhea (particularly due to anxiety) can be helped in this way, as can indigestion. Hops also have organic compounds that are thought to help fight osteoporosis and even help keep it from developing in the first place.

Precautions: The hops in beer are responsible for an unfortunate condition in men know as "beer drinker's droop," or erectile dysfunction. Avoiding excessive consumption of beer or hops helps men retain potency. If taken during the day, the supplement can cause unwanted drowsiness.

Catnip:
Parts Used: dried Leaves.

Summary:  Catnip tea, drunk before bed (a cup or 2 of a strong brew will do) acts as a tranquilizer to put you to sleep so you can rest at night. Be careful drinking lots of catnip tea during the day, as catnip can make you drowsy even as it helps calm your nervous anxiety if you drink too much.If you have a stomachache or a headache, or just a body ache in general, catnip can work wonders to help soothe your muscles and give you relief. As a relaxant, catnip tea helps loosen tight and irritated muscles and brings crampiness out of the stomach and head and soothe your aches and pains.
Catnip is particularly great for people prone to panic attacks and nervous behavior. Keeping catnip nearby to scent or to drink (don't drink catnip purchased for cats; rather, buy catnip at a health food store) helps to calm nervous tendencies and help calm an individual down when they are in a stressful situation or feel panicky.

Precautions: Not recommended for use while pregnant.

Rosemary:

Parts Used: Dried leaf 

Summary: Rosemary adds a delightful flavor to cuisine all across the world. The younger leaves are preferred for a sweeter flavor, standing up well to cooking, even at high temperatures. The smell of rosemary is piney and fresh; familiar but also distinctive. It is baked into breads and crackers, and is classically used as a rub for pork and lamb.

Rosemary leaves and essential oil are used in herbal medicine. Food manufacturers add rosemary to meats and sauces as an antioxidant and stabilizer. The herb is also used to make liqueurs, such as Benedictine and Danziger 

Precautions: Women who have heavy periods should avoid excessive use of rosemary, since it may stimulate menstrual flow. The herb should not be used medicinally during pregnancy. Small amounts of rosemary used in cooking, however, are safe for pregnant women and for women who have heavy periods

Ginger Root:
Parts Used: Dried, peeled rhizome, chopped.

Summary: Historically, ginger has a long tradition of being very effective in alleviating symptoms of gastrointestinal distress. Ginger contains very potent anti-inflammatory compounds called gingerols. These substances are believed to explain why so many people with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis experience reductions in their pain levels and improvements in their mobility when they consume ginger regularly.

Precautions: Although there are warnings in both Traditional Chinese Medicine and some medical texts about using ginger during pregnancy, ginger used in moderation, that is 3/4 teaspoon up to three times a day, poses no risk to mother's or baby's health. Studies in the late 1990's found that eating as much as 2 to 3 tablespoons of raw ginger or 5 to 8 tablespoons of dried ginger daily will not stimulate uterine contraction. Excessive use may cause gastrointestinal upset.

Ginseng Root:
Parts Used: The mature root

Summary: ginseng is invigoration and fortification during times of need. It has been shown to improve reaction time and attention in healthy adult subjects. In older adults, ginseng has been shown to support healthy aging and memory.

Precautions: Most herbalists recommend taking ginseng for a month at a time, followed by a two-week "rest."

Valerian Root:
Parts Used: Dried root.

Summary: When prepared as a tea, it is slightly sweet and spicy with a touch of bitterness, making it palatable to some, but not all individuals. It is traditionally used to support healthy sleep and relaxation, When combined with hops, valerian root has been approved to support healthy sleep.

Precautions: If you use valerian for several months and suddenly stop using it, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as headache, insomnia, racing heart, and general grouchiness, although rare. Reduce dosage of a period of about a week if you wish to discontinue using the herb suddenly.

Licorice Root:
Parts Used: The root in dried form

Summary: Licorice is used for various digestive system complaints including stomach ulcers, heartburn, colic, and ongoing inflammation of the lining of the stomach
Some people use licorice for sore throat, bronchitis, cough, and infections caused by bacteria or viruses.Licorice is also used for osteoarthritis, systemic lupus Eratosthenes liver disorders, malaria, tuberculosis, food poisoning, and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Precautions: Don't use licorice if you have high blood pressure, and don't use licorice if you eat a meat and potatoes diet. Your body needs potassium from fruit and vegetables to compensate for the excretion of potassium stimulated by licorice. If you use steroids or an asthma inhaler, licorice will increase both the effectiveness of the drug and the severity of its side effects. Its long term use is not recommended, and it is not recommended for use by pregnant women. May cause stomach upset if taken in large quantities.

Marshmallow Root:

Parts Used: The dried root.

Summary: Marshmallow leaf and root are used for pain and swelling of the mucous membranes that line the respiratory tract. They are also used for dry cough, inflammation of the lining of the stomach, diarrhea, stomach ulcers, constipation, urinary tract inflammation, and stones in the urinary tract.

Precautions: Marshmallow root is completely non-toxic, but its mucilage can interfere with the absorption of other medicines if taken at the same time. The asparagine in the root can cause a mild odor in the urine, but has no other physiological effect.

Echinacea Root:
Parts Used: The root, leaves, stems and flowers

Summary: Echinacea is widely used to fight infections, especially the common cold and other upper respiratory infections.

Precautions: Use with caution if you are allergic to ragweed

Kava Kava Root:
Parts Used: Whole roots. 

Summary:  Kava helps to calm nerves, and help with relaxation. It can be highly sedative and has been known to numb certain body parts of the body. Typically safe in controlled amounts and it makes a fine evening drink with no documented or substantiated side effects. It is considered safe.

Precautions: Not to be used while pregnant or nursing. Not recommended to be used by those under the age of 18 or those with a pre-existing liver condition. Excessive consumption may impair ability to drive or operate heavy machinery. 

Maca Root:
Parts Used: The whole root powdered.

Summary: High in minerals (calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc), sterols (6 found), up to 20 essential fatty acids, lipids, fiber, carbohydrates, protein, and amino acids.

Precautions: To date no record of any contraindications, adverse effects, or toxicity have been found.

Chlorella Powder:
Parts Used: The entire plant, dried and powdered.

Summary: Chlorella acts as an efficient detoxification agent by binding to toxins, such as mercury, in your body and carrying them out of your system. It is the chlorophyll in chlorella that makes it so powerful, as chlorophyll helps you process more oxygen, cleanses your blood and promotes the growth and repair of your tissues.

Precautions: As a precaution, if you use chlorella every day, take a vitamin B capsule at least once a week as some European studies showed that Chlorella may weaken Vitamin B supplies in the body. Some individuals have experienced stomach discomfort after using Chlorella. If you experience symptoms of stomach discomfort discontinue using.

Spirulina Powder:
Parts Used: Dried and processed algae

Summary: Blue-green algae are used as a source of dietary protein, B-vitamins, and iron. They are also used for weight loss, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), hay fever, diabetes, stress, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and other women’s health issues.

Precautions: Persons with PKU should consult a doctor before taking spirulina.

Poppy Seed:
Parts Used: Dried seeds, whole

Summary: Poppy seeds contain many plant derived chemical compounds that are known to have anti-oxidant, disease preventing and health promoting properties. Precautions: Be sure to declare use of poppy seeds before submitting to a drug test, as they may show up.

Stevia Leaf:
Parts Used: Leaves

Summary: Stevia leaves are one of the sweetest substances known in nature, with a sweetness rating of up to 300 times the sweetening power of sugar. They have been called a "super-sweetener", and are the source of stevioside, a widely available tabletop sweetener in many Asian countries. With no calories and very little bitter aftertaste, stevia is an excellent alternative sweetener to sugar for teas and other recipes that call for sugar. PLEASE NOTE: Most commercial Stevia which is a white crystalline color is actually the dried powdered extract of Stevia and is not the whole leaf.

Precautions: Stevia has no reported side effects.

Basil:

Parts Used: Dried leaf in teas or essential oils for topical application.

Summary: Basil is well known for its sweet aroma and the fresh, delicious flavor that it lends to food. Basil is traditionally used to spice up pasta, meat, soups and sauces. It is the key ingredient of pesto sauce, where it is mixed with hard cheese, pine nuts, and olive oil. As a flavoring agent, basil is best added at the end of cooking as the intense heat will quickly deteriorate its characteristic taste and aroma. In addition to its culinary uses, basil is used to add fragrance to perfumes, soaps, shampoos, and other body care products.

Precautions: The German Commission E advised caution in the use of basil due to the content of estragole in its essential oil, a compound suspected to cause cancer. However, further testing indicated that an increase in cancer would only occur in persons who ate approximately 1,000 kilograms of basil daily, equating to over one ton of the herb. Nonetheless, the safety of the herb has not been established for pregnant women, nursing mothers, or children under six.

Lavender Flower:

Parts Used: Flowers

Summary:

Lavender flowers promote both a healthy mood and healthy circulation. The scent of lavender has shown to have positive effects on mood within certain adult populations and can help to alleviate mild feelings of agitation or distress.

As a spice, lavender is best known as an important aspect of French cuisine and is an integral ingredient in herbs de Provence seasoning blends. Lavender may be used on its own to give a delightful, floral flavor to desserts, meats, and breads. The flowers can also be layered within sugar to infuse it with its distinctive aroma for use in cookies and candies.

Lavender has been thought for centuries to arouse passions as an aphrodisiac, and is still one of the most recognized scents in the world.

Precautions: For best results, avoid heating the herb directly with boiling water, although a simmer is fine.

Sage:

Parts Used: Leaves and stems

Summary: One of the more popular herbs in the Middle Ages through 18th century, sage has drifted into lesser use as more delicate flavors grew more popular. The evergreen herb is enjoying a resurgence of late, in part based on its many uses and benefits. Sage can be used to flavor and preserve nearly any meat or cheese, and is often used in soups and salads as well.

Precautions: Thujone, a volatile oil in common sage, is hallucinogenic, addictive and toxic when taken in extreme excess. The plant and tea made from it should be avoided by pregnant women. Its long term use is not recommended.

For educational purposes only This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration's information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.