Herbal Update; Cramp Bark

Good morning this is Rosana rich. Your local herbalist for healthier me. What distinguishes herbalism from Western medicine is that it works very well with long term chronic illnesses by nourishing the body. We are so used to the quick effective rapid action of Western medicine. But this method is not always applicable for long term diseases especially when long term detoxification is necessary. Years ago I had a very serious case of hepatitis and even though my hepatitis was cured by medical standards when I started on my holistic path my liver was the first organ I addressed. Many long term chronic illnesses involve the liver in some way. If you think of our livers as our own personal toxic waste dumps it becomes easy to understand why our livers need cleansing and nourishing foods and herbs that allow the liver to function optimally. It is especially important to address this

type of cleansing in the spring when the earth's energy is directed to the liver. But it is also important all year long to encourage optimal digestion assimilation and elimination. It is interesting to me that during this heat clearing season of autumn the foods that the liver likes best are coming into season foods like the brassica family brussel sprouts cabbage broccoli and cauliflower. Beets are also a nutritious tonic for the liver to long term chronic illnesses that plague many Americans are high blood pressure and arthritis cramp bark. The topic of today's herbal update is an herb found many times in combination with other herbs for these long term maladies. Viburnum Apia lifts or high bush cranberry is a member of the honeysuckle family.

This handsome shrub grows 12 feet high with maple like leaves having three to five lobes. The leaves are often hairy on the underside. The showy white flowers bloom in June and the plant itself is indigenous to northern United States. While some sources tell the berries as being high in vitamins the red clustered berries that follow the flowers are considered poisonous not medicinal. It is the bark of the shrub that is used medicinally and is often gathered in the spring. Cram park is known for the following properties anti-spasmodic anti-inflammatory nerving astringent and a Mema dog. Science has long confirmed the anti-spasmodic activity in cramp bark. This relaxer of muscular tension and spasm works throughout the body

easing tension not only in large muscles of the body but also the muscular lining of blood vessels which accounts for its presence in many anti hypertension formulas. This same anti cramping property coupled with its anti-inflammatory property makes cramp bark a useful additive in arthritis formulas. Indigenous peoples have used Grant Park as a reproductive tonic. It has been long known as a uterine sedative. An infusion of wild yam cramp bark and Valerian Root have been used for threatened miscarriage uterine or ovarian pains because of its strong anti-spasmodic properties. Cramp bark has been recommended for relieving uterine irritability false labor pains to forceful contractions and

after pains of childbirth a consultation with a midwife or an herbalist is recommended during these times. Cram pork is equally useful during painful periods as well as excessive bleeding that may accompany men applause. It is cramp arks a stringent action that reduces excessive menstrual bleeding associated with menopause cramp arks general relaxing nerving effect makes it a favorite in anxiety and stress related cramping conditions. Grant Park may also be found in urinary infection formulas where there is spasm and bladder irritation and formulas that are directed towards irritable bowel syndrome. It may also include cramp bark as it eases painful colic. Traditional Chinese Medicine recommends cramp bark as a blood revitalise or removing congestion and promoting tissue repair.

Cramped dark has a closely related sister black hole route or Viburnum prune a fully m during the mid 19th century. The eclectic doctors originators of the previous holistic movement in this country enjoyed defined exactly where cramp bark and black call root were interchangeable and where they were not. This information can still be found today in many of the reprinted eclectic books that are enjoying a resurgence in popularity. Graham park has no side effects and can be used for long periods of time without toxicity. If you would like a bibliography of today's herbal update send me a self-addressed stamped envelope or two Rosana rich care of. Are you the hen house Blue Hill falls over 4 6 1 5.