GARLIC (Allium sativum)
Natural antibiotic. Blood thinner. Health building herb. Dissolves cholesterol. Stimulates lymphatic system. Anti-fungal. Kills parasites. Does not destroy the body’s normal flora. Anti-biotic component is known as allicin (sulfur compound) which is estimated to equal 15 standard units of penicillin. Anti-bacterial activity. Used in China to treat cryptococcal meningitis. Protective against influenza. Lowers cholesterol. Inhibits platelet aggregation. Used extensively in World Wars I and II as an antiseptic. Became known as “Russian penicillin.”
Key Uses: cancer prevention, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, infection.
GINGER (Zingiber officinale)
Removes congestion, relieves headaches. Excellent for upset stomach and indigestion. Helps remove mucus from the body. Used in the treatment of headaches. Excellent remedy for nausea. Speeds food through the large intestines. Cleansing agent for bowels. Relieves wind. Useful for motion sickness and morning sickness. Helps symptom of vertigo and dizziness. Ginger tea is excellent for that common nausea and diarrhea associated with the flu or 24 hour virus. Inhibits prostaglandins. Useful as an anti-inflammatory. Has antioxidant effects. Inhibits platelet aggregation. Accelerates calcium uptake by the heart muscle. This reduces high blood pressure. (Fresh ginger must be used.) Anti-ulcer effects. Warms the body. Provides hospitable environment for natural flaura and fauna in intestines to grow.
Key Uses: nausea and vomiting, motion sickness, arthritis, migraine headaches. Indigestion, gas and flatulence.
GINKGO BILOBA (Ginkgo biloba)
Increases blood flow to brain. Improves memory. Used in Europe for early stages of Alzheimer’;s Disease. Increases circulation of blood to retina. Used to treat muscular degeneration. Also used to treat ear problems such as tinnitus. Dilates blood vessels. Inhibits clumping of platelets. Stabilizes cell membranes. Has antioxidant effects. Free radical-scavenging effects. Increases cellular uptake of glucose, thus restoring energy production. Promotes increased nerve transmission rate. Tones blood vessels. Inhibition of platelet aggregation. Improves recovery of acute cochlear deafness. Used to treat impotence. Has anti-depressant activity. Has anti-allergic properties. Also used for Raynaud’s disease, arthritic and rheumatic problems, arteriosclerosis, anxiety, tension, asthma, and bronchial congestion. Use of the fruit internally or externally can cause irritation and blistering of the skin and mucus membranes. Use a dried preparation.
Key Uses: cerebral vascular insufficiency, dementia, depression, impotence, inner ear dysfunction, multiple sclerosis, neuralgia and neuropathy, peripheral vascular insufficiency, premenstrual syndrome, retinopathy, vascular fragility.
GINSENG (Panax)
Stimulates the body. Beneficial effect on heart and circulation. Reduces cholesterol. Has estrogenic activity. Used to treat high blood pressure. Helps reduce blood sugar levels. Do not use where there is inflammation, high fever and burning sensations. Increases resistance to stress by affecting the adrenal-pituitary axis. Thought to be an aphrodisiac. Central nervous system stimulant. Whole-body tonic. Not suggested for teenage girls. Used as a stimulant. Considered an adaptogen or an aid in helping the body adapt to stress.
Key Uses: childhood diseases, circulation, colds, colic, fevers, flu, gas pains, headache, indigestion, morning sickness, settles stomach, tonic, toothache, whooping cough.
GOLDENSEAL (Hydrastis canadensis)
Antibiotic activity bacteria, protozoa, and fungi. Especially effective on mucus membrane tissues. Has shown activity against: Streptomyces, Chlamydia, Corynebacterium diphtheria, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Vibrio cholerae, Diplococcus penumoniae, Pseudomonas, Shigella dysenteriae Entamoeba histolytica, Trichomonas vaginalis, Neisseria gonorrhoea, N. meningitides, Treponema pallidum Giardia lamblia, Leishmania donovani & Candida albicans. Increases blood supply to spleen. Lowers fever. Shows anti-tumor activity. Used to treat diarrhea, trachoma (infectious eye disease), ulcers, liver disorder, cancer, colitis, sinus infections, vaginal infections. Should not be used during pregnancy as it may stimulate the involuntary muscles of the uterus. High dosages may interfere with Vitamin B metabolism. In extremely large doses, the alkaloids that cause this plant's drug action can cause nausea, dizziness, etc. Safe at recommended levels.
Key Uses: infections of mucous membranes, parasitic infections of the gastrointestinal tract, inflammation of the gallbladder, cirrhosis of the liver.
CAUTION: can reduce blood sugar levels and should not be used by hypoglycemic. Useful as a natural antibiotic. Aids in the treatment of sinus infections.
GOTU KOLA (Hydrocotyle asiatica)
Helps rebuild energy reserves. Combats stress. Improves reflexes. Nourishes brain cells. Reduces fevers. Neural tonic. Used for diseases of the skin, blood, and nervous system. Helps leprosy, syphilis, psoriasis, cervicitis, vaginitis, blisters. Improves memory. Longevity aid. Does not contain caffeine. Contains asiaticoside which stimulates hair and nail growth, increases development of blood vessels into connective tissue, increases tensile integrity of the dermis, exerts a balancing effect on connective tissue. Speeds healing time of wounds. Has been used clinically for anal fissure, bladder ulcers, burns, cellulite, cirrhosis, dermatitis, fibrocystic breast, hemorrhoids, keloids, leprosy, lupus, mental retardation, peptic ulcer, retinal detachment scleroderma, surgical wounds, tuberculosis, and venous disorders.
Key Uses: cellulite, wound healing, varicose veins, scleroderma.
GUGGUL (Commiphora mukul)
Gum resin used in India for arthritis, skin diseases, nervous system conditions. Anti-bacterial. Anti-inflammatory. Liver disorders. Cardiovascular disease. Traditionally used for bone fracture, inflammation. Research indicates excellent for obseity; significantly lower serum cholesterol. Protects against atherosclerosis. Reduced body weight of animals in research studies. Reduced serum cholesterol levels by 11% after four weeks use in research. Considered safe for long-term use. No known interactions.
Key Uses: Elevated cholesterol and triglycerides. Cardiovascular disease. Atherosclerosis. Arthritis. Inflammation.