Sue Kiddie Medical Herbalist

19/04/2025

🌿 Herb of the Month: Cardamom - Elettaria cardamomum 🌿

Aromatic and resinous, many people enjoy the scent of cardamom even if they aren't partial to the taste! Known as True or Green Cardamom, and from the 19th century as 'The Queen of spices' - it has been recorded for thousands of years as a useful digestive aid.

In the same family as Ginger, it is considered a more cooling alternative when an anti-inflammatory or digestion remedy is needed. A primary constituent α-terpineol and also 1,8-cineole, have been demonstrated to possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-nociceptive (analgesic) properties, alongside mucus thinning effects, making it useful in clearing mucus and helping a weakened digestive system, or to give alongside digestive bitters to avoid 'griping' sensations.

Cardamom's antiseptic action has also made it a popular breath freshener, and a remedy for colds, tonsillitis and bronchitis, where it can also help clear mucus congestion in the lungs. Myrcene is also present, lending Cardamom a gentle relaxing quality, another useful component when stress and stomach are so closely linked!

Personally I can happily chew on the seeds and work with Cardamom a lot in clinic, but would love to know how other people feel about cardamom, do you consider her a medicinal herb or more something to be used sparingly in cooking?

Note: When taking herbs, we recommend seeking the advice of a qualified medical herbalist.

19/04/2025

02/07/2024

Cordyceps sinensis (CS) is a fungus, parasitic on lepidopteran larvae, which is often used as a tonic and to treat lung diseases and regulate immune function. It is traditionally harvested with the caterpillars it grows on from the high mountain regions of China. However, most modern products contain a laboratory cultured version of the fungus. In the popular dystopic television series The Last of Us, a species related to Cordyceps had jumped to infecting people, wiping out most of humanity. The entomopathogenic (insect invading) fungus Ophiocordyceps unilateralis (zombie-ant fungus) was made notorious by the TV series. So at least some medicinal plants are indirectly gaining notoriety, even if it is a negative fiction. But we should be aware of the power of Cordyceps for some very good reasons.

A group of Chinese scientists recently evaluated the evidence up to June 2022 for the efficacy of Cordyceps in the adjuvant treatment of lung cancer treated by radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Only randomised clinical trials (RCTs) that evaluated the efficacy of adjuvant Cordyceps treatment on its own were included. A total of 12 RCTs with 928 patients were identified for the meta-analysis.

Results showed that as an adjuvant treatment Cordyceps had the following benefits in the management of lung cancer:

(1) Improved tumour response rate (TRR) (RR, relative risk: 1.17, 95%CI, confidence interval: 1.05-1.29, P = 0.00)

(2) improved immune function, including increased CD4 (MD, mean difference: 4.98, 95%CI: 1.49-8.47, P = 0.01), CD8 (MD: 1.60, 95%CI: 0.40-2.81, P = 0.01, I2 = 0.00%), natural killer cells (MD: 4.17, 95%CI: 2.26-6.08, P = 0.00), IgA (MD: 1.29, 95%CI: 0.35-2.24, P = 0.01), IgG (MD: 3.95, 95%CI: 0.98-6.92, P = 0.01) and IgM (MD: 6.44, 95%CI: 0.63-12.26, P = 0.03)

(3) improved quality of life (QoL) based on the mean of the Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) (MD: 8.20, 95%CI: 6.87-9.53, P = 0.00)

(4) reduced incidence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs), including the incidence of myelosuppression (RR: 0.38, 95%CI: 0.19-0.75, P = 0.01), leukopenia (RR: 0.76, 95%CI: 0.63-0.92, P = 0.00), and thrombocytopenia (RR: 0.52, 95%CI: 0.31-0.86, P = 0.01)

(5) reduced incidence of radiation pneumonitis (RR: 0.74, 95%CI: 0.62-0.88, P = 0.00), reduced liver and renal damage (RR: 0.32, 95%CI: 0.09-1.10, P = 0.07) and gastrointestinal adverse reactions (RR: 0.80, 95%CI: 0.47-1.37, P = 0.42).

The authors concluded that, compared with conventional treatment, adjuvant treatment with Cordyceps of lung cancer not only improved TRR, QoL and immune function, but also reduced the incidence of ADRs and radiation pneumonitis. The optimal usage may be 6 g/day and 21 days per 3 to 4 cycles.

For more information see https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38484953/

30/06/2024

While on holiday in Asturias, northwestern Spain, in the foothills of the Cantabrian Mountains, I noticed a familiar Australian tree. In fact hundreds of Tasmanian Blue Gum trees (Eucalyptus globulus). Apparently a Galician monk, who had spent time in Australia as a missionary in the 19th century, brought seeds home with him and planted them locally. As the climate there is similar to many areas of Australia, the trees thrived and are now prolific on the hills and the lowlands near the coast.

Eucalyptus essential oil extracted from the leaves is known for its antiseptic properties and is my go to remedy for nasal congestion due to colds/flu and sinus problems. As a steam inhalation, 1-2 drops of Eucalyptus essential oil in a bowl of hot water, with a towel covering head and bowl.

For herb nerds …
Eucalyptus globulus contains the monterpene eucalyptol or 1, 8 - Cineole, which is believed to have anti-inflammatory, broncho-dilatory, antioxidant and anti-microbial properties and possible anti-cancer activity, due to its effect on tumour angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis, pending further exploration. (Hoch et al, 2023).

NB Eucalyptus essential oil can be irritating to the skin if used topically. Always dilute with a carrier oil and patch test on the skin in case of a reaction.

09/06/2024

Herb of the Week
Californian poppy
Eschscholzia californica

Aerial parts used, gathered while flowering. Californian poppy has feathery blue green leaves with branching stems and orange/yellow flowers that open in the sun and close at night or in cool weather. Their seed pods look like little wizard’s hats 🪄✨

Californian poppy is a key herb for soothing the nervous system. Helpful for nervous insomnia and circular thoughts and to regain balance when anxiety starts to spiral. It is calming rather than sedating, so good to calm & clear the mind and regain focus.

Easy to grow in the UK, it was brought here from North America and has long traditional use by Indigenous American peoples, including the Cahuilla who used it for calming babies.

As a bitter herb it is also supportive for the digestion, especially indigestion related to anxiety, as well as nervous exhaustion.

CAUTIONS: A generally safe herb but should be avoided alongside sedating medications.

If you’d like to use herbs to treat a condition you’re experiencing, see a herbalist local to you for a full consultation & herbs based on you & your needs. You could visit our student training clinic - see our website (www.betonica.co.uk/herbal-clinic) for more info.

TRY THIS: If you find it hard to wind down before bed, or are feeling anxious about something, try some Californian poppy in a tea or tincture. Let us know how you get on!

01/06/2024

Herb of the Week
Elder
Sambucus nigra

Flowers, fruit and leaves all used Elder is a common hedgerow bush or tree, easily recognised this time of year by its sprays of creamy white uniquely scented flowers which are followed up in late summer by clusters of small purple/black berries much beloved by birds.

We can’t let elderflower season go by without featuring this wonderful plant as one of our weekly herbs! You can’t miss them just now, deliciously scented, beautiful and abundant. There are lots of recipes available for making syrups and champagne - what’s your favourite way to preserve this lovely herb?

The flowers, and especially berries, are rich in flavonoids that produce antioxidant, anti-inflammatory effects. It is valued as a top antiviral by herbalists for cold and flu related viruses.

More recent use of the leaf as a potentially stronger anti-viral than the berries have been promoted by American herbalists, but require specialised processing, including cooking to neutralise the emetic (makes you sick) effects. The young leaves, gathered before flowering, are also a useful remedy for infusing in oil and adding to bruise balms.

The flowers are also widely used in infusions for treating allergic rhinitis and hayfever, and are safe for children.

CAUTIONS: The whole plant is emetic/purgative so is not eaten with the exception of the flowers and berries, which are rendered safer once processed. Some people may tolerate small amounts of the flowers and berries raw but will have this effect in larger doses. Administer with caution during pregnancy or lactation.

If you’d like to use herbs to treat a condition you’re experiencing, see a herbalist local to you for a full consultation & herbs based on you & your needs. You could visit our student training clinic - see our website (www.betonica.co.uk/herbal-clinic) for more info.

TRY THIS: If you are a hayfever sufferer, take elderflower tea regularly throughout the pollen season, along with plantain (Plantago spp) and nettle (Urtica dioica).

22/03/2024

22/03/2024

New research published in a high-level journal has found that delayed gut microbiota maturation in the first year of life is a hallmark of childhood allergic disease. This suggests that major childhood allergies may originate from gut bacteria. The study, among the first to investigate multiple paediatric allergies simultaneously, identified a bacterial signature in the gut linked to the development of eczema, asthma, food allergies and hay fever. The research, published in the journal Nature Communications, implies that treatments to restore microbiota balance will potentially prevent allergies. Factors like infancy antibiotic use and breastfeeding influence this balance, providing further insights into potential allergy prevention.

The study was led by researchers at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and BC Children’s Hospital.

“We’re seeing more and more children and families seeking help at the emergency department due to allergies,” said Dr. Stuart Turvey, professor in the department of paediatrics at UBC and co-senior author on the study. “Hundreds of millions of children worldwide suffer from allergies, including one in three children in Canada, and it’s important to understand why this is happening and how it can be prevented.”

For the study, researchers examined clinical assessments from 1,115 children who were tracked from birth to age five. Roughly half of the children (523) had no evidence of allergies at any time, while more than half (592) were diagnosed with one or more allergic disorders by an expert physician. The researchers evaluated the children’s microbiomes from stool samples collected at clinical visits at three months and one year of age.

The stool samples revealed a bacterial signature that was associated with the children developing any of the four allergies by five years of age. The bacterial signature is a hallmark of dysbiosis that likely resulted in a compromised intestinal lining and an elevated inflammatory response within the gut.

Specifically, the study found impaired microbiota maturation that led to decreased butyrate production, compromised mucus integrity, elevated oxidative activity, decreased secondary fermentation and elevated trace amines.

“Typically, our bodies tolerate the millions of bacteria living in our guts because they do so many good things for our health. Some of the ways we tolerate them are by keeping a strong barrier between them and our immune cells and by limiting inflammatory signals that would call those immune cells into action,” says Courtney Hoskinson, a PhD candidate at UBC and first author on the paper. “We found a common breakdown in these mechanisms in babies prior to the development of allergies.”

“There are a lot of potential insights from this robust analysis,” says Dr. Turvey. “From these data, we can see that factors such as antibiotic usage in the first year of life are more likely to result in later allergic disorders, while breastfeeding for the first six months is protective. This was universal to all the allergic disorders we studied.”

For more information see:
https://scitechdaily.com/eczema-asthma-food-allergy-and-hay-fever-common-origin-discovered-behind-major-childhood-allergies/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37644001/

14/03/2024

02/03/2024

Early this century St John’s wort (SJW) was challenging conventional drugs as a viable alternative in the management of mild to moderate major depression. Then concerns about herb-drug interactions, several of them concocted and/or spurious (see my Grumpy Old Herbalist video on this topic), caused interest in SJW to wane in this context.

So a recent analysis of the accumulated clinical data for SJW in depression is highly relevant, especially as serious concerns regarding the addictive nature of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have recently been uncovered.

Fourteen clinical trials with a total of 2270 depression patients were included. All analysed papers were published between 2000 and 2022. Meta-analysis of the trial data demonstrated that treatment with SJW was superior to both placebo and SSRIs.

The authors concluded that their analysis supports the clinical use of SJW in mild to moderate depression, as it reduced the number of depressive patients and their depression scores, while having fewer risks and side effects than conventional medications.

For more information see: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36226689/

22/01/2024

Adequate sleep supports overall well-being by promoting physical and mental health. It plays a crucial role in strengthening the immune system, enhancing cognitive function, and supporting emotional balance. During sleep, the body repairs cells, consolidates memories, and regulates various hormones, contributing to a robust immune response. Lack of sleep, on the other hand, can compromise immune function and increase susceptibility to illnesses. Numerous herbs possess sleep-inducing qualities, promoting a restful sleep and aiding in sleep maintenance till morning. Talk to your herbalist to see which could suit you!🌿

22/01/2024

I have long advocated my microcirculation dietary protocol that includes beetroot juice. Its boost to microvascular function should improve several body functions via the increased production of nitric oxide.

Recently, daily consumption of beetroot juice for 12 weeks was found to significantly improve blood pressure, vascular function and exercise capacity in adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

“This is one of the longest-duration studies in this area so far. The results are very promising, but will need to be confirmed in larger, longer-term studies” said Professor Nick Hopkinson the study lead.

COPD, which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, is a serious lung condition affecting around 400 million people worldwide. It causes breathing difficulties and severely limits capacity for physical activity. It also increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

The new research tested a 12-week course of a concentrated beetroot juice supplement that was high in nitrate (400 mg) against a beetroot juice placebo that looked and tasted the same, but had the nitrate removed. It included 81 people with COPD who were being treated at the Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK,
Professor Hopkinson commented: “There is some evidence that beetroot juice as a source of nitrate supplementation could be used by athletes to improve their performance, as well as a few short-term studies looking at blood pressure. Higher levels of nitrate in the blood can increase the availability of nitric oxide, a chemical that helps blood vessels relax. It also increases the efficiency of muscles, meaning they need less oxygen to do the same work.”

Researchers found that those taking the nitrate-rich supplement experienced an average reduction in systolic blood pressure of 4.5 mmHg compared to the placebo. There was also an average increase of around 30 metres in how far patients could walk in six minutes.

Plasma nitric oxide (NOx) and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) data were available for 24 patients in the active group and 20 in the placebo group; plasma NOx increased from baseline in the treatment group, but not the placebo group, and the increase in FeNO was significantly greater from baseline in the treatment group compared with the placebo group. Beneficial changes in endothelial function, consistent with the increased NOx, were also observed.

No significant changes were noted between the groups in terms of platelet aggregation.

For more information see:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38123239/

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/250376/beetroot-juice-lowers-blood-pressure-people/ #:~:text=An%20Imperial%20led%20study%20has,in%20the%20European%20Respiratory%20Journal.

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/beetroot-juice-improves-fitness-and-function-patients-copd-2023a1000wzt