Wise Herbal Remedies

20/03/2026

Iridology can give you a read-out of your constitution, which defines your health predispositions, not as predictions written in stone, but as guidelines to your body's innate mode of response.

24/02/2026

11/08/2025

08/08/2025

Naturopathy (natural healing) dates back to the beginnings of human civilisation.

- Ancient Egypt (5000 years)
- India (Ayurveda) (4000 years)
- China (TCM) (4000 years)
- Ancient Greece (3000 years)
- Native Americans (3000 years)

In all cultures disease was treated using methods such as fasting, diet, herbs, and various forms of hydrotherapy.

23/07/2025

21/07/2025

05/06/2025

Echinacea angustifolia

Actions: alterative, antibiotic, diaphoretic, anti-inflammatory, immunostimulant, antimicrobial, decongestant, antioxidant, antitumour, vulnerary.

Immunity
- echinacea has antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral action as well as an anti-allergenic action;
- immune stimulating, it increases phagocytosis of pathogens by means of macrophage activation;
- it is recommended for overgrowth of unfriendly gut microorganisms including Candida and can be used in post viral fatigue syndrome;
- it is indicated in lowered immunity causing repeated infections and antibiotic resistance;
- it helps support immunity in cancer and after chemotherapy and radiotherapy;
- the anti-inflammatory effect of echinacea can be helpful in arthritis and gout, skin conditions and pelvic inflammatory disease;
- taken in hot infusions, echinacea stimulates the circulation and enhances sweating, thereby reducing fevers.

Respiratory system
- echinacea helps to ward off infections; it can be taken every two hours at the first signs of sore throats, colds, chest infections, tonsilitis and glandular fever;
- it is used for chronic respiratory tract infections and whooping cough in children;
- it has traditionally been used for TB.

Reproductive system
- echinacea can be used for gynaecological infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, urinary infections and post-partum infection.

Skin
- as a blood cleanser for septic conditions, echinacea helps to resolve infections, boils and abscesses;
- it can be helpful in allergic skin problems such as urticaria and eczema.

Source: Anne McIntyre, The Complete Herbal Tutor

09/04/2025

05/04/2025

Althea officinalis - Marshmallow
Actions: emollient, demulcent, nutrient tonic, vulnerary, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiseptic, antitussive, bronchodilator, expectorant, diuretic, antilithic, alterative, anti-histamine, rejuvenative, immune enhancer, galactagogue.

01/04/2025

Bronchial asthma can occur secondarily to a variety of stimuli. It is most common among children of 10 years of age and males are affected twice as often as females. Among the known stresses are viral respiratory infection, exercise, emotional upset, nonspecific factors (e.g. changes in barometric pressure or temperature), inhalation of cold air or such irritants as gasoline fumes, fresh paint, cigarette smoke, and exposure to specific allergens.

People whose asthma is precipitated by allergenic exposure (most commonly airborne pollens and moulds, house dust, animal danders), and whose symptoms are IgE mediated, are said to have allergic or "extrinsic asthma". When the symptomatic episodes appear to be triggered by non-allergenic factors (infections, irritants, emotional factors, this is called non-allergic or "intrinsic asthma".

Orthodox treatment
In acute attacks, conventional treatment is ventolin, given by inhaler or nebuliser. Ventolin opens the airways, allowing mucous to be exhaled. Steroids are also prescribed, e.g. prednisone

Naturopathic treatment and management
- reduce exposure to airborne allergens
- identify and remove food allergies
- eliminate alcohol, to***co, sugar, salt and caffeine
- drink at least 1.5 litres of pure water daily (avoid chlorinated water)
- avoid all artificial food preservatives, additives, flavourings and colourings
- digestive enzymes - low HCL common in Asthma
- L-Glutamine (500 mg TDS) to heal gut
- introduce flavonoids (quercitin) - inhibits histamine release
- anti-oxidants - beta-carotene, vit. E, vit. C, zinc, selenium
- B complex with extra B12 and B6
- increase magnesium (600 mg/day in divided doses)
- consider removing foods high in tryptophan and in salicylates
- eliminate major Lectin foods
- hot fomentations to the chest in acute attacks

Herbs infusions
- Mullein - Verbascum thapsus (expectorant, demulcent) 4-8 g TDS
- Thyme - Thymus serpyllum (spasmolytic, broncholytic, antimicrobial) - 0.6-4 g TDS
- Coltsfoot - Tussilago farfara (expectorant, antitussive, anticatarrhal) - 0.6-2 g TDS

31/03/2025

Hypertension is a condition in which tension or blood pressure is higher than normal. Prevalence increases with age and about 25% of hypertensives are unaware of their condition. Hypertension is considered to be equal to or grater than 160/95 mm Hg.

Primary (or essential): not caused by any orthodox disease.
Secondary (aprox. 6% of people with hypertension): caused by an underlying condition such as polycystic renal disease, Cushing's syndrome, glomerulonephritis, hyperthyroidism, kidney tumour or oral contraceptives.

Signs and symptoms: headaches, dizziness, tinnitus, fatigue, flushed face, insomnia, bloodshot eye, no symptoms at all.

Orthodox treatment:
- diuretics
- beta-blockers
- calcium channel blockers
- anti-angiotensins

Possible factors:
-stress
- smoking
- high cholesterol
- overweight
- toxins such as cadmium and lead
- sodium chloride, alcohol and caffeine
- family history
- high fat diet; high sugar diet
- high homocysteine levels

Naturopathic treatment and management

--> Consider what areas may be weak:
- thickness of blood
- heart rate
- flexibility of arteries
- blood volume
- strength of heart

--> Choose from the followings:
- L-Theanine (Green tea extract)
- exercise - blood vessels are able to relax if blood flow increases
- magnesium citrate (600-800mg daily)
- reduce or eliminate caffeine and alcohol
- address liver congestion and constipation
- Co-enzyme Q10 (90-120 mg daily)
- essential fatty acids
- detoxify heavy metals
- pomegranate juice (50ml daily)
- Beetroots - beetroot/celery/carrot juice
- increase vitamins B2, B6, B12 and folic acid plus zinc

Herbs:
- Lime flowers - Tilia platyohyllos (spasmolytic, diaphoretic, diuretic)
- Hawthorn berries - Crataegus oxycanthoides (coronary vasodilator, hypotensive)
- Yarrow - Achillea millefolium (hypotensive, diuretic)
- Passion flower - Passiflora incarnata (sedative, antispasmodic)

31/03/2025

Cleavers is a climbing perennial weedy herb up to 1.2 m tall with small white flowers and hooked prickles on the leaves and fruits that make them stick to clothing.

Latin name: Galium aparine
Qualities: Cold and pungent

Indications: Dysuria, lymphadenitis, psoriasis
Specific indication: Enlarged lymph nodes

The appropriate dose of cleavers depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. Herbalists advise using fresh cleavers instead of dried when possible.