Damiana

Damiana

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Latin name: Turnera diffusa

A Remedy For
Damiana is thought to be a remedy for impotence, but its effectiveness remains unconfirmed. In homeopathic medicine, it's used for female sexual disorders.

What It Is; Why It Works
Although Damiana leaves are said to have antidepressant and aphrodisiac properties, researchers have not identified any real physiological effects. Harvested from a small shrub that grows in the region of the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean, and southern Africa, the herb is known in the U.S. as Mexican Damiana.

Avoid If...
No known medical conditions preclude the use of Damiana.

Special Cautions
No side effects or hazards have been documented.

Possible Drug Interactions
No interactions have been reported.

Special Information If You Are Pregnant or Breastfeeding
No harmful effects are known.

How To Prepare
No information is available.

Typical Dosage
There are no guidelines on record.

Overdosage
No information on overdosage is available

Cranberry

Cranberry

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Latin name: Vaccinium macrocarpon

A Remedy For

• Urinary tract infections

Cranberry has long been recommended as a preventive measure against repeated urinary tract infections. It is also taken to prevent kidney stones and "bladder gravel."

What It Is; Why It Works
Cranberry prevents E. coli--the most common cause of urinary tract infections--from adhering to the wall of the bladder, making it difficult for infection to take hold. It will not, however, kill the bacteria once they're established.
Native to North America, the plant is cultivated in Cranberry bogs throughout New England and elsewhere. The medicinal part is the ripe fruit.

Avoid If...
No known medical conditions preclude the use of Cranberry.

Special Cautions
Remember that Cranberry will not cure an active urinary tract infection. For this, you need a course of antibiotics.

Possible Drug Interactions
No interactions have been reported.

Special Information If You Are Pregnant or Breastfeeding
Cranberry is considered safe for use during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

How To Prepare
You can take concentrated tablets and capsules, or Cranberry juice. If taking the juice, choose pure, high-quality products, not Cranberry cocktail.

Typical Dosage
Capsule or tablet: 1 pill 2 to 4 times per day
Juice: 16 ounces (2 cups) per day
Since potency of tablets and capsules may vary, follow the manufacturer's directions whenever available.

Overdosage
No information is available.

Cumin

Cumin

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Latin name: Cumina cyminum

A Remedy For

• Indigestion

Although its use is not officially recognized, Cumin is considered an effective remedy for indigestion. It is also taken to relieve gas, diarrhea, and cramps; and in Asian medicine, it is used to induce milk production in breastfeeding mothers, relieve inflammation, and cure worm infestations. Its effectiveness for these other uses has not, however, been scientifically verified.

What It Is; Why It Works
A distinctive spice used in southwestern and Indian cuisine, Cumin is mentioned in the Bible and was used medicinally in Roman times, when ground Cumin was eaten with bread or wine. Today, Cumin is cultivated throughout the Mediterranean region and in Iran, Pakistan, India, China, the United States, and South America.
The seeds and their oil are both used medicinally. Laboratory studies have shown that powdered cumin has anti-infective effects and may inhibit blood clots.

Avoid If...
No known medical conditions preclude the use of Cumin.

Special Cautions
No special precautions are needed.

Possible Drug Interactions
Animal studies suggest that Cumin may prolong the effect of barbiturates such as phenobarbital.

Special Information If You Are Pregnant or Breastfeeding
Cumin is used in some cultures to induce abortion, so caution is advisable during pregnancy.

How to Prepare
Cumin can be taken internally or used externally. It can be used in the ground form or as a pressed oil.

Typical Dosage
Strengths of medicinal preparations may vary. Follow the manufacturer's labeling whenever available.

Overdosage
No information is available.

Cranberry

Cranberry

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Latin name: Vaccinium macrocarpon

A Remedy For

• Urinary tract infections

Cranberry has long been recommended as a preventive measure against repeated urinary tract infections. It is also taken to prevent kidney stones and "bladder gravel."

What It Is; Why It Works
Cranberry prevents E. coli--the most common cause of urinary tract infections--from adhering to the wall of the bladder, making it difficult for infection to take hold. It will not, however, kill the bacteria once they're established.
Native to North America, the plant is cultivated in Cranberry bogs throughout New England and elsewhere. The medicinal part is the ripe fruit.

Avoid If...
No known medical conditions preclude the use of Cranberry.

Special Cautions
Remember that Cranberry will not cure an active urinary tract infection. For this, you need a course of antibiotics.

Possible Drug Interactions
No interactions have been reported.

Special Information If You Are Pregnant or Breastfeeding
Cranberry is considered safe for use during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

How To Prepare
You can take concentrated tablets and capsules, or Cranberry juice. If taking the juice, choose pure, high-quality products, not Cranberry cocktail.

Typical Dosage
Capsule or tablet: 1 pill 2 to 4 times per day
Juice: 16 ounces (2 cups) per day
Since potency of tablets and capsules may vary, follow the manufacturer's directions whenever available.

Overdosage
No information is available.

Coenzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q10

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A Remedy For

• Weak heart

Like all heart medications, Coenzyme Q10 is not a cure. However, for some people suffering from congestive heart failure, irregular heartbeat, or angina, it may ease symptoms and improve cardiac function. Some doctors also recommend it after heart surgery to speed recovery with a minimum of permanent damage.
Some advocates contend that Coenzyme Q10 can stave off hardening of the arteries by discouraging the build-up of plaque on artery walls. Others suggest that it can boost the immune system, helping to prevent the spread of cancer. It has also been recommended for a host of additional disorders ranging from high blood pressure, diabetes, allergies, and fatigue to Alzheimer's disease, Bell's palsy, Huntington's disease, Ménière's disease, muscular dystrophy, and deterioration of the retina. However, its effectiveness for all such conditions has yet to be scientifically verified.

What It Is; Why It Works
Found in every cell in the body, Coenzyme Q10 plays a vital role in the production of energy, triggering the conversion of nutrients into a "fuel" for the cells to burn. This substance, called adenosine triphosphate (ATP), can't be stored in quantities sufficient to sustain optimum bodily functions for more than a few minutes. Stores must be continually renewed, making an ample supply of Coenzyme Q10 mandatory.
Adequate levels of the enzyme are particularly crucial for the heart because it's constantly in motion, burning twice as much energy as the other organs. If supplies of the enzyme decline, the action of the heart muscle will tend to weaken, reducing the amount of fresh blood the heart can pump out to the body. It is for this reason that some researchers regard a deficiency of the enzyme as an aggravating factor in conditions such as congestive heart failure.
Good dietary sources of Coenzyme Q10 include beef, pork, and lamb; certain types of fish and shellfish; vegetables such as broccoli and spinach; and vegetable oils. If you have a heart condition, however, you may want to consider a commercial supplement.

Avoid If...
No known medical conditions preclude the use of Coenzyme Q10.

Special Cautions
By itself, Coenzyme Q10 is not a sufficient treatment for any type of heart disease. It is generally employed as a supplement, rather than a replacement, for standard medical therapy. Do not attempt to substitute it for any of your regular prescriptions.

Possible Drug Interactions
No interactions have been reported.

Special Information If You Are Pregnant or Breastfeeding
Do not use Coenzyme Q10 while pregnant or breastfeeding.

How to Prepare
Coenzyme Q10 is available in capsule, tablet, softgel (gel cap), and chewable form. To improve its absorption, take it with some type of oil (olive oil is recommended) or fat (peanut butter, for example). It is also best to take your dosage with meals.
Store in a dry and cool place, away from light. Do not allow to freeze.

Typical Dosage
Dosage recommendations range from 30 milligrams to 400 milligrams daily, generally increasing with the severity of the problem. Large daily doses are typically divided into 2 or 3 smaller doses (for example, one 60 milligram tablet taken 2 times a day instead of a single 120 milligram tablet taken once).
If you are taking the enzyme for a heart condition, it may be 2 to 8 weeks before you notice any benefit, and you will need to continue taking the product to maintain any improvement.

Overdosage
Since Coenzyme Q10 is not toxic, experts say you may take large amounts without danger.

Chinese Cinnamon

Chinese Cinnamon

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Latin name: Cinnamomum aromaticum
Other names: Bastard Cinnamon, Cassia, False Cinnamon

A Remedy For

• Appetite loss
• Bronchitis
• Colds
• Cough
• Fever
• Indigestion
• Sore throat
• Tendency to infection

This herb is also used to treat exhaustion and promote weight gain; and in Chinese medicine, it has been used for impotence, diarrhea, bed-wetting, rheumatism, testicle hernia, failure to menstruate, and symptoms of menopause. Its effectiveness for these conditions, however, remains unconfirmed.

What It Is; Why It Works
A common household spice, Chinese Cinnamon is cultivated in southern China, Vietnam, and Burma. The flowers, young twigs, and the bark of thin branches are all considered medicinal.
Researchers have found that the active agents in Chinese Cinnamon exhibit antibacterial properties, control the growth of fungi, boost immunity in animals, improve intestinal activity, and inhibit ulcers.

Avoid If...
No known medical conditions preclude the use of Chinese Cinnamon.

Special Cautions
No side effects are likely when this herb is used at customary dosage levels. However, some people develop a sensitivity to the herb.

Possible Drug Interactions
No interactions have been reported.

Special Information If You Are Pregnant or Breastfeeding
Chinese Cinnamon has a potentially abortive effect. Do not use it during pregnancy.

How To Prepare
Chinese Cinnamon is available as crushed bark, in solutions of alcohol, and as an essential oil.

Typical Dosage
Herb: The average dose is 1 gram (less than one-quarter teaspoonful). Take 2 to 4 grams daily.
Essential oil: 50 to 200 milligrams daily.
Store Chinese Cinnamon in cool, dry conditions in well-sealed containers.

Overdosage
No information on overdosage is available.

Citronella

Citronella

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Latin name: Cymbopogon species
Other name: Lemongrass

A Remedy For
Citronella is sometimes used to treat indigestion, although its effectiveness remains to be proven. In Asian medicine, the herb is used for loss of appetite, gas, worms, and throat problems.

What It Is; Why It Works
Well known as an insect repellent, Citronella is often used as a fragrance in cheaper household soaps and scents. Medicinally, it acts as a mild astringent, tightening and drying the tissues. Lemongrass, a closely related species, has similar effects.
A native of the Asian tropics, Citronella grass is now cultivated in Central and South America and tropical regions of Australia as well.

Avoid If...
No known medical conditions preclude the use of Citronella.

Special Cautions
Salves containing Citronella have been known to cause an allergic reaction in rare cases. Do not inhale the vapors of Citronella oil, as this could cause lung problems.

Possible Drug Interactions
No interactions have been reported.

Special Information If You Are Pregnant or Breastfeeding
No harmful effects are known.

How To Prepare
The above-ground parts of the plant and its essential oil are both used medicinally.

Typical Dosage
There are no standard recommendations.

Overdosage
No information on overdosage is available.