Herbs for Stress

Feeling a bit Stressed?
Try these herbs for stress.




By Ursula Basch
Herbal Bear School of Botanical Medicine

Summer is over and the kids are back to school. It seems that everything starts to pick up the pace once autumn arrives. Our lifestyles often have lots of stressful issues such as: bills to pay, job deadlines, family conflicts, divorce, etc. Even happy events such as marriages, new jobs or moving to a new home can cause stress in our lives. We all face different challenges and obstacles, and sometimes the pressure is hard to handle.


What is Stress?

The stress response of the body is a physical reaction which is meant to protect us. When faced with a threat, whether it be to our physical safety or emotional equilibrium, the body reacts by kicking us into high gear. Lots of physical effects happen as a result of stress. The sympathetic nervous system pumps out adrenaline, our heart rate increases, blood flow to the large muscles increases, blood vessels under the skin constrict to prevent blood loss in case of injury, and blood sugar levels increase, giving us an energy boost. These are ancient physical responses that were important to our survival as a species and these same responses serve us very well in emergency situations. If you suddenly see a car losing control and heading toward you - your ability to react quickly could save you from harm.

While everyone can expect to experience some stress, we must be careful to manage our lives to avoid long term chronic stress. The American Psychological Association describes chronic stress as “unrelenting demands and pressures for seemingly interminable periods of time.” Chronic stress is stress that wears you down day after day. It grinds away at both mental and physical health. Some of the disorders associated with stress are:

Anxiety
High blood pressure
Headaches
Depression
Weakened Immune System
Higher Cholesterol Levels
Sleeplessness
Impotence
Migraine Headaches
Diarrhea
Loss of Appetite
Increased Appetite
If stress is not handled properly, more serious illnesses can result.


Herbs for Stress Relief

There are a number of herbs which can be used to help alleviate stress.
Here are just a few:


Hops (Humulus Lupulus L.) has been used traditionally for nervous disorders, irritability and insomnia. The part used is the strobile. Hops gained acceptance in England as an ingredient in beer and as a medicinal herb in 17th century. Hops are most commonly used for their calming effect on the nervous system. Hop tea is recommended for nervous diarrhea, insomnia, and restlessness. It will also help to stimulate appetite, dispel flatulence, and relieve intestinal cramps. Do not use hops if you are experiencing depression.




Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata L.) has a depressant effect on Central Nervous System activity and is also hypotensive. Passionflower is used for its sedative and soothing properties Passion flower is also used to lower blood pressure, prevent tachycardia and relieve insomnia. It promotes restful sleep without any 'narcotic' hangover.







Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora L.) is considered the best general nerve tonic of all the nervine herbs. Skullcap soothes nervous tension and may be used in for nervous exhaustion.. Skullcap can be used in the easing of premenstrual tension. A clinical study1 demonstrated that skullcap has anxiolytic (anxiety reducing) properties - The proposed mechanism suggested flavonoid interactions with the GABA A receptor




1) Wolfson P, Hoffman DL. An investigation into the efficacy of Scutellaria lateriflora in healthy volunteers. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine 2003 Mar-Apr; 9(2):74-8



Whenever dealing with stress, remember to avoid caffeine and take a quality daily Multivitamin/Mineral Supplement. A good diet will give you the strength to keep your nervous system and immune system in shape.
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Are you interested in learning more
about holistic approaches to Stress?

The Herbal Bear is offering a new class.


Herbs for Stress Management

Date: Saturday, October 13, 2007
Time: 2pm - 4pm
Location: 252 West 29th Street - 2nd Floor; New York, NY 10001
Cost: $75.00

Do you feel frazzled, overworked and over stressed? You are not alone – our lifestyles today are more and more demanding. What you may not realize is that all this stress has negative effects upon your health and well being. Excessive stress robs the body of nutrients, harms the cardiovascular system, and lowers the effectiveness of the immune system. In this class we will discuss many herbs and simple meditative practices that can help reduce your stress level and support the body from stress related issues. So chill out and join us!
Register online for this class.



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The Herbal Bear School of Botanical Medicine is offering the following additional classes:

An Introduction to Herbal Medicine - Saturday, October 13, 2007
Herbs for Stress Management - Saturday, October 13, 2007
Herbal Soap Making - Sunday, October 14, 2007
Medicinal Plant Preparations Workshop - Saturday, December 1, 2007
Herbs for the Cold Season - December 8, 2007

For our full schedule - click here

Herbal Remedies for Allergy Relief

By Ursula Basch
Herbal Bear School of Botanical Medicine

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Spring has finally arrived and the trees and flowers are now in bloom. Nature’s beautiful display can cause problems for people who suffer from allergies. All of a sudden, the sneezing, itchy eyes, and congestion begin. Experts who monitor pollen and mold counts say pollen counts are largely the same in urban and suburban areas.

Many of our most common trees; maples, oaks and birch, are big pollen producers. Tree pollen concentrations begin in late April and peak in late May – just when grasses and molds concentrations start to rise! So what can an allergy sufferer do?

Many people reach for over the counter antihistamines. However, antihistamines can cause sedation and reduce concentration. A recent study conducted by Privilege Insurance revealed some alarming results. A survey of almost 5,000 adults found that one in seven suffered from hay fever or other allergies and almost half of these had driven after taking medication. Many of those questioned said they had lost concentration at the wheel because of side effects such as drowsiness.

Herbal Allergy Relief

Herbs are generally considered to be quite safe, and they can offer you natural allergy treatment without the drowsiness of conventional over the counter antihistamine drugs. Here are a few example of herbs that are used for allergy symptoms:

Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica)

Stinging nettle has a long history as a treatment for a variety of respiratory conditions, including allergic rhinitis. Stinging Nettle juice contains an anti-inflammatory component similar to that of steroid drugs. It is thought that properties in the nettle prevent the body from making inflammatory chemicals known as prostaglandins1. A preliminary trial reported that capsules made from freeze-dried leaves reduced sneezing and itching in people with hay fever2.

1 Obertreis B, Giller K, Teucher T, et al. Antiphlogistic effects of Urtica dioica folia extract in comparison to caffeic malic acid. Arzneimittelforschung 1996;46:52-6.

2 Mittman P. Randomized, double-blind study of freeze-dried Urtica dioica in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.Planta Med 1990;56:44-7.



Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis)

Eyebright has anti-inflammatory and astringent properties. Due to its ability to reduce mucous secretions, it is often used for infectious and allergic conditions affecting the eyes, middle ear, sinuses, and nasal passages including: eye strain and inflammations, weeping eyes, itching eyes, and runny nose.

Click here for more information about clinical studies for eyebright



Butterbur (Petasites hybridus)

A 2004 study published in "Clinical & Experimental Allergy" reported Butterbur to be as effective as the prescription drug fexofenadine (Allegra) for treating symptoms of hay fever. Another study published in "Phytotherapy Research" showed similar results. The clinical evidence of butterbur is still out for debate because both studies were conducted for a limited time of two to three weeks. Butterbur does contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) which can be toxic to your liver and kidneys. Only use preparations that are PA free.

Click here for more information about clinical studies for Butterbur

New Herbal Classes

Spring is here and I just wanted to take a moment of you time to tell you about our terrific hands-on herbal learning course - the Herbal Bear's Botanical Medicine Program. This course is very special. It offers students the opportunity to learn about herbs by placing the classroom right in the garden! The program is held one weekend a month (twice in October) at the Herbal Bear, Grand Gorge, NY location - a beautiful private 30 acre property in the Northern Catskills - just 2 hours and 45 minutes from NYC.
Each weekend we learn about the plants that grow arounds us by studying their healing properties upon different body systems, gathering and harvesting the local medicinal plants which grow on the property, and develping a systematic approach to herbal formulations. By the end of the program you will be able to identify and know how to use over 100 different herbs. Our classes are informal and relaxed - however we take pride in the fact that our instructors are amoung the top in thier fields and include experienced herbalists, research scientists, and authors who have published in their field of expertice.
Our classes are small, allowing accessibility to our instructors both during class time and after class. Our instructor's enthusiasm for their topics shows in their willingness to share both their time and knowlege with students - in class and one-on-one.
No one enjoys a boring classroom lecture - this is why we have designed this class to be an interactive and hands-on experience. Learning about herbal remedies takes on a whole new dimension when you have a chance to see, smell, touch and use the plants that grow right in the Northern Catskills.
There are currently have a few spaces still left in this program. If you are interested our Botanical Medicine Program, please feel free to visit our website to learn more about the program - http://www.herbalbear.com/app07.html

Best Wishes for a Great Spring!
Ursula Basch

Are Herbs Really Good For your Health?

By Ursula Basch
The Herbal Bear School of Botanical Medicine

Anyone who has ever gone into a health food store has seen the overwhelming variety of herbal remedies on the shelves. Consumers often have questions:

• What is the best way to take herbs, teas or tinctures?
• What does it mean when an herbal remedy is "standardized"?
• How long is the shelf life of a medicinal herb?

Good questions - but where can you find good answers? The best answers are often not by asking the cashier at the health food store - but rather by doing a little bit of homework yourself - before you go out to buy herbal remedies. There are a number of excellent books that discuss herbal remedies including:

• Complete Guide to Medicinal Herbs, by Penelope Ody
• The Herbal Handbook - A User's Guide to Medical Herbalism, by David Hoffman
• Herbal Remedies for Women, by Amanda McQuade Crawford
  

Another good source of information is taking a class with an experienced herbalist. The advantage of a class is that you often have the ability to see the actual plants and ask the instructor questions you may have concerning various herbs. In New York, the Herbal Bear School offers many classes specifically designed for beginning herbal students. The classes range from short one day introductions to herbal remedies to a full six weekend course called the Botanical Medicine program. Often your local botanical garden or horticultural society has guest lecturers that offer classes on herbalism. It is just a matter of taking the time to find a class in your area.

The Benefits of Medicinal Mushrooms

By Ursula Basch
Herbal Bear School of Botanical Medicine

Spring and Fall are wonderful times for hunting mushrooms. The cooler weather together with increased rain provides the perfect growing conditions. Most people are familiar with the common white button mushroom that is sold in supermarkets. But did you know that mushrooms have a long history in the Orient for their medicinal uses? There are many mushrooms that are used medicinally. Some are commonly used in culinary preparations, others are not as common. Studies have shown that many mushroom may have numerous beneficial actions including: anti-tumor activity, antiviral activity and anti-inflammatory actions.



Here are a few mushrooms and their medicinal actions.

Shiitake
(Lentinula edodes)
Used medicinally for diseases involving depressed immune function-including cancer. A vast amount of research into shiitake's medicinal properties has been completed and shows that it has the ability to fight tumors and viruses and enhance the immune system. It has also shown cholesterol lowering properties.



Maitake
Grifola frondosa
Maitake means "dancing mushroom'' in Japanese. They also are known as hen-of-the-woods because the mass of mushrooms looks like a hen with ruffled feathers. Used in traditional Asian medicine for immune function enhancement, consumption of the mushroom was thought to prevent high blood pressure and cancer. There is currently a study being conducted at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center on the use of Maitake for breast cancer patients.

Reishi
Ganoderma lucidum
The Latin word lucidum means shiny'' and refers to the surface of reishi's cap, which is reddish orange to black and is shiny - appearing almost varnished. Used medicinally for diseases involving depressed immune function and for cancer treatment. Research into shiitake's medicinal properties has shown that it has the ability to fight tumors and viruses and enhance the immune system. It has also shown cholesterol lowering properties.

Would you like more information about herbs and herbal medicine? Visit our website at www.herbalbear.com

The Benefits of Green Tea

by Ursula Basch

Herbal Bear School of Botanical Medicine - www.herbalbear.com

The tea most commonly sold in stores and supermarkets is made from the dried leaves of the tea plant (Camellia sinensis). There are several different varieties of tea: green, black and oolong. All these teas are from the same plant - the differences in taste and appearance are a result of how the tea leaves are processed once they are picked.
Green tea contains the highest concentration of polyphenols. The average cup of green tea contains 50 - 150 mg of polyphenols. Decaffeinated green teas contain 20%-40% less polypenols than the caffeinated teas. Polyphenols are chemicals that act as powerful anti-oxidants and are useful because they scavenge free radicals. Free radicals are compounds in the body which can alter cell membranes, interfere with the genetic material of DNA and even cause cell death. Free radicals occur naturally in the body. However, certain environmental toxins - such as ultraviolet light, cigarette smoke, air pollutants and exposure to industrial chemicals - can increase the number of free radicals present in the body. The polyphenols present in green tea can neutralize free radicals and may reduce or prevent the damage they cause. Green tea's health effects have been studied and the results of these studies yield some promising results. Here are a few of green tea's medicinal actions:
CancerAnimal and human studies suggest that the polyphenols in green tea may play an important role in cancer prevention. The polyphenols present in green tea have been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells, specifically breast, bladder, esophageal and stomach cancers. Foods and beverages rich in antioxidants have long been suggested as a preventative measure against cancers. Current research being conducted on the antioxidant properties of green tea seem to support this approach.


Circulatory Health Studies have show that green tea has the ability to lower total cholesterol levels. Additionally studies have shown that green tea's antioxidant properties - specifically related to its polyphenol content, may prevent atherosclerosis, particularly coronary artery disease.



Diabetes - Green tea has been traditionally used to control blood sugar. Animal studies suggest that green tea may help prevent the development of type I diabetes and may even help slow the progression of disease one it has developed.

The Herbal Bear School of Botanical Medicine offers classes in herbal studies. For more infomation about our programs visit our website at www.herbalbear.com