The parts used medicinally are the roots and rhizome.

James Cook first described the plant in an account of his voyage in the South Seas in 1768. Polynesian Natives consume kava steeped in milk or water, it is used by them in religious rights, as they believe it relaxes the body and mind, eases pain, and aids in a restful sleep. It has been credited with helping many things, including inflammations of the uterus, headaches, colds, rheumatism, VD, and is used as a sedative, aphrodisiac, anesthetic and more. Now lets see what Science has to say.

Scientific Information:

The flavanoids, ketones, amino acids and lactones are the actives in this herb, the lactones. A comprehensive study of kava lactone was conducted at Frieburg University Institute of Pharmacology in Germany during the 1950′s and 1960′s. Over the years they discovered that kava lactones operate by many nontraditional mechanisms. Most sedative drugs, like Valium and other benzodiazepines work by binding GABA (gamma-aminochemical acid) receptors in the brain. This leads to neurochemical changes that promote sedation. Kava lactones modify receptor domains rather than binding to receptors. They may promote sleep by changing the way the limbic system (the main seat of emotion) modulates emotional processes.

Interested in knowing about how it works on pain?

Kava doesn’t work like morphine, aspirin, ibuprofen or other pharmaceuticals, it does not lose it’s effectiveness over time. The lactones we mentioned in part 1 work with other compounds of found in the rhizome to produce a great pharmacological activity. Studies find that kava lactones are absorbed more rapidly when given orally as an extract. Scientist have found that kava acts as a sedative, analgesic, anticonvulsant, and muscle relaxant on laboratory animals. (Remember, you can contact me for references to these studies by email, too much to type on this blog, ask for specific study you are interested in and I’ll provide the reference.)

Another double-blind study with over eighty patients, some on placebo, and some on kavin, some on a compound from Kava, and the rest on a drug like Valium called oxazepan found that kavin and oxazepan both calmed anxiety…the advantage of the kavin being that it is has no complications, which oxazepan is both addictive and has side affects. Kava does not act as a depressant, either.

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Cautionary Note: Kava kava should not be used by pregnant of lactating women. It should not be taken in conjunction with alcohol or used when driving a motor vehicle or operating machinery.

The variety of Una de Gato we are looking at is Uncaria tomentosa, it’s medicinal properties more focused on stimulating the immune system. There is another variety that goes by the scientific name Uncaria guianensis, which studies seem to indicate benefits those who suffer from conditions such as arthritis.

The parts most often used are the inner bark and roots. The may be sold in capsule, extract or tea form depending upon your shopping source.

Here are a few products that may interest you which contain Una de Gato:

Una de Gato (Cat’s Claw) (Blend, Encapsulated)
Glucosamine
Everybody’s Fiber

Like many medicinal herbs, this one has a list of historical uses, but the one that is most prominent in my thinking and experience is the relaxing affect it has on muscles “tightened” by a stressed nervous system. It is one of several herbs that support the nervous system.

Some find it helpful for headaches, and it is said by some that it helps with headache by relaxing the muscles in the neck area, others claim that it benefit circulation to the head area. I have used this herb and found it to be mild and helpful for this purpose.

It is the aerial part of the plant, not the roots, that are used for medicinal purposes.

Plants can be found along the edges of woodlands, along roadways, and are a welcome addition to an herb garden…they grow easily and spread. If you like butterflies, you may want to add this to your Butterfly garden.

Here is some Wood Betony all prepared and ready to use, and Nerve Control which contains Wood Betony and other nervine herbs.

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Need references for any of these claims? Please email me and ask!

The variety of oak that I’m giving attention to this post is Quercus alba. It is native to my part of the eastern United states on over to Minnesota, and parts of Canada, and found in parts of Florida and Texas. Because it is tolerant to a variety of climates, it may settle in almost any location that has the right soil and enough rain. As this variety of tree produces acorns that are less bitter than some oaks, Native Americans used them as food. (Please note that the acorns pictured are not from the Quercus Alba variety.)

When the bark of a tree is used medicinally, it is often the inner bark. A tea may be made to use topically or internally, or it can be powdered. I use it in a cream and capsules (keeps the actives viable for a long, long time as the herb is not exposed to the air). The bark of this variety of oak is very rich in tannins. Because of it’s astringent properties, it is useful for treating skin irritations, including burns, hemorrhoids, and tea from the bark has been used as a gargle for sore throat. Some take the herb internally to help stop diarrhea or dysentary

A Cream that contains White Oak Bark

Encapsulated White Oak Bark

If you would like a fact sheet about any of the items marked in red, please send me an email. Thanks!

Need references for any of these claims? Please email me and ask!

The plants are abundant in the west and southwestern US and in Mexico. This particular variety of yucca is Yucca baccata, or “Banana Yucca” for the shape of the fruits on the plant. There several varieties of Yucca, and several uses.

Native Americans have used the leaves in weaving, or the frayed ends of leaves as paint brushes. The roots & leaves of some varieties of yucca plants provides a soapy substance used as a foaming cleanser, so it is often called “soap plant”…the roots must be pounded to bring out the foamy substance. You can also find this soapy substance in the leaves…rub shredded leaves between your hands with water. The lathering ability comes from large amounts of the steroid, saponin. It is this same property that helps support the structural system by providing anti-inflammatory properties. Many use it to ease joint pain, and reduce arthritic inflammation.

Some eat the root by cubing, boiling until soft, mashing and eating with butter, salt and pepper…and fruits of some varieties of yucca can be eaten, but make VERY sure you know your plants well before ever trying to eat any herb.

You can click to view “Joint Support” and just plain Yucca, two things that I have used.

If you would like a fact sheet about any of the items marked in red, please send me an email. Thanks!

Need references for any of these claims? Please email me and ask!

This is a beautiful garden of Aloe Vera Plants, but I am more accustomed to seeing it on my window sill in the kitchen as I look past it, out the window to the birds feeding on the feeder. When people are learning about medicinal herbs, this is one that many are familiar with.There are hundreds of species of Aloe Vera. In the inner fleshy part of the leaves, there lies a clear gel that we apply to our burns and sunburns in our home. There are also sheaths that contain a yellow sap which is used for their purgative properties. This is the part that is removed when you purchase Aloe Vera Juice to sooth and heal your intestinal system…Aloe Vera Juice inside, and Aloe Vera Gel used outside the body are contact healers, healing whatever part of the body it makes actual contact with.

According to Grindley & Reynolds “The Aloe Vera phenomenon: A review of the properties and modern uses of the leaf parenchyma gel” in the Jrl. of Ethnoparmacology, 1986; and Lushbaugh and Hales “Experimental acute radiodermatitis following Beta radiation. V. Histopathological study of the mode of action of therapy with Aloe Vera” Cancer; testing of aloe vera gel on burns showed a marked improvement in burn outcome, but failed to show significant improvement in general wound care. Most studies did show promise with increased sloughing of the necrotic epithelium, and reduced infection rate, because aloe acts as a natural topical antibiotic, and caused wound re-moisturization.

Aloe’s anti-inflammatory properties are attributed to the action of the salicylates, magnesium or perhaps the combined action of both.

As for the purgative properties, my husband tells me a story about a friend he worked with that grew up in Jamaica. Each year, their mother gave them a strong drink, which he believes was made with Aloe Vera, including the purgative part, that made them quite sick to their stomachs. This was done to purge them of parasites, not something that they looked forward to, but very affective. We have less dramatic parasite cleanses available to us, thankfully, but this was an interesting story.

If you would like a fact sheet about any of the items marked in red, please send me an email. Thanks!

Disclaimer: Please note that if you take or try any of the remedies discussed on this website, it is your decision, and you are responsible for the outcome. Read carefully the information provided with any herbal remedies you consider purchasing, no matter where you buy them from.