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                          3.2 Herbs for migraines
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by Eugenia Provence, Eprovence.aol.com

What are migraines? A whole variety of headaches associated with vascular
constriction and dilation make up the unpleasant world of migraines. The
two most common are classic migraine and common migraine. They may first
appear in childhood, but usually in the late teens or early twenties. More
women than men are subject to them, and they frequently end after
menopause.

Classic migraines start with warning signs (called the aura by medical
folks). Before the headache begins, you may temporarily lose some of your
vision, see flashing lights and feel very strange altogether, maybe even
feeling a burning sensation or muscle weakness.

The pain usually begins on one side of the head, but can spread. The
headache may take hours to develop and several days before it goes, leaving
a desire to sleep (replacing the desire to die!). You may experience nausea
and sensitivity to light and noise.

I've had only one of this kind and never want another. I thought I was
losing my vision (along with my wits and my lunch). Other symptoms may
include muscle numbness, tingling, scalp tenderness, dizziness, dry mouth,
tremors, sweating and chilliness.

Common migraines don't begin so dramatically, but a few hours or days
before onset, you may feel tired, depressed (or paradoxically) have a burst
of energy, be anxious or feel hyper. The common migraine may begin more
slowly and last longer than the classic type. Except for the aura, the
symptoms are the same.

What causes migraines? The exact range of mechanisms producing migraines
isn't well understood, but is believed to be an upset in serotonin
metabolism that causes dilation of cerebral arteries, followed by vascular
spasm in extra-cranial blood vessels.

Migraine triggers are as varied as the individuals afflicted by them. About
70% of sufferers have family histories of migraine.

Food triggers are common, and can be nearly anything. Some of the most
frequent food triggers are anything aged, canned, cured, pickled or
processed or that contain tyramine or nitrites. Aged cheese, bananas,
caffeine, chicken livers, MSG, alcohol (especially red wine,) yeast
products (including bread), chocolate, red meat, shellfish are common, but
the list is extensive and individual. Try eliminating these first. If that
doesn't work, see if you are sensitive to citrus, lentils, nuts, any kind
of green beans or peas, vinegar or yogurt.

Stress, strong emotional reactions and fatigue may be triggers, in addition
to compounding the symptoms. Weather or altitude changes may contribute to
them. There's a hormonal trigger for some women, causing migraines prior to
or during menstruation or when using birth control pills or estrogen
replacement therapy. There seems to be an association with sluggish liver
function from eating too much fatty food or heavy drinking.

How can they be prevented or treated? If you can catagorize your migraines
as being related to physical stress or emotional upheaval, stress reduction
techniques, meditation and biofeedback have been found to be helpful, as
have acupuncture and bodywork. Chiropractic or Osteopathic treatment may
help if there is a structual problem in the neck. Again, it's very
individual and complex issue, and you may need the assistance of a
professional conventional or complementary practioner.
HERBAL THERAPIES:

   * To ease pain, David Hoffmann suggests that at the first sign of attack
     equal parts of Black Willow, Meadowsweet, Passion Flower, Valerian and
     Wood Betony may be helpful.
   * For migraine associated with stress, use equal parts of Hawthorne
     berries, Lime Flowers, Wood Betony, Skullcap and Crampbark.
   * Nervine tonics, such as Oats and Skullcap are appropriate long-term
     therapy, accompanied by Siberian Ginseng as an adaptogen.
   * Massage Lavender oil into the temples at first sign of an attack.
   * If the migraine is accompanied by nausea or vomiting, Chamomile,
     Meadowsweet or Peppermint may help.
   * If migraine is associated with hormonal problems, long-term treatment
     should include herbs to try to balance the hormonal system. Vitex,
     Black Cohosh, or Wild Yam may be useful.
   * European herbalists emphasize the importance of liver support in
     migraine treatment. Herbs like Burdock, Dandelion root or Milk Thistle
     would be ideal.

The following delicious Migraine Tea from Ana Nez Heatherly of Gatesville,
Texas, appears in the July 1995 Mother Earth News. She prepares a cold
infusion of:

6 parts Rosemary leaves 4 parts Peppermint leaves
4 parts Lemon Balm leaves 4 parts Sweet Violet
3 parts Feverfew 1/2 part sweet Violet Flowers

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Please also check the entry 2.9, Feverfew and migraine; and then you could
search the net for the Natural Migraine Treatment FAQ by Catherine Woodgold
 - archive
name: medicine/migraine/natural-cures.

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                         3.3 Herbs for vivid dreams
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From Colette Gardiner, on mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) as a dream enhancer:

There's quite a bit of info out there about this topic, probably recently
discussed on this list as well. I've used it to induce more vivid dreaming
for years and have seen strong effects in many people. Some people have
been known to wake up in the night cursing loudly and toss the pillow
across the room, they were dreaming so vividly. A bundle of it hanging near
your head at night works as well as a pillow of the cut and sifted stuff
available in stores. It's also useful as an incense or in incense blends
before any divinatory work such as tarot, rune reading etc. Just take a
small amount of the dried herb and toss it on top of a wood stove or on a
small charcoal disc that's been lit (available in magic stores or sometimes
in catholic supply stores). Mostly I'd recommend simply getting some and
trying it out for yourself. I've heard a lot of stories over the years from
students who've used it.

Other herbs for vivid dreams:
Plantain- Plantago majus or P. lanceolata - tea in evening.
Watercress - Ingested at daybreak to increase dreams that evening.
Peppermint - Mentha spp. burned as an incense at sunset and thru the
evening for visionary dreams.

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From Dennis McClain-Furmanski (dynasor.infi.net):

Calea zacatechichi (Dream Herb) is a shrub from the Chiapas region of
Mexico, related to the mint family. It has been used by the Chontal people
as a divinitory for many years. Traditional use as a tea brings about a
drowsy dream state, in which answers to questions are revealed and lost
objects are located.

Clinical testing in double blind studies have been shown to induce sleep
and vivid dreaming, with the subjects reporting profound meaning in the
dreams.

Preparation is almost invariably as a tea. However, zacatechichi is
intensely bitter and soapy tasting and little can be done to mask the taste
(though mixture with the sweetener herb Stevia or preparation by taking
Miracle Berry which makes everything taste sweet sound like reasonable
suggestions). My experience has been to mix a rounded teaspoon of
zacatechichi with an ounce of kava kava and preparing it as normal kava.
The berries/seeds seem to have more effect, though the leaf material itself
is potent.

Little empirical or pharmacologic data exists so far, one notable study
being Lilian Mayagoitia's (1986) "Calea Zacatechichi: Psychopharmocologic
Analysis of an Alleged Oneirogenic Plant" in vol. 18 of the Journal of
Ethnopharmacology.

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                   Please also see entry 2.10, Kava kava.
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                         3.4 Herbs and weight loss
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From Patricia Harper :

Many herbs are used for temporary weight loss, including some that you can
buy at an herb store. However, there are many herbalists who consider
weight loss formulas to be harmful, and will not make them for their
clients. Typically, herbal diet pills use herbs with the following
properties to cause weight loss:

  1. Stimulants: encourage the body to burn more calories.
  2. Diuretics: cause the body to excrete water through excess urine.
  3. Cathartics: cause evacuation of the bowels, reduce calorie consumption
     by impeding full digestion.
  4. Appetite suppressants: reduce hunger by expanding in the stomach,
     altering mood, or satisfying taste.

They may also use herbs to increase perspiration, (more "water weight"
loss), and kill pain, or balance nerves.

Some formulas are definitely going to be better balanced than others, but
in general, we are not talking here about gentle herbs that nourish and
support you, as you bring your habits into balance. Herbal weight loss
formulas may have drastic physical effects on your body. "Effective" diet
pills --herbal or not-- are potent, depleting, and temporary, if effective.
They do not cure overweight conditions.

There are herbs which can be used as supplements while you diet, but weight
loss involves your whole lifestyle. Why not consider using herbs to change
your lifestyle?

Instead of just using dried, capsulated, herbal products, start including
*whole* herbs in your life. Eat them everyday, as fresh as possible, (e.g.
take walks, check out the vegetable stand, or tend a garden), everyday.
Instead of taking a capsule, eat a handful of fresh parsley. Experiment
with tasting each of your favorite culinary herbs made up as "diet" tea.
Collect dandelion leaves, plantain, mints, lettuce, whatever, and whip it
up in your blender as special diet "green drink." Almost no calories in
most herbs.

Also, get to know specific weeds and plants in your neighborhood. Learn
their names and uses; look at them. Watch how they grow, Think about their
growing condition and responses to it. You can even keep a journal noting
everything you learn about each plant. Spring is the perfect time to bring
herbs into your lifestyle.

Eating and living with herbs can bring you a lifestyle which may be more
conducive to weight loss.

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                         Best of the Herbal Forums:
     http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/archives/Best/2000/weightloss.html
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                                3.5 Insomnia
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                       Also see entry 2.1, Valeriana.
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> I REALLY need some herbs to take for insomnia. My doctor says I am in
excellent health, and I am not depressed, but insomnia has been a terrible
problem for me since I was a child. Can anyone recommend some herbs to me
that either taste good-ok (not valerian--it smells so bad to me :( ) OR
tell me how to make a herbal sleep pillow?

From trowan.ivory.trentu.ca (The Literate Tomboy):
Rub a little lavender oil under your nose and breathe deep as you lie in
bed...

From burleigh.tcg.anl.gov (darin)
Organic chemistry textbooks. It was a surefire thing in college.

From dsm2.ix.netcom.com (sherree moore)
Okay, I've been lurking around reading the herbal newsgroup and I JUST have
to give my remedy for insomnia. When I can't sleep I make a tea from
chamomile (of course), valerian, hops, and a smidge of passion flower.
Works every time. Of course, this combination might become a bit too much
every single night! Therefore, a hops pillow might help. Make a small
pillow and fill it with hops. Really doesn't smell bad at all. Oh yes, the
tea is an acquired taste, but honey helps.

From carl.mork.nwcs.org (Carl Mork):
The various mints are good in tea for making you relax. I make a nice mix
of peppermint, cat mint and apple mint to brew up the tea. A pillow is
simple to make. Use the same mints plus lavender. There are other herbs
that are used for sleep, but those are the ones I know from practical
experience.
The mix for tea and pillows should be to your taste. Oh and I suggest honey
in the tea.

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                        3.5.1 Insomnia therapeutics
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From Henriette:

Insomnia. The first thing to do is to cut out _all_ caffeine. That means
coffee, tea, cocoa, cola drinks, guarana, mate, etc.

Do you exercise? You might not be tired if you don't move during the day.
30 minutes daily walking is good, but more is better (up to a limit).

Don't eat too heavily before bedtime.

Do you have problems with depression? SJW (Hypericum, St. John's wort)
helps with mild to moderate depression, and one of the signs of depression
is that you wake up early in the morning and can't go back to sleep. Simple
insomnia is another sign. SJW needs to be taken regularly for a few weeks
before you notice a difference.

Is your room dark enough? Before you shop for dark dark drapes for your
windows you can test by investing in a set of those thick cloth goggles to
put over your eyes. You know, the type that makes it easier to sleep when
you travel by plane.

If all that is OK here's a herbal blend that has worked nicely for all
people I have given it to:

     1 part Hypericum tincture (fresh flowering tops, 1:2 95 %)
     1 part Eschscholtzia tincture (fresh herb, 1:2 95 %)

Mix, take 30 drops as needed. Keep the bottle near your bed, or make a tea
of the recently dried herbs and keep the tea ready on your bedside table.

Another blend would be

     1 part Hypericum tincture (fresh flowering tops, 1:2 95 %)
     1 part Avena tincture (fresh milky seed, 1:2 95 %)

Mix, take 30 drops as needed. This can't be substituted with a tea, as
Avena milky seed has to be used fresh.

Or you could try some of the herbal suggestions given above. Whatever you
do, don't put lavender essential oil (EO) on your upper lip - that smell
will keep you awake. If you want to use lavender EO, put it on a tissue and
keep that under your pillow. That way, when you get tired of the smell, you
can remove the tissue.

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                             3.6 Aphrodisiacs
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From Peter L. Schuerman :

Try this:
2 parts safflower (or 1 part saffron)
2 parts hibiscus flower
2 parts rose flower
in tea (1 tsp. per cup) or capsules (1-2 OO caps).
According to Ayurvedic philosophy, the floral structures of plants have
their medicinal effects on the reproductive system. This formula is made of
three flowers; the first is an aphrodisiac, the second exerts an influence
on the sexual chakra and the third exerts and influence on the heart chakra
and acts to harmonize the blend.

From Back in Black , to above:
If you find the effect of this mixture too overwhelming (depending on your
constitution, it might be) you can also add 1 part myrrh to soften the
effect. Without the myrrh, it has quite a punch, with the myrrh, it has a
much more diffuse effect, spread throughout the entire body rather than
being so focused on the lower two chakras (or at least, those are the
effects it had on me).
Personally, I couldn't stomach this mixture as tea -- capsules are
preferable -- but it's also not bad in vanilla yogurt, if you don't have
capsules.

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From Henriette:
Germans use celeriac root as an aphrodisiac. It works because it enhances
blood flow to the pelvic area; but any aphrodisiac will work better if both
partners know about it.

So here's a recipe for a Waldorf salad for two:

     1,5 dl grated raw celeriac
     1 apple, grated or cut into pieces
     1-2 tblspoons walnuts
     dressing: 1 dl sourcream, 1/4 teaspoon mustard, herbsalt.

Mix and enjoy.

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                   3.7 Herbal Abortives and Birth Control
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Disclaimer: This is not anything you should try at home without supervision
                     from a knowledgeable herb person.

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From Colette Gardiner :

Current and reliable information on herbal birth control is rare. In the
Western tradition much information on birth control as well as safe
birthing techniques was destroyed during the European Witch hunts circa
1450-1700. Having such knowledge was proof positive that you were a witch.
Other historical information is often incomplete, with only a local common
name, or no exact dosages. Researchers often discard supportive techniques
such as fasting or ritual as mere superstition. Current studies tend to be
anecdotal rather than strictly lab controlled data. This does not mean they
are not of value, but again pertinent info may be missing. Such as was the
woman pregnant in the first place? Anecdotal info can give us ideas on
where to start and what the possibilities are. They have also shown us that
herbal abortives are not themselves without side effects, often severe. All
herbal info on abortives should be thoroughly researched before use. Some
herbalists feel that herbal abortions are more dangerous than clinical
abortions. Abortive herbs are toxic and do have side effects. They are not
safer because they are natural. Clinical abortions are certainly more
effective. Most importantly an herbal abortion should never be undertaken
unless a women is willing to follow up with a clinical abortion if the
herbs fail.

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                               EFFECTIVENESS
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Varying success rates have been claimed for herbal birth control. Estimates
vary from 20%-80%. It is important to remember that most of these rates are
based on the incidence of successfully bringing on a delayed period, not in
aborting a definite pregnancy. Since many herbs seem to work the best close
to the time of the first missed menstrual period, many women have not had a
pregnancy test at the time they took herbal abortives. Studies on the
success rate of herbal abortives in non-confirmed pregnancies is quite high
(70%-80%). Success rates with confirmed pregnancies is substantially lower,
20% or less. Also there's not as much research on herbal abortives with
confirmed pregnancy.

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                                 SPECIFICS
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Rina Nissim, founder of the Dispensaire des Femmes in Switzerland claims a
success rate of 60%-80% in women who believed they were pregnant
(non-tested). Their method involved the use of at least two herbs at a
time. Generally one emmenagogue (bleeding stimulator) with an oxytocic
(uterine contraction stimulator) for no more than six days starting as soon
as a woman's period is late. They have found that starting the herbal
regimen later than six days overdue drops the success rate to 20%.

In a survey I conducted (appendix A) with a small group of women there
appeared to be a high success rate (about 75%). However only one of the
women had a positive pregnancy test, so actual success rates were certainly
much lower. My experience with women where there has been more complete
information, such as positive pregnancy tests and follow up leads me to
guess at a realistic success rate of 20% at this time. In a highly quoted
New Mexico study, Cotton root bark had a very high success rate, with a
fairly low toxicity. However it appears that very few of the women were
actually pregnant based on blood tests and screening.

Less info is available on prevention of pregnancy with herbs. In an
informal study (appendix B) by Robin Bennett with Wild Carrot Seed used on
a semi- regular basis as an implantation preventer she had a 98% success
rate with few side effects. There is also a much quoted seven year study
involving one hundred women in Alaska that also claimed high success rates
for wild carrot seed. But no one seems to have any specifics on it.

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                                   SAFETY
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In general many herbal abortives are mildly poisonous to potentially fatal
in large doses.
Almost all women report at least one of the following side effects:

   * Increased bleeding
   * Dizziness and nausea sometimes extreme enough to cause fear.
   * Visual disturbances
   * Sweats or chills
   * Diarrhea

Less commonly reported side effects:

   * Incomplete abortion
   * Irregular cycles for 1-3 months

The above can also occur in clinical abortions.

   * Kidney irritation
   * Breast Lumps (Tansy)

Almost all women reported heavier bleeding and clotting than normal and
felt that this was an indication of an aborted pregnancy. While this is
indeed a sign of aborted pregnancy it's also common with use of
emmenagogues. Common sense would indicate that when using emmenagogues
there would be the chance of hemorrhage, but it appears to be a not very
common side effect compared to the other effects. Most side effects appear
to be of short duration. I do know of one case where a women experienced
severe long term endocrine imbalance after using herbal abortives.

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                            SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS
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The most serious side effects seem to occur when women use herbal
abortives, remain pregnant and attempt to carry to term. There is a high
enough rate of reported instances to call for extreme caution.

   * Incomplete or low implantation of the placenta
     (reported frequently by many practitioners)
   * Premature detachment of the placenta before or during birth

Consequences of these side effects can be severe and potentially fatal.
Severe hemorrhage can and does occur under these circumstances. In one case
a women lost 1/3 of her blood volume before bleeding could be stopped.
Treatment consists of total bed rest and staying close to a hospital. The
risks to both mother and fetus are extreme.

   * A few isolated reports of toxaemia possibly related to herbal
     abortives.

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                       ONE FINAL VERY SUBJECTIVE NOTE
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Clinic workers who see many clinical abortions note that women who used
herbal abortives on their current pregnancy seem to have darker, thicker
blood with more clotting.

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              USE OF HERBAL ABORTIVES AS A LABOR FACILITATOR
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A few of the herbs that are used as herbal abortives maybe safely used in
the last trimester of pregnancy under specific conditions to help
facilitate healthy labor. While safe if properly used they should not be
used unless a problem exists and only with the help of a practitioner.

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                              HERBAL SPECIFICS
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There are two main types of herbs used as abortives. Emmenagogues and
oxytocins.

EMMENAGOGUES

Emmenagogues stimulate blood circulation to the pelvic area and uterus and
help to stimulate menstruation.

   * Vitamin C - no buffers or fillers. Dose: 500 mg every hour for 12
     hours up to 5 days.
     Toxicity: possible kidney irritation, loose bowels.
   * Ginger - Zingiber officinale, Dose: 1 oz. fresh or dry root to pint of
     water.
     Toxicity: possible light-headedness.
   * Pennyroyal - Mentha pulegium & Hedeoma pulegiodes, Dose: 1/4 cup of
     herb to 1 quart water once a day for no more than 6 days.
     Toxicity: nausea, numbness in hand and legs, liver irritation, kidney
     and bladder irritation, diarrhea, The essential oil is fatal
     internally. Contraindications: kidney conditions.
   * Angelica root - Angelica archangelica, Dosage: 1/4 cup herb to 1 quart
     water as tea. Tincture - 10-20 drops every two hours. Dried root less
     toxic than fresh.
     Toxicity: irritant to kidney and liver, not studied as much as
     pennyroyal. Contraindicated in diabetes as it raises blood sugar
     levels.
   * Mugwort Leaf - Artemisia vulgaris, Dosage: 3 teaspoon per cup tea, 3
     cups per day, for no more than six days.
     Toxicity: higher doses can cause liver damage and convulsions. Nausea.
     Contraindications: Uterine inflammation or recent pelvic infection.
   * Black Cohosh Root - Cimicifuga racemosa, Dosage: 3 teaspoons per cup,
     4 times a day. Tincture 20 drops every 6 hours.
     Toxicity: Diarrhea, dizziness, headache, decreased pulse rate,
     tremors, fatalities can occur in large enough doses.
   * Tansy - Tanacetum vulgare. Note: Do not confuse with tansy ragwort,
     Senecio jacobaea, which is a poisonous plant known to cause death in
     cattle thru liver failure. Dosage: Tea, 4-8 teaspoons per qt. sipped
     throughout day. 10 drops tincture in warm water every two hours til
     bleeding commences, for no more than 5 days.
     Toxicity: breast lumps, possible hemorrhage, liver irritant. Essential
     oil is fatal - do not ingest.

OXYTOCIC HERBS

They imitate oxytocin in the body to stimulate uterine contractions and
release prostaglandin hormones. All oxytocic herbs are toxic to some
degree. Women can experience very painful contractions. They are generally
hard on the liver. Women with a history of liver disease such as hepatitis
may wish to avoid them all together.

   * Blue Cohosh root - Caulophyllum thalictroides, Dosage: Tea - 3
     teaspoons herb per cup, 3 cups per day, tincture - 20 drops every 4
     hours, for six days or til bleeding commences. Toxicity: nausea,
     vomiting, headaches, convulsions in large doses, kidney and liver
     irritant, Contraindications: low blood pressure. Some of the
     constituents of Cohosh are more soluble as tincture.
   * Angelica - see emmenagogues.
   * Cotton root bark - Gossypium herbacetum, Dosage: 12 teaspoons per
     quart, 1/2 - 1 quart thru day. Tincture 10 drops every few hours til
     bleeding commences, for no more than 6 days.
     Toxicity : seemingly low based on the New Mexico study. Cotton is a
     heavily sprayed crop with pesticides that are only used on non food
     crops. Those pesticides can cause liver irritation, and other
     problems. Organic cotton root bark may be difficult to find.

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                              OTHER HERBS USED
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   * Wild Carrot Seed - Daucus carota, used as a preventative. Dosage: 1
     teaspoon a day chewed and washed down with fluid. Believed to work as
     an implantation preventor by making the uterine lining unsuitable. See
     appendix B.
     Toxicity: So far appears to be low toxicity, long term effects
     unknown. Identification must be absolute as many wild members of this
     family look similar and can be fatal.
   * Trillium root - Trillium spp. Dosage: tincture 30 drops 3-4 times a
     day. Tea 3 teaspoons per cup, 1 quart per day. Trillium root is used
     by midwives to facilitate softening of the cervix and is often used as
     a labor adjunct in the case of rigid os or as a preparatory agent
     before trying to induce labor with stronger herbs. It occasionally
     will start labor on it's own. As an abortive there is not a lot of
     current use info on effectiveness and side effects. Trillium root
     should only be harvested from garden grown plants as it is rare in the
     wild due to habitat destruction by logging and urban growth.
   * Parsley - Petroselinum spp. Used as a fresh plant vaginal insert for
     24 hours. Personally I have heard of no cases of even bringing on a
     delayed period with this method.
     Toxicity: low.

Misc. Herbs listed as abortives: Agave, Osha, Mistletoe, Rue, Peyote, Sweet
flag, Papaya seed, Feverfew, Motherwort, Wood Sorrel, Damiana.

The above is by no means an exhaustive list, many mild emmenagogues are
listed as abortives in literature both scientific and folkloric: Marjoram,
Oregano, Beet, Celery, Papaya fruit, Peppermint, Valerian, etc. While they
may help facilitate onset of a slow period, such as the type where there's
cramping and pelvic heaviness but bleeding has not yet commenced, it's
doubtful they would act as abortives.

Dosages mentioned above may be on the conservative side in many cases.
However, since the serious side effects show up at higher doses it's best
to be cautious. I've seen better results with tea than with tincture and
with mixing 2 -3 herbs together in a blend. Herbal abortives effects may be
enhanced by a day of fasting, working with ritual, and massage of the
uterine acupressure points along the ankles several times a day for at
least ten minutes at a time. Again the success rate is very low for actual
pregnancies.

Ideally if a woman wished to use herbal abortives I would recommend finding
a clinic that does early pregnancy testing of the type that can detect
pregnancy within a few days of conception, preferably one that can see
women on a walk in basis so you don't have to wait for an appointment. Then
if you are not pregnant you can use a mild emmenagogue such as marjoram,
without stressing your body. Since early testing is not 100% accurate and
if you are fairly sure you are pregnant, you may wish to use one of the
less toxic abortives such as Vitamin C. Since most of the abortives are so
hard on the body they should only be used in cases of confirmed pregnancy.
Why put your liver thru more stress than it already gets in today's world?

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                                 APPENDIX A
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