‘Ginger and Barberry Combination Tea'
Composition Barberry, Peppermint, Ginger root, Wild Yam (American), Cramp bark, Catnip, Fennel seed.
Properties Antispasmodic, Bitter tonic, Carminative, Stimulant, Cholagogue.
General description
Ginger and Barberry combination is a bitter tonic formula. It is used to improve the appetite and make digestion more efficient. The herbs increase the production of digestive fluids and enzymes, especially bile. They also increase blood circulation, relieve smooth muscle spasms and soothe inflamed tissues.
Chinese herbalists would describe this herbal combination as a wood reducing formula. It also reduces the fire element while enhancing the water, metal, and earth elements.
Ginger and Barberry combination has traditionally been used to treat bloating, flatulence, menstrual cramps, gall bladder congestion, chronic constipation, inflammatory skin conditions, jaundice, fevers and conjunctivitis.
This formula is commonly used in conjunction with lecithin, dandelion, methionine, the complex of B vitamin, choline, vitamin A, iron, the vitamin C family, vitamin D, vitamin E and nettle.
· Imbalances: indicating the use of this formula are commonly noted in the liver acupressure point located approximately four inches to the right of the sternum between the 7th and 8th ribs. Imbalances are often noted at the 7:45 position of the right iris. Use caution in cases of extreme pain in the gall bladder region, enlarged liver, gastritis, and dysentery.
∞ Individual Components
—Barberry— contains bitter compounds that improve the efficiency of digestion, stimulate the production of bile, dilate blood vessels and produce a mild laxative effect. It also contains astringent compounds that tighten inflamed tissues in the digestive system. Barberry has been used in cases of jaundice, dyspepsia, constipation and gallstones.
—Ginger root— contains aromatic compounds that increase the production of digestive fluids and enzymes, lower blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol. It also contains bitter compounds that reduce muscle spasms increase blood circulation and dilate blood vessels. Ginger is an excellent herbal source of trace minerals especially silicon, magnesium, and manganese. It has been used to treat nausea, motion sickness, flatulence, colds, coughs, indigestion, fevers, vomiting, diarrhea, chronic bronchitis and cold hands and feet.
—Cramp bark— contains bitter compounds that relieve smooth muscle spasms, reduce pain and calm the nerves. It has been used to treat menstrual cramps, dysmenorrhea, rheumatism, colic, muscle tension and headaches.
—Fennel seed— contains aromatic compounds that stimulate the production of digestive fluids, relieve inflammation, are antiseptic, make one breathe deeply and more often and increase the flow of urine. It has been used to treat indigestion, dyspepsia, anorexia, colic, flatulence, coughs and colds.
—Peppermint leaf— contains aromatic compounds that increase the production digestive fluids, relieve muscle spasms, increase blood circulation, reduce pains, promote sweating and are antiseptic. It also contains astringent compounds which shrink inflamed tissues. Peppermint has been used to treat indigestion, flatulence, mouth sores, loss of appetite, muscle cramps, nausea, morning sickness and dysmenorrhea.
—Wild yam root (American) — contains bitter compounds that promote sweating, relieve muscle cramps and reduce inflammation. It has been used to treat arthritis, menstrual cramps, rheumatism and gastritis.
—Catnip herb— contains aromatic compounds that have a sedative effect, relieve smooth muscle spasms and induce sweating. It has been used to treat coughs, colds, anxiety, colic, fevers, influenza, lung congestion and nausea.
—Lecithin— is a type of lipid that is needed by every living cell in the human body. Cell membranes, which regulate the passage of nutrients into and out of the cells, are largely composed of lecithin. The protective sheaths surrounding the brain are composed of lecithin, and the muscles and nerve cells also contain this essential fatty substance.
—Dandelion— contains bitter compounds that improve the efficiency of digestion, stimulate the production of bile, dilate blood vessels and produce a mild laxative effect. It also contains astringent compounds that tighten inflamed tissues in the digestive system. Barberry has been used in cases of jaundice, dyspepsia, constipation and gallstones.
—Nettle— contains bitter compounds that increase the flow of urine, are antiseptic and relieve pains. It also contains astringent compounds that shrink inflamed tissues and stop bleeding. Nettle has been used to treat urinary tract infections, respiratory tract infections, inflammatory skin conditions, diarrhea and asthma.
—Methionine— is an essential amino acid that assists in the breakdown of fats, thus helping to prevent a buildup of fat in the liver and arteries that might obstruct blood flow to the brain, heart, and kidneys. The synthesis of the amino acids cysteine and taurine may depend on the availability of methionine. This amino acid helps the digestive system; helps to detoxify harmful agents such as lead and other heavy metals,; helps diminish muscle weakness, prevent brittle hair, and protect against radiation; and is beneficial for people with osteoporosis or chemical allergies. It is useful also in the treatment of rheumatic fever and toxemia of pregnancy. Methionine is a powerful antioxidant. It is a good source of sulfur, which inactivates free radicals and helps to prevent skin and nail problems.
—Vitamin A— Prevents night blindness and other eye problems, as well as some skin disorders, such as acne. It enhances immunity, may help to heal gastrointestinal ulcers, and is needed for the maintenance and repair of epithelial tissue, of which the skin and mucous membranes are composed.
—Vitamin B complex— help to maintain the health of the nerves, skin, eyes, hair, liver, and mouth, as well as healthy muscle tone in the gastrointestinal tract and proper brain function.
—Vitamin C— is an antioxidant that is required for at least three hundred metabolic functions in the body, including tissue growth and repair, adrenal gland function, and healthy gums. It also aids in the production of antistress hormones and interferon, an important immune system protein, and is needed for the metabolism of folic acid, tyrosine, and phenylalanine. Studies have shown that taking vitamin C can reduce symptoms of asthma. It protects against the harmful effects of pollution, helps to prevent cancer, protects against infection, and enhances immunity. Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron. It can combine with toxic substances, such as certain heavy metals, and render them harmless so that they can be eliminated from the body.
—Vitamin D— a fat-soluble vitamin that has properties of both a vitamin and a hormone, is required for the absorption and utilization of calcium and phosphorus. It is necessary for growth, and is especially important for the normal growth and development of bones and teeth in children. It protects against muscle weakness and is involved in regulation of the heartbeat. It is also important in the prevention and treatment of breast and colon cancer, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and hypocalcemia; enhances immunity; and is necessary for thyroid function and normal blood clotting.
—Vitamin E— Acts as an antioxidant in the human body. As an antioxidant, vitamin E prevents cell damage by inhibiting the oxidation of lipids (fats) and the formation of free radicals. It protects other fat-soluble vitamins from destruction by oxygen and aids in the utilization of vitamin A. It protects the low-density lipoproteins (LDL cholesterol) from oxidation as well,. Oxidized LDL has been implicated in the development of cardiovascular disease. It is also known to inhibit blood platelet aggregation (clotting) and has other functions related to the activity of the immune system.
—Iron— functions in the body is the production of hemoglobin and myoglobin (the form of hemoglobin found in muscle tissue), and the oxygenation of red blood cells. Iron is the mineral found in the largest amounts in the blood. It is essential for many enzymes, including catalase, and is important for growth. Iron is also required for a healthy immune system and for energy production.
—References— “Medical Herbalism” The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine By – David Hoffmann, FNIMH, AHG; ISBN: 0-89281-749-6 Copyright 2003
—References— “Nutritional Herbology” A Reference Guide to Herbs By – Mark Pedersen; ISBN: 1-885653-07-7 Copyright 2008
—References— “Prescription for Nutritional Healing” Fourth Edition a practical A to Z reference to drug-free remedies using vitamins, minerals, herbs and food supplements By – Phyllis A. Balch, CNC; ISBN: 1-58333-236-7 Copyright 2006
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Recipe: Per teapot full – Equal Parts of – Barberry, ginger root, cramp bark, fennel seed, peppermint, (American) wild yams, catnip. Steep 3 to 4 minute add honey.
Recipe: Per teapot full – Equal Parts of – Barberry, ginger root, cramp bark, fennel seed, peppermint, (American) wild yams, catnip and add 1 teaspoon of any one of these herbs [Dandelion, nettle]. Steep 3 to 4 minute add honey.
Recipe:
Recipe:
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Generated on February 27, 2009
Updated on October 12, 2009
