Manuka (Leptospermum scoparium)

What is Manuka?

In New Zealand, where manuka trees grow, the Maori consider male tea tree plants "Kanuka" and the female plants "Manuka". The plant is regarded very highly in this culture as a medicinal species.

The most well-known form of manuka is in manuka honey. This is a honey made by bees feasting primarily on manuka bushes. The honey has an impressive antibacterial profile when made from these plants. This is also reflected in the herb itself, which has been shown to have potent antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antiviral activity.

Most of the medicinal benefits of the plant come from its essential oil content, which can vary a lot depending on the region the plant was grown in.

What is Manuka Used For?

Internally, manuka is used to treat gastrointestinal conditions like diarrhea, colic, inflammatory bowel syndrome, and dysentery. It's also used for urinary tract infection, anxiety, and cold/flu infections.

Manuka is used topically for its antibacterial, and vulnerary actions. It's used to treat slow healing skin and bone injuries, bacterial infections, candida, and eczema. It can be gargled for gingivitis, or for general oral hygiene.

Manuka honey is another common form of the plant. It's become so popular worldwide, it's been standardised by the phenol content. This is expressed as a unique manuka factor (UMF) value set by the Active Manuka Honey Association (AMHA). Anything over UMF 5 is considered strong enough to kill MRSA.

Herb Details: Manuka

Herbal Actions:

• Anti-inflammatory
• Antibacterial
• Antifungal
• Antispasmodic
• Anxiolytic
• Diaphoretic
• Diuretic
• Febrifuge
• Sedative
• Astringent

Weekly Dose

• (1:2 Liquid Extract)
  20-65 mL
• View Dosage Chart

Part Used

• Leaves, Flowers, Bark

Family Name

• Myrtaceae

Distribution

• New Zealand

Constituents of Interest

• Leptospermone
• Sesquiterpenes
• Tannins
• Citronellal

Common Names

• Manuka
• Tea Tree
• New Zealand Tea Tree

Quality

• Neutral-Warm

Pregnancy

• Unknown

Taste

• Spicy

Duration of Use

• Long term use is acceptable, but should be taken away from food.

Botanical Information

Manuka is a member of the Myrtaceae family of plants. This family contains as many as 133 different genera, and around 3800 different species, many of which are medicinally relevant.

Clinical Applications Of Manuka:

Manuka is useful both internally and topically. It's been shown to be an effective antibacterial agent for various forms of bacteria (including Staphylococcus). It's also an effective anti-fungal and antiviral (including HSV). The antibacterial effects were the most notable, with only some chemotypes of Manuka showing potent anti-fungal benefits.

Manuka can be used for nearly any form of bacterial infections both topically and internally, as well as wounds, ulcers, and gastrointestinal inflammation or infection. It's also useful for skin inflammation like eczema or psoriasis. The muscle relaxant effects make it useful for injuries, muscle tension, colic, and insomnia.

Cautions:

Manuka is widely considered safe and there are no common side effects of the herb.

+ Contraindications

Avoid long-term use alongside food. Tannins may impede mineral absorption.

Author:

Justin Cooke, BHSc

The Sunlight Experiment

(Updated November 2018)

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Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)

Mullein

Mullein is considered a staple in herbal medicine. It wasn't native to North America and was brought over by European settlers. Despite the new introduction of the herb, it was quickly adopted into use by the local native Americans and is even referred to commonly as Indian Tobacco.

Mullein is a very safe herb and offers benefits to a number of different systems in the body.

Out of all systems, mullein is most commonly used for respiratory and digestive system conditions. It's popular as an anti-catarrhal and for both soothing dry coughs, and eliminating catarrh with productive coughs. Although the entire plant can be used for either one, the leaves are generally preferred for dry coughs and the roots for productive coughs.

Mullein is as useful topically as it is internally for inflammation, muscle spasms, and infection.

What Is Mullein Used For?

Mullein is mainly used for treating respiratory infections and persistent coughs. Somewhat ironically, it's often smoked for its soothing effect on the lungs. It tends to increase moisture in the lungs, especially the leaves, making it especially useful for unproductive, dry coughs.

It's also used for gastrointestinal inflammation, parasitic infection, and muscle aches. It tends to have a humidifying effect throughout the body, providing a soothing effect, especially with dryness.

One of the most well-known uses for the herb is in the form of an infused oil for ear infections.

Herb Details: Mullein

Main Herbal Actions:

• Anthelmintic
• Anti-catarrhal
• Antispasmodic
• Astringent
• Expectorant
• Lymphatic
• Antibacterial

Weekly Dose

• (1:2 Liquid Extract)
  20-60 mL
• View Dosage Chart

Part Used

• Leaf, root, and flower

Family Name

• Scrophulariaceae

Distribution

• Originates from Europe around the Mediterranean, but has spread all around Europe & North America

Constituents of Interest

• Iridoid glycosides

Common Names

• Mullein
• Lady's Flannel
• Gordolobo
• Punchón
• Candelaria

Quality

• Root: Neutral, drying
  Leaf: Cool, moistening
  Flower: Cool

Pregnancy

• Unknown

Taste

• Salty

Duration of Use

• Long term use is acceptable.

Botanical Information

Mullein belongs to the figwort family (Scrophulariaceae) — a family consisting or roughly 65 different genera and 1800 species.

The Verbascum genus itself contains around 250 different species.

Verbascum is a popular garden plant for its ability to thrive in dry, nutrient-poor soils, and for their incredibly long flower duration.

The herb is biennial — the first season growing in a rosette leaf pattern, the second with a large velvety flower spike. Some mullein plants can grow up to three meters tall.

Clinical Applications Of Mullein:

Although there are many ways to use mullein, it excels with treating respiratory tract conditions. The leaves are excellent for treating dry coughs, while the root is much better for productive wet coughs.

Mullein is useful as a topical treatment for skin irritations, and as an oil for ear infections, especially the more drying flower of the plant.

Mullein also makes for an excellent lymphatic, both internally and externally.

Cautions:

Caution advised when working with the fresh leaf of this plant, as it can cause contact dermatitis in some individuals.

Author:

Justin Cooke, BHSc

The Sunlight Experiment

(Updated November 2018)

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Magnolia (Magnolia officinalis)

What is Magnolia?

Magnolia is one of the oldest flowering plants in existence, dating back as far as 95 million years ago. The first angiosperm is thought to have originated 130 million years ago. this is long before bees first appeared. To no surprise then, magnolia have evolved to be pollinated by beetles instead, which have been around for much longer.

Magnolia is a common herb in traditional Chinese medicine for treating Qi stagnation and removing obstructions.

It remains popular for reducing sinus infection and congestion, sinus headaches, asthma, coughs, and catarrh as well as anxiety and heightened cortisol levels.

+ Indications

• Abdominal pain
• Alzheimer's Disease
• Amoebic dysentery
• Anxiety
• Asthma
• Bloating
• Catarrh
• Coughs
• Diarrhea
• Gas
• Gastroenteritis
• Menstrual cramps
• Nausea/vomiting
• Poor appetite
• Poor digestion
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Rhinitis
• Sinus infection
• Stress
• Typhoid
• Ulcers
  

+ Contraindications

Avoid use during convalescence.

How Is Magnolia Used?

Magnolia is used for its anxiolytic and digestive effects.It's often combined with Phellodendron for treating both acute and chronic stress.

Magnolia is also commonly used for upper respiratory tract infection, sinus congestion, and catarrh.

Herb Details: Magnolia

Herbal Actions:

• Antioxidant
• Antiallergic
• Antiasthmatic
• Anxiolytic
• Antibacterial
• Antifungal
• Antispasmodic
• Aphrodisiac
• Emmenagogue
• Expectorant

Weekly Dose

• (1:2 Liquid Extract)
  15-100 mL
• View Dosage Chart

Part Used

• Bark

Family Name

• Magnoliaceae

Distribution

• Eastern Asia, North America, Central America

Constituents of Interest

• Honokiol
• Magnolol

Common Names

• Magnolia
• Ch'Uan Pu (China)
• Chinese Magnolia
• Choon Pok
• Hou Pu

Quality

• Warm

Pregnancy

• Unknown

Taste

• Bitter

Duration of Use

• Long term use acceptable, but should be monitored by a professional.

Botanical Information

Magnolia officinalis is a medium sized tree, ranging from 5 to 15 m in height. It's deciduous, with purple brown bark.

Magnolia is a member of the Magnoliaceae family of plants. There are 2 subfamilies in this family, including Magnollioideae and Liriodendroideae. The latter of which only includes Liriodendron (Tulip trees). In The Magnoliaceae family there are approximately 219 species, distributed into 17 genera. The vast majority are included in the Magnolia genus, which has about 210 different species.

One interesting note is that it appears magnolia appeared before bees did. The flowers are instead evolved to be pollinated by beetles, due to the extremely tough carpels on the flower. There have also been fossils discovered with plants contained in the Magnoliaceae family as far back as 95 million years ago, making Magnolia one of the oldest remaining angiosperms.

Clinical Applications Of Magnolia:

Magnolia increases the activity of GABA receptors, as well as the muscarinic receptors. This is why Magnolia is useful for both its sedative effect, as well as some mild stimulating effects. While most anxiolytic herbs have a particular effect on the parasympathetic nervous system (through GABAergic effects), Magnolia also increases the activity of the sympathetic nervous system through the muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in a similar way to GABA.

Magnolia is especially useful for eliminating nasal congestion, sinus infections, coughs, and catarrh. It's used to improve indigestion and dysentery, though it is not commonly used for bacterial or fungal infections alone.

Magnolia is also used for reducing symptoms of stress and anxiety. It can reduce cortisol levels in stressed individuals, especially in combination with Phellodendron. Its primary actions for this involves GABAergic activities, and have been shown to lower salivary cortisol levels in stressed individuals.

Magnolia should be avoided in those who are chronically fatigued, or who are suffering from convalescence. Traditional Chinese medicine suggests that magnolia should be avoided with any condition involving yin deficiency.

Author:

Justin Cooke, BHSc

The Sunlight Experiment

(Updated November 2018)

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