Herb Basics

Enlarge Image Image Gallery Chamomile Christopher Hobbs

HAVE A HEADACHE? TRY THIS TEA

Herbalist and acupuncturist Chris-topher Hobbs created this tea blend for a patient who suffered from frequent headaches. It’s tasty and helps ease the tension that often accompanies headaches.

Hobbs says this tea can be used for immediate relief or on a regular basis to reduce the incidence of headaches.

HEADACHE TEA

1/8 cup dried lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)
1/8 cup dried chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
1/8 cup dried linden (Tilia spp.)
1/8 cup dried passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)

Blend the herbs and store the mixture in an airtight jar in a dark place.

When you’re ready to make the tea, steep 1 teaspoon of the blend per cup of hot water for 20 minutes. Strain and drink a cup two to three times daily.

STOCK UP ON SOY

Looking to add more heart-healthy soy to your diet? Health experts now suggest eating 25 grams of soy protein a day to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. If you’re unsure what to do with tofu, tempeh and other soy products, check out these tips.

• Mix soy protein powder into milk, juices and smoothies.

• Snack on a soy protein bar.

• Substitute soy milk for cow’s milk by the glass or in recipes.

• Crumble firm tofu into eggs when making scrambled eggs.

• Mash firm tofu and mayonnaise with season- ings for a sandwich filling similar to egg salad.

• Add crumbled tofu or tempeh to recipes calling for ground beef, chicken or turkey.

• Slice tempeh or firm tofu, then marinate and grill it as a substitute for grilled meats.

• Sprinkle roasted soy nuts on salads, or add them to your favorite snack mix.

HERBAL HELP FOR PREVENTING MIGRAINES

New research, published in Neurology in December 2004, shows an extract of the herb butterbur (Petasites hybridus) helps prevent migraines.

In the study, 245 migraine sufferers took either a placebo or two 75-mg tablets of a proprietary butterbur extract called Petadolex. During the four-month trial, the butterbur group experienced a 48 percent reduction in the occurrence of migraines; the placebo group had a 26 percent reduction. The study participants ranged in age from 18 to 65 and met the International Headache Society’s criteria for migraine headaches. Each participant had experienced two to six migraines a month for at least three months prior to the study.

According to the American Botanical Council, previous research on butterbur shows it to be a safe herb with few side effects. In this trial, the most common side effects were gastrointestinal issues, such as burping.

The study’s lead researcher, Richard B. Lipton, M.D., vice chair and professor of neurology at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, says, “Our study shows that butterbur really does reduce the frequency of migraine attacks, so it’s a welcome addition to the therapeutic arsenal we have available to combat migraine.”