Herbs Health: 12 Herbs to Have on Hand Now

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1. Echinacea (Echinacea spp.)

What it’s used for: Immune stimulation
Special instructions: Don’t take long-term; studies show this may reduce effectiveness.
Large doses may be most ­effective when ­fighting a cold.
Special cautions: Avoid if you have an autoimmune disease such as multiple ­sclerosis.
May counteract ­immune-suppressant drugs.
Did you know? A potent tincture should make your tongue tingle.

2. Gingerroot (Zingiber officinale)

What it’s used for: Motion sickness • nausea • inflammation
Special instructions: The medicinal chemicals in ginger survive processing, so pick your favorite form—fresh root, dried ­powder, liquid ­extract, or candied slices.
Special cautions: It’s relatively nontoxic, but don’t exceed the recommended daily dose of 2 to 4 g.
Did you know? It’s not really a root—it’s a rhizome.

3. Shiitake (Lentinula edodes)

What it’s used for: General tonic • cancer • heart disease • HIV • viral diseases
Special instructions: Don’t overlook fresh or dried whole mushrooms. The traditional dose is 1 or 2 daily for ­preventive care.
Special cautions: In rare cases, may induce a rash.
Did you know? In the Orient, shiitake has about as many uses as tomatoes in the West; it appears in seasonings, sauces, soup mixes, carbonated health drinks, and candies.

4. Ginseng (Panax ginseng, P. quinquefolius)

What it’s used for: Tonic • athletic performance • mental sharpness • cancer • heart disease • aphrodisiac
Special instructions: Use products within a year of purchase because ginsenosides become less effective over time.
Special cautions: People with high blood pressure, mood ­imbalances, heart palpitations, asthma, or high fever should not use it.
Did you know? Wild American ginseng has sold for as much as $600 a pound, which has encouraged poachers and threatened the species. Cultivated varieties are available.

5. Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)

What it’s used for: Alzheimers disease • age-related memory loss • circulation problems • tinnitus • asthma and allergies
Special instructions: Studies have used highly concentrated extracts, standardized to 24 ­percent flavone glycosides and 6 percent ginkgolides.
Special cautions: Enhances anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs. Rare reports of gastro­­intestinal upset, headaches, and skin allergies.
Did you know ? A ginkgo tree may live more than 1,000 years and grow to 195 feet tall.

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