“Cayenne is possibly the single most wonderful, beneficial plant to grow and have on hand (the granulated form) in case of emergencies.” That is quite a claim for this spicy pepper. Besides its ability to flavor foods, what is the medicinal value of cayenne?

First, cayenne pepper is effective as an astringent. Some even recommend powdered cayenne be kept in a first aid kit at home or in the car. Profuse bleeding from an open wound has been stopped by the count of ten, simply by sprinkling the wound liberally with cayenne. Cayenne tea has also aided in clotting. Cayenne equalizes the blood pressure and effectively stops excessive bleeding or hemorrhaging.

Cayenne has also been used as a natural painkiller, a treatment for stomach cramps, and temporary relief of joint pain. Gargling cayenne tea can sooth a sore throat, but it is recommended for those who don’t like its spiciness, to follow it with a little sugar. Cayenne acts as a catalyst, carrying all other herbs and supplements quickly to the place in the body where they are needed and increasing their effectiveness. It is also high in vitamins A, C, B complex, calcium, and potassium and useful in the treatment of colds, sinus problems, and respiratory ailments. Other uses found across the web include treating high blood pressure, chest pain, migraines, athlete’s foot, and sinus problems. It is an effective blood thinner (so don’t take cayenne before surgery). Some even claim it puts them a good mood.

Cayenne is also effective in stimulating blood flow. “Now the healing power of nature is in the blood and to accelerate the healing power of nature I am convinced that there is nothing that will do this like cayenne pepper; you will find it applicable in all cases of sickness.” Thus cayenne is used in treating frostbite, gangrene, and other circulatory problems. One rural doctor reported remarkable results with heart attack victim’s survival rate when he gave each one cayenne tea, one teaspoon in a cup of hot water. Try using cayenne tea in conjunction with CPR in the event of a heart attack. Further, chronic poor circulation can be countered with a drink of cayenne tea three times a day.

Cayenne may be taken as capsules but be sure the pepper is not irradiated (exposed to radiation to destroy harmful bacteria). Two ‘cayenne potions’ presented on the web include fresh lemon, cayenne, and pure water (with a little maple syrup); and, apple cider vinegar, molasses and cayenne. For quickest results, however, cayenne should be taken as a tea or as a spice in foods. Either way the cayenne will boost the digestive system since much of cayenne's healing starts to occur in the mouth. A person suffering from one of the above maladies, should treat himself to a cup of cayenne tea, and see if he doesn’t notice its medicinal powers start to work.

Cayenne Pepper Powder provides tremendous health benefits to those who add it regularly to their diet. To find out more about this and other bulk herbs, visit More Than Alive.

Nettle has been called the masochist's herb. This is because, in the past the sharp leaves were used in urtication, a self-flagellation, driving the beneficial chemicals in the leaf into the skin painfully! It was a treatment for arthritis and skin disease. Apparently it worked because of the antihistamines and anti-inflammatories in the leaf that were beaten into the body. Aren't you glad you can gain the benefits of nettle without beating yourself with it?

Stinging nettle is a perennial plant that grows from 2 to 7 feet high and bears serrated, pointed leaves. From July to September small, greenish flowers appear in clusters.

Nettle contains many helpful ingredients: chlorophyll, vitamin C and vitamin A, bio-available minerals, including calcium, silicon, and potassium chloride, protein, and dietary fiber.

Nettle is effective in treating hay fever because of the antihistamines in the leaf. Nettle is sometimes used to open the bronchial airways and loosen congestion in people with asthma or allergies. And Nettle is indeed effective in treating inflammatory skin conditions.

Nettle helps people with arthritis by reducing the dosage of drugs and thus their side effects. Nettle also contains large amounts of silicon and boron that ease symptoms of bursitis, arthritis, and tendonitis. Nettle is able to treat urinary tract infections and increase the production of urine. It is a mild laxative, and can increase the efficiency of kidney and liver function. As a bitter herb, nettle purifies the blood and is thus used to treat ulcers, asthma, bronchitis, hemorrhoids, jaundice, nephritis, and spasmodic dysmenorrhea.

Nettle's use makes quite an impressive list: dysentery, diarrhea, hemorrhages, gravel, febrile affections, chronic diseases of the colon, nephritic complaints, eczematous affections, eczema of the face, neck and ears, and chronic cystitis. Externally it has been effective in treating burns, scalds, bleeding wounds, nettle rash (yes, you can use nettle to treat nettle pain), nosebleed, and urticaria.

Nettle is a standard herbal treatment of symptoms in men with BPH. The prostate becomes enlarged and causes men to develop problems with urination. Nettle helps both in urination during the day and in not as frequent visits during the night. How does this work? Nettle keeps the body from converting testosterone into 5-alpha-reductase, an enzyme that makes the prostate gland begin to grow again after 40. However nettle does not decrease the enlargement of the prostate. In combination with either pygeum bark extract or saw palmetto, nettle has been, in some, as effective as the drug finasteride. Some believe it can even stimulate hair growth.

Nettle is also a natural diuretic. It helps the body eliminate uric acid and bacteria that cause urinary tract infections and kidney stones. The diuretic action of nettle may also help lower blood pressure and relieve premenstrual bloating. Much controversy surrounds the advice that pregnant or nursing women should not take nettle. The one side says it might cause uterine contractions. The other says this is not a danger when taken moderately. Perhaps it is related to when the nettle is harvested. If it is harvested before flowers appear, it seems to be safer.

The dried leaf used as tea, capsules, tablets, and tinctures are available. Dried root products, often combined with saw palmetto, are also available in prostate mixtures. Some enjoy using its strong taste to flavor food. A note about storage: nettle should be stored in a dark, dry, and cool place.

Due to its diuretic action, prolonged use of nettle can cause an electrolyte imbalance. Also, people who take nettle on a regular basis should make sure they get enough potassium in their diet. For more on nettle leaf, visit More Than Alive, a website dedicated to promoting bulk herbs and their benefits to human health.

Arrowroot plant also known as Maranta arundinacea makes Arrowroot powder that is used for cooking as a thickener. It originated with aborigines of West Indies and with the Arawak Tribe to cure arrow poisoning. It was concluded that the term was taken from that. The arrowroot plant is now predominantly grown in Brazil, Thailand, Bengal, Philippines, Mauritius and West Africa. The arrowroot plant is abundant in countries like Brazil, Thailand, Bengal, Philippines, Maritius and West Africa.

Arrowroot tubers are cleaned, washed twice and drained.   It then turns into a pulp and crushed in a wooden mortar until it forms into liquid milk.   Clean water is added again, mixed, drained and placed on sheets to dry under the sun. The result is arrowroot powder ready for packing, to be placed in air-tight containers or packages.

Organic arrowroot powder appears to be white and fine that resembles to a cornstarch. Cornstarch and flour is as unscented, flavorless, and dry as arrowroot powder. It is chiefly used to give food a concentrated mixture like pie, pudding, jellies, and gravies or sauces. Starch thickeners are food additives that emulsifies when mixed with liquid at certain proportions.    In contrast to other additives, the arrowroot does not modify the color of the food where it is mixed with.

  It thickens in the presence of acidic preparations and works under low heat.  Thickened mixtures are not affected by very cold temperatures.  It is recommended to avoid blending arrowroot powder with dairy as the outcome becomes greasy.

Tapioca Starch, Instant Clear Gel, Kudzu Powder, Potato Starch, Rice Starch and Flour are the commonly used substitute for Arrowroot.  Be reminded though that some starch substitutes may not work precisely as the Arrowroot powder does when used in a recipe.

Arrowroot is the appropriate stabilizer in cooking and a suitable component in baking, as a herbal alternative to wheat flour. Arrowroot is devoid of proteins as its basic composition is carbohydrates. This is the reason why food products made from arrowroot powder/flour is recommended for consumption by elders or infants with chronic stomach problems. Furthermore, the calcium content in arrowroot powder is sufficient to help the body in the regulation of acid and alkali balances. 

Arrowroot has little protein making it popular among vegetarians and people with special diet needs. The specific foods usually included in the diet are biscuits, pudding, jellies and cakes. It is customary in Korea to add arrowroot powder in beef tea, milk, veal broth and noodles.

Ginger root is one of the most widely used herbs in the world. Ginger is technically a tuber that creeps and grows underground. Uncoated or white ginger was washed and scraped to prevent sprouting. Coated or black ginger means the root was not peeled but immediately scalded after harvesting.

Chemicals in ginger that give it value include volatile oil (up to 3%), acrid soft resin, lignin, gum, starch, vegeto matter, asmazone, acetic acid, potassium acetate, and sulphur.

Ginger has been used in traditional Asian medicine to treat nausea. Pregnant women report relief from morning sickness after consuming small amounts of ginger root, ginger tea, and ginger ale. When given in large doses, ginger also relieves chemotherapy related nausea. Many find ginger more effective in relieving motion sickness than Dramamine. It will also stimulate appetite, fight body odor, and promote perspiration.

Ginger also helps treat joint pain by stimulating blood circulation causing redness of the skin. Ginger roots are often used for treatment of flatulence, indigestion, diarrhea, and menstrual cramps. Ginger is good for the heart as well. Just five grams of dried ginger per day slows the production of LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides in the liver. Ginger also hinders platelets from sticking together, thus decreasing the risk of stroke or heart attack.

Ginger is available in capsules, pickles, extracts, and prepared teas that can be made into compresses. The ginger root may also be consumed raw, but avoid small, wrinkled, or soft tubers. The usual dosage is 1/3 of an ounce of fresh ginger root per day. Preserved Ginger is made by steeping the root in hot syrup. Store ginger root dry in your refrigerator for short periods. You can also freeze ginger root for up to three months.

There are some cautions to consider when taking ginger root so be sure to consult a qualified physician if you are taking any medication or otherwise.

Ginger root is a very popular herb. But there are many other bulk herbs that can strengthen your health and prevent disease. I encourage you to explore them for your own benefit.

While very popular, ginger root is only one of many bulk herbs that can greatly increase your health and prevent disease. Consider adding more to your diet to maximize the benefits!