The Earthwise Herbal Repertory

by Matthew Wood

  Note: The posterior pituitary secretes antidiuretic hormone (ADH) or vasopressin, which increases the peripheral vascular tension, causing urine (and other fluids) to be retained in the body. It also secretes oxytocin, which stimulates uterine labor. The above remedies act on ADH; for those that act on oxytocin see “Labor” under “Female Sexual System.”

  Thyroid

  The thyroid gland, situated over the windpipe just above where the latter plunges into the thorax, secrets calcitonin, a hormone that sends calcium to the bones, and thyroxine, which is metabolized in the liver into a more active form that is picked up on cellular receptor sites and raises the metabolic rate or temperature in the cells.

  We do not usually consider calcitonin as involved in “thyroid problems” because it usually does its job in such a satisfactory fashion. It balances the action of the parathyroid gland, which releases a hormone (parathormone) that, when calcium levels are low, takes calcium out of the bones and sends it into the serum so it can be available to assist magnesium in sedating muscles.

  If there is overbuilding of bone, we usually use the “anti-lithics” or stone-removers, which act on the kidneys, such as gravel root (Eupatorium purpureum), hydrangea (H. arborescens), and celery seed (Apium graveolens). If there is not enough calcium, the person is thin, long-boned, and twitchy, and the parathyroid kicks in. This was called the “consumptive” or “tubercular” type in nineteenth-century herbals and medical books, since the body needs calcium to control the tuberculosis bacteria. The remedies are the “rabbit medicines” of Native herbalism, which are for thin, delicate, twitchy persons. These are listed under “Stages of Life” in the “Chronic Conditions” section.

  Most troubles included in “thyroid problems” in popular speech revolve around thyroxine and its unusual component, iodine. Lack of iodine, goiter, hyperthyroidism, Hashimoto’s disease (autoimmune attack on the thyroid), and hypothyroidism constitute these common “problems.”

  There are raging debates inside and outside medicine about the causes of hypothyroidism in particular, so this is something we really must address. The following perspectives and approaches I have gathered through experience, and the occasional conversation with Phyllis Light, an herbalist who knows her thyroid!

  Lack of iodine produces the simplest form of hypothyroidism, and may also cause goiter (neck swelling from thyroid enlargement), as the thyroid expands to pick up any iodine it can. However, goiter may also be caused by overactivity of the thyroid. Iodine is also needed elsewhere in the body, and acts as a general antiseptic when it is in the bloodstream; so there are other reasons beyond the thyroid to make sure we have enough. Seaweed is the usual source and, as long as it is clean, is one of the most nutritious foods available to us.

  Assuming there is enough iodine in the body, we must assume there is enough signaling from the anterior pituitary, which sends thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) to tell the thyroid (based on feedback received by the hypothalamus) how much thyroxine it needs to produce. Low TSH levels may respond to wild carrot (Daucus carota). High levels of TSH production are taken as a sign that the thyroid is not producing enough thyroxine, and is the usual measure for beginning medical supplementation. This does not, however, address the cause of the hypothyroidism, which is what we want to do in holistic herbal medicine.

  The most common cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto’s disease, where the body’s own immune system attacks the thyroid. The causes of autoimmune disease are not well understood; often it involves an overreaction to a toxin. However, several times I have seen hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s disease caused by improper use of the voice (a teacher straining the voice to control kids) or tension in the shoulders, neck, and upper chest. The inflammatory and tension levels in the neck need not be very high for the thyroid to be mildly suppressed; chronic inflammation can cause the hypothalamus to lower thyroid action—why overheat the body? Yet supplementary heat from pharmaceutical stimulation is not the same thing as proper heat from a healthy thyroid. It’s best to eliminate the chronic inflammation.

  We do not know all the causes of Hashimoto’s, but this I do know—it will often respond to black walnut hull (Juglans nigra), which may work on several kinds of hypothyroidism. This gem of clinical herbalism I learned from Phyllis Light, and have confirmed again and again. It is probable that ashwaganda (Withania somniferia) also acts on autoimmune thyroid problems, since it is such a fine adaptogen, and it too may act on other kinds of hypothyroid.

  “Wilson’s Temperature Syndrome” refers to a kind of hypothyroidism believed to occur when the thyroxine released by the thyroid (T4) is not metabolized in the liver into T3, which is much more active on the cell binding sites. Hershoff and Rotelli (2000, 244) recommend bitter herbs (Gentiana and Taraxacum) as general remedies to stimulate metabolism. Such herbs may help alleviate this condition in particular.

  Another kind of hypothyroidism is caused by “leaky gut” syndrome (food particles diffuse through the gut wall), or by oversensitivity to proteins in the gut wall. Either may set off an immune storm, increasing the metabolism in the liver (it has to deal with the large input of food/toxins) and cells. The thyroid then has to turn up the metabolism, but later crashes. Widely fluctuating thyroid and blood-sugar patterns indicate this problem. Blue flag (Iris versicolor) will usually treat this kind of hypothyroidism.

  As Michael Moore stresses, it is the job of the adrenals to deal with stress, but when the adrenals are weak or worn out, “the thyroid takes the hit” (paraphrased). Therefore, the adrenal medulla and cortex need to be “firmed up” to support the thyroid. This effect is probably why remedies like Eleutherococcus and Borago end up with a thyroid reputation. And it may be another avenue upon which Withania operates. This would explain the experiences of several herbalists (Nancy Welliver, Lise Wolff) who claim that hyperthyroid remedies (Leonorus, Melissa) also work on hypothyroidism.

  The only foolproof test for hypothyroidism is the underarm-thermometer method introduced by Dr. Broda Barnes—see his book Hypothyroidism (1976). Visible symptoms include two creases across the neck, above and below the thyroid (Margi Flint) and ragged-to-missing outer halves of the eyebrows (medically attested).

  Hyperthyroidism: • Borago • Equisetum • Filipendula (nervousness, irritability, restlessness, palpitations) • Fucus • Iris (fluctuating high and low levels) • LEONURUS (heart palpitations; menopausal) • LYCOPUS (looks like a hunted animal; tachycardia, dyspnea) • MELISSA (worse in heat) • Populus (asthmatic panting, worse in heat) • Prunella • Scutellaria (thyroid-supportive) • SELENICEREUS (heart palpitations) • Sinapis spp. (raw seed) • Veratrum viride (homeopathic; hyperthyroid goiter) • Zea.

  Hypothyroidism: • Avena • Centella (Hashimoto’s; “emotional depression, dry skin, cold extremities, poor digestion, weight gain, little endurance”—Gagnon) • Cetraria • COLEUS • Commiphora myrrha • Daucus (“flabby, flaccid, pale, water weight”—Piorier) • Echinacea (Hashimoto’s) • FUCUS (iodine deficiency; listless, general debility) • Galium • Gentiana (promotes metabolism; Wilson’s Temperature Syndrome) • IRIS (“leaky gut”; levels go up and down) • JUGLANS NIGRA (specific for hypothyroidism) • Phytolacca (2 drops a day for 10 days) • Polymnia (friction-application of ointment) • Sabal • STELLARIA (perhaps acts on receptor sites, increasing uptake of iodine or thyroxine) • Taraxacum (general metabolism; Wilson’s Temperature Syndrome) • Urtica • WITHANIA.

  Thyroid Nodules: • FUCUS • STELLARIA (externally and internally).

  Goiter: • FUCUS (iodine deficiency; lymphadenoid) • Galium (tea) • Iris • Juglans nigra • Passiflora • Plantago (poultice) • Scrophularia (tea) • Trifolium • Urtica.

  Adrenals

  Adrenal Medulla (Hyperadrenalism): • Aconitum (homeopathic only; shock or exhaustion; animal fear) • AVENA (nutritive tonic) • BORAGO (long-term nervous exhaustion, persecuted feeling) • Cimicifuga • ELEUTHEROCOCCUS • GLYCYRRHIZA • LEONURUS • LYCOPUS • MELISSA • Rhus sp
p. (frequent urination with nervousness) • Rumex crispus • SCUTELLARIA • VERBENA (self-critical, perfectionist).

  Adrenal Cortex: • ANGELICA (similar to Arctium, but warming) • ARALIA RACEMOSA (dark circles under eyes) • ARCTIUM (excellent for rebuilding lipid digestion, metabolism, and adrenals) • AVENA (nervous exhaustion from work, study, drugs, alcohol, sexual excess) • BORAGO (adrenal glands worn out by use of steroids, long-term nervous anxiety, feeling of persecution) • ELEUTHEROCOCCUS (dark circles under eyes) • GLYCYRRHIZA (adrenocortical deficiency, Addison’s disease; or with immune deficiency) • GNAPHALIUM (normalizes; good for adrenocortical-excess types) • Helianthus (tissue under eyes sunken; tonic to adrenals—Wood) • Helichrysum (essential oil; use if Gnaphalium not available) • Juglans nigra (strengthens the thyroid, which supports the adrenals) • Ledum (for energy; minute doses—Powell) • Ligusticum porteri • Lomatium • Nigella sativa (seed or oil) • Oplopanax • Panax ginseng (uncured) • Panax quinquefolius • Passiflora (improves sleep) • RIBES NIGRUM (leaf, berry, buds; oil) • Rumex crispus (large, adrenocortical-dominant constitutions with hot, overactive digestion) • Salvia • SCHISANDRA • Smilax • Vitex.

  Note: Adrenal burnout is due to hyperfunction of the adrenal medulla with suppression of the adrenal cortex. The former supports stress response, while the latter supports the rest-rebuild-and-digest pathways. The two are competitive: we cannot respond to stress and eat at the same time. To treat this condition, it is necessary to simultaneously (1) sedate the adrenal medulla and (2) fortify the adrenal cortex. To sedate the adrenal medulla, adrenaline excess, and nervousness, we need the standard nervines and sedatives mentioned throughout this repertory. For the adrenal cortex, a diet high in good-quality fats and oils is necessary because this gland is composed of lipids; even good ice cream or rich, indulgent foods are helpful if the person is thin and exhausted.

  Note on Eleutherococcus senticosus vs. Aralia racemosa: William LeSassier taught us to look for “dark circles under the eyes,” his indication for adrenal exhaustion. Two remedies he recommended for this were Eleutherococcus and Aralia racemosa.

  David Winston writes, “In my clinical practice I use Eleuthero for stressed-out, type-A people who work long hours, don’t get adequate sleep or nutrition, and have a motto of ‘word hard, play hard, and hardly sleep’” (Winston and Maimes 2007, 160).

  I found this interesting because I too use Eleutherococcus for exhaustion in the more “yang” types—while I use its more warming cousin, Aralia racemosa, for adrenal exhaustion in people with lower stamina (a more “yin” type of person)—something I learned from Kate Gilday. So Eleuthero comes up more often for men and Aralia racemosa more often for women.

  Gonads

  Also see “Female Sexual System” and “Male Sexual System” sections, above.

  Gonads: • Angelica archangelica (lipid deficiencies) • Angelica sinensis (lipid deficiencies) • Arctium (lipid deficiencies) • Cimicifuga (low estrogen) • Cornus officinalis • SALVIA (decline, in aging; drying-out) • Verbena (progesterone excess; sexual neurosis) • Vitex (prolactin or progesterone deficiency).

  General Endocrine System

  Adaptogens: • ARALIA RACEMOSA (similar to Eleutherococcus, but warmer) • Avena (complementary) • CENTELLA (weak connective tissue; “emotional depression, dry skin, cold extremities, poor digestion, weight gain, little endurance”—Gagnon) • CODONOPSIS (weak, thin, dried-out, tired; shortness of breath, bloating) • Cordyceps (fatigue, exhaustion, low immunity, sex drive) • ELEUTHEROCOCCUS (acts on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis; stress intolerance) • GANODERMA (fatigue, insomnia, anxiety; restores heart/mind connection) • Glycyrrhiza (adrenal cortex deficiency) • Grifola • Ocimum (clears fat-soluble toxins—Davis) • PANAX GINSENG (long-term stress, unbalanced sleep, fatigue, debility) • Panax quinquefolius (“yin deficiency”; loss of fluids in senescence) • Pfaffia paniculata (inflammation, fatigue, stress) • Polygonum multiflorum • RHODIOLA • SCHISANDRA • WITHANIA (nervine; calming, yet stimulating; extensive adaptogenic action).

  Essential Fatty Acids: • Borago • Nigella sativa • Oenothera • Ribes nigrum.

  Note: Essential fatty acids (EFAs) adjust the “thermostat” between over- and under-reaction of the adrenal cortex, immune system, and fever mechanisms. This can influence neuroendocrine balance. Each EFA has a specific affinity. An herb that may act in this way is Gnaphalium obtusifolium and its cousins. The aromatherapy equivalent—another cousin—is Helichrysum spp.

  FORMULARY

  Eleutherococcus—with Cordyceps, Rhodiola, Schisandra (tonic, for severely stressful work, night shifts).

  BLACK CURRANT (RIBES NIGRUM)

  This plant medicine has a long history of use in France, but is little utilized in the New World except in a general way as a source of EFAs. This old French folk remedy is one of the darlings of gemmotherapy, which uses buds to make medicine, and is widely used in professional French medicine today.

  “If you had to choose only one gemmotherapy extract to take with you to a desert island, it would have to be black currant. It is as powerful as cortisone, without any of the adverse side effects.”

  —ROGER HALFON, FROM GEMMOTHERAPY: THE SCIENCE OF HEALING WITH PLANT STEM CELLS (ROCHESTER, VT: HEALING ARTS PRESS, 2005)

  Nervous System

  Nerve Injuries: See “Injuries, First Aid.”

  Nervousness: See “Mind, Emotions, Will.”

  Debility: See “Exhaustion, Low Energy, Fatigue.”

  Neuralgia: • Anthemis (poultice on painful area) • Asclepias tuberosa (intercostal and pericardial) • Apocynum cannabinum (lumbar, sciatic, crural) • Cannabis • Cimicifuga (cranium, spine, eyes) • Dicentra • Dioscorea (liver, abdomen, stomach) • Eschscholzia (nerve damage, sharp, shooting pain) • Heracleum (trigeminal neuralgia; Bell’s palsy; fresh seed or root) • Hypericum (sharp, shooting pain; muscular twitching) • Melilotus (with cold extremities and chronic headache; “sharp stabbing pain”—D. Winston) • Monotropa (pain that overwhelms the senses) • Passiflora (large doses) • Plantago (toothache) • Scutellaria (with fear, agitation; CNS sensitivity) • Tussilago (small of back and loins) • Zanthoxylum (severe, agonizing pains).

  Facial Neuralgia: • Achillea • ACONITUM (homeopathic) • Anthemis nobilis • Chamomilla • Chelidonium (right side of head and face; migraine) • Cimicifuga (muscle tension) • Eugenia (oil) • Heracleum • Humulus • Melilotus (from cold) • Mentha piperita • Passiflora • Plantago • Thymus • Verbascum.

  Neuritis: • Cannabis sativa (extreme sensitivity) • Hypericum (traumatic, inflamed nerves; shooting pain) • Leonurus • Melilotus (asthenic persons, with sense of cold) • Scutellaria.

  Nerve Disease: • GALIUM (nerve endings; Morton’s neuroma, DuPuytren’s contracture, neurofibromatosis; external or internal) • Passiflora (increases serotonin levels) • Verbascum (holds moisture around the nerve endings) • Zanthoxylum.

  Neurasthenia (Nerve Weakness): • Apium (cerebral debility from overwork) • ARALIA RACEMOSA (enfeebled state of nervous system, anemia, general debility) • AVENA (debility, depression, melancholy) • Betonica (ungrounded; weak digestion and cognition) • BORAGO • Caulophyllum (“nervous feebleness with irritability,” with cramps, twitching—Cook) • CENTELLA • Citrus aurantium (slow digestion, large quantities of gas; neurasthenia) • Echinacea (when due to toxins) • ELEUTHEROCOCCUS • Hypericum • Ilex paraguariensis (increases oxygen to heart, brain; stimulates without causing nervousness) • Iris (sympathetic nervous excess, alternating with exhaustion; hypoglycemia, thyroid ups and downs) • Humulus (hops pillow) • Lycopodium • Melissa • Panax ginseng • Panax quinquefolius (neurasthenia, loss of fluids, dryness, atrophy, debility, exhaustion of brain, nervous system) • Polygonum multiflorum (deep exhaustion) • SELENICEREUS (cardiac; hyperthyroid) • TURNERA • Veratrum viride (homeopathic; strong pulse, exhaustion, nervousness, tension; after fever, overexertion) • WITHANIA (“stressed, burnt
out, wired, jittery”—Green).

  Note: Also see “Exhaustion, Low Energy, Fatigue,” “Brain and Head,” and “Adrenal Cortex.” The note under the latter entry explains the common folk medical term “adrenal burnout” and its treatment.

  Peripheral Neuropathy: • Aesculus hip. • Cinnamomum • Hypericum • OSMORHIZA LONGISTYLIS (especially diabetic) • Plantago • Rhus spp. (especially diabetic) • Vaccinium (especially diabetic) • Zanthoxylum.

  Restless Leg Syndrome: • Bupleurum • Humulus • Paeonia • Piper methysticum • Scutellaria • Viburnum spp. (crampbark and black haw) • Withania.

  Epilepsy, Convulsions, Chorea: • Acorus • Allium sativa (cerebrospinal disorders of children, with convulsions) • AMMI • Apium (nervous debility) • Artemisia absinthium (night terrors) • Artemisia vulgaris • Cimicifuga (menstrual) • Convallaria • Crocus sativa • Galium verum • Hypericum (spasm from nerve inflammation; traditionally used for tetanus; said to be preventive and curative) • Hyssopus (petit-mal seizures) • PAEONIA (epilepsy—Galen) • Passiflora (convulsions; traditionally used for tetanus) • POLYGONUM PERSICARIA (with menstrual pain, spasms) • Sambucus nigra • Scutellaria • Tilia (“reputation for reducing severity of epileptic attacks”—Bartram) • Verbascum • VERBENA (seizures start in the nape of the neck; convulsions after fever; epilepsy and other kinds of seizures) • Viscum.

  DuPuytren’s contracture and Morton’s neuroma: see “Hands, Wrists, Fingers” section of “Muscular and Skeletal Systems,” below.