Health Express

Olive leaf extract is used for viral infections like herpes, shingles, and Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), as well as colds and flu. It can also be used for ear and throat infections, parasites, fungal infections like candida, as well as a number of bacterial infections. There are even suggestions it may be effective against cancer and HIV, although the studies that indicated this were only in the preliminary stages, and needed more validation.

It is considered an alterative, which is a cleansing type of herb. It works against viruses by:

* impeding their capacity to enter our cells
* stopping their ability to replicate

Olive leaf extract is quite specific in its’ capacity to stop viruses. Some of the active constituents also have an anti-inflammatory effect.

Olive leaf is considered non-toxic, and I haven’t seen any reports of side-effects. However, during an acute period of Crohns disease, 1 teaspoon made me physically sick. This seems unusual, and it certainly wasn’t the only thing my body was reacting to at the time. I only mention it because I have seen it recommended for people with Crohns and other inflammatory bowel conditions. From my own experience, I would simply advise caution if you suffer from them. It may be that it doesn’t affect other people with crohns or inflammatory bowel conditions this way. As with anything, listen to your own body!

The latest edition of Australian Natural Health had a couple of great cold and flu remedies, although my favorite is their spiciest - saffron! Those who have done a little bit of cooking will know that saffron is a lovely yellow colored herb that gives curries their wonderful hue. Although they don’t say in which tradition saffron is used as a cold remedy, my guess would be that it’s Ayurvedic, though they could also be referring to traditional Persian (Iranian) herbal medicine.

The website, RoyalSaffron.com, has some great information on the use of saffron as a cold and flu remedy. They confirm that it can be used for to alleviate the symptoms of a flu, suggesting a glass of hot milk infused with saffron. The lactose intolerant may prefer a different medium to milk though! Milk (and dairy) can increase mucous production in some people.

Interestingly, they also suggest saffron for those with acne.  Australian Natural Health do say that saffron has antibacterial, antiviral, and potential anti-cancer effects, so it does appear to exert an effect on the immune system. Saffron is a source of vitamin B2 and riboflavin. Whether or not any significant amounts of these B vitamins can be gained by the small amounts of saffron used in remedies is another matter though.

Sometimes we can’t always make it to a dentist straight away. We might be short of cash one week, or our dentist is booked out for a week or two. When that happens, it can help to use some good old fashioned toothache remedies until we can get an appointment. 

Toothache home remedies center around natural pain management, to tide you over until you can get to a dentist. Australian Natural Health has the following herbal suggestions for pain management: white willow bark, valerian, evening primrose oil, or dong quai.

Willow bark is an old herbal remedy from which aspirin was developed. People used to be told to chew on this bark to reduce inflammation and fever. Whilst no studies have been done to support its’ use for fever, it is often given for natural pain relief. People who have stomach problems from aspirin or ibuprofen may want to avoid it however, just to be on the safe side. The amount of pain relief found from it is dose dependent. So, higher doses like 240mg salicin were more effective than 120mg salicin doses. 

Valerian is a herb with a wide variety of uses. Whilst most people know of it as a remedy for insomnia (for which it is effective), it is also used in a variety of conditions linked with pain. Some of the active constituents of valerian are valeric acid and the valepotriates, and these have been found to bind to the same receptors in the brain that the drug valium does. Like valium, however, valerian can make you sleepy. It might be useful at night for those suffering toothaches.

Whilst dong quai, which contains ferulic acid, is a pain reliever, it works primarily as a muscle relaxant. For this reason it is used to treat painful periods and similar problems. Thus, it is unlikely it is going to be very useful in managing the pain associated with toothache. Also, evening primrose is a long term herbal agent that takes a while for the effects to be felt. So, unless you can’t get to a dentist for 2 to 3 months, you’d be better at trying something else instead!