Cilantro - Coriandrum sativum
The love it or hate it herb, truly. Most people perceive the taste of cilantro (coriander leaves) as a tart, lemon/lime taste, but 3–21% of people  think the leaves taste like dish soap. This disparity is linked to a gene in some people that allows them to detect the taste of specific aldehydes that are also used as odorant substances in many soaps and detergents.
Native to Southern Europe, North Africa and Southwest Asia this herb is able to be cultivated in many other locations around the world. Its cultivation by humans dates back to the ancient Greece of the second millennium.

The mature seeds of cilantro are referred to as coriander a popular ground spice that has a nutty slightly sweet flavor. Both the leaver, cilantro and the seeds, coriander can be found in many culinary dishes as well as being used medicinally as well as an essential oil.

Cilantro is taken by mouth fresh or in capsule form is excellent for cancerous conditions. It is highly beneficial to remove toxic heavy metals such as mercury, lead, or aluminum from the body. I recommend my clients do a heavy metal detox at least one time per year. Cilantro is part of that protocol.

Cilantro, appear to have more antioxidant activity than the coriander seeds due to the high phenolic content. Coriander leaves contain beneficial flavonoids, polyphenols, and phenolic acids. The polyphenols present include kampferol and quercetin, which have also been shown to have an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect. These plant metabolites have attracted interest and study for their potential protective role against oxidative damage and its associated diseases, including coronary heart disease, stroke, and cancers. The leaves of the plant are high in vitamins A, K, and C, as well as calcium.

Incorporating this herb in food, taking it as a nutritive support or for the benefits it offers as a powerful antioxidant this herb packs a punch on every level! 

Over use of antibiotics is leading us to have more powerful bacteria proliferating. The incidence of antibiotic resistant bacteria is on the rise. BTH blog post "How did we get here - The State of Wellness in American", addresses this issue.

Basically when we delve outside the parameters of natural biology we can get into trouble. I'm not saying antibiotic therapy doesn't have it's place. It has been nothing short of a miracle in many cases of extreme infection. But, when we use them as a prophylactic measure with every case of colds or flu, the body's natural immune response is circumvented which weakens immunity in the long run. In this way we are unwittingly contribute to the development of "super bugs"!

Many of you may be unaware of the presence of an antibiotic you are likely ingesting every time you eat pre-grated or pre-crumbled cheeses! Natamycin, technically an antifungal has been approved by the FDA for use on cheeses that are pre-grated/crumbled. It is a mold derived medication originally used for eye infections. A doctor prescribing it would make certain that the patient was not allergic to it before prescribing it, but now anyone sensitive to it would not know that and could become quite ill or go into anaphylaxis after eating cheese laced with it. The cumulative effect of ingesting this is a reduction in immunity and the eventual creation of molds and fungi that are resistant to this retardant. Microbiological evolution! We can change this trend by becoming educated about how to maintain a healthy immune function and minimize the use of antibiotics.

The immune system needs a work out. This helps it to be strong. When we are eating an unnatural diet, have used antibiotics, have low beneficial microbial environments in the stomach, gut and colon we become highly susceptible to infection. The weakened immune system cannot function as it is meant to. Immunity is a holistic and synchronistic function. It involves the glandular system, the digestive system, the blood and lymphatic systems. Major players are also the liver, gallbladder, and colon. Immunity functions best on a variety of whole foods, plenty of water, fresh air, sunshine and good sleep. The flora needs to fed and kept vibrant by integrating live probiotic rich food sources into the diet. Foods such as kefir, yogurt, sourdough breads, fermented vegetables, raw vinegars and miso have been used for thousands of years because of their health promoting qualities...a rich source of probiotic!

​There are in nature abundant sources of antimicrobial herbs and agents. Dr. Keith Scott Mumby of the UK, provides us with a wealth of information on this topic in the pdf provided below. I know these options work, because I have employed them for myself and my family members for over 40 years. Dr. Mumby explores the use of chlorine dioxide which is currently used in many parts of the world for microbial infections. BTH will be posting on this subject sometime in 2020...look for that.

Here is an excerpt from a blog post on the BTH "DIY Wellness Care Forum". We offer a thirty day trial membership to this forum, for those who are interested in educating themselves in the areas of building and maintaining a healthy happy body!

The focus of the list below is to provide you with botanical options for staving off bacterial infections and overgrowths of fungus. These botanicals are very effective. I have used many of them over the past forty years in which I have been able to stay antibiotic free by treating infections with sound natural adjunct therapies and fasting.

• Goldenseal is a perennial herb in the buttercup family Ranunculaceae, native to southeastern Canada and the eastern United States. It works most effectively in a tincture form and is commonly available. It's high berberine count makes it a natural antimicrobial and antifungal. Excellent for topical infections, it is also supportive for any bacterial overgrowth in the internal body. 2 -3 droppers per day with active infections.
• Resveratrol - Japanese Knotweed source, Gaia Herbs, 200 - 800 mg daily, 2 - 3 X's daily
• Andrographis, a potent antimicrobial , source Herb Pharm via Amazon. You can buy direct from Herb Pharm, but their prices are higher on the website than the Amazon prices, usually. 200 - 800 mg daily, 2 - 3 X's daily
• Cats Claw - A favorite of Jethro Kloss one of America's premier herbalists. Take with foods, 400 - 800 mg 2 - 3 X's daily. Source, Herb Pharm
• ​Chinese Skullcap - a standard herb for the treatment of anxiety and sleep disorders, but also has antibactieral, anti-fungal and antiviral properties. Source, Herb Pharm, root extracts only, 400 - 1000 mg daily, 2 - 3 X's daily
• Garlic, It is needless to have a discussion about this potent everyday source of healing, see my Blog, Garlic - Miracle Herb. Buy standardized extracts, I like Kyolic, 200 - 1200 mg daily, 2 - 3 X's daily and be sure to eat and cook with garlic as often as possible. It has benefits both raw and cooked or roasted.
• Sarsaperilla - available as a tea, drink as a tonic 3- 4 cups per day or take extracted tincture. This is excellent for accumulated gas in the digestive tract and binds endotoxins, the debris from die-off bacteria. Herb Pharm Tincture, take 3 droppers 3 x's per day
• Coptis - Extremely concentrated source of berberine. Beneficial for the treatment of malaria, candida and microbial infections. Source, Plum Flower Herbs, a most reliable source of Chinese herbs. 4 tea pills 3 x's per day.

With the botanicals above it is important that you add only one at a time. Start with one and build up to the maximum dose over a period of a week to 10 days. If no adverse reactions occur move onto the next option. It is important to note that you may begin to experience herxing or die-off reactions as these herbs begin to affect the bacterial growth. To prevent excessive herxing, back down dosage, if symptoms lighten or abate, it was die-off and not an adverse reaction. You may need to consult with your ND, MD or Wellness Consultant to determine if you are having a reaction or die-off symptoms.

Botanicals are only part of the picture. Treating holistically means making dietary adjustments, detoxing and fasting, using poultices and hands on modalities to promote circulation and resting when you are ill! Bridge to Health offering Wellness Consulting as a means of receiving the support and education you need to achieve a higher standard of health and wellness.

Capsicum annuum, or Cayenne pepper as it is commonly called is a moderately hot chili pepper. Cayenne peppers are tapering fruits, 10 to 25 cm long, skinny, mostly red-colored peppers, often with a curved tip and somewhat rippled skin. There are many varieties, most are rated at 30,000 to 50,000 Scoville units. The heat is the thing with cayenne. The benefit as an herb and super food derives from it's ability to bring the FIRE!
Dried and ground to make the powdered spice, culinary blends may be comprised of different types of peppers, quite often not containing cayenne peppers. Which is fine for cooking spicy dishes, but when it comes to use as an herb/super food, you want the real thing.
Cayenne ranked as renown Herbalist, Jethro Kloss's number one "go to" herbs. Added to herbal tinctures cayenne promotes an increase in the function of other herbs, a boosting power. This fire stoking herb is an adaptogen, in that it can stimulate and calm. For example in cases of low blood pressure, cayenne will increase the blood pressure and stimulate vitality in one who is listless. On the other hand, when someone is suffering with high blood pressure and anxious, cayenne provides a relaxing influence! The mysterious world of medicinal plants!

Medicinal Properties of Cayenne Pepper

• Anti-Irritant - Irritation can happen in the body for any number of reasons. Toxic diet, illness, and environmental pollution, pollen, just to list a few. Ironically, cayenne will "put out the fire" and calm the body by affecting the nervous system. It works like a hot bath for your body, from the inside out! Nothing works so well to ease an upset stomach, soothe sore throats, calm coughs, and stop diarrhea.
• Decongestion & Anti-imflammatory - Cayenne pepper aids in breaking up and moving congested mucus. So, whether your suffering from bronchitis, a cold or planning a detox you can count on cayenne to help break up cellular debris, breakdown bio-film and clear away congestion and inflammation. Add cayenne pepper to a poultice for increased action, excellent when use with castor oil poultice to decongest the liver and gall bladder. Learn more about poultices. Cayenne is excellent remedy for asthma. If nothing else is available a few shakes of true cayenne pepper in hot water will reduce severity of asthma attacks.
• Antimicrobial - When it comes to defense against harmful organisms, cayenne is a proverbial surgical flame thrower. In vitro tests have found that CAY-1, a compound found in cayenne peppers, effectively suppressed the development of 16 different fungal strains, while remaining completely non-toxic to animal cells. Inside and out, no matter where a bacterial infection is seated cayenne topically or internally will clear microbial infections. It is an excellent remedy for a troubled gut!
• Pain Relief - Cayenne pepper stimulates dopamine production which is helpful for relieving pain, but additionally it's heat factor actually stimulates a pain response. This action depletes nerve cells of substance "P" (a nerve pain chemical) which is needed for pain to subside. Very handy property. Taken internally for overall body pain, or used locally as a tincture cayenne takes the pain away. 
• Digestive Aid - Cayenne stimulates the digestive tract by increasing enzyme production and gastric juices. With a lack of gastric juices and enzymes, digestion is hampered, detoxification is incomplete and the body becomes overburden with waste. Cayenne pepper is also helpful for relieving intestinal gas. It stimulates intestinal peristaltic motion making it an excellent support for those with chronic constipation. Jethro Kloss used it to heal stomach ulcers. With it's antimicrobial properties, ability to stimulate gastric fluids, reduce inflammation, hard as it is to believe the heat heals!
• Promotes Cardiovascular Health - Cayenne pepper helps reduce atherosclerosis, encourages fibrinolytic activity, and prevents factors that lead to the formation of blood clots, all of which can help reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke. Stabilizes blood pressure as well.
• Promotes Longevity - Data collected from almost half a million people worldwide found that those who ate spicy foods had a 14% chance of living longer than those that didn’t. Researchers also found that regular consumption of chili peppers equated to reduced rates of death from respiratory disease, heart concerns, cancer.
• Improves Metabolic Function - Scientists at Laval University in Quebec found that participants who took cayenne pepper for breakfast were found to have less appetite, leading to less caloric intake throughout the day. Cayenne is also a great metabolic booster and aids the body in burning excess fat.

The bottom line on this fiery, red hot herb...put it to use! Best source for cayenne for cooking is the bulk department at a natural foods stores or on-line. Check to make sure it has it's Latin botanical name, Capsicum annuum. Look for liniments and pain relieving ointments that contain capsicum, the phenol of cayenne peppers. Capsules are the best method for taking internally. 1-2 capsule per ingestion are more than sufficient, up to 6 - capsules per day depending on the condition you are wanting to improve.

Lobelia (Lobelia inflata)
The main parts used of the Lobelia plant are the flowering parts and the seeds. The seeds are the most potent because they contain lobeline, a piperidine alkaloid. Named after Matthias de Lobel, a 17th century botanist, Lobelia is known as Indian Tobacco because it contains lobeline. Lobeline is believed to have a chemical make up similar to nicotine and was therefore used as an alternative to tobacco. In the 19th century, Lobelia was also used as a medicinal herb to induce vomiting, thus removing harmful poisons from the body.

An often misunderstood herb that has been maligned by pharmaceutical companies and allopathic medicine. Lobelia is a very potent herb that can produce profound results in a short period of time. It is an herb which should be used with caution. When used properly lobelia is an excellent expectorant to loosen phlegm, an anti-asthmatic. It is also used to treat hysteria, panic attacks as well as convulsions and spasm or spastic conditions. 
It’s effect is somewhat narcotic, but it is a safe an effective treatment for any condition of spasm or pain. Also very helpful for nicotine withdrawal. ​It is important to begin with lower dosages and increase the dosage over a period of time.It is also imperative that you never surpass a dosage of 20 mg per day. If you consume a dosage higher than 500 mg, it could be fatal.

I have used lobelia for years in combination with skunk cabbage and other herbs in the form of Muscle Calmer, which is based on Jethro Kloss’s old time antispasmodic tincture. His book Back to Eden paved the way for many people to become their own best doctors.

The genus Echinacea has ten species, commonly called coneflowers. They are found only in eastern and central North America, where they grow in moist to dry prairies, grasslands and open wooded areas and many gardens as well! They have large, showy composite flowers and bloom from early to late summer.
Echinacea purpurea is the medicinal herb from this Asteraceae family. It is a perennial medicinal herb with important immuno-stimulatory and anti-inflammatory properties, especially the alleviation of cold and flu symptoms. Echinacea is a go to to build immunity especially during the winter months. All parts of the plant are used. When purchasing echinacea bulk as tinctures or capsules, you'll want to be sure it's the whole plant; leaf, flower, seeds and root being used for maximum benefit.


​This herbs is best used as a tonic starting in the late part of summer or very early fall. Used in this way it is able to help boost T-cell production and boost your immune system. Echinacea works well in combinations with other herbs such as goldenseal, astragalus and other herbs that support immunity and detoxification. Since inflammation is an integral part of compromised immunity, echinacea benefits those suffering from any autoimmune disorders which present with inflammation as a byproduct of the immune system imbalance.

​In recent years cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy have been proven to benefit from the infection protection echinacea offers! Echinacea is now being widely studied to document claims that natural healers and herbalist have known about for many years. It's a true homegrown healer for those of us in the North American Continent!

Here are some of my favorite echinacea products and producers. 
Herb Pharm - since 1979!
​Herb Pharm offers this package of winter must haves, Immune Collection
Traditional Medicinals makes this great tea! Echinacea Plus

​In times past I had to make my own tinctures, but with todays modern methods of standardization you really cannot beat products manufactured by reputable companies such as these two.

Pau d'arco (Tabebuia avellanedae)
A tree native to South America, has been used to treat a wide range of conditions, including pain, arthritis, inflammation of the prostate gland (prostatitis), fever, dysentery, boils and ulcers, and various cancers. As early as 1873, there were reported medicinal uses of pau d'arco.

Scientists have identified two active chemicals in pau d'arco. These chemicals are called naphthoquinones: lapachol and beta-lapachone. In lab tests, these chemicals kill or impede some bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. They also have anti-inflammatory properties, and may be effective against diseases such as osteoarthritis. It also contain significant amounts of the antioxidant quercetin helpful for allergies and mast cell immunity conditions.
​
Useful for the following conditions...

• Candidiasis (a vaginal or oral yeast infection)
• Herpes simplex virus
• Influenza
• Parasitic diseases, such as schistosomiasis
• Bacterial infections, such as brucellosis
• Cancer

Widely available for use as tea, capsule forms and liquid tincture extracts. For deeper therapeutic value the tincture is best. Tinctures are standardized so dosage does not vary.

​As with the use of all botanical medicine you should exercise caution, more is not always better. Check with your health care provider or pharmacist if you are taking medication that may interact with herbal supports.

​To learn more about this two week detoxification program that anyone from any location can participate in please email Bridge to Health Wellness