Godshaer.co.uk :: Hopking's Herbal - V W

Hopking's Herbal - V W

Go to Hopking's Herbal - A Modern Materia Medica (herbs and their medicinal action and uses):
A, B-C, D-E-F, G-H, I-J-K, L-M-N, O-P-Q, R-S, T-U, V-W, X-Y-Z

325. Vaccinium myrtillus (Bilberry fruit) - eye disorders (poor vision, cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration). The active anthocyanoside flavonoids in bilberry strengthen the integrity of eye tissue, improve circulation to the eyes and increase oxygen and energy levels in the eye. Enhances circulation and blood vessel integrity throughout the body. Antioxidant. See AgeLess and SeeMore

326. Valeriana officinalis (Valerian root) - sedative, hypnotic, anti-spasmodic, hypotensive; tension, anxiety, excitability, insomnia, cramp, colic, migraine, rheumatic pain, carminative; hysteria, dysmenorrhoea. WorryLess

327. Verbascum thapsus (Mullein leaves) - expectorant, demulcent; respiratory tract tonic, bronchitis (specific) with hard cough with soreness, inflammation of trachea. See Cough Less and Cough Syrup

328. Verbena officinalis (Vervain tops, Ma Bian Cao) Chinese Herb - nervine tonic, sedative; thymoleptic, depression, nerve tonic, epilepsy, hysteria, debility of convalescence after fevers especially influenza. Chinese use: anti-malarial, anti-pyretic, detoxification, amenorrhoea, diuretic, malaria, influenza, gingivitis, abscesses, dysmenorrhoea, abdominal tumours, oedema, oliguria. pungent, bitter, slightly cold. LIV SP BL

329. Viburnum opulus (Cramp bark) - sedative, spasmolytic, threatened miscarriage, partus praeparator (birth preparer), uterine dysfunction, menopausal metrorrhagia, heart disease; asthma, epilepsy, palpitations, cramps, ovarian pain, uterine pain, infantile enuresis (urinary incontinence). Ext. cramps and stiffness. Dose 1:5 45% 5-10ml. Incontinence

330. Viburnum prunifolium (Black Haw bark) - anti-spasmodic, uterine sedative, anti-asthmatic, hypotensive; uterine cramps, miscarriage, lowers HBP, dysmenorrhoea, labour pains false, miscarriage threatened with hypertension. Dose: 1:5 70% 5-10ml. See PMS

331. Vinca major (Periwinkle tops) - astringent, sedative, anti-haemorrhagic; menorrhagia, endometriosis, metrorrhagia, colitis, enuresis (incontinence), diarrhoea, nose bleed, bleeding gums, mouth ulcers, sore throat, diabetes; stimulates brain function. Ext.: haemorrhoids. C/I in constipation.

332. Viola odorata (Sweet Violet leaves and flowers) - expectorant, alterative, anti-neoplastic; coughs and bronchitis, upper respiratory catarrh, cancer (breast or alimentary canal), naso-pharyngeal catarrh. See BreastShield

333. Viola tricolor (Pansy tops) - expectorant, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, laxative, pertussis, capillary fragility, eczema with exudate especially with rheumatic symptoms, whooping cough, acute bronchitis, cystitis, frequent and painful urination..

334. Viscum album (Mistletoe leafy twigs) - nervine, hypotensive, cardiac depressant, anti-neoplastic; nerve relaxant, reduces heart rate (acts directly on vagus nerve), strengthens peripheral capillary walls, reduces HBP, arteriosclerosis, nervous tachycardia, anti-tumour, chorea, hysteria, hypertensive headache, hypertension. Dose 1:5 45% 0.5ml. HerbShield

335. Vitex agnuscastus (Chaste Tree berries) - reproductive organs tonic and amphoteric; stimulates normalises pituitary gland functions, esp. progesterone; dysmenorrhoea, pre-menstrual stress, menopausal problems, after ‘pill’ to normalise sex glands.

336. Withania somnifera (fam. Solanaceae. Indian Ginseng, Withania, Ashwagandha - root, all parts used) - adaptogen, rejuvenating, balancing, strengthening, calming; relieves fatigue, nervous exhaustion, memory loss; aphrodisiac, sterility in men, sexual ailments; mild sedative, promotes carl sleep; promotes tissue regeneration; slows aging; body building (natural steroids; instant charge of long-lasting energy); Alzheimer’s and memory problems; arthritic pain (has natural steroidal compounds), carpal tunnel syndrome, autoimmune disorders (e.g. lupus), abnormal cell formation, increases potency, stress. The root of this plant is widely used in Ayurvedic medicine to augment the faculty of learning and memory retention, and to attenuate cerebral function deficits in the elderly. It is regarded as being particularly useful as a "nervine restorative" in those who have memory impairment and general debility, both common components of the benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome. Adaptogenic effects have been shown in several studies, and the increase in numbers of dopamine receptors in the corpus striatum produced due to stress, was prevented by pretreatment with Withania. Withania is also reported to have anxiolytic and slight CNS depressant effects. Radioligand binding and functional studies, have found that an extract of Withania acts probably as an agonist at GABA receptor, and this may account for some of these actions on the nervous system. The combination of these actions, makes Withania ideally suited as a medium-term, gently relaxing adaptogenic agent for many clients to be taken during and after both benzodiazepine and opiate withdrawal. Pharmacological Action: tonic, aphrodisiac, sattvic. Indications (Uses): rheumatism, emaciation, sexual debility, infertility, edema, TB, worms, spermatorrhea, dis. of nerves, V and K schizophrenia, anti-epileptic for grand mal; tonic, adaptogen, nervine sedative, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumour (in high doses), aphrodisiac, sattvic Indications. Contraindications (Cautions): Some sources suggest that the alkaloids in ashvaghanda presents a risk as an abortifacient during pregnancy. (McGuffin) Others suggest that it is a good tonic herb not only safe but beneficial during pregnancy. (Bone) Constituents: alkaloids etc. C/I Pregnancy.

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Go to Hopking's Herbal - A Modern Materia Medica (herbs and their medicinal action and uses):
A, B-C, D-E-F, G-H, I-J-K, L-M-N, O-P-Q, R-S, T-U, V-W, X-Y-Z

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Our herbal tonic medicines are carefully prepared on a personal and individual basis for your healing by medical herbalist Alan Hopking MA MNIMH MRCHM FINEH. Only whole herbs are used in our herbal medicines. Nothing else is added. If you have symptoms which you consider might be helped with herbal medicine please contact herbal practitioner Alan Hopking for a friendly confidential professional consultation. Telphone using our freephone 0500 90 96 97.
Once you have received your herbal prescription you can contact Alan Hopking at any time for more free advice (preferably by email). When you have completed your bottle of herbal medicine and if you want a repeat prescription you are requested to phone or email so that your progress can be assessed and adjustments made if necessary so that there is no break in your treatment. To order or re-order, click here.

UK Government Dept - MHRA

General advice to consumers on the use of herbal remedies from the Medicines Healthcare products Regulatory Agency

From the website of the Medicines Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (www.mhra.gov.uk) Department of Health, UK

• Remember that herbal remedies are medicines. As with any other medicine they are likely to have an effect on the body and should be used with care.
• Herbal remedies may sometimes interact with other medicines. This makes it particularly important to tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking a herbal remedy with other medicines such as prescribed medicines (those provided through your doctor or dentist).
• Treat with caution any suggestion that a herbal remedy is '100% safe' or is 'safe because it is natural'. Many plants, trees, fungi and algae can be poisonous to humans. It is worth remembering that many pharmaceuticals have been developed or derived from these sources because of the powerful compounds they contain. Any medicine, including herbal remedies, which have an effect on the body should be used with care.
• Treat with caution any herbalist or other person who supplies herbal remedies if they are unwilling or unable to provide written information, in English, listing the ingredients of the herbal remedy they are providing.
• If you are due to have a surgical operation you should always remember to tell your doctor about any herbal remedy that you are taking.
• Anyone who has previously experienced any liver complaint, or any other serious health complaint is advised not to take any herbal remedy without speaking to their doctor first.

PRECAUTIONS:

Pregnant/Breast-feeding mothers
Few conventional medicines have been established as safe to take during pregnancy and it is generally recognised that no medicine should be taken unless the benefit to the mother outweighs any possible risk to the foetus. This rule should also be applied to herbal medicinal products. However, herbal products are often promoted to the public as being “natural” and completely “safe” alternatives to conventional medicines. Some herbal ingredients that specifically should be avoided or used with caution during pregnancy. As with conventional medicines, no herbal products should be taken during pregnancy unless the benefit outweighs the potential risk.

Volatile Oils

Many herbs are traditionally reputed to be abortifacient and for some this reputation can be attributed to their volatile oil component.(6) A number of volatile oils are irritant to the genito-urinary tract if ingested and may induce uterine contractions. Herbs that contain irritant volatile oils include ground ivy, juniper, parsley, pennyroyal, sage, tansy and yarrow. Some of these oils contain the terpenoid constituent, thujone, which is known to be abortifacient. Pennyroyal oil also contains the hepatotoxic terpenoid constituent, pulegone. A case of liver failure in a woman who ingested pennyroyal oil as an abortifacient has been documented.

Uteroactivity

A stimulant or spasmolytic action on uterine muscle has been documented for some herbal ingredients including blue cohosh, burdock, fenugreek, golden seal, hawthorn, jamaica dogwood, motherwort, nettle, raspberry, and vervain. Herbal Teas Increased awareness of the harmful effects associated with excessive tea and coffee consumption has prompted many individuals to switch to herbal teas. Whilst some herbal teas may offer pleasant alternatives to tea and coffee, some contain pharmacologically active herbal ingredients, which may have unpredictable effects depending on the quantity of tea consumed and strength of the brew. Some herbal teas contain laxative herbal ingredients such as senna, frangula, and cascara. In general stimulant laxative preparations are not recommended during pregnancy and the use of unstandardised laxative preparations is particularly unsuitable. A case of hepatotoxicity in a newborn baby has been documented in which the mother consumed a herbal tea during pregnancy as an expectorant. Following analysis the herbal tea was reported to contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids which are known to be hepatotoxic.

Breast-feeding mothers

A drug substance taken by a breast-feeding mother presents a hazard if it is transferred to the breast milk in pharmacologically or toxicologically significant amounts. Limited information is available regarding the safety of conventional medicines taken during breast-feeding. Much less information exists for herbal ingredients, and generally the use of herbal remedies is not recommended during lactation.

Paediatric Use

Herbal remedies have traditionally been used to treat both adults and children. Herbal remedies may offer a milder alternative to some conventional medicines, although the suitability of a herbal remedy needs to be considered with respect to quality, safety and efficacy. Herbal remedies should be used with caution in children and medical advice should be sought if in doubt. Chamomile is a popular remedy used to treat teething pains in babies. However, chamomile is known to contain allergenic sesquiterpene lactones and should therefore be used with caution. The administration of herbal teas to children needs to be considered carefully and professional advice may be needed.

Perioperative use

The need for patients to discontinue herbal medicinal products prior to surgery has recently been proposed. The authors considered eight commonly used herbal medicinal products (echinacea, ephedra, garlic, ginkgo, ginseng, kava, St John’s Wort, valerian). On the evidence available they concluded that the potential existed for direct pharmacological effects, pharmacodynamic interactions and pharmacokinetic interactions. The need for physicians to have a clear understanding of the herbal medicinal products being used by patients and to take a detailed history was highlighted. The American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) has advised patients to tell their doctor if they are taking herbal products before surgery and has reported that a number of anaesthesiologists have reported significant changes in heart rate or blood pressure in some patients who have been taking herbal medicinal products including St John’s Wort, ginkgo and ginseng. MCA is currently investigating a serious adverse reaction associated with the use of ginkgo prior to surgery. In this case, the patient who was undergoing hip replacement experienced uncontrolled bleeding thought to be related to the use of ginkgo.

From the website of the Medicines Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (www.mhra.gov.uk) Department of Health, UK

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Contact details

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Godshaer Herbal Clinic
Advanced Botanical Centre of Medicine
Ducking Stool Lane
Christchurch
Dorset
BH23 1DS
UK

Telephone

+44 (0) 1202 488122
Freephone UK 0500 90 96 97

alanhopking@godshaer.co.uk

Skype (by arrangement)

alanhopking

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Disclaimer and pledge

As a professional herbal practitioner I am in practice in conformity with the laws of England and the 1968 Medicines Act. The UK legislative provisions for herbal medicine are to be found in the Medicines Act 1968, Section 12, paragraphs 1 & 2, and Section 56, paragraphs 1 & 2.

Section 12:1 specifies exemption for herbal medicines from licensing provided that they are supplied subsequent to private personal consultation. Section 12:2 exempts herbal medicines provided that they are produced according to standard traditional, non-industrial methods. It also specifies that no written claims may be made for the use of the remedy.

Therefore at Godshaer Herbalist no claims about any medical condition regarding the herbal medicines prescribed by Alan Hopking are made. Indeed, be it a doctor, surgeon or herbal practitioner, the successful outcome of our treatments cannot with any certainty be predicted, let alone guaranteed. Further, following UK and EU law, the information on this web site attach no medical claims and no claims concerning the medicinal herbs mentioned relating to any medical conditions listed. All the herbal prescriptions are unlicensed and made by Alan N. Hopking at the address of Godshaer Herbalist for patients of Alan N. Hopking.

I pledge that, I shall do all I can, using my knowledge of herbal medicines and natural treatment, to help you regain your deserved health.
Alan Hopking MA MNIMH MRCHM FINEH

All our herbal medicines are made from the raw herb at our dedicated clinic and dispensary in Ducking Stool Lane. We collect the fresh herbs, or import the dry herb. They are organic if at all possible. We only use whole herbs. We are against the use of standardized extracts, or the concentration of herbs by adding more of the active constituent. We recommend you do not use such products in any form (dry, in capsules or as tincture extracts). To use our herbal tonics you should follow the prescribed dose. Any side effects or problems should be reported to us.