Herbs & Herbal Remedies @ Green Papaya

Effective remedies for toothaches include allspice, butternut, calendula, clove, plantain, slippery elm, tarragon, and yarrow.

Relieving pain cause by toothache can be accomplished in many ways.

Most common ‘effective’ practices include the use of allspice, butternut, calendula, clove, plantain, slippery elm, tarragon, and yarrow.

Allspice - Allspice - Dentists use eugenol as a local anesthetic for teeth and gums, and the chemical is an ingredient in the overthe-counter toothache remedies Numzident and Benzodent. Allspice oil may be applied directly to painful teeth and gums as first aid until professional care can be obtained. Take care not to swallow it.

Butternet - Native American Indians applied the inner bark of the butternut tree arround the affect tooth & gums to get relief.

The butternut tree, (Juglans Cinerea), is native to North America and thrives along rivers in well drained soil. The butternut tree may stand in some rural or suburban yards and can reach a height of 40 to 60 feet. Its bark is light gray, and both the leaves and its fruit resembles black walnuts.

The medicinal part of the butternut tree is the inner rind separated from the outer bark or the inner part of its roots.

After being dried the bark can be ground into a powder, and is considered a gentle, effective laxative. Native Americans applied the bark to the gums to alleviate tooth aches, and it is said that it works quite well for this.

Calendula - Calendula officinalis, or Pot Marigold, is a hardy annual with bright green leaves and stems tinged with yellow. The petals are delicate and are what is used in herbal medicine.

Flowers, picked when they’re newly opened, are spread out to dry, and then the petals are picked off. It is a safe and gentle herb, and is used in ointments and dressings for wounds and sores. An infusion of calendula blossoms eases toothaches and ulcers in the mouth.

Clove - Caryophyllus aromaticus, is an evergreen tree, native to the Spice Islands and the Philippines, but also grows in other tropical areas.

The medicinal part of the clove is the dried flower bud. Clove oil will stop the pain of toothache most effectively but if you don’t have the oil you can also place two whole cloves between the offending tooth and your cheek after you chewed them slightly to release their juices.

Plantain - Raw plantain leaves, crushed with salt rubbed on to them will, also help stop a toothache. Plantain is an extremely common “weed” found most anywhere. You can usually see it growing in the cracks of sidewalks and hedge rows.

In Oriental medicine, a concoction of roasted eggplant and salt, called Dentie, is widely used for toothaches.

Slippery Elm - A paste of slippery elm powder and water put into a tooth where the filling has come out, will be very helpful until one gets to the dentist.

Native to North America, particularly throughout the Applalachians, the slippery elm much like the butternut tree has its medicinal part is the inner rind separated from the outer bark. Best time to collect is in the spring while the trees are full of water. And a mouthwash made with sage or marigold and a pinch of salt, is beneficial to bleeding gums.

Tarragon - Artemisia dracunculus is a member of the same family as daisies, with small yellow flowers. From the two types of tarragon, French and Russian, and the more aromatic French variety is preferred for both cooking and medicine. An infusion of the leaves stimulates the appetite, relieves gas and colic, helps alleviate the pain of arthritis, and expels worms for the body. The fresh leaf or root, when applied to aching teeth, acts as an anesthetic until one can get to the dentist.

Yarrow - Achillea millefolium, originated in Europe and Asia, but is now naturalized throughout North America. Yarrow grows wild in fields, meadows, roadsides and open woodlands. Yarrow has the ability to stop bleeding, aids in healing wounds, and yarrow tea is also beneficial to rashes, skin ulcers and hemorrhoids. But the root of the yarrow is also an anesthetic. To relieve toothaches, apply the fresh root or leaves to the gums or teeth.

These are just a few helpful herbs one can use on aching teeth until one can get professional help.

If Achilles had had some yarrow on hand when his vulnerable heel was wounded, he might have survived the Trojan War.

Wound Treatment - Yarrow contains many chemicals that support its traditional use in wound treatment. Two-achilletin and achilleine-spur blood coagulation. Several-azulene. camphor, chamazulene. eugenol, menthol, quercetin, rutin, and salicylic acid-have anti-inflammatory and painrelieving action. Several others-tannins, terpeniol, and cineol-are antiseptic.

Digestive Aid - Yarrow contains a chemical also present in chamomile and chamazulene. that helps relax the smooth muscle tissue of the digestive tract, making itan antispasmodic. Scientists do not consider yarrow’s digestive action as potent as chamomile’s, however.

Women’s Health - Antispasmodics relax not only the digestive tract but other smooth muscles, such as the uterus, as well, lending some credence to yarrow’s use in treating menstrual cramps.

Tranquilizer, Sedative - Yarrow also contains a small amount of a hypnotic chemical, thujone. the effects of which have been compared to marijuana. The thujone in yarrow may account for its traditional use as a sedative. In large amounts, thujone is poisonous, but recommended amounts of yarrow do not contain enough to cause harm.

Intriguing Possibility - Two animal studies show yarrow protects the liver from toxic chemical damage. And a scientifically conducted trial in India showed yarrow helps treat hepatitis. If you have liver disease, ask your physician about using yarrow in addition to standard therapies.

Rx for Yarrow

For wound treatment, press fresh leaves and flower tops into cuts and scrapes on the way to washing and bandaging them.

For a possible tranquilizing infusion to help aid digestion or help treat menstrual cramps, use I to 2 teaspoons of dried herb per cup of boiling water. Steep 10 to 15 minutes. Drink up to 3 cups a day. Yarrow tastes tangy and bitter with some astringency. To improve flavor, add honey, sugar, or lemon, or mix it with an herbal beverage blend.

To help promote healing, apply it externally to clean wounds and inflammations.

In a tincture, use ½ to 1 teaspoon up to three times a day. Medicinal yarrow preparations should not be given to children under age 2. For older children and people over 65, start with low-strength preparations and increase strength if necessary.

Tarragon is no wonder herb, but it deserves a place in herbal Healing. Its active component is its oil; however, drying largely destroys it, so either fresh or frozen leaves or comparatively large amounts of dried leaves must be used.

Anesthetic - Tarragon oil contains an anesthetic chemical, eugenol, which is the major constituent of anesthetic clove oil, supporting its age-old use for toothache. Tarragon provides only temporary relief of oral pain, however. If toothache persists, consult a dentist.

Infection Prevention - Like many culinary herbs, tarragon oil fights disease-causing bacteria in the test tube. For garden first aid, press some fresh crushed tarragon leaves onto wounds on the way to washing and bandaging them.

Intriguing Possibilities - Tarragon oil contains a chemical (rutin) that strengthens capillary walls. Animal studies show rutin helps prevent the artery-narrowing plaque deposits closely associated with heart disease and some strokes. Tarragon’s impact on plaque prevention in human arteries is a matter of conjecture, but it just might help.

An animal study published in the lournal of the National Cancer Institute suggests rutin also has some antitumor activity.

Rx for Tarragon

For temporary relief of oral pain, chew fresh leaves as needed.

For garden first aid, apply fresh, crushed leaves to the affected area.

For a pleasant. licorice-flavored infusion that may help in the prevention of heart disease, use I to 2 teaspoons of fresh or frozen herb per cup of boiling water. Steep 10 to 15 minutes. Drink up to 3 cups a day.

In a tincture, use ½ to 1 teaspoon up to three times a day. Medicinal doses of tarragon should not be given to children under age 2. For older children and people over 65, start with low-strength preparations and increase strength if necessary.

Even the Food and Drug Administration calls this herb “an excellent demulcent” (soothing agent).

Wounds - Slippery elm bark contains special cells that expand into a spongy mass in the presence of liquid. Applied to thoroughly cleaned wounds, it dries to form an herbal bandage.

Cough, Sore Throat, Digestive Complaints - Slippery elm decoction helps soothe the throat and digestive tract.

Women’s Health - Slippery elm decoction has a long history of use by pregnant women, and the medical literature contains no reports of problems. The active constituent, mucilage, should not harm the fetus. If you have a history of problematic pregnancy, however, consult your physician before using it.

Myth - Slippery elm has never been shown to speed the Healing of broken bones.

Rx for Slippery Elm

For a poultice to bandage wounds, stir enough water into powdered bark to make a paste and apply to the affected area.

For a soothing decoction, use I to 3 teaspoons of powdered herb per cup of water. Blend a little water in first to prevent lumpiness. Bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes. Drink up to 3 cups a day. Slippery elm has only a slight taste and a mild aroma reminiscent of maple.

Slippery elm may be given cautiously to children under age 2.

Clove oil, like allspice, is 60 to 90 percent eugenol, which is the source of its anesthetic and antiseptic properties.

Toothache, Oral Hygiene - Dentists use clove oil as an oral anesthetic. They also use it to disinfect root canals.

Clove oil is the active ingredient in Lavoris mouthwash and a number of over-the-counter toothache pain-relief preparations, including Benzodent and Numzident.

Toothaches require professional care. Clove oil may provide temporary relief, but see a dentist promptly.

Digestive Aid - Like many culinary spices, clove may help relax the smooth muscle lining of the digestive tract, supporting its age-old use as a digestive aid.

Infection Fighter - Clove kills intestinal parasites and “exhibits broad antimicrobial properties against fungi and bacteria,” according to one of many reports supporting its traditional use as a treatment for diarrhea, intestinal worms, and other digestive ailments.

Rx for Clove

For temporary relief of toothache prior to professional care, dip a cotton swab in clove oil and apply it to the affected tooth and surrounding gum.

For a warm, pleasant-tasting infusion, use I teaspoon of powdered herb per cup of boiling water. Steep 10 to 20 minutes. Drink up to 3 cups a day.

Medicinal amounts of clove should not be given to children under age 2. For older children and people over 65, start with low-strength preparations and increase strength if necessary.

Allspice berries contain an oil that is the source of all its healing powers.

Digestive Aid - Allspice oil is rich in the chemical eugenol, also found in clove and several other healing herbs. Eugenol may promote activity of digestive enzymes.

Pain Reliever - Eugenol has also been found to be an effective pain reliever, lending credence to the Guatemalan practice of applying the crushed berries to painful muscles and joints.

Anesthetic - Dentists use eugenol as a local anesthetic for teeth and gums, and the chemical is an ingredient in the overthe-counter toothache remedies Numzident and Benzodent. Allspice oil may be applied directly to painful teeth and gums as first aid until professional care can be obtained.

Rx for Allspice

When using powdered allspice as a spice, season food to taste.

For toothache, apply the oil directly to the tooth or gum, one drop at a time, using a cotton swab. Take care not to swallow it.

As a digestive aid, prepare an infusion using 1 to 2 teaspoons of allspice powder per cup of boiling water. Steep 10 to 20 minutes and strain. Drink up to 3 cups a day. You’ll find that allspice has a warm, pleasant harmony of flavors: cinnamon, pepper. juniper. and cloves.

Medicinal doses should not be given to children under age 2. For older children and people over 65, start with low-strength preparations and increase strength if necessary.