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| medicinal herbs with the daily milk. The essential oil is sold commercially and can be added to external rubs for bronchial congestion; use 5 drops of oil in a teaspoon of almond oil. |
| Feverfew (Tanacetum Parthenium) |
| Feverfew has hit the media headlines in recent years as a major "cure" and prophylactic for migraine and arthritis. Since the 1970s, the plant has been extensively researched and is known to contain parthenolides and similar compounds which are believed to account for its action. Although there was some traditional use of feverfew for headaches, this was largely in external applications. |
| Description: A perennial with daisylike flowers borne in clusters on stems with yellow-green lobed leaves. Plants are bushy and grow to around 24 inches in height. |
| Parts used: Leaves. |
| Actions: Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antispasmodic, anthelmintic, cooling, digestive stimulant, emmenagogue, peripheral vasodilator, relaxant. |
| Uses: Chewing a fresh feverfew leaf each day is believed by many to prevent migraines. The tea can be useful for acute arthritic attacks, and as an antispasmodic, it can be helpful for menstrual pain. |
| Cautions: Feverfew shows antiplatelet activity (reduces the blood's clotting ability) so should not be used by those taking warfarin, heparin, and similar blood-thinning drugs. Migraine sufferers should stop taking regular doses of feverfew if side effects (skin rashes or mouth ulceration) occur. |
| Garlic (Allium Sativa) |
| Garlic is one of mankind's oldest medicinal herbs; recipes using the plant have been found in the cuneiform script of ancient Babylon dating back at least 5,000 years. Its characteristic smell is due to a |
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