Bilberry: Focusing on the Problem

Bilberry fruit (Vaccinium myrtillus) is a potent herbal antioxidant source. Its ability to neutralize free radicals in the brain and the eyes makes it a powerful protector for the eyes. The part used historically is the fruit, sometimes also called huckleberry or blueberry.
British pilots during World War II used bilberry to improve their vision for night flying. Some reported improved vision within two weeks of using bilberry, and longterm use of this safe herb will prove most beneficial. Bilberry’s ability to strengthen blood capillaries also makes it an excellent tonic for people who bruise easily. Bilberry used with eyebright and beta carotene makes a powerful combination to nourish and protect the eyes and to strengthen vision. It also works well for lightsensitive individuals. Bilberry is also used for diabetes, diarrhea, and mild inflammation.
Zinc and vitamins E, A, and C all work well to protect our vision and are all contained in eyebright and bilberry. Another practice you can choose to help tone the eyes is a cold water splash every morning and each night. Simply fill your sink with some cold water, cup the water in your hands, and splash your eyes. The cold will help muscles retract, will tighten capillaries, and will tone your eyes. Many find this very refreshing and strengthening to their eyes.

Eyebright: A Sight for Sore Eyes

Appropriately named, eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis) is an herb used to nourish, cleanse, tone, and strengthen the eyes. It contains a component that strengthens the blood capillaries, which improves circulation to the eyes. Eyebright has been used internally and externally for eye problems of all sorts. For better vision take internally. Eyebright usually comes in capsules and is many times found with other astringent herbs. Its antibacterial effects make it an excellent tea to be used as an eyewash for conjunctivitis (pink eye) or sore, irritated, or itchy eyes.
To use eyebright as an external eyewash, you have two options. If you have the herb in a capsule, empty one capsule per cup of water (one cup at a time should be more than sufficient). If you are using the herb in bulk form, four heaping teaspoons equals about one capsule of powder. Then follow these steps:

1. Put herb in a cup of water, and bring to a boil.
2. Boil 10 minutes.
3. Let cool, and strain mixture well. (That’s better than a sharp stick in the eye!)
4. Use a glass dropper to administer to eyes as needed. Do not touch the glass dropper to the eye, however; this will contaminate the mixture with the dropper, unless you sterilize it first.
5. Store the mixture in a glass container in the refrigerator. Do not keep mixture longer than three to four days.

Eyes Got an Herb for You

The eyes are the windows to the soul, and sight is one of our most valued senses, however sometimes we take it for granted until we begin to lose our perfect vision. Most often it is some type of malnourishment that causes our eyes to loose focus. Sometimes it is a symptom of another progressive disease. But for the common eyesight degeneration, I have seen people reclaim their good vision several months after incorporating an herbal program into their life. I have also seen people who have worked on their core problem with herbs improve their eyesight as a side effect of taking herbs and supplements.
You can use herbs to tone the eye muscles, relieve and nourish stressed or irritated eyes, and bring circulation to the eyes. All this can help restore better vision and increase the general health of your eyes.

Pau D’Arco for Endometriosis

Pau d’arco is utilized by many women as a blood cleanser and to dissolve cysts. Use pau d’arco to help in all ailments that are related to abnormal growths, such as cysts, cancer, tumors, and endometriosis.
As always, combinations of herbs—and sometimes supplements—can speed your recovery. Use sarsaparilla and pau d’arco at the same time. Pau d’arco aids in dissolving cysts and tissue overgrowth while sarsaparilla aids your body in progesterone production—which will help balance estrogen levels sometimes related to endometriosis.
For extra benefit, and more hormonal balancing effects, add the following combination along with your pau d’arco and sarsaparilla: golden seal, capsicum, ginger, uva ursi, crampbark, squawvine, blessed thistle, red raspberry, and false unicorn. Extra vitamin C can enhance this herbal program. Soy estrogens from plant sources are known as phyto-estrogens and offer a very mild form of estrogen. They bind the estrogen receptors, making it difficult for “bad” estrogen to be effective. This makes soy valuable in helping to balance estrogen levels, especially when those levels are in excess.

Endometriosis: A Growing Concern

Endometriosis is a female concern involving the presence of tissue similar to the lining of the uterus located (and usually growing) at other sites in the pelvis. Symptoms include painful menstruation, infertility, and, if left untreated, adhesions which attach themselves to other pelvic areas, such as the fallopian tubes, ovaries, uterine muscles, colon, and bladder. These adhesions pull pelvic organs out of alignment and cause other painful problems. Many women have hysterectomies for relief of this problem. Possible causes of this overgrowing tissue may be linked to hormonal imbalance, especially excess estrogen production, that cause tissue to grow wildly.
Estrogen dominance can be caused by an improper diet, prescription medications, xenoestrogens (plastics and petroleum products), and dioxins (herbicides and pesticides).

The Beauty of Herbs: Not Just Skin-Deep

Combinations used together to cleanse the blood and feed the skin include burdock root, Oregon grape, pau d’arco, vitamins A and E, and zinc. Because you will either make or purchase Oregon grape in a liquid form, it will be easy to apply to affected areas on the skin. Apply to a test area, such as the back of your hand, for several days each day, and watch how it works for you. You may want to apply it straight, or you can add it to your natural shampoo for eczema in the scalp. Externally, you can also add the herb calendula (from marigold flowers), known for its soothing effects on the skin. Mix it with some aloe vera, and apply as a paste to affected areas. If you do not yet know the source of your eczema, eliminate any possible causes of skin irritants, such as toxic and industrialized chemicals. Make a note if you have changed any of your soaps or laundry detergents.
Some eczema can be triggered by allergies, so make a food diary and eliminate all things that show up on your food list more than every four days. Eliminate red meat, citrus fruits, and sugar from your diet, and see if your problem clears. This will help you learn what might be triggering this condition, too. Cleanse the bowel for quicker relief of all skin ailments.

Oregon Grape: A Grape Remedy for Eczema

Oregon grape (Berberis Aquifolium) is probably the most widely used and accepted herbal remedy for chronic skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, and psoriasis, all skin inflammation diseases. Its best use for helping eczema is in a liquid extract or tea, and it can be used internally as well as externally.
Oregon grape goes to the liver and lymphatics, helps purify blood, and serves as a mild laxative. It contains a powerful natural antibiotic similar to golden seal and has been used to clear up skin conditions of all kinds.
Oregon grape is also used for acne, dandruff, and detoxification. It gets to the source of skin problems because it helps regulate bile flow, decreases liver congestion, promotes the digestion of fats, and helps relieve constipation, all of which contribute to skin ailments.