The Herb Dictionary

G - K

The Eye of Horus, also known as the Wedjet or Udjat or Udjateye, is an ancient Egyptian symbol associated with healing, protection, and restoration. It is named after the Egyptian god Horus,who was associated with kingship, the sky, and divine protection.

In ancient Egyptian mythology, the Eye of Horus is believed to be a powerful symbol of healing and restoration. According to the myth, Horus lost his eye during a battle with his uncle Seth. However, the eye was magically restored by the god Thorth, who healed it and returned it to Horus. As a result, the Eye of Horus became a symbol of healing and wholeness.

The Eye of Horus is often depicted as a stylized human eye with markings that represent the different parts of the eye. These markings are believed to symbolize the six senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch, and thought. Each part of the eye was associated with a specific fraction, representing a fraction of the fullness or completeness of the eye. This symbolism suggests that the Eye of Horus represents the restorationand integration of theses senses or aspects of being. The Eye of Horus is assoicated with healing and is often used as a tailsman or symbol of protection. It is also believed to offer spiritual healing, protection from negative energies, and a connection to the divine.

Ginger

Fights inflammation cleanses the colon, reduces spasms and cramps, and stimulates circulation. A strong antioxidant and effective antimicrobial agent for sores and wounds. Protects the liver and stomach. Useful for bowel disorders, circulatory problems, arthritis, fever, headache, hot flashes, indigestion, morning sickness, motion sickness, muscle pain, nausea, and vomiting.

Ginko

Improves brain functioning by increasing cerebral and peripheral circulation and tissue oxygenation. Has antioxidant properties. May slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease, and may relieve leg cramps by improving circulation. Beneficial for asthma, dementia, depression, eczema, headaches, heart and kidney disorders, memory loss, and tinnitus (ringing in the ears). Shows promise as a treatment for vascular related impotence.

Goji

Goji berries are also used in medicine along with the leaves and the bark of the goji plant. Kidney, liver, eye, and skin problems are treated with goji berries in one form or another. In fact, goji tea made from the leaves and berries is said to clear up acne. Goji berry is a super fruit, with many beneficial effects attached to it. This Chinese herb is claimed to be effective against general ailments like tuberculosis, insomnia, and diabetes, as well as emotional disorders like anxiety and depression. It has also traditionally been used to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels and to improve immune system. The bark from the roots is also used to treat cough, fevers, nosebleeds, and irritability. Like the berries, it is also used to regulate blood pressure and cholesterol.

Gotu Kola

Helps eliminate excess fluids, decreases fatigue and depression, increases sex drive, shrinks tissues, and stimulates the central nervous system. May neutralize blood acids and lower body temperature. Promotes wound healing and is good for varicose veins and for heart and liver function. Useful for cardiovascular and circulatory disorders, fatigue, connective tissue disorders, kidney stones, poor appetite, and sleep disorders.

Green Tea

Acts as an antioxidant and helps to protect against cancer. Lowers cholesterol levels, reduces the clotting tendency of the blood, stimulates the immune system, fights tooth decay, helps regulate blood sugar and insulin levels, combats mental fatigue, and may delay the onset of atherosclerosis. Good for asthma. Shows promise as a weight-loss aid. May help prevent enlarged prostate.

Guarana

Acts as a general tonic, stimulant, and intestinal cleanser. Increases mental alertness. Increases mental endurance. Reduces fatigue. Useful for headaches, urinary tract irritation, diarrhea.

Hawthorn

Dilates the coronary blood vessels, lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and restores heart muscle. Decreases fat deposit levels. Increases intracellular vitamin C levels. Useful for anemia, cardiovascular and circulatory disorders, high cholesterol, and lowered immunity. Patients with diabetes who were already using blood pressure medicine experienced a greater drop in blood pressure with hawthorn.

Hibiscus

Lower high blood pressure, antioxidants, vitamin C Traditional cultures world wide, from China to the Caribbean and the Americas have used hibiscus for medicinal teas.

Stimulates the kidneys and acts as a diuretic. Good for bladder infection, and kidney disease .

Hops

Relieves anxiety. Stimulates the appetite. Useful for cardiovascular disorder, hyperactivity, insomnia, nervousness, pain, restlessness, sexually transmitted diseases, shock, stress, toothaches, and ulcers.

Horehound

Useful for digestion problems including diabetes, loss of appetite, indigestion, bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, liver and gallbladder complaints. It's also used for lungs, and breathing problems, including cough, whooping cough, asthma, tuberculosis, bronchitis, and swollen breathing passages.

Used for painful menstrual period.
Used for painful menstrual period.
Used for jaundice, kill parasitic worms, cause sweating and increase urine production.
Applied to the skin for skin damage, ulcers and wounds.

Horny Goat

Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries, horny goat weed is now available around the world to help invigorate male sexual vitality and ease female discomfort at midlife.

Horse Chestnut

Protects against vascular damage, makes capillary walls less porous, shields against UV radiation damage. Good for varicose veins, reducing excess tissue fluids, and easing night-time muscle spasms in the legs. Used topically, reduces pain and swelling and prevents bruising.

Horsetail

Acts as a diuretic, lessens inflammation, and reduces muscle cramps and spasms. Aids calcium absorption, which promotes healthy skin and strengthens bone, hair, nails, and teeth. Bolsters healing of broken bones and connective tissue. Strengthens the heart and lungs. Useful for the treatment of arthritis bone diseases such as osteoporosis and rickets, bronchitis, cardiovascular disease, edema, gallbladder disorders, gout, muscle cramps and prostate disorders. Used in poultice form to depress bleeding and accelerate healing of burns and wounds.

Horseradish

Reduces inflammation, stimulates the appetite, and aid digestion and sleep. good for arthritis, gout, and congestion and liver, gallbladder, gastric, and bronchitis, croup and other respiratory problems.

Hydrengea

Stimulates the kidneys and acts as a diuretic. Good for bladder infection, kidney disease, obesity, and prostate disorders. Combined with gravel root, good for kidney stones.

Hyssop

Promotes expulsion of mucus from the respiratory tract, relieves congestion, regulates blood pressure, and dispels gas. Used externally, helpful for wound healing. Good for circulatory problems, epilepsy, fever, gout, and weight problems. Poultices made from fresh green hyssop help heal cuts.

Kava Kava

Induces physical and mental relaxation. Acts a a diuretic, genitourinary antiseptic, and gastrointestinal tonic. Relieves muscle spasms and eases pain. Helpful for anxiety and anxiety disorders, insomnia, stress-related disorders, menopausal symptoms, and urinary tract infections.

Kelp

Kelp is a type of seaweed that can be eaten raw, but it is usually dried, granulated, or ground into powder. it is also available in a liquid form that can be added to drinking water. Granulated or powdered kelp can be used as a condiment and for flavoring, as a salt substitute. If you find the taste unappealing, you can purchase it in tablet form.

Kelp is a rich source of vitamins, especially the the B vitamin.s, as well as of many valuable minerals and trace elements . It is reported to be very beneficial to brain tissue, the membranes surrounding the brain, the sensory nerves, and the spinal cord, as well as the nails and blood vessels, It has been used in the treatment of the thyroid problems because of the iodine content, and is useful for other conditions as varied as hair loss, obesity, and ulcers.

Kola

Relieve drowsiness
Temporarily increase stamina
Enhance the pain-relieving effects of aspirin

West Africans have used kola since prehistoric times for its stimulant effect, and no wonder. When slaves brought kola to the New World, its stimulant action was adopted medicinally as an antidepressant pick-me-up. Pharmacists stocked it, including John Pemberton of Atlanta, who aspired to developing a kola-based "nerve tonic." Legend has it that in 1886, Pemberton mixed some sugar with extracts of kola and coca (the source of cocaine) in a three-legged brass pot in his backyard. He added carbonated water to his sweet syrup and created a refreshing drink that his bookkeeper dubbed Coca-Cola.

Kudzu

Suppresses alcohol cravings. Lowers blood pressure and relieves headache, stiff neck, vertigo, and tinnitus. Useful for treating alcoholism, colds, flu, and gastrointestinal problems.

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