Western Herbs for Martial Artists and Contact Athletes. Susan Lynn Peterson

no stronger than a 5% solution.³⁹¹ A 5% dilution would be 2.4 teaspoons of the oil in one cup of water. A more conservative dilution,³⁹² .06%, would be roughly 2–3 drops of the oil in a cup of water. Some people use the full strength clove oil directly on their gums. Though the practice is widespread, evidence is beginning to come in that says that this old practice may not be advisable.

      What should you be aware of before using it?

      Cloves used as a spice are generally regarded as safe. The problems occur when using clove oil or cloves in medicinal quantities.

      Most of the documented problems are irritations caused by ingesting too much of the oil.³⁹³ Anything more than minute amounts can cause stomach irritation.³⁹⁴ Children are more sensitive to cloves effects than adults.³⁹⁵

      Recent in vitro (test-tube) research shows that the eugenol in cloves might be cytotoxic.³⁹⁶ The study has not yet been replicated, nor have the effects seen in the study been observed in human trials. Furthermore, after centuries of clove oil use, we have few or no documented cases of toxicity in adults. Even the FDA approves its use in small concentrations.³⁹⁷ The cytotoxicity demonstrated in the recent study, however, should probably not be completely ignored. Until more data comes in, you might consider avoiding undiluted clove oil applied directly. Instead, use diluted clove oil as a mouthwash: clove oil diluted to somewhere between .06 and 5% (depending on your tolerance for risk) rinse and spit.

      Oil of cloves can be irritating to skin and mucous membranes. Diluting the oil can help reduce irritation.

      Some people are allergic to cloves. Rashes, hives, shortness of breath, and anaphylaxis have been reported.³⁹⁸ If you experience any of these symptoms, discontinue use. If you experience breathing problems, get medical help immediately.

      Don’t use it if you are taking antithrombotic drugs because cloves may increase their effect.³⁹⁹ If you plan to have surgery, tell your surgeon you have been taking cloves and discontinue use. Be cautious when using it in conjunction with other herbs known or suspected of increasing the risk of bleeding. (See Chapter 5 for a list.)

Coltsfoot

      Scientific name: Tussilago farfara

      Also known as horseweed, horsebalm, ox balm, bullsfoot, hallfoot, fieldhove, pilewort, stone root, coughwort, cough plant, and horse-hoof, kuan dong hua.

       Tussilago farfara

      Coltsfoot, a perennial originally from Europe, now grows wild throughout the northeastern and midwestern United States, as well as southern Canada. It is part of the Compositae family, a large family that also contains daisies, asters, sunflowers, zinnia, dandelions, and even thistles and ragweed. The flowers are the principle part used, but the leaves also have medicinal value.

      Coltsfoot has a long history of being used for coughs. In fact, the scientific name, Tussilago, comes from the Latin word for cough. Some traditions say coltsfoot is best for conditions with lots of mucus; others recommend it for dry coughs. Though they may not agree on the particulars, people on at least four continents for at least twenty centuries have been saying that coltsfoot works for throat ailments. Many European cough remedies feature coltsfoot. The Iroquois used an infusion of the roots as a cough remedy.⁴⁰⁰ Greek physicians recommended smoking coltsfoot for asthma, advice that is now considered highly ill-advised. In France in the eighteenth century, apothecaries would paint a picture of a colt’s foot on a shingle and hang it outside when they had coltsfoot cough remedies for sale.⁴⁰¹ In China, it’s called kuan dong hua, and it’s used for chronic coughs with lots of phlegm. It is said to force rising lung qi to descend.

      What is it good for?

      Throat conditions, including coughs, bronchitis, hoarseness, sore throat, strep, and asthma. The traditional evidence for this use is strong, existing wherever coltsfoot grows. In fact, the herb has been introduced around the world because of its medicinal properties. The Eclectic School and most of the traditional herbalists recommended it for this purpose. The herb contains mucilage, a substance that coats and soothes mucous membranes, perhaps even shielding them from further infection.⁴⁰² It soothes coughs and helps them become more productive. The active ingredients have antioxidative,⁴⁰³ anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties.⁴⁰⁴ Test-tube analysis shows that coltsfoot has antimicrobial properties and is effective against Staphylococcus aureus,⁴⁰⁵ a cause of pneumonia and other upper respiratory infections.⁴⁰⁶ Clinical trials and human studies, even animal studies, are almost nonexistent, however.

      Skin inflammations. A poultice of coltsfoot leaves is sometimes used for skin inflammations, including insect bites and burns.⁴⁰⁷ This tradition doesn’t have nearly the attestation that the throat remedies do, but given that initial research shows anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties, the use may not be totally unfounded.⁴⁰⁸ The leaves of coltsfoot also contain tannins.

      How do you use it?

      Infusions. Coltsfoot is typically prepared as either an infusion or decoction of either the flowers or the leaves. Consult a professional for more information about how to minimize the dangers of using coltsfoot. (See the “What should you be aware of before using it” section for more information.)

      Tinctures. Tinctures aren’t recommended if you want the mucilage of the herb to remain intact.⁴⁰⁹ Smoking coltsfoot, a traditional way of using the herb, also destroys mucilage.⁴¹⁰ Inhaling the steam doesn’t work either.

      Dosage: How much do you use?

      Don’t use coltsfoot longer than 4–6 weeks per year⁴¹¹ Consult a professional for guidance in finding a proper dosage of coltsfoot.

What should you be aware of before using it?

      One would think that an herb that had centuries of history of use would have centuries of history of contraindications as well. That’s not true with coltsfoot. For centuries, it was used without restriction. Only recently have scientists discovered that coltsfoot contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), which can cause liver cancer and liver failure.⁴¹² So far most of the evidence has come from animal research and studies of other herbs that contain PAs, but those studies are conclusive enough that regulatory agencies are beginning to take notice. The problem is that PAs cause damage that only shows up in a liver biopsy or autopsy. By the time you have your first symptom, significant harm has already been done. The FDA has classified coltsfoot as an herb of “undefined safety.” Canadian and Australian authorities have banned the herb outright.⁴¹³ Germany has set up a web of restrictions that greatly limits its use.⁴¹⁴

      The risk may be able to be mitigated somewhat through proper preparation of the herb and careful dosage. It may also be mitigated by using coltsfoot as a gargle rather than a tea. The wisest course of action, however, is to seek professional guidance if you want to take coltsfoot.

      Don’t take coltsfoot at all if:

      You have any kind of liver disorder, take several kinds of medication (which are cleared through the liver), or if you drink heavily.⁴¹⁵ Also you shouldn’t take it in conjunction with any other herb or drug known to affect liver function.⁴¹⁶ (See Chapter 5 for a list.)

      You have heart problems.⁴¹⁷