Dwayne Haus, N.D.

Spring 2009
Volume 3. Issue 1

Spring Newsletter
Inside this issue:

Herbs and their use.

Over the past 20 plus years, I
continue to receive inquires
regarding what herbs to use
for a multitude of issues.
Some of the plants/herbs that
I have suggested are consumed as teas, tinctures,
powders/encapsulation and
some are consumed as food
either cooked or raw. With
this question coming up
more and more every day, I
have decided to devote this
and possibly the summer
newsletter to some of the
herbs and their health or medicinal usage. As you will
note, I am not providing any
suggestion on the recommended amount to use or
what part of the plant/herb is
appropriate for a that condition. This is something that
should be left for a qualified
herbalist to explain to you
before using any herbal product.
Some of the plants/herbs are
better assimilated if they are
used in a specific form. My
preferred way of ingesting
herbals is as a tincture. One
does not need to spend a
fortune on store bought tinctures. It is easy to make your
own. A simple recipe for al-

cohol extracted tinctures is to

take one ounce of the dry
herb and combined it with a
pint of 100 proof vodka in a
quart size canning jar. By
combining the herb and alcohol with daily agitation, in
14 days you can strain off the
liquid and you have a
mother tincture, that can
be used the same way you
would use any store purchased tincture. One thing
to consider, some plants release more active ingredients
with other extraction methods.
None of the herbs that I am
including in this newsletter
are to be considered a cureall if you were to consume,
as it takes a larger understanding of how the specific
plant works with the body
than the amount of space I
have allocated to a brief description. I have not arranged these herbs in any
particular order.
CODONOPSIS: Codonopsis
tangshen. This plant is used
more in Chinese than Western Herbology; however, it
has had a long history of use
for energy deficiency, fatigue,
shallow or strained breath-

ing, increased appetite, dyspepsia, improved vitality, balancing metabolic function

and facial swelling. It is an
adaptogenic and stimulating
herb with similar action to
ginseng but with a milder
effect. It has been used in
Chinese Herbology to balance spleen qi deficiency as
well as over stressed individuals. This plant has been used
to help regulate adrenaline
levels as well as build red
blood cells.
DANDELION: Taraxacum officinale. The common dandelion is one of the most overlooked plants in existence.
Most people are idiots and
want to spray a multitude of
carcinogenic chemicals on
their lawns to eradicate this
plant instead of using it for all
of its benefits. To cite some
nutritional facts on this plant,
one cup of chopped dandelion greens has about 25
calories, provides 1.5 grams
of protein, 0.4 grams of fat, 5
grams of carbohydrates, 103
milligrams of calcium, 1.7 milligrams of iron, 7,700 IU of
Vitamin A and 19 milligrams
of Vitamin C. And this is only
using it as a food- (continued inside)

Herbals continued

Herbals continued

Multi vitamin problems 4

Special points of interest:

This information has not been evaluated

by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure disease. Check
with your health care professional before
taking any supplement.

Most supplements discussed in this newsletter are either in stock or are available
through special order.

Office hours are by appointment only.

In home appointments are available for

some of our Pennsylvania clients. Please
call the office for details.

Page 2
(continued from page 1 ) as some people do cooked
or raw with other greens as a spring
tonic. We will not even consider that in a
lot of places, this is free food. When it
comes to looking at the health properties
of this plant, the leaves act as a diuretic,
liver and digestive tonic. The root is a
liver tonic as well as promoting bile flow;
has a diuretic action, mildly laxative and
antirheumatic. Over the years it has
been used in folk medicine both Western
and Chinese for treating colds, bronchitis,
pneumonia, breast tumors, blood purification, kidney elimination, gout, heart
disease, ulcers, fungus, gallstones and
snake bites to name a few. This one
plant has more use in history than one
realizes and is one of the most easily recognized plants around.
BONESET: Eupatorium perfoliatum. This
herb was one of the original medicines
for dengue fever. It has been used over
the years for fevers, influenza, cholera,
malaria, typhoid, indigestion, constipation and lack of appetite. This herb has
been used to treat minor viral and bacterial infections as well as helping with arthritis and rheumatism by acting as a
mild anti-inflammatory. It has been used
to empty toxins from the colon as well as
remove mucus from the lungs. Handel
this plant very gently when harvesting as
it will start to break down and decompose almost immediately after harvesting.
PLANTAIN: Plantago major. Like Dandelion, this plant is seen in the front yards of
homes as well as the fields. One factor
that makes it so recognizable is the
ripple shaft that is quite common in the
summer. Some of the properties of this
plant are; expectorant, antispasmodic,
topical healing, diuretic, astringent, treating uterine hemorrhages, staunching
blood flow and repairing damaged tissue, decongestant, hemorrhages,
staunching blood flow and damaged
tissue, decongestant, gastritis, peptic ulcers, bruises, broken bones, yeast infections, dysentery and toothaches. I have
observed people with bee stings or insect
bites place the freshly masticated leaves
on the sting or bite site and the inflammation has started to subside almost instantly.

Spring Newsletter
LICORICE: Glycyrrhiza glabra. The earliest
recorded mention of this herb being used
medicinally dates to around 500 B.C.E.
and is still listed in the pharmacopoeia as
a drug for stomach ulcers. In Chinese
Herbology this plant is referred to as a
great detoxifier and is thought to drive
poisons from the body. Some of the reported healing properties of this plant
are; anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, tonic
for adrenals, lower cholesterol, soothe
mucus membranes of the gastric tract,
expectorant, laxative, antiviral, throat and
chest complaints, Addisons disease and
even colds and related infections. This
plant has an extensive culinary record
from alcohols to the table and even in
some cosmetics.
CARAWAY: Carum carvi. More people are
familiar with the use of caraway in cooking due to it being one of the oldest
known spices, than as a medicinal herbal.
Caraway has been used as a digestive,
stomachic, antispasmodic, appetitive, emmenogogic, expectorant, galactagogic,
carminative and appetizer. The use of
caraway as a digestive for children as
well as a smooth muscle relaxant, and to
help relieve cramping and gas have a
well documented history. Caraway has
also been used for respiratory distress as
well as extensive use in cosmetics and
fragrances.
NETTLE: Urtica dioica. Like dandelion, this
plant is one of the first spring cleansers or
detox plants to be used every year by
practitioners of folk medicine and Herbology. Nettle was the original cloth and
paper source up till the 20th century.
This plant has a history for healing
bruises, sprains, as well as being an astringent, diuretic, circulatory stimulant, promoter of milk flow, lowering blood glucose levels, preventing scurvy, nutritive
for the kidneys, dandruff and decreasing
profuse menstruation.
TEASEL: Dipsacus fullonum.
More people are familiar with this dried
plant in flower arrangements than as an
herb for health and healing. Recent research has linked this herb to helping
with Lyme Disease in addition to its more
historical use for warts, fistulae, cancer or

as a diuretic.
CHICKWEED: Stellaria media. A rich vitamin and mineral plant that also contains
fatty acids. Properties include demulcent,
astringent, healing wounds and antirheumatic. This herbal has historically been
used both internally and externally for
treating inflammations.
CATTAIL: Typha angustifolia. Usually this
plant is found in swampy areas of the
country, in addition to the healing uses
listed, this plant can be consumed as a
food as well as some people use the
dried plant in floral arrangements. This
often overlooked plants medicinal usages cover a wide range from anticoagulant, diuretic, emmenogogic, haemostatic, astringent, dissolver of clots, promoter of circulation, balancing energy,
decreasing inflammation and helping
with kidney stones.
WITCH HAZEL: Hamamelis virginiana.
This tree produces one of the most common astringents in use, and it has been
used as an anti-inflammatory and to stop
internal and external bleeding for centuries. Most people are familiar with it being in the stores beside the bottle of isopropyl or rubbing alcohol bottles; however, the people on the East Coast of the
United States can frequently see this tree
blooming in the spring. It was listed in
The National Formulary until 1955 as an
herbal to be used for insect bites, aching
joints, score muscles, cuts and bruises
and is still used in several hemorrhoid
products.
COLTSFOOT, SWEET: Petasites palmatus.
Once the official plant on the sign for the
French Apothecaries, the Native American have used this herbal for chest ailments such as tuberculosis and asthma as
well as today for conditions such as diarrhea, grippe, consumption, boils, swelling, bronchitis and pulmonary troubles.
FENUGREEK: Trigonella foenumgraecum. The common Indian name is
Methi. This plant is native to the Mediterranean and South Asia regions and is
thought of for cooking more than as a
medicinal plant/herb. Medicinally it is
used for inflammation, aid for digestion,
progesterone, protein breakdown,

Volume 3. Issue 1
stimulating milk flow, easing coughs,
flatulence, diarrhea, ulcers, sciatica,
bruises, fevers, weak kidneys, diabetes,
abdominal cramps, labor and menstrual
pain as well as a uterine stimulant.
MISTLETOE: Ficus deltoidea. Traditionally
used to cure lung diseases as well as after
childbirth to help recover sexual desire,
relive urination problems, decrease kidney stones, decrease cholesterol and
regulate blood pressures, stabilize blood
sugar levels and help with rheumatism.
And people continue to think that this is
only a decorative plant for the Christmas
season?
COMFREY: Symphytum officinale. Commonly referred to as knitbone or boneset.
This herb is commonly used to increase
the healing of wounds, stop bleeding,
inflammation, rashes, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, digestive tract lining repair,
peptic and duodenal ulcers, colitis, respiratory issues, coughing of blood, expelling mucus, asthma, lowering fevers and
relieving coughs.
MARJORAM: Origanum. This plant/herb
is some times used instead of oregano in
the kitchen, it is slightly bitter and not as
hot as commercially used oregano. The
essential oil is used as a food flavoring
and in perfumes. In the traditional herbal
medicine world, this plant is used as an
antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative,
cholagogue, diaphoretic, emmenogogic,
expectorant, stimulant, tonic, stomachic,
flatulence, colic, promoting menstruation, menstrual pain, respiratory issues
and inhibiting viruses such as Herpes 1.
RED CLOVER: Trifolium pratense. One of
the worlds oldest agricultural crops, it has
been cultivated since prehistoric times as
a forage. The Pennsylvania Dutch refer
to red clover as Rhoda gae Blumma, and
is brewed into a tea to help with whooping cough and croup. This plant is extremely high in important nutrients, vitamins, minerals and trace elements. It has
been used as an antibiotic against several
strains of bacteria including tuberculosis.
It is commonly used as an expectorant,
skin sores decreaser, eye problems, eczema, gout, menstrual complaints, smoking cessation, diuretic, sedative, cough

Page 3
medicine and cancers.
ELDER, GROUND: Aegopodium podagraria. This trees flowers are some times
confused with Queen Annes Lace and
some times used in cut flower arrangements. Most people are familiar with the
use of the berries as a food. The flowers
and tree parts can be used medicinally
for gout, as a stimulant, sciatica, diuretic,
tumors and rheumatism.
LOBELIA: Lobelia inflata. A common
name is asthma weed or Indian Tobacco
as it can be smoked as well as used as a
traditional herbal. It prefers to grow in
neglected areas and along roadsides.
This plant/herb has traditionally been
used as a respiratory stimulant, antispasmodic, expectorant, for inducing vomiting, bronchitis, smooth muscle relaxant,
back problems, insect bites and asthma.
BLACK COHOSH: Cimicifuga racemosa.
Not to be confused with Blue Cohosh,
this herb is used for or as a diuretic, antirheumatic, anti-inflammatory, sedative,
anti-trusive, uterine stimulant, bug repellant, fatigue, sore throats, arthritis, improving blood circulation, rheumatism.
The most common use is as a gynecological aid such as in the case of menstrual
problems or childbirth issues.
SLIPPERY ELM: Ulmus fulva. The bark of
this tree is an old Native American remedy for sore throats and as a hand lubricant for mid-wives. The trees inner bark
is used as a nutrient rich food for porridges as well as having an extensive
pedigree. Some of the traditional herbal
uses are; aiding digestion, demulcent,
emollient, nutrient, laxative, astringent,
skin softener, urinary problems, pleurisy
and tuberculosis, burns, boils, ulcers and
abrasions as well as assisting with childbirth.
BASIL THYME: Acinos arvensis. One of
the more common names for this herb or
plant is spring savory. The traditional uses
of this plant as an herbal are for or as a
diuretic, stomachic, stimulant, digestive,
nerving, shortness of breathe, melancholy and this plant has been reported to
be able to help with the pain of tooth
decay.

MULLEIN: Verbascum thapsus. Sometimes this herb is referred to as candlewick plant or flannel plant. This herb is
more commonly used for lungs and stomach issues, as a demulcent, diuretic, expectorant, sedative, asthma, bronchitis,
chest colds, urinary tract infections, diarrhea, colitis, earaches, insect bites, migraines, ringworm, boils and sores.
OSHA: Ligusticum porteri. This plant resembles the leaf and flowers of poison
hemlock; however, the root of Osha
stinks and poison hemlock does not. This
plant has been used by Shaman as a talisman and is thought to ward off rattlesnakes and bring good-luck. The traditional herbal uses and properties are for
pneumonia, influenza, colds, bronchitis,
tuberculosis, asthma, hay fever, indigestion, gas complaints, delayed menses,
rheumatic complaints and is a good disinfectant as well as a skin wash.
BLUE VERVAIN: Verbane hastata. Commonly referred to as Ironweed. This
herbal has traditionally been used to
treat bloody noses, stomachaches, fits in
children, cloudy urine, as a diuretic, expectorant, emmenogogic, diaphoretic,
lung and throat congestion, liver disorders, intestinal worms, epilepsy, hyperactivity and mental exhaustion.
CHASTE TREE: Vitex agnus-castus. This
plant has an extensive history of use for
female issues such as reducing sexual
desire, eradicating menstrual cycle, hot
flashes, night sweats, hormonal imbalances, reestablishing normal ovulation,
increasing progesterone and numerous
other hormonal problems.
MILK THISTLE: Silybum marianum. This is
another herb that dates back to the beginning of recorded history, with both
Pliny the Elder and Culpepper noting its
beneficial uses for the liver. It has been
used for varicose veins, menstrual difficulties, as well as congestion of the liver/
spleen and kidneys. I have had herbalist
report that this herb can reverse liver
damage from cirrhosis as well as some
mushroom overdose toxins.

Dwayne Haus, N.D.

Mail:
P.O. Box 491, State College, PA. 16804-0491
Offices:
301 Shiloh Road, State College, PA. 16801
8362 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC. 27615
Phone: 814-933-8399 & 919-616-1082
Email: haus@pa.net
Web site: http://www.dwaynehaus.com

Report warns of problems with multivitamins

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) More than 30 percent of multivitamins tested recently by ConsumerLab.com contained significantly
more or less of an ingredient than
claimed, or were contaminated with
lead, the company reports.
ConsumerLab.com, based in White
Plains, New York, is privately held
and provides consumer information
and independent evaluations of products that affect health and nutrition.
According to the company, it is neither owned by nor has a financial interest in any companies that make,
distribute or sell consumer products.
Several multivitamin products tested,
including three for children, exceeded tolerable upper limits established by the Institute of Medicine
for ingredients such as vitamin A,
folic acid, niacin and zinc, according
to the report posted on www.
ConsumerLab.com.
For example, the Institute of Medicine sets a recommended daily allowance (RDA) of 1,300 interna-

tional units (IU) of vitamin A for

children ages 4 to 8 years and an upper tolerable limit of 3,000 IU. However, one multivitamin tested provided 5,000 IU of vitamin A.
In the short term, too much vitamin
A may cause nausea and blurred vision, and, in the long-term, may lead
to bone softening and liver problems.
Upper tolerable limits for niacin and
zinc were also exceeded by some of
the supplements for young children
tested. Excess niacin may cause skin
tingling and flushing and high levels
of zinc may cause immune deficiency and anemia.
Tests turned up problems with some
men's multivitamin products as well.
Two of three men's multivitamins
failed to pass testing. One contained
too much folic acid, which may increase the risk of prostate cancer,
while another was contaminated with
lead.
Among four women's multivitamins
tested, one provided only 66 percent
of its claimed vitamin A; one of five
seniors' multivitamins selected contained only 44 percent of its vitamin

A; and among three prenatal vitamins, one was short on vitamin A.

Two out of five general multivitamins were short on ingredients: one
provided only 50 percent of its
claimed folic acid and the other was
missing 30 percent of its calcium.
A vitamin water tested by ConsumerLab.com had 15 times its stated
amount of folic acid, so drinking one
bottle would exceed the tolerable
limit for adults; less than half a bottle
would put children over the limit, the
company warns on its website.
Thomson Reuters 2009.
A note to this report is the fact that I
have never suggested the use of a
multi-vitamin product. It has been
known that most contain ingredients
that are not correct for the biochemistry of the body. .
To avoid dealing with products that
may or may not contain toxins, unusable ingredients, etc., please feel
free to contact my offices to schedule
a RBTI Analysis to obtain the specific supplementation that your body
needs.