When Nature Knows Best

The Independent - London

02-05-08

Homespun cures have been handed down the generations. But a new website will tell us which ones really work. Meg Carter reports

Cobwebs to heal wounds and onions to soothe a sore throat are among the hundreds of home cures now being contributed by members of the public to MedicineChest - an online compendium of traditional remedies put together by Channel 4 and the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew to document and distinguish scientific fact from fiction

CLOVES
What are they used for?

Although not native to Britain, cloves - the sun-dried flower- buds of a tree now harvested primarily in Zanzibar, Indonesia and Madagascar - have long featured in traditional remedies in this country: from clove-based poultices which were applied to lesions caused by bubonic plague to clove oil as a cure for toothache.

Do they work?

Clove oil is rich in eugenol. Eugenol is similar in structure to the neurotransmitter dopamine and acts as a mild anaesthetic. It also has antibacterial properties so reduces infection. A paste of clove and zinc has been used by dentists for many years as a dental packing material.

COBWEBS

What are they used for?

Packing a wound and/or dressing it with cobwebs has featured in remedy folklore across Europe and even in America's Deep South for generations. Besides acting as a natural gauze, the webs were believed to contain natural elements that enhanced the body's ability to heal.

Do they work?

"The medical benefits of applying cobwebs to a wound are borne out by a number of scientific studies," says Professor Monique Simmonds, who is collaborating with Channel 4 on the MedicineChest site. "It has even been demonstrated that the webs of different types of spider may have different qualities," she adds.

ECHINACEA

What's it's used for?

Regularly taking echinacea, commonly known as purple coneflower in eastern and North America, where it is native, helps combat colds and flu, many people still believe. According to one estimate, there are more than 800 herbal products based on the flowers, stems or roots of the plant.

Does it work?

A review of 14 past trials to assess whether echinacea really works against the common cold virus published last year concluded that it can reduce the risk of infection by 58 per cent. However, scientific evidence is still unable to pinpoint exactly how much we should take for what complaint; which part of the plant is best; or how long to take it.

ELDER
What's it used for?

Elder flower and berry teas were once a popular remedy for coughs, cold infections, bronchitis and fever. Elderberry juice, meanwhile, has been claimed to be an effective treatment for inflamed eyes.

Does it work?

Scientific tests have proven elder flowers have anti- inflammatory properties and confirmed elder can be beneficial in the treatment of flu.

NETTLES

What are they used for?

Beating yourself with nettles helps relieve rheumatism, according to one traditional remedy. Nettles also appear on MedicineChest as one of the ingredients in a so-called herbal equivalent to Viagra.

Do they work?

Nettles are widely acknowledged to be a fantastic source of iron, and are high in Vitamin K, which controls blood clotting in the body. However, there is no evidence to suggest it works as a cure for rheumatism, or as a substitute for Viagra.

ONIONS

What are they used for?

Onions have been variously linked to remedies for a range of ailments - from sore throats and respiratory infections to treating warts, spots and stings. One remedy detailed by MedicineChest used in London in the 1930s involved mixing brown sugar with onion juice and drinking it to ease a sore throat. Another, from Denmark in the 1970s, involves applying the liquid from an onion steeped in salt to warts.

Do they work?

The onion's proven anti-inflammatory properties mean it can have a positive effect in the treatment of cold symptoms, rheumatism and even some ailments that are associated with cancer, Professor Simmonds observes. The same property may also explain claims that onions can reduce inflammation caused by spots or stings, although this has not been proven.

PEPPERMINT

What's it used for?

Different forms of mint have long been used to treat a variety of ailments including digestive problems and breathing difficulties.

Does it work?

Peppermint and spearmint, the two main forms of mint used in remedies, contain menthol - the compound responsible for the perceived "cooling" effect of mints. Peppermint is used for nausea, morning sickness, indigestion and irritable bowel syndrome - with good reason, research suggests. It can also relieve respiratory tract conditions, infected sinuses and catarrh.

RASPBERRY

What's it used for?

An infusion of raspberry leaf tea was traditionally recommended to help bring on labour and ease the pains of childbirth. The leaves and roots have also been used as a gargle for ulcers, tonsillitis and mouth inflammations.

Does it work?

There is no scientific evidence of raspberry leaf tea's effectiveness in pain relief and childbirth. However, the leaves and roots are now widely used as a gargle for ulcers, tonsillitis and mouth inflammations. A dilute tincture of raspberries is sometimes used as a mouthwash for gum infections, or applied to wounds. The berries are rich in nutrients and iron so help combat anaemia.

SAGE

What's it used for?

Although often thought of as a herb for cooking, sage has a tradition as a treatment for sore throats, sore gums and mouth ulcers.

Does it work?

Sage leaves are rich in plant compounds called terpenoids, which have a proven antibacterial effect. Laboratory tests on aromatic sage oil and leaf extracts, meanwhile, have provided their antibacterial properties. Long associated with wisdom, sage has also been proven to have a positive effect on brain function.

ST JOHN'S WORT

What's it used for?

St John's wort is a yellow-flowering plant widely found across Europe. Although listed as a noxious weed in more than a dozen countries and large doses when consumed by grazing livestock can lead to poisoning, it is most widely known today as a herbal treatment for depression.

Does it work?

Clinical studies have shown taking St John's wort can help people suffering from mild depression, with fewer side effects than many conventional antidepressants. However, a number of studies have found no improvement for those with more serious depression.

TEA TREE OIL

What's it used for?

Tea tree oil comes from a tree native to the north-east coast of New South Wales in Australia. Traditionally, local people in the area inhaled the crushed leave to treat cold symptoms; sprinkled the leaves on wounds; and drank an infusion made from the leaves to treat sore throats and skin conditions.

Does it work?
Tea tree oil is now widely known for its proven anti- inflammatory and antiseptic properties. It is also an anti-fungal agent, and added to shampoo effectively treats the most common cause of dandruff. Tea tree oil was also found to have a positive effect on mild acne in a recent trial.

WILLOW

What's it used for?

The willow's leaves and bark have been used as remedies for aches and fever for generations and was written about for its medicinal properties by Hippocrates.

Does it work?

Willow leaves and bark contain the basis for acetylsalicylic acid, more commonly known as aspirin. This compound's medicinal properties were tested in the 18th century and led to the development of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs now widely used to reduce pain, fever and inflammation.

ABOUT MEDICINECHEST

MedicineChest is an evolving online compendium detailing personal accounts of traditional remedies launched to coincide with Medicine Men Go Wild, the Channel 4 series exploring traditional remedies from remote parts of the world. "The aim was to gather and archive information easily lost over generations," the site's editor, Adam Gee, explains. "An important feature of MedicineChest is the cross- referral of personal anecdotes with scientific evidence supporting perceived benefits," adds Professor Monique Simmonds of the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew, who is overseeing Kew's Ethnomedica Project to classify the medical benefits of British herbal remedies. "Over the longer term, we have plans for selected plants to undergo clinical trials to understand their benefits more clearly."