[Sca-cooks] Woad Warriors: Herbal Site with current medical info

[Sharon Gordon]

Info here helps explain why many herbs work the way they do and what their
effects are.  Medical info goes beyond effects on cancer to all medical
areas including cardiovascular, infections, diabetes, vision improvement,
skin conditions, etc.

I typed some of the medievally available food herbs/plants into their seach
engine.  Info came up for
bilberry fruit
borage
garlic
ginger
nettle
parsley
rhubarb
woad/ISATIS ROOT (Radix isatidis baphicacanthi, Isatis tinctoria, Isatis
indigotica)

but not for
coriander
dill
horseradish
watercress

The most surprising thing I learned is that woad has been used successfully
recently to ward off SARS.  So historically, painting yourself blue might
have reduced complications from wounds due to woad's antimicrobial,
antiviral,and immunostimulatory effects.

Sharon
gordonse at one.net
--------------------

About Herbs, Botanicals & Other Products
http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/11570.cfm

This site, hosted by the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
provides objective information about various plant products that are
used for their medical properties, ostensibly for oncologists and
health care professionals. This site provides important information
about interactions, adverse effects, details about the active
ingredients, and the benefits and risks of using it. Their FAQ reports
on plants that may pose a health risk, interfere with some
medications, cause light sensitivity, or potential endanger unborn
children.  Plants provide an unpurified form of materials that
pharmaceutical companies may refine into medicines. In this case,
dosage, contamination, and other drug interactions are difficult to
control -- this site is to enlighten and inform.