Supplements - L

LADY’S SLIPPER

The root of this plant is used medicinally. It contains vitamins B complex and volatile oil in fresh plants. It works very strongly on the human central nervous system.  

INTERNAL USE: Use this herb to help calm the body and mind. It can alleviate pain, hysteria, neuralgia, tremors and shakes. It primarily affects the medulla of the brain, helping to regulate breathing, sweating, saliva and heart functions. If taken in too large of quantities, it can cause hallucinations similar to that caused by Marijuana. It can be used as a general tonic to strengthen the nervous system.

EXTERNAL USE: Care must be used with this herb, as contact with the skin can cause severe dermatitis, similar to Poison Ivy, Oak or Sumac.


LAVENDER (LAVENDULA ANGUSTIFOLIA)

This herb is from the LAMIACEAE family. It is from the Latin meaning, "To Wash". This herb is native to Eastern Europe, and is still commercially grown in Bulgaria, Russia as well as in Australia. The flowers and leaves of this plant are used medicinally. This plant has flowers that grow in whorls, and can grow up to 3 feet high. Lavender is also used in cooking to add flavor to stews and soups.

HISTORY: Lavender was used in ancient bath’s to bring a fresh fragrant aroma. It was also used to dress wounds for centuries, right up to World War II.

INTERNAL USE: This herb can be taken as a tea, tincture or in capsule form. It can help with asthma, colic, coughs, gas, headaches, insomnia, nausea, sunburn and vomiting.

EXTERNAL USE: Use Lavender to help with acne, burns, cold sores, eczema, halitosis, insect bites & stings, insect repellant, lice, rheumatism, scabies, wounds and snakebites. 



LEUCINE 

• Branched chain amino acids (the others are isoleucine and valine)
• Together, act as fuel and protect muscle.
• Promote the healing of muscle tissue, skin and bones
• Beneficial for recovery from surgery
• Leucine is also reported to lower blood sugar
• Used to correct a congested liver or a damaged kidney
• Deficiency could cause digestive problems, colon spasms, and the inability to gain or lose weight
• Sources of leucine include brown rice, whole wheat, soy flour, nuts, beans, meat, fish, chicken, cottage cheese, liver, baked beans and milk.
• Glands and organs affected by leucine - thymus, lymph, tonsils, appendix, skin, stomach.
• Complementary Vitamins - Vitamins A, B Complex, B-2, B-12, folic acid.
• Complementary Minerals are copper, manganese, calcium, selenium

LICORICE (GLYCYRRHIZA GLABRA)

This perennial herb is from the GLYCYRRICEAE family. This plant grows to a height of seven feet, and is a powerful medicinal agent. The roots of this herb are used medicinally as they contain compounds which work on the body’s endocrine system, liver and other body organs. The two active components of this herb are triterpenes and glycyrrhizin. It contains vitamins B complex, and E. 

It also has pantothenic acid, niacin, biotin, phosphorus, lecithin, manganese, iodine, chromium and zinc. Glycyrrhizin is also known as glycyrrhizinic acid or glycyrrhizic. This acid deals with all kind of ulcers by stimulating the adrenal and lymph glands. It also helps to aid production of white blood cells. Triterpenes, which are similar to hormones produced by the adrenal cortex. This may explain it’s anti-inflammatory ability. 

Glycyrrhizin inhibits liver cell injury caused by hepatitis and many other harmful chemicals found in the body. Inhibits the growth of several DNA and RNA viruses, and stop herpes simplex from reoccurring.

HISTORY: It has been a favorite flavoring for foods for generations. Records reveal it’s being used for over 3000 years. It is being used in Japan for treatment of cyrossis of the liver, and hepatitis. 

INTERNAL USE: It is used to treat hepatitis, cyrossis, peptic ulcers, gastritis, abdominal colic, bronchitis, and coughs. Licorice can inhibit the growth of harmful viruses, and is also used to treat Addison Disease, hypoglycemia and rheumatoid arthritis. It’s high content of sugar means that diabetics should be careful with its use. It is an excellent herb for hypoglycemics, HIV patients, fibromyalgia and peptic ulcer sufferers. It does increase blood pressure, so people suffering from Hypertension or Kidney problems should avoid this herb. For the same reason, women should also avoid this herb during pregnancy.

EXTERNAL USE: Licorice can help treat eczema, dry skin and herpes.


LINUSTRUM (LINGUSTICUM WALLICHII)

This herb is from the APIACEAE family. It is also known as Privet. This herb originated in China, but is now found as an ornamental bush worldwide. The root of this plant is used medicinally.

HISTORY: This is one of the traditional ingredients in Love Potions! Chinese herbalists consider the Lingustrum to be the essential "Yin" in their medicines.

INTERNAL USE: Lingusticum can be taken as a tea, tincture or in capsule form. This herb is to treat dysmenorrhea, gout, headaches, rheumatism and general body pain. It lowers blood pressure, while improving the body’s circulation of blood.


LOBELIA (LOBELIA INFLATA)

This annual herb is also known as Indian Tobacco. Smoking Lobelia can produce mild "high". The seeds from this herb are used medicinally. It has sulfur, iron, cobalt, selenium, sodium, copper and lead. It contains several alkaloids, the most important of which is lobeline. Lobeline is used around the world as an oral deterrent to smoking. It is also used as a stimulant for the lungs. Pharmacologically this herb is similar to nicotine, but it is less strong. 

INTERNAL USE: This herb can be taken as a tea, tincture or in capsule form. Labelia can increase energy, like a stimulant. Large doses can decrease blood pressure, heart rate, and can cause coma or worse. It is also used for breaking the nicotine-induced need to smoke. It is a very powerful lung stimulant, so the use of Lobelia for any reason is not recommended. 

EXTERNAL USE: Lobelia can be used as a wash for itchy or infected skin, and for fungal infections.


LUTEIN and ZEAXANTHIN

Carotenoids

NEEDED FOR –

• Antioxidant protection against free radicals in the eyes
• Protection against macular degeneration due to concentration in the macula
• Protection against cataracts

SOURCES –
Kale, collard greens, spinach, tomatoes, guavas, pink grapefruit, watermelon

SUPPLEMENTS –
Those available often made from marigold petals

 

Lycium 

Lycium's botanical name is Lycium barbarum L.

For thousands of years, people in Asia have used lycium fruit and licorice to help maintain good health. Lycium is a Chinese herb that helps improve vision and prevent headaches and dizziness caused by liver and kidney deficiencies. Also lycium also has been shown effective in mild forms of diabetes.

Lycium also serves a liver and blood tonic.. 

Lycium fruit extract contains both conventional nutrients and phytonutrients (nutrients from plants), including vitamins, minerals, beta carotene, polysaccharides and amino acids.

The herb lycium is good for the following body meridians: Liver; Kidney and Lung

Functions of Lycium: 

• Increase kidney health
• Nourish the liver
• Brighten the eyes
• Moisten the lungs 

Lycium is also known as:

Wolfberry fruit, Lycium fruit, Chinese Lycium, Lycium barbarum L.



LYCOPENE

Carotene

NEEDED FOR –

• Possible prevention of prostate cancer – studies found that men with diets high in lycopene had less incidence
• Antioxidant protection to keep LDL cholesterol from building up
• Possible prevention of cancer of the digestive tract, including colon, lung, endometrium and breast

DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS –
Most abundant carotene in the body so deficiency is very rare.

SOURCES –
Tomatoes, watermelon, leafy, dark green vegetables, squash, carrots

SUPPLEMENTS –
Derived from algae

OTHER –
Better absorption of lycopene from cooked tomatoes

LYSINE 

• Essential amino acid that is needed for proper bone development and growth in children
• Helps in collagen formation and tissue repair
• Lowers high serum triglyceride levels
• Helps fight herpes viruses and cold sores
• Deficiency may result in enzyme disorders, hair loss, anemia, bloodshot eyes, inability to concentrate, irritability, lack of energy poor appetite, retarded growth, weight loss and reproductive disorders, depression.
• Food sources - cheese, eggs, fish, lima beans, chicken, garbanzo beans, red meat, milk, potatoes, soy products and yeast.
• Strict vegetarians should use a lysine supplement.
• Glands and organs affected by lysine include the pancreas, solar plexus, spine, hypothalamus, pineal gland, thyroid, brain, adrenal gland
• Complementary Vitamins - Niacin, B-Complex, C, B-5, B-6, A, B-15, E, B-2 and PABA.