Materia Medicas of the Herbs in Gold Dust

Below you will find materia medicas on all the harmonizing, anti-inflammatizing herbs in Gold Dust. Materia medicas are like an herb's resume. They are very helpful in deepening your understanding of all the things a single herb can do.
Check out our other blog on how to make the perfect cup of this anti-inflammatory brew :)

Turmeric, Curcuma longa

Eleuthero, Eleutherococcus senticoccus

Maca, Lepidium spp.

Fenugreek, Trigonella foenum-graecum

Ceylon Cinnamon, Cinnamomum verum

Nutmeg, Myristica fragrans

Cardamom, Elettaria cardamomum

Black pepper, Piper nigrum

TURMERIC
Curcuma longa, Zingiberaceae
Taste/Smell: bitter, pungent, earthy, aromatic
Energetics: cooling, stimulating
Herbal Actions: anti-inflammatory, antiarthritic, antioxidant, aperient, hypotensive, anti-atherosclerotic, cholagogue, choleretic, emmenagogue, anticholesterolemic, digestive, carminative, hepatoprotective, vulnerary, anticoagulant. 
Contraindications: Be cautious of ingestion during pregnancy due to uterine stimulant/emmenagogue effect. Also avoid if you have any bile duct obstructions. 

With cooling and stimulating energetics in the body, it’s no wonder that Turmeric is such a popular anti-inflammatory herb. As we just learned, inflammation is defined by heat. Similarly, stagnation is a major cause of pain and discomfort in the body. Having a cooling, stimulating agent like Turmeric helps circulation and reduction of the pain associated with inflammation. Turmeric encourages healthy and consistent production of bile, our body’s natural laxative and a crucial element in processing fats. Poor bile formation is common in those who get hangovers or headaches easily from drinking alcohol or eating sugary, processed, and high fat foods and also those with chronic constipation. Sluggish livers are everywhere in the modern world of high environmental pollutants, processed foods, pharmaceuticals, and little movement. Turmeric is also great for overall cardiovascular health. Because of its help forming bile, it can lower cholesterol and keep arteriosclerosis from forming. 
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Keep in mind that dried and fresh turmeric has slightly different energetics in the body. For the most umpf, look for extract powders or fresh turmeric tinctures. Also be wary of purely curcumin supplements. Curcumin has been identified as the “active constituent” in turmeric, but if we know anything about plant medicine, it is that the sum is always much greater than the parts. Studies have shown that turmeric - curcumin is more effective than curcumin alone because of this innate synergy. Furthermore, look for turmeric that is combined with black pepper and is extracted in alcohol or paired with a fat - both of which greatly enhance the bioavailability. Basically, you get more bang for your buck!
This is the main ingredient of Gold Dust

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ELEUTHERO 
Eleutherococcus senticoccus, Araliaceae
Taste/Smell: Sweet, slightly bitter, earthy
Energetics: slightly warm, neutral
Herbal Actions: Adaptogen, anticholesteremic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immune tonic, nervine
Uses: Eleuthero is a mild adaptogen with neutral energetics. Unlikely to cause overstimulation, it is gentle enough for young and elderly and balanced enough for men and women. Eleuthero is an American Ginseng relative native to Russia, Siberia, and North China. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it was commonly mixed with Polygala, Lycium root, Chaenomelis fruit, and Achyranthes root as a tonic for fatigue, arthritis, and lower back pain and to treat respiratory infections, cold and flu by boosting the immune system. Also in TCM, Eleuthero is part of wu jai (five levels) used for treating both wind (spasmodic) and damp (phlegmy, edemic) conditions. Eleuthero was the first plant studied by Soviet scientists to be considered an adaptogen. It was historically used in Siberia to enhance performance, vitality, and reduce infections. It was even used after Chernobyl to counteract radiation. This adds up since Eleuthero is traditionally thought to help the body handle toxic overloads.
Contraindications: Generally considered safe for most of the population
Because of its gentle adaptogenic properties, this is a core ingredient in our blend

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MACA
Lepidium meyenii or L. peruvianum, Brassicaceae
Taste/Smell: sweet, earthy, bland
Energetics: neutral, nutritive
Herbal Actions:
Uses:  Maca primarily rules over hormone function. Native to the intense cold, strong winds, and bright sun of the high Andes in Peru, Red maca is a root packed with incredible power and resilience (other varieties of yellow and black maca grow elsewhere, but the Peruvian has a special power and delightfully sweet taste). Since Red maca only grows in the rugged, high altitudes, “highlanders” (who eat an ~5 lbs/wk!) would trade it for common groups with the “lowlanders” hungry for their native superfood. For these reasons, it has been used as a food for improving general fertility in humans and animals for thousands of years. Maca was discovered by popular culture in the early 2000s, primarily for its ability to ease hormone dysregulation and therefore provide energy. It has been shown to increase the production of the primary sex hormones for both men and women: estrogen, testosterone, & progesterone. In doing so, it can improve sperm function, infertility, amenorrhea or dysmenorrhea, and menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings and fatigue. Red maca has also successfully treated benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Maca doesn’t only help sex hormones, but it also helps our adrenals. These little organs produce stress hormones and can get exhausted easily given the daily stressors of modern life. It has been used to treat adrenal exhaustion and fatigue, gradually restoring energy. This also might in part be due to its high levels of protein, potassium, iron, and polyphenols (primarily red and black). 

Maca has been called an aphrodisiac and an adaptogen, but these claims are false. If it has aphrodisiac properties, it is the result of its nutritive, hormone balancing nature. Furthermore, it doesn’t affect the HPA axis the way true adaptogens do, so be wary of any brands that claim excessive health benefits. Furthermore, make sure you consume Maca.

Contraindications: Generally considered safe but may cause insomnia for some.  Take caution if you have a history of bleeding disorders, high blood pressure, or hormone responsive cancers such as breast and prostate cancers. Avoid if you are pregnant or are breastfeeding. Avoid raw maca powder and look for gelatinized forms. In its raw form, there are little available nutrients and the starches are difficult to digest.
We add just enough gelatinized red Maca to add some sweetness and nutrition 

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FENUGREEK
Trigonella foenum-graecum, Fabaceae
Taste/Smell: sweet, maple-y
Energetics: slightly warming and drying 
Herbal Actions: antiatherosclerotic, anti-inflammatory, demulcent, diuretic, galactagogue, hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic, mucilage
Uses: Fenugreek is a delicious medicinal used widely in cooking (a very common flavor in curry spice blends) and remedying specific ailments. Fenugreek is renowned at facilitating milk flow during pregnancy (galactagogue) but it has many uses beyond this. It is excellent at breaking up stagnation, particularly in the lungs, by dispersing cold dampness to alleviate pain (a TCM interpretation).  Due to it’s soothing mucilaginous characteristics, it mends gastrointestinal inflammation and irritating coughs. It has been used to lower cholesterol, improve blood sugar levels in diabetics, and heal inflamed eyes as an eye was.

Contraindications: Mucilaginous properties may slow the absorption rate of pharmaceuticals taken concurrently.
We just put a touch of Fenugreek in Gold Dust to give it a warm, maple-y flavor

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CINNAMON
Cinnamomum verum, Lauraceae
Taste/Smell: spicy, aromatic, sweet, woodsy, aromatic 
Energetics:  drying, toning, heating, stimulating
Herbal Actions: digestion: aromatic stimulant, carminative, antibacterial, antifungal, gastrointestinal tonic; wounds: styptic, astringent, anodyne, antiseptic; endocrine: decreases insulin resistant (blood sugar regulator), cardiovascular: vasodilator, circulatory stimulant (especially peripherals); other: diaphoretic, breath-freshener, blood-sugar regulator, mucilage
Uses: As an incredibly warming and stimulating herb, Cinnamon is indicated for any cold, weak, or debilitated state. For example, those who habitually feel run down and susceptible to recurrent colds in the winter would do well to regularly take Cinnamon. Cinnamon has interesting dual qualities of being both mucilaginous (soothing, moistening) and drying (it’s stypic nature can stop blood flow in the case of fresh wounds or postpartum bleeding). It’s stimulating nature clears congestion and dampness in the case of sinus pressure, coughs, and sluggish livers. A little bit goes a long way with Cinnamon - just a touch of this tasty herb strengthens digestion and warms the spirits. 
Contraindications: Avoid large amounts as this can overly dry/astringe/heat
The Cinnamon in Gold Dust adds a warming, reviving touch.

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NUTMEG
Myristica fragrans, Myristicaceae
Taste/Smell: earthy, aromatic, pungent, spicy
Energetics: hot, dry, astringent 
Herbal Actions: Antispasmodic, anti-microbialanti-tussive, carminative, digestive, hepatic, hypotensive, nephritic, nervine 
Uses: Nutmeg is the seed to the bright red Mace fruit also commonly used in wintertime baking. While this spice is primarily associated with only Eggnog, it has a laundry list of benefits to the body. In TCM, it is said to warm the stomach (promoting digestion), clear phlegm (mucus) and stop coughs, “benefit the womb” (likely due to its calming, warming nature), warms and astringes the kidneys (in the cases of incontinence and chronic diarrhea), and benefit the heart by warming and moving Qi and blood. Nutmeg is also a calming sedative traditionally used to help people sleep when taken in warm milk a few hours before bed.
Contraindications: Large amounts can be sedative and are said to have psychoactive effects
A little bit of Nutmeg goes a long way. We use it as a calming synergistic in our blend

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CARDAMOM
Elettaria cardamomum, Zingiberaceae
Taste/Smell: bitter, spicy, aromatic, sweet, earthy
Energetics:very warming, drying, uplifting
Herbal Actions: digestion: carminative, antibacterial, antifungal, antispasmodic, anti-emetic, laxative; other: antioxidant, diuretic, antidepressant, aphrodisiac, circulatory stimulant, nerve tonic, breath-freshener, cephalic
Contraindications: None known, but naturally one should avoid large amounts 
Uses: Cardamom is one of those simple herbs that does one thing and does it well. This spicy, aromatic seed is known for its carminative nature. Carminative herbs are used to dispel gas improving cases of indigestion, bloating, and general stomach pain. Gas is often the result of eating too fast, not chewing enough, eating foods your body can’t break down, and/or foods that feed populations of bad bacteria in your gut. Along with its carminative nature, every action in Cardamom makes it effective for remedying these situations of digestive upset. It is also antibacterial, anti-fungal, a nerve tonic, and anti-spasmodic, eliminating bad bacteria and yeasts and calming the gut (and your whole body) while doing so. 
Contraindications: None known, but naturally one should avoid large amounts 
Cardamom is used as a spicy, carminative, and calming presence in our blend.

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BLACK PEPPER
Piper nigrum

, Piperaceae
Taste/Smell: pungent, spicy
Energetics: very warming, stimulating, drying
Herbal Actions: anti-inflammatory, antiarthritic, antioxidant, aperient, hypotensive, anti-atherosclerotic, cholagogue, choleretic, emmenagogue, anticholesterolemic, digestive, carminative, hepatoprotective, vulnerary, anticoagulant. 

Uses: Black pepper is one of the most common herbs used in formula in the traditional medicine of India, Ayurveda, which dates back to 6,000 B.C. Pepper was once one of the most sought after spices for its culinary and medical applications, so much so that Attila the Hun commanded that 3,000 lbs. of pepper be used as ransom for the city of Rome. There was even a Pepper Contract through which the The Rajah supplied large quantities in return for arms and European goods.
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While black pepper is useful for cases of respiratory illness, asthma, and epilepsy (in fact, a new drug for epileptics copies the constituents in black pepper), it is most commonly used for the gastro-intestinal tract. 
A famous Ayurvedic formula, trikatu, for digestive complaints includes black pepper, long pepper and ginger in equal proportions. Due to its warming, stimulating, and carminative effect, it improves digestion and dispels gas and bloating. It is considered a Rasayana, or an herb beneficial to longevity, because of its ability to improve digestion and circulation so wonderfully.  In TCM, it is said to warm the stomach (we need a warm stomach for thorough digestion), clear damp and cold phlegm of the lungs, stomach and bowels- basically it gets digestion moving so no crude accumulates causing issues down the road. 

Today, science affirms black pepper’s action in the body. Constituents, particularly the alkaloid piperine, within black pepper have been shown to increase the surface area of the small intestine, improving bioavailability and efficacy of other food, herbs, and drugs when taken together (which explains why it is such a common ingredient to many ancient Ayurvedic formulas). Piperine is now added to many pharmaceutical formulas to enhance the function of the drug in the body. In fact, only 5 mg of Bioperine® (5 mg) (synthetic version of naturally occurring piperine) plus combined with 15 mg of beta-carotene  as a food supplement can double the levels of beta-carotene in the blood.
 
Contraindications: None known, but naturally one should avoid large amounts
Black pepper works to make the other herbs more effective and bioavailable in Gold Dust

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Resources
Amar, S., Pawar, V. K., Vikash, J., Parabia, M. H., Rajendra, A., & Gaurav, S. (2010). In-vivo assessment of enhanced bioavailability of metronidazole with piperine in rabbits. Research Journal of Pharmaceutical, Biological and Chemical Sciences, 1(4), 273-278.
Chen, L., Deng, H., Cui, H., Fang, J., Zuo, Z., Deng, J., ... & Zhao, L. (2018). Inflammatory responses and inflammation-associated diseases in organs. Oncotarget, 9(6), 7204.
Harvey, Phillipa. (2018). Understanding inflammation and your immune system from a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective. Sha Magazine. Retrieved from https://www.google.com/search?q=root+of+all+disease+inflammation+chinese&oq=root+of+all+disease+inflammation+chinese&aqs=chrome..69i57j33.6671j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
Majeed, M., Badmaev, V., & Rajendran, R. (1998). U.S. Patent No. 5,744,161. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Majeed, M., & Prakash, L. (2000). The medicinal uses of pepper. International Pepper News, 25(1), 23-31.
Tilgner, Sharon. 1999. Turmeric, Herbal Transitions. Retrieved from https://www.herbaltransitions.com/materiamedica/Curcuma.htm
Stojanović-Radić, Z., Pejčić, M., Dimitrijević, M., Aleksić, A., V Anil Kumar, N., Salehi, B., ... & Sharifi-Rad, J. (2019). Piperine-A Major Principle of Black Pepper: A Review of Its Bioactivity and Studies. Applied Sciences, 9(20), 4270.
https://www.booneacupuncture.com/inflammation-root-disease/
photos - Creative Commons Flickr: Steve (nutmeg), Thejasvi M (turmeric), aakashdeep shakar (fenugreek), Curtis Winters (cinnamon