Excellence in Herbal Education

Hearing your kid screaming in the middle of the night with a horrible earache is hard to endure and frightening, too.  That is, unless you know what to do about it. CBG is a lifesaver you may want to have in your home for emergencies.  It’s a great remedy for the ears and helps with pain, infection and congestion. It has been used for ringing in the ears (tinnitus) and to help counteract hearing loss associated with aging.

CBG stands for the formula’s major constituents: Chickweed, Black cohosh and Goldenseal. Besides being useful for the ears, these herbs can help problems like tonsillitis, sore throat, teething, colds, flu, lymphatic congestion (swollen glands), and common childhood diseases (chicken pox, measles, etc.). It comes in handy for those who have difficulty swallowing capsules or taking bitter herb teas because the extract has a large amount of sweet glycerin. If the taste is still objectionable, add a little honey.

For earache, put a few drops of warmed tincture into the ear (ideally, after a couple of drops of lobelia tincture) and stuff with cotton. Repeat again the next day if necessary.

Here are the ingredients in this versatile remedy.

Black Cohosh Root

  Native to parts of Canada and the eastern United States, black cohosh is typically thought of as a female remedy because it contains phytoestrogens.  However, black cohosh is much more.  It contains  triterpene glycosides. isoflavones, isoferulic acid, tannins, resins and salicylic acid, the forerunner of aspirin.  Black cohosh is antispasmodic and pain relieving and has been used internally for asthma, high blood pressure, arthritis, depression and tinnitus, as well as for menstrual pain, hot flashes and other female problems.  Topically, it has been used to reduce swelling and counteract the venom of spider bites and insect stings.

Chickweed Herb

This common weed is native to Europe and Asia but grows just about everywhere in North America, too. It has been harvested as a vegetable and contains vitamins A, B and C, minerals like silica and fatty acids.  It is also a source of mucilage and saponins.  It is a soothing remedy with a gentle astringent action that makes it useful for healing wounds and relieving inflammation.  It is applied topically to heal sores and relieve itching on the skin.  Internally it helps the body break down fatty tumors and other masses.

Golden Seal Root

Golden Seal is a North American plant and was used by Native Americans for numerous ailments. It became so popular it has been overharvested in the wild and is being cultivated for medicinal use.  Containing berberine and isoquinoline alkaloids, golden seal is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.  It is used primarily as a remedy for minor infections and inflammation on mucus membranes of the mouth, throat, stomach, digestive tract, urinary passages, sinuses, lungs and vagina.  It is also used for skin ulcerations and infected wounds. 

Passion Flower Herb

Passion flower is a nervine and sedative plant, with antispasmodic activity.  It is used for insomnia and helps one feel fresh and alert in the morning.  It acts on the sympathetic nervous system, the branch of the nerves responsible for fight-or-flight reactions and helps to calm feelings of stress and tension.  It has been used for asthma, heart palpitations, muscle cramps, high blood pressure, convulsions and anxiety.  It has also bee used for hot flashes, migraine, abdominal pain and lingering coughs.

Licorice Root

  Licorice has been used as a medicine as early as 500 B.C. It is native to the Mediterranean and Middle East but has also been cultivated in Europe. It helps to balance the glandular system, particularly the adrenals to improve energy levels and boost immunity.  It is a mild laxative and helps reduce inflammation and ulceration in the digestive tract.  It is an expectorant and soothes dry cough, scratchy throats and inflammation in the lungs. 

Valerian Root

  Native to Europe and Asia, valerian grows best in damp conditions. The plant’s constituents include alkaloids, iridods and a volatile oil that give valerian sedative, relaxant and antispasmodic properties.   Valerian root is utilized as an agent to ease sleeping disorders, restlessness, anxiety and muscle tension. It reduces feelings of nervous excitability and excess mental activity that causes a person to feel overwhelmed.  Valerian is one of the most widely used herbs for problems associated with anxiety, such as tremors, panic, palpitations and sweating.

Suggested Use             

Externally, GBC extract can be massaged into tense muscles to relax them. It can be used as a gargle for sore throat or a mouthwash for irritated gums and mouth sores. Warmed to body temperature, it can be used as ear drops for earaches and infections, tinnitus and the early stages of hearing loss.  It can be applied topically to insect bites and stings and minor injuries. 

Internally, CBG extract can be used to ease anxiety and other nervous disorders.  It is a useful remedy for anxiety or insomnia in children.  It may be helpful for moderately high blood pressure due to stress and asthma.  It is also useful for digestive tract inflammation.  Internal dose is about 1/2 teaspoon for adults and 1/4 teaspoon for children. 

Selected References

A Modern Herbal by Mrs. M. Grieve
The Complete Medicinal Herbal by Penelope Ody
The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants by Andrew Chevallier
Back to Eden by Jethro Kloss
Nutritional Herbology by Mark Pederson