Also known as the hairy clerodendron, glorybower is a type of deciduous tree that grows in the woodlands and sunny areas of China and the northern United States. It can reach a height of approximately 20 feet, with fragrant flowers that bloom between August and October.
The roots and leaves are used in herbal remedies. The leaves are green, oval-shaped and between 1 and 4 inches in length, usually covered with soft, downy hairs. They are usually gathered in early summer, then dried before use.
Glorybower roots and leaves have been shown to have antirheumetic and hypotensive properties; previously published research has documented that the leaves can lower blood pressure levels in people with hypertension. The leaves are also used to relieve pain and promote sedation. Externally, the leaves can be applied to the skin to relieve dermatitis and other skin conditions. Glorybower is often used with siegesbeckia, and occasionally with earthworm.
The amount of glorybower to be taken depends on the condition being treated. Generally, most practitioners will recommend between 10 and 15 grams of powdered glorybower, drunk with water as a decoction. Other doses (30 milligrams, 2-3 times pr day) may be used to treat hypertension. If being used externally, an appropriate amount should be applied to the skin as a type of wash or poultice.
Dried glorybower leaves can be found at many herbal shops and specialty stores. Some vendors also sell glorybower powders, pills and capsules.
Fresh glorybower leaves produce an unpleasant odor when they are crushed. Glorybower should not be decocted for an extended period, as excessive heat may reduce the herb's anti-hypertensive properties.
As of this writing, there are no known adverse side-effects or drug interactions associated with glorybower. As always, make sure to consult with a licensed health care provider before taking glorybower or any other herbal remedy or dietary supplement.
References
Structured water (H3O2) can be considered a fourth state of water between liquid and solid. It has the hexagonal structure of ice; however, missing a critical bond, it behaves more like a gel than a solid, but retains some of its crystalline structure.
In the past five years of my clinical practice, I have seen an astonishing upsurge in the chronic use of proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) medications for the gastrointestinal issue diagnosed by allopathic medicine as GERD. It is not uncommon to encounter patients taking these prescriptions for five-plus years.
Working with chronically ill patients entails acknowledging the reality that not all patients will survive their diagnosis. Chinese medicine and acupuncture play a crucial role in palliative and end-of-life care, addressing medication and disease side effects, alleviating pain associated with death, reducing anxiety and stress, and helping patients find peace during the dying process.
