Stachys offincialis

Common name:  Senna Family: Leguminosae Parts used: Leaves, pod Constituents: Anthraquinone glycosides (sennosides and their aglycones), naphthalene glycosides, misc. mucilage, flavonoids, volatile oil, sugars, resins. Medicinal actions: Stimulant laxative, cathartic (direct stimulation of a bowel movement) Medicinal use: The anthraquinones are absorbed into the blood, re-secreted into the colon as active anthraquinones where they stimulate smooth muscle contraction. Atonic constipation,…

Coleus forskolii                                                                       Common name: Coleus Family: Lamiaceae Part used: Root Constituents:  Diterpenoids (labdane; forskolin/coleanol) Actions: Hypotensive, bronchodilator, inflammation modulating, positive inotropic, lipolysis stimulator, thyroid hormone release…

Zingiber officinalis                                 Common name: Ginger Family: Zingiberaceae Part used:  Rhizome  Constituents: Volatile oil (zingiberene), sesquiterpenes, oleo-resins (gingerols, shogaols), starch, proteins, lipids, nutrients, amino acids Medical actions:  Choleretic, cholagogue, positive inotropic and chronotropic, gastrointestinal stimulant, thermogenic, antiseptic, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic, anti-thrombotic, anti-cholesterol, anti-emetic, rubefacient, vasodilator, peripheral…

Baptisia tinctoria                                    Common name: Wild Indigo Family: Fabaceae Part used: Root Constituents: Alkaloids, glycoprotein, oleo-resin, Isoflavones (genistein), flavonoids, coumarins, polysaccharides, bitter principle (baptisin) Actions: Anti-microbial, antiseptic, anti-catarrhal, astringent, immuno-modulating, immuno-stimulant, febrifuge, anti-pyretic, alterative, mild cardiac agent, emetic &purgative (high dose), laxative, emmenagogue Medical uses: Wild…

Commiphora molmol                                 Common name:  Myrrh Family: Burceraceae Parts used:  Oleo-gum resin Constituents:  Volatile oil (heerabolene, cadinene, elemol, eugenol, cuminaldehyde, numerous furanosesquiterpenes), resins (commiphoric acids, commiphorinic acids, heeraboresene, heerabolmyrrhols, commiferin), gums, sterols, tannins Medicinal actions:  Mucosal stimulant, expectorant, antiseptic, astringent, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, carminative,…

Gaultheria procumbens                            Common name: Wintergreen Family: Araliaceae Parts used: Inner root bark Constituents: Volatile oil: methyl salicylate, oenanthic alcohol (n-heptan-1-ol) Medicinal actions: Stimulant, aromatic, astringent, carminative, analgesic, rubefacient, diuretic, galactagogue Medicinal use: Its main use is pain reducing and anti-inflammatory. It is commonly used to…