Viburnum prunifolium

Brassica alba/nigra                   Common name: Black mustard, mustard Family: Cruciferae Parts used:  Seed Constituents: Fixed oil (30%) , Sinapine , Sinapic acid, Fixed oil, Protein, Mucilage. Medicinal actions: Rubefacient, counter-irritant, stimulant, diuretic, emetic Medicinal use:  Mustard seed powder has been used historically as a topical application to create a counter-irritant effect….

Latin Name: Cephaelis ipecacuanha Common name: Ipecac Family: Rubiaceae Parts used: Root, rhizome Constituents: Alkaloids Medicinal actions: Expectorant, emetic (in higher doses), stimulant, diaphoretic. Medicinal use: Chronic and acute bronchitis with a relatively dry cough with moderate amounts of thick mucous that is difficult to expectorate. In higher doses (see pharmacy section below), Ipecac will…

Vitex agnus-castus                               Common name: Chaste berry, Monk’s pepper, Vitex Parts used:  Fruit Constituents: Flavonoids (castican, orientin, isovitexin); Iridoid glycosides (agnuside [the reference constituent for standardization], aucubin, eurostoside; Terpenoids (cineole, sabinene, limonene, camphene and others). Medicinal actions:  Pituitary adjuvant Medicinal use:  Vitex is…

Chamaelirium luteum                           Common name:  False Unicorn Root Family:  Liliaceae Parts Used:  Root Constituents:  Steroidal saponins – chamaelirin and helonin (based on diosgenin). Medicinal actions:  Uterine tonic, diuretic, emetic, vermifuge. Medicinal use: Is one of herbal medicine’s best tonics and strengtheners of the reproductive system. Though it is primarily used for the female system, it can be equally…

Angelica archangelica                                Common name: European angelica Family: Umbelliferae Parts used:  Root, seeds & leaves Constituents:  Volatile oil (root and seeds), macrocyclic lactones, phthalates, coumarins, flavonoids, sterols. Medicinal actions:  Digestive stimulant, astringent, expectorant, diaphoretic, carminative, diuretic, cholagogue, anti-inflammatory, spasmolytic Medicinal use: Stimulating expectorant and aromatic digestive…

Cassia angustifolia (Senna alexandria)          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…