Pulmonaria officinalis

Latin Name: Vinca minor       Common name: Periwinkle Family: Apocynaceae Parts used: Aerial (leaf) Constituents: Indole alkaloids (Vincristine & Vinblastine), tannins, volatile oils (terpenoids), flavonoids, saponins, phytosterols. Medicinal actions: Atringent, cerebral circulatory stimulant, cytotoxic (anti-cancer). Medicinal use: Has a long tradition in herbal medicine, particularly in the treatment of diabetes. Increases cerebral uptake…

Viburnum opulus                 Common name: Crampbark (V. opulus) Family: Caprifolicaceae Part Used:  Dried cortex   (bark) Constituents: Viburnin (glycoside), valerianic acid, coumarins (scopoletin, scopaline), salicosides, resin and 3% tannin, hydroquinone glycosides (arbutin), bitter (viburnin) Actions:  Antispamodic, sedative, nervous system relaxant, astringent, anti-asthmatic, hypotensive, peripheral vasodilator, muscle relaxant, bitter, uterine tonic, emmenagogue, diuretic Medicinal use: …

Latin Name: Marrubium vulgare Common name: White Horehound Family: Labiatae Parts used: Aerial (leaves and flowers) Constituents: Volatile oil, alkaloids, flavonoids. Medicinal actions: Expectorant, bitter tonic, diuretic, stomachic, vermifuge, diaphoretic, antispasmodic, astringent, cholagogue, vulnerary. Medicinal use: Colds, bronchitis, asthma, catarrhal dyspepsia, coughs, liver and stomach disorders. Pharmacology: Flavonoids thin mucus secretions, reduce spasms in the…

Withania somnifera                                  Common name: Ashwagandha Family: Solanaceae Part used: Root & leaf Constituents: Steroidal lactones (withanolides, withaferins), sitoinosides, alkaloids, nutrients (iron) Actions: General tonic, rejuvenating, nervous system tonic, sedative, adaptogen, immuno-modulator, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, astringent, anti-anemic, aphrodisiac, oxytocic Medical uses: Is…

Coffea arabica                      Common name: Coffee Family: Rubiaceae Parts used: Kernels of the dried ripe seed Identified Constituents:  Caffeine 1%-2% (less when roasted), Alkaloids (theobromine), Trigonelline, Chlorogenic acid, Polyamines, Tannins, B vitamins, Carbohydrates, Oil, Tannin, Sugars, Pentosans. Medicinal actions: Stimulant, Diuretic, Antinarcotic, Anitemetic Medicinal use: Due to its relatively high content of alkaloids (theobromine), it has a direct stimulating action on the central…

Aconitum napellus               Common name: Monkshood, Wolfsbane Family: Ranunculaceae Parts used:  root, but alkaloid is present in all parts of the plant. Constituents: Terpenoid alkaloids (1.2%): aconitine, aconine, hypaconitine, neopelline, picraconitine, napelline, benzoylaconine, traces of ephedrine and sparteine; Acids:  aconitic, itaconic; Sugars; Starch Medicinal  actions:  Sedative, anodyne, febrifuge, anti-neuralgic. Medicinal use: Aconite is considered to be a poweful poison not now used…