Ruscus aculeatus

Common name: Raspberry Family: Rosaceae Part Used:  Leaves and fruit Constituents:   Leaves: Tannins, volatile oil, citric acid, malic acid, polypeptides, flavonoid glycosides, Minerals including Ca, Mg, Fe, and Se. Fruit:  Vits. A, C, K, Ca, Mg. Medicinal actions:  Astringent, uterine tonic, facilitates parturition Medicinal use:  Raspberry has been used to facilitate childbirth.  The plant exerts paradoxical actions…

Common name: Bugleweed/Gypsywort Family: Lamiaceae Part used:  Aerial Constituents: Phenolic acid derivatives (caffeic, rosmarinic, chlorogenic, ellagic & luteolin) Volatile oil Bitter principle Manganese Medicinal actions: Anti-hyperthyroid (anti-gonadotropic) Astringent Diuretic Nervine sedative Peripheral vasoconstrictor Medicinal uses: Reduces the symptoms of hyperthyroidism including agitation, insomnia, palpitations, and weight loss. History of use in the treatment of Graves’…

Foeniculum vulgare                            Common name:  Fennel Family: Umbelliferae Parts used:  Fruit Constituents:  volatile oil (up to 8% consisting of anethole, estrogole, fenchone), flavonoids (rutin, quercetin, kaempferol glycosides), coumarins, sterols. Medicinal actions:  Stomachic, carminative, anti-inflammatory, phytoestrogenic, galactogogue Medicinal uses: The volatile oil relaxes the smooth muscles of the intestines thus relieving griping and flatulence.  Fennel is more relaxing and…

Verbascum thapsus                                 Common name:  Mullein Family: Scrophulariaceae Parts used:  Aerial parts Constituents:  Mucilage (leaves), Flavonoids [acubin], Saponins (leaves), Volatile oil (flowers), Tannins, Resins (flowers), Bitters. Medicinal actions:  Demulcent, emollient, expectorant, vulnerary, mildly antispasmodic and relaxing. Medicinal use: Verbascum is indicated in…

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…

Leonurus cardiaca                      Common name:  Motherwort Family: Lamiaceae Part used:  Aerial parts Constituents: Alkaloids (leonurine, betonicine an d stachydrine), flavonoids, (apigenin, kaempferol, quercitin), iridoids, tannins, volatile oils, ursolic acid, vitamins A & C Medicinal actions:  Sedative, nervine, nervous system tonic, antibacterial, anti-fungal, hypothryoid, diaphoretic, cardiotonic, anti-arrhythmic, vasoconstrictor, circulatory stimulant, hypotensive, hepatic, laxative, antispasmodic, mild uterine stimulant and emmenagogue. Medicinal use:  Is most…