Medicago sativa

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: …

Viscum album                                            Common name: Mistletoe Family: Loranthaceae Part used: Whole herb (leaves & branches) Constituents: Lectins (viscotoxins), Flavonoids, Acetylcholine & choline derivatives, alkaloids, polypeptide, polysaccharides, phenolic compounds: caffeic acid, syringin, eleutherosides, sterols: triterpenes, amines: histamine, tyramine Actions: Antihypertensive, Sedative, Antitumour, Diuretic, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Anti-inflammatory, Immune enhancer Medical uses:  Primary hypertension – Used as an alternative…

Inula helenium              Common name:  Elecampane Family: Asteraceae Parts used: Root or rhizome Constituents:  CHOs, especially as mucilage & Inulin (40%) Volatile oil (1-4%) containing bitter sesquiterpene lactones (alantolactone, isoalantolactone, alantopicrin, alantic acid & azulene), saponins, sterols, resin. Medicinal actions:  Diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, alterative, antimicrobial, anti-parasitic Medicinal use: It is used in any chronic lung condition as a trophorestorative. It…

Lavendula officinalis                            Common name: Lavender Family: Lamiaceae Part used: Flowers Constituents:  Volatile oil (linalyl acetate, linalol, geraniol, cineole, limonene), tannins, flavonoids (luteolin), coumarins, phytosterols, triterpenes (ursolic acid) Lavendula officinalis  Actions: Carminative, nervous system relaxant, sedative, antispasmodic, anti-depressant, rubefacient, anti-septic (essential oil), aromatic, uterine stimulant, emmenagogue, diuretic, hypotensive, anti-rheumatic…

Galium aparine                        Common name:  Cleavers Family: Rubiaceae  Part used:  Aerial Constituents: Acids (caffeic, gallic, salicylic, citric), iridoid glycosides (asperuloside), tannins (gallotannic acid), coumarins, flavonoids, polyphenolic acid, alkanes, anthraquinones (root only) Medicinal actions:  Adaptogen, lymphatic tonic & cleanser, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, astringent, detoxifier, alterative, hypotensive, mild laxative, diuretic,vulnerary Medicinal uses: Increases lymphatic drainage and breaks up lymphatic congestion (enlarged lymph…

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…