Rhamnus purshiana/frangula

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…

Smilax officinalis                                Common name: Sarsaparilla Family: Liliaceae Parts used: Root Constituents:  Steroidal & glycoside saponins (smilagenin, sarsasapogenin, sarsaparilloside, sarsaponin), flavonoids (quercitin), phytosterols, starch, resin, testosterone & cortin hormones (controversial), B-sitosterol, stigmasterol glycosides, oxalic acid, fatty acids Medicinal actions:  General tonic, pituitary stimulant, metabolic stimulant, immuno-stimulant, antiseptic, antibiotic, Alterative, anti-inflammatory, anti-pruritic, anti-rheumatic, diaphoretic, alterative, aphrodisiac, testosteronic, progesteronic, diuretic, vulnerary  Medicinal use: It…

Common name: Horsetail Family:  Equisetaceae Parts used: Aerial Constituents: Nutrients (mineral silica (65%) in the form of silicic acid and silicates, K+, Mg), flavonoids (quercitin, kaempferol glycosides), alkaloids, phenols (caffeic acid esters), phytosterols, saponins (equisitonin), mucilage, tannins. Medicinal actions: Immunostimulant, WBC stimulant,  anti-inflammatory, astringent, anti-hemorrhagic, hemostatic, anti-atheroma,diuretic, vulnerary, connective tissue tonic, anti-rheumatic. Medicinal uses: Has specific use for BPH, prostatitis,…

Ephedra sinica                                       Common name: Ephedra, Ma Huang Family: Ephedraceae Part used: Stem Constituents: Protoalkaloids (ephedrine, pseudoepedrine), tannins, saponins, flavonoids, Volatile oil Actions: Vasodilator, Diaphoretic, Bronchodilator, Decongestant, diuretic, circulatory stimulant, hypertensive, antiallergic Medical uses: Extractions are used as a decongestant and anti-asthmatic…

Common name: Guggul Family: Berseraceae Part used: Resin Constituents: Guggul sterones, non-aromatic acids, diterpenes, lignans, fatty acid alcohols, sterols, and esters Medicinal actions:  Antioxidant Anti-inflammatory Anti-hyperlipidemic Thyrotrophic Medicinal uses:  Used extensively by Ayurvedic physicians to treat a variety of conditions, including arthritis, inflammation, bone fractures, obesity, and disorders of lipid metabolism, Guggul is indicated in any case of acute…

Pimpinella anisum                           Common name:  Anise Family: Umbelliferae Parts used:  Dried fruit Constituents:  Volatile oil (1-4%), coumarins, flavonoid glycosides, phenylpropanoids, lipids, fatty acids, sterols, proteins, carbohydrates Medicinal actions:  Expectorant, anti-spasmodic, carminative, anti-microbial, aromatic, galactogogue Medicinal use: It is a reliable carminative and can be administered with cathartics and other bitter tasting herbs to mask the taste. Aniseed is also…