Marisa Marciano

Lycopus virginicus

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’ … Continue reading →

Coleus forskolii

Common name: Coleus Family: Lamiaceae Part used: Root Constituents:  Diterpenoids (labdane; forskolin/coleanol) Actions: Hypotensive, bronchodilator, inflammation modulating, positive inotropic, lipolysis stimulator, thyroid hormone release stimulator, mood elevator, platelet aggregation inhibitor Pharmacology: Hypotensive and spasmolytic component appears to be coleanol/forskolin. An adenylate cyclase enzyme activator (stimulates the formation of ATP) which increases cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in cells. Appears to bypass the … Continue reading →

Rubus idaeus

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 … Continue reading →

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 where they stimulate smooth muscle contraction. Atonic constipation, … Continue reading →

Aconitum napellus

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. … Continue reading →

Angelica archangelica

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 … Continue reading →

Aconitum napellus

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 … Continue reading →

Hypericum perforatum                Common name:  St. John’s wort Family: Hypericaceae Parts used: Flowering tops Constituents: Volatile oils (pinene & cineole) Flavonoids & proanthocyanidins (hyperoside, hyperiforin, quercetin, rutin) Naphthodianthrones (hypericin, pseudohypericin, isohypericin, protohypericin) Carotenoids Phloroglucins (hyperforin) Tannins Medicinal actions: Anti-depressant Anti-inflammatory Antimicrobial Astringent Nervine tonic Vulnerary Medicinal uses:   Most useful in mild to moderate depression, seasonal affective disorder, anxiety and various somatoform disorders (neuralgia … Continue reading →

Momordica charantia

Momordica charantia                          Common name:  Bitter melon, Kerala, Cerasee Family: Cucurbitaceae Parts used:  Fruit & seed, leaf & stem (whole plant – immature/unripe) Constituents:  Peptides, Steroidal saponin & glycosides (Charantin & mormordin), alkaloid (mormordicine) Medicinal actions:  Anti-diabetic (hypoglycemic) Medicinal use:  Momordica has therapeutic potential for non-insulin dependent diabetic patients. The juice of the fruit is also a purgative and is prescribed … Continue reading →

Gelsemium semperivrens

Gelsemium semperivrens                                 Common name: Yellow Jasmine Family: Loganiaceae Constituents: Indole Alkaloids (gelsemine, gelsemoidine, sempervirine & gelsemicine) Iridoids Coumarins Tannins  Medicinal actions:  Analgesic Antispasmodic Febrifuge Hypnotic Nervine Sedative Medicinal uses:  Has a potent and analgesic action towards pain associated with nervous tension or irritability. Of specific use for managing the pain of migraines and in trigeminal neuralgia, as well as … Continue reading →