The Naturopathic Herbalist
sarahearm
Plantago lanceolata/major
Plantago lanceolata/major Common name: Lance shaped plantain Family: Plantaginaceae Parts used: Leaves Constituents: Mucilage, carbohydrates (fructose, glucose, saccharoses), Acids (chlorogenic, benzoic, caffeic, coumaric, fumaric, salicylic, asocorbic), iridoid glycosides (acubin, catalpol), tannins, flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin, scutellarin, baicalein), alkaloid, gum, resins, choline, allantoin, saponins, steroids, … Continue reading
Mentha piperita
Mentha piperita Common name: Peppermint Family: Lamiaceae Part used: Aerial Constituents: Volatile oil (2%) containing methol, menthone and jasmone, tannins, bitter principle, Phenolic acids (rosmarinic, chlorogenic, caffeic), flavonoids (luteolin, rutin, hesperidin), gum, resins, nutrients (carotenes, choline, … Continue reading
Passiflora incarnata
Passiflora incarnata Common name: Passionflower Family: Passifloraceae Parts used: Flowering tops, leaves Constituents: Alkaloids (harman, harmoline), flavonoids (vitexin, saponarin, luteolin, rutin, kaempferol, quercitin), fatty acids (linoleic, linolenic, palmitic, oleic, myristic), acids (formic & butyric), sugar, gum, coumarins, cyanogenic glycosides, volatile oil, chrysin Medicinal actions: Antispasmodic, sedative, hypnotic, hypotensive, vasodilator, cardiotonic, bitter, diuretic, anti-depressant, nervine relaxant, anxiolytic, analgesic Medicinal … Continue reading
Berberis aquifolium/vulgaris
Berberis (Mahonia) aquifolium/vulgaris Common name: Oregon Grape, Barberry Family: Berberidaceae Part used: Bark of root or stem Constituents: Isoquinoline alkaloids (berberine, berbamine, palmatine), flavonoids, resins, tannin, chelidonic acid Actions: Bitter digestive stimulant, mild sedative, spleen tonic, antiseptic, inflammatory-modulating, antimicrobial, immuno-modulating, alterative, astringent, hepatoprotective, cholagogue, … Continue reading
Avena sativa
Avena sativa Common name: Oats, Milky Oat Seed Family: Poaceae Parts used: Aerial (milky oat seed tops and/or straw) Constituents: Carbohydrates: Mucilage (β-glucan), Starch (60%), Mono & oligosaccharides Triterpenoid saponins (avenocosides) & sterols (sitosterol, stigmasterol) Proteins (avenins) Indole alkaloids (gramine & avenanthramides) Nutrients (high source of Vitamin … Continue reading
Urtica dioica
Urtica dioica Common name: Nettle, Stinging nettle Family: Urticaceae Parts used: Aerial, Radix, Seeds Constituents: Leaf: Acids (carbonic, caffeic, chlorogenic, formic, silicic, citric, fumaric, malic, oxalic, succinic), Amines (Ach, betain, choline, lecithin, histamine, serotonin), lignans, flavonoids … Continue reading
Verbascum thapsus
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 … Continue reading
Artemisia vulgaris
Artemisia vulgaris Common name: Mugwort, Wild Wormwood Family: Asteraceae Part used: Dried herb (whole plant) Constituents: Volatile oil (thujone, borneol, cineole, pinene), sesquiterpene lactones, flavonoids, coumarins, bitter principl e, tannins Actions: Nervous system tonic, diaphoretic, anthelmintic, bitter, digestive, choleretic, emmenagogue, diuretic Medical uses: As … Continue reading
Leonurus cardiaca
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 … Continue reading
Silybum marianum
Silybum marianum Common name: Milk Thistle Family: Asteraceae Part used: Fruit/Seed Constituents: Flavolignans (silymarin complex), flavonoids, volatile oil, bitter principle, mucilage Actions: Cholagogue, hepatic, hepatoprotective & hepatorestorative, galactagogue, demulcent Medical uses: Research has shown that it promotes the regeneration of diseased liver cells and … Continue reading
The 2nd Edition of my herbal reference is here!
The Naturopathic Herbalist 