The Naturopathic Herbalist
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Filipendula ulmaria
Filipendula ulmaria Common name: Meadowsweet Family: Rosaceae Parts used: Aerial Constituents: Volatile oil: polyphenol components (salicylates – salicin, salicylic acid), flavonoids, tannins, coumarins, mucilage, CHO, ascorbic acid Medicinal actions: Antiseptic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, astringent, diaphoretic, anti-coagulant, antacid, carminative, anti-emetic, digestive, hepatic, diuretic, anti-rheumatic Medicinal … Continue reading
Althea officinalis
Althea officinalis Common name: Marshmallow Family: Malvaceae Parts used: Leaves & root Constituents: Mucilage & Polysaccharides (pectin) Tannins Flavonoids Coumarins Calcium oxalate Amino acids (Asparagine) Medicinal actions: Alterative Anti-inflammatory Antimicrobial Demulcent & Emollient Diuretic Expectorant (soothing) Immunomodulator Nutritive Vulnerary Medicinal use: As a demulcent and diuretic in diseases involving mucous membrane … Continue reading
Glycyrrhiza glabra
Glycyrrhiza glabra Common name: Licorice, Liquorice Family: Fabaceae Part used: Dried root & rhizome Constituents: Triterpene saponins (glycyrrhizin, glycyrrhizic & glycyrrhetinic acid), flavonoids, iso-flavonoids, phytosterols, polysaccharides (glucans), coumarins, volatile oils, amino acids, gum, lignans, starch, sugars Actions: General … Continue reading
Melissa officinalis
Melissa officinalis Common name: Lemon balm Family: Lamiaceae Parts used: Aerial Constituents: Volatile oil (citral, citronellal, citronellol, geraniol), polyphenols (chlorogenic, rosmarinic and caffeic acids ), tannins, bitter principle, lavonoids (luteolin, quercitin, apigenin, kaempferol) Medicinal actions: Nervous system tonic & relaxant, carminative, sedative, diaphoretic, … Continue reading
Lavendula officinalis
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 … Continue reading
Humulus lupulus
Humulus lupulus Common name: Hops Family: Cannabinaceae Parts used: Strobile Constituents: Oleo-resins containing bitter substances (acylphloroglucides, humulone, lupulone, valerianic acid), volatile oil (humulene), tannins, estrogenic substance, flavonoids (kaempferol, quercetin, rutin), chalcones, aspargin Medicinal actions: Nervine, strong sedative, hypnotic, tonic, diuretic, analgesic, aromatic bitter, anti-bacterial (topically), astringent, anti-pyretic, antispasmodic, anaphrodisiac. Medicinal use: The main internal indications for Humulus are sleeplessness from worry and … Continue reading
Camellia sinensis
Camellia sinensis Common name: Green or Black tea Family: Theaceae Part used: Leave & buds (black tea uses fermented dried leaves) Constituents: Xanthine alkaloids (e.g. caffeine, theobromine & theophylline) Flavonoids & Polyphenols: Catechins including epicatechin, epicatechin-3-gallate, epigallocatechin & epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) Condensed tannins (proanthocyanidins) Amino … Continue reading
Hydrastis canadensis
Hydrastis canadensis Common name: Goldenseal Family: Ranunculaceae Part used: Root Constituents: Isoquinoline alkaloids (hydrastine, berberine, berberastine, canadine), chlorogenic acid, carbohydrates, volatile oil, resins, fatty acid Actions: Tonic, antimicrobial, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, astringent, anti-catarrhal, detoxifer, alterative, anti-hemorrhagic, hemostatic, hypertensive, anti-emetic, bitter, choleretic, cholagogue, … Continue reading
Ginkgo biloba
Common name: Ginkgo, Maidenhair tree Family: Ginkgoaceae Part used: Leaf Constituents: Flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol) & Proanthocyanidins Terpenoids (bilobilides & ginkgolides) Ginkgolic acid (toxic) Amino acids Phytosterols (sitosterol) Medicinal actions: Anti-inflammatory Antioxidant Anti-platelet* Antispasmodic Cerebral & circulatory stimulant Neuroprotective & cognitive enhancer Peripheral vasodilator Medicinal uses: Improves brain metabolism of glucose and oxygen while promoting blood flow to … Continue reading
Zingiber officinalis
Zingiber officinalis Common name: Ginger Family: Zingiberaceae Part used: Rhizome Constituents: Volatile oil (zingiberene), sesquiterpenes, oleo-resins (gingerols, shogaols), starch, proteins, lipids, nutrients, amino acids Medical actions: Choleretic, cholagogue, positive inotropic and chronotropic, gastrointestinal stimulant, thermogenic, antiseptic, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic, anti-thrombotic, anti-cholesterol, anti-emetic, rubefacient, vasodilator, peripheral … Continue reading
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The Naturopathic Herbalist 