The Naturopathic Herbalist
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Allium sativum
Allium sativum Common Name: Garlic Family: Liliaceae Part used: Bulb Constituents: Volatile oil (sulfur containing compounds): sulfoxides (ajoene, alliin, allicin) & thiocyanates Enzymes (allinase) Nutrients: Carbohydrates, lipids & amino acids Lectins (lectin-allinase complexes) Medical actions: Anti-microbial Antispasmodic & Carminative Anti-thrombotic (Anti-platelet aggregant) Cardioprotective Diaphoretic Expectorant Hepatoprotective Hypoglycemic … Continue reading
Foeniculum vulgare
Foeniculum vulgare Common name: Fennel Family: Umbelliferae Parts used: Fruit Constituents: volatile oil (up to 8% consisting of anethole, estrogole, fenchone), flavonoids (rutin, quercetin, kaempferol glycosides), coumarins, sterols. Medicinal actions: Stomachic, carminative, anti-inflammatory, phytoestrogenic, galactogogue Medicinal uses: The volatile oil relaxes the smooth muscles of the intestines thus relieving griping and flatulence. Fennel is more relaxing and … Continue reading
Sambucus nigra/canadensis
Sambucus nigra/canadensis Common name: Black Elderberry Family: Caprifoliaceae Parts used: Flowers, berries, bark, leaves (toxic), root (toxic) Constituents: Flowers & Berries: Flavonoids, triterpenes, volatile oil, sterols, tannins, mucilage, Minerals, vitamin A & C, iron, sambucin, anthocyanocides, pectin, sugar, fixed oils (linoleic, linolenic) Leaves: Cyanogenic glycosides Bark: Lectins, tannins, baldrianic acid Medicinal actions: Flowers: mild diaphoretic, mild laxative, diuretic, alterative, … Continue reading
Echinacea spp.
Echinacea spp. Common name: Echinacea, Coneflower Family: Asteraceae Part used: Root (dried), aerial parts Constituents: Glycosides (caffeic acid derivatives: echinacoside, isochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, cichoric acid), polysaccharides (inulin), glycoproteins, aminds (alkamides), volatile oils, polyacetylenes, flavonoids, alkaloids (pyrrolizidine saturated type) Actions: General tonic, immuno-modulator … Continue reading
Taraxacum officinalis
Taraxacum officinalis Common name: Dandelion Family: Asteraceae Parts used: Root, young leaves, (flowers) Constituents: Sesquiterpene lactones, triterpene steroids (sitosterin, stigmasterin, phytosterin), phenolic acids, polysaccharides (inc. inulin), carotenoids, protein, sugars, pectin, choline, vitamins [the vitamin A content is higher than in carrots; 14,000 iu/ 100 g raw leaves], minerals, bitter principle (taraxacin, taraxacerin), inulin. Medicinal actions: Leaf: diuretic, choleretic, anti-inflammatory. Root: … Continue reading
Viburnum opulus
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: … Continue reading
Symphytum officinalis
Symphytum officinalis Common name: Comfrey Family: Boraginaceae Part Used: Root (external only) & Leaves Constituents: Alkaloid (pyrrolizidine) (root only), mucilage, gum, tannin, triterpenes (sitosterols, stigmasterol, steroidal saponins), silicic acid, phenolic acid (caffeic, rosmarinic, chlorogenic), allantoin, asparagine, choline, chlorophyll (higher in leaves, Ca, K+, P, trace minerals, vitamins A and C). Medicinal actions: Anti-hemorrhagic, anti-inflammatory, astringent, … Continue reading
Galium aparine
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 … Continue reading
Cinnamomum zeylanicum
Cinnamomum zeylanicum Common Name: Cinnamon Family: Lauraceae Parts used: Inner bark and oil distilled … Continue reading
Vitex agnus-castus
Vitex agnus-castus Common name: Chaste berry, Monk’s pepper, Vitex Parts used: Fruit Constituents: Flavonoids (castican, orientin, isovitexin); Iridoid glycosides (agnuside [the reference constituent for standardization], aucubin, eurostoside; Terpenoids (cineole, sabinene, limonene, camphene and others). Medicinal actions: Pituitary adjuvant Medicinal use: Vitex is … Continue reading
The 2nd Edition of my herbal reference is here!
The Naturopathic Herbalist 