The Naturopathic Herbalist
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Matricaria recutita
Matricaria recutita Common name: Chamomille, German chamomille Family: Asteraceae Parts used: Flowers Constituents: Volatile oil (alpha bisabolol, azulene, chamazulene & matricin), sesquiterpenes lactones, coumarins (umbelliferone), salicylic acid, choline, fatty acids, mucopolysaccharides, flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin, quercetin) Medicinal actions: Mild nervous system sedative, anti-spasmodic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, anti-emetic, … Continue reading
Articum lappa
Arctium lappa Common name: Burdock Family: Asteraceae Parts used: Root, seeds & leaves Constituents: Lignans (arctigenin, arctiin, Lappaol F & matairesinol) Polysaccharides (up to 50% inulin) & Mucilage Tannins Sulphur containing polyacetylenes Volatile oil (terpenoids) Sesquiterpene lactones (arctiopicrin) Nutrients (vitamins & minerals) Flavonoids Hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives Medicinal … Continue reading
Medicago sativa
Medicago sativa Common name: Alfalfa Family: Leguminosae Parts used: Herba Constituents: Alkaloids (aspragine, trigonelline); phytoestrogenic compounds (formometin, coumestrol); vitamins K, A, C and minerals Ca, K, Fe, Mg; saponins; coumarins, porphyrins, flavonoids, trace minerals, proteins. Medicinal actions: Nutritive, phytoestrogen, anti-tumor Medicinal use: The isoflavones (flavonoids) are estrogenic … Continue reading
Borago officinalis
Borago officinalis Common name: Borage Family: Boraginaceae Parts used: Leaves, flowers & seeds (oil) Constituents: Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (lycopsamine, intermedine, amabiline, supinine), choline, mucilage, potassium and calcium salts, tannins, saponins. Fatty acids including omega-6-fatty acids (gamma-linoleic acid) Medicinal actions: Leaf: Diuretic, demulcent, emollient, refrigerant, adrenal restorative, galactagogue, expectorant. Oil: inflammatory modulating, anti-atheroslcerotic, anti-platelet, hypolipidemic. Medicinal use: Borage acts as a diuretic … Continue reading
Astragalus propinquus
Astragalus propinquus (previously membranaceous) Common name: Astragalus, Milk Vetch, Huang Qi Family: Fabaceae Part used: Root Constituents: Triterpenoid saponins (astragalosides I- VII & macrophyllosaponin B) Polysaccharides (e.g astragalin) Phytosterols (isoflavones – formononetin) Amino Acids (GABA) Flavonoids Medicinal Actions: Adaptogen Antioxidant Cardiotonic Diuretic Hepatoprotective Hypoglycemic Immunomodulator Neuroprotective Peripheral vasodilator Medical uses: A classic energy tonic that improves … Continue reading
Corydalis
Latin Name: Corydalis spp. Common name: Golden Smoke Family: Papaveraceae Parts used: Rhizome Constituents: Isoquinoline Alkaloids (Protopine & Protoberberine type; corydaline, bulbocapnine, dl-Tetrahydropalmatine, (dl-THP), protopine, leonticine, ambinine, tetrahydrocoptisine, corybulbine, tetrahydrocolumbamine and tetrahydroberberine (THB). Medicinal actions: Analgesic Antispasmodic Anti-viral Nervine Relaxant/Sedative Medicinal use: Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to invigorate blood, promote the circulation … Continue reading
Linum usitatissimum
Latin Name: Linum usitatissimum Common name: Flax Seed Family: Linaceae Parts used: Seed Constituents: Mucilage (3%-6%); fixed oil (30%-45%): alpha-linolenic, linoleic, and oleic acids; protein (25%); phosphatides (0.7%); sterols; cyanogenic glycosides (1.5%). Medicinal actions: Anti-inflammatory, demulcent, fiber supplement. Medicinal use: Constipation, gastritis, enteritis. Pharmacology: The mucilage in the seeds absorbs water into the stool making … Continue reading
Bupleurum falcatum
Latin Name: Bupleurum falcatum Common name: Chinese thorowax, Chai Hu Family: Apiaceae Parts used: Root Constituents: Triterpenoid saponins (saikosaponins or saikosides) Polysaccharides (bupleurans) Flavonoids (rutin) Coumarins Polyacetylenes Polyhydroxy sterols Trihydroxy fatty acids Medicinal actions: Adaptogen Anti-inflammatory Hepatoprotective Immuno-modulator & stimulant Nervine Tonic & Nervous System Trophorestorative Medicinal use: Has been used in … Continue reading
Acorus calamus
Latin Name: Acorus Calamus Common name: Sweet Flag Family: Araceae Parts used: Root/Rhizome Constituents: Volatile oils (sequiterpenes and monoterpenes: acorenone, isocalamendiol, α-and β-asarone (content varies greatly with species and habitat), α-and β-pinenes, myrcene, p-cymene, phellandrene-β, terpinene-γ, terpinolene, thujane and limonene. Saponins (steroidal glycosides) Mucilage Bitter principle (acorin, acoretin) Lignans (epieudesmin, galgravin) Tannins Resins Medicinal actions: Analgesic … Continue reading
Ruscus aculeatus
Latin Name: Ruscus Aculeatus Common name: Butcher’s Broom Family: Liliaceae Parts used: Root Constituents: Steroid saponins (4-6%): ruscogenin, ruscine, ruscoside, aglycones neoruscogenin, Benzofuranes: euparone, ruscodibenzofurane, flavonoids, coumarins, sparteine, tyramine, glycolic acid. Medicinal actions: anti-inflammatory, vasoconstrictor, anti-hemorrhagic. Medicinal use: chronic venous insufficiency, edema (lymph), diabetes, diabetic retinopathy, hemorrhoids, premenstrual syndrome, hypertension. Pharmacology: Ruscogenins decrease vascular permeability … Continue reading
The 2nd Edition of my herbal reference is here!
The Naturopathic Herbalist 