The Naturopathic Herbalist
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Leptandra virginica
Latin Name: Leptandra virginica Common name: Black root Family: Scrophulariaceae Parts used: Root Constituents: Volatile oil, tannic acid, gum, resin (leptandrin). Medicinal actions: Alterative, bitter tonic, abortifacient. Medicinal use: Constipation, ongoing issues with liver and gallbladder. Pharmacology: Exerts mild, persistent, gentle hepatic stimulation of bile production without stimulating the contraction of the gall bladder. The … Continue reading
Veratrum album
Latin Name: Veratrum album Common name: American hellebore Family: Liliaceae Parts used: Root Constituents: Alkaloids Medicinal actions: Emetic, diaphoretic, sedative. Medicinal use: Fevers, hypertension, topically for itching and pain. Pharmacology: Alkaloids have hypertensive properties and seem to significantly influence arterial pressure responses, decrease mean aortic pressure, cause renal, femoral and mesenteric vasodilation, and decrease the … Continue reading
Marrubium vulgare
Latin Name: Marrubium vulgare Common name: White Horehound Family: Labiatae Parts used: Aerial (leaves and flowers) Constituents: Volatile oil, alkaloids, flavonoids. Medicinal actions: Expectorant, bitter tonic, diuretic, stomachic, vermifuge, diaphoretic, antispasmodic, astringent, cholagogue, vulnerary. Medicinal use: Colds, bronchitis, asthma, catarrhal dyspepsia, coughs, liver and stomach disorders. Pharmacology: Flavonoids thin mucus secretions, reduce spasms in the … Continue reading
Lentinus edodes
Latin Name: Lentinus edodes Common name: Shitake Family: Marasmiaceae Parts used: Fruiting bodies Constituents: Nutrients, polysaccharides, alkaloids Medicinal actions: Immune stimulation/modulation, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-cancer, anti-hypertensive antioxidant, adaptogen. Medicinal use: Chronic immune dysfunction/disease, altered adrenal function, cancer, chronic fatigue immunodeficiency syndrome, HIV infection and AIDS, cancer, Lyme disease, high cholesterol, hyperglycemia and diabetes. Pharmacology: Polysaccharides are … Continue reading
Asclepius tuberosa
Latin Name: Asclepius tuberosa Common name: Pleurisy root, Butterfly Weed, Milkweed Family: Asclepiadaceae Parts used: Root Constituents: Cardiac glycosides: cardenolide type (afroside, asclepin, asclepiadin, calactin, calotropin, gomphoside, syriogenin, syrioside, uscharidin, uscharin and uzarigenin). Flavonoids (kaempferol, quercetin, rutin and isorhamnetin) Amino acids (choline) Phenolic acids (caffeic & chlorogenic acid) Carbohydrates (glucose, fructose and sucrose) Triterpenes (a-amyrin and … Continue reading
Vinca minor
Latin Name: Vinca minor Common name: Periwinkle Family: Apocynaceae Parts used: Aerial (leaf) Constituents: Indole alkaloids (Vincristine & Vinblastine), tannins, volatile oils (terpenoids), flavonoids, saponins, phytosterols. Medicinal actions: Atringent, cerebral circulatory stimulant, cytotoxic (anti-cancer). Medicinal use: Has a long tradition in herbal medicine, particularly in the treatment of diabetes. Increases cerebral uptake … Continue reading
Tabebula avellanedae
Latin Name: Tabebula avellanedae Common name: Pau D’Arco Family: Bignoniaceae Parts used: Inner bark Constituents: Naphthaquinones (lapachol and beta-lapachone), anthraquinones and flavonoids( including quercetin), saponins. Medicinal actions: Antimicrobial, antiviral, antibacterial, antineoplastic, anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic, antineoplastic, immune stimulant. Medicinal use: Fungal infections, such as ringworm, candida, internal inflammatory conditions, cancer. Pharmacology: Flavanoid quercetin inhibits mitochondrial electron transport. … Continue reading
Pulmonaria officinalis
Latin Name: Pulmonaria officinalis Common name: Lungwort Family: Boraginaceae Parts used: Aerial (leaves) Constituents: Allantoin, flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol), tannins, mucilage, saponins. Medicinal actions: Emollient, expectorant, anti-hemorrhagic, astringent. Medicinal use: Indicated in bronchitis, coughs, colds, influenza for congested lungs and/or inflamed throat. Pharmacology: Allantoin is anti-inflammatory and soothing. Pharmacy: Tincture: 1-5 ml (1:5) TID Tea: 1-2 … Continue reading
Cephaelis ipecacuanha
Latin Name: Cephaelis ipecacuanha Common name: Ipecac Family: Rubiaceae Parts used: Root, rhizome Constituents: Alkaloids Medicinal actions: Expectorant, emetic (in higher doses), stimulant, diaphoretic. Medicinal use: Chronic and acute bronchitis with a relatively dry cough with moderate amounts of thick mucous that is difficult to expectorate. In higher doses (see pharmacy section below), Ipecac will … Continue reading
Hydrangea arborescens
Latin Name: Hydrangea arborescens Common name: Hydrangea Family: Hydrangeceae Parts used: Root and rhizome Constituents: Carbohydrates, Flavonoids, Saponins (Hydrangin). Medicinal actions: Diuretic, anti-lithic. Medicinal use: For urinary calculi, nephritis, cystitis, urethritis, prostatitis & BPH. Pharmacology: Saponins are diurectic. Pharmacy: Decoction: 1 Tbsp/cup, TID Capsule: 6-12 g QD Tincture: (1:5, 40%) 2-4 ml TID Toxicity: May … Continue reading
The 2nd Edition of my herbal reference is here!
The Naturopathic Herbalist 