The Naturopathic Herbalist
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Aesculus hippocastanum
Aesculus hippocastanum Common name: Horse chestnut Family: Hippocastanaceae Part used: Seed/Fruit, bark Constituents: Coumarins (esculin, aesculetin) & coumarin glycoside (aesculin) Triterpene saponins (aescin = escin) Flavonoids (quercetin and kaempferol), proanthocyanidin A2 Tannins (condensed & hydrolyzable) Fatty acids Sterols Allantoin Medical actions: Anti-inflammatory Antispasmodic Anti-edematous Astringent Diuretic Vasodilator Venotonic & … Continue reading
Hyoscyamus niger
Hyoscyamus niger Common name: Henbane Family: Solanaceae Parts used: Leaves and flowering tops Constituents: Tropane alkaloids (0.045%-0.14%): hyoscyamine, hyoscine [scopolamine] Medicinal actions: Antispasmodic, anodyne, sedative, mydriatic Medicinal use: Hyoscyamus is often compared to Belladonna as both plants exert anticholinergics effects. Hyoscyamus is most often used for its antispasmodic effects on the digestive and urinary tracts, (eg. kidney stones) with large doses affecting … Continue reading
Viola tricolor
Viola tricolor Common name: Heartsease, Wild Pansy Family: Violaceae Part used: Aerial Constituents: Flavonoids (rutin), salicylates, nutrients (zinc), saponins, mucilage, gum, resin Medical actions: Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, anti-allergic, expectorant, alterative, capillary tonic, laxative, diuretic, vulnerary, anti-acne, anti-rheumatic Medical uses: Specific for eczema and skin … Continue reading
Crataegus oxycantha
Crataegus oxycantha Common name: Hawthorne Family: Rosaceae Parts used: Flora, leaves, and berries Constituents: Oligomeric procyanidins (procyanidin B-2, epicatechin, catechin), flavonoids (kaempferol, quercetin, apigenin, luteolin, rutin), amines (phenylethylamine, tyramine, choline), anthocyanidins Medical actions: CNS sedative, antioxidant, adaptogen, cardiac trophorestorative, cardiotonic, hypotension, coronary vasodilator, peripheral vasodilator, anti-arrhythmic, diuretic, collagen stabilizing, reduces myocardial oxygen demand, protects against myocardial damage. Medical Indications: One … Continue reading
Centella asiatica
Centella asiatica Common name: Gotu kola Family: Apiaceae Part used: Aerial (dried) Constituents: Triterpenoid saponins (asiaticoside, madecassoside, brahmoside), nutrients (vitamins K & B, Na, Ca, Mg) amino acids, flavonoids (quercitin, kaempferol), volatile oils, alkaloids, bitter principle Actions: Adaptogen, alterative, detoxifer, relaxant … Continue reading
Gentiana lutea
Gentiana lutea Common name: Gentian Family: Gentianaceae Part used: Radix Constituents: Glycosides, Flavonoids, Alkaloids, Iridoids, Xanthones, Phenolic acids Medicinal actions: Bitter, Gastric stimulant, Cholagogue, Sialagogue, anti-microbial, antihelmintic, emmenagogue Medicinal uses: Stimulating HCl acid and bile secretion. Tonifying to the digestive tract and should be considered for all persons who have weak digestion. Pharmacy: Decoction .5-2 g/ 250 … Continue reading
Digitalis purpurea
Digitalis purpurea Common name: Foxglove Family: Scrophulariaceae Part Used: Leaves Constituents: Digitoxin, digoxin, and gitoxin are the most important. Digoxin is refined commercially as the drug Digoxin (Lanoxin). Medicinal actions: Cardio-stimulant Medicinal use: Congestive heart failure. Pharmacy: Dosage ranges of allopathic digoxin are variable according to the degree of heart failure and the age of the patient. … Continue reading
Trigonella foenum-graecum
Latin Name: Trigonella foenum-graecum Common name: Fenugreek Family: Fabaceae Parts used: Seeds, sprouts Constituents: Volatile oils, alkaloids (trigonelline, genitanine, carpaine), saponins (fenugreekine, diosgenin, tigogenin, gitogenin, trigogenin etc.), flavanoids, mucilage (approximately 27%). Medicinal actions: Galactogogue, demulcent, emollient (vulnerary), febrifuge (mild), appetite stimulant, hypocholesterolemic, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, oxytocic, diuretic. Medicinal use: Soothes irritated mucus membranes in gastritis and … Continue reading
Chamaelirium luteum
Chamaelirium luteum Common name: False Unicorn Root Family: Liliaceae Parts Used: Root Constituents: Steroidal saponins – chamaelirin and helonin (based on diosgenin). Medicinal actions: Uterine tonic, diuretic, emetic, vermifuge. Medicinal use: Is one of herbal medicine’s best tonics and strengtheners of the reproductive system. Though it is primarily used for the female system, it can be equally … Continue reading
Euphrasia officinalis
Euphrasia officinalis Common name: Eyebright Family: Scrophulariaceae Parts used: Aerial Constituents: Iridoid glycosides (aucubin, aucuboside, catalpol, euphroside, ixoroside) Flavonoids (apigenin & glycosides) Phenolic acids (caffeic & ferulic) & Tannins (Condensed & hydrolysable) Volatile oils Bitter principle Alkaloids Carbohydrates (arabinose, glucose, galactose) & Fatty Acids Resin Phytosterols (b-sitosterol, stigmasterol) Vitamins C & b-carotene Amino acids (lycine, leucine & … Continue reading
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The Naturopathic Herbalist 