The Naturopathic Herbalist
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Arctostaphylos uva- ursi
Arctostaphylos uva- ursi Common name: Bearberry, Uva ursi, Kinnikinnick Family: Ericaceae Parts used: Leaves Constituents: Hydroquinone glycosides (arbutin) Tannins (Hydrolyzable & Condensed) Flavonoids Polyphenolic acids (ursolic, gallic & ellagic) Allantoin Volatile oil Medicinal actions: Anti-inflammatory Antimicrobial (tissue specificity to urinary tract) Astringent Demulcent … Continue reading
Berberis aquifolium/vulgaris
Berberis aquifolium/vulgaris Common name: Oregon Grape, Barberry Family: Berberidaceae Part used: Inner bark of root or stem Constituents: Isoquinoline alkaloids (berberine, berbamine, palmatine, and others) Flavonoids Tannins Phytosterols Resins & Lignan Volatile oil Medicinal Actions: Alterative Anti-inflammatory Antimicrobial Anti-neoplastic Astringent Bitter … Continue reading
Withania somnifera
Withania somnifera Common name: Ashwagandha Family: Solanaceae Part used: Root & leaf Constituents: Steroidal lactones (withanolides, withaferins), sitoinosides, alkaloids, nutrients (iron) Actions: General tonic, rejuvenating, nervous system tonic, sedative, adaptogen, immuno-modulator, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, astringent, anti-anemic, aphrodisiac, oxytocic Medical uses: Is … Continue reading
Arnica montana
Arnica montana Common name: Arnica, leopard’s bane, wolf’s bane Family: Asteraceae Parts used: Flowers Constituents: Sesquiterpene lactones (0.2%-0.8%, helenalin and its esters), flavonoids, volatile oil (thymol), coumarins, CHO (mucilage, inulin), amines, trace alkaloids Medicinal actions: Wound antiseptic, vulnerary, anodyne, analgesic, immuno-stimulant, anti-inflammatory, astringent, counter-irritant, anti-rheumatic, antineuralgic, antiphlogistic (relieves inflammation) Medicinal … Continue reading
Angelica archangelica
Angelica archangelica Common name: European angelica Family: Umbelliferae Parts used: Root, seeds & leaves Constituents: Volatile oil (root and seeds), macrocyclic lactones, phthalates, coumarins, flavonoids, sterols. Medicinal actions: Digestive stimulant, astringent, expectorant, diaphoretic, carminative, diuretic, cholagogue, anti-inflammatory, spasmolytic Medicinal use: Stimulating expectorant and aromatic digestive … Continue reading
Germanium maculata
Germanium maculata Common name: American cranesbill Family: Geraniaceae Parts used: Root & aerial Constituents: Tannins (up to 30%) inc. gallic acid; Resinous compounds. Medicinal actions: Styptic, astringent, vulnerary, tonic Medicinal uses: Geranium is an astringent, also hemostatic. Relaxed mucous tissues with profuse debilitating discharges; chronic mucous diarrheas; chronic dysentery; diarrhea with constant desire to defecate; … Continue reading
Aloe barbadensis
Aloe barbadensis Common name: Aloe vera Family: Aloaceae Part used: Gel (clear mucilaginous product from inner portion of the leaf) & Latex (opaque product from shallow incisions in the skin of the leaf) Constituents: Gel: Polysaccharides. Latex: Anthraquinone glycosides (anthrone, aloe-emodin), aloe resins B, C and … Continue reading
Aconitum napellus
Aconitum napellus Common name: Monkshood, Wolfsbane Family: Ranunculaceae Parts used: root, but alkaloid is present in all parts of the plant. Constituents: Terpenoid alkaloids (1.2%): aconitine, aconine, hypaconitine, neopelline, picraconitine, napelline, benzoylaconine, traces of ephedrine and sparteine; Acids: aconitic, itaconic; Sugars; Starch Medicinal actions: Sedative, anodyne, febrifuge, anti-neuralgic. Medicinal use: Aconite is considered to be a poweful poison not now used … Continue reading
Rumex Crispus
Rumex Crispus Common name: Yellow dock Family: Polygonaceae Parts used: Root Constituents: Anthraquinone glycosides (emodin), tannins, oxalates (oxalic acid high in leaf), VO, Iron and other minerals Medicinal actions: Tonic, lymphatic, astringent, cooling, alterative, … Continue reading
Achillea millefolium
Achillea millefolium Common name: Yarrow Family: Asteraceae Part used: Aerial Constituents: Volatile oil (borneol, camphor, thujone, chamazulene, azulene, linalool, limonene, cineole, sesquiterpene lactones), tannins (condensed and hydrolyzable), flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin, rutin), alkaloids (achilletin, betonicine, stachydrine, trigonelline), acids (caffeic, salicylic, succinic), amino acids, nutrients (ascorbic acid, folic acid), cyanogenetic compounds, sugars, coumarins, furanocoumarins, bitter (achillein), stigma/sito/erythrosterin, alkamides … Continue reading
The 2nd Edition of my herbal reference is here!
The Naturopathic Herbalist 