The Naturopathic Herbalist
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Salix sp.
Salix sp. Common name: Willow Family: Salicaceae Parts used: Bark (dried from 2-3 year old branches) Constituents: Phenolic glycosides – Salicylates (salicin, salicortin, tremulacin, populin, fragilin, salireposide, trirandrin, vimalin), Aromatic aldehydes and acids (salidroside, vanillin, syringa-aldehyde, syringin, salicylic, vanillic, syringic). Flavonoids (isoquercitrin, naringin), Tannins (8%-20%), catechins, coumaric acid Medicinal actions: Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, febrifuge, bitter, astringent, antiseptic, anti-rheumatic Medicinal use: Salix sp. … Continue reading
Valeriana officinalis
Valeriana officinalis Common name: Valerian Family: Valerianaceae Parts used: Root Constituents: Volatile oil (camp hene, borneol), sesquiterpene alkaloids (valerenic acid), Iridoid esters (valepotriates), alkaloids (actinidine, valerine, valerianine, chatinine) Medicinal actions: Nervous system relaxant, hypnotic, hypotensive, anxiolytic, analgesic, antibiotic, expectorant, bitter, carminative, sedative (paradoxical stimulant), antispasmodic, … Continue reading
Curcuma longa
Curcuma longa Common name: Turmeric Family: Zingiberaceae Parts used: Rhizome Constituents: Volatile oil (zingiberene, tumerone), Curcuminoids (Curcumin), bitter principle, resins, CHO, proteins, nutrients, flavonoids Medicinal actions: Anti-inflam matory, antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-microbial, antibiotic, astringent, circulatory stimulant, choleretic, anthelmintic, hypolipidemic, anti-platelet aggregating, carminative, alterative, liver … Continue reading
Hypericum perforatum
Common name: St. John’s wort Family: Hypericaceae Parts used: Flowering tops Constituents: Volatile oils (pinene & cineole) Flavonoids & proanthocyanidins (hyperoside, hyperiforin, quercetin, rutin) Naphthodianthrones (hypericin, pseudohypericin, isohypericin, protohypericin) Carotenoids Phloroglucins (hyperforin) Tannins Medicinal actions: Anti-depressant Anti-inflammatory Antimicrobial Astringent Nervine tonic Vulnerary Medicinal uses: Most useful in mild to moderate depression, seasonal affective disorder, anxiety and various somatoform disorders (neuralgia … Continue reading
Ulmus fulva
Ulmus fulva Common name: Slippery elm Family: Ulmaceae Parts used: Inner bark Constituents: Mucilage Medicinal actions: Demulcent, emollient, expectorant, diuretic, astringent, anti-inflammatory, nutritive. Medicinal use: Ulmus is useful in gastritis, PUD, enteritis, colitis, diarrhea. Through reflex action, it is … Continue reading
Scutellaria laterifolia
Scutellaria laterifolia Common name: Skullcap Family: Lamiaceae Parts used: Aerial Constituents: Flavonoid glycosides (apigenin, scutellarin, scutellarien, luteolin), Iridoids (catalpol), volatile oil (limonene, terpineol, humulene), waxes, tannins, minerals, lignin, resin Medicinal actions: Sedative, nervous system relaxant & tonic, antispasmodic, anticonvulsant, hypotensive, mild bitter Medicinal use: Scutellaria can be used long-term for nervous tension with an underlying condition of nervous exhaustion. It … Continue reading
Cassia angustifolia
Cassia angustifolia (Senna alexandria) Common name: Senna Family: Leguminosae Parts used: Leaves, pod Constituents: Anthraquinone glycosides (sennosides and their aglycones), naphthalene glycosides, misc. mucilage, flavonoids, volatile oil, sugars, resins. Medicinal actions: Stimulant laxative, cathartic (direct stimulation of a bowel movement) Medicinal use: The anthraquinones are absorbed into the blood, re-secreted into the colon as active anthraquinones … Continue reading
Schisandra chinensis
Schisandra chinensis Common name: Schisandra, Wu Wei Zi Family: Schisandraceae Part used: Fruit (berries) Constituents: Lignans (schizadrin, gomisin, deoxyschizandrin and pregomisin), phytosterols (beta-sitosterols, stigmasterol), volatile oils, nutrients (Vit C, E) Medicinal actions: General tonic/stimulant/restorative, nervous system tonic, mild anti-depressant, anti-stress, adaptogen, adrenal tonic, regulator of blood … Continue reading
Rosmarinus officinalis
Rosmarinus officinalis Common name: Rosemary Family: Lamiaceae Parts used: Aerial Constituents: Terpenoids (carnasol, carnosic acid, oleanolic & ursolic acid) & Volatile oils (borneol, camphene, camphor, cineole, pinene, limonene & linalool) Flavonoids (apigenin, diosmin) & Caffeic acid derivatives (e.g. rosmarinic acid) Resin Tannins Medicinal actions: Anti-inflammatory Antimicrobial Antioxidant Astringent Cardiotonic Carminative & Antispasmodic Cerebral circulatory stimulant Diuretic Nervine … Continue reading
Trifolium pratense
Trifolium pratense Common name: Red clover Family: Leguminosae Parts used: Flowers Constituents: Isoflavones, flavonoids, phenolic glycosides, coumarins, cyanogenic glycosides, minerals Medicinal actions: Alterative, antispasmodic, expectorant, sedative, phytoestrogenic, nutritive Medicinal use: Trifolium is useful for any chronic condition of toxicity, enhances the detoxification functions of the liver.The alterative properties of … Continue reading
The 2nd Edition of my herbal reference is here!
The Naturopathic Herbalist 