The Naturopathic Herbalist
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Thymus vulgaris
Thymus vulgaris Common name: Thyme Family: Lamiaceae Part used: Aerial Constituents: Volatile oil up to 3% inc. terpines such as thymol, carvacrol, borneol, and cineol; Tannins; Bitters; Resin; Flavonoids; Gums. Medicinal Actions: Anti-septic, anti-helmintic, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, astringent, expectorant, secretolitic (decreases over-secretions), spasmolytic. Medicinal use: The uses for thyme fall into the main categories of pulmonary, urinary, … Continue reading
Melilotus officinalis
Melilotus officinalis Common name: Sweet clover Family: Fabaceae Part used: Aerial Constituents: Coumarin (0.2-0.45 %) and its precursor melilotiside, substituted coumarins (umbelliferone, scopoletin); flavones, caffeic acid derivatives. Medical actions: Lymphatic, antiedematous, antiinflammatory, possibly antitumor and immune enhancing Medical uses: Lympedema, venous insufficiency, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, episiotomy, post traumatic inflammation, filaritic lymphedema and elephantiasis, cancer (malignant melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, prostatic carcinoma) … Continue reading
Rauwolfia serpentina
Rauwolfia serpentina Common name: Indian Snakeroot Family: Apocynaceae Part used: Root Constituents: Indole Alkaloids (mainly reserpine) Actions: Hypotensive Medical uses: Behavioural and Psychological Conditions: Has been used in the symptomatic treatment of agitated psychotic states such as schizophrenic disorders. Although other … Continue reading
Capsella bursa-pastoris
Capsella bursa-pastoris Common name: Shepherd’s Purse Family: Cruciferae Parts Used: Aerial parts Constituents: Flavonoids, polypeptides, fumaric and bursic acids, choline, acetylcholine, histamine, quercitin, tyramine bases. Medicinal actions: Astringent, styptic, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, urinary antiseptic, antipyretic, uterine stimulant. Medicinal use: Capsella is most indicated in mild cases of uterine … Continue reading
Smilax officinalis
Smilax officinalis Common name: Sarsaparilla Family: Liliaceae Parts used: Root Constituents: Steroidal & glycoside saponins (smilagenin, sarsasapogenin, sarsaparilloside, sarsaponin), flavonoids (quercitin), phytosterols, starch, resin, testosterone & cortin hormones (controversial), B-sitosterol, stigmasterol glycosides, oxalic acid, fatty acids Medicinal actions: General tonic, pituitary stimulant, metabolic stimulant, immuno-stimulant, antiseptic, antibiotic, Alterative, anti-inflammatory, anti-pruritic, anti-rheumatic, diaphoretic, alterative, aphrodisiac, testosteronic, progesteronic, diuretic, vulnerary Medicinal use: It … Continue reading
Rhodiola rosea
Rhodiola rosea Common name: Rhodiola, Golden root Family: Crassulaceae Parts used: Root Constituents: Phenylpropanoids (rosavin, rosin, rosarin), phenylethanol derivatives (salidroside, rhodioloside), flavonoids, mono & triterpenes, phenolic acid Medicinal actions: Adaptogen, tonic, stimulant, mental enhancer, anti-stress, antioxidant, immuno-stimulant, cardioprotective Medicinal … Continue reading
Populus
Populus sp. Common name: Poplar Family: Salicaceae Parts used: Bark Constituents: Phenolic glycosides (salicin and populin), Tannins. Medicinal actions: Anti-inflammatory, anodyne, astringent, diuretic, stimulant Medicinal use: Populus spp. are used for their antiinflammatory and diuretic actions.The bark will lessen the inflammation and associated pain of cystitis … Continue reading
Phytolacca decandra/americana
Phytolacca decandra/americana Common name: Pokeweed, poke root Family: Phytolaccaeae Parts used: Root Constituents: Alkaloids (phytolaccin, phytolaccanin), Sapogenin (phytolaccagenin), phytolaccosides, lectins (polysaccharides), phytolaccic acid, resin, tannin, mucilage proteins, histamine, GABA. Medicinal actions: Relaxant alterative, anti-rheumatic, mild anodyne, emetic, purgative, fungicide, anti-parasitic, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, lymphatic, mild analgesic, immuno-stimulant, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, … Continue reading
Quercus alba
Quercus alba Common name: White oak Family: Fagaceae Part used: Bark Constituents: Tannins (up to 15-20% consisting of phlobatannin, ellagitannins, and gallic acid) Medicinal actions: Astringent, hemostatic, antiseptic Medicinal use: Quercus is used in the treatment of pharyngitis as a gargle, in the treatment of diarrhea as tea or tincture, and in the treatment of hemorrhoids as … Continue reading
Commiphora molmol
Commiphora molmol Common name: Myrrh Family: Burceraceae Parts used: Oleo-gum resin Constituents: Volatile oil (heerabolene, cadinene, elemol, eugenol, cuminaldehyde, numerous furanosesquiterpenes), resins (commiphoric acids, commiphorinic acids, heeraboresene, heerabolmyrrhols, commiferin), gums, sterols, tannins Medicinal actions: Mucosal stimulant, expectorant, antiseptic, astringent, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, carminative, … Continue reading
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