Herb Uses Flashcards
Yarrow
Antispasmodic (cramps)
Astringent (oily skin)
Bitter tonic (stimulate digestion and salivation)
Increases sweating
Lowers blood pressure
Reduces fever
Mild diuretic and urinary antiseptic
Stops internal bleeding
Promotes menstruation
Anti-inflammatory
Self Help: Cleaning wounds, colds and flu, fever, digestive infections, varicose veins.
Sweet Flag
Carminative (gas relief)
Relieves muscle spasm
Antioxidant (prevent cell damage)
Anti-inflammatory
Tonic
Take only under professional supervision and no more than 1 month
Horse Chestnut
Venous tonic (varicose veins)
Astringent (oily skin)
Anti-inflammatory
Antioxidant (prevent cell damage)
Reduces fluid retention
Take only under professional supervision, toxic at high dosages
Garlic
Antibiotic
Expectorant (loosens mucous)
Increases sweating
Lowers blood pressure
Reduces blood clotting
Anti-diabetic
Expels worms
Self Help: Acne, Athlete’s foot, Cold and flu, cold sores, coughs and bronchitis, digestive infections, earache, fungal infections, high blood pressure, old age tonic, tonsillitis, urinary infections
Aloe Vera
Heals wounds
Emollient
Stimulates secretions of bile
Laxative - yellow sap from the base of leaves
Self Help: Minor burns and sunburn, stretch marks, warts, weeping skin, wounds
Galangal
Warming digestive tonic
Carminative (Gas relief)
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-emetic (prevents nausea)
Antibacterial
Antifungal
Antitumor
A member of the ginger family good for motion sickness
Visnaga
Antispasmodic
Antiasthmatic
Relaxant
Take only under professional supervision but used mainly for kidney stones
Dong Quai
Tonic
Anti-inflammatory
Antispasmodic
Thins blood
Promotes menstrual flow
Mainly used to aid in conception and menstrual problems
Celery
Antirheumatic (arthritic problems)
Carminative (gas relief)
Antispasmodic
Diuretic
Lowers blood pressure
Urinary antiseptic
Anti-inflammatory
Do not take the essential oil internally except under professional supervision.
Burdock
Detoxifying
Mild diuretic
Antibiotic
Antiseptic
Anti-inflammatory
Self Help: acne and skin rashes
Rarely used on its own, usually mixed with something to help to remove accumulated waste products drawn out of tissues by burdock’s detoxifying action.
Wormwood
Aromatic bitter
Stimulates secretion of bile
Anti-inflammatory
Eases stomach pain
Mild antidepressant
Antimicrobial
Antiparasitic
Self Help: Anemia and high fever
Take only under professional supervision and in small doses
Sweet Annie
Bitter
Reduces fever
Antimalarial
Antiparasitic
Anti-cancer
Mostly only used for Malaria, may cause nausea
Astragalus
Adaptogenic (alleviate anxiety)
Immune stimulant
Diuretic
Vasodilator
Antiviral
Helps cancer patients recover faster and helps the body resist the cold
Deadly Nightshade
Smooth muscle antispasmodic
Narcotic
Reduces sweating
Sedative
Take only if prescribed as it can be fatal if taken at the wrong dosage
Neem
Anti-inflammatory
Lowers fever
Antimicrobial
Promotes would healing
Antiparasitic
Antimalarial
Neem oil helps to stabilize blood sugar levels, can act as an insecticide, and is known as a natural pharmacy for its many uses.
Buchu
Urinary antiseptic
Diuretic
Stimulant
Uterine stimulant
Self Help: Urinary infections
Potentially toxic at excessive dosage
Bupleurum
Protects liver
Anti-inflammatory
Tonic
Induces sweating
Calendula
Anti-inflammatory
Relieves muscle spasms
Astringent
Prevents hemorrhaging
Heals wounds
Antimicrobial
Detoxifying
Mildly estrogenic
Self Help: Acne and boils, Athletes foot, Bites and stings, Breast tenderness and sore nipples, Digestive infections, Inflamed skin rashes, Diaper rash, Hives, Varicose veins, Wounds and bruises
One of the most well known and versatile herbs in Western herbal medicine.
Cayenne
Stimulant
Tonic
Carminative
Relieves muscle spasms
Antiseptic
Increases sweating
Increases blood flow to the skin
Analgesic
Self Help: High fever, poor circulation
Frequently used to treat dysentery
Senna
Stimulant
Laxative
Cathartic
Self Help: Constipation
Do not give to children under 12 and do not take for more than 10 days at a time
Gotu Kola
Wound healer
Tonic
Anti-inflammatory
Sedative
Peripheral vasodilator
Self Help: Eczema, and maintaining vitality
Can help relieve anxiety and improve brain function
German Chamomile
Anti-inflammatory
Antiallergenic
Antispasmodic
Relaxant
Carminative
Self Help: Bites and stings, Congestion and hay fever, Colic, Eczema, Indigestion, Insomnia, Mild asthma, Morning sickness, Sore and tired eyes, Sore nipples, Stomach spasm
Can cause dermatitis, do not take the essential oil internally except under professional supervision.
