Lymphatic Herbs Flashcards
Bayberry
Myrica cerifera
USE - bark, sometimes leaves
SOLVENT - boiling water
THERAPEUTIC ACTION - Astringent, Alterative, stimulant, tonic, slight
diuretic
USES - major effect is on the mucous accumulation in the alimentary and
respiratory tracts
- good for broncho-pulmonic diseases, sore
throat, scarlet fever and chronic catarrhal diarrhea
- for hemorrhage,
especially of the uterus
- inhibits bacteria
- one of the constituents (myricitin), has been shown to
have anti-microbial activity.
- mild corticoid (treat rheumatologic diseases like RA & lupus)
- emetic (causes vomiting) in large doses
White Oak (Quercus alba)
USE - bark and acorns.
SOLVENT - Alcohol, Water.
THERAPEUTIC ACTION - Strongly Astringent, Hemostatic, tonic, slowly antiseptic, anthelmintic.
USES
- mix with milk - reduces the
deleterious effects of “poisonous” medicines, especially if ulceration
of the bladder and bloody urine occurs
- for both external and
internal hemorrhage.
- excellent cleansing effect on
inflamed surfaces of the skin or mucous membranes.
- The bark is often used for chronic diarrhea, chronic mucous discharges and
passive hemorrhage.
- An infusion of white oak bark is well-known as a goiter remedy.
- A decoction of it is often used to treat leucorrhea and
applied to the vaginal or uterine area, alleviating uterine prolapsus or tipped uterus. - expels pinworms
- assists in cleansing the entire gastrointestinal tract.
- used to treat hemorrhoids, both as an ointment and as an anal injection.
- used internally and externally for varicose veins.
- Tannins have been shown to be antiviral and antimicrobial.
- weeping eczema, inflammatory eye conditions, inflamed hemorrhoids, gum
inflammation, sore throats and as an intestinal tonic against
diarrhea.
Raspberry (Rubus ideaus or R. strigosus)
USE - Leaves
SOLVENT - Water, Alcohol
THERAPEUTIC ACTION - Astringent, Antiemetic, Parturient, Emmenagogue,
stimulant, tonic, stomachic
USES - raspberry leaves are a
benefits during pregnancy. - 1 cup raspberry leaf tea daily - helps make for easier
pregnancy, delivery and recovery. Most of all, it helps prevent tearing of the vaginal orifice during parturition.
- excellent for helping to cleanse excess mucus from the body - flu or minor kidney congestion - 1 tsp of raspberry leaves and 1 tsp of parsley leaves in 1 cup boiling water
- to clean cankerous conditions of the mucous membranes throughout the body.
- iron citrate content, raspberry leaves are a great blood builder. - long-established remedy for dysentery and diarrhea,
especially in infants - A gentle eyewash,
Cranesbill Geranium (Geranium maculatum
USE - root-stock and
sometimes the leaves.
SOLVENT - Water, alcohol
THERAPEUTIC ACTION - : Astringent, Tonic, Diuretic, styptic.
USES - powerful astringent.
- Cranesbill astringent action is less than white oak bark but stronger than witch hazel.
- regular infusion or infused
with milk, it is used to treat dysentery, diarrhea and cholera. - beneficial for canker sores, light hemorrhage, hemorrhoids, an atonic vagina and indolent ulcers.
- has a specific ability to draw mercury out of the body, so it
is often given if mercury toxicity is suspected (commonly the case with “silver amalgams”). - For diabetes and Bright’s Disease, a decoction of
equal parts of unicorn root (Aletris farinosa) and cranesbill has been reported to be effective in slowing down disease progression. - basic first-aid remedy to stop bleeding from cuts - powder
aids in blood coagulation. - external astringent for the removal of wrinkles and to close
large pores. - It has been used for centuries to firm up sore and tender
nipples. Only the nipple should be massaged with the decoction. If the whole breast is massaged with this herb, it might dry up the milk
supply. - The First Nations peoples used this plant for birth control. A woman would soak in a pit of cranesbill, wood ash and water for half an hour within the first month after delivery. This would reportedly prevent childbirth for a year.
- Drinking cranesbill tea on a regular basis was said
to prevent pregnancy - Its diaphoretic action
was often used to stimulate sweats in the First Nation prairie sweat lodges.
Bistort (Polygonum bistorta)
USE - root and leaves.
SOLVENT - Water, Alcohol
THERAPEUTIC ACTION - Astringent, Diuretic, Styptic, alterative, anthelmintic
USES - he powdered root is used to stop bleeding and minor hemorarhages.
- A decoction is used as a remedy for diarrhea, dysentery and as a mouthwash for gum problems.
- It is said to firm up the tissue of the kidney.
- Bistort, being an alterative, cleanses the entire body but
primarily purges the alimentary canal.
- often combined with raspberry leaves and used as a wash for measles, smallpox, pimples, insect stings and fungal rashes
White Pond Lily (Nymphaea odorata)
USE - root
SOLVENT - Water
THERAPEUTIC ACTION - Astringent, Demulcent, alterative.
USES - most famous
for two popular uses.
1 - The first is its
application as a soothing skin
astringent, providing a more
youthful appearance. - Use a decoction of the root as a facial wash.
2 - vaginal douche.
- It is sometimes used in bolus form to tone up the uterus and remedy vaginal infections.
It is also used internally, like all
astringents, for cankers, hemorrhoids and ulceration.
