Medicinal Plants Wk 1 Flashcards
Arnica Montana
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•Arnica, Leopard’s Bane, Mountain tobacco
•Plant family – Asteraceae
•Parts used are the dried flowers.
•Actions – anti inflammatory and anti ecchymotic, analgesic.
•Topical use only for bruises, bumps, strains and sprains on unbroken skin only. This is because arnica will break down skin cells when applied to damaged skin.
•Constituents – Sesquiterpene Lactones, Flavonoids, Volatile Oils. Non toxic PAs.
•Dosage – apply topically as dilute tincture or infused oil or balm. Internal use as homeopathic preparation only.
- endangered - use Elder bark leaves and bark for bruises, this is an emetic
Symphytum officinale
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•Comfrey, Knitbone
•Plant family – Boraginaceae
•Parts used are root externally, leaf internally in small amounts.
•Actions – demulcent, astringent, vulnerary and anti inflammatory.
•Great all purpose healer BUT only on shallow, clean wounds – the presence of allantoin means cell proliferation can occur on deeper wounds, meaning it will scab over and leave unhealed tissue and possibly dirt underneath, causing an abscess. For broken bones, make sure the bone is fully set and starting to heal before you apply comfrey – same reason as above, cell proliferation can cause boney nodules. Internally for peptic ulceration, irritated GIT etc, colitis.
•Constituents include Pyrollizidine alkaloids, allantoin, tannins and mucilage.
•Contraindications – Pyrollizidine alkaloids can cause liver failure. Short term use of the leaf internally only.
Other vulneraries of note include:
Geranium robertianum (Herb Robert)
Plantago lanceolata and major
(Plantain)
Achillea millefolium
(Yarrow)
Calendula officinalis
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•Calendula, Pot Marigold
•Plant family – Asteraceae
•Parts used – whole flower head
•Actions – anti inflammatory, antiseptic, immunomodulant, detoxifying, antimicrobial and wound healing.
•Topically for pretty much any kind of wound, cut, scrape, graze etc. Bruises with open cuts on top. Post surgery once the wound has healed over. Keloid scarring. Varicose veins.
•Internally as a useful lymphatic in cases of acne, eczema, psoriasis etc. Any case where the lymph is moving slowly with associated issues such as rheumatism. Lymphoedema and mastitis.
•Constituents – saponins, volatile oils, flavonoids, carotenoids.
•Dose – topically as calendula 90% as needed. Internally. Teas most gentle - 1 tsp 3/4 times a day
For people who run cold.
Keloid scars, limp, slow limp, rhumatism, arthritis, helps expel phlegm,
Commiphora molmol
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Commiphora molmol
•Myrrh
•Plant Family – Burseraceae
•Parts used – resin
•Actions – antiseptic, astringent, vulnerary, anti inflammatory.
-Potent anti infective herb. Topically for wounds, acne, boils, as a mouthwash or gargle, ulcers, skin infections, oral and vaginal thrush. Also for loose teeth and receding gums, mouth ulcers and abscesses.
•Contains volatile oils, gums and resins.
•Dose – not really used internally. Topically dilute the tincture slightly and use as needed. Not pleasant tasting but very effective.
- Endangered
Last resort for drying up bleeding gums and loose teeth as a mouthwash, water down for thrush.
Last port of call internally for a Wallop effect.
Echinacea angustifolia, e. pallida, e. purpurea
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•Echinacea, Coneflower.
•Plant Family – Asteraceae
•Parts used – root and aerial parts.
•Actions – strongly immunostimulant, antimicrobial, alterative, vulnerary, anti inflammatory.
-Used to treat bacterial, viral and protozoal infections of the GIT, RS and UT, especially in patients with reduced immunity. Internally and externally for slow healing wounds, boils, abscesses and suchlike. Excellent for immune weakness with regards to allergies and auto immune diseases. Lymphatic statis with depression of tissues.
•Constituents include alkylamides which cause the tongue tingle, volatile oils, polysaccharides, non toxic PAs.
Also - needs lots of sun to grow, not Alis go to… for colds Ali always goes to Elderberry, for phlegm build up - nettle.
And Baptisia tincture, wild indigo - tastes like air and fire
Baptisia tinctoria
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•Wild Indigo
•Plant Family – Fabaceae
•Parts used – the root.
•Actions – anti microbial and immunomodulating.
•Use for infections of the upper respiratory tract including laryngitis, bronchitis, pharyngitis and tonsilitis. Powerful immune stimulant. Can also use as a gargle for mouth ulcers, cuts and infections, gingivitis. Useful for swollen and congested lymph nodes.
•Constituents – alkaloids, flavonoids, coumarin,
•Contraindications – pregnancy and breastfeeding. Large doses are emetic.
•Dose – up to 10mls three times a day in acute infection but start low as it may cause stomach issues. Up to 40mls in a week’s medicine is usually plenty.
Allium sativum
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•Garlic
•Plant family – Amaryllidaceae
•Parts used – the bulb.
•Actions – antibiotic. Also plenty of actions on the cardiovascular system.
•Use for infections, parasites and infestations through the body – so pretty much any infection really. Common cold – expectorant action. Anti inflammatory so may improve hayfever and other inflamed ailments.
•Constituents – volatile oils including alliin.
•Contraindications – inflammation of the GIT.
•Dose – plenty in food. No particular dosage of note – you can give as a tincture but its easier to just take it in food.
For the start of a chesty illness, raw garlic with butter(fat), it gets straight into the lungs.
Not for people who run hot and dry…
Stellaria media
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•Chickweed
•Plant Family – Caryophyllaceae
•Parts Used – aerial parts (leaves, stems, flowers)
•Actions – vulnerary and emollient, lymphatic and vasotonic alterative. Use internally and externally for a wide range of skin issues including eczema, psoriasis, acne, boils, stings, minor burns etc. May also be of benefit in relieving sore throats.
•Constituents – saponins, flavonoids, triterpenoids.
•Contraindications – none known.
•Dose – as a tea, one heaped teaspoon to a cup of water three times a day. As a tincture, maximum single dose of 10mls, or up to 40mls in a tincture per week. Eat the fresh leaves and stems as a vegetable. As with all lymphatics, beware healing crisis.
Sambucus nigra
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•Elder. Poor Man’s Medicine Chest.
•Plant family – Adoxaceae
•Parts used – leaves and bark externally, flowers and fruit internally.
•Actions – anti inflammatory and antibacterial, antiviral, alterative, vulnerary. Use the leaves and bark to relieve bruises, bumps, cuts, grazes etc. Flowers as a relaxing diaphoretic and topically to relieve itchy skin conditions. Fruit internally to relieve respiratory conditions such as coughs, colds and influenza and to strengthen the immune system. Many inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract including laryngitis and bronchitis.
•Constituents – flavonoids, phenols and volatile oils. Tannins.
•Contraindications – do not use the leaves and bark internally as they are emetic. The berries eaten raw (especially the green ones) can be emetic. Cooked, large doses are considered safe by most people. Some controversy concerning possible cytokine storm when using elderberries to treat covid 19.
•Dose – 10mls per single dose of the flower tincture. Up to 40mls per week in a medicine mix but less is usually more appropriate. Berries as a syrup, elixir, honegar or wine as required (!)
Galium aparine
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•Cleavers, Goosegrass, Sticky Weed (among others.)
•Plant Family - Rubiaceae
•Parts Used – aerial parts gathered in spring or early autumn.
•Actions – lymphatic, vasotonic alterative, demulcent, antirheumatic. Use cleavers inside and out to relieve acne and other skin disorders, help the lymph system remove by products of inflammation from around lymph nodes and joints, ease lymphadenopathy and infectious mononucleosis. Topically excellent for psoriasis and eczema as a succus or wash.
•Constituents – coumarins, iridoid glycosides, flavonoids, tannins and silica.
•Contraindications – none known at present, but do beware of the possibility of a healing crisis.
•Dose – best used as a juice or fresh plant tea if you can. Otherwise 10mls maximum single dose of tincture, or up to 40mls per week.
Urtica dioica
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•Nettle
•Plant family – Urticaceae
•Parts used – root, seeds, leaves
•Actions – vasotonic alterative, anti inflammatory, depurative, antiseptic, antibacterial, nutritive. Nettle leaves used internally are an all round tonic, useful for a wide range of issues including allergic rhinitis and hayfever, allergies, asthma, rheumatism, gout, sciatica, and osteoporosis. Topically they can be used as part of a preparation for slow healing wounds and ulcers. They can also be applied raw to rheumatic joints to support and encourage healthy blood flow (if you are feeling brave!) The seeds support healthy energy levels and can also be used to support kidney health. The root is generally used for BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia.)
•Constituents – indole alkaloids including histamine, sterols, lectins, tannins and potassium.
•Contraindications – none known.
•Dose – as a tea, as much as you like. Nettle soup or in food in general as often as you like. Tincture – 10mls maximum single dose, or up to 50mls in a week’s prescription. Combines well with Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) for hayfever and allergies.
Hey fever and allergies, malnourishment
back bone for so much! Tastier with lemon, improves skin condition, brings blood to the surface, takes down inflammation, kidney issues.
For enlarged prostate (if no cancer present) - use the root.
Seeds over stimulating - British adaptogen
