Image by J Cuhina-Brant
The herbs below will be entered randomly depending on what I see around me what I learn and how much time I have. They'll be entered in alphabetical order by binomial name. Apologies in advance for the terrible sketches.
This is information that I have, and am continuing to collate from my own studies form various resources. It is intended as a spring board for your further research and is in no way intended to be enough for you to self prescribe. There will no doubt be information that I have not yet added or possibly not yet found.
As with all things in life - Do your research! For these purposes I have included a bibliography of books that I value in my studies and have referenced sections to help point you in the right direction .
Achillea millefolium - Yarrow
Family - Asteraceae
Common names
- Wound wort
- Knights Milfoil
- Devils Nettle
- Devils plaything
- Bad mans plaything
- Yarroway
Parts uses
- Flos, Fol, Rad - collected while in flower
Associated with
- Venus
- Water
- The Phlegmatic Humour
- Joints, Skin, Blood, Stomach, Womb, Ovaries, Urinary tract.
S.Taylor
“An ointment of this cures wound and is most fit for such as have inflammations…..it stops the terms in women, being boiled in white wine and the decoction drank”
Culpepper
Constituents
- Essential oils ( Esp Flos)
- Flavonoids
- Sesquiterpenes (can possibly cause allergies from internal or external use)
- Alchilleine
Actions
- Diaphoretic
- Hypotensive
- Astringent
- Anti-Inflammatory
- Antispasmodic
- Diuretic
- Antimicrobial
- Bitter
- Hepatic
D, Hoffmann
- Bitter
- Lowers fever
- Peripheral vasodilator
Uses
- To lower elevated diastolic blood pressure
- Improve circulatory function
- Diaphoretic
- Spasmolytic
Bone & Mills
- Stimulating Digestion
- Tones blood vessels
- UTI antiseptic - Cystitis
- Hypertension
- Wound Healing
- Respiratory catarrh
- Chronic diarrhea
- Intestinal hemorrhage
D, Hoffmann
"For colds and flu in tea as a decoction for bleeding piles and kidney disorders"
Mrs M Greave
Actaea racemosa - Black Cohosh
Image sketch by J Cuhina-Brant
Family - Ranunculaceae
Parts used - Rad
Other names
- Cimicifuga racemosa
- Black snakeroot - (due to its traditional use for treating snake bites.)
Constituents
- Triterpene glycosides (saponins)
- Alkaloyds
- Isoflavones
- Essential oil
- Salicylates
- Resins
- Flavonoids
Contrary to common assumptions there are no phyto-oestrogens in this plant. Another common misconception is that it can have a negative impact on breast cancer - more information is coming to light to show this to be inaccurate.
Actions
- Emmenagogue
- Antispasmodic
- Anti-inflammatory
- Anti-rheumatic
- Alterative
- Nervine
- Hypotensive
- Hormone modulator
Uses
- Most commonly used for Menopausal symptoms
- To promote fertility Rheumatic and Arthritic conditions
- Menstrual disorders & PMS
- Respiratory tract disorders, Coughs and Asthma
- Tinnitus
- Fibroids
Cautions
High doses may result in headaches, Nausea and vomiting, Vertigo, Hypotension
Aesculus hippocastunum - Horse chestnut
Family - Sapindaceae
Parts Used - Sem
Constituents
- Triterpene saponin glycosides - Aescin/ Escin
- Flavonoids
- Condensed tannins
- Fatty acids
- Coumarin derivatives
Actions
- Vasoprotective / Venotonic
- Astringent
- Anti-oedematous
- Anti-inflammatory
- Ant-ecchymotic (heals bruises)
Uses
- Increases elasticity and tone of veins.
- Phlebitis
- Vein Inflammation
- Varicosities
- Hemorrhoids
- Leg ulcers D. Hoffmann
“The fruits have been employed on the treatment of rheumatism and neuralgia and also rectal complaints and for hemorrhoids.”
Mrs M. Grieve
Cautions
- May interact with anticoagulant medication.
- Not to be used in Pregnancy.
- Not to use on broken skin
- High doses internally may irritate GTI (due to saponin content).
Agathosma betulina - Buchu
Image sketch by J Cuhina-Brant
Family - Rutaceae
Parts used -
Common Names
Constituents
- Flavonoids
- Mucilare
- Resin
- Essential Oils
- Diosphenol (creates the distinctive smell)
- Terpinen-4-d - increases glomerular filtration rate
- Pulegone - levels coils be toxic
Actions
- Urinary Antiseptic
- Diuretic
Uses
- Urinary tract infections
- Prostatitis
- Dysuria
- Cystitis
- Urithritis
Cautions
- Avoid in Kidney infection
- Avoid in pregnancy
Alchamilla vulgaris - Ladys Mantle
Family - Rosacea
Parts used - Fol & Flos
Common Names
- Lions Foot
- Bears Foot
- Nine Hooks
Constituents
- Tannins
- Glycosides of ellagic acid
- Salicylic acid
- Proanthocyanidins
- Flavonoids
- Quercetin
- Luteolin
- Hyperoside
- Rutin
- Apigenin
Actions
- Astringent
- Diuretic
- Anti-inflammatory
- Emmenagogue
- Vulnerary
- Anti-Haemorrhagic
- Anti-Bactreial
- Uterine Tonic
- Hormone Balancer
Uses
- Diarrhoea & Disentry
- PMS
- Menstural Pain
- Excessive Bleeding
- Fibroids
- Hot Sweats
- Wounds & Bruises
"Very proper for inflamed wounds and to stay bleeding, vomiting, fluxes of all sorts, bruises by falls and ruplines"
M Grieves
Arctium Lappa - Burdock
Image from Pixabay
Image by Jenna Cuhina-Brant
Family - Asteraceae
Common Names
- Fox clote
- Herrif
S. Taylor
- Beggars Balloon's
- Gobo
H. Kress
Parts used - Rad & Fol
Correspondences
Element - Water
Planet - Venus
Humor - Phlegmatic
Organs - Liver, Skin, Kidney, Lungs, Womb
Constituents
- Polysaccharides - Inulin
- Volatile Oils
- Phenolic Acid - Caffeic Acid
- Chlorogenic Acid
- Flavonoids
Luteolin
Quercetin
Rutin
- Lignans
Arctin
Arctigenin
More commonly in Roots:-
- Vitamins A, B, C & D
- Minerals
S. Taylor
Actions
Tonic
Cleansing
Cooling Diuretic
Diaphoretic
Antibacterial
Antioxidant
Drawing and Healing
Uses
- Root -
- Enhances fat digestion.
- Strengthens blood purifying organs (liver and kidneys).
- Long standing skin Problems (psoriasis, atopic eczema and acne).
- Gout and joint pain
- Rectal prolaps
- Lowers blood pressure
- PMT
- External rub for baldness
H. Kress
- Leaf
- Stimulates appetite and digestion.
- Strong diuretic.
- Externally for skin (eczema, sun burn, cold sores, blisters, bed sores).
- Tea for cracked dry skin
- Dandruff
- External application for joints
H. Kress
Cautions
Glechoma hederacea - Ground Ivy
Family - Lamiaceae
Common Name
- Ale Hoof
- Cats Foot
- Haymaids
- Field Balm
- Runaway Robin
- Creeping Charley
- Gill over the ground
Parts used
- Fol & Flos
Correspondences
- Warming and Drying
Constituents
- Essential Oils
- Saponins
- Tsannins
- Bitter substances
- Sesquiterpines
H. Kress
Actions
- Expectorant
- Astringent
- Diuretic
- Anti-Inflammatory
- Mucus Membrane Torphorestorative (Mild)
Uses
- Sinus related issues
- Catarrh
- Chesty coughs
- Tinnitus
- Sinusitis
- Glue ear
- Eye wash
- Drying for stomach and Colon
- Dyspepsia
- Gastritis
- Diarrhoea
- IBS
- Piles
- Cystisus
J. Burton-Seal & M. Seal
Cautions
Bibliography
The Humoral Herbal - A practical guide to the Western Energetic system of health, lifestyle and herbs. - Stephen Taylor
Practical Herbs, Parts one and two - Henriette Kress
Wayside Medicine - Forgotten Plants and how to use them - Julie Burton-Seal & Matthew Seal
Hedgerow Medicine - Harvest and Make Your Own Herbal Remedies - Julie Burton-Seal and Matthew Seal