Herbal Actions and Uses
| Herb | Action | Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Astragalus Astragalus membranaceus |
Immune stimulant, adaptogen tonic, increases vitality, cardio tonic, hypotensive, diuretic | Debility, sweating – caused by debility, low immunity, chronic viral and bacterial infection esp. if debilitating (e.g. CFS), chronic autoimmune disease, high blood pressure, organ prolapse |
| Barberry Berberis vulgaris |
Stimulating bitter, digestive tonic, liver stimulant, spleen tonic, cholagogue/ choleretic, purgative, anti microbial | Debility, poor digestion, history of unresolved infection, dietary/alcohol abuse, excessive exposure to drugs/ toxins/chemicals, splenic enlargement, malaria, biliary, GIT infections, gall bladder problems |
| Burdock Arctium lappa |
Alterative, bitter digestive tonic, cholagogue/choleretic aperient, diuretic, anti rheumatic | Chronic skin conditions – eczema, psoriasis, dandruff when dry and scaly, acne, boils; chronic inflammatory conditions – arthritis, gout, cystitis, digestive disturbance |
| Centella/Gotu cola Centella asiatica |
Adaptogen, restorative, rejuvenative, gentle adrenal stimulant and tonic, relaxant, bitter digestive stimulant, alterative, anti rheumatic, anti arthritic, dermatic, revitalises brain and nervous tissue, improves concentration |
Debility, mental fatigue, digestive disturbance, neurological and mental disturbance, insomnia, anxiety, epilepsy, senility, rheumatic and inflammatory diseases, chronic skin diseases, eczema, psoriasis, leprosy, syphilis |
| Damiana Turnera diffusa |
Nerve tonic and restorative, mild stimulant, anti depressant, aphrodisiac, trophorestorative, tonic to male reproductive system, hormonal regulator | Depression, debility, impotence, nervous system problems connected to sexual organs, neuralgia, puberty, nervous dispepsia, atopic, constipation |
| Dandelion Taraxacum officinale |
Bitter digestive, hepatic tonic and stimulant, cholagogue/choleretic, aperient, stomachic, anti rheumatic, anti arthritic, detoxifier | Liver congestion, constipation, jaundice, hepatitis, cirrhosis, gall stones, general toxic conditions, chronic skin and joint inflammation – gout, arthritis, rheumatism |
| Dong Quai Angelica sinensis |
Blood stimulant ‘makes better blood’, menstruation corrective, emmenagogue, analgesic, female reproductive tonic, antispasmodic, anti inflammatory, alterative, sedative |
Menstruation problems – painful, irregular, scanty periods, some pre-menstrual symptoms, infertility, blood stagnation, palour, cold, debilitated |
|
Echinacea |
Immune enhancing/stimulating, (increases T cells, macrophages, phagocytes) antiviral, antibacterial, antiallergic (long term), anti inflammatory, anti neoplastic, lymphatic alterative | Infections (immune responsive high with continued use), immune system deficiency, post viral syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, SLE, allergies intolerance’s, chronic respiratory catarrh, skin disorder, psoriasis, septic and infected conditions, i.e. boils, tonsillitis |
| Gentian Gentiana lutea |
Bitter tonic, tonic to stomach, digestive stimulant, sialagogue, cholagogue/ choleretic, stomachic, anti inflammatory | Sluggish digestion, flatulence, stomach pain, heart burn, reflux, anorexia, loss of appetite, painful feeling of fullness, intestinal and gastric inflammations, liver and gall bladder diseases, |
| Ginseng (Siberian) Eleutherococcus senticosus |
Stimulating adaptogen, adrenal tonic, antispasmodic, anti rheumatic, circulatory stimulant, peripheral vasodilator, amphoteric to blood sugar and pressure, hypocholersterolaemic | Exhaustion, stress, debility, poor circulation, high and low blood pressure and sugar, high cholesterol, atheroscloerosis, depression |
| Ginseng (Korean) Panax ginseng |
Stimulating adaptogen. adrenal tonic, central nervous system stimulant, mood enhancer, immune stimulant, hepato protective, cardio protective | Short term use for increased performance, functional adrenal exhaustion (Addison disease), angina, some chronic recurrent infections |
| Golden seal Hydrastis canadensis |
Stimulating bitter tonic, astringent to mucous membrane, hepatic stimulant, cholagogue/choleretic, laxative, spleen tonic, immune stimulant | Mucous membrane problems in GIT, gastritis, colitis, reactive diarrhoea/ constipation, jaundice. Respiratory tract – catarrhal conditions, bronchitis. Reproductive system – vaginitis, menorrhagia, post-partum haemorrhage. Urinary tract – cystitis, urethritis |
| Nettle/stinging nettle Uritca dioica |
Alterative, diuretic, anti rheumatic, nutritive tonic, astringent, galactogogue, amphoteric to blood level and sugar level | Skin diseases – eczema, psoriasis, urticaria, rheumatism, arthritis, gout, cystitis, debility, fatigue, convalescence, anaemia, high or low blood pressure or sugar, diarrhoea |
| Psyllium Plantago psyllium/ ovata |
Hydrophilic bulking agent, bulking laxative with lots of water, astringent with smaller amount of water, demulcent, healing to gut wall | Sluggish/irritable bowels, bowel disease, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic constipation (with fluid), diarrhoea (low fluid), gastritis, ulcers |
| Red clover Trifolium pratence |
Alterative, expectorant, diuretic, antispasmodic, nervine, hormonally active, anti neoplastic | Skin conditions, eczema, bronchitis, coughs, pertusis, insomnia, restlessness, menopause |
| Sarsaparilla Smilax spp. |
Alterative, diuretic, anti rheumatic, anti pruritic, tonic to liver and lymphatics, reproductive tonic, antispasmodic | Chronic inflammatory diseases, eczema, arthritis, rheumatism, rheumatoidal arthritis, debility, reproductive disorders (male and female), genital herpes |
| Withania/Ashwaganda Withania somnifera |
Tonic adaptogen, sedative nervine, anti inflammatory, anti anaemic (in high doses), anti tumour | Debility, nervous exhaustion, convalescence, chronic inflammatory diseases, sexual disfunction due to exhaustion, emaciation, anaemia, cancer prevention, stress |
| Wormwood Artemisia absinthium |
Bitter and aromatic digestive tonic, hepatic, stomachic, calminative, antimicrobial, ant parasitic, anthilmintic, anti inflammatory, abortifacient |
Slow digestion, flatulence, bloating, infections and infestations of GIT, low energy from poor digestion, low appetite, headache, menstrual irregularities |
| Yellow dock Rumex crispus |
Alterative, hepatic, bitter digestive tonic, cholagogue/choleretic, aperient or laxative (dose dependent), anti-pruritic, anti rheumatic, astringent, iron tonic | Skin complaints – weeping/oozing and itchy from constipation/liver dysfunction, eczema, acne, jaundice, sluggish bowel, constipation, liver congestion, arthritic and rheumatic conditions, anaemia |