Herbal Actions and Uses

by tiva | Jan 21, 2019 | Herbal Medicine, Herbs

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 Echinacea angustifolia/purpurea	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