Updated 11/03/05 11:09

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VITAMINCITY.com'S GUIDE TO HERBS & MEDICINAL WILD PLANTS

Provided free as an informational guide to VitaminCity.com customers. 

Agrimony - Used for all digestive disorders. Strengthens stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder & kidneys. Alfalfa - Good source of carotene. Useful in reducing fevers.

Alfalfa - Beneficial to the blood, acting as a blood purifier. Contains natural fluoride, helps prevent tooth decay & rebuild decayed teeth. Aids in the assimilation of protein, fats & carbohydrates. Helps relieve arthritic & rheumatic pain. High vitamin & mineral content.

Allspice - Used as a spice.

Allspice, Wild (Benzoin) - Bark used to treat coughs, cold symptoms and dysentery, also said to be effective in expelling worms. Unsed by Native Indians as a tonic, stimulant and to induce perspiration for fevers. In Colonial times the dried and powdered fruit used as a substitute for allspice. Young leaves, twigs & bark used as a tea substitute during the Civil War.

Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis) - Inner gel of plant Said to be useful in treating certain intestinal disorders including stomach ulcers. Helps improve absorption of nutrients. Gentle laxative. Works well on burns & sores. Excellent for piles & hemorrhoids.

Amaranth (Amaranthus) - High in iron & vitamin C content. Used to treat mouth and throat inflammations, sores, quelling dysentery and diarrhea. Flowers, roots & leaves have astringent qualities and used for external wounds, sores & ulcers. Plant produced a soapy lather and was used for washing clothes. Tea used to treat stomachaches. Strong decoctions used to expel worms.

American Coffee Bean (Gymnocladus) - Used as a coffee substitute. Beans also roasted and eaten like chestnuts. Roots used in an enema for constipation, hemorrhoids and diarrhea. Powder causes uncontrollable sneezing.

American Ginseng (Panax Quinquefolium) - Tea used as a tonic & stimulant & to stop vomiting & convulsions. Roots boiled & used to treat colic & croup.

Angelica (Angelica) - Root, Effective remedy to strengthen the heart. Excellent in diseases of the lungs & heart. Regular users develop a distaste for alcoholic beverages. Also a good remedy for stomach troubles, heartburn & gas.

Anise Seed - Can prevent fermentation & gas in the stomach & bowels.

Arthritis Tea -

Arrowhead (Sagittaria) - Corms considered a valuable and easily digestible food for invalids and convalescents.

Astragalus - An excellent energizer. Has been used by athletes for energy reserves, especially the arms & legs. Also useful in cold climates for keeping the body warm. Used with ginseng, it works as a total body energizer.

Barberry Bark - Acts on the liver, promoting the secretion of bile. It has been used as an aid for: bad breath, digestion, kidneys, liver, rheumatism, skin & sore throat.

Barley Grass - Leaves. Excellent source of chlorophyll. Used to treat rheumatic & arthritic symptoms. Barley water gives relief in fevers, diarrhea & stomach irritations. Demulcent & nutritive.

Basil Leaf - Splendid spice. Used as a tea, it is an excellent remedy to stop vomiting.

Bayberry Bark - Improves circulation & tones all the tissues it contacts. Can be used as a gargle for sore throats. A fomentation applied externally at night will relieve & prevent varicose veins.

Bay (Myrica) - Bark is astringent. Tea used in cases of jaundice. Powder used to treat boils and sores.

Bay Leaf - A pleasant tonic which gives tone & strength to digestive organs. Good for cramps.

Bearberry (Arctostaphylos Uvaursi) - Berries used as food. Leaves used to treat bladder or kidney inflammations as well as gravel and kidney stones.

Beech (Fagus) - Liquid from dried and boiled leaves used for burns and frostbite. Nuts edible and believed to ease kidney pain. Liquid from boiled bark used for rashes of poison ivy, oak and to dry up the eruptions.

Bee Pollen - Contains more nutrients than any other food. Has many healing, rejuvenating & disease fighting properties. Aging, digestive upsets, prostate diseases, sore throats, acne, fatigue, sexual problems, allergies & many other conditions have been successfully treated with Bee Pollen.

Bergamot Herb - Calming, very soothing to the system. Beet Powder - Roots. Good source of iron. Good for toning & rebuilding the liver & gall bladder infections. Contains: iron, vitamins A,B & C, sodium, potassium, calcium & chlorine. Adaptogen, hepatic & nutritive.

Bilberry Leaf - Strengthens the capillaries that feed eye muscles & nerves reducing & even reversing the damage caused by blood vessel deterioration. Increases night vision, reduces eye fatigue.

Birch Bark (Betula) - Leaves used as a tea for urinary problems & to expel intestinal worms. Has been used for rheumatism. Sap from black birch used to heal sores, boils and carbuncles.

Bitter Root (Lewisia Rediviva) - Finely ground dried roots chewed to relieve sore throats. Seeds roasted and used as a sedative coffee. Tea from roots said to be emetic or purgative depending on the strength. Mashed roots used as a poultice for open wounds and sores.

Blackberry Leaf (Rubus) - Great for treating diarrhea & healing wounds. Makes an excellent tea.

Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga Racemosa) -Roots Has been used as a relaxant, antispasmodic & sedative. Also used in cases of rheumatism, neuralgia & painful menstruation. Has the same effect on the female system as synthetic estrogen without the side effect. Contains no cancer causing agents like synthetic estrogen.

Black Walnut - Bark, Husks, Leaves, Rind & Green Nuts. Expels parasites & tape worms. Also works on ring worms. Helps in treatment of tuberculosis, diarrhea & promotes the healing of sores in the mouth & throat. Good source of manganese. Manganese is important for nerves, brain, cartilage & helps relieve many kinds of skin problems. Tonic & vermifuge.

Bladderwrack - Leaves & roots. Eliminates parasites, improves goiter & kidney functions, increases thyroid activity & absorbs water in the intestines. Adaptogen & vermifuge.

Blessed Thistle (Holy Thistle) - Excellent stimulant tonic for the stomach & heart. It aids circulation & helps to resolve liver problems. Takes oxygen to the brain & strengthens memory.

Blueberry Leaf (Vaccinium) - Berries boiled down to a syrup is used for diarrhea. Tea considered a blood purifier. Bark of roots boiled and used to treat sore throats & abnormal frequency of intestinal discharges.

Blue Cohosh - Used to regulate menstrual flow & for suppressed menstruation. Used as a poltice as an emergency remedy foe allergic reactions to be stings.

Blue Flag - Herb is very relaxing & stimulating. Has been useful in: cancer, skin diseases, rheumatism, impurity of blood, constipation, liver troubles.

Blue Violet - Relieves sever headaches & congestion in the head. Cleans out mucus in the system. Very effective in healing & giving prompt relief of internal ulcers.

Boldo Leaf - Stimulates digestion & the secretion of bile. Very useful for treating gallstones. Recommended for liver problems.

Bonneset - This herb is one of the best for colds & flu. When taken for a cold, the infusion has a tonic & mild laxative effect.

Borage Leaf - Does a wonderful job in reducing high fevers. Good for irritation of skin & mucus membranes. As a tea, it is good for lung problems.

Bracken Fern (Pteridium Aquilinum) - Poisonous in large amounts. Roots/rhizomes were boiled and the strong tea used for worms and the relief of digestive gas. Also used to increase the flow of urine.

Bromelain - Fat melting enzyme works wonders. Bromelain flushes the fat from your body by naturally stimulating your metabolism & ridding your body of excess fluids.

Buchu Leaf - One of the best diuretics known. Excellent when there is pain while urinating. Most helpful for acute & chronic bladder & kidney disorders.

Buckthorn Bark - Keeps the bowels regular, but is not habit forming. Does not irritate the bowels. Effective remedy for appendicitis. Expels worms. Removes warts.

Bulrush (Typha) - Soft down from the cobs was dried and used over burned and chafed portions of the body. Cut, sliced & Chopped stems were spread upon wound, burns & sores. Taken internally to quell diarrhea, kill & expell worms, & for gonorrhea.

Burdock Leaf & Root - Extremely good for removing toxins from the body. Strong blood purifier & cleanser. One of the best herbs for sever skin problems. Good for advanced cases of arthritis.

Butcher's Broom - Seeds & Tops. Builds vein structure. Used for hemorrhoids & varicose veins. Improves poor circulation & relieves inflammation of the kidneys & bladder.

Butternut Bark - Strengthens intestines. Works well for constipation, sluggish liver, fevers & colds.

Calamus (Acorus) - Bases of the leaves are candied by being thinly sliced, briefly boiled in several changes of water, then placed in a bubbling syrup of 4 cups of sugar to 2 cups of water. Stirred & cooked until the majority of the sweetening has been assimilated. Next, they are drained laid out covered with sugar, dried, then put in sealed jars. Believed to help digestion, relieve hoarseness and serve as a tonic & body strengthener, giving quick energy. Root chewed to for stomach gas & throat phlegm. Freshly cut spicy leaves used as an insecticide.

Calendula Flower - Promotes mending & healing of cuts or wounds when applied as a poultice.

Canadian Snake Root - Roots. Accelerates childbirth by stimulating the involuntary muscles of the uterus. Relieves gas from stomach & intestines. Promotes perspiration & increases urine volume.

Caribou Moss (Cetraria) - Naturally growing anti-biotic. It is bitter & regarded as an agent to restore, invigorate & stimulate the human system. Should be soaked in water at least overnight to rid the plant of rock dissolving acids, which will cause severe digestive upset.

Caraway Seed - Strengthens & gives tone to the stomach, prevents fermentation in the stomach & aids in digestion.

Cascara Sagrada Bark - One of the best remedies for chronic constipation. Will stimulate the secretions of the entire digestive system. Excellent remedy for gallstones. It is very valuable when there are hemorrhoids associated with poor bowel movement.

Caseweed (Capsella) - Has astringent properties. Regarded as a cure for diarrhea.

Catnip - Quiets nervous system. Good for stomach gas or cramps, aids in digestion. Helps clean out mucus in the body.

Cat's Claw (Uncaria Tomentosa) - Inner bark Used for centuries by Peruvian Indians. The inner bark contains active nutritive constituents to help support the body's natural defenses.

Cayenne (Capsicum Annum) - Seeds Can be used as a gargle to treat sore throat & hoarseness. Reduces nausea from sea sickness & relieves symptoms of rheumatism & inflammatory ailments. Normalizes blood pressure & improves the entire circulatory system. Used to treat shock. Stops bleeding on contact. Good stimulant & allows the body to heal & cleanse itself.

Celery Leaf & Seed - Effective for incontinence of urine. Good in rheumatism & also nervousness.

Centaury - Stimulates the activity of the salivary gland, stomach & intestinal gland, thereby relieving constipation, gas & promoting proper digestion.

Chamomile (Anthemis Nobilis) - Flowers Known to be an effective remedy for menstrual discomfort & associated symptoms. Gentle Sedative, helpful in treating insomnia.

Chapparal (Larria Mexicana) - Crushed Fresh Leaves Used by the Indians as a topical application to help heal wounds, sores & bites.

Checkerberry (Gaultheria Procumbens) - Wintergreen flavor, oil poisonous when concentrated. Leaves have a salicin content & consided to be a remedy for fevers, arthritis, sore muscles & joints.

Chervil - Good stimulant, mild diuretic, lowers blood pressure & is a wonderful cooking spice.

Chickweed (Stellaria Media) - Relief for symptoms of bronchitis, coughs, colds & inflammation. Also used as a laxative. Rich in Vitamin C, Calcium, Magnesium & Potassium. Helps remove toxins from the body. Good blood purifier & dissolves plaque in blood vessels.

Chicory Root - Valuable for many ailments. Effective in disorders of the kidney, liver, urinary canal, stomach & spleen. Helps to expel the morbid matter & tones up the system in general. Adds zest to coffee or alone as a coffee substitute.

Chickory Lettuce - Used as a diuretic, emollient & antispasmotic. Milky sap extremely irritating to the eyes.

Chlorella - Fresh spear leaves (barley or wheat). High source of chlorophyll. Stimulates the immune system. Effective in detoxifying the liver, blood & cleansing the bowel. Helps clear heavy metals & harmful chemicals from the body.

Choke Cherry (Prunus) - Inner bark used as a flavoring in cooking. Teas made from the bark, roots & leaves used for lung difficulties & cold symptoms. Dried & pulverized bark used on open sores. Edible fruit.

Cinnamon Bark - One of the world's oldest healers. Used to prevent infection & indigestion. A little sprinkled on cuts & scrapes takes the sting away. Helps break down fat during digestion.

Cinquefoil (Potentilla) - Entire top of plant used to control fever, as a mouth wash for sore throat, piles & as a general lotion.

Cleavers - One of the best remedies for kidney & bladder troubles. Useful in obstructions of the urinary organ such as stones or gravel. Makes an excellent wash for the face to clear complexion.

Cloves - Spice Codonopsis - Roots. Similar qualities to ginseng.

Colombo Root - One of the best & purest tonics to strengthen the entire system. Can be used for colon trouble.

Coltsfoot Herb & Flower - Very soothing to mucus membranes. Improves lung troubles. Excellent in relieving the chest of phlegm. Useful for asthma, bronchitis & spasmodic coughs.

Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) - Roots Relieves chest congestion. External application useful in healing skin injuries.

Compass Plant - (Silphium Laciniatum) The whole plant has been used as a diuretic to increase the flow of urine, as a quietening antispasmotic and as a smoothing agent to the skin and mucuous membranes. As an emolient, it was thought to be beneficial to sore and chapped skin. Roots are edible and when boiled used as a mild laxative, general tonic, stimulant and as a mild remedy for arthritis and swollen glands.

Coriander Seed - Very strengthening to the heart. Wonderful stomach tonic.

Cornsilk (Stigmata Maydis) - Dried Corn Silk Used as a diuretic, cardiac stimulant. Remedy for kidney & bladder troubles.

Crab Apple (Malus) (Pyrus) - Fruit is an excellent food source. Tea made from bark used to break fevers, bring on menstruation, treat stomach trouble, dysentery, bladder gravel, kidney, liver, digestive & spleen difficulties, nausea, tooth ache & as a wash for insect bites.

Cranberry - Keeps kidneys clean. Taken at the first sign of bladder or kidney infection (painful urination, back pain), cranberry can often provide relief overnight.

Cubeb Berry - Excellent in chronic bladder troubles. Will increase flow of urine.

Damiana Leaf - Excellent herb for helping with sexual impotency & infertility for both male & female. Strengthens reproductive organs. Helps with menopause, hot flashes.

Dandelion (Taraxacum Officinole) - Roots Has been used to fight anemia because it contains iron, calcium & trace minerals. An ideal laxative. It is also helpful in treating poor circulation, bowel inflammation & stomach disorders. Beneficial in lowering blood pressure.

Devil's Claw (Harpagophytum Procumbens) - Tubers Relief from symptoms of arthritis, rheumatism. Anti-inflammatory effect.

Dill Weed -

Dock (Rumex) - More Vitamin C than oranges & more Vitamin A than carrots. Roots contain chrysophanic acid & an alkaloid called rumicin, which are helpful in treating liver disorders. Roots can be soaked in vinegar & the wash used to treat ringworm. Leaves made into a poltice for treating hives, rashes & itches & also used on animals to treat mange & saddle sores on pack animals.

Dogberry (Sorbus) - Berries high in vitamin C & used to treat scurvy & to kill & expell worms.. Bark can be steeped in water and drunk to treat nausea & biliousness. Berries

Dong Quai - Roots Popular Chinese herb used to improve mental acuity & to help relieve symptoms of daily stress & mental fatigue. Especially soothing for women's PMS ailments. Helps maintain a proper balance of female hormones. Calms nerves & overcomes Vitamin E deficiency symptoms.

Echinacea - Roots Herbs stimulate glandular organs such as the kidneys to function more efficiently. Has been used by herbalists to fight infection, detoxify & stimulate healing. Also used to relieve symptoms of hay fever & other allergies. Used to treat strep throat, lymph glands.

Elder - The biggest use is in the first stages of colds or flu.

Elecampane Root - Stimulant, relaxant & tonic to the mucus membranes. Useful in coughs, asthma & bronchitis.

Eucalyptus Leaf - Evening Primrose Oil - Bark, leaves & seeds. Good source of essential fatty acids. Good for skin disorders & female disorders such as cramps, hot flashes & heavy bleeding. Especially effective against atopic diseases such as eczema, PMS & hyperactivity.

Evening Primrose - Mild astringent properties. Soaked and used as a poultice. Used to treat coughs from colds. As an antiscorbutic and febrifuge it was used to help asthma and scrofula.

Eyebright (Euphrasia Officinalis) - Herb Used to treat jaundice, loss of memory & vertigo. Topically, has been used to relieve conjunctivitis (pink eye). Has a cooling & detoxifying property making it excellent for inflammations.

Fennel (Foeniculm Vulgare) - Seeds Helps decrease the appetite for weight loss. Also used for acid stomach, intestinal gas, gastric troubles, gout cramps & spasms. Good eyewash & liver cleanser.

Fenugreek Seed - Has been used in the following with excellent results: allergies, coughs, digestion, emphysema, headaches, migraines, intestinal inflammation, ulcers, lungs, mucus membranes & sore throat.

Feverfew Herb - Works wonders in fighting migraine headaches. Reduces inflammation in arthritic joints & has been used to restore liver to normal function.

Fever Root (Triosteum) - Roots simmered & used to treat fever, arthritis, quiet nerves & cleanse the system. Roots pounded into a paste to treat sores. Seeds dried & roasted to make a coffee like beverage.

Fo-Ti (Polygonum Multiflorum) - Roots Acts as an effective diuretic. Excellent nourishment for the blood. Also has been used to help improve memory & treat mental depression.

Garlic - Natural antibiotic. Relieves problems associated with poor digestion. Useful for asthma & whooping cough. Good for intestinal infections & reducing high blood pressure. Used to lower cholesterol.

Gentian - Useful in fevers & colds. Beneficial to the female organs. Used to strengthen the digestive organs & increase circulation. Gentian root is most helpful for liver complaints.

Geranium, Wild (Geranium Maculatum) - A strong astringent, the green solution made from the powdered roots & water was used to treat dysentery & internal hemorrhaging. Poltice made from roots used for such ailments as piles, arthritis, joint pain & sore feet. Infusions of the dried leaves were used as a mouthwash, for sore throats, canker, ulcerated gums & pyorrhea.

Ginger (Zingiber Officinale) - Rootstock Eases the effect of a cold & soothes sore throat. Said to be very effective in preventing symptoms of motion sickness.

Ginkgo Biloba - Leaf Extract Extensively used in Europe to treat short term memory loss, mild depression & vertigo. Helps increase blood circulation to the brain & has a positive effect on mental performance.

Ginseng (Panax Quinque Folius) - Roots A demulcent, it is helpful for coughs, colds & chest congestion. Reduces symptoms of feverish & inflammatory illness & can help relieve nausea & vomiting.

Goatsbeard (Tragopogon) - Young leaves eaten raw as an antiscorbutic. Extracted white juice when coagulated was chewed to keep the mouth moist. Young roots can be scrapped, cut & used in salads, young roots were said to be good for the stomach, for convalescents, & for giving strength to the thin & the consumptive.

Golden Seal (Hydrastis Canadenis) - Roots Helps decrease nausea. Excellent remedy for colds, stomach & liver troubles. Also has been used as a laxative. May be used externally as a soothing eyewash & to treat pyorrhea.

Gooseberry (Ribes) - Fruit used for stomachaches. Emetic if eaten raw in large quantities. Promotes the flow of urine and helps to dissipate a fever. Young leaves steeped and used as a mouth wash and to help cure canker sores. Goosebeery tea used for uterine difficulties.

Goto-Kola (Cantella Asiatica) - Herb Accelerates healing of bruises & abscesses. Acts as a sedative & diuretic. Also claimed to energize brain cells & relieve Tension.

Grape,Wild (Vitis) - Mineral & alkaline rich fruit aid the body in clearing toxins & benefit the kidneys by neutralizing uric acid in the urine. Rich in tartaric acid & said to assist in ridding the urinary system of stones, gravel & calculous concentrations in the kidneys & bladder.

Gravel Root (Queen of the Meadow) - Excellent remedy for gravel & stones in the kidneys & bladder.

Great Willow Herb (Chamaenerion Epilobium) - Rich in Vitamin C & used as an antiscorbutic. A strong decoction made by boiling the roots was used as an emetic. Being astringent, 2 tablespoons of the root & herb were boiled in a cup of water & allowed to steep for 25 minutes. Two cupfuls sipped cold in a 24 hour period was used to alleviate diarrhea.

Green Barley - Extremely nutritious & an excellent antioxidant. Twice the fiber & 12 times more chlorophyll than oat bran.

Guar Gum - Leaves & seeds. Used as a diet aid. Reduces cholesterol & has a laxative effect.

Hawthorn (Crataegus Oxyacantha) - Berries Provides nutritive support to the heart & circulatory system. Stimulates increased enzyme metabolism in the heart muscle. Improves oxygen utilization.

Henna - EXTERNAL USE ONLY. Avoid contact with eyes & open wounds.

Hibiscus Flower - Makes a deep red tea. Useful as a stimulant for the intestines & kidneys.

Hops Flower - Valuable for insomnia. Used to decrease the desire for alcohol. Will tone liver.

Horehound - Very useful for acute or chronic sore throat & coughs.

Horseradish, Wild (Armoraia) - Rich in Vitamin C. Used as a stimulant, diuretic, expectorant, vermicide, rubefacient & diaphoretic.

Horsetail (Shavegrass) - Rich in minerals, especially silica. Good for fingernails, hair & split ends. Fractured bones heal faster when horsetail is taken. Good for eyes, ear, nose, throat & glandular disorders.

He Shou Wu (Eastern Wild Rose) - Excellent rejuvenator. Strengthens liver & kidneys. Source of Shen Min.

Huckleberry - Entire plant. Used to lower blood sugar levels & to ease inflammation. Good for diabetes, kidney, bladder, sinusitis & ulcers.

Hydrangea Root - Excellent for backaches caused by kidney trouble. Valuable in bladder troubles. Works wonderfully for people with sever rheumatism.

Hyssop - Valuable for asthma. Excellent blood regulator. Has a splendid effect on the mucus lining of the stomach & bowels. Good remedy for any eye trouble.

Indian Ginger (Asarum) - Dried rhizomes & roots used in potent decoctions to induce sweating & break fevers.

Indian Lettuce (Montia Perfoliate) - Eaten raw when tender or briefly simmered, was used to cure scurvy.

Indian Rice (Zizania) - Also called wild rice, it was eaten & used for stomach trouble, high blood pressure & heart difficulties.

Irish Moss - Entire plant. Used to soften & promote skin elasticity. Effective for thyroid, colon & obesity problems.

Jack in the Pulpit (Arisaema Triphllum) - Raw corm mixed with lard as a salve to treat ring worm. Powder used as an insecticide.

Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus Tuberosus) - Tincture of the blossoms used for the treatment of bronchitis. Tubers used as a nutritious & easily digestible food. Also dried, pounded & chewed to relieve sore throats.

Juniper (Juniperus Communis) - Berries Excellent for kidney & bladder difficulties. Also effective in relieving flatulence & gastric afflictions.

Kava Kava Root - Will induce sleep & help calm nervousness. Deep restful sleep sleep when taken as a tea.

Kelp - High content of natural iodine, for proper function of the thyroid. Iodine is also needed to fight infection. Has high levels of calcium, potassium & magnesium. Excellent for for nails & hair.

Knotweed - (Polygonum) Root tea used as a mouthwash for cankers & sores. Used as a substitute for quinine when boiled & blended with oak bark.

Labrador Tea - (Ledum Groenlandicum) Pleasant antiscorbutic drink when brewed like tea. Used for chest troubles and chills. Large quantities belived to be cathartic.

Lady Slipper - Roots. Good for the nervous system, improving circulation & nutrition of the nerve centers. Calms nerves & spasms of voluntary muscles.

Lavender Flower - Relaxes the body. Excellent when combined with herbs that have a strong taste.

Licorice (Glyeyrrhiza Glabra) - Roots Acts as a soothing remedy for aggravation in the upper respiratory tract. Also used to heal ulcers, inhibit the growth of harmful viruses & has the ability to stimulate the adrenal glands.

Liverberry -

Lobelia - Leaves, flowers, seeds & stem. Powerful relaxant used by people to stop smoking & drinking. Aids in hormone production. Good for fevers, pneumonia, meningitis, pleurisy, hepatitis & peritonitis. Reduces heart palpitations & strengthens muscle. Emetic in large amounts. Red Lobelia was used by the Indians for syphilis & expelling intestinal worms.

Ma Huang - Clears the respiratory system. Keeps eyes bright.

Malva Flower - Helps soothe inflammation in the mouth & throat. Helpful for earaches.

Maple -

Marjoram - Wonderful for general aches & pains. Splendid effect in combination with chamomile & gentian. Beneficial for a sour stomach or loss of appetite.

Marshmallow Leaf - Helps heal & soothe inflamed areas of the body. Works well for poor kidneys & bladder. Useful for urinary problems.

Marsh Marigold -

Mayapple -

Meadow Fern -

Milk Thistle Herb - Excellent liver detoxifier. Active ingredient is silymaria a natural chemical that helps your liver function properly. Guards against alcohol induced fatty liver disorders as well as hardening of the liver.

Milkweed - Roots. Used for inflammatory rheumatism, dyspepsia & scrofulous conditions of the blood. Good for bowel, kidney & stomach problems, female complaints, asthma, arthritis & bronchitis. Remedy for gall stones & dropsy. Increases urine flow.

Mint -

Motherwort - One of the best remedies for suppressed menstruation & other female troubles. Good for chest colds & nervousness.

Mountain Tea -

Mugwort - Traditionally used for rheumatism & gout. Helps kidneys & bladder. Splendid for female trouble, especially suppressed menstruation.)

Mulberry -

Mullein Leaf - High in iron, magnesium & potassium. Splendid for the entire respiratory system. Helps pulmonary ailments. Strengthens sinuses. Allows for free breathing. Very effective in relieving swollen joints.

Mustard Seed -

Myrrh Gum - Has been used for thousands of years. Cleans the colon & brings order to the digestive system. Removes bad breath. Improves sinus problems.

Nettle Leaf - Excellent remedy for kidney trouble. When used in combination with seawrack will bring splendid results in weight loss. Nettle tea is good for colds & fevers. Excellent remedy for dandruff & will bring back natural hair color.

Nutmeg - Seasoning, prevents gas & fermentation in the stomach.

Oak -

Oat Bran - Seeds. High in soluble & insoluble fiber & lowers cholesterol. Helps maintain a healthy colon.

Onion, Wild -

Oregon Grape Root - Draws toxins from the blood. Useful in helping rheumatism. Good for all uterine diseases & chronic skin diseases. Useful to both liver & kidney troubles.

Oregano Leaf - Seasoning, used as a warm, aromatic, spicy infusion to help settle the stomach after meals or to help treat a cold.

Papaya Leaf - Digestive stimulant, contains the important enzyme papain. Relieves sour stomach.

Paprika (Sweet) - Stimulates the appetite & gastric secretions.

Parsley (Petroselinum Satirum) - Leaves, Roots, Seeds An excellent diuretic. Valuable in treating gall bladder problems. High iron content makes it valuable in preventing anemia. Also has been used to treat menstrual problems, asthma, coughs & indigestion.

Passion Flower - Pure & natural mild sedative. Very relaxing. Used to calm nerves & blood pressure. A deterrent for alcoholism.

Patchourly Leaf -Makes an excellent seasoning & refreshing tea.

Pau D'Arco - Inner Bark Popular herb from South America used primarily to fight infection & to strengthen the immune system.

Pawpaw (Asimina Triloba) - The fruit is rich in vitamins & minerals. Seeds used to induce vomiting, dried & powdered seeds rubbed on scalp to erradicate head lice. Juice of the fruit used to eliminate worms.

Pennyroyal - Used to relieve high fevers. Brings on perspiration allowing for good circulation. Excellent remedy for toothaches & for gout. Useful for skin diseases. Chest & lungs also benefit from pennyroyal.

Peppermint (Mentha Piperita) - Leaf Extract The best known herbal remedy for stomach problems. Used for treating indigestion, intestinal gas & to inhibit diarrhea.

Pigweed -

Pine -

Plaintain Leaf - One of the best remedies for cuts, skin infections & chronic skin problems. Because of its soothing properties, plantain works well in a score of ailments. Useful for infections of all kinds, including hemorrhoids & inflammations.

Pleurisy Root - One of the best herbs to break up a cold. Helps bronchial complaints.

Plum, Wild -

Poke -

Poplar Tree (Popularis Candicens) - Leaf buds used to make an antiseptic salve for burns, scratches, inflamed skin and wounds.

Poppy Seed Blue - Used in the making of breads & desserts.

Prickly Ash Bark - Has been traditionally used to increase circulation in the entire body. Splendid results when used for rheumatism & arthritis. Good for weak digestion. Good blood purifier.

Prickly Pear (Opuntia Ficus Indica) - Sticky juice placed on wounds to promote healing. Poltices applied to suppurating sores on both man & animals. Fruit used to make candy.

Prince's Pine - Well noted for producing diuretic action without irritant side effects. Prolonged use is said to dissolve bladder stones. Recommended for rheumatism & chronic kidney problems.

Propolis - Natural antibiotic used by bees to prevent disease.

Psyllium Seed - One of the best colon cleansers. Lubricant to the intestinal tract. Removes putrefactive toxins from the intestines.

Pumpkin - Seeds & husk. Used for worms, stomach problems, morning sickness, nausea & toning the prostate gland.

Pusley -

Queen of the Meadow - Roots. Used for kidney & bladder infections. Good for diarrhea.

Red Clover (Trifolium Pratense) - Blossoms Excellent for bronchial congestion. Relaxing to nerves & entire system. Externally, red clover is valuable in treating skin conditions such as psoriasis, shingles & acne.

Red Laver -

Red Raspberry Leaf - Very high in minerals & a source of vitamins. Very helpful for all female organs & problems. It will decrease menstrual flow without stopping it altogether. Eases menstrual cramping.

Reshi Mushroom - Tops. Good for allergies & immune diseases. Reported to have an anti tumor effect. Aids the liver & helpful for digestion. Has antibacterial & antiviral properties. Used for bronchitis, coronary disease, senility & general debility. Also used to treat aids.

Rhubarb Root - Powerful laxative. Use in small amounts. Effective treatment for the cessation of diarrhea.

Rock Tripe -

Rose Hips - Very high vitamin C content. An infection fighter, good for stress.

Rose, Wild -

Rosemary - Used as a seasoning.

Rosewort -

Safflower - Helps prevent & eliminate the buildup of uric & lactic acid in the body, the leading causes of gout.

Saffron - A pure & natural digestive aid. Soothes the entire digestive tract. Can relieve gout & arthritis by eliminating uric acid which holds the calcium deposited in joints. Promotes perspiration, therefore very helpful in colds & cold symptoms. Reduces lactic acid build up.

Sage - Used as a seasoning. Sanicle - Both roots & leaves used. Powerful cleansing herb. Very effective internally & externally. Expels mucus & poisonous waste matter from the body.

Saltbush -

Sarsaparilla (Smilax Officinalis) - Roots Used extensively in China for a variety of conditions. Has been recommended to relieve symptoms of rheumatism, gout & arthritis. Also known to be useful as a diuretic & to enhance digestive functioning. Excellent in balancing both male & female hormones. Has the same effects on the body as the male hormone testosterone, an important hair growing hormone.

Saskatoon -

Sassafras Leaf & Root - Has a very useful effect on the blood system. Purifies the blood, excellent for skin disorders especially acne. Stimulates the action of the liver to clear toxins from the body.

Saw Palmetto Berry - Relief for mucus in the head & nose. Diseases of both male & female reproductive organs can be helped with this herb. Used for prostate problems.

Saxifrage -

Schizandra Fruit - Roots. Used to enhance the immune system. Has a positive effect on the lungs & used for insomnia & forgetfulness.

Scullcap - Nerve sedative, calms entire nervous system. Used as a hangover remedy & helps in digestion.

Scurvy Grass -

Sea Moss -

Seawrack (Bladderwrack) - One of the best herbs to combat obesity. Has splendid effect on glandular afflictions.

Senna Leaf - Splendid laxative, but sometimes causes bowel cramps which can be overcome by using it with an aromatic herb.

Shen Min - Restores hair & hair color.

Shepherd's Purse - Very valuable remedy for diarrhea. Controls hemorrhaging of stomach, lungs, uterus, kidneys, after childbirth & excessive menstruation. Also useful for dysentery, vulnerary, rheumatism, catarrh, dropsy & chronic menorrhagia.

Sheep Sorrel - Exceptionally good for kidney trouble. Also expels gravel from the kidneys. When the kidneys are functioning properly, the entire body will feel better & the skin will look much clearer.

Shitaki Mushroom - Tops. Used to enhance the immune system. Has an anti tumor effect, lowers cholesterol & may help depression.

Slippery Elm (Ulmus Fulva) - Inner Bark Soothing & healing to the mucus membranes of the lungs & gastro intestinal tract. Also useful in treating inflamed membranes in the stomach, bowels, kidney & urinary tract.

Soldiers Herb -

Solomon's Seal Root - Mainly used for external problems. Makes a good poultice for bruises. Used as a wash for skin problems & blemishes.

Spearmint Leaf - Will relieve suppressed, painful or scalding urine. Helpful for gas in the stomach. Very quieting & soothing to the nerves. NEVER BOIL SPEARMINT.

Speedwell - Excellent for respiratory ailments. Has also been used for stomach ailments & migraine headaches. Used as a gargle for mouth & throat sores.

Spikenard - Excellent for skin ailments such as acne, pimples, blackheads, rash & general skin problems. Very useful in coughs, colds & all chest afflictions.

Squaw Bush -

Squaw Vine - Extremely useful for the treatment of water retention. When used as a wash, gives splendid relief to sore eyes.

Star Anise - Promotes appetite & relieves flatulence. When added to other herbal teas, it helps improve their taste while not disturbing their medicinal value.

St. John's Wort - Powerful as a blood purifier. Very good in cases of tumors & boils. Very good in chronic uterine problems. Will correct irregular menstruation. Now being used to treat depression. May adversely affect the potency of heart, HIV & birth control medications. 

Stonecrop -

Strawberry Blite -

Strawberry Leaf - Tones up the system, cleanses the stomach & is very useful in preventing diarrhea.

Strawberry Tomato (Physalis Pruinosa) - Rich in Vitamins A & C, Sodium, Phosphorus, Calcium, Iron, Potassium, Thiamine, Riboflavin & Niacin. A tea made from roots was used for stomach trouble & in stronger potions to treat & heal open wounds.

Strawberry, Wild (Fragaria) - Rich in Vitamin C & minerals. Thought to be effective against gout, bladder gravel, kidney difficulties & intestinal worms.

Sugarberry (Celtis Laevigata) - Effective in urinary difficulties, especially inflammation of the mucous membranes which might lead to concentrations of mineral salts resulting in kidney stones. Boiled bark used as a wash to arrest growth of microorganisms in wounds & sores.

Sumac Berry & Bark - Tea is very cleansing to the system. Good for sores & cankers in the mouth. Works well for all bowel complaints.

Summer Savory Leaf - Cooking spice. Useful in treating diarrhea, upset stomach & sore throat.

Sunflower (Helianthus) - Seeds are a good food source.

Tansy (Tanacetum Vulgare) - Tanacetin oil, distilled from the tansy is used as an insect repellent. Taken internally to induce abortion, can be fatal.

Tea Tree - Leaves. Effective as a germicide & fungicide. More antiseptic than carbolic acid. Good for athletes foot, cold sores, cystitis, dermatitis, wounds & yeast infections.

Thyme Leaf - Removes mucus from the head, lungs & respiratory passages. Fights infection & brings pain relief to migraine headaches.

Twinberry (Mitchella Repens) - Regarded as a tonic, astringent & diuretic.

Uva-Ursi Leaf - Most reliable remedy for bladder & kidney infections. Will cleanse & strengthen the spleen. Digestive stimulant.

Valerian (Valeriana Officinalis) - Roots Used as a herbal sedative & mild tranquilizer. Helpful in calming nervous tension & treating insomnia.

Vervain - Good remedy for fevers. Will often clear a cold overnight. Good for expelling phlegm from throat & chest. Will expel worms when everything else fails. Excellent for shortness of breath & wheezing.

Violet - Leaves & flowers. Useful for pain in cancerous growths. Soothing & healing effect on inflamed mucal surfaces. Good for colds,, hoarseness, inflammation of the lungs & whooping cough.

Water Cress - Flower, leaves & roots. Helps the body use oxygen & stimulates the metabolic rate. Increases endurance, stamina & improves heart response. Used for bladder, kidney & liver problems & to dissolve kidney stones.

White Oak Bark - Very strong astringent. One of the best herbs for piles & hemorrhoids. Increases the flow of urine. Removes kidney & gall stones. Reduces fevers. Excellent for varicose veins. May be used in a douche for vaginal infections.

White Willow (Salix Alba) - Bark Pain Reliever, fever reducer. Used as an antacid in stomach troubles (heartburn, gas, indigestion). Has a major constituent known as salicin, which is closely related to aspirin & produces similar effects as a pain reliever.

Wild Alspice (Benzoin) - Mainly decoctions of the bark are used, also fruit & leaves. Bark used to treat coughs, dysentery & colds.

Wild Alum Root - Powerful astringent for the body. Very useful in cholera, diarrhea & dysentery. Excellent used as a rinse for sores in the mouth & bleeding gums. Powder sprinkled on a cut or wound will help stop the bleeding immediately. Excellent to rid mucus & pus from the bladder & intestines.

Wild Cherry - Tones up the system. Loosens phlegm in the throat & chest. Asthma can improve with this herb.

Wild Yam Root - Very relaxing & soothing to the nerves. Expels gas from the stomach & bowels.

Wintergreen Leak - Old time remedy. Taken in small frequent doses, it will stimulate the stomach, heart & respiration. Helpful in obstructions in the bowels. Valuable in colic & gas in the bowels.

Witch Hazel Bark & Leaf - Will restore circulation. Good for stiff joints.

Wood Betony - Great value for pain in the face & head. Opens obstructions of the liver & spleen. Cleans impurities from the blood. For indigestion, heartburn & cramps in the stomach.

Wooddruff - Beneficial for gravel & bladder stones. Used as a calmative for nervous conditions such as restlessness, insomnia & hysteria. Tea is good for relieving stomach pains. Very potent, use in small doses.

Wormwood - Traditionally used for expelling worms. Compresses soaked in tea aid bruises & sprains.

Yarrow Root - Unsurpassed for flu & fevers. When used at the beginning, a cold usually breaks up within 24 hours. Healing & soothing effect on the mucus membranes.

Yellow Dock Root - Wonderful blood purifier, good in all skin problems. Excellent cleansing herb for the lymphatic system. Endurance builder. Helps tone entire system.

Yerbamate - Whole plant. Stimulates the mind & nervous system, retards aging & stimulates the production of cortisone. Good for allergies, hayfever, arthritis, fluid retention & constipation. Enhances the effects of other herbs.

Yerba Santa - Excellent for bronchial congestion, as well as all chest conditions. Effective when there is much discharge from the nose. Good for rheumatism.

Yohimbe - Acts as a natural aphrodisiac for both men & women.

Yucca Root - Has been used successfully for relief of arthritis & rheumatism symptoms.

This guide is for informational and not prescriptive purposes.

The use of certain supplements & herbs may cause allergic reactions in some people.

The Preparation & Use of Herbs.

Capsules: Capsules are the most popular way herbs are taken. They are convenient, avoid bitter tastes, eliminate preparation & provide an exact regulated dose.

Decoctions: Decoctions extract the deeper essences from harder or coarser herbs such as stems, barks & roots. The herbs are usually simmered uncovered for 10 to 20 minutes until 1/3 of the water has evaporated. For coarser herbs such as Valerian or Burdock, they must be gently simmered in a covered pot to bring out their medicinal properties. Strain before using.

Extracts: An extract is a highly concentrated alcohol base in liquid form derived from pure herbs. Many people use herbal extracts who are unable to swallow capsules. Generally, from 3-4 drops, up to 12-15 drops in a glass of water is the usual dose.

Fomentations: A fomentation is an external application of herbs, generally used to treat swellings, pains, colds & flu. To prepare, soak a cloth in the desired tea & apply the cloth, as hot as can be tolerated without burning, over the affected area. Cover the cloth with a dry flannel cloth. Repeat as needed.

Infusions: Tea is the most common way of preparing herbs. The usual amount is a teaspoon of leaves, blossoms or flowers to a cup of boiling water. The water is poured over the herb, then steeped for 3 to 5 minutes. Strain before using. Honey or lemon may be added to taste. Plasters: A plaster is much like a poultice, but the herbal materials are placed between two pieces of cloth and applied to the affected area. When there is an irritant to the skin, this method will serve to prevent the herb from coming in direct contact with the skin.

Poultices: A poultice is usually used to reduce swelling by applying a warm mass of powdered herbs directly to the skin. To prepare add hot water to make a thick paste, then apply directly to the skin. Cover with a hot moist towel & leave on until it cools. Repeat as often as needed. Plantain works very well to draw out toxins. To relieve pain & muscle spasms, Lobelia, Kava Kava, Catnip or Valerian are used. Salves: Use 3 ounces of powdered herb, 7 ounces of cocoa butter or any pure vegetable shortening, 1 ounce of beeswax, more beeswax may be added depending on consistency desired. Blend ingredients together in a covered pot on low heat for 1 to 2 hours. When cold, it should be firm & ready to use.

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