Common Herbs A-Z

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• Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)

  • Actions:​​ Adaptogen, antioxidant, immunomodulation, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, aphrodisiac, hepatic, hypotensive, tonic, diuretic.

  • Indications: (Braun & Cohen, 2015).

• Blackberry (Rubus fructicocus)

  • Actions: Astringent.

  • Indications: Used for diarrhea, dysentery (Hoffmann, 2003).

• Chamomile (Matricara recutita)

  • Actions: Nervine, antispasmodic, carminative, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, bitter, vulnerary.

  • Indications: Its constituents demonstrate primary actions on several digestive processes including serving as a mildly bitter, reducing inflammation, spasms,  gas, relaxing the nerves and tonifying the nervous system (Winston, 2009). It is a soothing remedy for irritable bowel syndrome (Winston, 2009). It helps with acid indigestion and gas.

• Chaste Tree (Agnus castus)

  • Actions: (Fruit berry) Hormonal normalizer, uterine tonic, galactagogue.

  • Indications: Used as a treatment for mild, moderate, and severe PMS. Help regulate hormone balance.

• Dandelion (Taraxacum Officinale)

  • Actions: Bitter, tonic, mild laxative, hepatic, and cholagogue.

  • Indications: Stimulates digestive secretions in the stomach, liver, pancreas, and small intestine (Winston, 2009) Moore (1997) indicates its use for constipation with autotoxicity and mouth sores.

• Damiana (Turnera diffusa)

  • Actions:

  • Indications: Helps with sexual dysfunctions, a good source for aphrodisiac properties, helps with anxiety and depression caused by hormonal changes such as menopause. Urinary incontinence, inflammation in the urinary system, cystitis (Skendri, 2003).

• Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia, E. pallida, E. purpurea)

  • Actions:​ Antimicrobial, immunomodulator, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anticatarrhal, alterative.

  • Indications: Helps stimulate white blood cell counts, useful for fighting minor viral and bacterial infections such as colds and flu.

• Elderberry (Sambuca nigra)

  • Actions: Diaphoretic, anticatarrhal, antispasmodic.

  • Indications: This herb is best used for boosting the immune system and attacking the flu, H1N1, and sinus pain

• Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)

  • Actions: Carminative, aromatic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, galactagogue, hepatic.

  • Indications: Helps relieves gas, stomach cramps, and intestinal problems.

• Gentian (Gentiana lutea l.)

  • Actions:​ Bitter, sialagogue, hepatic, cholagogue, antimicrobial, anthelmintic, emmenagogue.

  • Indications: Digestive tonic, stimulate appetite, digestive sluggishness, also help with dyspepsia, and flatulence.

• Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

  • Actions: Stimulant, carminative, antispasmodic, rubefacient, diaphoretic, emmenagogue.

  • Indications: Nausea, vomiting, PMS (Skenderi, 2003), motion sickness, poor circulation, cramps, inflammation and rheumatoid arthritis (Hoffman, 2003).

• Hawthorn (Crataegus laevigate)

  • Actions: Cardiotonic, diuretic, astringent, hypotensive.

  • Indications: Hawthorn is used for most cardiovascular diseases. It helps strengthens the heart, relieves hypertension, atherosclerosis, and coronary artery disease (Hoffman,2003).

• Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)

  • Actions:  aromatic.

  • Indications: High in vitamin C, helps with iron absorption.

• Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

  • Actions: Carminative, nervine, antispasmodic, antidepressant, diaphoretic, antimicrobial, hepatic.

  • Indications: Reduce stress and anxiety.

• Linden (Tilia platyphyllos)

  • Actions: Nervine, antispasmodic, hypotensive, diaphoretic, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, astringent.

  • Indications: Helps prevent the development of arteriosclerosis

• Meadowsweet (Fillipendula ulmaria)

  • Actions: Anti-rheumatic, anti-inflammatory, carminative, antacid, antiemetic, astringent.

  • Indications: Digestive conditions, which can be directly related to musculoskeletal complaints, fever, joint pain, muscle pain, and rheumatism (Hoffman, 2003).

• Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca)

  • Actions: Nervine, emmenagogue, antispasmodic, hepatic, cardiotonic, hypotensive.

  • Indications: Hypertension, menopausal syndrome, PMS, menstrual complaints (Skenderi, 2003), lumbar pain, pelvic pain (Felter & Lloyd, 1898) and false labor pains (Hoffman, 2003).  Anxiety, tension, spasm, heart palpitations, nervousness, insomnia.

• Nettle (Urtica diocia)

  • Actions: Astringent, diuretic, tonic, hypotensive.

  • Indications: Strengthens and support the whole body. Use as a spring tonic and detoxifying remedy.

• Oat straw (Avena saliva)

  • Actions: Nervine tonic, antidepressant, nutritive, demulcent, vulnerary.

  • Indications: Nervous exhaustion, debility, depression.

• Red Raspberry (Rubus idaeus)

  • Actions:  Astringent, tonic, parturient.

  • Indications: Has been known to help prepare the uterus for delivery. Helps ease mouth problems such as ulcers, bleeding gums, and inflammation.

• St John Wort (Hypericum perforatum)

  • Actions: Anti-inflammatory, astringent, vulnerary, nervine, antimicrobial.

  • Indications: Neuralgia, anxiety, tension, menopause/hormone related irritability.

• Siberian Ginseng (Eleuthero senticosus)

  • Actions:​ Adaptogen

  • Indications: A tonic for fatigue, increases resistance to stress, mental weakness, and stimulate immune response (Hoffman, 2003). 

• Valeriana (Valeriana officinalis

  • Actions: Nervine, hypnotic, antispasmodic, carminative, hypotensive, emmenagogue.

  • Indications:anxiety, insomnia, muscle tension/spasm .

• Woodworm (Artemisia absinthium)

  • Actions: Bitter, carminative, antimicrobial, anthelmintic, an antidepressant.

  • Indications: Stimulate digestion, relieve heartburn and gas.

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