Herbs

Herbs, A Spiritual Approach
Written by Laurel Sherer
The following course does not provide medical advice. This course is for information purposes only. The health related
information in this course is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, cures or treatment.
Always seek advice from your medical doctor.
Introduction
“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give
strength to body and soul.”—John Muir (www.quotegarden.com/nature.html).
Let us begin this course by stepping into the world of herbs through our imagination. Allow yourself to
pause and take a few deep, full breaths. Now imagine standing at the edge of a beautiful garden full of herbs and
flowers. Take off your shoes and stand next to this garden in the sunshine. Breathe in the Earth’s energy beneath
your feet, and as you do this, notice the fragrant aroma of the many herbs and flowers in front of you. Let this
fresh air fill every part of your body and lift your spirits. With each breath, you become more grounded and
present. Now imagine walking toward the garden. There are small paths that go through the beds, which are
filled with lovely plants. Notice what the plants around you look like. Maybe there are huge, bright flowers or
low, bushy herbs. Feel any sensations that come up as you imagine this. Now bring your attention to the center of
the garden, where this course sits waiting for you, inviting you to continue to delve into the world of herbs.
Continue to experience feelings of being in nature as we explore herbal knowledge. I invite you to
periodically tune back into this image of a sun‐filled garden during the time you spend with this course. It will
add to your experiential communion with herbs and nature.
What is your relationship with the Earth like at this point in your life? Some of us may walk closely with
the Earth’s energy and wisdom. We may love to be in nature and feel a sense of renewal every time we dedicate
some of our time to being outdoors. There are also some of us who have never spent very much time connecting
with nature. If you have not created a relationship with the Earth so far in your life, you are likely on the path of
establishing such a connection. This course on herbs is an act of affirming the importance of the Earth’s wisdom.
In this time of technology, fast‐paced cultures, and a quickly growing human population, many people
are being called to reconnect with their deeper selves, the Earth, and Spirit. We can see that modern day society
does not have all of the answers. It is not on a sustainable path of life that will be able to exist harmoniously with
the rest of creation. There are traditional, indigenous cultures still alive throughout the world that live intimately
with nature. They are a great source of wisdom, showing how we can live while valuing the Earth and all living
beings. Although their exact ways of life may not be appealing for people who are used to modern‐day comforts,
their wisdom can still be heard and integrated within the modern world. Perhaps it is in the wisdom of living
closely with the Earth that we can find greater happiness, health, and purpose in our lives.
There is a beautiful film called “Sacred Planet” in which people from traditional cultures speak about
their beliefs of life that they have held for thousands of years before the onset of modern society. A strong,
common thread holds the knowledge from these geologically separated cultures together as one. What it says is
that everything in life is sacred: the plants, animals, stones, people, birds, and all other living beings. Traditional
cultures have taught that if we respect the sacredness of all Earth’s creations, we will be able to live in harmony
with the Earth. Although modern‐day living habits often sever our mental connections to the Earth, we are
always connected on the energetic level to the Earth we live on. Religious leaders have talked of our oneness, to
Earth and beyond, for ages. Quantum physics has more recently shown this to be true according to scientific
principles. We are a part of the Earth. The opportunity to remember and reconnect always exists.
How does one begin the process of reconnecting? Each person’s relationship with nature is unique. In this
way, connecting to the Earth can have many forms, including meditation, nature walks, and using herbs.
Intention is the first step. If we desire to connect more deeply with the Earth and herbs, the flow of life will create
experiences for us to do so. This course is another step toward establishing an ever‐deepening relationship with
the Earth through the bountiful plants that grow from the Earth’s rich soils.
When we use herbs as healing remedies, we allow the energy of the herbs to come into our bodies.
Through connecting to one herb, we are also relating to the elements of nature. The water (liquid), sunlight (fire),
soil (earth), and carbon dioxide (air), which are necessary for herbs to grow, all enter into our bodies as we use an
herbal remedy. If we hold true that the body, mind, and spirit are all one, the energy of herbs affects our minds,
Herbs, A Spiritual Approach ©2005 University Of Metaphysical Sciences 1
emotions, and spirits when we take them into our physical bodies. By using herbs, we reclaim our power over
our health and affirm that nature is our best healer. We make a shift away from synthetic, pharmaceutical drugs
back to the traditional way of healing through use of certain plants.
There is an increasing amount of people who choose to learn about and use herbs. The rich traditions of
herbal wisdom are being continually added to by discoveries of more healing qualities of herbs throughout the
world. At the same time, however, sacred places where herbs grow, such as rain forests, are being deforested, and
valuable sources of healing are leaving the planet at an alarming rate. The path of herbal wisdom is furthermore
under questioning by the United States’ government as to whether people should be allowed to buy herbs for
themselves without a prescription from a doctor. The world of herbal knowledge is meeting resistance from
modern day societies. Thus, the future of herbal remedies being accessible to the public is uncertain. We will
discuss what actions you can take to preserve our right to access herbs later in this course.
Each time someone connects to a plant and the Earth, the path of herbal wisdom is affirmed as being
important. People are continually being led to this path, including you. By reading this course, you are absorbing
the knowledge that ancient cultures have kept alive for centuries, entering into the traditional way of healing
through herbal knowledge. This will be a journey of questioning our beliefs about healing and medicine, learning
how to use herbs, and discovering how specific herbs can be used for healing. This is an introduction into the vast
world of herbs. It is not designed to make you a professional herbal healer, (further study at an herbal school is
required), but it is intended to be a door into herbal wisdom. If this path deeply resonates within you, there are
many further avenues that you can take with herbal healing, some of which will be discussed in this course. We
will also explore procedures for herbal medicine.
These procedures for herbal remedies are not intended to be a substitute for seeing a physician regarding
any health issues that you or your associates may have. The information in this course is not intended to treat,
diagnose, cure, or prevent any diseases. A deeper level of herbal knowledge is necessary in order to diagnose and
treat health issues. The purpose of this course is to heighten your knowledge of herbs. This course is also
intended as an invitation to deepen your relationship with the Earth and plants. Wherever your path leads you,
you will walk away from this course with a part of nature’s wisdom, and the energy of nature creates great
opportunities for healing.
“I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was
really going in.” —John Muir (www.quotegarden.com/nature.html)
Review Of Literature
(Exam questions are not drawn from the Review Of Literature section.)
Let us begin by looking at the books that were used in writing this course; some may be appealing to
further explore for your relationship with herbs. Phyllis A. Balch wrote a reference guide on herbs called
Prescription For Herbal Healing (2002). Phyllis A. Balch, CNC, has researched natural healing modalities for over
twenty‐five years. She has been a nutritional consultant for more than two decades and has written several other
books. This guide is easy to use and is formatted so that one can both look up health conditions and specific
herbs. It contains information on the uses of more than 200 herbs, including Chinese and Ayurvedic herbs. Balch
also covers herbal formulas, directions on preparing herbal remedies, and a section on anatomy within this book.
Phyllis A. Balch says in the preface of this book, “I want to thank you for choosing to read this book. Its purpose
is to make the process of treating disease and returning to health a little easier for you. May this book help you to
use the best of herbal healing and, when needed, modern medicine to find greater health than you have ever
known before.” This is a must‐have on your bookshelf/reference library.
A wonderful field guide that has been helpful to me is Herbs (1994). Written by Lesley Bremness, this
book covers identification and uses of trees, shrubs, herbaceous perennials, annuals, biennials, vines, and other
herbs. Bremness gives a photograph or illustration of each plant, along with a clear description of each herb’s
appearance and areas where it grows. This book is put together beautifully and comes in a small size, which is
perfect for taking on hikes to identify plants.
Another helpful book for identifying herbs is Identifying And Harvesting Edible And Medicinal Plants In
Wild (And Not So Wild) Places (1994). This book is written by Steve Brill and Evelyn Dean, who in their
introduction state, “There are hundreds of fascinating, delicious wild vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds, and herbs
growing in our neighborhoods, backyards, parks, and forests that we overlook and disregard.” This is a book for
people who want to use wild plants for nutrition and health. It covers many plants, which are illustrated and
divided into the seasons in which they can be picked. This is a nice approach for people who are new to the world
of herbs. The final part of this book is filled with recipes for cooking with wild plants, which can help people
bring the plants they harvest into their lives as herbal remedies and food.
Michael Castleman wrote the book The New Healing Herbs (2001). This is a new edition to his first book
The Healing Herbs. Michael Castleman has been a health journalist for more than 30 years. He is also the author of
ten books. The New Healing Herbs includes discoveries about the healing effects of popular herbs such as St. John’s
Wort, ginkgo, and Echinacea. Castleman covers how to use herbs safely and gives clear instructions on dosages.
There is information on the history of herbs and a chart to find herbs for 100 common health conditions.
James A. Duke, Ph.D. wrote the book The Green Pharmacy (1997). This book gives herbs and foods that can
be used to improve one’s health. Many of the conditions and diseases that modern medicine treats can also be
healed through the use of herbs. Herbs and foods are given for conditions such as migraines, arthritis, and insect
bites, along with many others as well. Herbal remedies can provide safer, less expensive, and possibly even more
effective treatments than modern medicine, according to author James A. Duke. Joseph E. Pizzorno, N.D. and
President of Bastyr University states on the back cover of this book, “The Green Pharmacy is a tour de force by the
world’s leading authority on the herbal healing traditions…a treasure house of practical advice for the newcomer
and pearls of wisdom for the herbal practitioner.”
Another book used for this course is Alternative Medicine: What Works (1996). Written by Adriane Fugh‐
Berman, M.D., this book gives scientific evidence for alternative medicine. There is a large section on herbs that
provides scientific studies on herbal remedies. This book can be especially helpful for those people who like to
have scientific evidence to deepen their understanding and are interested in alternative ways of healing.
The book Mother Wit (1981) is a guide to psychic development written from a feminist’s perspective. The
author, Diane Mariechild, has degrees in education and counseling psychology. She is a practicing psychic,
feminist psychotherapist, and teacher of psychic and spiritual development. This book contains many exercises,
meditations, and affirmations to help readers on the path of personal development. According to Jean and Ruth
Mountaingrove of Womanspirit Magazine, this book approaches feminism as “the foundation of her (the author’s)
commitment to the ethics of nonviolence, love, concern for others and for self‐responsibility.” This book includes
sections on deep relaxation, reincarnation, dreams, witchcraft, and psychic skills for children. It has been used for
the exercise section of this course.
Eric Meyer wrote the book Mother Nature M.D. (2001). Eric Meyer goes over herbal remedies that include
food, spices, herbs, and hands‐on healing for more than 120 health conditions. Meyer draws knowledge from his
experience with nature and healing along with numerous other sources. In the words of James A. Duke, who wrote
the forward to this book, “Obviously, I think Mother Nature is a well‐qualified doctor‐and quite often, her
medicines are better than the best that money can buy in a local pharmacy. I hope this book will help introduce you
to her grand, multitudinous, infinitely fascinating, and endlessly resourceful medicine cabinet. My advice: Feel free
to take from her ample cornucopia judiciously, and find out what’s best for your own health and well‐being.”
Another book used for this course is Herbs: The Magic Healers (1986). Paul Twitchell, who is a modern‐day
founder of the ancient teachings of Eckankar, a spiritual practice, wrote this book. Twitchell looks at health as
being a state of joy, spiritual adventures, clear thoughts, and freedom from anxiety and fear. This book includes
information on the history of herbs, their sense of magic, and many other tools for one’s well being. Twitchell also
includes information on health secrets from the ancient culture of Atlantis and how the Masters of Eckankar used
herbs as part of their spiritual paths.
Carly Wall wrote the book Naturally Healing Herbs (1960). This book includes helpful information on
identifying, growing, harvesting, and storing herbs. There are illustrations of each herb to help with these
processes. This book also instructs readers on how to make teas and tinctures. Recipes for herbal remedies to
cleanse, renew, energize, and ease stress, depression, and tension are given in this book along with many others.
In the introduction to this book, Carly Wall states, “Like others before him, Juan Ponce de Leòn set out in 1513 in
search for the Fountain of Youth, a legendary spring reported to rejuvenate the body and banish old age. What he
found instead was Florida. But de Leòn’s failure has not deterred us from our search…As we age, we try this
cream and that exercise program, all to no avail. And we still wonder whether something out there will really
work.” This something, according to Carly Wall, is the use of herbs for healing.
A final book used for this course is called The Book Of Herbal Wisdom (1997). Matthew Wood, the author,
has been a practicing herbalist and homeopath for fourteen years. The knowledge contained in this book comes
from Western botanical knowledge, homeopathy, Native American shamanic botany, and traditional Chinese
Medicine. There are about forty plants that are looked at from the perspective of each of these traditions. The
ways that each tradition uses a plant is included as well. Author Matthew Wood wanted this book to be both a
guide of the medicinal uses of plants and a testimony to the wisdom and healing of herbs.

Definition Of An Herb
Humans have divided plants into two categories since the beginning of recorded time. Plants are
categorized into those that are medicinally useful for humans and those that are not. The word “herb” comes
from the Latin term for “grass.” According to Michael Castleman, herbs are technically defined as plants, shrubs,
or trees that wither each autumn. However, there are perennials, such as white willow and tea tree, which are
also used as herbs. In this way, herbalists consider the term “healing herbs” to mean every plant that has
medicinal value. According to Lesley Bremness in Herbs (1994), the definition of herbs is in this way cultural
instead of botanical. Various cultures have differences in the herbs that they believe to be useful, which are
influenced by what herbs are native to each area and the traditional knowledge gained from each herb. However,
a fundamental belief amongst these cultures is that nature contains herbs that can be used to treat any illnesses
that humans experience. Bremness states, “Herbs are plants that connect us to the past, present, and future. We
associate them with appetizing food, natural scents, gentle healing, peaceful gardens, beneficial crafts, intriguing
history, and sacred activities. Each subject in this colorful tapestry enriches the others, but through the threads the
background remains green, because the basis of all these delights is the plants themselves.” Traditionally, herbs
were the only source of medicine for humans. Herbs are currently used throughout the world for healing
remedies, and according to Michael Castleman in The New Healing Herbs (2001), The World Health Organization
estimated healing herbs to be used as primary medicine for two‐thirds of the world’s population.
Herbs are found in the entire plant kingdom and include certain mosses, algae, ferns, and conifers. Plants
are often divided by the way that they reproduce. Lesley Bremness, however, uses a different division in the book
Herbs (1994), and this division may be the most useful for this course. Bremness divides herbs into the following
groups: trees, shrubs, herbaceous perennials, annuals and biennials, vines, and other herbs. Looking at these
groups will give a broader vision of the span that herbs encompass in nature. Trees are defined as woody
perennials with one main stem that grows well above the ground. Shrubs are characterized as being smaller than
trees and having multiple branches coming up from the base. Herbaceous perennials are different from these first
two groups in that they die back in the autumn to being only roots and then grow again in the spring above
ground. Annual plants complete the cycle of germination, seeding, and dying back in one year, where as
biennials complete this cycle in two years. Vines often climb by use of leaves, stems, or roots; they may also twine
or grow tendrils. Finally, the category of other herbs contains those plants that do not reproduce using seeds;
these include ferns, fungi, and mosses. As we can see, herbs can be found in many forms in the natural world.
Their potential for medicinal uses is continually being discovered. When did this process of discovery with herbs
begin?
History Of Herbs
Herbs have been used as medicine in cultures throughout time. The use of herbs as medicine has been
going on since the beginning of civilization. According to Michael Castleman in The New Healing Herbs (2001),
prehistoric sites in Iraq indicate that Neanderthals used marshmallow, yarrow, and other herbs some 60,000 years
ago. Castleman also states that in 1991, a glacier in the Italian Alps melted, revealing a naturally preserved body
dating back some 5,300 years before. This body was termed the Iceman, and amongst the items that he carried
was a pouch that contained bracket fungus. This fungus can be used to treat intestinal parasites. Scientists were
uncertain why the Iceman would have carried such a fungus until they performed an autopsy on his digestive
tract. This autopsy showed that the Iceman did indeed have a parasite, which he must have been aware of and
was treating with the fungus. Michael Castleman notes, “This discovery ranks as the world’s oldest documented
example of the practice of medicine, and it suggests that prehistoric humanity was more medically sophisticated
than previously believed.” Herbal remedies were discovered and recorded by the Egyptians, Indians, Chinese,
Japanese, Africans, Australians, and Americans. Herbal knowledge in the East can be found in ancient texts.
According to Paul Twitchell in Herbs: The Magic Healers (1971), one of the oldest books on herbs is called the Pen‐
Ts’ao Kang Mu and comes from China three thousand years before the beginning of Christianity.
Before 500 B.C., plants were the only source of medicine for humans. There were several practices used
by humans to acquire medicinal knowledge. One of these, used by American Indians, is the practice of observing
native animals. Their belief is that we can learn from animals what herbs are beneficial. In the book Herbs: The
Magic Healers (1971), Paul Twitchell notes, “Every animal has an inborn instinct, and, when sick, will seek out
certain grasses, weeds, or plants to eat.” People have traditionally gone on vision quests to obtain herbal
knowledge. (This practice will be discussed further in the Plant Spirit Medicine section of this course.)
Much herbal wisdom came from trial and error as well. Each new generation orally learned the
knowledge that its ancestors had acquired about herbs and then added to it through personal experiences. Plants
were viewed as being magical, mysterious, and highly medicinal. The medical beliefs during these times were
that nature provided remedies for illnesses, and with this, a sick body needed to be strengthened using natural
remedies in order to help it regain its health.
During the 5th century B.C., around the time of the Greek doctor Hippocrates, a shift occurred in how
illnesses were viewed. This shift took illnesses from being somewhat mysterious and magical to being viewed as
normal aspects of the human experience. During the 12th and 18th centuries, plagues and viruses spread
throughout Europe, killing many people. Herbal medicine was not able to stop the spreading of these plagues
until the Portuguese and Spanish explorers brought herbs back to Europe from Central and South America. The
explosion of trade that occurred in the 14th century allowed cultures to share herbs and herbal knowledge. Trade
occurred between the Muslims, Chinese, Eastern Indians, and Europeans. Although the herbs used by Europeans,
Native Americans, Chinese, Eastern Indians and others differed, at the core of all systems of herbal healing was
the belief that a universal energy existed. According to www.health24.com, “All the old medical systems had, at
their centre, a belief in a primal energy that sustained life and health. The Chinese called it ʺqi,ʺ while the
[Eastern] Indians referred to it as ʺprana.” Western herbalists called it the ʺvital force.” When modern medicine
took over in the nineteenth century, these concepts were dismissed as remnants of the superstition and ignorance
of earlier healing practices.”
Modern Medicine
Systems of herbal knowledge, derived from millions of personal healing experiences, were used to form
modern, allopathic medicine in the 19th century (www.health24.com). Modern medicine came about with the
beginnings of the science of chemistry. For the first time, the science of chemistry broke down plants and humans
into the chemicals that we are made of. Prescription drugs were then formulated by isolating the chemicals in
herbs that scientists view as being the “active ingredients” for healing. These specific chemicals are synthetically
reproduced in order to form prescription drugs, which are the new healing agents of modern day medicine. The
word “drug” comes from the German word “droge,” which means “to dry.” This refers to the step of drying
herbs, which is necessary for many herbal remedies.
Michael Castleman gives examples of many modern day drugs and the herbs that they came from in his
book The New Healing Herbs (2001). Aspirin comes from the herbs willow bark and meadowsweet. Sudafed, used
to treat colds, hay fever, and the flu, was formed from chemicals in the oldest healing herb, Chinese ephedra. We
can thus see that pharmaceutical drugs derive their healing qualities from herbs. Instead of co‐existing with
herbal wisdom, Western medicine quickly began to overshadow these ancient forms of healing, especially in
countries that were taken over by Western forces. In India, for example, British rule emphasized Western
medicine and held the belief that Ayurvedic medicine was inferior. China was influenced less by Western
medicine, but in most of the United States and Europe it became illegal to practice herbal medicine without a
certificate or degree.
Differences Between Modern Medicine and Herbs
One of the differences between allopathic and herbal medicine lies in how each believes healing occurs.
Chemistry holds true that all humans are made up of the same chemicals, and by understanding how the
chemicals of medicine affect humans, medicine can then be mass‐produced. According to Paul Twitchell, an herb
that works extremely well for the healing of one person may not work as well for another. This is because holistic
medicine holds that a human being is made up of not only the chemicals of the body, but the mind, emotions, and
spirit as well. All of these aspects of a human being play out in the healing process according to holistic medicine.
Traditionally, when someone comes to see an herbalist, he/she notes the mental and physical changes of the client
and then uses plants to treat the pattern of symptoms that the client displays. These patterns of symptoms are
specific to each individual, and the goal of using herbs is to restore balance in the body and mind. The chemical
properties of the plants are understood, but some forms of herbal healings also take into account the spirit of the
plants as well. In Prescription For Herbal Healing (2002), Phyllis Balch states, “The science of herbal healing uses
herbs as sources of chemicals that modify known physiological processes that are altered in disease states.”
Herbal remedies use all of the chemicals in plants as healing agents. On average, a plant contains 30 to
150 chemicals according to Eric Meyer in Mother Nature M.D. (2001). Eric Meyer states that the healing effects of
herbs come about through a process called “synergy.” This means that all of the chemicals in an herb work
together to heal the person. Herbalists believe that synthesizing a few of the many chemicals in an herb, as
modern medicine does, and using these to try to heal a person will not have the same affect as using all of the
chemicals together that are found naturally in an herb. Eric Meyer states that there are certainly benefits of using
all the chemicals in an herb together; “By creating that special kind of balance and allowing many elements to
work together to achieve a given result, plant remedies seem to be easier for the body to digest and assimilate and
often work without producing harmful side effects.”
Pharmaceutical drugs greatly differ from herbal remedies in that they often come with serious and
sometimes deadly side effects. Eric Meyer notes in Mother Nature M.D. (2001), “When researchers create a new
drug, they’re not interested in complexity, subtlety or gentleness, which are the hallmarks of herbal remedies.” In
Prescription For Herbal Healing (2002), Phyllis Balch states that although modern drugs have “achieved a great deal
in disease treatment, they also have contributed to ill health…A standard textbook for pharmacies even states, ‘If
a drug is stated to have no side effects, then it is strongly suspected it has no central benefit.’” The negative effects
of drugs can be seen in the statistic that over 400,000 people in the United States die from predictable side effects
of pharmaceutical drugs (Prescription For Herbal Healing). Thousands more die of unpredictable side effects.
Although some herbs can also have side effects, these are uncommon and are very rarely severe according to
Balch. Pharmaceutical drugs also cost a great deal more than herbs. While some herbs grow as weeds and are
thus free, the prices of pharmaceutical drugs are often out of the reach of much of the world’s population. Balch
notes that a supply of drugs for cancer treatment can cost $75,000 every six months. Treatment through herbs
might cost only $100‐$200.
According to Eric Meyer in Mother Nature M.D. (2001), a large part of why drugs have taken the place of
herbs in pharmacies is that modern medical industries make a lot of money by patenting prescription
medications. If people were given a prescription for an herb that grows in their back yard, they would be able to
harvest it and treat themselves. Patenting makes sure that one company has the financial rights of a synthetic
medicine for a certain amount of time. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has participated in this money‐
making enterprise by helping to create a monopoly on medicine. Pharmaceutical drugs are offered only in
pharmacies and all medical products have to be strictly labeled. This means that herbal companies can no longer
produce herbal medical products because of the nature of the varying chemicals in herbs. Herbal products cannot
be made exactly the same batch after batch. This decision by the FDA caused vitamin companies to use synthetic
ingredients instead of natural herbs. Eric Meyer asks the question. Who benefits most from modern medicine:
drug companies and doctors, or the patients?
This thought, along with the time‐proven healing qualities of herbs, has led to a great renewal in herbal
remedies in cultures throughout the world. According to Phyllis Balch in Prescription For Herbal Healing (2002),
there are several other reasons as to why there is a growing amount of people becoming interested in herbs. For
one, there has been a great effort to scientifically verify the healing qualities of herbs. Herbs undergo the same
research as pharmaceutical drugs in order to show that the herbs themselves are healing, rather than simply
being the wishful thoughts of the people taking them. Herbs have also been explored through scientific means in
order to establish that none of the chemicals that they contain are harmful to humans. As mentioned before,
further reasons for the increasing interest in herbs comes from the side effects of modern drugs and their high
cost.
Women Healers
It is important to note that many accounts of the history of herbs discuss the achievements made by men
in the field of herbs and leave out the many women who made vast contributions to herbal wisdom. Women
healers have been called by the names of wise women, green women, witches, old wives, midwives, and nurses.
Just as herbs are often looked down upon by modern medicine, so too are wise women as the healers who were
using herbs. Regardless of modern medicine’s view on women healers, the knowledge of herbs that the world has
today is because of the work of thousands of years of women using herbs. Long before men took over the practice
of medicine, women healers held important roles in their villages and were sought out to heal all ailments.
During the time from 1300 to 1650, however, this role radically changed and these women were burned as
witches.
There are several theories as to why witch‐hunts occurred throughout Europe and North America. Many
feminists say the male‐dominated practice of modern medicine arose because men wanted to make the money
that women healers were making. Many women were very prosperous in their field. Another theory holds that
the Catholic Church and European rulers became concerned with the lack of population growth and associated it
with the contraceptive herbalism of women healers. When the European and North American view of women
healers drastically changed, many women healers were killed, and with this, a new way of medicine began that
looked down upon the traditions of such women. These traditions did not disappear, but instead went
underground and were in this way kept alive throughout the ages. Michael Castleman, in his book The New
Healing Herbs (2001), states that women healers have provided the most health care to the world for a great deal of
time. Susan Weed backs this up with the statement, “The World Health Organization says that more than 90% of
all primary healthcare available is offered by women, in their own homes, to family and friends.”
(www.botaniculture.org)
There are many ways that both women and men have connected with herbs in order to gain knowledge
from them. As previously discussed, these methods include watching animals, trial and error, and vision
questing. The next section of this paper, entitled Plant Spirit Medicine, will delve deeper into the practice of
vision questing. An exercise will be given toward the end of this course to show how you can connect with plant
spirits as well.
Plant Spirit Medicine
Humans have held the belief that plants have healing qualities since ancient times. With this, plants have
been seen as containers of valuable wisdom. The wisdom of herbs partially comes from the fact that they have
adapted to the same environmental challenges as humans. In the words of Matthew Wood from The Book Of
Herbal Wisdom (1997), “the triumphs of their (herbs’) life force over the adversities of Nature are etched into their
genetic makeup, and these correspond with our own challenges.” This is one reason why herbs hold medicinal
properties for humans, including the ability to help us understand the world in which we live.
Herbalists have traditionally been viewed as having special powers of seeing into the mysteries of
nature. To enter into the world of herbs is to enter into the reality of dreams, intuition, imagination, and spirit.
Herbs can touch on all of these aspects, and in this way, the world of herbs is very different from that of
mainstream modern medicine. Matthew Wood states, “The modern approach to science and medicine does not
approach the spirit, the soul, the imagination and intuition, the strange productions of folk‐culture.” If we try to
press herbs into the box of rational thinking, we leave both their spirits and our own behind.
Matthew Wood states that plants hold much wisdom that can be accessed through these special means of
understanding. Plants have stories to tell us. Their stories begin in the place of the Underworld, where there exists
a source of light unknown to humans. “From this source of mystery and power, the healing power and wisdom
of the herbs ray out like a light, into our world,” states Matthew Wood. Tales of the Underworld are found in
cultures throughout the world. One legend describes a large and powerful tree, often an Ash, Fir, or Apple. This
tree is called the Tree of Life by some Native Americans, and in their traditions, the Tree of Life grows up from
the back of a turtle. In the stories of many cultures, it is said that this great tree grows between three worlds, or
dimensions. The tree serves to bind the three worlds together. Northern European legend says that the first world
is called the middle world, and it is in this world that humans live. Above us is the upper world, often called
Heaven or the Overworld. It is to this dimension that our prayers and petitions for divine guidance are directed.
The third dimension through which the great tree grows is the Underworld, which is separate from the ordinary
consciousness of human beings. Legend says that it is in the Underworld where the true essence of each being
resides. Matthew Wood states, “The Underworld is a most important place from the standpoint of ancient and
traditional herbalism, for it is here that the shaman/herbalist/physician must journey, in order to get to know the
regenerative power of nature, the healing virtues of the medicine plants, and the vital energy which runs the
human organism. Here at the knee of Mother Nature the secrets are imparted, the tools handed out, the virtues
made known.” There exists the light of consciousness within the Underworld. Legends say that sentient beings
live in the Underworld and can communicate with us. Matthew Wood says that these beings are leafs on the Tree
of Life, just as each herb is a leaf as well. The Underworld does not need to be an abstract place of ideas, but can
instead be understood through the process of vision questing. We can go to the Underworld, converse with the
beings there, and then bring a piece of the Underworld’s light to the world in which we live.
The oldest method of gaining knowledge from herbs is through shamanic journeying. During a shamanic
journey, a person goes into nature alone to fast and pray for a vision. American Indian doctors use shamanic
journeying today. This process helps us to enter into dreamtime, where a person can learn medicinal wisdom
from spirits. Matthew Wood quotes Iamblichus in The Book Of Herbal Wisdom (1997) as saying, “medicine is the
daughter of dream.” Visions of animals or spirits often come to medicine people as teachers of the wisdom of
natural medicine. For American Indian doctors, the compilation of knowledge through many generations of
people entering into dreamtime for visions is an important aspect to their medicine. According to Anne Salazar‐
Dunbar, the vast knowledge that has been compiled about plant medicine has come through directly perceiving
the plants’ spirits, or energies (www.thenaturallife.com). This type of journeying to meet with the spirits of plants is
found in traditional cultures throughout the world. Anne Salazar‐Dunbar states that we can directly perceive the
wisdom of plants through opening our hearts. This can be challenging for people in modern‐day societies who
hold the belief that thought and feelings originate in the brain. According to Salazar‐Dunbar, the first part of the
body to connect with plants is the heart center. Then the brain connects as well. So, we can learn to “hear” from
our hearts by tuning into them and quieting our minds. When we perceive from our hearts in nature, we can be
called to share a connection with specific plants, and out of this connection, herbal knowledge can be gained.
Principles Of Herbal Healing
Traditionally, when people have completed their dreamtime or vision quest with an herb, they try to
formulate the knowledge they gained into an orderly system of healing that can then be used by other people.
Once a person acquires a significant amount of knowledge through dreamtime, he/she can then communicate this
knowledge to an apprentice, and in this way, ensure that the line of herbal knowledge continues to be passed
along. There are several principles of herbal healing that have come out of the creation of a systemized body of
herbal knowledge. These are the principles of signatures, similars, and patterns. The doctrine of signatures says
that an herb looks similar to the part of the body or disease for which it can best be used as a treatment.
Matthew Wood gives several examples of the doctrine of signatures in The Book Of Herbal Wisdom (1997).
Wood states, “Scrophurlaria roots look like swollen glands, hence it was used for swollen glands and hemorrhoids.
The orange‐yellow sap of Chelidonium indicates that it is for bile.” The idea behind this approach to healing is that
the energy of the universe forms patterns in all of nature. The patterns in plants correspond to those in humans.
So in looking for these patterns, one does not look at the superficial level, but instead at the level of energy. We
use our intuition and imagination. Patterns in plants include the way in which the plants grow, their location, and
the way they interact with our senses.
Native Americans have used their imagination to see how plants can look similar to animals. A plant is
then thought to be part of that animal’s medicine. Matthew Wood offers the example of Angelica, which has
hairy, brown roots. This plant is part of Bear Medicine. Although the principle of signatures does not align with
modern Western medicine, according to Matthew Wood, it is time‐tested as being valid.
The second type of doctrine is called the law of similars. This states that “like treats like.” During the late
1700’s a German doctor by the name of Samuel Hahnemann experimented upon himself with various herbs and
came up with this doctrine. Hahnemann noticed that when he ate cinchona bark, he experienced symptoms of
malaria. Cinchona bark was then believed to treat malaria.
The final doctrine is that of correspondence. Traditionally, correspondence was used to mean two things
that are at one in their essential energies. Matthew Wood states that the doctrine of correspondence tells us that
all life, including humans, plants, and diseases, are in correspondence with each other. In this way, the human is
thought of as being a small world that mirrors the larger outside world. All of these methods of healing are still
used by some herbalists and traditional healers throughout the world. Herbal healing can also use scientific
approaches, but as herbal knowledge originated before the onset of rational thinking and science, it was
traditionally gained in ways that use the imagination, dreams, spirit, and intuition.
Using Herbs
After looking at how we can gain herbal knowledge through vision questing, listening from our hearts,
and using the principles of herbal healing, it is important to now explore the ways in which we can use herbs.
This information sets general principles on how to use herbs for healing, and these can be added to through
experiential knowledge that we gain through vision questing, listening from our hearts, or connecting to the
plant’s spirit. This will give us an even deeper understanding of herbs. When we decide that we would like to use
herbs for healing, the first decision that we make is whether to harvest wild herbs, grow herbs, or buy them.
Matthew Wood, in The Book Of Herbal Wisdom (1997), recommends that people pick their own herbs whenever
possible as a way to connect with them at a deeper level. Wood states, “There will be no substitute for the
knowledge you will gain from the immediate experience of the herbs in the field.” This leaves it open for whether
one grows herbs or goes into nature and finds them growing wild.
Harvesting Wild Herbs
If you do decide to harvest wild herbs, it is important to have a field guide to help identify them. There
are certainly some herbs, such as dandelion, that grow as a weed in most of the United States and are easy to pick.
Others, however, such as nettle and rose, have thorns and are more difficult to harvest. A few herbs look similar
to other plants that are poisonous, which is why a field guide is extremely important. Most herbal books will give
warnings for herbs that can be confused with poisonous plants. Another important note with harvesting herbs is
to make sure that the ones you are picking have not been sprayed with herbicides or pesticides. Once you have
identified an herb, it is beneficial to connect to the plant before picking it. In The Book Of Herbal Wisdom (1997),
Matthew Wood states that Native Americans traditionally ask permission from the plant before harvesting it. One
can ask permission by touching the plant or tuning in to it while being close by. Sometimes plants will
communicate with people that they would rather not be picked and will then share information as to where more
potent plants exist that would agree to being used as medicine. Tuning in to an herb can be a way to give thanks
for its life and healing properties. It is believed by some people that this can make the healing properties of the
plant more potent because the plant is filled with healing, thankful energy and picked with love.
Growing Herbs
If you do not live in or near the country and thus do not have access to wild herbs, another option is to
grow herbs in an outdoor or indoor garden. This can be a wonderful way to connect with the herbs through
taking care of them from the time that they are seeds to when they are mature plants. An indoor garden can be
grown in a windowsill or area of one’s house that receives sunlight. The herbs will then need to be dried and
stored or made into a tincture, tea, or other remedy. When storing your own herbs, it is important to use opaque
containers that are clean and dry. It is also important to put only one herb in each container. Make sure to label
the container and change the herbs whenever fresh plants are available. Fresh lavender can be sprinkled around
the outside of the containers in order to keep insects away.
Buying Herbs
The third option for obtaining herbs is to buy them. In the book Mother Nature M.D. (2001), Eric Meyer
states that there is a great advantage to buying herbs in that you can obtain herbs that are out of season locally.
There are often a large variety of herbs to choose from at herbal and natural food stores. Eric Meyer outlines
several tips to buying herbs. The first is to find out where the herbs you may buy are from and how they were
grown. According to Eric Meyer in Mother Nature M.D. (2001), herbs that are grown in the wild are often more
effective than those grown commercially. Another factor in the effectiveness of herbs is how they are stored.
Distributors who store plants in opaque containers and in ways that do not lose their freshness are the best.
Beware of herbs that are stored in plastic containers because plastic does not insure that the herbs haven’t
fermented. Choosing herbs that are grown under organic standards is important as well. Chemicals that are
sprayed on areas used for cultivating plants can be more toxic than DDT according to Eric Meyer. Another factor
to be aware of is quality versus price. Eric Meyer strongly suggests buying quality herbs rather than cheap herbs
because the higher quality plants will be more effective. If you are able to, sniffing the herbs before buying them
can help you to establish whether they are fresh or not. Fresh herbs will still have the herbs’ odors and will look
fairly bright in color. Herbs that are grown locally will not need to travel as far and will thus likely be fresher.
Finally, if you can buy whole plants rather than powders, this is better because powders will often be a mixture of
some high quality plants and others that are of lesser quality.
Preparing Herbs
Once you have whole herbs, whether from growing, harvesting, or buying them, there are many options
to the type of herbal remedy you can make with them. Matthew Wood, in The Book Of Herbal Wisdom (1997), states
that the effects of herbs are felt without having to use them in large quantities. In the words of Matthew Wood, “It
does not take much to influence the body or the mind if we have the right medicinal substance. The approach is
homeopathic. In small doses herbs stimulate the self‐healing ability of the body.” This is the same principle as
flower essences. The essence of the herbs can greatly affect the body and mind at the energetic level.
Many ways to prepare herbs exist, and they include tinctures, infusions, poultices, syrups, inhalations,
decoctions, oils, essences, ointments, enemas, vaginal douches, gargles, sitz baths, lozenges, extracts, and capsules
made from dried herbs. The herbal reference guide that is part of this course will outline ways to use each herb.
The healing qualities of each herb are most useful when the herb is prepared into certain herbal remedies, and
these differ between herbs. When preparing to take an herb, it can be powerful to give thanks to the herb and ask
it to help us in our healing processes. In this way, the herb will be charged energetically and respond to our
petitions. The exercise section of this course will outline several processes to make herbal remedies. For further
information on preparing each type of remedy, refer to the books listed in the Review of Literature section.

Parts of Herbs
This section of the course will explore uses of the various parts of herbs that are used for medicine: leaves,
stems, flowers, seeds, fruits, nuts, roots, and bark. A general understanding of the importance of each part of
herbs is helpful in both connecting to herbs and in the process of harvesting and using specific herbs. The
information listed below comes from the book Herbs (1994) by Lesley Bremness.
Leaves: These are the most widely used part of herbs. The process of photosynthesis occurs in the leaves
where chlorophyll is present. Chlorophyll is deodorizing and antiseptic. It also has the ability to clear toxins.
During autumn, photosynthesis decreases and the healing qualities of the herbs are not as effective as during
times of higher levels of photosynthesis.
Stems: These transport nutrients and contain fibers, such as flax and hemp. When harvesting both leaves
and stems, midmorning is best. It is also best to pick leaves at the time just before the plant flowers. Leaves and
stems can then be dried by hanging them in bunches (not in the sun) in clean air for four to ten days and then
stored.
Flowers: Flowers are the reproductive part of herbs and can often be used for medicinal purposes.
Flowers can have a milder flavor than the plant’s leaves, such as in mint, rosemary, and chive florets. These can
be eaten raw. There are some cases, however, of poisonous flowers. Flowers are best harvested when they first
open fully because it is at this time that they contain the most active ingredients. This is best to be done at
midday. One can pick flowers at their stems. It is best to avoid touching the petals. Flowers can be dried by
spreading them onto paper or gauze and leaving them to dry for one to three weeks in warm, clean air. They
should be turned once or twice. Roses and other large flowers can be dried upright in mesh, while lavender can
be dried by hanging it in loose bundles.
Seeds: These are produced by flowering and non‐flowering plants. They contain the genetic information
for future plants. Seeds can be picked when they are ripe on warm, dry days. The plants can be shaken over a
paper bag to allow the seeds to fall. The seeds can then be put on paper and left in a warm place to dry for two
weeks. Another way to harvest seeds is to hang the stalks above an open box in a warm place for two weeks. The
stalks can then be rubbed to let the seeds come off and can then be stored. Seeds provide many spices.
Fruits: Fruits are ripe, developed flower ovaries. They can be used when fresh, dried, or frozen.
Nuts: These are types of dry fruits with hard walls or shells.
Roots: Roots are the underground portions of plants. They have many medicinal uses including lozenges,
soothing skin creams, and fragrances. For areas where there are four weather seasons, it is best to dig up roots in
the spring before sap rises or in the autumn. For tropical areas, it is best to dig roots up during the dry season. To
allow the roots to regrow, cut the portion you take cleanly with a knife and then leave the remaining portions.
After digging up the roots, scrub them clean. Then chop and spread the roots in a warm oven or dehydrator at the
temperature of about 120 degrees F. Store roots in airtight jars. Most roots will last for years if prepared in this
way.
Bark: Bark is used as tannins and spices. It can be pried off of a tree during the tree’s dormant season.
After gathering bark, brush it clean, wash it, and then spread it out to dry.

How Herbs Heal
When the correct herbs are taken for a health condition or disease, one can experience healing results.
These results, when looked at from a scientific perspective, are not mysterious. Herbs contain phytochemicals,
which are known as essential oils. Each herb contains a unique composition of essential oils. An herb usually has
one dominant phytochemical that is related to the therapeutic value of the plant. However, the entire composition
of phytochemicals is important. In the words of Carly Wall from Naturally Healing Herbs (1960), “The delicate
balance of chemicals—one chemical helps a second work, a third ensures that that effect is not too strong, and a
fourth does something else—creates natural, soothing healing.” This is where herbs differ greatly from
pharmaceutical drugs, which only use the dominant chemical in an herb for healing. Carly Wall furthermore
notes, “Nature in the plant and its essential oil has created something complete that allows you to direct it toward
healing for a particular purpose.” The unique compositions of essential oils that each herb contains have varying
medicinal uses. For example, some herbs help boost the immune system, while others serve to cleanse the
lymphatic system. The next section of this course will outline these actions that herbs can take in aiding the body
to heal itself.
Herbal Actions
The ways in which herbs affect the body are important to understand. These will both help to gain a more
complete picture of the healing properties of herbs along with a better understanding of how specific herbs can
heal specific ailments. This knowledge comes from the book Identifying And Harvesting Edible And Medicinal Plants
In Wild And Not So Wild Places (1994), which is written by Steve Brill and Evelyn Dean.
Anodynes/analgesics: These are substances in plants that help to ease pain. This group of healing qualities also
includes antispasmodics, which treat muscle cramping and muscle tension. Nervines are another part of this
category of herbs that can help to calm the nerves.
Astringents: Astringents serve to contract muscles. Plants that are astringents help with diarrhea and sore
throats. Some astringents are also hemostatic, meaning that they help to stop bleeding. Astringents have
cleansing actions.
Alteratives: These help with detoxification and strengthening; they are used to help people recover from illnesses.
Antiseptics: These are for external use only. Antibiotics are for internal use, and both help to stop bacterial action.
Cardiacs: Herbs that are cardiacs help to strengthen the heart. It is important to note not to use cardiacs without
medical supervision.
Carminatives: These herbs are used for digestive stimulation and to relieve gas.
Demulcents: These often contain mucilage, which helps with inflamed or damaged tissues. Demulcents are to be
taken internally and are soothing.
Diuretics: Diuretics serve to stimulate the kidneys, which helps to increase one’s urine flow. These can cause
important minerals to be expelled from the body along with the urine and should not be used excessively.
Emollients: These are substances that are used on the skin for their soothing effects.
Expectorants: Expectorants are used to help with respiratory infections. They serve to expel mucus from the
lungs.
Emmenogogues: These help women to begin their menstrual cycles. They can help with cramps as well.
Emmenogogues have been used for abortions, but Steve Brill and Evelyn Dean strongly do not recommend using
these herbs in this way, for women are poisoning themselves in these cases.
Rubefacients: These herbs can be used to treat arthritis because they increase one’s blood flow near the surface of
the skin.
Stimulants: Stimulants serve to increase circulation and metabolism. Caffeine is one stimulant, but is harmful to
one’s health if used for long periods of time.
Tonics: These herbs are used to generally strengthen the body.
Vulneraries: Vulneraries help with the healing of injured tissues.
There are herbs that can be used to treat each system in the body, including the cardiovascular system,
structural tissues, nervous system, digestive system, and respiratory tract. Specific organs can be treated as well
by certain herbs. For example, Phyllis Balch notes in Prescription For Herbal Healing (2002) that ginger, ginkgo,
gotu kola, lobelia, and soy lecithin can be used to treat the brain. Herbs can be used to purify the blood, build the
immune system, stimulate the body, ease stress, tension, and depression, amongst many other healing qualities.

Herbal Treatment Guidelines
There are several general guidelines for using herbs to heal that are given by Phyllis Balch in Prescription
For Herbal Healing (2002). These are harmonious with the principles of modern pharmacology and apply to all the
herbs listed in the reference guide to herbs for this course. Although these may be self‐evident, it is important to
touch on them for safe use of herbs.
#1. Modern medicine should be used for emergency treatments.
Herbal medicine and other complimentary healing techniques are most beneficial after someone has been
treated for any major emergency conditions by modern medicine or before any crisis happens. Herbs are meant to
be preventative measures or healing measures, and are not for emergency use.
#2. Get a correct diagnosis for any health conditions that you want to treat with herbs.
Phyllis Balch notes that, “Self‐diagnoses of aches and pains, colds and flu, minor injuries, and predictable
fluctuations in chronic conditions is usually valid.” However, it is important to get a correct diagnoses through
Western Medicine and objective evaluation can be helpful in this process. After correctly diagnosing a health
condition, the next step is to figure out what herbs would be best to use for healing. Balch says that even
knowledgeable herbalists will likely not know all the 5,000 medicinal herbs used throughout the world. There are
government‐approved books called pharmacopeias that serve as guides to matching health symptoms to specific
herbs. The pharmacopeias for the United States are the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) and The American Herbal
Pharmacopoeia.
#3. Herbs have a long onset of action.
When taking herbs, it can be awhile before the desired results are seen. They can be slow in action. There
are herbs that act more quickly as well, but it is important to note that we may need to take herbs for a period of
time in order to be healed by them.
#4. If one herb doesn’t work, try another.
For an herb to be effective, it must produce results that can be felt. In order to figure out whether an herb
works, Phyllis Balch states that oftentimes, one needs to receive measurements. For example, someone taking an
herb to treat high blood pressure can get her/his blood pressure measured periodically in order to establish the
herb’s effectiveness.
Case Studies
Several case studies will be shared in this section in order to give examples of how herbs can heal specific
conditions for various people. These case studies come from the book Naturally Healing Herbs (1960). They are
stories that were shared by other herbalists with Carly Wall, the author of this book. Many of the herbalists Carly
Wall talked to described how their clients are often amazed at the simplicity of the herbal formulas. Carly Wall
states in Naturally Healing Herbs (1960), “nearly all discovered in the end that healing comes naturally.” The first
study is of a 56‐year‐old woman, who suffered for many years with arthritis. She had trouble walking and
moving her hands. Her days were focused around her illness; some days were more painful than others. This
woman tried conventional treatments that were geared toward alleviating pains, but failed to do even this. She
was referred to an herbalist, who put her on cleansing tonics, apple pectin, and a 3‐day fast. The results were seen
quickly. In the words of Carly Wall, this woman “followed her advice and ‘suddenly’ within weeks after years of
pain, she found herself pain free. With tears in her eyes she told the herbalist the tonics had given her back her
life.”
Another beautiful case study with herbs is of a man who was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 48. He
had experienced good health up until this point. At the age of 48, however, he found himself experiencing skin
rashes and digestive difficulties amongst other problems. He wanted to treat his body better and regain health, so
he went to an herbalist. This man began a five‐herb tonic that contained sodium sulfate. He felt much better
within weeks and went to see the doctor that had diagnosed him with diabetes. The doctor retested him, and after
coming up with a negative test, the doctor stated that there must have been a mistake with the first diagnoses.
The herbalist, however, knew that there hadn’t been a mistake; he had been cured. Carly Wall states, “the herbal
tonic had been reported to defeat adult‐onset diabetes with a 100 percent cure rate.”
The final case study that we will look at shows how herbs can be used along with modern medicine to
create health. A 42‐year‐old woman was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She had witnessed other family
members going through the process of having cancer, and all of these people had died because of their illnesses.
This woman was determined to cure herself of ovarian cancer and began to receive conventional therapies along
with daily doses of Essiac Tonic. An herbalist friend prescribed this cancer tonic to her. She did not experience the
normal side effects of her chemotherapy treatments, such as hair loss and nausea, and she believes that this was
because of the herbal tonic she took. The woman was able to return to work quickly and continues to take the
tonic periodically. In addition to stories of specific healing experiences with herbs, research has been performed
in order to test the effectiveness of herbs in comparison to pharmaceutical drugs and placebo medicines. These
will be shared next.
Scientific Studies
Many scientific studies have been performed to establish the validity of the healing powers of herbs, a
few of which will be discussed in this part of the course. Adriane Fugh‐Berman included these studies in the book
Alternative Medicine: What Works? (1996). One of these studies was done on St. John’s Wort. This herb is commonly
used to aide with depression and often grows as a weed in many parts of the United States. Eight trials showed
that St. John’s Wort was effective in helping with depression more than the placebo group. Three other trials
found it to be equally effective as antidepressants and furthermore that St. John’s Wort had fewer side effects than
the antidepressants. In a large German led study on St. John’s Wort, 1,757 adults with mild depression were
involved. Twenty three trials were preformed that involved these people. Twenty‐two percent of the people
taking the placebo experienced significant mood elevation, while 55 percent of those taking St. John’s Wort
experienced significant mood elevation.
Another study from Alternative Medicine: What Works? (1996) was on garlic. Garlic is used to help with
high levels of cholesterol. This was a double blind study done with forty participants who had high cholesterol.
After four months, the total cholesterol for the group taking garlic lowered by 21%, while the control group’s total
cholesterol lowered by 3%.
Herbal Licensing
With the present‐day increasing levels of people practicing herbal medicine, the Botanical Medicine
Academy (BMA), and the American Herbalist Guild (AHG) have responded by providing standards of education
and ethics to voluntary herbalists in Western herbalism. The Botanical Medicine Academy, founded by
naturopathic physicians holding a specialty in botanical medicine, and the American Herbalist Guild have set
such standards for herbalists since 1989. The BMA and AHG offer voluntary, national exams that once passed,
offer herbalists the title of Certified Clinical Herbalist (CCH). In order to achieve the title of CCH, two exams
must be passed. According to Kathy Abascal, director of BMA, and Eric Yarnell, president of BMA and
professional member of AHG, certification for herbalists is important for consumers especially today, when many
people seek herbal medicine for complex health issues (www.herbalgram.org). Furthermore, there is a great need
for herbalists to have knowledge of mainstream medicine when people who are taking prescription medications
come to seek herbal remedies to take in conjunction with their prescriptions.
Since there are healers who have practiced herbalism as part of their cultures for hundreds of years, the
BMA and AHG feel that it is important to keep the certification exam voluntary. Abascal and Yarnell state,
“Traditional practitioners will be able to continue offering their services as they have done for hundreds of years,
while certified practitioners can advertise their particular western science‐based skills to the segments of the
population that prefer that form of treatment.” There are many different groups of professionals that will be
sought for herbal advice. According to www.herbalgram.org, “These practitioners may be conventional medical
doctors, doctors of osteopathy, chiropractors, licensed naturopathic physicians, pharmacists, nurse practitioners,
herbalists, dieticians, midwives, and others.” The amount of training in herbal knowledge that each group of
practitioners goes through varies greatly. A national standard of certification for Western herbalism allows
consumers to know that such practitioners have a high level of education and ethics in Western herbalism. Other
types of herbalism, including Ayurvedic and Native American practices, have other standards.
There are many titles that herbalists use such as Clinical Herbalist (CH), Medical Herbalist (MH), and
Certified Medical Herbalist (CMH). According to Jonathan Treasure, M.N.I.M.H., all three of these titles do not
mean that the person has clinical knowledge and do not show a generally recognized status of knowledge
(www.herbological.com). Jonathan Treasure was certified as a medical herbologist by the leading United Kingdom
certification organization called the National Institute of Medical Herbalists (NIMH). The NIMH has trained
herbalists for the past 100 years to be able to practice legally as healthcare professionals.
Another credential that is used by people practicing herbalism is Naturopathic Doctor (ND). Jonathan
Treasure recommends looking further into this type of degree because people can earn this title without going
through the full program of naturopathic medicine as students of full‐time training programs, such as that of
Bastyr University and the National College of Naturopathic Medicine, go through. According to Jonathan
Treasure, “Currently, professional AHG membership, MNIMH, or licensed ND are the only credentials that
reliably guarantee professional level clinical training and qualification in western herbal medicine in the USA.”
(www.herbological .com)
Numerous schools for herbology exist today, and it can be overwhelming for a beginner of herbalism to
find a school that will both provide a high level of knowledge and allow the person to start a safe and successful
practice. From my research on herbal schools, it seems that there are both schools that are geared toward national
accreditation through the American Herbalist Guild and those that follow the traditional path of the shaman,
wise woman, and healer. I would like to offer one example of each as a way to introduce the variety of herbal
schools that exist at this time. Dr. Michael Tierrra, founder of the AHG, has designed a distance learning herbal
course called East West School of Herbology. This combines Western, Ayurvedic, and Traditional Chinese
herbology. It includes anatomy, physiology, and pathology studies, along with the study of material medica, the
principles of formulation, practical clinical diagnostic skills, and practical clinical experience. According to
Michael Tierra on www.planetherbs.com, many of the graduates of this course pass the American Herbalist Guild
certification exam. Another school is offered by Susan Weed who practices herbal medicine and spirit healing in
the wise woman tradition. She has no formal degrees of education, but teaches how to use herbs from wisdom
gained through her own relationship to nature. Susan Weed has founded the Wise Woman Center, where she
trains apprentices, and oversees the work of distance‐learning students. There are several programs that Susan
Weed also offers, including apprenticeships in shamanism and green goddess work.

Exercises
Connecting To Plant Spirits
One practice that can be helpful in deepening our connections with plants and to their spirits involves
intuiting which plants can help us. In this practice, we first set the intention that we would like to be led to a plant
that will heal us or help us to heal others. We then come into a receptive state and open our heart centers. Next,
we begin to walk through nature. Take notice of any plants that draw your attention to them. Once you feel that
you have found a plant that you would like to work with, stand or sit in front of the plant and let the plant know
that you would like to connect with it. Breathe with the plant and allow your intuition to guide you as to how
your special relationship will come about. Once you feel ready to commune with this plant’s spirit in a relaxed
and meditative state, give the plant something in return for the wisdom it will share with you. Water or compost
can be good gifts for plants. Then find some place you can either lie down or sit comfortably, either back in your
home space or somewhere outside. Intend to connect with the plant you found at a deeper level. Perhaps you
would like to listen to some soft music, light a candle, or do anything else to help you relax and feel that this is a
sacred journey. Then allow your mind to be still and see where your consciousness goes. Plant wisdom can come
in many forms. Be with your plant for as long as you desire and then reflect on any wisdom that you gained.
Plant Meditation
Another practice in connecting on a deeper level to herbs comes from Diane Mariechild’s book Mother Wit
(1981). For this meditation, you need to sit in front of a healthy plant. If you are practicing this exercise with
several people, it will work to sit around the plant in a circle. Close your eyes and feel your body relaxing. Each
part is becoming more and more relaxed, until you feel that your whole body is in a space of deep relaxation.
Pause here for about two minutes in order to really fall into this relaxed space in your body. When you have
reached this feeling, visualize a circle of protection forming around your body and aura. You are now protected
and can perhaps relax even a little further. Begin to allow your attention to focus on your breath. Watch as you
inhale, exhale, and then pause. Find a natural rhythm with your breath and continue to focus on it for about two
minutes.
After this, slowly open your eyes and allow them to softly focus on the plant in front of you. Focus
completely on the plant for about two minutes. Now close your eyes again and allow your consciousness to begin
lifting up out of your body. Let your consciousness move from your body into the plant. This may feel like make‐
believing, which is fine. This exercise is about using our imaginations in order to tune into the spirit of the plant.
As your awareness moves into the plant, take note of what it feels like and what you see. Are there areas of light?
Do you hear any sounds? Notice any sensations that arise while you explore what it is like to have your
awareness inside the plant. Now you can gently begin to bring your consciousness back into your own body.
Once you feel completely in your body again, slowly open your eyes and focus once again on the plant. This time
hold the knowledge that the plant has consciousness and begin to communicate with the plant. You can ask the
plant if it has any wisdom it would like to share with you. Close your eyes and listen to the plant. Stay in
communication with the plant for at least a couple of minutes. To finish the meditation, allow your awareness to
return to its normal state. In Mother Wit (1981), Diane Mariechild states, “The experience you have just had, of
communicating with the plant and becoming the plant, is something that you often do on an unconscious level.
You have learned to make the information conscious. This kind of knowing will enrich your experience and lead
to greater understanding and compassion.” (49)
Growing Herbs
This is a practice that people can do in many different types of living situations. For those who have an
outside space where a garden can be created, a large amount of herbs and foods can be grown. There are herbs
that can grow inside as well, as long as there is an area that gets sufficient natural light. Growing one’s own herbs
is a wonderful way to connect more with them on the spiritual level. In the book The Green Pharmacy (1997), James
A. Duke covers herbs that he highly recommends to be grown for herbal healing. For indoor gardening, Duke
recommends growing basil, chives, dill, fennel, lavender, parsley, peppermint, rosemary, sage, and thyme. There
is a wide range of herbs that can be grown outdoors. Eric Meyer draws attention to the importance of the soil that
is used when growing herbs in his book Mother Nature M.D. (2001). Some people think that wild herbs are the
most potent for healing; however, Meyer states that the quality of soil is most important in his opinion. To start
an herbal garden, you can gather cuttings, seeds, or root divisions. Many nurseries sell seeds of herbs or one can
purchase seeds from seed companies such as Mountain Rose Herbs, The Rosemary House, and Companion
Plants. There are many books on gardening that can be used to help in this process. If you choose not to grow
herbs, connecting to plants in nature can be another wonderful option to spiritually connect with them.
Tinctures
Phyllis Balch outlines the process of making tinctures in her book Prescription For Herbal Healing (2002).
According To Phyllis Balch, tinctures contain the active constituents of herbs dissolved in alcohol. They are made
by soaking herbs in alcohol. Tinctures are stronger than teas or infusions and will last up to two years from the
time they are made. In order to make tincture, one puts an herb in a large, dark glass jar. One can weigh the herb
to find out the amount of alcohol that will be needed. One part of herb is soaked in five parts of rum or vodka.
Matthew Wood, in The Book Of Herbal Wisdom (1997), states that different types of alcohol have varying medicinal
effects. Grape alcohol, for example, helps to stimulate circulation. Wood recommends using E & J’s Brandy. The
herb should be completely covered with alcohol. When this is accomplished, one shakes the jar for one to two
minutes, labels it, and leaves it in a cool and dark place for two weeks. After this time, one strains the tincture
using muslin or a winepress. The herb is no longer needed. The liquid is poured into clean, dark glass bottles
using a funnel. The bottles can be filled all the way and should then be closed using tops or corks. An important
note that Balch includes is that tinctures such as these that contain alcohol should not be taken by children,
pregnant women, people with gastritis or those with peptic ulcers. The alcohol can be taken out of tinctures by
putting a dose of tincture into a small glass of water that has just come to a boil. One then lets the mixture sit for
five minutes, which allows the alcohol to evaporate. Another way to make tinctures without alcohol is to use
glycerol or natural cider vinegar in the place of alcohol. This is especially good for children. Balch warns to never
use industrial alcohol, methyl alcohol, or rubbing alcohol in tinctures.
Teas
Another practice of using herbs is to make teas, or decoctions. Both of these terms refer to the process of
preparing herbs by putting them in water. Most herbs can be prepared in the form of teas. According to Balch in
Prescription For Herbal Healing (2002), the simplest way to make a tea is to place the herb in a tea bag. To use this
method, one brings a cup of water to a boil, puts the water in a cup, and places the herbal tea bag in it. This is left
for five to ten minutes preferably covered. The herb does not need to be measured when using a tea bag, and
according to Balch, this is one of the advantages to preparing herbs in this way. The main disadvantage, however,
is that some herbs contain their healing qualities in their essential oils, which do not come out with tea bags.
Essential oils come out when an herb is ground or crushed. If this is done before placing the herb in a tea bag, the
essential oils go into the air. Another way to prepare a tea is to use loose herbs in a tea pot. Balch recommends
using a non metallic brewing pot because metals can leach chemicals out into the tea, which will react with the
herbs in unknown ways. A recommended amount of herb is placed into the pot and covered with one cup of
boiling water. This is left covered for five to ten minutes, strained, and is then ready to drink. Balch notes that it is
important not to lift the top off of a pot with steeping herbs very many times, as the aromatic oils can escape into
the air.
Syrups
Syrups are sweet liquids that can be used to treat coughs or to make the taste of tinctures sweeter. Phyllis
Balch outlines a procedure for making syrups in Prescription For Herbal Healing (2002). First put one pound of
sugar and one cup of water in a saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly. Once the mixture has
come to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer and keep the mixture simmering until all the sugar granules have
dissolved. Then let the syrup cool and store it in a dark glass bottle in the refrigerator. The syrup can then be
added to tinctures. A cough syrup is made by putting any tinctures for herbs that treat coughs into syrup. The
ratio is one part tincture to two parts syrup. Then, if the dosage of the tincture calls for one teaspoon, take one
tablespoon of the syrup mixture. Thus, the same number is taken as tablespoons instead of teaspoons.

Discussion
I had the experience of growing up on several acres of land that was filled with trees, ferns, and many
other plants. Throughout my childhood, I found the most pleasure in playing outdoors and creating fantasy
realms with nature. As I grew up, however, I began to lose my close relationship with nature. My time outdoors
turned into walks for exercise and time to be in the sun. The activities I enjoyed in the outdoors all had a focus
other than connecting with nature. During this time, I spent years trying to find a spiritual path that resonated
deeply within me. With each path that I tried, I found myself continually drawn to being outside more than
sitting indoors and meditating. I have recently begun to reconnect with nature in spiritual ways and have found
these to be highly satisfying for my spirit. I have discovered that it is connecting with nature through meditating
and being with the elements that feels best to me.
Another practice that I have found to be highly satisfying is gardening. I have begun preparing garden
beds at my new house to be used for planting. This is a unique process for me that I would like to share. I started
my relationship with this part of the earth by sitting with it and connecting energetically by placing my hands in
the soil. I spent a fair amount of time tuning in to the soil, which is covered with small plants. I told the soil and
plants that I intended to turn up the plants currently growing there in order for them to be used to aid in the
growth of food that could be used to sustain my body. I affirmed to the plants that they would die and then be
reborn.
At this point, I began to intuitively “hear” the plants and soil communicating with me. They told me that
they weren’t quite ready because the plants loved their lives in that rich soil, but that they would be in a matter of
time. I acknowledged this and placed a special crystal into the soil as an offering for the earth. I then used some of
the water I had collected from a nearby river, blessed it, and poured it into the garden as another offering. After
this, I left the garden space for a couple of days. When coming back from a walk with my partner, I noticed that
the crystal, which I had buried, was sitting perfectly uncovered on top of the soil where I had left it. Amazed and
deeply touched, I picked up the crystal and felt the tremendous healing energy that it had received from the
Earth. I knew that it was an offering back to me for entering into communion with the Earth.
This experience I had in connecting with the plants and soil has sparked a great interest to continue to
communicate with them. I strongly feel that many of my feelings of disconnection with life have come from a lack
of connection to Mother Earth. I have faith that any of us can establish reconnections with the Earth, regardless of
age or background. I can certainly say that through my deepening relationship with the Earth, I have undergone
many awakenings and openings. Just yesterday, my partner shared with me an image of the Earth as a living
being, with the streams, rivers, lakes, and oceans being her blood. This was a very powerful image for me, and in
connecting with it, I felt a deep sense of the possibilities for healing the Earth and ourselves.
Those of us on this path of reconnection with the Earth are certainly not the first to do so. The Dead Sea
Scrolls have revealed that Jesus was part of a community called the Essenes that worshiped the Earth along with
the other elements. They had many beautiful meditations to connect to the Earth that are now available for people
today to participate in. It is thought that before the beginning of male dominated history, goddess cultures existed
that worshipped the Earth as part of divine creation. Although we have moved away from this way of believing
and living, an increasing amount of people are being drawn to rekindle the fire of earthly connection. It has
continued to burn on through the ages, keeping a warm place for any who seek it. This fire burns in each of our
hearts as well. My wish is that it will continue to be rekindled and burn stronger than ever before.
What You Can Do To Preserve Your Right To Have Access To Herbs
It is very important that you do everything in your own power to preserve your right to have access to
herbs and vitamin supplements, which are threatened by impending efforts to block public access to these items.
Laws that are being pushed to be enacted in European countries are going to be pushed in the United States next.
Germany was the first to be under these new laws about herbal supplements, and the results have been
devastating for the public. The herbs that are now on the market in Germany are as little as 1/1000th the necessary
potency to have any effect whatsoever, and the prices are as much as four times the amount they were originally.
Not only are the herbal supplements severely decreased in their effectiveness and potency, but many
supplements have been eliminated from the market altogether. This is an attempt on the part of large
corporations to thwart and eliminate the public’s ability to heal without assistance from the medical
establishment, and prevent diseases, ailments, and spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical health.
What you can do for your right to herbal remedies is write to your government leaders so that they have
ammunition for which to fight against these bills that will appear in the institutions that decide the laws for the
United States. If they have 100,000 letters from concerned citizens, this is something they can use to prevent non
public‐friendly laws from passing. Write to your senators in your state, the president, and your representatives.
This is how you can do your part in preventing loss of your right to herbal supplements and possible vitamins as
well.
Conclusion
Herbs offer us an alternative world of medicine from the modern approach to healing. This alternative
world means affirming that nature is the wisest source of healing. By reconnecting with nature and using herbs,
we can realign ourselves with the natural way of health that is possible for everyone. Herbs can help people
cleanse, rejuvenate, build the immune system, ease tension and pain, and recover from illnesses. They are
different from modern medicine in that they use all of the phytochemicals in plants, also known as essential oils,
and together, these can heal the body, mind, and spirit in gentle, yet effective ways. Herbs can be collected in
nature, grown, or bought at cheaper prices than modern medicine. This is not to say, however, that modern
medicine does not have a place in healing. For emergency health situations, modern medicine has much to offer.
However, there are many side effects that come with pharmaceutical drugs, and these are not a part of most
herbal remedies.
At this point in time, North Americans have the option between modern and herbal medicines. However,
this freedom is being questioned by the United States’ government and is also being limited by deforestation
occurring throughout the world. Herbal wisdom is an ancient healing system and has survived over the years by
becoming an underground movement at times. The knowledge of herbs that we have today goes back much
further than modern medicine to the millions of men and women who connected with plants by shamanic
journeying, trial and error, and watching how animals used plants to heal themselves. This vast body of
knowledge is continually being expanded with each new generation. There are many plants in the world that
likely have healing properties that humans have not yet discovered. More and more people are finding that herbs
are valuable healers, especially in this age of great pollution and over‐population. Connecting with nature goes
against the capitalistic approach to life in that herbs give themselves freely to healing. We do not use herbs only
for our own benefit, but also because the plant realm can use our help in return. Our bodies are not the only ones
becoming polluted with the modern ways of living, but the Earth’s body is as well. Together, we can heal. If we
treat our Earth correctly, the Earth will keep us healthy.
Plants are necessary for human life to exist. We live in a relationship of constant exchange with plants,
each of us providing what the other needs in order to survive: oxygen (humans) and carbon dioxide (plants). In
the words of Eric Meyer from Mother Nature M.D. (2001), “Plants are our friends. They are alive like us. They
embellish the planet we cohabit wherever they happen to grow. In this age of scientific progress and accelerated
technological development, the world of plants is becoming increasingly vital to our overall well‐being, acting as
an antidote to the cold urban environment we inhabit, which sometimes seems to be designed more for machines
than for people.” (17)
This course has allowed us to enter into this world of herbs and nature, where much healing takes place.
Now that you have stepped into the world of herbs, you have an understanding of the herbal approach to
healing. This is valuable information that many people do not know because it is not taught in mainstream
schools. You hold this knowledge, which can empower you and those around you to choose lives of connection,
health, and happiness. I invite you to take this knowledge to a deeper level through personal exploration of herbs
and your own connection to the Earth. May this be an ever deepening journey for both you and others.

Connecting deeper So let us jump into this world.
To this ocean of wealth known as nature. We are always a part of it,
Different from material money and possessions But when we consciously choose to live
This wealth is one of heart and soul. In communion with the rest of creation
Plants are continually dancing in the bliss of creation We take a new breath of life
Opening themselves to the great sun of life. And are reborn.
They are teachers for us of how to open, trust, and smile.

“As you sit on the hillside, or lie prone under the trees of the forest, or sprawl wet‐legged by a mountain stream, the great
door, that does not look like a door, opens.” —Stephen Graham, The Gentle Art Of Tramping.
(http://www.quotegarden.com/nature.html)
Herbs Reference Guide

Acerola (Malpighia)
Common Names: Some common names for acerola are cereso, Antilles cherry and Barbados cherry.
Description: The acerola grows as a bushy shrub. Its berries are a red color at their peak of nutrients and change
to a green color when harvested.
Location: Acerola is commonly found in the West Indies, South America and southern Texas.
Properities: Acerola is one of the highest content vitamin C foods available. According to Phyllis A. Balch in
Prescription for Herbal Healing (2002), “On average, 100 grams of ripe acerola fruits contain 17,000 milligrams of
vitamin C. For the sake of comparison 100 grams of oranges contains only 500 milligrams of vitamin C.
Uses: This herb is used primarily for its high vitamin C content. The herb is also recognized for containing
amounts of vitamin B1, niacin, magnesium, pantothenic acid and vitamin B2. Because of the vitamin C content in
the herb it can be used to fight off allergies, aging effects, infertility, glaucoma, colds and flu, cancer, bronchitis,
wrinkles and Parkinson’s disease.
Doses: Acerola can be found in pill form at drug stores. You would find this as a vitamin C pill, which would
read on the label, “contains acerola.” This herb can also be used in lotion or cream form, but be advised that
allergic reaction is possible.
Warnings: Be advised that water should be taken in liberal amounts when taking acerola. Do not take acerola
when being treated for cancer via surgical operation or chemotherapy treatment.

Acorus (Acorus gramineus)
Common Names: Chang pu, shi chang pu, sweet flag rhizome and gramineus.
Location: North America and Northern Canada.
Description: The leaves of the Acorus herb are similar to grass and the entire herb resembles an iris plant.
Properties: Acorus is an antioxidant and can be used to relieve the stomach, induce vomiting and alleviate
diarrhea, dysentery and abdominal pain. It can also be used as a phlegm eliminator and as a tranquilizer.
Uses: This herb can be used to help patients going through drug withdrawal in that it has a calming effect and
works on the body to ensure that the toxic inflammatory chemical histamines released during drug cravings are
controlled. Also acorus is used to protect the brain from free radicals.
Doses: You can obtain this herb by meeting with a Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner (TCM). Also, this
herb can be found in North America in the form of teas and powders.
Warnings: Acorus should never be used without the assistance of medical professionals.

Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria)
Common Names: Cocklebur, liverwort, church steeples and stickwort.
Location: North America.
Description: This herb likes lots of sunlight and produces yellow budding flowers in the summer season.
Properties: This is one of the most commonly used herbs for healing wounds. Agrimony is non‐toxic and is used
as an astringent.
Uses: Agrimony can be used to cure diarrhea and relaxed bowels. In conjunction with bed wetting, this herb can
be used to stop the irritation of the urinary tract. It can also be used to help treat jaundice and liver problems, as
well as infections.
Doses: This herb is most commonly taken as a tea or tincture.
Warnings: Agrimony can cause an increase in constipation. People with the following health conditions should
not take agrimony: Grave’s disease, Hashimotos’s thyroiditis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogrens’s syndrome,
or any other autoimmune disease.

Alfalfa (Medicago sativum)
Common Names: Lucerne.
Location: Alfalfa is grown around the world, but it originated in the Middle East.
Description: Alfalfa is a flowering herb with spiraling seedpods.
Properties: This herb is prized for its content of calcium, magnesium, and potassium. The leaves of the alfalfa
plant also contain vitamins A, D, E and K as well as eight essential amino acids.
Uses: This herb is a blood purifier and detoxifies the body. It can be used to cure liver disorders, bleeding gums,
hemorrhoids, asthma, high blood pressure, infections, burns, constipation, anemia, athlete’s foot, eczema, and
cancer. Alfalfa can also be taken to aid in the process of menopause.
Doses: Alfalfa may be ingested as a food or in pill form.
Warnings: Pregnant women and women suffering from premenstrual syndromes should not ingest alfalfa.
People with autoimmune disease and those taking anticoagulants should avoid taking alfalfa as well.

Aloe (Aloe vera)
Common Names: Aloe Vera.
Location: The Aloe plant originated in Africa, but is grown around the world.
Description: The plant consists of huge leaves, which contain a clear gel inside that can be applied externally. A
yellow sap can also be removed to use internally.
Properties: This herb is an anti‐inflammatory agent, laxative and immune stimulant.
Uses: Aloe can be used to treat burns and wounds and is commonly applied to sunburns. It can aid in the process
of cancer treatment. This herb can also be used to aid frostbite, hemorrhoids, hangovers, skin disorders, wrinkles
and ulcers.
Doses: Aloe gels can be used for wounds and burns while aloe bitters can be taken internally for constipation.
Warnings: Aloe should not be used internally by women who are breast‐feeding. Also, pregnant women or those
who are menstruating should not take aloe internally. Aloe vera use should be limited (for no more than two
weeks straight). Women on birth control should not take aloe vera internally although it may be taken externally.

American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolium)
Common Names: Ginseng.
Location: Found from Maine to Georgia and from Oklahoma to Minnesota, this herb is a smaller version than its
relation.
Description: The root of the herb is the widely used medicinal portion of the plant. The root is chewed and
should have a sweet, then bitter, taste.
Properties: Ginseng can be used to lower people’s blood pressure.. It is also used to increase stamina and energy.
Uses: This herb can be used to fight off stress and stimulate the immune system. It can be used to fight colds,
coughs, constipation, headaches cystitis, rheumatism, bronchitis, lung problems, and symptoms of menopause.
Doses: American Ginseng is available in tincture and tea forms, as well as in whole root form. According to
Phyllis A. Balch author of Prescriptions for Herbal Healing (2002), “American Ginseng can be safely taken in the
amount of 1 to 2 grams per day in capsule or tablet form or 3 to 5 millimeters of tincture three times a day.”
Warnings: Women beginning a new form of oral contraceptive should avoid ginseng. This herb should also be
avoided by those suffering from digestive problems. Those with blood pressure should consult a doctor before
taking ginseng. Some side effects include drowsiness.

Andiroba (Carapa guianensis)
Location: This herb is found in the tropical rainforests of Brazil, Guyana and Columbia.
Description: Andiroba is a tree that can reach up to 300 feet in height. The trees produce fragrant flowers and
nuts. The oils of the nuts, seed oil, tree bark and leaves are all used in medicinal ways.
Properties: It has been discovered that the oil can be used as an anti‐inflammant serum and also to alleviate pain
and swelling. The fruit from the tree can be taken for common coughs. According to Prescriptions For Herbal
Healing (2002), “The bark has been found to be anti‐bacterial, the flowers anti‐tumor and the heartwood anti‐
fungal.”
Uses: This herb can be used for skin damage, arthritis, rheumatism, fractures, gonorrhea, insect bites and
psoriasis.
Doses: The herb is sold in oil and capsule form. You can also find it as a base to popular creams like Oil of Olay.

Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata)
Common Names: Chiretta, fah tolai, kalmegh, kiryat, king of bitters, and chaun xin liang.
Location: This herb can be found in the forests of China, Thailand, Pakistan and India.
Description: The leaves and stems of the plant are picked and put to medicinal use.
Properties: This herb has been used throughout the ages to cure infections, herpes, fevers and sore throats.
Uses: This herb can be used to prevent heart attack, help fight cancer, cure the common cold, flu or fever and aid
in the process of dealing with HIV/AIDS.
Doses: Andographis comes in tablet form.
Warnings: This herb can cause infertility in both men and women and should be used in moderation. Women
who are nursing or pregnant should avoid the use of this herb. Some side effects can be heart palpitations and
dizziness. Also some people can experience an allergic reaction to andographis.

Angelica (Angelica archangelica)
Common Names: Wild parsnip, garden angelica.
Location: Middle East.
Description: This herb is an indoor plant that grows to be about two feet tall with green leaves and yellow
budding flowers.
Properties: Angelica is used to improve circulation and warm the body. It can also be used to get the systems in
the body flowing.
Uses: This herb can be used to cure sour stomach, heartburn, gas and colic. Angelica can be used to induce a
menstruation cycle. It can be helpful in reducing high blood pressure and treating intestinal problems.
Warnings: This herb can cause weakness and shouldn’t be taken by pregnant women. Also, it can increase
sensitivity to sunlight and is mildly toxic.

Anise (Pimpinella anisum)
Common Names: Pimpinel seed, sweet cumin.
Location: This herb can be found on the Mediterranean coasts of west Asia and is grown commonly in Egypt,
Spain and Turkey.
Description: This plant produces feathery leaves and small yellow and white flowering buds. The essential oil
from the seeds is used medicinally, while the seeds are sold separately for the flavoring of food and liquors.
Properties: This herb is known as a secretagogue, meaning that it aids in clearing out the body by prompting the
secretion of fluids in places like the digestive tract.
Uses: Anise can be used to fight bad breath, increase breast‐milk production, ease colic, and aid in respiratory
ailments.
Doses: The essential oils of anise can be purchased in the form of aromatherapy. Anise is commonly found in
teas, and the whole seed can be used in cooking.
Warnings: Do not use anise seed if you have highly sensitive and/or allergic skin conditions. Use anise in
moderation. Too much of this herb will slow circulation.

Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna)
Location: Found through out Asia, but primarily in India.
Description: This is an evergreen herb with yellow flowers and conical leaves.
Properties: The bark of the arjuna tree holds calcium salts, magnesium salts, tannins and glucosides. This herb is
a stimulant, tonic and astringent.
Uses: Arjuna can be used to cure hemorrhages, dysentery, diarrhea, edema, fractures, and skin problems. It can
also be used to prevent heart attacks and congestive heart failure, as well as cure gonorrhea.
Doses: Arjuna is readily available in capsule form.
Warnings: If you are planning to take this herb for congestive heart failure make sure to consult a physician prior
to use.

Arnica (Arnica montana)
Common Names: Leopard’s Bane, Wolf’s Bane, or Mountain Arnica.
Location: This herb can be found in the mountains of Siberia, Europe, Canada and the Northern United States.
Description: This is a perennial with oval‐shaped leaves and daisy‐like flowers.
Properties: This herb is an anti‐inflammatory, antibiotic and pain reliever.
Uses: Arnica can be used to help heal tissue, reduce bruising and swelling, aid in carpal tunnel syndrome,
fractures and major injuries or traumas.
Doses: This herb can be found in creams.
Warnings: Pregnant women should not use arnica because it can be used to induce labor. This herb should never
be taken internally because it is poisonous. Arnica should not be used for more than two weeks at a time.

Artemisia (Artemisia capillaris)
Common Names: Capillaris, yen chen hao, Chinese wormwood.
Location: This herb can be found in Japan, Northern China and Taiwan.
Description: This herb grows as a tiny shrub with yellow‐green flowers in the autumn season. The top portions of
the leaves are used medicinally.
Properties: Artemisia stimulates the production of bile and has antimicrobial functions.
Uses: This herb can be used to treat bladder and parasitic infections, constipation and diarrhea. It also aids in the
treating of hepatitis and jaundice.
Doses: Artemisia is used in teas or tinctures.

Asafoetida (Ferula asafoetida)
Common Names: Food of the gods, devil’s dung, narthex and hing.
Location: This herb can be found in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran.
Description: The gum that collects after the plant has been allowed to grow for at least four years is the portion
used medicinally.
Properties: Asafoetida is useful in curing nervous disorders, bowl problems and lung disorders like bronchitis.
Uses: This herb can be used to cure colic, prevent high cholesterol, repel insects and relive irritable bowel
syndrome.
Doses: Asafoetida comes in the form of powder or tinctures.
Warnings: If ingested, the uncooked herb will cause nausea and vomiting. Do not take this herb while pregnant;
it can have a negative effect on the menstrual cycle and cause miscarriage.

Ashwaganda (Withania somnifera)
Common Names: Indian Ginseng and withania.
Location: This herb grows in parts of Sri Lanka, Pakistan and India.
Description: This herb is found in the family of tomatoes and grows as a small shrub. It produces yellow flowers
and red fruit. The entire herb is used medicinally.
Properties: According to the Prescription For Herbal Healing Handbook (2002), “Ashwaganda has been used for
more than 2,500 years as a ‘vitalizer.” This herb works on the entire nervous system and relieves stress,
exhaustion, fatigue and memory loss.
Uses: Ashwaganda can be used for athletes to give them instant energy without the use of harmful stimulants.
Also it can be used to fight Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, autoimmune disorders, carpal tunnel syndrome, and
cancer.
Doses: This herb is available in capsule form.
Warnings: Do not eat the berries of this plant. Try not to take this herb with tranquilizers because it will cause
drowsiness and loss of coordination. Also, do not take this herb if you are taking prescription drugs for insomnia,
anxiety, or seizures.

Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus)
Common Names: Milk vetch root, locoweed.
Description: Herbalists use the long, diagonal sections of the root of the herb in medicine. This herb should have
a sweet taste.
Properties: This herb is known as a “body tonic,” and according to the Prescription for Herbal Healing Handbook
(2002) it can be used to “strengthen digestion, increase metabolic activity, and stimulate the immune system.” It is
known that this herb is useful in treating those who experience repeated infections.
Uses: Astragalus can be used to treat diabetes, HIV/AIDS, Lupus, myasthenia gravis and immune suppression.
This herb is good for fighting bladder infections, burns, cancer, colds, angina, atherosclerosis, congestive heart
failure, heart attacks, infertility, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Doses: Look for this herb in capsules, teas, tinctures and fluidextracts.
Warnings: Do not take astragalus while directly experiencing an infection because it is believed that it will make
the virus stronger.

Avena (Avena sativa)
Common Names: Wild oats, oat extract.
Location: The origin of Avena is in England, France, Germany, Poland and Russia.
Description: The green tops of the cereal plant oats are used medicinally.
Properties: This herb is said to be a sexual stimulant for males. Avena is an anti‐inflammant and a sedative. It is
rich in calcium, phosphorus and B‐complex vitamins.
Uses: Avena can be used to help treat attention deficit disorder (ADD), eczema, menopause and nervousness, as
well as to stimulate sex drive.
Doses: Look for Avena in a bath mix form and in tinctures.

Balsam of Tolu (Myroxylon balsamum)
Common Names: Myroxylon, Peruvian balsam, Tolu balsam and balsam of Peru.
Location: This herb is found in Columbia, Peru and Venezuela.
Description: This herb is used medicinally in the form of a resin taken from the tree.
Properties: Balsam of Tolu is an antiseptic and has the ability to kill parasites.
Uses: You can use this herb to help release phlegm, heal wounds, and cure bronchitis, laryngitis, and diarrhea.
This herb is used as a fragrance for soaps, lotions and perfumes. Also, it can be used to treat injuries and
ringworm.
Doses: It can be taken internally or externally. It can be applied externally as a cream.
Warnings: High amounts of this herb can damage the kidneys. Frequently, skin irritations will occur, as well as
allergic reactions. Always test small portions of the skin with Balsam of Tolu before applying liberally.

Barberry (Berbersis vulgaris)
Location: Europe and North America.
Description: This is a thorny bush, which produces small yellow flowers. All parts of the bark, thorns and
flowers are used medicinally.
Properties: This herb is primarily recognized for fighting bacterial infections. It can also be used to stimulate the
immune system, and fight inflammations.
Uses: Barberry can be used to treat burns, cuts, abrasions, all types of infections, diarrhea, gallstones, liver
problems, peptic ulcers, yeast infections, gastritis and kidney stones.
Doses: You can find Barberry in capsule form, tinctures, tablets, and ointments.
Warnings: Barberry should be avoided in cases of food poisoning. Men who are planning to have children
shouldn’t take Barberry. People with diabetes should avoid the use of Barberry without supervision. Pregnant
women or those who are nursing should also avoid the use of Barberry.

Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus)
Common Names: Huckleberry, blueberry.
Location: North America and Europe.
Description: The leaf of the bilberry bush is the portion used medicinally.
Uses: This herb can be used for an upset stomach, high blood pressure, atheroclerosis, diabetes, diarrhea, eye
disorders, gout, inflammatory joint disease, rheumatoid arthritis, prostatitis, and peptic ulcers.
Doses: Bilberry is available in tablets and in dried form for use in teas.
Warnings: Do not use high doses of bilberry. Do not take bilberry while pregnant. If you are diabetic, monitor
your sugars while taking bilberry.

Birch (Betula)
Common Names: Silver birch, black birch, sweet birch and white birch.
Location: This herb can be found in areas of Europe and North America.
Description: The flowers, leaves, sap and bark of the birch tree are used medicinally.
Properties: Birch is an anti‐inflammant, diuretic and antispasmodic.
Uses: This herb can be used to treat arthritis, muscular pain, kidney stones, premenstrual syndrome, bladder
infection, cellulite, cancer and warts.
Doses: Birch is available in tea form.
Warnings: Women who have heart or kidney problems should avoid using birch leave douches. If used, you may
experience some side effects.

Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia)
Common Names: Bitter gourd, cerasee, karela, momordicaand balsam pear.
Location: This herb can be found in Asia.
Description: The leaves, seeds and vines are all used medicinally, but the fruit is the prized portion of the herb.
Properties: This herb is widely known for its uses in treating diabetes and improving blood sugar and glucose
tolerance.
Uses: Bitter Melon can be used to help treat diabetes, herpes and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Doses: Bitter Melon can be eaten, as well as taken in tinctures, extracts or juices.
Warnings: High amounts of bitter melon consumption can result in stomach pain and diarrhea. Bitter Melon
should not be taken by those who are pregnant or those who experience hypoglycemia.

Bitter Orange (Citrus aurantium)
Common Name: Chih‐shih.
Description: To put the bitter orange to medicinal use you use the whole, unripe fruit of a mandarin orange. The
peel can also be used.
Properties: Bitter Orange has synephrine in it, which acts as a decongestant. It is also used to help in circulation.
Uses: This herb can be used to help treat anemia, prevent a heart attack, heat stress, high blood pressure,
indigestion, liver cancer and obesity.
Doses: Look for bitter orange in tea form.
Warnings: If you are pregnant, exercise extreme caution while taking bitter orange because it can cause
contractions. Do not use this herb in conjunction with painkillers. Also bitter orange can cause sensitivity to light.

Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga foetida, Cimicifuga dahurica, Cimicifuga heracleifolia)
Common Names: Bugbane, cimicifuga, squawroot, and black snakeroot.
Location: This herb can be found on the Atlantic seaboard and in eastern Canada.
Description: The rhizome and the roots of this herb are used medicinally.
Properties: This herb is used to balance hormone levels in both males and females. Black Cohosh can be used to
help aid the process of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS).
Uses: Use black cohosh to sooth a soar throat, improve vision, aid in menopause, help with infertility and
regulate hormones.
Doses: Look for black cohosh in capsule form, tinctures, and fluidextracts.
Warnings: Girls who have not reached their first menstruation should not take this herb. Do not take this herb if
you are pregnant or nursing, on birth control, taking replacement hormones, or if you have heart disease.

Boswellia (Boswellia carterii)
Common Names: Frankincense, mastic, olibanum, salai gugal, dhup, or Indian olibanum.
Location: This herb’s origin is in the Middle East.
Description: The gummy extract from the tree is taken out, purified, and then turned into resin for medicinal use.
Properties: This herb is an anti‐inflammant, pain reliever, and antiarthritic.
Uses: Boswellia can be used to treat arthritis, dry skin and ulcerative colitis.
Doses: You can find this herb in extract form.
Warnings: Some side effects include diarrhea, nausea and skin rash. Do not take this herb if you are pregnant,
nursing, or a young child. Also, do not take this herb if you are suffering from kidney or liver disease.

Brahmi (Bacopa monniera)
Common Names: Water hyssop, Indian pennywort.
Location: This herb grows in the region of Florida, Central America and India.
Description: This plant can be found floating in the waters of the above listed regions. The tops of the plant are
used in medicine.
Properties: Brahmi is known as a brain tonic and nerve tonic. It is also known for increasing intelligence,
improving memory, and decreasing aging effects.
Uses: This herb can be used to fight attention deficit disorder (ADD), Alzheimer’s disease, memory problems,
Parkinson’s disease, anxiety disorder and stress. It can also be used to cure irritable bowel syndrome.
Doses: Look for this herb in extracts or tablets. It is recommended that this extract be mixed with honey or some
sweet substance to improve its taste for consumption.
Warnings: Women experiencing too much estrogen production should avoid taking Brahmi because it can cause
temporary hearing loss.

Bromelain (Ananas comosus)
Description: This herb is a digestive enzyme, taken from the pineapple plant’s stem and fruit. It can also be
removed from pineapple juice.
Properties: This herb is used to help in the process of digestion, and is known to get rid of inflammation.
Bromelain can be used to stop blood clotting and clear veins.
Uses: Bromelain can be used to treat bronchitis, sinusitis, cuts and scrapes, bruises, bursitis, carpal tunnel
syndrome, gout, HIV/AIDS, crohn’s disease, diabetes, gastric ulcers, parasitic infections, premenstrual syndrome
(PMS), rheumatoid arthritis, and warts.
Doses: You can find bromelain in tablets.
Warnings: Don’t take this herb for more than ten days at a time. This herb may cause side effects like nausea,
diarrhea, vomiting, and excessive menstrual bleeding. Consult a doctor before using bromelain if you are
pregnant, experience hypertension, or have a history of liver or kidney disease.

Bupleurum (Bupleurum Chinese)
Common Names: Chai hu, or Chinese thorowax root.
Description: The root of this carrot‐like plant is used medicinally.
Properties: This herb is put to use on the circulatory system and the liver.
Uses: Bupleurum can be used to cure herpes, measles, allergies, bone cancer, kidney disease and rheumatoid
arthritis.
Doses: You can find bupleurum at Chinese pharmacies in combination with other herbs or in tea form.
Warnings: Do not take bupleurum in conjunction with antibiotics. Do not take this herb if you are pregnant,
taking steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs or taking interferon therapy for hepatitis.

Burdock (Arctium lappa)
Common Names: Greater burdock, edible burdock, lappa.
Location: This herb can be found in Europe, Asia and North America.
Description: Burdock looks similar to a sunflower plant, but has purple and red flower petals and thorns. The
root of this herb is used medicinally.
Properties: This herb can be used as a cleanser for the respiratory, circulatory, lymphatic and urinary tract
systems in the body. Use burdock to cleanse your body of bile and toxins.
Uses: Burdock can be used for soar throats, arthritis, gout, sciatica, dandruff, boils, eczema, diabetes, liver disease
and cancer.
Doses: You can find this herb in cereal mixes, “goboshi” or “gobo” products in asian grocery stores and as oils,
tinctures and teas. According to Phyllis Balch in Prescriptions for Herbal Healing (2002), “Traditional herbalists
recommend 2 to 4 milliliters of burdock root tincture per day or 1 to 2 grams three times a day in capsule form.”
Warnings: Use burdock cautiously while pregnant.

Butcher’s Broom (Ruscus aculeatis)
Description: This herb’s berries, leaves and root are all used medicinally.
Properties: This herb is known for being a cleansing herb. It can be used to help expel urine, lower cholesterol
level, and increase circulation.
Uses: Use butcher’s broom to decrease swelling in the ankles, as well as help with carpel tunnel syndrome,
lymphedema, syphilis, and varicose veins.
Doses: This herb can be found in tablet form, powder form, creams, and extract form.
Warnings: Taking too much butcher’s broom can cause side effects like a weakened heart, vomiting, purging, low
blood pressure and decreased nerve strength. Use this herb only with medical supervision.

Cajueiro (Anacardium occidentale)
Common Names: Jambu and cashew nut shells.
Location: This herb can be found in Brazil and other tropical locations around the world.
Description: The nuts, bark, root and resin of the tree are all used medicinally.
Properties: This herb contains analogs of the drug used to cure diabetes, which is called pioglitazone and
roislitazone.
Uses: Cajueiro can be used to treat diabetes and fight off parasitic infections.
Doses: This herb can be found in tincture form.
Warnings: Do not eat Cajueiro nuts raw, they must be cooked first.

Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
Common Names: Pot marigold and pot calendula.
Location: This herb is native to Mediterranean parts of the world, but can be found throughout the world.
Description: This herb grows yellow and orange flower petals that are used medicinally.
Properties: Calendula can be used to fight bacteria and ease pain. It is also an anti‐inflammatory.
Uses: Use calendula to fight allergies, conjunctivitis, gastritis, bowel disease, skin disorders, and to break through
mucus membranes.
Doses: You can find calendula in eye drops, teas, creams, and tinctures. Do not use calendula teas for more than
two weeks at a time.
Warnings: This herb can potentially cause anxiety and insomnia when ingested. Do not take other drowsy
medications at the same time as calendula.

California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)
Location: This herb is native to the state of California.
Description: The yellow, pink, orange or red flowers and stems of this herb are used medicinally.
Properties: The California poppy is an anti‐inflammant herb and is calming. The primary chemical in this herb is
called californidine, which can be used like a sedative.
Uses: Use the California poppy to treat anxiety and restless leg syndrome.
Doses: This herb can be used in teas and can be found in pharmacies.
Warnings: Do not use this herb if you are pregnant.

Cardamom (Amomum villosum)
Common Names: Grains‐of‐Paradise, cardamom.
Location: This herb can be found in Vietnam and portions of China.
Description: The seedpods of this herb are used medicinally.
Properties: Cardamom can be used to ease indigestion and the bodily functions of excretion. If this herb is taken
in essential oil form it can be used for an antifungal and antibacterial purposes.
Uses: Use cardamom to help treat tuberculosis and urinary incontinence.
Doses: This herb can be ingested as a tea, tincture or fresh spice.

Catnip (Nepeta cataria)
Common Name: Catmint.
Location: This herb can be found in North America and Europe.
Description: For medicinal purposes, the top portions of this herb are clipped in the fall months.
Properties: This herb can be used to expel gases from the body and to reduce fevers.
Uses: Use this herb to fight influenza and insomnia as well as fever sicknesses.
Doses: Use this herb in tea form.

Cat’s Claw (Uncaria guianensis)
Common Name: Una de gato.
Location: This herb is located in the Peruvian Amazon.
Description: The bark of this herb is used for medicinal purposes.
Properties: Cat’s Claw can be used as a stimulant for the immune system, a contraceptive and an anti‐
inflammant.
Uses: This herb can be used to treat arthritis, cancer, bowel disorders, colds, Lyme disease, gastritis, peptic ulcer
and to help fight HIV/AIDS.
Doses: You can find this herb in capsule forms and tincture form. According to the author of Prescriptions for
Herbal Healing (2002), “The healing alkaloids in cat’s claw tinctures are released from tannins by the action of acid
in the stomach. If they are absorbed through the tongue, they lose their effect. For this reason, you should always
take cat’s claw tincture with at lease ¾ cup of water to avoid absorption through the tongue. You can add 1
tablespoon of lemon juice or 1 teaspoon of vinegar to the water to increase the acidity of the solution. This
releases even more alkaloids from tannin…If you do not use one of these types of tincture, or if you use pills or
tablets, be sure to add lemon juice or vinegar to the water you drink while taking the herb to assure its
bioavailability.”
Warnings: Do not take cat’s claw if you are diabetic, pregnant or nursing.

Catuaba (Erythroxylum catuaba)
Location: This herb is located in Brazil in the rain forest areas.
Description: For medicinal purposes, the bark of this herb is used.
Properties: Catuaba is known for its aphrodisiac qualities.
Uses: Use catuaba to treat impotence, prostatitis, and HIV/AIDS.
Doses: This herb is available in tincture form and should be mixed with lemon juice to increase it’s acidity and
thus make it more productive.

Cayenne (Capsicum)
Common Names: Chili pepper, chili, red pepper.
Location: This herb can be found naturally in Central America.
Description: The fruits, commonly known as chili peppers, are used medicinally.
Properties: This herb can be used as an anti‐inflammant and to help digestion. Cayenne also gets rid of gas and
increases metabolism and the production of gastric juices.
Uses: Cayenne can be used to treat heat stress, food poisoning, arthritis, psoriasis, sore muscles, diabetes, herpes‐
related nerve damage, lung cancer, obesity and migraine headaches.
Doses: According to Phyllis Balch in Prescription for Herbal Healing (2002), “For external application, use cayenne
in the form of capsaicin cream; for internal applications, use cayenne powder, mixed with starchy food.”
Warnings: Do not place cayenne on the eye area, mouth area or on pieces of broken skin.

Chamomile (Chamomilla recutita)
Location: This herb originates in Europe.
Description: The tops of the flowers are used medicinally.
Properties: Chamomile is known for being a calming herb. It can be used as an anti‐inflammant, antihistamine,
antioxidant, antianxiety, and antispasmodic herb.
Uses: You can use chamomile to fight allergies, asthma, conjunctivitis, colic, psoriasis, hives, anxiety, insomnia,
stress, attention deficit disorder (ADD), atherosclerosis, eczema, cuts, abrasions, scrapes, endometrial cancer,
morning sickness, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), peptic ulcers, lupus and premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
Doses: You can take chamomile as a cream or compress externally and in tea or tincture from internally.
Warning: If you are taking warfarin (coumadin) do not take chamomile as well.

Chanca Piedra (Phyllanthus niruri)
Common Names: Quebra pedra, phyllanthus.
Location: This herb is native to South America.
Description: The tops of the plants are all used medicinally.
Properties: This herb is used to release kidney stones.
Uses: You can use chanca piedra to treat diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney stones.
Doses: Chanca piedra can be found in tincture and tablet form.

Chaparral (Larrea divaricata)
Common Names: Larrea, herdiondilla, gobernadora, and creosote bush.
Location: This herb originates in the southern United States and northern Mexico.
Description: Chaparral leaves are used medicinally.
Properties: This herb is an antioxidant and anti‐inflammant.
Uses: Use chaparral to fight arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, cancer and HIV/AIDS.
Doses: You can use this herb as a bath mix.
Warnings: This herb, if taken internally, can cause reduced testicle size, increased aggressiveness and irritability,
and serious, toxic side effects in the body. If you have sensitive skin, kidney problems, liver problems or
lymphatic system problems do not take this herb. If you do chose to take chaparral, be aware that you should stay
out of the sun.

Chen‐Pi (Citrus reticulata)
Common Name: Bitter orange peel.
Description: This herb consists of the fresh peel of a mandarin orange. The whole fruit and the skin are used
medicinally.
Properties: Chen‐pi can be used to ease upset stomach and allergic reactions. This herb can also be used as a
contraceptive.
Uses: Use chen‐pi to fight allergies, diarrhea, nausea, indigestion and peptic ulcers.
Doses: This herb can be found as a tincture or tea.
Warnings: Do not ingest chen‐pi if you are experiencing fever, redness on the tongue, or if you are coughing up
blood.

Chinese Senega Root (Polygala tenuifolia)
Common Names: Polygala, polygala tenuifolia root.
Description: This herb’s white root is used medicinally.
Properties: This herb can be used to cure a hangover, release bronchial secretions and kill certain types of bacteria.
Uses: Use this herb to cure seizure disorders and to treat hangovers.
Doses: You can find this herb as a tincture of tea.
Warnings: Do not use this herb if you are pregnant, have gastiris or ulcers.

Chiretta (Swertia chirayita)
Common Names: Indian balmony, Indian gentian, chirayata, and swertia.
Location: This herb can be found in India and Nepal.
Properties: Chiretta can be used to ease digestion, improve blood sugar levels and treat leishmaniasis.
Uses: Use this herb to treat diabetes, leishmaniasis and nausea.
Doses: This herb is available as a tea or tincture.
Warnings: Do not take chiretta if you suffer from gastric or duodenal ulcers.

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia)
Common Names: Cinnamon bark, cassia, or cinnamon twig.
Location: This herb can be found in India, Sri Lanka, West Indies and the Philippines.
Description: The red soft bark and young twigs of the herb are used medicinally.
Properties: This herb is known world‐wide to help ease an upset stomach.
Uses: Use cinnamon to stop uterine bleeding, treat fibroids, menstrual problems, liver cancer, indigestion, peptic
ulcers and yeast infections.
Doses: You can grate cinnamon pieces into food for consumption or mix cinnamon oil into water or tea.
Warnings: Do not ingest cinnamon if you are allergic to basalm of tolu or have prostate problems.

Clove (Syzgium aromaticum)
Location: This herb is grown in the Molucca Islands and cultivated in Indonesia, Madagascar and Tanzania.
Description: The flower buds are dried, and the flowers and leaves of the cloves produce oil, which is used
medicinally.
Properties: This herb is antifungal, anti‐inflammatory, antimicrobrial and analgesic.
Uses: Clove can be used to treat food poisoning, Bell’s palsy, herpes, chronic fatigue syndrome, periodontal
disease, toothache and peptic ulcers.
Doses: It is recommended that you dilute clove oil in water or some type of oil before ingesting it.
Warnings: This herb should not be taken by young children or infants.

Codonopsis (Codonopsis pilosula)
Common Name: Poor man’s ginseng
Location: This herb can be found in Asia.
Description: The taproot of this herb is used medicinally.
Properties: Codonopsis can be used to treat cancer, upset stomachs, headaches, and asthma. This herb can also be
used to increase stamina level.
Uses: Use this herb to treat cancer, lupus, headaches, peptic ulcers and vomiting.
Doses: You can find this herb in tincture, tea and tablet form.
Warnings: When using this herb to treat ulcers consult a physician first.

Coix (Coix lachryma‐jobi)
Common Name: Coicis, Job’s tears, hatomugi.
Location: This herb can be found in China.
Properties: Coix can be used as an antiviral agent and to relieve inflammation.
Uses: Use this herb to treat Mastitis and infection of the nails.
Doses: This herb can be found in food products like cereal.
Warnings: Do not take this herb while experiencing urinary incontinence or while pregnant.

Coleus (Coleus forskohlii)
Location: This herb can be found in Kenya, Myanmar, Nepal, Tanzania and Sri Lanka.
Description: The coleus’ root and leaves are used medicinally.
Properties: Coleus is known for being an antihistamine.
Uses: Use this herb to treat asthma, high blood pressure and eczema.
Doses: According to the author of Prescriptions for Herbal Healing (2002), “Coleus should be used in the form of
forskolin extract.”
Warnings: Do not take coleus while taking other blood thinning medicines.

Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfarae)
Common Names: British tobacco, assfoot, tussilago and coughwort.
Location: This herb can be found in Europe and Asia.
Description: The flower buds of this herb are used medicinally.
Properties: This herb can be used to relive congestion.
Uses: Coltsfoot can be used to treat bronchitis, laryngitis, and pneumonia.
Doses: You can find this herb in over the counter formulas and tea form.
Warnings: This herb can cause high blood pressure if too much is ingested.

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)
Common Names: Knitbone and bruisewort.
Location: This herb is native to Europe.
Description: All portions of the comfrey herb are used medicinally.
Properties: This herb can be used to reduce pain and inflammation after injuries occur.
Uses: Use comfrey to ease pain and skin problems.
Doses: This herb can be found as a tea, cream or poultice.
Warnings: Do not ingest comfrey if you are on other medications or antibiotics. Also don’t take comfrey while
pregnant and do not give it to infants.

Copaiba (Capifera)
Common Names: Copal, copaiba, Jesuit’s balsam, mal‐dos‐sete‐dias, and balsam copaiba.
Locatoin: This herb can be found in Columbia, Brazil and Venezuela.
Description: The resin from this herb is used medicinally.
Properties: Copaiba is known for being a relief aid for skin irritations. Also copaiba is known for aiding in the
breaking down of mucus membranes.
Uses: Use copaiba to help treat eczema, arthritis, herpes, gonorrhea, syphilis or psoriasis.
Doses: Copaiba can be found in oil form, tincture form and in shampoos.
Warnings: Do not ingest large quantities of copaiba. Use only pure forms of copaiba oil if you have allergic
reactions to balsam of tolu.

Coptis (Coptis chinensis)
Common Names: Coptidis, coptis rhizome and Chinese goldthread.
Loccation: This herb is located in China.
Description: The root of the Coptis herb is used medicinally.
Properties: Coptis is known for containing the chemical berbine.
Uses: Use coptis to treat cancer, eye disorders, osteomyelitis, tuberculosis, parasitic infections and atherosclerosis.
Doses: You can find this herb in capsule, ointments, tincture and powder form.
Warnings: Be careful with dosage amounts. Minute doses of coptis will increase blood pressure while larger
doses will result in decreased blood pressure. Large amounts of coptis will cause drowsiness.

Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis)
Common Name: Dong chong xia cao.
Location: This herb can be located in Japan, China and on the Atlantic coast of North America.
Description: According to the author of Prescriptions for Herbal Healing (2002), “It is an antlered fungus that grows
in insect larvae, usually before the insect’s cocoon is formed. The short, sticklike fungus has a fat, full, round,
yellow‐white cross section. It is gathered in early summer.”
Properties: Cordyceps has been used over the centuries to treat sexual diseases like impotence. This herb
improves the immune system function and helps to provide people with an overall energy boost.
Uses: Use this herb to help treat cancer, high cholesterol, and tinnitus.
Doses: This herb is available in tincture and tablet form.
Warnings: Avoid the use of this herb if you have prostate cancer or breast cancer or if you are below adult age.
Talk with your doctor if you are currently taking anticoagulant drugs.

Corn Silk (Zea mays)
Common Names: Maidis stigma, maize silk, zea and Indian corn.
Location: This herb is grown primarily in Bulgaria, Albania and the former Yugoslavia.
Description: The portion of the herb that is used medicinally is the corn silk stigmas of the female flowers.
Properties: Corn silk is known for containing mass amounts of potassium and is a diuretic.
Uses: Use corn silk to help treat premenstrual syndrome (PMS), high blood pressure and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Doses: This herb can be found in tea form.
Warnings: Do not take corn silk while taking the blood pressure medication known as quinapril (Accupril).

Corydalis (Corydalis yanhusuo)
Common Name: Corydalis rhizome.
Location: Corydalis can be found in Siberia, Japan and China.
Description: The root of the corydalis herb is used medicinally.
Properties: This herb has a hypnotic effect and can be used as a sedative or tranquilizer.
Uses: Use this herb to help treat anxiety disorders, restless leg syndrome, insomnia and cataracts.
Doses: You can find this herb in a product called Corydalis Formula from Spanda, which is blended with
California poppy seeds.
Warnings: Do not take corydalis while pregnant. Use medical supervision when using this herb to treat cataracts.

Couch Grass (Elymus repens or Agropyron repens)
Common Names: Quickgrass and dog grass.
Locations: This herb can be found in Australia, North and South America, Europe and northern Asia.
Description: The seeds and rhizomes of this herb are used medicinally.
Properties: This herb is known for being able to heal kidney stones and urinary stones.
Uses: Use couch grass to help treat bronchitis and laryngitis.
Doses: This herb is best in a tea form.

Damiana (Turnera diffusa)
Location: This herb can be found in Mexico, Texas, Namibia and Central America.
Description: The leaves of the damiana herb are used for medicinal purposes.
Properties: Damiana has been used throughout the centuries to treat impotence, regulate sexual hormones in
women, and stimulate nerves, genitals, blood circulation, and metabolism.
Uses: Use damiana to improve reproductive health, and to treat depression, reduced sex drive, impotence,
premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and urinary tract infections.
Doses: You can find this herb in capsules, tinctures and dried herb form. When you ingest damiana, take a
teaspoon of lemon juice as well.
Warnings: If you have diabetes, avoid the use of this herb without proper consultations and supervision.

Dan Shen (Salvia miltiorrhiza)
Common Names: Red root sage, tan shen and cinnabar root.
Location: This herb can be found in Mongolia and Manchuria.
Description: The root of the dan shen herb is used medicinally.
Properties: This herb can be used to improve the condition of the heart by making it stronger and regular.
Uses: Dan shen can be used to help treat angina, stroke, atherosclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, menstrual
problems, fibroids, liver damage and hepatitis.
Doses: This herb is available as a tincture or a tea.
Warnings: Do not take this herb for more than twenty‐eight days at a time, followed by a four‐week break. If you
are experiencing an estrogen‐sensitive disorder, taking warfarin, aspirin or non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory dug
you should not take this herb. Tell your doctor or dentist prior to surgery if you are currently taking this herb.

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
Location: This herb can be found growing wild around the world.
Description: The flower petals, leaves and roots are all used medicinally.
Properties: According to the author of Prescriptions for Herbal Healing (2002), “Dandelion leaves are a powerful
diuretic. The roots act as a blood purifier that helps both the kidneys and the liver to remove toxins and poisons
from the blood. The roots have been used for centuries to treat jaundice.” This herb can also be used for digestive
purposes.
Uses: This herb can be used to treat anemia, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), bladder infections, hemorrhoids,
indigestion, constipation, liver problems, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gallstones, osteoporosis and obesity.
Doses: Dandelion can be found in teas, tinctures or tablets.
Warnings: Avoid this herb while suffering from gallstones, taking antibiotics or taking pharmacy prescribed
diuretics. This herb may cause ulcer pain.

Devil’s Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens)
Location: This herb can be found in South Africa.
Description: The root of this herb is used medicinally.
Properties: This herb is known for being a painkiller and anti‐inflammant.
Uses: Use devil’s claw to treat carpal tunnel syndrome, gout, arthritis and tendonitis.
Doses: This herb can be taken in an enteric‐coated capsule to treat pain.
Warnings: Do not take this herb if you have congestive heart disease, ulcers, or if you are pregnant.

Dioscorea (Dioscorea opposita)
Common Names: Medicinal yam, Mexican yam, Chinese yam, tokoro or wild yam.
Location: This herb is located in tropical regions around the world.
Description: The rhizome of the herb is used medicinally.
Properties: Dioscorea is known for having antiarthritic, analgesic, antiasthmatic, antitussive, antidiabetic effects.
Uses: This herb can be used to treat diabetes, high cholesterol and female reproductive tract disorders.
Doses: Dioscorea can be found in tea, cream, capsule and tincture form.
Warnings: Do not use this herb while pregnant or nursing.

Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis)
Common Names: Tang‐kuei, Chinese angelica root.
Location: This herb can be found naturally growing in China and Japan.
Description: The root of this herb when dried is used medicinally.
Uses: Use dong quai to help treat premenstrual syndrome (PMS), atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, heart
attack, infertility, eye disorders, leukemia, menopause related problems, migraine, ovarian cysts, vertigo and
psoriasis.
Doses: This herb is available in almost every form imaginable.
Warnings: Do not use this herb while pregnant or taking prescription blood‐thinners. Some sensitivity to the sun
may result from the use of this herb.

Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia and Echinacea purpurea)
Common Names: Purple coneflower.
Location: This herb grows in the United States and Europe.
Properties: This herb is commonly used to fight colds and flu and to help boost the immune system.
Uses: Echinacea can be used to treat acne, infected nails, cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), colds, cough,
influenza, strep throat, Lyme disease, parasitic infection or ear infections.
Doses: Echinacea can be found in many forms.
Warnings: Do not take this herb while trying to get pregnant; consult your doctor about taking this herb in
conjunction with other medications or if you have just had organ transplantation.

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra)
Location: This herb is native to Europe.
Description: The berries and the flower tops of this herb are used for medicinal purposes.
Properties: This herb can be used for improving the respiratory system.
Uses: Elderberry can be used to treat asthma, influenza, sinusitis and bronchitis.
Doses: Elderberry can be found in the form of Sambucol, which is a processed form from Israel.
Warnings: Do not ingest the stem of this plant, take large doses of the berry juice, or eat the berries raw.

Elecampane (Inula helenium)
Common Names: Inula or scabwort.
Location: This herb can be found in Asia and Europe.
Description: The dried root of this herb is used medicinally.
Properties: This herb is well known for its positive effects on the respiratory system. Also, elecampane can be
used to aid in processes of digestion.
Uses: Elecampane can be used to treat bronchitis, pneumonia and congestive heart failure.
Doses: This herb can be found in tincture, tea and capsule form.
Warnings: This herb may cause sensitivity to allergies. You will know that you have ingested too much
elecampane when you experience cramps, vomiting or diarrhea. Do not take elecampane if you are diabetic or
pregnant.

Ephedra (Ephedra sinica, Ephedra equisetina, Ephedra intermedia)
Common Names: Mormon tea, ma huang.
Location: This herb can be found in Mongolia and China.
Description: The entire herb is used for medicinal purposes.
Properties: Ephedra has been used over the centuries to increase sweating, calm breathing and treat colds.
Uses: You can use this herb to help treat asthma, emphysema, hay fever, influenza, colds and obesity.
Doses: This herb is found in many forms.
Warnings: This drug is under heavy limitations imposed by the food and drug administration. You should not
take this herb if you have high blood pressure, lupus, diabetes, glaucoma, hyperthyroidism, anxiety, nervous
disorders or heart disease. Limit use of this herb.

Epimedium (Epimedium graniflorum)
Common Names: Goat wort, yin yang huo, horny goatweed.
Description: The yellow green leaves of this herb are used medicinally.
Properties: This herb is commonly used to treat reproductive or sexual malfunctions, stimulate blood circulation
and decrease blood pressure.
Uses: Epimedium can be used to treat gonorrhea, diarrhea, urinary incontinence, impotence, infertility,
HIV/AIDS and high blood pressure.
Doses: Epimedium comes in tablet form.
Warnings: Some side effects of taking this herb include dizziness, vomiting, dry mouth, nosebleed, and
dehydration. Do not take epimedium if you suffer from prostate disease or have high blood pressure.

Espinheira Santa (Maytenus chuchuhuasa)
Common Names: Limaosinho, cancerosa and maytenus.
Description: The bark and the leaf of the plant are used medicinally.
Properties: This herb is known as a pain reliever and a muscle relaxant. There is evidence that this herb can
improve digestion, energy levels and the immune system.
Uses: Espinheira santa can be used to help treat cancer and gastritis.
Doses: This herb can be found in tincture form and raw leaf form for use in teas.

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus)
Common Names: Red gum, blue gum.
Location: This herb originates in Australia.
Description: The leaves of this herb are used medicinally.
Properties: This herb contains the chemical eucalyptol, which can be used as a decongestant and antiseptic aid.
Uses: Eucalyptus can be used to treat allergies, cough, sinusitis, common cold, minor cuts, insect bites and muscle
soreness.
Doses: Commonly, this herb can be found in aromatherapy, capsule and tea forms.
Warnings: Do not take the oil of this herb internally. If you have liver disease or digestive disorders you should
not take this herb.

Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis)
Common Names: Euphrasia.
Descriptions: The above ground portions of this herb are used medicinally.
Properties: This herb is useful in treating conditions of the eye. It can also be used to treat congestive illnesses.
Uses: Use this herb to treat weeping eyes, over sensitivity to light, eye inflammations, eyestrain, conjunctivitis
and bloodshot eyes.
Doses: This herb can be found in eye drop form, compresses and tablets.

Fennel Seed (Foeniculum vulgare)
Common Name: Fennel fruit.
Location: This herb’s origins are believed to be in the Mediterranean.
Description: The seeds of this herb are used medicinally.
Properties: Fennel Seed is known to be a diuretic, pain reducer, antispasmodic and fever reducer.
Uses: This herb can be used to stimulate menstruation, milk production, to treat asthma, coughs, tuberculosis,
bronchitis, Crohn’s disease, indigestion, colic, food poisoning, dermatitis and conjunctivitis.
Doses: This herb can be found in tea and essential oil form.
Warnings: If you are pregnant, have a history of alcoholism, liver disease, hepatitis, or have diabetes you
shouldn’t take this herb in large doses.

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum‐graecum)
Common Names: Greek hayseed, bird’s foot.
Location: This herb can be found in the Mediterranean, China, India, Morocco and Turkey.
Description: The seeds of this herb are used medicinally.
Properties: Fenugreek can be used to help the liver and pancreas.
Uses: This herb can be used to enlarge breasts, treat diabetes, digestive tract disorders and mastitis.
Doses: Fenugreek can be found in seed form, teas and capsules.
Warnings: Do not take this herb if you are pregnant. If you wish to take this herb in combination with other
medications or for the purpose of treating diabetes consult your doctor first.

Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)
Location: This herb is native to southeastern Europe and is common throughout Europe, Australia and North
America.
Description: Feverfew is a daisy‐like perennial that grows to two feet tall. It has white flowers with yellow
centers that bloom all summer.
Properties: Feverfew is used to treat inflammation, arthritis, menstrual discomforts, fever, and other aches and
pains. It has traditionally been used to treat headaches as well.
Uses: The parts of the herb that are above ground are used medicinally. Feverfew can be used to treat lupus,
rheumatoid arthritis, and migraines.
Doses: Phyllis Balch recommends only taking feverfew when it is freeze‐dried and put into capsule form
(Prescription For Herbal Healing 2002). Other forms can cause allergies or digestive upset.
Warnings: People who are allergic to ragweed may be allergic to feverfew. Pregnant women, nursing mothers,
and people taking warfarin (coumadin) or any other blood‐thinning drugs should not take feverfew.

Fritillaria (Fritillaria thunbergii)
Common Name: Thunberg fritillaria bulb.
Description: The rhizome of fritillaria is used medicinally.
Properties: This herb can be used to aid coughs and also to help treat inflammation.
Uses: Use fritillaria to help treat coughs, laryngitis, lupus and influenza.
Doses: Look for this herb in the form of a medicine called, “qing chi hua tan tang”.
Warnings: Do not ingest this herb unprocessed. Also avoid this herb if you are pregnant or have high blood
pressure.

Garlic (Allium sativa)
Common Names: Garlic bulb, garlic clove.
Location: This herb’s origin is in Asia.
Description: According to the author of Prescriptions for Herbal Healing (2002), “Over 1800 scientific studies
support the use of garlic in lowering cholesterol levels and blood sugar, preventing heart attack and stroke,
treating infections and cancer. Garlic may be able to reduce the risk of blood clots and inhibit tumors.”
Uses: Use garlic to treat high cholesterol, bladder infection, strep throat, vaginosis, yeast infection, atherosclerosis,
diabetes, cancer, ear infection, peptic ulcer, parasitic and miscellaneous infection.
Doses: This herb can be taken in clove form, oil form, or as enteric‐coated tablets.
Warnings: Be cautious when taking this herb while nursing because it can result in colic baby syndrome.

Gentian (Gentiana lutea, Gentiana scabra.)
Common Names: Gentiana longdancao, gentiana, Chinese gentian root, wild gentian, and yellow gentian.
Location: This herb is located in China and Korea.
Properties: This herb is known for being able to aid in the process of treating infections of the gall bladder,
stimulate the appetite and to aid in digestive processes.
Uses: Gentian can be used to treat cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, hiccups, gallstones and indigestion.
Doses: This herb can be found in stores labeled as “bitters” or in capsule form.
Warnings: Do not take this herb if you are under two years old or if you have a history of poor digestion. If you
suffer from high blood pressure or if you are pregnant, consult a doctor about the use of this herb.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Common Names: African ginger, Jamaica ginger.
Description: The rhizome of the ginger herb is used medicinally.
Properties: Ginger has been used over the centuries to stimulate appetite, eliminate nausea and cleanse the body.
Uses: Use ginger to treat asthma, allergies, bursitis, arthritis, fibrocystic breasts, pain, lymphedema, high
cholesterol, cancer, indigestion, atherosclerosis, morning sickness, nausea, motion sickness, colds, vomiting,
influenza, strep throat and parasitic infections.
Doses: You can find ginger in many forms, which include capsules, pickles, teas, tablets and hexanol extracts.
Warnings: Do not take ginger if you are taking prescription medications to prevent blood clots.

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)
Properties: This herb is well known to be a treatment for memory loss disorders. According to Prescription for
Herbal Healing (2002), “Ginkgo increases the body’s production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a compound
that is the mainsource of energy on a cellular level.”
Uses: Use ginkgo to treat impotence, alzhiemers disease, Parkinson’s disease, memory loss, anxiety, depression,
attention deficit disorder (ADD), cataracts, cancer, floaters, glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic
retinopathy, diabetes, diminished sexual desire, heart attack, stroke, tinnitus and intermittent cluadication.
Doses: This herb can be commonly found in capsule form and also as teas.
Warnings: Use of this herb can result in a mild headache or upset stomach. Consult your doctor about any
current medications you are taking before using this herb.

Ginseng (Panax ginseng)
Common Names: Ginseng root, Chinese ginseng, red ginseng and Korean ginseng.
Location: This herb can be found in Siberia, North Korea and China.
Description: The root of the ginseng herb is used medicinally.
Properties: Ginseng is one of the most well known herbs used for healing. According to Phyllis Balch in
Prescriptions for Herbal Healing (2002), “Ginseng has been a part of Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years. It was
traditionally used to curb emotions, stop agitation, brighten eyes, enlighten the mind and increase wisdom.”
Uses: This herb can be used to treat cancer, anxiety, Lyme disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, cognitive ability,
hangover, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart attack, infertility, impotence, diminished sex drive, stress and
menopause related ailments.
Doses: This herb can be found as a tea, tincture or capsule.
Warnings: Ginseng can occasionally cause breast tenderness and menstrual abnormalities for women. People
have reported experiencing insomnia or over stimulation after taking ginseng. Some side effects of a ginseng
overdose include dizziness, headache, fever and hemorrhage. Pregnant women and nursing mothers should not
take ginseng. Avoid ginseng two weeks prior to undergoing surgery.

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadenis)
Location: This herb is native to North America.
Description: The roots of the goldenseal are used medicinally.
Properties: This herb is commonly used to boost the immune system in times of common cold and illness.
Goldenseal contains berberine, an agent that fights off forms of bacteria and fungus.
Uses: Use goldenseal to treat periodontal disease, Meriere’s disease, heartburn and sore throat.
Doses: Goldenseal can be found as a capsule, powder, tincture, ointment or tablet.
Warnings: Do not take this herb if you are pregnant, nursing, or if you take anticoagulants like heparin or
warafin.

Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica)
Common Names: Indian pennywort and centella.
Location: This herb can be located in India and North America.
Description: Gotu kola has fan‐shaped leaves that have a bitter taste.
Properties: This herb is said to increase blood circulation and repair skin cells with the asiaticoside it contains.
Uses: Use this herb to treat memory loss, Alzheimer’s disease, swollen ankles, cellulite, varicose veins, wounds,
scarring and psoriasis.
Doses: This herb can be found as a topical cream, or in liposome tinctures or tablets.
Warnings: Do not take this herb if you are pregnant, nursing or trying to become pregnant. If you have diabetes,
consult with your doctor before taking this herb.

Green Tea (Camellia sinensis)
Location: This herb can be found in Asia. It is also grown around the world in places like Burma, India, Japan,
China, Pakistan, Turkey, Malawi, Georgia, Sri Lanka, Argentina and Africa.
Description: The leaf buds and young leaves are used medicinally as a tea.
Properties: According to the author of Prescriptions for Herbal Healing, “Green tea is both a stimulant and an
antioxidant with a diversity of healing applications. The polyphenols in green tea are potent antioxidants.
Researchers have found that one of the polyphenols, designated epigallocatechin gallate(EGCG), is over 200 times
more powerful than the renowned antioxidant vitamin E in neutralizing free radicals.”
Uses: This herb can be used to increase energy, treat asthma, atherosclerosis, high cholesterol, breast cancer,
endometriosis, fibrocystic breasts, ovarian cancer, cancer, liver cancer, cirrhosis of the liver, diabetes, colorectal
cancer, food poisoning, eczema, ear infections, periodontal disease, herpes virus infection, wrinkles and
influenza.
Doses: According to studies three cups a day is enough to help fight cancer. Some researchers believe that ten
cups is necessary to fight such illnesses. This herb can also be made into a cream or compress for use.
Warnings: Do not take green tea if you are currently taking ginseng. Limit the amount of green tea you drink
while pregnant or nursing. If you are taking blood thinners like warfarin do not drink green tea.

Guggul (Commiphora mukkul)
Common Names: Indian bedelium, gum guggulu.
Location: This herb is found in India.
Description: The resin of this tree is used medicinally.
Properties: This herb has been used to increase circulation and to limit cholesterol levels.
Uses: Use guggul to help treat acne, high cholesterol and fight congestive heart failure.
Doses: This herb can be ingested in extract form called guggulsterones, or in tincture form.
Warnings: Use this herb with caution if you are pregnant, nursing, taking beta‐blockers, have irritable bowel
syndrome, Chron’s disease or liver disease.

Hawthorn (Crataegus)
Common Name: cragaegus.
Description: Fresh berries, leaves and flowers, as well as these portions of the herb dried are used medicinally.
Properties: This herb is known for its aiding in the treatment of circulatory disorders and heart ailments.
Uses: Hawthorn can be used to treat Alzheimer’s disease, angina, memory loss, cardiac arrhythmia, congestive
heart failure, fractures, arthritis, osteoperosis, heart attack, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, stroke,
atherosclerosis, attention deficit disorder(ADD), glaucoma, bloodshot eyes, swollen ankles, halitosis, varicose
veins, leukemia, lupus and diabetic retinopathy.
Doses: This herb can be found in capsule, tincture, tea and tablet form.
Warnings: This herb can cause faintness due to its affect on blood pressure levels. Consult with your doctor
before taking hawthorn if you are pregnant, under the age of puberty or nursing.

Ho She Wu (Polygonum multiflorum)
Common Names: fo‐ti, ho shou wu.
Location: This herb is located in Taiwan, Japan, North Korea and China.
Description: The root of this herb is used medicinally. It is boiled with black beans and made into a paste that can
be consumed.
Properties: Ho she wu is used to calm the nerves, increase energy and lower cholesterol.
Uses: This herb can be used to lower cholesterol and treat insomnia.
Doses: Ho she wu can be found in capsule and tablet form.
Warnings: Do not ingest the root of this herb un‐cooked.

Hoelen (Poria cocos)
Common Names: China‐root, fu‐ling, tuckahoe and poria.
Location: This herb is found growing wild around the world.
Description: This herb grows in the form of a mushroom and can reach a size of up to twenty pounds.
Properties: This herb is often ingested as a food and yields potassium. Hoelen is also known for being a diuretic
and having antibacterial properties.
Uses: Hoelen can be used to treat kidney disease and lupus.
Doses: The mushroom can be consumed fresh or dried and can be made into a tea for medicinal purposes.
Warnings: Some side effects, such as upset stomach, can occur when taking this herb.

Hops (Humulus lupulus)
Location: This herb is located in Europe and Asia.
Description: This herb produces male and female parts. Medicinally the female hops are used.
Properties: Hops have been commonly used to cure sleeping illnesses.
Uses: Hops can be used to treat hormonal imbalances, indigestion and insomnia.
Doses: This herb can be found in teas, powder, tincture, capsule and tablet form.
Warning: Women who are pregnant or who experience hormonal imbalances shouldn’t take hops. Children
under the age of puberty also shouldn’t take hops. This herbs’ side effect is drowsiness.

Horehound (Marrubium vulgare)
Common Name: white horehound, marrubio.
Location: This herb has its origins in Morocco, but can be found in Europe and North America.
Description: All of the portions of the plant that grow above ground are used medicinally.
Properties: This herb is well known for its pain relieving qualities. It has also been used throughout the centuries
to treat colds.
Uses: Use horehound to treat colds, sinusitis, bronchitis and indigestion.
Doses: Horehound can be found as a cough syrup, tea or lozenge.
Warnings: Do not use large doses of horehound. If you are pregnant or have menstrual problems do not take this
herb.

Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum)
Description: The bark, seeds, leaves and aescin extract from this herb are used medicinally.
Properties: This herb is used to unclog veins and prevent hemorrhoids.
Uses: Use horse chestnut to help treat cellulite, bruises, lyphedema, hemmoroids, varicose veins, wrinkles and
swollen ankles.
Doses: This herb should be taken in tablet form that provides no less than 10 milligrams of the extract aescin.
Warning: Do not eat the seeds of this herb. Do not take this herb if you are nursing, pregnant or trying to
conceive. Do not take this herb if you have liver damage, kidney damage or if you take blood‐thinning
medication.

Horsetail (Equisetum arvense)
Common Names: scouring rush, queue de cheval.
Description: According to the author of Prescriptions for Herbal Healing (2002), “Horsetail is a descendant of giant
fernlike plants that covered the earth some 200 million years ago.” There are two different types of horsetail. The
above ground portions of horsetail are used medicinally.
Properties: This herb has been used over the centuries to cure a multitude of ailments. It is known for containing
silica, which makes connective tissue stronger.
Uses: Use horsetail to strengthen nails, teeth and hair, and treat bedwetting, bursitis, urinary incontinence,
hemorrhoids and emphysema.
Doses: This herb can be found as a tincture, tea or fluidextract. Limit the period of time you take horsetail because
lengthened use may cause adverse effects.
Warning: Do not take horsetail if you have prostate cancer, eat a diet with high amounts of cholesterol, are
nursing, pregnant, under the age of 13, or over the age of 65.

Iporuru (Alchornea)
Common Names: Macochihua, niando or iporoni.
Location: This herb is located in Africa and the Amazon.
Description: The bark of the iporuru is used medicinally.
Properties: Iporuru can be used to alleviate pain and inflammation and help strengthen muscles and joints.
Uses: Use this herb to treat gout, infertility and impotence.
Doses: Iporuru can be found as a tincture.
Warnings: Limit the amount of this herb you take because overdoses can occur.

Jambul (Eugenia jambolana)
Caommon Names: Jambolan flowers, black plum, jambul, rose apple, syzygium cumini, java plum.
Location: This herb can be found in Australia and Asia.
Description: The leaves, bark and seed of this herb are used for medicinal purposes.
Properties: This herb helps to improve overall toning in the tissue and is used to regulate the digestive system.
Uses: This herb can be used to treat diabetes, cancer, high blood sugar, and digestive ailments.
Doses: According to the author of Prescriptions for Herbal Healing (2002), you should “Add jambul seeds to
cooking daily. Ayurvedic medicine teaches that jambul is synergistic with okra; when okra and jambul are eaten
together, jambul’s blood‐sugar lowering action is intensified.”

Kava (Piper methysticum)
Common Names: kava pepper, kawa‐kawa, kava‐kava.
Location: This herb is native to the region of Polynesia.
Description: The root of the kava is used medicinally.
Properties: This herb is known for its use as a sedative. It can be used to treat urinary infections and prostate
inflammations.
Uses: Use kava to treat depression, insomnia, restless leg syndrome, diminished sex drive, anxiety, and
toothache.
Doses: This herb can be found in tablet form and should contain a dosage of 70 percent kavalactones.
Warnings: Do not take this herb if you are nursing or pregnant, or if you have Parkinson’s disease, depression or
anxiety disorders. Limit the amount of kava you consume because side effects such as labored breathing and
dried skin can occur.

Kelp (Laminaria, Macrocytis, Nerocystis)
Common Name: Bladderwrack.
Description: Kelp is the name given to multiple pieces of seaweed. The entire herb is used medicinally.
Properties: Kelp contains the vitamin B12. According to the author of Prescriptions for Herbal Healing (2002),
“Herbalists rely on kelp’s active ingredient, sodium alginate, to treat heavy‐metal toxins such as barium and
cadmium, and to prevent the body from absorbing strontium‐90, a radioactive substance created in nuclear
power plants.” Kelp also has protein, fatty acids, sodium, potassium salts, fiber and other beneficial ingredients in
it.
Uses: This herb can be used to treat fibrocystic breasts, cancer, cellulite and constipation.
Doses: Kelp can be eaten by itself and can be found in foods originating in the region of Asia. Kelp should only be
consumed once a week.
Warnings: Do not eat kelp if you currently have the condition known as hyperthyroidism or if you are pregnant,
nursing or have heart problems.

Khella (Ammi visnaga)
Common Names: Bishop’s weed fruit, ammi visnaga.
Location: This herb originated in Africa.
Description: The fruit of this herb is used medicinally.
Properites: Khella can be used to treat spasms of the muscle.
Uses: Use khella to treat angina, atherosclerosis, asthma, kidney stones and vitiligo.
Doses: This herb can be found in tablet, tincture and tea form.
Warnings: This herb’s use will result in sensitivity to sunlight. Limit your use of this herb because side effects can
occur. If you are pregnant, nursing or on prescription blood thinners talk to your doctor before using this herb.

Kudzu (Pueraria lobata)
Common Names: Pueraria root, pueraria.
Location: This herb is located in the southern regions of the United States and Japan.
Descriptions: The root of this herb can be used medicinally.
Properties: This herb has been used to treat headache over the centuries.
Uses: Use this herb to treat alcoholism, colds, headaches, influenza, Bell’s palsy, Lyme disease, fibrocystic breasts,
cancer and congestive heart failure.
Doses: Kudzu can be found as a tea or tablet. The tablets should contain a dosage of 10 milligrams of the herbal
extract.
Warnings: Do not take this herb in conjuction with antibiotics because they will render it ineffective.

Lavender ( Lavandula angustifolia or Lavandula officinalis)
Common Name: English lavender.
Location: This herb is located in the Mediterranean.
Description: The flowers of this herb are used medicinally.
Properties: Lavender has been used throughout the centuries to ease digestion, calm the nerves, cure insomnia
and stop spasms.
Uses: This herb can be used to treat anxiety, insomnia, bronchitis, digestive discomfort, burns, gas and yeast
infections.
Doses: Lavender can be found in oil, tea, compress or aromatherapy form.
Warnings: Do not take lavender if you have gallstones, or are pregnant or nursing.

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Common Names: cure‐all, melissa, sweet balm, bee‐balm, balm.
Location: This herb can be found in the Mediterranean and Germany.
Description: The dried leaves of this herb are used medicinally.
Properties: Lemon balm can be used as a light sedative and has many medicinal uses.
Uses: Use lemon balm to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD), Grave’s disease, herpes virus infection, irritable
bowel syndrome (IBS) and insomnia.
Doses: This herb can be taken internally by use of tablets and tea. It can be applied externally as a cream.
Warnings: Do not take lemon balm if you take barbiturates for insomnia or anxiety, or if you have glaucoma.

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Description: Licorice is one of the most commonly used forms of herbal medicine. The roots of licorice are used
medicinally.
Properties: Licorice is used to manage stress levels, and to treat a multitude of ailments.
Uses: Use licorice to treat asthma, Meniere’s disease, vitiligo, lupus, Bell’s Palsy, Lyme disease, cancer, Celiac
disease, Crohn’s disease, gastritis, peptic ulcer, cancer sores, diaper rash, psoriasis, eczema, chronic fatigue
syndrome (CFS), diabetes, hepatitis, influenza, herpes, measles and HIV/AIDS.
Doses: According to the author of Prescriptions for Herbal Healing (2002), “There are two types of licorice
commonly available: standardized licorice and deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL). Each type is best used for
certain conditions. For respitory infections, chronic fatigue syndrome, or topical use for herpes virus infections,
standard licorice containing glycyrrizin should be used… DGL is used for potential safety problems and is used
for conditions of the digestive tract, such as ulcers.”
Warnings: Do not consume licorice in mass amounts. Some side effects of licorice overdose are vision problems
and high blood pressure. Do not take licorice if you have fibrocystic breasts, uterine cancer, breast cancer or
erectile dysfunction disorder.

Maitake (Grifola frondosa)
Location: This herb is located in northeastern Japan.
Description: The herb is a mushroom that can be consumed.
Properties: This herb is used to aid the body in resisting infection and adapting to stressful situations.
Uses: Maitake can be used to cure Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), Lyme disease, HIV/AIDS and cancer.
Doses: This herb is most commonly used in capsules or tablets. The correct daily dosage is 3 to 7 grams per day.
Warning: If you have multiple sclerosis do not take maitake.

Marshmallow Root (Althaea officinalis)
Common Name: Althea root.
Properties: This herb is known for its ability to ease pain and inflammation for illnesses related to mucus
membranes.
Uses: Use marshmallow root to treat laryngitis, coughs, Crohn’s disease, peptic ulcer, mastitis, psoriasis and
eczema.
Doses: This herb can be found as a powder, tinctures, fluidextracts and creams.
Warnings: If you have diabetes avoid the use of this herb.

Maté (Ilex paraguariensis)
Common Name: Yerba maté, Jesuit tea.
Location: This herb is located in Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Texas.
Properties: Maté has the ability to provide reserves of energy without producing insomnia or drowsiness.
Uses: Use this herb to treat constipation and obesity.
Doses: This herb comes in tea form and should be ingested only once a day.

Milk Thistle (Carduus marianus)
Common Name: Mary thistle.
Location: This herb originates in Europe.
Description: The seeds of milk thistle are used medicinally.
Properties: Milk thistle is well known for its use in treating a multitude of ailments.
Uses: Use milk thistle to treat acne, Crohn’s disease, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), alcoholism,
hepatitis, cirrhosis, gallstones, atherosclerosis, high cholesterol, too much iron collection, cancer, diabetes, seizure
disorders, ovarian cysts, psoriasis, and Parkinson’s disease.
Doses: This herb can be found as silmarin‐gel capsules, seeds, tinctures and teas.
Warnings: Some side effects of milk thistle include diarrhea. If you are taking contraceptives while using milk
thistle, the contraceptives may become less effective at preventing pregnancy.

Mistletoe (Viscum coloratum)
Common Names: European mistletoe, mulberry mistletoe, loranthus.
Description: The stem of mistletoe is used medicinally.
Properties: If mistletoe is injected, it has immune‐stimulating qualities.
Uses: Use mistletoe to help treat cancer.
Doses: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration states that mistletoe is an “unsafe” herb and should be taken only
under professional supervision.
Warnings: Avoid injections of mistletoe if you suffer from Parkinson’s disease.

Morinda (Morinda citrifolia, Morinda officinalis)
Common Names: Noni, ba ji tian.
Location: This herb can be found in Australia, Polynesia and Malaysia.
Description: The roots of morinda are used medicinally.
Properties: This herb has many uses in the reproductive field like treating impotence and menstrual problems
and increasing fertility.
Uses: Use morinda to treat depression, menstrual problems and rheumatoid arthritis.
Doses: This herb is available in tea and capsule form.

Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca, Leonurus heterophyllus)
Common Name: Leonurus.
Location: This herb is native to Central Asia, and is now naturalized in North Africa and Europe. Motherwort is
also cultivated as a garden plant.
Description: The plant bears toothed, palm‐shaped leaves and pink flowers. The aboveground parts are used in
herbal medicine.
Properties: Motherwort balances hormones. It affects the menstrual cycle in women and the heart in people of
both sexes. Motherwort is a beneficial treatment for heart disorders caused by anxiety and stress and is useful for
the treatment of hyperthyroidism.
Uses: The L. cardiaca species of motherwort is used primarily to treat heart conditions. It has traditionally been
used to treat heart palpitations as well as depression. This herb has also been used to help stimulate the uterus.
Doses: Motherwort is available in fluid extracts and teas.
Warnings: Solid capsule or tablet form of the herb should be used with caution, if at all; a dose of 3000 milligrams
of solid extracts taken per day in capsule or tablet form is likely to cause diarrhea, stomach irritation, or uterine
bleeding. Because of the herbʹs traditional use for uterine stimulation, motherwort should not be used by
pregnant women. If you suffer from a heart disorder or take any medicine for a heart condition, consult with your
health care provider before taking this herb.

Muira Puama (Ptuchopetalum ovata)
Common Name: Potency wood, potenzholz, marapuama.
Location: This herb is located in the Amazon forest.
Description: The root, wood and bark of this tree are used medicinally.
Properties: Muira Puama is known for being able to cure erectile dysfunctions and sexual impotence. It can also
be used to calm the nerves and alleviate stress.
Uses: Use muira puama to treat diminished sex drive and impotence.
Doses: This herb can be found in pre‐made formulas and as a tincture.

Mullein (Verbascum densiflorum)
Common Names: Orange mullein, large‐flowered mullein.
Location: This herb is found in Ethiopia and along the Mediterranean Sea.
Description: The flowers and leaves of this herb are used medicinally.
Properties: Mullein has many uses for ailments such as congestion, respiratory problems and healing wounds.
Uses: Mullein can be used to treat bloodshot eyes, diarrhea, ear infection, cuts and scrapes, hemorrhoids,
influenza, sore throat and bronchitis.
Doses: This herb can be found as an oil or tea.
Warnings: If you have cancer or are pregnant or nursing do not ingest mullein. Never consume the seeds of this
herb; they are poisonous.

Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha)
Common Name: Mukkul.
Location: Myrrh is a resin harvested from the myrrh tree, grown in East Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and the
Indian states of Gujarat and Rajasthan.
Description: Myrrh is aromatic and has a reddish‐brown color.
Properties: Myrrh was widely used as an analgesic in the ancient Middle East. The renowned Greek physician
Hippocrates (460‐377 B.C.E.) praised myrrh as a balm for common sores. The Romans used it to treat infections of
the eye and mouth, and the Hebrews used it as a painkiller. In the Vulgate translation of the gospel of Mark, the
writer records that Jesus was offered a mixture of wind and myrrh just before the crucifixion, and myrrh is
mentioned in the Holy Scriptures of both Judaism and Islam.
Uses: Myrrh can be used as an antiseptic for canker sores, strep throat and gingivitis and as an expectorant for
congestion. It is a gentle anti‐inflammatory for the mouth and throat. Myrrh can also be used for treating
bleeding, pain, swelling, hemorrhoids and wounds. Myrrh stimulates the production of infection‐fighting white
blood cells and also has a direct and high microbial effect on its own. Myrrh contains many volatile oils that make
it suitable for promoting free breathing during congestive colds and clearing mucus‐clogged passages. It
increases circulation and restores tone and normal secretion.
Doses: As little as five drops of essential oil is useful in making a gargle or mouthwash, but more than 30 drops is
likely to leave a stronger aftertaste. The tincture should always be diluted before use, as undiluted forms may
irritate the mouth or cause a burning sensation.
Warnings: Myrrh is used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and in Tibetan medicine to relieve scanty
menstruation. For this reason, women who tend to have heavy periods should avoid it. Myrrh should not be
used during pregnancy. Large amounts may have a violent laxative action and can cause vomiting and an
accelerated heartbeat. If bleeding gums or pain persists for longer than two weeks, consult a dentist.

Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins (OPCs)
Common Name: Grapeseed extract, pine‐bark extract.
Location: Oligomeric proanthocyanidins are usually derived from grapeseed or pine bark.
Description: Oligomeric proanthocyanidins better known by the abbreviation (OPCs), are classified with
flavinoids and are usually derived from grapeseeds or pine bark. They are also present in red wine, hops, and
various flowers, leaves, fruits, berries, nuts, and beans, usually with high concentrations in skins, barks, and
seeds. The way in which these versatile healing compounds are distinct from flavinoids is their simple chemical
structure, which allows them to be readily absorbed into the bloodstream.
Properties: OPCs are very powerful antioxidants. Vitamin E defends against fat‐soluble oxidants, and vitamin C
neutralizes water‐soluble ones, but OPCs are active against those types. The also help stabilize the walls of blood
vessels, reduce inflammation, and generally support tissues containing collagen and elastin, and proteins found
in cartilage, tendons, blood vessels, skin, and muscle.
Uses: Of all the herbs and herbal supplements, OPCs are the most useful in supporting vascular health. The
beneficial effects of OPCs on capillary health results in relief of many neurological diseases and can prevent
swelling and inflammation caused by allergic reactions. OPCs are popular for preventing heart disease,
revitalizing aging skin, and reducing a tendency to bruise easily. OPCs stop histamine from causing swelling,
inflammation, and pain in the soft tissues. Many allergy sufferers find that OPCs eliminate all noticeable
symptoms of allergies, even in the middle of the allergy season. OPCs help to prevent blood vessel changes in the
brain that can complicate Parkinsonʹs disease and Alzheimerʹs disease. Attention deficit disorder and chronic
fatigue syndrome studies suggest that OPCs help the brain to regulate its use of its excitatory neurotransmitters.
This allows OPCs to act as antidepressants for people with ADD and also those with chronic fatigue syndrome
without affecting their function in the rest of the body. OPCs are also known to be potent antioxidants. They
interrupt the formation of oxygen free radicals and prevent damage to cell membranes. OPCs help deliver to the
brain nutrients that are helpful for people with ADD, such as zinc, manganese, millennium, and copper. OPCs
also relieve neurological symptoms by acting as antihistamines, thereby reducing the burden on the brain. OPC
may be the ideal medicine for macular degeneration and or diabetic retinopathy. Grapeseed OPCʹs increase
cracked capillary resistance in people with diabetes and/or high blood pressure. This also helps with swollen
ankles, cuts and scrapes, lymphedema, nosebleed, tendonitis, and varicose veins. The antioxidant effects of OPCʹs
have the ability to inhibit the initiation, promotion, and progression of cancer. Flavinoids and oligomeric
proanthocyanidins are now known to be essential to health.
Doses: Pycnogenol, a pine bark extract can be taken in a dosage of 1 mg per day for each pound of body weight.
If you experienced any signs of detoxification, such as congestion, fever, rash, diarrhea, headaches, irritability, or
fatigue, you should increase the dosage more slowly.
Warnings: Grapeseed extracts are high in tannin and may interfere with iron absorption. You should not take
these if you have anemia. If youʹre taking blood‐thinning medication high doses of OPCʹs may pose a risk of
excessive bleeding.

Olive Leaf (Olea europa)
Common Name: Olive.
Location: Native to the Mediterranean regions.
Description: Olive is a small evergreen tree.
Properties: Throughout history, the use of its fruits and oil is well documented. Hippocrates, the Greek physician
known as the “the father of medicine,” prescribed olive oil some 2500 years ago. In the early 1900’s, a bitter
compound from the leaf was isolated and determined to be part of the olive tree’s powerful disease fighting
properties. In 1962, researchers found that oleuropein, could lower blood pressure and increased blood flow.
Uses: Olive leaf extract is beneficial in treating conditions caused by virus, retrovirus, bacteria, or protozoa. The
leaf appears to be a true antiviral compound. It has the ability to interfere with critical amino acid production for
viruses. Olive leaf extract is also effective against antibiotic‐resistant bacteria, yeast strains, and fungi that
produce toxins that contribute to chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndromes. It is also effective against
parasites, both protozoa and worms. People with chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia are often helped by olive leaf
extract. The powerful antioxidant properties of the olive leaf help protect the heart and circulatory system from
heart disease and high blood pressure. An olive oil extract can relieve symptoms of herpes. Yeast infection and
Candida albicans symptoms are reduced by the leaf extract, with no apparent side effects. Benefits of olive leaf
extract for specific health conditions include treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia, herpes
virus, infection, yeast infection.
Doses: Dosage recommended is one or two capsules totaling 250 to 500 milligrams taken daily for preventative
purposes. For treating symptoms: take three or more 500‐milligram tablets every six hours.
Warnings: In some chronic cases, there may be a quick and somewhat adverse reaction called the detox reaction.
As the body begins to purge, it may become overburdened. However, all the symptoms are actually a good sign
that the extract is working.

Oregon Grape Root (Mahonia aquifolium, Mahonia repens)
Common Name: Alegria, California barberry, japonica, mahonia, mountain grape, mountain holly,
pepperidge, sourberry, sowberry, yellow root.
Location: M. repens is found in dry places such as Ponderosa pine ecosystems; M. Nervosa is 1 to 2 feet tall with
holly, found in lower elevations in coastal forests and interior cedar‐hemlock ecosystems; M. aquifolium, known
as Oregon grape, is three to five feet tall.
Description: All have very beautiful flowers and green berries that ripen to a blue‐purple color. The name
Oregon grape comes from its use as a medicine and food along the Oregon Trail. Its popularity as a food and
medicine nearly led to its extinction in the late 19th century. Both the leaves and root bark are used medicinally.
Properties: The best known of the herb’s active constituents is berberine, a chemical that Oregon grape root
shares with barberry, coptis, and goldenseal.
Uses: Oregon grape root is a bacterial infection fighter. Used both internally and externally, it is healing to the
skin, eyes, and the mucous membranes. It is excellent for skin problems, helps to purify the blood and deliver
oxygen, and stimulates the functioning of the gallbladder and liver. It stimulates and improves digestive function.
Benefits of Oregon grape root for specific health conditions include treatment of acne, allergic rashes, eczema, and
psoriasis, diarrhea and gastritis.
Doses: Oregon grape root is available in capsules, ointments, tablets, and tinctures.
Warnings: Oregon grape root is mildly sedating. You should use it with caution if you are taking an anti‐anxiety
drug. It may also lower blood sugar, so you should use it with caution if you have diabetes and have not used the
herb before. Oregon grape should be avoided during pregnancy.

Osha (Ligustcum poreri)
Common Name: Chuchupate, Colorado cough root, life root.
Location: The American Rocky Mountains.
Description: Osha is an antibacterial herb of the American Rocky Mountains, as Echinacea is the antibacterial
herb from the American Great Plains.
Properties: Osha is an antibacterial and anti‐inflammatory.
Uses: Osha is ideal for viral infections of the sinuses, throat, and upper and lower respiratory systems. It helps
bring about respiratory secretions and relaxes and soothes muscles, making it beneficial for coughs and asthmatic
breathing difficulties. It induces sweating and helps eliminate toxins from the pores of the skin. Benefits of osha
for specific health conditions include treatment of arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome; bronchitis, colds,
influenza, and sinusitis.
Doses: Osha is available as a tincture.
Warnings: if you take this herb for an extended period of time, take a weeklong break every couple of months.
Osha should not be used during pregnancy, as large amounts can cause uterine contractions.

Papain (Carica papaya)
Common Name: Papaya.
Location: South Asia and Southeast Asia.
Description: Papain is the protein‐dissolving enzyme extracted from the milky white latex of unripe papaya fruit.
It is also found in papaya fruit and papaya leaf.
Properties: Green papaya is used in Southeast Asia as a salad vegetable. It is an excellent source of papain.
Worldwide, most papaya are eaten green. In many countries in South Asia and Southeast Asia, green papaya is
used to make a tart and tasty salad to accompany yams or rice. Green papaya is a richer source of the
therapeutically active papain than is the ripe fruit.
Uses: Papain is a digestive aid for those who have trouble digesting proteins. It is also useful for pain relief. It
aids digestion and heartburn, stimulates appetite, and helps to prevent ulcers. Papain also helps bruises and other
injuries to heal faster. Benefits of papaya for specific health conditions include treatment of benign prostatic
hypertrophy (BPH); bruises, sore muscles, sprains, and recovery from surgery, celiac disease, herpesvirus
infection and shingles.
Doses: Papain is available in the form of a single‐herb capsule and a combined bromelain/papain tablet for
internal use. It is also available in the form of a cream for external use.
Warnings: pregnant women can eat ripe papaya fruit in moderation, but should not use unripened papain,
papaya latex, or the herb’s leaves. If you take anticoagulant medication, you should use papain in moderation
only.

Passionflower (Passiflora caerulea, Passiflora incarnata)
Common Name: Apricot vine, blue passionflower (Passiflora caerulea), maypop.
Location: Native to North, Central, and South America.
Description: Passionflower grows to a length of about 30 feet. Passionflower bears three‐lobed leaves, purple
flowers, and an egg‐shape fruit. Passionflowerʹs name comes from an analogy drawing between the appearance
of the plant’s ornate flowers to elements of the crucifixion of Jesus: the three styles for the three nails used to affix
him to the cross; five stamens for the five wounds he suffered; and white and purple‐blue colors believed to
symbolize heaven and purity.
Properties: The use of passionflower to tranquilize and settle edgy nerves has been documented for over 200
years. This herb relieves muscle tension and helps calm extreme anxiety.
Uses: It has a depressant effect on the central nervous system and lowers blood pressure. Passionflower is
especially good for nervous insomnia. It is also a source of an antioxidant chemical known as Chrysin, which
helps the body conserve testosterone. It does not cause the body to produce more testosterone, but, by conserving
the testosterone already in the body, it can have the effect of increasing testosterone levels. A wide range of
potential therapeutic applications of chrysin are currently being investigated. This compound relaxes the lining of
artery walls; reduces blood pressure; stops chemical reactions that cause nausea and vomiting as a result of
withdrawal from cocaine, heroine, or opiate painkillers; and in laboratory tests, stops the growth of certain kinds
of thyroid cancer. Benefits of passionflower for specific health conditions include treatment of anxiety, attention
deficit disorder, insomnia, and restless legs syndrome.
Doses: passionflower is available as a tea or tincture. The term chrysin appears in the names of products used for
diminished sex drive.
Warnings: Both passionflower and chrysin products can cause drowsiness, and both increase the effects of both
alcohol and psychoactive drugs such as sedatives and tranquilizers. You should not use passionflower during
pregnancy, because it may stimulate the uterine muscles. Women seeking to become pregnant should not take
chrysin. Adults over the age of 65 and children between the ages of 2 and 12 should take only low‐strength
preparations, and you should not give this herb in any form to a child under two years of age. Many herbalists
recommend using only professionally prepared remedies. Passiflora caerulea contains cyanide, and there is some
fear that this may accidentally be substituted if you purchased the unprocessed herb.

Pau D’Arco (Tabebuia species)
Common Name: Lapacho.
Location: Amazon rain forest.
Description: Pau d’arco is a tropical tree that grows to a height of 100 feet. Although it is an evergreen in the
Amazon rain forest, it is deciduous at higher and colder locations. The plants in the Tabebuia genus that include
the various species of pau d’arco can flower in a number of colors, but the roxa (red‐, magenta‐, crimson‐, and
violet‐flowering) varieties are used the most in herbal medicine. Medicinal preparations are made from the tree’s
dried inner bark, sustainably harvested from trees in the wild.
Properties: Pau d’arco extract is an immune stimulant and is effective against bacterial, fungal, viral, parasitic,
and yeast infections. It is also considered to be an anti‐inflammatory agent.
Uses: The inner lining of the bark of either the red or the purple pau d’arco tree has been used for centuries as
treatment for cancer, lupus, infectious diseases, wounds, and many other health conditions. Pau d’arco tea has
beneficial effects on disorders as varied as arthritis, athleteʹs foot, the common cold, leukemia, pain, and yeast and
other fungal infections. The herb is currently being investigated for effects on cancer and candida. Traditional
herbalists agree that it strengthens and balances the immune system. Benefits of pau d’arco for specific health
conditions include treatment of boils, ringworm, and yeast infection, cancer, diabetes, gastritis and peptic ulcer;
parasitic infection.
Doses: Pau d’arco is available in ointments or lotions for external use, and as teas or tinctures for internal use. Pau
d’arco products frequently combine the herb with other herbs used to treat infection and/or inflammation such as
garlic and goldenseal. Be sure to read labels carefully if you are sensitive to these herbs.
Warnings: High doses of pau d’ arco can cause uncontrolled bleeding, nausea, and vomiting. It is much safer to
use the whole bark than to take isolated lapachol. Unfortunately, inferior products containing only the outer bark
and the wood are sometimes misrepresented as genuine inner bark pau d’arco. Because the pau d’arco
constituent lapachol is somewhat toxic, the herb is not recommended for women who are pregnant or nursing. As
of yet, there is no good evidence that pau d’arco is an effective cancer treatment, and it may interfere with the
action of prescription anti‐cancer drugs. You should not add it to a conventional chemotherapy regime without
consulting with your physician.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
Common Name: Peppermint.
Location: First cultivated near London In 1750. It grows almost everywhere. The finest‐quality peppermint is
grown in the northwestern United States.
Description: Peppermint is a hybrid of watermint and spearmint. It is a square stemmed annual that yields the
popular flavoring agent. It grows from 32 to 36 inches high and has aromatic serrated leaves. The two main
cultivated forms are in the black mint, which has violet‐colored leaves and stems and a relatively high essential
oil content, and the white mint, which has pure green leaves and a milder taste. Peppermint teas are used around
the world to calm queasy stomachs and quell indigestion. Peppermint leaves contain a volatile (essential) oil that
is 50 to 75 percent menthol. This oil is the basis of most medicinal preparations of peppermint.
Uses: Peppermint is a general stimulant. Peppermint tea circulates quickly and is more powerful than any liquor
stimulant. The herb has a long history as a digestive aid and as a treatment for the symptoms of coughs, colds,
and fever. It kills microorganisms that can cause food poisoning, relieves the pain of sprains and strains, and
helps freshen lingering bad breath. It also is good for nausea and vomiting. Benefits of peppermint for specific
health conditions include treatment of colic, food allergies, indigestion, and motion sickness; Crohn’s disease and
hepatitis; food poisoning; headache and stress; irritable bowel syndrome.
Doses: Peppermint is available in menthol lozenges, peppermint oil, and enteric‐coated peppermint‐oil capsules,
and teas. Peppermint oil can be used in aromatherapy.
Warnings: You should never ingest pure menthol or peppermint leaves, which contain substances that can be
toxic. Pure peppermint may cause cardiac arrhythmias, and even small doses of pure menthol can be life
threatening. When using peppermint oil, it is important not to exceed the recommended dosage. If you drink
peppermint tea on a regular basis, take a few days’ break after a week or two. Pregnant women with morning
sickness should use diluted peppermint tea rather than more potent forms of this herb.

Pollen
Location: Pollen consists of the dust like, air‐ or insect‐borne male reproductive cells of flowering plants. Pollen is
collected by, rather than made by, bees.
Description: The pollen used in herbal medicine is collected from various species by hand. Pollen may be used
raw or micronized into separate grains. While pollen is a plant product, it is not technically an herb, and it has
been called the miracle food. It contains vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats, proteins and fatty acids.
Uses: Pollen both protects the prostate gland and stimulates the production of testosterone, and has some
beneficial effects in radiation therapy. It has been suggested that pollen has positive effects in treating rheumatoid
arthritis and disorders of the liver, gallbladder, stomach, and intestines. It is also beneficial for people with hay
fever. Many studies have shown that pollen contains antibiotic substances that act against bacteria, including
Colibacilli and certain strains of Salmonella. Benefits of pollen for specific health conditions include treatment of
allergies and hay fever; benign prostatic hypertrophy and prostatitis as well as cancer.
Doses: Raw pollen is given in doses approximately 10 times larger than micronized pollen, raw pollen is the
easiest form to use. Pine pollen, thought to stimulate testosterone production, is available in micronite form for
the treatment of reduced sex drive.
Warnings: Many people have allergies to inhaled pollens, and reactions to ingested pollen have been reported. If
you have severe hay fever or other respiratory allergies, you should use pollen with caution, and only under the
supervision of a knowledgeable health‐care professional.

Polysaccharide Kureha (PSK) (Coriolis versicolor)
Common Names: Krestin, turkey‐tail mushroom.
Location: Japan, China and the United States.
Description: It is extracted from the kawaratake mushroom. It has a fan‐shaped fruiting body that looks like a
turkey tail.
Properties: PSK is a powerful antioxidant and immune stimulant.
Uses: Benefits of PSK mushroom for specific health conditions include treatment of atherosclerosis and cancer.
PSK is effective against hepatitis and is being tested as a treatment for hepatitis C. It has also been used to
increase resistance to viral skin infections in people with eczema.
Doses: PSK is available in tablet form and should only be used under the supervision of a professional.

Prickly Ash (Zanthoxylum americanum, Zanthoxylum bungeanum)
Common Names: Angelica tree, xanthoxylum.
Location: Grown throughout China especially in Szechuan province. The “Chinese” prickly ash is also found in
the southeastern United States.
Description: Prickly ash is a shrub. The shiny red fruits are gathered in the late summer and fall for culinary and
medicinal use.
Properties: The bark of the prickly ash tree is a tonic and circulatory stimulant. It stimulates the lymphatic system
and encourages the elimination of toxins. Prickly ash is an anti‐microbial and pain‐relieving agent.
Uses: It has a relaxing effect on the upper digestive tract and can be helpful for colic, cramping, stomach upset,
and vomiting. Benefits of prickly ash for specific health conditions include treatment of circulatory disorders,
gallstones and parasitic infection.
Doses: Prickly Ash can be used as a tea or a plaster.
Warnings: Oral consumption of prickly ash should be avoided during pregnancy. It may stimulate immune
processes in the mother that may be detrimental to the developing child.

Prunella (Prunella Vulgaris)
Common Names: All‐heal, heal‐all, self‐heal, xia ku cao.
Location: Native to Asia and Europe, Prunella grows in meadows and along roadsides, thriving in sunny areas.
When imported to North America and Australia, it quickly became naturalized.
Description: Prunella is a creeping perennial in the mint family. The plant bears pointed oval leaves and blue or
pink flowers. The aboveground parts of the plant are harvested in summer, when the plant is in bloom.
Properties: Prunella is a potent herbal antiviral agent.
Uses: Prunella aids in the healing of wounds and bruises, and helps to reduce scarring. Prunella’s gentle
astringency helps to decrease bleeding. It also reduces lymphatic congestion and eases irritated eyes, mouth,
throat, swollen glands, and inflammation. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) considers prunella a liver and
gallbladder stimulant, and uses it to treat symptoms associated with an unbalanced liver, such as hypertension
and conjunctivitis. Benefits of prunella for specific health conditions include treatment of herpes virus infection
and HIV/AIDS.
Doses: Prunella is best taken as a tea.
Warnings: Do not use this herb if you have diarrhea, nausea, stomachache, or vomiting. This herb could
potentially interfere with the actions of prescription blood thinners.

Psoralea (Psoralea corylifolia)
Common Names: Babchi seeds, bu gu zhi, psoralea fruit, scurfy pea.
Location: Psoralea is a climbing vine found throughout China.
Description: Psoralea seeds, which are harvested in the fall, should be large, solid, and black. Unlike garden
beans, psoralea seeds are pungent and bitter.
Properties: Components in psoralea are active principles for inducing pigmentation of the skin.
Uses: Psoralea is one of the main herbs in traditional Chinese and Japanese herbal medicine for the treatment of
skin conditions. It has been used in the treatment of eczema and hair loss. In addition, it acts against staph
infections and helps stimulate the heart. The Chinese name of this herb means, ʺtonify bone resin.” Psoralea is
used to promote bone calcification, making it useful for treating osteoporosis and bone fractures. Benefits of
psoralea for specific health conditions include treatment of cancer, psoriasis and vitiligo.
Doses: Psoralea is available in capsules under the name of psoralea seed capsule, scurfy pea, and bu gu shi.
Warnings: Psoralea is unusual in that it can sensitize the skin to both healing and harmful ultraviolet rays from
the sun. Unless this herb is being used to treat a light‐sensitive disorder, use sunscreen or avoid sun exposure
when taking it. If mild stomach upset occurs when using psoralea, take a ginger tea. You should not take with
licorice root. In a few cases, local application may irritate the skin and cause blistering.

Psyllium (Plantago afra, Plantago isaghula, Plantago ovata)
Common Names: Blond psyllium husk, flea seed, Indian psyllium husk, ispaghula, plantago, plantain.
Location: Psyllium has been cultivated for thousands of years in Asia, Europe, and North Africa. It was one of the
first medicinal plants brought to the Americas from Europe.
Description: Psyllium is a low growing annual that reaches the height of only 16 inches; psyllium bears narrow
leaves and clusters of minute off‐white flowers. Herbal medicine uses whole seeds and ground plantain seeds,
gathered in summer and autumn when the seeds have ripened.
Properties: Psyllium is a source of soothing mucilages for the digestive and respiratory tracts.
Uses: For centuries, traditional Chinese and ayurvedic physicians have used psyllium to treat diarrhea,
constipation, hemorrhoids, and urinary problems. Psyllium mucilages are laxative and anti‐diarrheal. Psyllium is
known as one of the gentlest laxatives. It is a bulk‐forming laxative that is safe for long‐term use. This herb can
lower blood levels of glucose and cholesterol by keeping the substances from being absorbed through the
intestines. Eating soluble fiber from foods such as psyllium as part of the diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol
may reduce the risk of heart disease. Benefits of psyllium for specific health conditions include the treatment of
bronchitis and pneumonia, constipation, Crohn’s didease, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, and irritable bowel syndrome.
Doses: Psyllium is available as cereal, ground seeds, and powders.
Warnings: To avoid problems with the absorption of prescription drugs, do not use psyllium seed within one
hour of taking such medications. Also, if you have diabetes, using large quantity of psyllium products may cause
your absorbed‐sugar levels to go down to the point that you may need to reduce your insulin dosage. Psyllium
tea is a milder alternative to psyllium powders, which should be avoided by people who have tendencies toward
low blood sugar and by people who take oral medications several times a day. When taking psyllium as a
laxative, you must drink 8 to 10 glasses of water throughout the day to prevent blockage of the intestines. Start
using this herb gradually, so the body can adjust to the increased level of fiber.

Pygeum (Prunus africanum)
Location: Native to Africa, wild, pygeum trees are classified as environmentally threatened. Some effort is being
made to grow pygeum on plantations, but not all herbal products companies are careful in choosing a sustainable
supplier.
Description: Pygeum is an evergreen tree that grows to a height of 120 feet; it has oblong leaves, white flowers,
and red berries. The bark is the part used in herbal medicine.
Properties: Pygeum is an anti‐inflammatory for the prostate gland.
Uses: Pygeum has been shown to diminish nighttime urination, urinary frequency, and residual urine volume.
Benefits of pygeum for specific health conditions include benign prostate hypertrophy and prostate cancer.
Doses: Pygeum is available in capsule form, usually formulated with saw palmetto. The usual recommended
dose is 50 to 100 milligrams taken twice daily.
Warnings: This herb should be used under the supervision of a health‐care professional. Frequent monitoring of
prostate health is essential during treatment of prostate disorders with pygeum or any other herb.

Raspberry Leaf (Rubus idaeus)
Common Name: Red raspberry.
Description: The raspberry is a deciduous shrub that grows as high as six feet. It has woody stems with thorns,
pale green leaves, white flowers, and edible red berries. The leaves are the part of the plant used in herbal
medicine. They are a rich source of vitamin C and contain manganese, iron, and niacin.
Properties: Raspberry leaf has been used as a tea in folk medicine for hundreds of years. It has astringent and
stimulant properties and is a popular remedy for many ailments.
Uses: The most common use of raspberry leaves is as a uterine tonic. It has the ability to relax tight uterine
muscles and tighten relaxed uterine muscles. This has led to its use as a stimulant at the beginning of labor.
Benefits of raspberry leaf for specific health conditions include treatment of bed‐wetting, diarrhea, morning
sickness, premenstrual syndrome and sore throat.
Doses: Raspberry leaf is used as a tea. It is available as a bottled beverage in many health‐food stores.
Warnings: Since raspberry leaf is a uterine stimulant that can hasten childbirth, it should not be used on a regular
basis, that is, more than two cups in any single day, or more than twice in any given week during the first
trimester of pregnancy. If you use this herb during pregnancy, you should do so only under the supervision of a
knowledgeable physician.

Red Wine Catechins (Vitis vinifera, Vitis labrusca)
Common Name: Resveratrol.
Location: Although red wine cahtechins are found in purple grape juice and red wine, resveratrol is most
abundant in immature grapes grown in damp climates, especially on Long Island in New York.
Description: Red wine catechins are extracted from the skin of red wine grapes. The most active red wine
catechin is resveratrol, a compound the grape plant manufactures in the skin of the fruit to deter gray mold.
Properties: Resveratrol is a helpful anti‐cancer supplement. It also keeps cholesterol levels down.
Uses: It has been shown to slow the development of athersoshlerotic plaques and to protect the heart. In addition,
it may reduce the inflammation that causes eczema. Red wine benefits health conditions such as bladder cancer,
breast cancer, leukemia, prostate cancer and coronary artery disease.
Doses: Resveratrol is usually taken in tablet form. Unless dietary restrictions prohibit the consumption of sugar,
drinking 12 to 14 fluid ounces of purple grape juice or one glass of red wine daily will have similar benefits.
Warnings: Some studies report that flavinoids in red wine can be absorbed from the intestine more efficiently
than those in red grape juice. However, other research has found that there is no significant difference in the
levels of catechins between alcoholic and nonalcoholic red wine. In fact, concentrations of catechins in plasma
dropped more swiftly if alcohol was consumed.

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)
Common Names: Ling chi, ling zhi.
Location: Japan.
Description: Reishi grows in six different colors, but the red variety is the most commonly used.
Properties: It is reported to boost energy, help the body resist disease and stress, and promote longevity.
Uses: Reishi is an adaptogen and recommended to stimulate the immune system to activate several different
phases of immune defense. It is used to treat allergies, altitude sickness, asthma, and mushroom poisoning. It
specifically benefits specific health conditions such as leukemia, age‐related intellectual decline, alcoholism and
cirrhosis of the liver, bronchitis and yeast infection, cancer, fibroids, high blood pressure and stress.
Doses: It is available as a food‐stuff, tea, syrup, tincture and in tablet form.
Warnings: Do not use raw pulverized reishi. It is best to boil the mushrooms to kill any bacteria. Side effects are
very rare, but may occur after three to six months of continuous use. They are dryness of mouth, throat, and nasal
passages; chronic itch; stomach upset; or nosebleed. Reishi should be avoided by people who have known
allergies to mushrooms or molds. Take a one month break every three months. If you take any blood‐thinning
medications, use reishi only under a doctor’s supervision.

Rooibos (Aspalanthus linearis)
Location: It is native to the mountains near Capetown, South Africa.
Description: Rooibos tea, a shrub of half a meter to two meters in height with bright‐green needle‐shaped leaves.
Traditionally, its stems and leaves are bruised with hammers, then left to ferment in the sun. The resulting tea has
a characteristic sweet flavor. South Africans have drunk rooibos tea for at least 200 years, and it became widely
used in South Africa during World War II, when black tea was unavailable. It is one of the few indigenous plants
that have become an important commercial crop. Rooibos tea should not be confused with honey bush tea.
Properties: Rooibos tea is made from the leaves of the rooibos tree. Rooibos contains at least thirty‐seven natural
anti‐oxidants, minerals, vitamin C, and alpha‐hydroxy acids. It does not contain caffeine, and it has a very low
tannin content.
Uses: Rooibos is an anti‐viral, anti‐anxiety, and anti‐allergy agent. Rooibos is used in the treatment of syphilis to
stop generalized inflammation and pain, although it is not a treatment for the disease itself. It has a beneficial
effect on age‐related mental decline. Rooibos is also used as a milk substitute for infants who are prone to colic.
This herb is considered to have considerable antispasmodic activity. There is growing evidence that it contributes
to a reduction in heart disease and other ailments associated with aging. Benefits of rooibos for specific health
conditions include treatment of allergies and stress; HIV/AIDS; insomnia and restless leg syndrome.
Doses: Rooibos is available as a tea.
Warnings: Like black tea, it inhibits the absorption of iron from food, although rooibos has a lesser effect on iron
absorption than does black tea. People with iron deficiency conditions should avoid both beverages.

Rosemary (Rosemarinus officilalis)
Common Name: Rosemary.
Description: Rosemary is an aromatic evergreen shrub that grows to a height of three feet. It bears thick, narrow,
parallel green leaves and pale blue to blue‐violet flowers. The leaves and the essential oil distilled from the leaves
are used in herbal medicine. Rosemary is also used in food preparation as an antioxidant and preservative,
particularly for meats, and in the preparation of liqueurs such as Benedictine and Danziger Goldwasser.
Properties: Rosemary is a potent anti‐oxidant, antiseptic, and antispasmodic.
Uses: In European folk medicine, it was used both internally and externally, for ills including nervous disorders,
upset stomach, headaches, baldness, arthritis, pain, strains and bruises. More recently, it has been investigated as
a cancer therapy. Benefits of rosemary for specific health conditions include treatment of Alzheimer’s disease,
cancer, circulatory problems, eczema, rheumatic disorders, and sore muscles, indigestion and menstrual cramps,
irritable bowel syndrome and yeast infection.
Doses: Rosemary is available as enteric‐coated oil capsules, oils (which can be used for aromatherapy), and teas
(which can be used as skin washes). The small amounts of rosemary used in cooking do not pose a risk of any
side effects.
Warnings: Continuous medicinal use of rosemary should be avoided by women who have heavy menstrual flow.
Since this herb is a uterine stimulant, it should not be used medically during pregnancy. You should never ingest
the essential oil. It can irritate the stomach and intestines, and cause kidney damage.

Sangre de Drago (croton lechleri)
Common Names: Drago, dragon’s blood, sangue de drago.
Location: The Amazon rainforest.
Description: The sangre de drago tree grows thirty to one hundred feet high, sometimes reaching the canopy.
When the trunk of the tree is cut or wounded, a resinous sap oozes out, as if the tree were bleeding. This explains
the name; sangre di drago is Spanish for “blood of the dragon.” The red resin, or “blood,” of sangre de drago has
been used for hundreds of years as a healing resource both by native peoples of the Amazon basin and by African
and European immigrants to the Amazon.
Properties: Sangre de drago ointment forms a “second skin” to stop inflammation and prevent infection.
Uses: It fights bacterial, fungal, and viral infections. Tinctures of the herb help to stop bleeding due to peptic
ulcers. Benefits of sangre de drago for specific health conditions include treatment of cuts and scrapes, abrasions,
eczema, insect bites, diarrhea and vaginitis.
Doses: Sangre de drago is available in ointments and tinctures. Some importers sell pure liquid resin, which
should be taken in doses of no more that 2 to 3 drops in a cup of warm water.

Sarsaparilla (Smilax species, especially Smilax aristolochiaefolia, Smilax febrifuga, Smilax ornate, Smilax reglii)
Common Names: Gray sarsaparilla, Mexico sarsaparilla, Vera Cruz sarsaparilla (S. aristolochiaefolia); Ecuadorian
sarsaparilla, Guayaquil sarsaparilla (S. aristolochiaefolia); Costa Rican sarsaparilla, Jamaican sarsaparilla, red
sarsaparilla (S. ornate); brown sarsaparilla, Honduras sarsaparilla (S. regelii).
Location: Sarsaparilla is a woody climbing vine found in rain forests around the world and also in temperate
zones in Australia and China.
Description: Sarsaparilla has broad, oval‐shaped leaves, tendrils, and green flowers. The fragrance of the root is
considered pleasant, with a spicy sweet taste. The root is dug year‐round for use in herbal preparations.
Properties: Since the 1500’s, sarsaparilla has been used throughout the world to treat syphilis and other sexually
transmitted diseases. It has a reputation as a blood purifier and general tonic.
Uses: The natural steroidal glycosides found in sarsaparilla have made the herb popular with bodybuilders as an
alternative to anabolic steroids for increasing muscle mass. Sarsaparilla also promotes good circulation, balances
the glandular system, and stimulates the production of natural hormones. Benefits of sarsaparilla for specific
health conditions include treatment of eczema and psoriasis, gout, menopause‐related problems and diminished
sex drive.
Doses: Sarsaparilla is available in capsules and fluidextracts. Tinctures of sarsaparilla are ineffective since the
active chemical constituents of the herb are soluble in water but not in alcohol. It is also available as a tea.
Warnings: Large doses of the saponins in sarsaparilla may cause gastrointestinal irritation. Sarsaparilla increases
the rate at which the body absorbs some prescriptions drugs. In general, people who take any prescription drugs
regularly should avoid sarsaparilla. Because sarsaparilla stimulates the production of testosterone, men with
prostate disorders should avoid it as well.

Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens)
Common Name: American dwarf palm tree, cabbage palm, sabal, serenoa.
Location: Saw Palmetto is a North American palm that grows wild mainly as isolated plants in the coastal regions
of the Carolina and Gulf Coast states, and in saw palmetto thickets in Texas.
Description: Saw palmetto is a low‐growing palm. The part of the plant used in medicine is the berry, which has
a nutty vanilla‐like flavor.
Properties: American physicians recognized the usefulness of saw palmetto in hormonal regulation as early as
1856.
Uses: Doctors prescribe teas of whole dried palmetto berries for breast enlargement, muscle building, and
prostate problems. Saw palmetto has since gained widespread use by doctors and alternative health practitioners
as a safe treatment for prostate disorders. It is also useful in treating wasting disorders by redirecting testosterone
from stimulating the sex organs to stimulating muscle growth. It also acts as an anti‐inflammatory agent. Benefits
of saw palmetto for specific health conditions include treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) and
prostate cancer; HIV/AIDS and menopause‐related problems.
Doses: Saw palmetto is available as a tablet or saw palmetto liposome. For prostate conditions, it is often
combined with pygeum.
Warnings: A few locally produced saw palmetto teas are still on the market today. These are not recommended
for the indications listed here. Most commercial saw palmetto products, however, are made from concentrated
extracts of the berries’ naturally occurring, fat‐soluble steroids. You should not use saw palmetto to treat urinary
problems without first seeking medical evaluation. Women who are pregnant should not handle saw palmetto
tablets. Women taking birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy should also avoid saw palmetto
products.

Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis)
Common Names: Gomishi, magnolia vine, shhisandra fruit, wu‐wei‐zi.
Location: Native to both northeastern China and the eastern United Sates.
Description: Schisandra is an aromatic woody vine, reaching a length of up to 25 feet. It bears oval leaves, pink
flowers, and spikes of red berries.
Properties: The berries are dried for use in herbal medicine.
Uses: Schisandra is now a recognized adaptogen—a substance capable of increasing the body’s functions; it can
improve mental function, increase stamina and physical performance, normalize blood sugar and blood pressure,
reduce high cholesterol, improve the health of the adrenal glands, and energize RNA and DNA molecules to
rebuild cells. Schisandra is also one of the most useful herbs from the herbal traditions of Asia for the treatment of
liver diseases. Because it stimulates the central nervous system to maintain breathing, Schisandra is useful as an
antidote to morphine overdose. It also increases visual acuity and field of vision, as well as tactile sensitivity.
Benefits of schisandra for specific health conditions include treatment of cancer, cirrhosis of the liver, hepatitis,
depression, insomnia, restless leg syndrome, stress, excessive sweating and skin cancer.
Doses: Schisandra is available as capsules and tinctures, and in combination with other herbs, especially hoelen.
Practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) dispense it for use as a tea.
Warnings: It increases the flow of bile. People who have gallstones or blockages of the bile ducts therefore should
not use this herb. Schisandra also stimulates the uterus and induces labor, so it should be avoided during
pregnancy. People with peptic ulcers, epilepsy, and high blood pressure should also avoid this herb.

Schizonepeta (Schizonepeta tenuifolia)
Common Names: Japanese catnip, Japanese mint, jing jie, tenuifolia.
Location: Schizonepeta is native to China and Japan, and is widely cultivated in the Far East.
Description: It is a pleasantly aromatic herb with highly dissected foliage and small, clustered lavender blooms
that grow in spikes above the foliage. Schizonepeta belongs to the same family as catnip, but it is an annual with a
sweet, pinelike aroma.
Properties: The whole plant is used in herbal medicine.
Uses: It is the principal herb of traditional Japanese medicine for skin infections. The Chinese use the herb to treat
symptoms of the common cold: chills, sore throat, and headaches. It helps to lower fever and promote sweating,
and has antibacterial action. Used also for boils and mastitis, schizonepeta heals skin infections by stimulating
circulation within the skin and by inducing perspiration. It has excellent antimicrobial and antiviral effects and
helps to eliminate toxins, as well as promoting healing of skin lesions and eruptions.
Doses: Schizonepeta is available as a cream for external use. Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners dispense
it in tea form for internal use.
Warnings: The cream should not be used on open sores.

Scutellaria (Scutellaria baicalensis)
Common Names: Skullcap, scute, Chinese skullcap, Baikal skullcap.
Location: Scutellaria is a perennial herb native to the region of Lake Baikal in eastern Siberia and is also found in
northern China. It thrives in open grasslands below an elevation of 2,000 feet.
Description: Scutellaria grows to a height of between one and four feet and bears lance‐shaped leaves and purple
flowers. It has been used in Asian medicine for at least 2,000 years, evidenced by an excavation that took place in
northwestern China of a tomb built in the second century, in which ninety‐two wooden tablets containing herbal
formulas were found. Many listed scutellaria.
Properties: The root is used medicinally, and the plant is also used ornamentally.
Uses: Scutellaria kills bacteria and viruses, and also relieves allergies, asthma, anxiety, and atherosclerosis. It is
used in traditional Chinese medicine formulas for the treatment of HIV/AIDS, as well as for fevers, colds,
diphtheria, hepatitis, high blood pressure, and shingles. Benefits of Scutellaria for specific health conditions
include treatment of allergies, asthma, pneumonia, anxiety, headache, stress, Atherosclerosis, diabetes, heart
attack, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, attention deficit disorder (ADD), cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome,
mononucleosis, ear infection, gonorrhea, Lyme disease, infected nails, pelvic inflammatory disease, prostatitis,
hangovers, influenza, viral infection, vomiting and periodontal disease.
Doses: Scutellaria is available in a wide variety of forms, frequently referred to as skullcap. This herb should not
be confused with American Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora). The two herbs are not interchangeable. The Asian
form may be harder to find, but should be obtainable in Chinese herb stores or the Internet.
Warnings: Cases of liver damage have been reported in association with excessive intake of scutellaria. It appears
that some scutellaria products also contain germander, and herb known to cause liver damage. You should not
use scutellaria if you have diarrhea.

Shepherd’s Purse (Capsella bursa‐pastoris)
Common Names: Lady’s purse, mother’s heart, shepherd’s bag.
Location: Shepherd’s purse is a weed in the same plant family as broccoli, cabbage, and mustard.
Description: It is a biennial with an erect stem, a rosette of basal leaves, four‐petaled white flowers, and heart‐
shaped seedpods. Its name derives from the appearance of the seed pods, which resemble small purses.
Properties: All parts of the aerial (above ground) parts of the plant are used in herbal medicine.
Uses: Shepherd’s purse is considered by herbalists to be one of the best herbs for stopping bleeding of all kinds,
both external and internal, from superficial cuts and scrapes to internal bleeding of the stomach, the lungs, and
especially the kidneys and urinary tract. It is prescribed mostly for slowing or stopping excessive menstrual
bleeding and other uterine problems. Studies have shown that shepherd’s purse has anti‐inflammatory, diuretic,
and anti‐ulcer properties. It decreases blood pressure in lab tests. Traditional Chinese medicine uses shepherd’s
purse to “brighten vision.” It contains high concentrations of potassium and vitamin C, nutrients critical to the
maintenance of vascular health in the retina. For specific health conditions, shepherd’s purse is used for
menstrual problems and nosebleeds.
Doses: Shepherd’s purse is used as tincture or tea, as well as in poultices.
Warnings: During pregnancy, it should only be used at full term or under medical supervision. Using it for
spotting during pregnancy is not recommended. Any vaginal bleeding during pregnancy requires medical
attention. If bleeding from other sources persists more than three days or becomes greater during treatment with
the herb, consult a physician.

Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus)
Common Names: Ci wu ju, devil’s shrub, eleuthero, eleutherococcus, touch‐me‐not.
Location: Siberian Ginseng is a hardy shrub native to the southeastern part of Siberia, just north of China’s Amur
River. It also grows in China, Japan, and Korea, and is well adapted to the Pacific Northwest of the United States
and British Columbia.
Description: A deciduous plant, Siberian ginseng grows to a height of ten feet and bears three‐to seven‐toothed
leaflets on each stem. Siberian ginseng is in the same family as, but is not identical to, Korean, or red, ginseng. Its
use dates back about 2,000 years. When it was “rediscovered” in Siberia in 1855, it was mistaken for ginseng, and
used with good results as a substitute for Panax ginseng. Thus, it was named Siberian ginseng.
Properties: The dried root is used in herbal medicine.
Uses: Siberian ginseng is considered an adaptogen in that it normalizes body functions. It inhibits the stress
response by reducing the activity of the adrenal cortex. It is an immune stimulant that is especially useful for
preventing infection during times of intense physical activity and prolonged periods of stress. The herb’s stress‐
fighting and depression‐relieving capacities make it useful in the treatment of attention deficit disorder. It is also
a versatile training aid for athletes. Siberian ginseng supports the body by helping the liver detoxify harmful
toxins, including chemotherapeutic agents and products of radiation exposure. Studies have confirmed the use of
the herb for people undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer, to help alleviate side effects, and
to help bone marrow recover more quickly. Benefits of Siberian ginseng for specific health considerations include
treatment of the following: cancer, mumps, chronic fatigue syndrome, Lyme disease, tuberculosis, viral infections,
depression, stress, diminished sex drive and Meniere’s disease.
Doses: Siberian ginseng is available as eleuthero extracts, tablets, and teas. It is also available in bottled ginseng
tonics, but be cautious if the tonic contains actual Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) or other herbs
falsely labeled as ginseng.
Warnings: Using Siberian ginseng may cause insomnia if you take it too close to bedtime, and it has been
reported to cause mild, temporary diarrhea in a few users. People who have myasthenia gravis, rheumatoid
arthritis, or related diseases such as lupus, psoriatric arthritis, and Sjogren’s syndrome, should avoid Siberian
ginseng. This herb stimulates the immune system to produce B cells, which in turn release tissue‐destructive
antibodies, aggravating these conditions. Since Siberian ginseng contains compounds that stimulate testosterone
production, men who have prostate disorders should not use it. You should not use Siberian ginseng if you have
uncontrolled high blood pressure. It can be used during pregnancy or nursing, however, pregnant or nursing
women using this herb should avoid products that also contain Panax ginseng. Anyone who takes digoxin
(Lanoxicaps, Lanoxin) should seek the advice of a health‐care professional before taking Siberian ginseng. This
herb‐drug combination has been reported to cause dangerously high serum digoxin levels. Animal research has
shown that Siberian ginseng can increase the sleep‐inducing effects of barbiturates. Persons taking barbiturates
for anxiety or insomnia may become more sedated than usual when taking Siberian ginseng.

Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra)
Common Names: Indian elm, moose elm, red elm, sweet elm.
Location: Slippery elm is a large, deciduous tree that is native to North America and thrives in well‐drained soil
on high ground, frequently reaching a height of 60 feet. The inner bark of the trunk and branches is collected in
the spring for medicinal use.
Description: Early English settlers in North America noticed its widespread use by Native Americans, who
soaked the inner bark in water and applied it to wounds. The slippery elm bark would then dry into a natural
bandage. Native Americans also wrapped slippery elm around pieces of meat to prevent spoilage. It was mixed
with water to make a soothing gruel for children and for sick people of any age.
Properties: The bark holds the healing properties.
Uses: Slippery elm has a soothing and healing effect on any part of the body it comes into contact with. It is used
in the treatment of sore throats, indigestion, digestive irritation, and stomach ulcers. It is able to neutralize excess
acids in the stomach and intestines. It can also be used externally to heal wounds and burns, and can relieve
irritated, inflamed, or itchy skin. The mucilage in slippery elm bark is an excellent remedy for irritation and
inflammation of the reproductive and respiratory systems, as well as the urinary tract. Benefits of slippery elm for
specific health conditions include treatment of the following: Crohn’s disease, food poisoning and irritable bowel
syndrome.
Doses: Slippery elm can be used as a tea, a powder mixed into cold water, or a poultice. Since slippery elm is also
a food product, there is no upper limit on dosage, but taking 2 teaspoons dissolved in 1 cup of water is the
minimum amount that works, and 5 teaspoons is the maximum that will dissolve in 1 cup of water.
Warnings: Slippery elm is regarded as safe. However, because of the high mucilage content it may interfere with
the absorption of medications taken at the same time.

Snow Fungus (Tremella fuciformis)
Common Names: Bai mu erh, shirokikurage, silver tree‐ear fungus, white jelly‐leaf, white muer, white tree‐ear,
wood ear fungus.
Location: Snow fungus grows on a great variety of trees throughout Asia and in warmer climates worldwide.
Description: Snow fungus is a white, nearly translucent, “trembling” fungus. It gets its common name of “wood
ear” for the way it looks on decaying logs on which it grows. Good quality snow fungus has a pale, yellowish‐
white color and a mucilagelike texture.
Properties: Chinese and Japanese herbalists have used snow fungus for more than 2,000 years, primarily to
increase fluids in the body, for dry coughs, and for palpitations. It has been used as a tonic herb and as a beauty
enhancer to improve the complexion.
Uses: Snow fungus is an immune stimulant that fights infection, especially chronic infections. Studies have found
that it also demonstrates anti‐tumor activity, lowers levels of low‐density lipoprotein (LDL, or “bad” cholesterol),
protects the liver, and fights inflammation. It may also slow the aging process. Supposedly, if snow fungus is
eaten regularly, facial freckles will disappear, although this has not been tested in any scientific fashion. Benefits
of snow fungus for specific health conditions include treatment of the following: atherosclerosis, high cholesterol,
and cancer. For cancer treatment, snow fungus can increase the production of interferon and interleukin‐2 (IL‐2),
two important immune‐system chemicals, and stimulate the production of germ‐eating macrophages. Snow
fungus also increases the activity of natural killer cells and enhances the effectiveness of antibodies. In addition,
snow fungus reduces the rate at which cancers spread. In order to spread, tumors have to establish their own
blood vessel systems. Snow fungus compounds counteract a blood chemical called platelet‐activating factor,
which makes the blood less likely to clot and spin a fibrin “net” on which blood vessels to serve the tumor can
form. Lab tests have shown that snow fungus extracts kill cervical cancer cells, as well as those taken from other
types of tumors. Snow fungus is known to sensitize the cervix and uterus to radiation treatment, making it more
effective. One of the most valuable medical uses of snow fungus is to prevent leukopenia, or low white blood cell
counts, in people undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer.
Doses: Snow fungus is available as an extract and in an over‐the‐counter patent medicine called Yin Mi Pian.
Warnings: Like all other “jelly fungi,” snow fungus has no known toxicity and also can be eaten as a food.

Soy Isoflavone Concentrate (Glycine max)
Common Names: Soy bean, soy isoflavone is taken from the bean of the soy plant.
Location: Soy beans are grown in many countries around the world.
Description: The soy plant is a member of the legume family, which makes it able to intake Nitrogen from the air
itself, and use this Nitrogen to nourish itself. Soy plants are grown extensively in the Midwestern United States.
Properties: The beans of the soy plant contain several medicinally useful chemicals, including isoflavones. The
isoflavones most recognized as beneficial are daidzein and genistein, and the closely related compounds daidzin
and genistin. These substances have been well researched for their antioxidant and phytoestrogenic properties.
Uses: Soy isoflavones are used medicinally primarily because of their estrogen‐regulating properties. Benefits of
soy isoflavones for treatment of specific health conditions include the following: alzheimer’s disease,
atherosclerosis, cancer, diabetic retinopathy, fracture, menopause‐related problems, osteoporosis, as well as
psoriasis.
Doses: The easiest way to get soy isoflavones is by taking soy isoflavone concentrate. Soy germ also can be used
(preferably added to cereals or smoothies), as can cooked soybeans, miso, or tofu. Soy isoflavones are also found
in the herb kudzu. Of readily available soy foods, roasted soybeans have the highest isoflavone content, about 167
milligrams for a 3.5ounce serving. Tempeh is next, with 60 milligrams, followed by soy flour, with 44 milligrams.
Processed soy products, such as soy protein and soymilk contain about 20 milligrams per serving. Although the
optimum dosage of isoflavones obtained from food is not known, one study found that ingesting 62 milligrams of
isoflavones daily is sufficient to reduce cholesterol. Further, we know that Japanese women eat up to 200
milligrams of isoflavones from soy foods daily.
Warnings: Because isoflavones work somewhat like estrogen, there are concerns that they may not be safe for
women who already have breast cancer. Preliminary studies and reports have raised concerns that intensive use
of soy products by a pregnant woman could exert a hormonal effect that has an impact on the developing fetus.
Soy isoflavones could theoretically interfere with the action of oral contraceptives, although studies have not yet
confirmed this. Soy products may impair thyroid function or reduce absorption of thyroid medication, at least in
children. People with impaired thyroid function should use soy in moderation or under medical supervision.

Soy Lecithin (Glycine max)
Common Names: Soy bean; soy lecithin is an extract of the soy bean.
Location: Soy beans are grown in many countries around the world.
Description: The soy plant is a member of the legume family, which makes it able to intake nitrogen from the air
itself, using this nitrogen to nourish itself. Soy plants are grown extensively in the Midwestern United States.
Properties: Soy Lecithin, like soy isoflavone concentrate, is an extract of the soybean. It contains a substance
called phoshpatidy‐choline (PC), which is responsible for its medicinal effects. PC is a major part of the
membranes surrounding the cells. But when it is consumed, it is broken down into the nutrient choline rather
than being carried directly to cell membranes. Choline is used to make acetylcholine, a nerve chemical essential
for proper brain function.
Uses: Soy lecithin provides the building blocks of healthy cell membranes, preventing damage especially to blood
and liver cells by oxidation, free radicals, and toxins. Lecithin can also be used as a fat synthesizer that helps the
body process fats better. More recently, lecithin has been proposed as a remedy for various psychological and
neurological diseases, including Tourette’s syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease, and bipolar mood disorder (manic‐
depressive disorder). Benefits of soy lecithin for specific health conditions include treatment of the following:
alcoholism, cirrhosis of the liver, liver cancer, and it helps the liver by helping liver cell membranes to renew and
repair themselves, alzheimer’s disease and memory problems by providing a source of phosphatidylcholine, an
essential element in the lining of brain cells, atherosclerosis, gallstones, and high cholesterol, by reducing blood‐
cholesterol levels, hangover by fighting fatigue and hypoglycemia and ensuring the liver releases glucose to cover
skipped meals, and finally multiple sclerosis by providing the chemical phosphatidylserine, which reduces
production of an immune‐system chemical called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) that signals immune system cells
called macrophages to attack nerve cells.
Doses: Soy lecithin is available in capsules. Other encapsulated soy phospholipids may be identified individually
on product labels such as 3‐sn‐phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanol‐amine, and phosphatidylinositic acid,
or as “total phospholipids.” Soy lecithin is also available in an over‐the‐counter preparation called Leci‐PS.
Ordinary lecithin contains about 10 to 20 percent phosphatidylcholine. However, European research has tended
to use soy lecithin products concentrated to contain 90 percent phosphatidylcholine. The following dosages are
based on the more concentrated product. For psychological and neurological conditions, researchers have used
doses of up to 5 to 10 grams (5,000 to 10,000 milligrams) three times daily. For liver disease, typical doses have
been 350 to 500 milligrams taken three times daily. For high cholesterol, doses of 500 to 900 milligrams taken
three times daily are common. The amounts of soy lecithin needed to produce results for people with Alzheimer’s
disease are relatively expensive, and can cause stomach upset. If you wish to try this type of therapy, take the
recommended dosage for three weeks, then continue only if there are noticeable results with no unmanageable
side effects.
Warnings: Soy lecithin may cause mild diarrhea when first used. Although soy lecithin helps reverse alcoholic
cirrhosis of the liver, it is important to stop, or at least sharply reduce, alcohol intake when using lecithin.

St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
Common Names: Goatweed, hypericum.
Location: St. John’s Wort is a perennial plant native to Great Britain, especially Wales, and to northern Europe.
European settlers brought it to the United States in the 1700’s.
Description: Growing to a height of thirty‐two inches, it bears bright‐yellow petals in flowering tops.
Traditionally, its petals were gathered in midsummer for use in herbal medicine.
Properties: The entire plant is used. Oils and tinctures made from St. John’s Wort have a dark‐red color imparted
by hypericin, one of the medically active components of the herb. In Middle English, the term wort referred to any
plant or vegetable that was used medicinally. St. John’s wort got its name because it bloomed on, or near, June 24,
which was known as St. John’s Day in the Church calendar. In medieval England, St. John’s Wort was used to
treat attacks of insanity attributed to the work of evil spirits or the devil.
Uses: St. John’s Wort has antibacterial, antidepressant, anti‐inflammatory, antiviral, and pain‐relieving properties.
This herb’s ability to fight depression also makes it useful in treating chronic fatigue syndrome and Lyme disease,
and its ability to relieve pain makes it helpful for treating vocal pain and laryngitis associated with fibromyalgia.
It can relieve headaches that occur with hay fever and stop the process within the brain that triggers nausea.
Benefits of St. John’s Wort for specific health conditions include treatment of the following: breast cancer by
providing the cancer fighting compound hypericin, burns and skin disorders, cancer, carpal tunnel syndrome,
Crohn’s disease, hemorrhoids, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), cuts, scrapes, abrasions. One of the plants most
well known uses is for treating depression; wide‐scale studies having shown its effectiveness. St. John’s wort is
also used for diabetes, ear infection, herpes virus infection, mastitis, headache, HIV/AIDS, insomnia, and vitilgo.
Doses: St. John’s Wort is available in a variety of forms. For people with depression, St. John’s Wort should be
taken for no less than ten days to two weeks to determine if there is any improvement. If not, and especially if
there is no benefit in four to six weeks, the herb should be discontinued. If the herb is helpful, however, there is
no limitation on the length of time it can be taken.
Warnings: In some people, this herb may cause stomach upset, restlessness, mild allergic reactions, or fatigue. No
medication, including St. John’s Wort, is adequate treatment for people who experience a preoccupation with or
repeated thoughts of death or suicide. If you do experience such thoughts, you should immediately seek
professional help. Many science writers caution that hypericin can sensitize the skin to sunlight, causing a
tendency to sunburn. To put this problem in perspective, over 60 million doses of St. John’s Wort are dispensed
every year in Germany alone, and only fewer than a dozen photosensitization reactions have ever been reported.
The use of tanning beds or lamps is not recommended while taking this herb.
If you are taking St. John’s Wort as an antiviral aid, or to treat cancer or vitiligo, you need to expose
your skin to sunlight to activate the herb’s active constituents, so the preceding caution does not apply. However,
you should note that over 85 percent of people with AIDS who take the herb for as long as six months experience
at least one episode of severe sunburn. Also, people taking prescription medications that increase risk of sunburn,
such as angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, commonly prescribed for high blood pressure, should
also avoid St. John’s Wort. Since the antiviral effects of St. John’s Wort against HIV has not yet been verified and
is still undergoing scientific study, people with AIDS should use this herb only under the supervision of a
knowledgeable health‐care provider.
Some scientific articles maintain that St. John’s Wort contains MAO inhibitors, which can cause sudden
attacks of severe high blood pressure when combined with the protein tyramine, which is found in aged cheeses,
chocolate, and red wine, among many other foods. The studies reporting to find MAO inhibitors in St. John’s
Wort have not been replicated, though, and there are no reports of people taking St. John’s Wort having
symptoms of this kind of drug interaction. However, if you are taking antidepressant drugs, whether MAO
inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxietine, or the
painkiller tramadol (Ultram), or the migraine medication sumatriptan (Imitrex), you should not take St. John’s
Wort at the same time. Doing so can cause serotonin syndrome, which can be life threatening. If you are
interested in switching from a prescription drug to St. John’s Wort, you need to let the medication flush out of
your system for several weeks (depending on the drug) before you start using the herb.
Other drugs also pose a risk of undesirable interactions. If you are taking digoxin (lanoxicaps,
Lanoxin), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), protease inhibitors for HIV infection, birth control pills,
amitripyline (Elavil), warfarin (Coumadin), theophylline (Aerolate, Elixophyllin, Slo‐Phyllin, and others),
chemotherapy drugs, or antipsychotic medications, St. John’s Wort might cause these drugs to be less effective. If
you are taking medications that cause sun sensitivity, such as sulfa drugs, the anti‐inflammatory medication
piroxicam (Feldene), omeprazole (Prilosec), or lansoprazole (Prevacid), keep in mind that St. John’s Wort might
increase that effect. Similarly, you should not take it if you are planning to undergo any type of surgical
procedure. This herb can intensify the effects of anesthesia, resulting in over‐sedation.

Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica)
Common Name: Nettle.
Location: Stinging nettle is found in temperate climates around the world. It is a perennial plant growing to a
height of five feet.
Description: It bears lance‐shaped leaves and green flowers with yellow stamens. If you come into contact with
the fine hairs on the leaves and stem, you may develop a burning pain that lasts for hours.
Properties: Both the leaves and the roots are used in herbal medicine, but they have very different uses.
Uses: From ancient Greece to the present, nettle has been used for treating coughs, tuberculosis, and arthritis, and
as a hair tonic. Stinging nettle leaf is an anti‐inflammatory, especially for the allergic reactions of the skin, as well
as a diuretic. It can relieve symptoms of hay fever and allergies such as a runny nose and congestion. It is used to
treat urinary tract infections, and European folk medicine uses it to treat seborrhea of the scalp and overly greasy
hair. Stinging nettle helps to increase mother’s milk production in nursing mothers. Taken as a health treatment,
stinging nettle root takes the “sting” or inflammation out of allergic reactions, benign prostatic hypertrophy
(BPH), and lupus. It also keeps an active form of testosterone from affecting both men and women. Benefits of
stinging nettle for specific health conditions include treatment of the following: allergies (hay fever), anemia,
benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), diminished sex drive, hives, and upus.
Doses: Stinging nettle leaf is available in capsule and juice forms. It can also be used as a tea. Stinging nettle has a
long history of use as a food, and is regarded as safe.
Warnings: In rare cases, some people develop an allergic reaction, such as a rash, after taking stinging nettle leaf.
If such a reaction occurs, use of the herb should be discontinued. People should not use stinging nettle products
made from either the leaf or the root of the plant if they have fluid retention due to congestive heart failure or
kidney disease. Men should not use stinging nettle to treat urinary problems without medical examination.
Similar symptoms can be caused by a more serious condition, such as prostate cancer, that requires medical
treatment. Because stinging nettle leaf reduces the body’s production of an immune chemical known as
interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), it should be avoided by people who have, or think they may be coming down with, the flu.
There are concerns that nettle may interact with prescription medications used for diabetes, high blood pressure,
and inflammation, as well as sedative medications. There have not been any reports of actual problems occurring,
but if you are taking such medications, you should use nettle with caution. In addition, you should not use
uncooked stinging nettles. They may cause kidney damage and other symptoms of poisoning. Stinging nettle is a
diuretic and may remove potassium from the body. If nettle is used regularly, you should eat foods high in
potassium, such as bananas and fresh vegetables, or take a potassium supplement daily.

Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)
Common Name: Cajeput oil.
Location: The tea tree is native to Australia, and flourishes in the wet, swampy ground of northern New South
Wales and Queensland.
Description: The tea tree, which reaches a height of twenty to twenty‐five feet, produces layers of paper‐like bark
and bears pointed leaves and spikes of white flowers. For centuries before Europeans arrived, native Australians
used the leaves of this tree as an antiseptic. Named the “tea tree” by Captain Cook, this tree rapidly became a
valued remedy used by the European settlers to treat cuts, burns, and insect bites. Tea tree soon became widely
recognized as a powerful disinfectant.
Properties: The leaves and small branches are picked year round for distillation into essential oil.
Uses: Tea tree oil is an antiseptic that is active against many bacteria and fungi, including some that are resistant
to antibiotics. However, it is not as effective as oral antibiotics for some conditions. Used as a gargle, it eases sore
throats associated with colds. It should not be swallowed. Australian dentists frequently use tea tree oil
mouthwash prior to dental procedures and as a daily preventative measure against periodontal disease. Tea tree
oil has deodorant properties, most likely because it suppresses odor‐causing bacteria. It controls foot odor and
sweetens bad breath. Benefits of tea tree oil for specific health conditions include treatment of the following: acne,
athlete’s foot, ringworm, boils, insect bites, mastitis, dandruff, infected nails, vaginosis and yeast infections.
Doses: Tea tree is used externally in a variety of forms, but it is not taken internally, as it may cause nerve
damage and other problems if ingested. The best tea tree products contain oil from the species Melaleuca
alternifolia only, standardized to contain not more than 10 percent cineol (an irritant) and at least 30 percent
terpinen‐4‐ol.
Warnings: People who are allergic to celery or thyme should not use tea tree oil, since tea tree shares a potential
allergen, d‐limonene, with these plants. Tea tree oil can be applied to minor cuts, but you should use caution in
applying it to more extensive areas of broken skin or rashes not due to fungus.

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
Common Names: Creeping thyme, French thyme, garden thyme, mountain thyme.
Location: Mediterranean climates.
Description: Thyme is an aromatic garden herb in the mint family. Growing to a height of fifteen inches, it bears
small leaves and pink flowers on woody stems. This herb is not the same plant species as wild thyme or mother
of thyme. Thyme’s common name was probably derived from the Greek word thumus, or courage. In medieval
times, knights supposedly wore sprigs of thyme as a symbol of courage. Thyme was also used to preserve meat.
Properties: Thyme is available as an essential oil, both as a liquid and in enteric‐coated capsules.
Uses: Thyme is a strong antiseptic. It is used externally for infected wounds and internally for respiratory and
digestive infections. Oil of thyme (thymol) is used in commercial mouthwashes (it is the main ingredient in
Listerine) and toothpastes. It also helps reduce headaches. Thyme baths are helpful for neurasthenia, rheumatic
problems, bruises, swellings, and sprains. Aromatherapists consider the essential oil a powerful mood‐enhancing
herb for low spirits, fatigue, mental stress, and premenstrual tension. Benefits of thyme for specific health
conditions include treatment of the following: allergies, respiratory, asthma, cough, athlete’s foot and yeast
infection.
Doses: Thyme oil should be used topically only. Fresh or dried thyme can be eaten in cooking.
Warnings: European authorities caution that thyme can cause abdominal contractions. Using thyme oil in bath
preparations has, in rare cases, caused severe inflammation and hyperemia (an unusual flood of blood to a
particular part of the body). Added to toothpastes, it can cause cracks in the corners of the mouth and a swollen
tongue. You should not use thyme if you have a duodenal ulcer or you are pregnant. Taken internally, it can
cause vomiting and dizziness, convulsions, coma, and cardiac and respiratory arrest. If you have any kind of
thyroid condition, you should talk to a healthcare professional before taking medicinal doses of thyme. Studies
indicate that the herb suppresses normal thyroid activity.

Tilden Flower (Tilia cordifolia)
Common Names: Basswood, lime tree flower, linden flower.
Location: The tilden tree is an ornamental plant usually seen along the avenues of Europe. It is also found in the
United States and in Canada from Quebec to North Dakota and south to North Carolina and Oklahoma.
Description: Growing as high as one hundred feet, it has a smooth gray bark, heart‐shaped deciduous leaves, and
clusters of pale yellow flowers with winglike bracts.
Properties: The flowers make an excellent honey and an aromatic, pleasant‐tasting medicinal tea. Use of the
tilden flower began in medieval Europe to promote sweating and to treat feverish colds, flu, and other conditions
associated with chilling.
Uses: Tilden flower is used as a home remedy for colds, flu, coughs, fever, headaches, epilepsy, indigestion, and
sore throats. Benefits of tilden flower for specific health conditions include the following: colds, influenza,
headaches and migraines.
Doses: Tilden flower is available as a fluidextract or tea. Product labels sometimes refer to tilden flower as linden
flower. Tilden flower teas frequently combine the herb with bitter orange peel, chamomile, meadowsweet, and/or
willow bark for maximum analgesic effect.
Warnings: Be sure to read the label if you are sensitive to any of the above herbs. Tilden flower should not be
used on a daily basis for long periods of time, as long‐term use poses a risk of heart damage.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
Common Names: Curcuma, gauri, haldi, Indian saffron, you jin.
Location: Turmeric is a perennial plant found in India and throughout southern and eastern Asia.
Description: It grows to a height of three feet and bears pairs of lance‐shaped leaves on alternate sides of the
stem, which sprouts from a knobbed rhizome.
Properties: The root of the plant is used both as a spice and as a medicine. Turmeric is an essential flavoring spice
of Indian curries and other cuisine.
Uses: Turmeric is a very important herb in ayurvedic medicine. A symbol of prosperity, it was considered a
cleansing herb for the whole body. Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine use turmeric to treat liver and
gallbladder problems, stop bleeding, and ease chest congestion and menstrual discomforts. Turmeric is the
primary anti‐inflammatory herb of ayurvedic medicine. Its principal chemical component, curcumin, fights viral
infection, cancer, and arthritis through its potent antioxidant action. Curcumin also protects the liver, stimulates
the gallbladder, and scavenges free radicals. Curcumin is an excellent herbal remedy for situations in which high
concentrations of antioxidants are required. The whole herb turmeric contains lower concentrations of curcumin,
and is used when healing requires the application of volatile oils. Benefits of turmeric for specific health
conditions include treatment of the following: arthritis, eczema, endometriosis, pain, tendonitis, atherosclerosis,
bursitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, cancer, cataracts, cirrhosis of the liver, gallstones, halitosis, periodontal disease,
heart attack, HIV/AIDS, and indigestion.
Doses: Turmeric is available as a powder and a tincture. It can also be made into a poultice. Curcumin, the
antioxidant component of turmeric, is available in capsules and tablets. Be sure to note whether turmeric or
curcumin is the form recommended for your condition. Unfortunately, curcumin is not absorbed well by the
body. It is often sold in combination with bromelain to enhance absorption. Bromelain has some anti‐
inflammatory benefits of its own that may add to those of curcumin.
Warnings: People with congestive heart disease whose cause remains unidentified should avoid curcumin. There
is evidence that heart disease can result from the overactivity of a gene called p52 and therefore may indirectly
contribute to the destruction of healthy heart tissue. Turmeric should not be used for long periods of time,
because it can cause stomach distress. It is not recommended for people with painful gallstones, obstructive
jaundice, acute bilious colic, or extremely toxic liver disorders. If you are pregnant, consult your healthcare
professional before using turmeric. One study in laboratory animals indicated that the use of turmeric reduced
fertility. If you are trying to conceive or if you have a history of fertility problems, consult your practitioner before
using turmeric. Turmeric is thought to inhibit blood‐clotting effect. If you have a blood‐clotting disorder, you
should consult with your health‐care professional before using this herb.

Uva Ursi (Arctostaphylos uva‐ursi)
Common Names: Bearberry, hogberry, kinnikinnick.
Location: Native to Europe, it is naturalized throughout the temperate zones of the Northern hemisphere
northward to the Arctic Circle. It thrives in sunny, damp conditions in grasslands, heaths, and thickets.
Description: Uva ursi is a low‐lying evergreen shrub in the same family as the blueberry and the upland
cranberry. It has long, trailing stems bearing dark green leaves that are dull on the lower side. Its bell shaped pink
flowers produce small, glossy red berries in late summer.
Properties: The berries and leaves are used in herbal medicines.
Uses: The name uva ursi means “bear’s grape” in Latin, and comes from the fact that bears are fond of the fruit.
According to British herbalist David Chevallier, the medicinal use of the plant was documented as early as the
thirteenth century in the Welsh herbal The Physicians of Myddfai. Uva ursi leaves have been used for centuries as a
milk diuretic and in the treatment of bladder and kidney infections. The leaves also have anesthetic properties
that help to numb urinary‐tract pain. Herbalists also recommend the herb as a diuretic for fluid retention,
bloating, and swelling. Benefits of uva ursi for specific health conditions include treatment of the following:
bladder infection, kidney disease, and prostatitis.
Doses: Uva ursi is available in the form of capsules or tablets, preferably standardized for arbutin. It also may be
taken as a tea. Uva ursi is effective against the full range of urinary tract infections only if the urine is alkaline. To
achieve this effect, you should avoid consuming acidic agents such as meat, vitamin C, and fruit juice, and you
also should take ¼ teaspoon of baking soda in 1/3 cup of water with every dose of the herb.
Warnings: Most authorities caution that uva ursi should be avoided by people with chronic kidney disease,
peptic ulcers, or duodenal ulcers. Uva ursi may aggravate gastroesophageal reflux disease. Herb expert James
Duke reports that uva ursi sometimes aggravates tinnitus (ringing in the ears). If this effect occurs, it will be
noticed after using the herb for two or three days. Ringing in the ears caused by uva ursi should wear off two or
three days after the herb is discontinued. Nausea and vomiting may occur in sensitive adults and children. The
herb may temporarily turn the urine green. This is a harmless effect. This herb should not be used by pregnant or
nursing women, or by children under twelve. Avoid taking uva ursi for longer than a week. Take all kidney and
bladder infections seriously, they can cause complications if not treated promptly. If symptoms of a urinary tract
infection persist for more than forty‐eight hours, you should always seek medical attention. If you develop
symptoms such as high fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or severe back pain, get medical assistance
immediately.

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)
Location: Valerian is a perennial plant native to Europe and northern Asia.
Description: It grows four feet tall, and bears pinnate leaves and pink flower heads. Valerian root must be
carefully dried at temperatures below 105 degrees F before use. The taste is both sweet and spicy, and somewhat
bitter, but the odor is unpleasant. It has been used medicinally at least since the time of Hippocrates (460‐377 BC).
Properties: The root is the part of the plant used in herbal medicine.
Uses: Valerian is a tranquilizer and calmative useful for disorders such as restlessness, nervousness, insomnia,
hysteria, menstrual problems, headaches, and nervous stomach. It is also good for circulation. Valerian alkaloids
have been known to lower blood pressure. Benefits of valerian for specific health conditions include treatment of
the following: anxiety, insomnia, menopause‐related problems, restless leg syndrome, indigestion, and irritable
bowel syndrome.
Doses: Valerian is available in the form of valepotriate tablets and as tinctures. The herb can also be made into
tea. In its natural state, valerian contains a compound known to aid sleep from its essential oil. For this reason,
valerian preparations used for insomnia usually state their essential oil content. However, if valerian is combined
with herbs such as hops and lemon balm (Melissa), a different set of chemicals is responsible for the promotion of
sleep. In these compounds, the content of essential oil is not important.
Warnings: People who use valerian for several months may experience withdrawal symptoms (agitation,
headache, insomnia, and racing heart) if they abruptly stop using the herb. Used by its self, valerian is almost
always free of side effects, although it can increase side effects of barbiturates and tranquilizers such as
alprazolam (xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), diazepam (Valium), or lorazepam (Ativan). Symptoms of
overdose may include paralysis, weakening of the heartbeat, giddiness, light‐headedness, blurred vision,
restlessness, nausea, and, possibly, liver toxicity. Valerian should not be used with prescription medications such
as diazepam (Valium) or amitriptyline (Elavil), or with sedative or antidepressant drugs, before consulting with a
physician. You should not continue taking valerian if you experience heart palpitations or nervousness after
taking it. This herb should not be given to children under the age of twelve. It should not be taken with alcohol,
nor should it be used by pregnant women or nursing mothers. Research indicates that valerian does not impair
one’s ability to drive a car or operate machinery. However, there does appear to be some impairment of attention
for a couple of hours after taking valerian. For this reason, it is not a good idea to drive immediately after taking
it.

Varuna (Crataeva nurvula)
Common Names: Baruna (in ayurvedic medicine), crataeva, three‐leaved caper.
Location: Varuna is a large, deciduous tree frequently cultivated in the vicinity of temples in Bangladesh and
India.
Description: Growing to a height of fifty feet, it bears pale yellow flowers and a smooth brown bark.
Properties: The leaves are harvested in the spring and the bark is cut year‐round for use in herbal medicines.
Uses: Varuna is the primary ayurvedic herb for kidney and prostate problems. It also has been used to fight
urinary tract infections. Benefits of varuna for specific health conditions include treatment of the following:
benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) and kidney stones.
Doses: Varuna can be taken as a tea or as a tincture.
Warnings: Since this herb is most readily available from practitioners of ayurveda, it should be taken according to
the directions given by the herbalist or physician recommending it.

Vitex (Vitex agnus castus)
Common Names: Chaste berry, chaste tree fruit, monk’s pepper, vitex agnus‐castus.
Location: Vitex is an aromatic deciduous tree native to Greece and Italy.
Description: It grows to a height of twenty‐one feet and bears palm‐shaped leaves and small, lilac‐like flowers.
The Greeks knew of vitex in the time of Homer, more than 1,000 years before it was used in China. Homer’s sixth‐
century‐BC epic The Iliad mentions vitex as a symbol of chastity capable of protecting people against evil.
According to the first‐century Greek historian Pliny, chaste berries strewn on the beds of soldiers’ wives was a
testimony of the wives’ faithfulness while their husbands were in battle. As the common name of the plant, chaste
tree, suggests, vitex was thought to reduce the libido. Vitex berries were chewed by monks to stop unwanted
sexual desire.
Properties: The ripe yellow‐red berries have been harvested in the fall for use in herbal medicine for thousands of
years in both Europe and China. In Europe, herbalists also used the leaves and flower tops.
Uses: Vitex has the effect of stimulating and normalizing pituitary gland function. It normalizes the activity of
female sex hormones, and is indicated for dysmenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), menopausal symptoms,
and other disorders related to hormone imbalance. Unlike other herbs used for this purpose, vitex does not
contain plant estrogens. Instead, it contains at least two forms of testosterone, as well as the growth‐stimulant
hormones androstenedione and progesterone. Vitex also seems to lower production of the hormone prolactin.
Benefits of vitex for specific health conditions include treatment of the following: acne, fibrocystic breasts,
menopause‐related problems, menstrual problems, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), endometriosis and infertility,
and prostate cancer.
Doses: Vitex is available in capsules, tablets, and tinctures.
Warnings: In using this herb, it is important to remember that for long‐term relief, it is necessary to continue
taking the herb for three to six months after symptoms disappear. Vitex should be taken in the morning. In very
rare cases, using vitex can result in a longer period or heavier menstruation. Women of reproductive age must
use vitex with caution, since it has been known to stimulate the release of multiple eggs from the ovary,
potentially resulting in multiple births. Pregnant women should not take vitex. Despite the herb’s traditional use
to stimulate lactation, nursing mothers should avoid it because it suppresses the hormone prolactin, which is
essential for breast milk production. Men seeking to become fathers should not take vitex. Animal studies
indicate that the seeds can completely halt sperm production, reduce testosterone production, and cause the
testicles to atrophy. Vitex should not be combined with estrogen replacement therapy or with birth control pills.
Women with estrogen‐sensitive cancers originating in the breast, cervix, or uterus should avoid vitex. Animal
experiments indicate that medications to regulate dopamine in the brain may be affected in unpredictable ways
by this herb. These medications include L‐dopa (Parlodel), prescribed for Parkinson’s disease; the psychoactive
medication haloperidol (Haldol), prescribed for psychosis; and buproprion (Zyban), prescribed to help smokers
who want to quit. Vitex should be used with caution by those who are weak or anemic. Minor gastrointestinal
upset and a mild skin rash with itching have been reported in less than 2 percent of the women monitored while
taking vitex.

Walnut Leaf (Juglans nigra, Juglans regia)
Common Names: Black walnut, white walnut.
Location: Walnut trees are native to the dry temperate zones of western Asia, China, India, and the southwestern
United States.
Description: The tree most often used in herbal medicine, the species native to western Asia, also is cultivated for
commercial walnut production in Europe and the United States. Walnut leaves have been used in herbal
medicine for thousands of years. The Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder reported the cultivation of walnut trees in
the first century, the trees having reached Rome from the Middle East. The Latin name of the tree is derived from
reference to the god Jupiter; Juglanis is derived from combining the name Jupiter with glans (acorn), meaning
“Jupiter’s nuts.” The famed seventeenth‐century English herbalist Nicholas Culpepper combined walnut leaf
with honey, onion, and salt to draw out venom from the bites of snakes and spiders.
Properties: The leaves are gathered in the spring and summer and dried for medicinal purposes.
Uses: During the last century, walnut leaf has been known as one of the “most mild and effacious laxatives”
available. White walnut also is used in homeopathy as a treatment for liver disorders and intestinal sickness.
Another species of walnut, the black walnut (Juglans nugra), is used to treat athlete’s foot and parasitic infections.
Black walnut bark helps relieve constipation and is useful against fungal and parasitic infections. It is used to
expel, rather than kill, worms during the normal course of laxative‐induced cleansing of the body. It may also
help to eliminate warts, which are growths caused by viruses. Used externally, black walnut is beneficial for
eczema, herpes, psoriasis, and skin parasites. Black walnut is also used to balance blood‐sugar levels and to burn
up toxins and fatty materials. It has been shown to exhibit anticancer properties due to the acids and alkaloids it
contains. Benefits of walnut leaf for specific health conditions include treatment of the following: acne, eczema,
ringworm, excessive sweating and by shrinking the sweat glands, reducing perspiration. The herb’s tannins cause
proteins in the cells lining the sweat glands to cross‐link, effectively forming a barrier to the excretion of sweat.
Doses: Walnut leaf teas can be made into baths, compresses, and skin washes. This herb product is more likely to
be obtained from herb shops and other herb suppliers. There are many products that are made with walnut hulls
combined with other herbs in tinctures for use as a harsh laxative.
Warnings: You should not use walnut hulls instead of walnut leaf for the conditions discussed above.

Wild Angelica (Angelica dahurica)
Common Names: Bai zhi, Chinese angelica root.
Location: Wild Angelica is a sturdy three‐to‐seven foot shrub topped with flowers similar to those found on
Queen Anne’s lace.
Description: It has a hollow stem and bears three‐branched leaves. The herb is harvested between summer and
fall, when the leaves turn yellow. Wild angelica is considered a warm herb, with a spicy flavor.
Properties: The root is cut lengthwise into thin slices for use in teas.
Uses: Wild angelica inhibits bacteria and viruses, reduces fever, and stimulates respiration. It acts as a
disinfectant against a number of infectious microorganisms, including E. coli, a common cause of diarrhea. It
helps to open the coronary blood vessels and increase circulation to the heart. Benefits of wild angelica for specific
health conditions include treatment of the following: diabetes, obesity and fractures.
Doses: Wild angelica is used in capsules and teas. The easiest way to get the herb is from practitioners of
traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The Chinese term for the herb is bai zhi. It is also included in some formulas
manufactured by Pacific BioLogic.
Warnings: This herb should not be used during pregnancy. Wild Anglelica should not be put on open sores.

Willow Bark (Salix species)
Common Names: European willow, white willow bark (S. alba).
Location: Native to Europe, North America, northern Asia, and much of Africa.
Description: The willow is usually a low‐growing deciduous tree. Under optimum growing conditions, however,
it grows to a height of eighty feet, bearing green, tapering leaves and catkins in spring. Almost 2,000 years ago,
the Greek physician Dioscorides recommended “willow leaves, mashed with a little pepper and drunk with
wine” to treat lower back pain. During the Middle Ages, willow bark was used in Europe to reduce fevers and
relieve pain. In 1899, the Bayer Company in Germany introduced a drug composed of a synthetic chemical
compound similar to the active compound found in willow bark. Originally used as a brand name, Bayer’s term
for its product later became one of the best‐known generic medicine names—aspirin.
Properties: Bark is stripped from two‐to‐five year old trees in spring for medicinal use.
Uses: Like aspirin, willow bark is a proven painkiller, but without many of aspirin’s side effects. The analgesic
actions of willow are typically slower acting but last longer than standard aspirin products. As with aspirin, uses
for willow bark include fever, colds, minor infections, acute and chronic rheumatic disorders, mild headaches,
and pain caused by inflammation. Willow bark is also high in tannins, suggesting that it may be of some use in
gastrointestinal disorders. Benefits of willow bark for specific health conditions include treatment of the
following: dry mouth, headache, migrain, osteoarthritis, toothache, lower back pain and osteoporosis.
Doses: Willow Bark is available as capsules and salicin tablets, and in various formulations designed specifically
for migraines. In Native American medicine, willow bark is used to reduce sexual desire. Chronic use of willow
bark may result in diminished sexual interest, although it does not affect physical aspects of sexual performance
in either men or women.
Warnings: If you have had any type of allergic reaction to aspirin or other salicylates, you should not use willow
bark. Use this herb only under the supervision of a health‐care professional if you are pregnant or nursing. Do not
take it in combination with aspirin. Long‐term use of willow is not advisable. Do not give willow bark to a child
under sixteen years of age who has symptoms of flu, chickenpox, or any other type of viral infection. As with
aspirin, there may be a risk of developing a rare but serious ailment called Reye’s syndrome.

Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens)
Common Names: Checkerberry, spiceberry, teaberry.
Location: Wintergreen is an aromatic, creeping shrub native to the eastern United States.
Description: It has leathery, oval leaves, small pink or white bell‐shaped flowers, and bright‐red fruit. The berries
are used medicinally, and an essential oil is distilled from the herb’s glossy green leaves. The oil was once
popular as a flavoring in candies, toothpastes, and food, and as an aromatic agent in perfumes.
Properties: Native Americans brewed a tea from the leaves to alleviate rheumatic symptoms, headache, fever,
sore throat, and various aches and pains. During the American Revolution, wintergreen leaves were used as a
substitute for tea, which was then scarce.
Uses: Wintergreen has pain‐relieving properties similar to those of aspirin, as well as a refreshing taste. It is good
for headaches, arthritis, and muscle pain. Regularly applied to painfully swollen, inflamed, or sore muscles and
joints, especially if caused by injuries or rheumatic ailments, the essential oil helps to relieve pain. Benefits of
wintergreen for specific health conditions include treatment of the following: carpal tunnel syndrome, sore
muscles and joints, and toothache. Wintergreen also contains astringent compounds, called tannins, and a
soothing and softening substance called mucilage. They help indirectly to alleviate soreness in muscles and joints,
and explain why this herb was traditionally used as a gargle for sore throats.
Doses: Wintergreen is available as a mouthwash and as an essential oil. The essential oil should be used for
external use only.
Warnings: Wintergreen oil can be harmful if taken internally. If pure wintergreen oil is ingested by a child, one
teaspoon can be fatal. Essential oil of wintergreen should be used externally only, and only for acute pain, since it
can be absorbed through the skin and can become toxic to the kidneys and liver. You should not apply the oil to
your skin for more than three days out of any month, and you should not use wintergreen oil if you have any
degree of chronic kidney or liver disease. You should not apply the oil to the skin of a child under the age of
twelve unless directed to do so by a medical professional. Formulations containing concentrations of 10‐ to 60‐
percent methyl salicylate can be applied externally up to four times daily. They should not be used after
strenuous exercise or in conjunction with a heating pad, however. Follow package instructions and avoid
applying these products after vigorous exercise or in hot weather. Doing so can result in dangerous amounts of
certain compounds being absorbed through your skin and into your system. If you take warfarin (Coumadin) or
any other prescription blood‐thinning medication, do not use wintergreen, as bleeding problems and other
adverse reactions may occur. People taking blood‐thinning medication should avoid using any products that
contain methyl salicylate.

Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
Common Names: Hamamelis, winterbloom.
Location: Witch hazel is a leathery‐leafed shrub native to the Atlantic seaboard of the United States.
Description: The upward‐facing surface of its leaves are shiny green, but the bottoms of the leaves are dull gray. Witch
hazel trees stand out in the forest in the autumn because as other trees are losing their leaves, the witch hazel is covered
with golden‐yellow, threadlike flowers, thus making it appealing to landscapers as a desirable ornamental plant.
Properties: Both the bark and the leaves of the plant are used medicinally.
Uses: Native Americans introduced witch hazel to early European settlers. The Native Americans applied a
strained decoction of the leaves and twigs to small wounds, insect bites, sore muscles, and joints. They also
sipped witch hazel tea to treat bleeding, inflammation, and hemorrhoids. In the nineteenth century, an alcoholic
extract of witch hazel was one of the most popular herbs in the United States. Witch hazel is a valuable cooling
topical astringent for various ailments, including varicose veins, hemorrhoids, abrasions, bruises, and other skin
irritations. It is also good for clearing up the redness produced by eczema and for smoothing wrinkles. Witch
hazel is used in pads to help sooth discomfort from rectal and vaginal surgery and stitches. The bark decoction
also is useful as a gargle in relieving sore throat. Benefits of witch hazel for specific health conditions include
treatment of the following: burns, cold sores, cuts and scrapes, insect bites and stings, diarrhea, eczema,
hemorrhoids varicose veins, and periodontal disease.
Doses: Witch hazel is available as creams, teas, and tinctures; it can also be made into poultices. Do not use the
commonly available witch hazel water.
Warnings: While witch hazel water has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), its
healing benefits derive from the alcohol rather than the witch hazel itself. Witch hazel bark teas are intended for
treatment of acute rather than chronic diarrhea. If diarrhea persists longer than three days, consult a physician.
Always be sure to replace fluids lost during diarrhea by drinking adequate amounts of water. Witch hazel may
cause stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, or constipation, and in rare cases the bark may cause liver damage if too
much is absorbed. The volatile oil contains a known carcinogen (safrole), but in small amounts it is unlikely to
pose any risk. Due to its high tannin content, witch hazel should not be used over long periods of time. Do not
use the commercially prepared witch hazel water internally.

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Common Names: Bloodwort, milfoil, soldier’s woundwort.
Location: Traditional herbalists in Europe, China, and India have used yarrow to stop minor bleeding and to treat
wounds and inflammation.
Description: Yarrow is a creeping perennial plant. Growing three feet tall, it has white or, occasionally, rose‐
colored flower heads with yellow centers. Its species name millefolium refers to its “thousand leaves.” Finely
divided, crowded leaves grow on alternate sides of its erect central stems.
Properties: The leaves, stems, and flowers are used medicinally.
Uses: Yarrow appears to have been used as a healing agent virtually since the dawn of the human race. Excavation of a
40,000 to 60,000‐year‐old Neanderthal grave yielded yarrow (as well as the herbs althea, centauria, ephedra, and senecio).
Yarrow’s scientific name, Achillea, refers to the Greek legend of its use in ointments in the Trojan War. According to
legend, Achilles used yarrow to stop bleeding in his soldiers. It has also been used to stop minor bleeding and to treat
wounds and inflammation, especially in the intestinal and female reproductive tracts. It has also traditionally been used
as a mild sedative. Yarrow is an anti‐inflammatory herb useful in the treatment of diarrhea, flatulence, gastrointestinal
inflammation, and stomach cramps. This herb can reduce smooth‐muscle spasms, which makes it useful for certain
gastrointestinal conditions. Yarrow is also a traditional stomach tonic and digestive aid. Yarrow tea has long been used to
induce sweating and lower fever. This herb has mild sedative properties that may prevent insomnia. Herbalists prescribe
yarrow to relieve cramps and other menstrual pain. Benefits of yarrow for specific health conditions include treatment of
the following: blurred vision, bruises and pain, common cold and influenza.
Doses: Yarrow is used in teas (which can be made into poultices) and aromatherapy oils. The herb is most easily
purchased in bulk from herb shops. Topical application and /or long‐term use can cause skin irritation and /or
allergic reactions. If this occurs, stop using the herb. Yarrow may also increase the skin’s sensitivity to sunlight.
Warnings: If you are using the herb to treat any type of wound, be sure to clean the affected area carefully before
applying yarrow because this herb can stop blood flow so quickly that it may seal in dirt or other contaminants.
Yarrow should not be used to treat large, deep, or infected wounds. This type of injury requires medical attention.
Yarrow is a uterine stimulant. Although miscarriage is not likely from use of therapeutic doses, the herb
nevertheless should not be used internally during pregnancy except under the direction of a qualified herbalist or
midwife. Women who experience heavy periods or who have pelvic inflammatory disease also should avoid use
of yarrow. Yarrow is also a biliary stimulant, increasing the production of bile. This action may intensify the pain
of gallstones. If you have gallstones, this herb certainly should be avoided during an acute attack. Alcohol
extracts of yarrow stop sperm production in laboratory mice. Men seeking to become fathers should avoid this
herb. Yarrow is an unusual plant in that it adapts itself to new surroundings easily, and its chemical composition
changes readily in response to changes in the environment. For this reason, it is important to use yarrow from the
same source every time to get reliable results.

Yohimbe (Pausinystalia yohimba)
Common Name: Yohimbe.
Location: Yohimbe is an evergreen tree native to Camaeroon, Congo, and Gabon in central Africa.
Description: Growing to a height of one hundred sixty feet and spanning as much as fifty feet across, it has
reddish‐brown bark, elliptical leaves, and clusters of small, yellow flowers.
Properties: The bark is the part of yohimbe used in herbal medicine.
Uses: Yohimbe is the original source of the chemical yohimbine, which is used in drugs to treat erectile
dysfunction and are sold under a number of different brand names, including Aphrodyne, Yocon, Yohimex,
Yoman, and others. Yohimbine is also found in the South American herb quebracho. Yohimbe is a remedy for
erectile dysfunction as well as an aphrodisiac for use by people of both sexes. In traditional African medicine,
yohimbe is used both as an aphrodisiac and as a treatment for many skin conditions. Benefits of yohimbe for
specific health conditions include the following: impotence and diminished sex drive.
Doses: Yohimbe is best used as a tincture. The physician may recommend a prescription form of the active
chemicals in this herb, such as Yohimbex (yohimbine hydrochloride).
Warnings: Avoid “yohimbe” tablets—these often do not contain actual yohimbe. At least one study suggests that
yohimbe is more likely to be effective if you are fasting or eating a low‐fat diet. Anxiety, dizziness, heart
palpitations, and changes in blood pressure are rare side effects, but they can result from even a single dose of
either yohimbe or yohimbine. Men receiving medical treatment for anxiety, depression, high blood pressure,
migraine, or seizure disorders should consult with their physicians before taking this herb. Because the chemical
yohimbine is a possible monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor, you should avoid the following substances when
using this herb: foods that contain tyramine (chocolate, most French cheeses, liver, organ meats, red wine), nasal
decongestants, and weight‐loss aids containing phenylpropanolamine. Also avoid high doses of yohimbe, which
can result in priaprism, a disorder characterized by painful erections that requires surgery. Yohimbine interacts
with an exceptionally large number of over‐the‐counter health remedies and prescription drugs. It is especially
important not to use yohimbe or yohimbine with sildenafil (Viagra), since this herb has the potential to magnify
sildenafil’s effects on the heart. Yohimbe, like Viagra, should be avoided by men who use or carry nitroglycerin
tablets for angina or chest pain.
Relatively small doses of yohimbine (less than 10 milligrams) can induce mania in people who have bipolar
depression. A slightly higher dose (15 to 20 milligrams) can provoke severe high blood pressure in people taking
an MAO inhibitor for depression. People with a history of psychosis also should avoid yohimbe, as it has been
known to trigger new episodes of psychotic reaction. Studies have shown that the alkaloid yohimbine in yohimbe
can have a positive effect in people who are taking fluvoxamine (Luvox), an antidepressant. People who do not
respond to fluvoxamine alone may try it in combination with yohimbine, which may greatly increase its
effectiveness. Yohimbine may cause side effects, so it should be taken with fluvoxamine under medical
supervision. The FDA has ruled yohimbine unsafe and ineffective for over‐the‐counter use, but both yohimbe and
yohimbine can be found in health‐food stores. Some states, such as Georgia, have banned their sale in
nonprescription form. Regardless of where you live, you should take yohimbe only under medical supervision.
Dosages that provide more than 40 milligrams a day of yohimbine can cause a severe drop in blood pressure,
abdominal pain, fatigue, hallucinations, and paralysis. Forty milligrams is not very far above the typical
recommended dose. If you are taking antidepressants, blood‐pressure drugs, or central nervous system
stimulants, do not use yohimbine.

Suggested Writing Exercise For Yourself
How do you connect with the Earth?

Bibliography
Balch, Phyllis A. 2002
Prescription For Herbal Healing. Avery; New York, NY.
Bremness, Lesley 1994
Herbs. DK Publishing; New York, NY.
Brill, Steve and Evelyn Dean 1994
Identifying And Harvesting Edible And Medicinal Plants In Wild (And Not So Wild) Places. Hearst Books; NY, NY.
Castleman, Michael 2001
The New Healing Herbs. Rodale, Inc. U.S.
Duke, James A. 1997
The Green Pharmacy. Rodale Press; Emmaus, PA.
Fugh‐Berman, Adriane 1996
Alternative Medicine: What Works. Odonian Press; Tucson, AZ.
Mariechild, Diane 1981
Mother Wit. The Crossing Press; Trumansburg, NY.
Meyer, Eric 2001
Mother Nature M.D. Prentice Hall Press; Paramus, NJ.
Twitchell, Paul 1986
Herbs: The Magic Healers. Illuminated Way Publishing; Crystal, MI.
Wall, Carly 1960
Naturally Healing Herbs. Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.; New York, NY.
Wood, Matthew 1997
The Book Of Herbal Wisdom. North Atlantic Books; Berkeley, CA.

Internet Resources
http://www.alpha.confex.com
http://www.health24.com/natural/Herbs
http://www.herbalgram.org
http://www.herbological.com
http://www.thenaturallife.com
http://www.planetherbs.com
http://www.quotegarden.com/nature.html
http://www.valentine.gr/herbs_en.htm

Herbs Exam Questions
Name ___________________________________________________ Phone # ___________________________________

Address ____________________________________________________________________________________________
(Please supply name, phone #, and address as identifying factors for giving credit properly)

1. What are the two categories in which humans have divided plants?
A. Plants with high and low levels of chlorophyll
B. Plants that are medicinally useful for humans and those that are not
C. Plants that grow annually and biannually

2. Traditionally, herbs were the only source of medicine for humans. T F

3. Today, herbs are not commonly used throughout the world. T F

4. The use of herbs as medicine has been going on since:
A. The beginning of civilization.
B. The Big Bang.
C. The formation of modern, Western medicine.

5. The Iceman was found to have been carrying a fungus to treat intestinal parasites. T F

6. Traditionally, herbal knowledge was gained through:
A. Systematically testing herbs on willing people and documenting the findings
B. Testing herbs on animals
C. Vision quests, trial and error, and watching animals

7. All the traditional medical systems held a common belief of a primal and universal energy sustaining life and
health. T F

8. Modern medicine has no connections to herbs. T F

9. Holistic medicine holds that a human being is made up of:
A. Chemicals
B. Not only the chemicals of the body, but the mind, emotions, and spirit as well
C. Only the mind, emotions, and spirit

10. Herbal remedies use all of the chemicals in plants, while modern drugs use only a few isolated chemicals.
T F

11. Other differences between herbs and modern medicine are:
A. The costs and side effects
B. The ways that they affect one’s dreams
C. Herbs only come in tinctures, while modern medicine comes in pills

12. The World Health Organization says that women provide more than 90% of the world’s available health care.
T F

13. According to many legends, the Tree of Life serves to bind together these three worlds, or dimensions:
A. The real, unreal, and realm of possibilities
B. The spiritual, dream, and waking realities
C. The middle world, Underworld, and Overworld.

14. During a shamanic journey, a person goes into nature alone to pray and fast. T F

15. If you do not have access to harvesting wild herbs, it is not recommended by herbalists to use herbs. T F

16. In order for herbs to be effective, they:
A. Need to be taken in large doses.
B. Do not need to be taken in large doses, but oftentimes do need to be taken for a period of time.
C. Need to be used along with modern medicine.

17. Herbs contain a unique composition of , known as essential oils.
A. Flowers B. Phytochemicals C. Chlorophyll

18. One of the guidelines for herbal healing is to use modern medicine for emergency health situations. T F

19. Currently, there are standards of education and ethics for herbalists, which are set by the BMA and AHG.
T F

20. Any herbal licensing titles that an herbalist holds signifies that she/he has clinical knowledge of herbs. T F

21. What can you do personally to preserve your right to have access to herbs without a prescription or a doctor’s visit?
A. Pray and visualize personal freedom with herbs
B. Write letters to your government leaders so they have ammunition when fighting legislation to prevent
public access to herbs.
C. Have faith that leaders will protect your rights.

Herbs

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Herbs, A Spiritual Approach

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