Medicinal Guide to Plants - Part 3
G to O (from my master herb index) - my collective / continuously growing online guide to herbs
Garlic :: Allium sativum Family : Alliaceae
Medicinal Uses : Cardio-Tonic Herb (has beneficial action on the heart and blood vessels but do not contain cardiac glycosides . Depurative- purifies the blood
Remarks : Not recommended for women who are nursing or pregnant.
Ginger :: Zingiber officinale Family : Zingiberaceae
Cultivated In : Indonesia, China, Hawaii, Amherst, MA
Medicinal Uses : Nausea . Vomiting . Motion Sickness . Stomach . Anti-Inflammatory
Preparations : Ginger Tea (2-4 (dime size) slices of fresh ginger, 1 1/2 C. boiling water, 1 tsp sugar-honey-or maple syrup to taste, simmer slices in water for 10 minutes, add sweetner or lemon, 1 serving
Remarks : Not recommended for women who are nursing or pregnant, also those with stomach or liver problems.
Gingko :: Gingko biloba Family : Ginkgoaceae
Growing Info : hot sun and rich, sandy soil
History : the sole survivor of a primitive order of plants dating from 200 million years ago.
Medicinal Uses : Age-Related Memory Loss . Anti-Oxidant (stronger than vitamin E) . Brain Power . Cardio-Tonic Herb (has beneficial action on the heart and blood vessels but do not contain cardiac glycosides) . Circulation to the Brain . Tinnitus
TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) : the seeds and leaves are used to treat lung problems
Remarks : Not recommended for those who take blood-thinning agents.
Goldenseal ENDANGERED :: Hydrastis canadensis Family : Ranunculaceae
Medicinal Use : Anti-Septic . Traveler’s Diarrhea . Cold + Flu . Stomach/Digestion
Remarks : Not recommended for women who are nursing or pregnant, or for long term use. An Endangered plant, use with thought.
Gotu Kola (Indian pennywort) :: Centella asaiatica Family : Mackinlayaceae
Plant Info : low growing, creeping vine, up to 25 inches (50 cm), fan shaped leaves, grows in subtropics, tropics, damp grasslands, bitter-acrid taste
Growing : annual, indoors in hanging pot
Parts Used : aerial (flowers + leaves)
Cultivated In : Sri Lanka, Southeast USA
Western Medicinal Use : Nervine . Rejuvenative . Alterative . Febrifuge . Diuretic . Tonic . Anti-Inflammatory . Laxative . Sedative . Liver Complaints . High Blood Pressure
-Alzheimers and Memory Loss : restorative tonic for mental decline in old age, herb protects blood vessels supplying oxygen to the brain (therefore normailizing brain’s use of oxygen), improves memory & concentration. Reduces cholesterol plagues in blood vessels serving the brain cells in the cerebral cortex & hippocampus (memory and reasoning center). There are over 4 million cases of alzheimers, 250,000 diagnosed each year and it’s expected to get worse.
-Cellulite, Swollen Ankles, Varicose Veins: cellulite occurs when connective tissue under the skin that hold deep-level fat cells, break down and are no longer able to hold fat in place. More component of these tissues: glycosaminoglycans. Gotu Kola stops fat cells from displacing by increasing glycosaminoglycans. The herb also stablizes connective tissue that surrounds veins of legs, the herb increases the amount of oxygen transported through veins. The herb improves symptoms of vercose veins (comfort, tiredness, swelling), but not sightness of them.
-Stimulates deep cell replacement
-Wounds, Scarring, Psoriasis: the herb stimulates regeneration of skin cells underlying connective tissue, saponins in the herb have beneficial effect on collagen & inhibit scar formatiion, accelerates healing of burns, skin graftings, minimizes scarring, successful for healing a episiotomy, cream of herb helps relieve scaly red welts of psoriasis.
-Leprosy: asiaticoside in Gotu Kola is one of the most promising treatments
Western Preparations: Burns- take with vitamin C (combo of C, asiatic acid, asiaticoside and madecassic acid stimulate collegen synthesi, a key element in skin repair. Use Gotu Kola extract externally for skin, make tincture for wounds.
Ayurvedic Info : bitter/cooling/sweet VPK=, tonic for pitta, inhibits vata, calms the nerves, reduces excessive kapha
-Helps develop spiritual powers
-For nervous system disorders, epilepsy, senility
-The herb causes changes on a cellular level in 48 to 72 hrs. However, the body (from clinical tests) does not accumulate a maximum amount (level) of asiatic acid, the chief ingredient, until the herb is taken for at least 3 weeks
-Revitalizes nerve and brain cells
-Increases intelligence, longevity, memory, brain food
-Premature aging, hair loss
-Treats leprosy, skin ulcers, and other skin problems (chronic & obstinate)
-Powerful blood purifer, specific for chronic skin conditions (leprosy, syphilis, eczema & psoriasis)
-Fortifies the immune system, both cleansing & feeding it
-Strengthens the adrenals
Eastern Culture : In India it is sometimes found as a vegetable in salads
Eastern Preparations : take as an infusion (hot or cold), decoction, milk decoction, powder (250 to 500 mg) medicated ghee, medicated oil
Remarks : Not recommended for women who are nursing, pregnant, or trying to become pregnant. May interfere with oral diabetes medications: glipizide (Glucotrol) + tolbutamide (Orinase). May raise cholestrol levels, do not take if your on cholesterol lowering medications or niacin. Do not take if on traquilizers or sedatives: herb has a narcotic effect. Do not give to children under the age of 2. May cause allergic skin reaction or carcinogenic if applied topically, in large doses may cause headaches, veritigo or temporary loss of consciousness.
Green Tea :: Camellia sinensis Family : Theaceae
Medicinal Use : Anti-Oxidant . Chemotherapy . Stops Tooth Decay
Remarks : contains caffeine, do not take within one hour of taking other medications.
Gymnema sylvestre :: Family : Asclepiadaceae
Medicinal Uses : Diabetes
Hawthorn :: Crataegus laevigata Family : Rosaceae
Plant Info : evergreen shrub, mountains, lowlands
Parts Used : berries, leaves, flowers
Found : North America, Europe, North Africa, India
Medicinal Uses : Cardiovascular Disease . Decreases Cholesterol . Decreases heart rate due to stress . Dialates Coronary Arteries . Directly effects cells of heart muscle enhancing activity and nutrition . Hypotensive Agent . Increases circulation through dilation of coronary arteries . Increases contractibility of the heart . Increases blood flow rate . Kidney/Bladder . Lowers Blood Pressure . Speeds Recovery from heart attacks . Sore Throat
History : In World War I, hawthorn leaves were used as a tobacco substitute, the seeds were ground and used as a coffee substitute
Plant Spirits : puts heart back in rightful place as primary organ of perception, for those too much in there head and not enough in their heart
Preparations : flower essence (for the heart, opens heart and expression of love, helps with giving and receiving love)
Hibiscus :: Hibiscus sabdariffa Family : Malvaceae
Horsetail Leaf :: Equisetum spp. Family : Equisetaceae
my secret horsetail leaf patch (pictured above) . horsetail leaf is best gathered in the spring time . as the season progresses, the silica content increases + therefore is hard on the kidneys if taken internally . also, horsetail is better as a vinegar extraction, then alcohol for tincture purposes … late season horsetail is excellent as pot scrubbers . they seriously take the grime out of anything
gather some horsetail leaf up here
Hops :: Humulus lupulus Family : Cannabaceae
Parts Used : strobiles, flowers
Remarks : Not recommended for long term use.
Hyssop :: Hyssop officinalis Family : Lamiaceae
Plant Info : semi-evergreen/erect herbaceous, 2 ft. tall, hardy, perennial,
Parts Used : aerial (leaves + flowers)
Growing : sunny and dry sites, space 15”
Harvest : use youngest stems and leaves as needed
Medicinal Uses : Essential Oil to Strong for Aroma Therapy
Remarks : Not recommended for women who are nursing or pregnant
Uses : tea, essential oil
Irish Moss :: Chondrus crispus Family : Gigartinaceae
Remarks : Not recommended for women who are nursing or pregnant.
Jasmine :: Jasminum sambac Family : Oleaceae
Plant Info : member of the olive family,evergreen vine/shrub, flowers bloom year-round, flowers open at night and close in the morning, grows up to a meter.
Found : Southern Asia, known in the Philippines as Sampaguita, Himalayas
Cultivated In : China by cuttings (does not bear seeds)
Uses : flowers are super fragrant and have prized ornamental use: weddings, important guests; perfumes, cosmetics, beverages, aromatherapy, teas, infusions
Medicinal Uses : headaches . diarrhea . fever . cough . abdominal pain . decongestant . aphrodisiac . impotence . inflammation . a syrup was made for coughs
Remarks : not recommended for women who are nursing or pregnant, may lower blood pressure
Linden :: Tilia americana Family : Tiliaceae
Marshmallow :: Althaea officinalis Family : Malvaceae
Growing Info : loves water
Parts Used : flowers, leaves (summer), & root (late autumn)
Found : indigenous to Africa, damp areas of Europe and western Asia, now naturalized in Atlantic coast of USA
Leaves : beneficial for lungs (demulcent, expectorant) and kidneys (diuretic, kidney stones), skin (emollient)
Root : Internal- similar properties to leaves, also vulnerary (wound healing), skin problems (especially in the mouth) digestive issues, increases flow of breast milk, soothes bronchial tubes, constipation, IBS. External- varicose vains, ulcers, abscesses and boils
Food : roots have been boiled and eaten
Preparations : cold macerations, warm infusions, tincture, fluid extract, capsule, tea
Other Notes : used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
Milk Thistle :: Silybum marianum Family : Asteraceae
Growing : annual, full sun, grows up to 3 feet
Found : Mediterranean, grown in Europe, known as a weed in California
Cultivated : China, Hungary
Medicinal Uses : contains compound silymarin, vitamin E, fatty acids . inflamed liver from alcohol toxicity, cirrhosis and hepatitis . enriching lactation . kidney diseases . liver diseases . liver tonic . helps inflamed kidneys, spleen, and liver . mushroom poisoning . reduces cancer growth
Preparations : alcohol extract; glycerin extract; tea; capsules
Food : milk thistle seeds were once used as a coffee substitute; the roots were once eaten raw, boiled and roasted; the spiny parts on the flower head were eaten like an artichoke after peeling (can soak overnight to remove bitterness; the leafs can be eaten like spinach and boiled if you remove the prickers
Remarks : may cause mild diarrhea by stimulating the release of bile. Most notable in a high fat diet
Mints :: Mentha spp. Family : Lamiaceae
Growing: perennial, part shade/some sun
(see also: peppermint in P herbs)
Motherwort :: Leonurus cardiaca Family : Lamiaceae
Medicinal Uses : Cardio-Tonic Herb (has beneficial action on the heart and blood vessels but do not contain cardiac glycosides)
Nettles (Stinging) :: Urtica dioica Family: Urticaceae
Plant Info : Erect herbaceous, mountains, low lands
Parts Used : leaves, root
Garden : encourages beneficial insects, the presence of nettles reveals a high fertility area
Harvest : Spring, young leaves the best, before plant starts to flower or show signs of flowering (using the plant with flowers is said to be toxic); use caution- plant stings.
Medicinal Uses : Aphrodisiac (root) . Arthtritis . Anemia . Bleeding Allergies . Benefits Blood . Constipation . Eczema . Hay Fever . Kidney Problems , Prostate Disorders . Rheumatism . Vitamins A, C, D, K, iron, potassium, manganese, and calcium . Water Retention
Preparations : cook like spinach; infusion (1 oz dried nettles to 1 quart of water in jar, steep 4 hours or overnight in fridge, amazing cooled); liquid fertilizer (infusion of nettles is high in nitrogen, low in phosphate, also contains magnesium, sulfur and iron)
Uses : topical, beauty products (cream, anti-itch remedies), tea, tincture, soup, nettle cordial popular in Europe, textiles, dye (yellow from roots, yellowish green from leaves)
On the Farm : cut +; add to hay for cattle and rabbits, powdered into chicken and duck food, boil for pigs
Removing Stingers : cook; dry or make wet to reduce stingers
Good4You Note : I believe it’s one of the most beneficial plants known to man.
gather some nettle leaves up here
Oats :: Avena sativa Family : Poaceae
Plant Info : erect herbaceous, lowlands
Parts Used : milky oat tops, straw, berry.
Uses : Grains in bath water keep the skin soft
Orange Peel :: Citrus × sinensis Family : Rutaceae
Remarks : Avoid over-exposure to sunlight when using large amounts.
note : please do a ton of research before using medicinal plants