Alterative - Producing a healthful change without perception
Anodyne - Relieves pain
Anthelmintic - A medicine that expels worms
Aperient - Gently laxative without purging
Aromatic - A stimulant, spicy
Astringent - Causes contraction and arrests discharges
Antibilious - Acts on the bile, relieving bilousness
Antiemetic - Stops vomiting
Antileptic - Relieves siesures
Antiperiodic - Arrests morbid periodic movements
Anthilic - Prevents formation of stones in urinary organs
Antirheumatic - Relieves rheumatism
Antiscorbutic - Cures or prevents scurvy
Antiseptic - aims at stopping putrification
Antispasmodic - Relieves or prevents spasms
Antisyphilitic - Having affect or curing STD
Carminative - Expels gas in the bowels
Carthatic - Evacuating from the bowels
Cephalic - Remedies used in diseases of the head
Cholagogue - Increases flow of bile
Condiment - Improves flavor of food
Demulcent - Soothing, relieves inflammation
Deobstruent - Removes obstruction
Depurative - Purifies the blood
Detergent - Cleansing to boils, ulcers, wounds etc
Diaphoretic - Produces perspiration
Discutient - Dissolves and heals tumors
Diuretic - Increases flow of urine
Emetic - Produces vomiting
Emmenagogue - Promotes menstruation
Emollient - Softens and soothes inflamation
Esculent - Eatable as food
Expectorant - Facilitates espectoration
Febrifuge - Abates and reduces fever
Hepatic - For diseases of the liver
Herpatic - Remedy for skin diseases of all types
Laxative - Promotes bowel action
Lithontryptic - Dissolves calculi in urinary organs
Maturating - Ripens or brings boils to a head
Mucilaginous - Soothing to all inflammations
Nauseant - Produces vomiting
Nervine - Acts specifically on nervous system, stops nervous excitment
Opthalmicum - For eye diseases
Parturient - Induces and promotes labor at childbirth
Pectoral - For chest infections
Refrigerant - Cooling
Resolvent - Dissolves boils and tumors
Rubifacient - Increases circulation and produces red skin
Sedative - Nerve tonic, promotes sleep
Sialogogue - Increases secretion of saliva
Stomachic - Strengthen stomach, relieves indigestion
Styptic - Stops bleeding
Sudorfic - Produces profuse perspiration
Tonic - Remedy which is invigorating and strengthing
Vermifuge - Expels worms from the system
HERBAL REMEDIES
GOLDENSEAL
Studies show that this herb has antibiotic action.
how to: For tea, 1/2 to 1 teaspoon powdered root per cup, steeped 10 minutes. Up to 2 cups per day.
ROSEHIPS
The "hip" is the part that remains when the petals fall off the flower. Rose hips contain vitamin C.
how to: For tea, 2 to 3 teaspoons per cup, steeped 10 minutes. Drink as needed.
CHAMOMILE
This popular beverage herb can calm jangled nerves, relieve stomach distress, prevent ulcers,
speed their healing, and help fight infection.
how to: For tea, 2 to 3 heaping teaspoons per cup, steeped 10 to 20 minutes. Up to 3 cups per day.
GARLIC
When chewed or chopped, garlic is a potent natural antibiotic; it also has anti-viral properties.
It reduces cholesterol and helps prevent the formation of internal blood clots that trigger heart
attacks. how to: In food, season to taste. For tea, steep 6 cloves in a cup of cool water for 6 hours.
SLIPPERY ELM BARK
Historically used to soothe sore throats, coughs, and upset stomachs, this beneficial bark is still
available in bulk and in herbal cough drops and throat lozenges.
how to: For tea, 1 to 3 teaspoons of powdered bark per cup, boiled and simmered 15 minutes.
Up to 3 cups per day.
GINSING
Ginseng stimulates the immune system, helps protect the liver from toxics, and increases
stamina. In one animal experiment, it also increased sexual activity.
how to: Follow package directions for teas, capsules, tablets, and tinctures.
DANDELION
Despised as a weed, dandelion can help relieve premenstrual bloating.
Preliminary studies suggest possible anti-inflammatory effects.
how to: For tea, 1/2 ounce dried leaf per cup, steeped 10 minutes. Up to 3 cups per day.
FEVERFEW
Several studies confirm feverfew's value in preventing migraines.
how to: Chew two leaves a day, or take a pill or capsule containing 85milligrams of leaf
material (feverfew is quite bitter). For tea, 1/2 to 1 teaspoon per cup, steeped 5 to 10 minutes.
Up to 2 cups per day.
RASBERRY LEAF
This premier pregnancy herb is widely used to treat morning sickness and uterine irritability,
and to help prevent threatened miscarriage. how to: For tea, 1 to 2 teaspoons per cup,
steeped 10 minutes. Up to 3 cups per day.
SPEARMINT/PEPPERMINT
For indigestion, try a cup of mint tea after eating.
how to: For tea, 1 teaspoon fresh or 2 teaspoons dried per cup, steeped 10 minutes.
Reheat if desired. Up to 3 cups per day. For a relaxing bath, fill a cloth bag with a few handfuls
of dried or fresh leaves, and run water over it.
COMFREY
This plant contains allantoin, which promotes the growth of new cells and gives it value as
a wound treatment. how to: Place a bruised leaf on clean cuts or scrapes. Cover with a bandage.
Warning: Do not use internally.
SENNA
This herb is a powerful laxative. Senna tastes terrible, so most herbalists recommend a
tincture or a commercial product. To avoid abdominal distress, do not take more than the
package directions specify.
UVA URSI
Research has shown that this bitter herb has diuretic and urinary antiseptic effects.
Use it in addition to mainstream medical treatment.
how to: One teaspoon per cup, boiled 10 minutes. Up to 3 cups per day.
GINGER
Ginger prevents motion sickness and may help prevent the internal blood clots that trigger
heart attacks. how to: For motion sickness, take 2 to 3 capsules of 500 milligrams 30 minutes
before departure. For tea, 2 teaspoons powdered or grated root per cup, steeped 10 minutes.
Up to 3 cups per day.
CHINESE EPHEDRA
Commonly used to treat colds and asthma, Chinese ephedra (Ma Huang) can also raise blood
pressure and cause insomnia and other problems. warning: Prior to using Chinese ephedra, seek
advice from a health care practitioner, especially if you arepregnant or nursing.
It should not be given to children under 13.
LICORICE
Licorice can soothe sore throats and treat ulcers.
how to: For sore throat, add a pinch of root to tea. For ulcers, 1/2 teaspoon of powder per cup,
boiled 10 minutes. Up to 2 cups per day. warning: Large doses can be dangerous.
the fresh mint I have growing in my back yard is helping me get through the horrible indigestion of my pregnancy(i am in my 3rd trimester). MUUCHH better and more effective than tums!
the thing i like about mint is it is so easy to grow and is like a weed.
also most herbs are great for digestion.
I need to upload pics of my herb garden i grew them from seedlings.
catnip has been hard for me to grow, super slow, but its still alive thats a good thing.
catnip needs to be in a green house or a hot humid place to grow what i have is a small house i put together that is big enough for the pot i made out of a walmart bag and two sticks poking out of the pot.. all you do is put sticks in the soil and bring the bag over the top till the sticks stop the bag (make sure the catnip has plenty of room to grow) then rubber band the bag around the pot an thats it.
Make sure you include where you got this from, otherwise it is considered Plaguiarism. I am sure you just forgot ^.^.
I also have a masters in herbalism, too, ManEater! Nice to know somebody is on the same herbal wavelength as me :) I find it makes for interesting conversations.
If you dont mind, Kalen, I would also like to add a little info on Aloe Vera, considered one of the greatest healing herbs!
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Aloe Vera, from the species Aloe, is one of the most helpful healing plants to have around, with the added bonus that it is easy to grow. Parts of this plant are found to be helpful in the treatment of wounds, minor burns, sores, bites, skin infections, diabetes, sebaceous cysts, high blood lipids, and stings.
Its great healing methods are thought to be due to its containment of several compounds that it has, one of the many being lectins. :)
It is also thought to be related to the Asparagus veg, as it is in the same order and clade (monocots). I have found it can grow to about 60-110cm tall, and spreads easily. The leaves are very thick, with some variations showing white 'flecks' is what us herbalists like to call them. The edge of the leaf is serrated with small white 'teeth'. The Aloe flowers are produced in summer only, on a spike up to roughly 90cm+ tall.
A great quality which most Aloe plants are the fact that it has a symbosis that allows it better access of minerals and nutrients in the soil.
It is thought to come from Sudan, but it is common in North Africa and almost half of the Arabian pennisula, if memory serves me correctly!
Sometimes, the juice of Aloe Vera is used for consumption and relief of IBS and heartburn, again, if memory serves me correctly. It is considered toxic if taken orally, so beware! It is great for moisturizing and soothing; and is often found in many cosmentic products and lotions, but also sometimes is used in yoghurts and desserts, as well as a few drinks.
Application of Aloe Vera is sometimes used to treat psoriasis and herpes (genital.)
Aloe Vera also might (scientists are currently testing, I think) have anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. Which could be used to treat bites, boils, stings, cysts and minor skin infections.
I only just realised how carried away I got! My fingers are hurting, so I will stop now. I hope this provided you all with a little info on AV and that you learnt something. :)