Herbs and Herbalism

Constituents

These are complex carbohydrates of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. They are anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and balance the nervous system. They have a fruity aroma

These are formed when units consisting of one hydrogen atom and one oxygen atom (hydroxyls) attach themselves to carbon atoms. Ethyl alcohol found in bears and wine for example. They are antiseptic and antiviral. They are usually non-toxic.

Formed by the oxidation of alcohols and often have a strong aroma. They are anti-inflammatory, anti-infectious, tonic, hypotensive, and calming and often lower body temperature. They can irritate skin

Originally they were thought to be bitter alkaline compounds, hence the name

Group of basic organic compounds

These contain nitrogen; the original meaning meant “vegetable alkali”

They tend to have a strong effect on various body tissues.

Many have a direct effect on the body’s nervous and circulatory system

Their function within a plant is not known apart from as a nitrogen store

Many are poisonous.

Properties: astringent, emetic, expectorant, nervine, respiratory tonic, stimulant

Capsicum

Ephedra

Golden seal

Lobelia

Valerian

All plants containing these are effective purgatives and stimulate the colon. They encourage bowel movements 8-10 hours later

Most are volatile oils and phenolic in nature

They can be identified by crushing the plant and smelling (not always pleasant smelling)

They taste hot or spicy and pungent

They can be divided into two sub categories

These often help the respiratory, digestive and circulatory system.

Often used within teas

They have a short shelf life as they often come from the soft part of the plant.

Properties: analgesic, antipyretic, antiasthmatic, antibiotic, antiseptic, carminative, diaphoretic, expectorant, Galactogogue, parasiticide, rubefacient, stimulant, stomachic

Capsicum

Catnip

Damiana

Fennel

Feverfew

Garlic

Ginger

Lemon grass

Penny royal

Peppermint

Sage

Thyme

These often help the respiratory, digestive, circulatory and nervous systems

Most are roots which must be bruised in order to release the odour 

They are used in teas or capsules

Properties: analgesic, antipyretic, antiasthmatic, antibiotic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, nervine, sedative, stomachic

Catnip

Chamomile

Cramp bark

Dong Quai

Ginger

Hops

Lady’s slipper

Lobelia

Sarsparilla

Scullcap

Valerian

These contain tannins

They have an astringent and often bitter taste but have a constipating effect

Properties: analgesic, antiseptic, antiabortive, astringent, emmenagogue, hemostatic, styptic

Bayberry

Comfrey

Crampbark

Eyebright

Golden Sea

Mullein

Penny Royal

Peppermint

Slippery elm

White oak

Yarrow

These leave a bitter taste in the mouth. It sends a message to the stomach and liver to increase activity. This is why bitters are sometimes used as an aperitif. They have a laxative or diuretic effect

They contain phenols, phenolic glycosides, alkaloids or saponins

These contain anthraquinones

They only affect the digestive system

Properties: alterative, anticatarrhal, antipyretic, cholagogue, laxative, purgative, hepatonic, sialagogue, vermifuge

Aloe

Barberry

Cascara

Gentian

Golden seal

Liquorice

Pumpkin

Safflowers

Senna

Yucca

They exert an irritant action caused by the phenolic derivatives known as flavonoids

Properties: alterative, antibiotic, anticatarrhal, antipyretic, antiseptic, diuretic, lithotriptic

Asparagus

Blessed thistle

Burdock

Butcher’s broom

Buchu

Chaparral

Chickweed

Cornsilk

Dandelion

Dog grass

Grapevine

Hawthorn

Horsetail

Juniper berries

Nettle

Parsley

Uva ursi

These can produce a frothing aqueous solution 

Saponin is derived from the Latin “sapo” meaning soap. They are a steroid or triterpene fat soluble base molecule is joined to a water soluble sugar molecule

They have a detergent effect resulting in the emulsification of fat-soluble molecules in the digestive tract.

They are noted for their haemolytic properties –they dissolve the cell walls of red blood cells and disrupt them. However when taken orally they are fairly harmless or not digested.

They accelerative the body’s ability to absorb other active compounds.

Some are diuretic and antispasmodic

Properties: alterative, anticatarrhal, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, cardiac stimulant, emmenagogue

Alfalfa

Cohosh black

Cohosh blue

Devil’s claw

Ginseng

Liquorice

Wild yam root

These are complex organic compounds bound to sugars

They have a strong effect on the heart increasing the strength and power of the heart without increasing the amount of oxygen needed. They are reduce blood pressure by transferring the fluids from the tissue and circulatory system to the urinary tract.

Most are poisonous

Coumarin compounds phenylopropane produce a odour similar to freshly mown hay. They produce metabolites, di-coumarol and anti clotting agent betgapten.

These are a form of glycosides in which the aglycone is a cyanohydrine compound in sugar.

They are relaxants, sedatives, purgatives and antispasmodic actions.

These are phenolic derivatives and are often found with water-soluble vitamins especially vitamin c. They have a wide range of effects on the body.

Often coloured yellow or orange and bound to sugars

They were originally used as dyes and they medicinally properties not discovered until the 1900s

They have various actions such as antispasmodic, diuretic, and lowering blood pressure.

These contain bonded sulphur

When they are used as a poultice they provide relief to joints

These are a plant metabolism when hydrolysed they divide into two parts, one half is sugars (fructose or glucose) the glycone component; the other is a non-sugar component (aglycone).

They are associated with enzymes occurring in different cells throughout other parts of the plant.

They are the most toxic but most effective part of plant medicine.

A sole oxygen atom attached to a carbon atom to form a unit that then joins with a hydrocarbon compound. They are calming and a sedative. Many are neurotoxic.

Lactone

They help lower temperature and alleviate catarrh. May be photosensitive.

These have a sweet, slippery texture. They are amorphous mixtures of polysaccharides (large sugar molecules). They often swell in water.

They are often demulcent and emollient

All plants produce mucilage in order to store water as hydrates and as a food reserve.

Mucilage are not broken down by the human digestive system but absorb toxins from the bowel and give bulk to the stool.

They are most effective as poultices and knitting agents and in the digestive tract 

They speed up bowel transit time, absorb toxins, regulates intestinal flora and have a demulcent/vulnerary action

Properties: antibiotic, antacid, demulcent, detoxifier, emollient, vulnerary

Althea

Aloe

Burdock

Comfrey

Dandelion

Enchinacea

Fenugreek

Kelp

Mullein

Psyllium

Slippery elm

A hydroxyl unit attached to a ring of carbon atoms. They are strong antiseptics, bactericides and often stimulate the nervous system and immune system.

Resins

These are the product of the sap from certain trees. Most have anti-septic properties.

These have a soapy feel to them. Their name comes from the Latin “sapo” meaning soap.

They consist of two types triterpenoid and steroidal.

They are strong expectorants, diuretics and anti-inflammatory

These cause an astringent action. As they interact with proteins and some other chemicals in the body they produce a protective lining on the skin and mucous membranes.

They are used to tan leather, produce ink etc

They are phenolic compounds combined with sugars

Nearly all plants produce them in the roots and bark. Sometimes they are also produced in the leaves. The plant uses them to protect itself from parasite, insect and fungal attack

There are two groups hydrolysable tannins and condensed tannins

They are made up of varying numbers of isoprene units. They generally are weak in effect but complement more powerful oils

These are oils which are lost if the plant is heated too much.

Most are based on simple molecules like isoprene or isopentane that can combine in many different ways to form terpenes containing multiples of the basic 5-carbon molecules.

Volatile tend to be found in the most aromatic plants. –Sometimes a plant contains over 50 different oils.

By extracting these oils we produced essential oils

Some volatile oils contain volatile alkaloids such as valerotropes in valerian and capsaicin in capsicum

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