A sample of some
of the more important medicinal plants that are always on display.
Warning many medicinal plants are extremely toxic. Never use
without consulting with your doctor.
Absinthe - Artemisia absinthium
Absinthe liqueur, made from this plant, was the first government banned substance. It is
also said that Van Gogh was addicted to the liqueur's hallucinating effect.
Autumn crocus - Colchicum autumnale
Used to alleviate the inflammation associated with gout.
Contains highly toxic alkaloids!
Belladonna - Atropa
The juice of the berry placed in the eyes causes the eye to dilate.
Doctors have used to dilate the eyes in eye exams.
Bloodroot - Sanguinaria canadensis
Has been used as a expectorant and contained in some toothpastes.
Buckthorn - Rhamnus
Aged bark is a useful mild laxative.
Castor bean - Ricinus communis
Oil used as a strong laxative. Seeds are highly toxic!
Clary-sage - Salvia Sclarea
Mucilaginous seeds have been used to cleanse the eyes. Sometimes used in perfume, soap,
and lotions.
Coltsfoot - Tussilago farfarara
One of the old herbal cough remedies.
Comfrey - Symphytum officinale
Comfrey should be used externally only. Caution: Comfrey leaves contain hepatotoxic
alkaloids. Comfrey leaves are sometimes mistaken for foxglove leaves. The most important
constituent of comfrey is the mucilage, which it contains in great abundance.
Coneflower - Echinacea purpurea
Used for recurring respiratory and urinary tract infections.
Garlic - Allium sativum
Garlic is an effective antibiotic. It has been shown that garlic can reduce high levels of
cholesterol. For best results only fresh garlic should be used.
Ginger - Zingiber officinal
It has been reported that ginger is an effective treatment for motion sickness and nausea.
Grey foxglove - Digitalis lanata
The potent cardiac glycoside digoxin is derived from the leaves.
Hops - Humulus lupulus
Hops is used for its bitter taste and as a preservative in the brewing of
beer. Dried hops have some sedative properties.
Jimson weed - Datura metel
Plant contains toxic alkaloids. At one time Jimson
weed leaves were burned and the smoke inhaled to alleviate bronchospasm.
Madagascar periwinkle - Catharanthus roseus
Vinblastine sulfate is an alkaloid extracted from Catharanthus, which has been very
successful in the treatment of childhood Leukemia and Hodgkin disease. Leurocristine,
another isolated alkaloid, is used in almost all combination chemotherapy regimens for
cancer.
Mayapple - Podophyllum peltatum
Podophyllum resin is used as a topical treatment for benign tumors.
Monkshood - Aconitum napelles
Aconitine is isolated from the monkshood rhizomes and is used as a local analgesic.
Monkshood is highly toxic if used internally.
Nightshade - Solanum dulcamara
Nightshade contains the toxic alkaloid solanine and the amorphous glucoside
dulcamarine. Solanine acts narcotically; in large doses it paralysis the central nervous
system.
Oriental poppy - Papaver orientale
Plantago - Plantago psyllium
Many of the popular laxatives contain plantago seeds known in commerce as psyllium. The
mucilaginous seeds provide both lubrication as well as bulk. Some studies have shown that
plantago seed may lower cholesterol levels.
Pot marigold - Calendula
Extracts of Calendula are incorporated into soaps, ointments, and creams. Studies have
shown that Calendula can promote wound healing.
Purple foxglove - Digitalis purpurea
The potent cardiac glycoside digitoxin is derived from the
leaves.
Rauvolfia - Indian Snakeroot
Rose apothecary - Rosa officinalis
Rose petals contain essential oil, tannins, and glycosides. The pleasant scent of
rose oil is used in many medicinal ointments and creams.
Rue - Ruta graveolens
Strong doses of rue may be toxic, never use during pregnancy . Rue contains methyl ketoes,
alkaloids and the flavoniod glycoside rutin. Rue has sedative, and antispasmodic
properties.
St.John's wort - Hypericum perforatum St.John's
Wort is becoming the most popular herbal remedy for depression, nervous unrest, and sleep
disturbances. It is being viewed as an alternative to synthetic medicines. Research has
also shown that St.John's Wort exhibits antiviral compounds that may be useful in the
treatment of AIDS- infected patients.
Valerian - Valeriana officinalis
Valerian has been used for hundreds of years as a mild tranquilizer and sleeping aid.
Witch hazel - Hamamelis virginiana
Distilled witch hazel extract is made from the dormant twigs of the plant. Many
researchers believe that extract of witch hazel leaves would make a much more effective
astringent.
Yellow foxglove - Digitalis
lutea |
