THE GUIDE TO HERBS
CORN SILK
Zea mays
Combined with agrimony and made into a tea it is used to treat bed-wetting; alone it treats cystitis.
COUCH GRASS
Agropyron repens
Possessing antibiotic qualities, it acts as an antiseptic diuretic.
CRANESBILL (AMERICAN)
Geranium maculatum
Useful in cases of diarrhoea, haemorrhoids, peptic ulcers, and haemorrhaging in the digestive tract. It can be used as a mouthwash for mouth ulcers and sore throats. It is also used in treatment of thrush.
DANDELION
Taraxum officinale
Dandelion affects the kidneys, gallbladder, liver, pancreas and blood and contains the actives taraxcin, the monohydric alcohols taraxasterol and homotaraxasterol, fatty acid, sugar and insulin.
Dandelion would be one of the most prescribed herbs today, and its main use would be for liver complaints or as a diuretic. Dandelion stimulates the liver increasing its detoxifying action. Because of this action Dandelion is a valuable blood purifying herb and may be used in some skin diseases. Dandelion is also a very useful diuretic being much safer than juniper berry as it is non-irritant to the kidneys. The dandelion leaves can be eaten as part of a salad and will help prevent liver problems and gallstones. The dried roots are used to make a coffee substitute.
DEVIL’S CLAW
Harpagophytum procumbens
Devil’s Claw in used to treat inflammation of joints, as in arthritis, and also for mild analgesic properties. It is used to treat tennis elbow and when anti-inflammatory medicine is needed.
DILL
Anethum graveolens
Used fresh as a flavouring with potatoes, eggs, chicken, and fish, the seeds can be made into a tea to ease indigestion and in particular babies’ colic.
Angelica sinensis
Dong quai can be used in the treatment of most female gynaecological ailments, in particular menstrual cramps, irregularity, a delayed flow during menstrual period. It also can be successfully used to treat hot flushes that often accompany menopause. It is nourishing to the blood, being rich in vitamin E and vitamin B12 and is also useful in the treatment of anaemia as well as being a valuable blood purifier.
Dong quai is also very useful in combination with other herbs such as black cohosh, queen of the meadow, red raspberry and bless thistle. I have found this combination excellent in the treatment of hormone imbalance and menopause problems.
ECHINACEA
Echinacea augustifolia
This herb is used both internally and externally, for boils, acne, abscesses, severe bites, septicaemia, fevers, and in some cases it has been used to treat cancer. A dilator of peripheral blood vessels, it can also be used in prevention of viruses.
ELDER FLOWER
Sambuccus nigra
The flowers of the black elder are used as an ingredient in eye lotion and for skin complaints. They are mainly used to treat colds, sinus, chronic nasal catarrh with deafness, throat infections, and in combination with other herbs, it is used to treat constipation, diarrhoea, bronchitis, cystitis, and fluid retention.
EPHEDRA
Ephedra silica
Used in bronchial asthma, hayfever, skin complaints, purifying the blood, urticaria. It contains the alkaloid ephedrine.
EUCALYPTUS
Eucalyptus globulus
The Tasnunian blue gum’s oil is used externally for burns, cuts, ulcers, and sores. Inhaled, it clears the nose and lungs, aids bronchitis and asthma, and as a lozenge it relieves sore throats. It has a strong aroma, and acts as an antiseptic and disinfectart.
EUPHORBIA
Euphorbiahirta
Relaxes the bronchi and is used to treat asthma. The latex is used to treat warts.
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