Herbs: A Pocket List of Conditions and Major Herbs That Support Healing
The world of herbs, herbal medicine and alternative medicine is daunting. Even more so if one has very little or no background in the understanding of plants, their usage and effects on the human body.
The use of herbal medicine has been available for thousands of years. In the beginning, before traditional medicine, herbal and natural medicine were the only alternatives and widely accepted in use and practice. Some of this knowledge has been passed down generation to generation; some of it has been documented; some of it has been lost; some of it is being researched.
Herbal treatments for common ailments can be found in most herbal stores, and in some speciality sections of larger grocery chains. When I have looked upon the store shelves that are stocked with hundreds of varieties of herbs, I become confused as to what herb I should use for a particular condition. There are knowledgeable staff working in the store, but it’s still important to understand and know what herb or herbs you are seeking for the specific ailment. But, where do you start? And how do you start? Those are two good questions.
I have composed a short list of conditions listed alphabetically for ease of reference. Across the name of the condition is the major herbs which support the treatment, prevention and maintenance of healthy of the condition. This compilation includes only the most common herbs used for treating these symptoms and conditions. This list is not all inclusive and there are omissions. If there are other herbal remedies that you have heard of, or found through research, it is best to discuss this with your naturopath or homeopath and medical doctor. Also, please contact me and I will update this list.
In many cities and countries, the melding of alternative and traditional medicine has begun providing the benefit of both worlds. As such, it is important to speak to your medical doctor, homeopath and/or naturopath before changing, altering or adding to your medical treatment. The purpose of this list is to provide an organized and easily understandable reference for you, the consumer, to go forward with in meeting with your naturopath or homeopath. I, again, stress that it is important for you to keep the lines of communication open between you, your medical doctor, naturopath and homeopath to ensure the greatest level of support that you can achieve. As a team, they will provide the necessary guidance and support that you will require.
Conditions (A-C) and Major Supporting Herbs
Abscesses
Astragalus, Echinacea
AIDS
St. John’s Wort
Alcohol Abuse
Kudzu, Milk Thistle (Silymarin)
Alzheimer’s Disease
Ginkgo
Anal Fissures
Gotu Kola
Anxiety
Chamomile, Gotu Kola, Passion Flower, Valerian
Arthritis
Angelica, Astragalus, Boswellia, Cayenne,
Cilantro and Corriander, Devil’s Claw, Juniper,
Licorice, Meadowsweet, Oil of Evening Primrose,
Tumeric
Asthma
Astragalus, Coffee, Eucalyptus, Kola
Athlete’s Foot
Goldenseal
Bacterial Infections
Clove, Dill, Echinacea
Blood Clots
Garlic, Ginseng
Blood Pressure
Garlic, Hawthorn
Bronchitis
Coffee, Eucalyptus
Bruises
Allspice, Chamomile
Burns
Aloe, Astragalus, Echinacea, Gotu Kola,
Marsh Mallow, Peppermint, St. John’s Wort
Cancer
Angelica, Astragalus, Buckthorn, Cascara Sagrada,
Garlic, Ginseng, Gotu Kola, Rosemary (tea), Turmeric,
White Willow
Canker Sores
Goldenseal
Chest Congestion
Coffee, Eucalyptus, Peppermint (tea)
Cholesterol
Cayenne, Celery Seed, Garlic, Ginseng, Gugulipid
Circulation (Poor)
Cayenne, Garlic, Ginkgo Biloba, Gotu Kola, Hawthorn
Colds or Flu
Allspice, Angelica, Astragalus, Coffee, Echinacea,
Garlic, Goldenseal Root, Peppermint (tea)
Cold Sores
Balm, Cascara Sagrada, Peppermint
Colic
Cilantro and Corriander, Dill, Fennel
Colon Cancer
White Willow
Constipation
Aloe, Buckthorn, Cascara Sagrada, Psyllium,
Senna
Coughs
Angelica, Licorice, Marsh Mallow, Mullein,
Thyme, Wild Cherry Bark
Cuts
Aloe, Cilantro and Coriander, Clove, Eucalyptus,
Marsh Mallow, Sage, Thyme
Conditions (D - H) and Major Supporting Herbs
Depression (Mild)
St. John’s Wort, Valerian
Detoxification
Milk Thistle (Silymarin)
Diabetes (High Blood Sugar)
Cinnamon, Garlic
Diaper Rash
Chamomile
Diarrhea
Astragalus, Cilantro and Coriander, Cinnamon, Clove, Dill, Fennel, Ginger,
Goldenseal, Kola, Meadowsweet, Peppermint
Digestion (Poor)
Allspice, Cayenne, Chamomile, Cilantro and Coriander, Clove, Dill, Fennel,
Ginger, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sage
Dizziness (Chronic)
Ginkgo
Drowsiness
Coffee, Kola (tea)
Ears (Ringing In)
Ginkgo
Epilepsy
Gotu Kola
Esophageal Cancer
White Willow
Fatigue
Angelica, Coffee, Eleuthero (Siberian Ginseng), Panax Ginseng
Fever
Balm, Black Haw, Meadowsweet, Turmeric, White Willow
Flu
Angelica, Coffee, Echinacea, Ginger, Meadowsweet (tea)
Foot Pain (In Diabetes)
Cayenne
Fungal Infections
Cinnamon, Garlic, Goldenseal
Gas (Flatulence)
Allspice, Cilantro and Coriander, Dill, Fennel, Peppermint
Gum Disease
Cinnamon
Headache
Black Haw, Cayenne, Coffee, Kola, Meadowsweet, White Willow
Heart Disease
Cayenne, Garlic, Tea, Turmeric
Hemorrhoids
Horse chestnut, Mullein, Witch Hazel (topical)
Herpes
Balm, Cascara Sagrada, Ginseng, Licorice
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
Celery Weed, Feverfew, Garlic, Juniper, Valerian
Hyperactivity
Gotu Kola
Conditions (I - P) and Major Supporting Herbs
Impotence
Ginkgo
Immunity (Lowered)
Angelica, Echinacea, Garlic, Ginseng, Goldenseal, Marsh Mallow
Indigestion
Allspice, Balm, Chamomile, Cilantro and Coriander, Cinnamon, Dill,
Feverfew, Peppermint, Thyme
Infections
Aloe, Astragalus, Cilantro and Coriander, Echinacea, Eucalyptus,
Goldenseal, Thyme
Inflammation
Chamomile, Cilantro and Coriander, Gotu Kola, Licorice, White Willow
Insect Bites and Stings
Balm, Clove, Mullein
Insomnia
Gotu Kola, Hops, Lemon Balm, Passion Flower, Valerian
Irritable Bowel Movements
Peppermint
Jet Lag
Coffee
Joint Pain
Allspice, Cayenne
Liver Dysfunction
Ginseng, Milk Thistle (Silymarin), Turmeric
Memory Loss (Forgetfulness)
Gingko Biloba, Gotu Kola
Menstrual Irregularity and PMS
Allspice, Angelica, Balm, Black Haw, Chamomile, Don Quai, Feverfew,
Juniper, Meadowsweet, Oil of Evening Primrose, Rosemary, Thyme, Valerian
Migraines (Headaches)
Feverfew, White Willow
Morning Sickness
Ginger
Motion Sickness
Ginger
Muscle Cramps or Spasm
Valerian
Muscle Soreness
Allspice, Cayenne, Chamomile, Eucalyptus, Peppermint
Nausea
Ginger, Chamomile, Peppermint
Nervousness
Astragalus, Balm, Chamomile, Valerian
Numbness (In Legs)
Gotu Kola
Pain
Allspice, Black Haw, Cayenne, Kola, Meadowsweet, Peppermint, White Willow
Perspiration Problems
Sage
Prostate Enlargment (Benign)
Saw Palmetto, Stinging Nettle Root
Conditions (Q - Z) and Major Supporting Herbs
Rectal Cancers
White Willow
Respiratory Problems
Angelica (tea)
Shingles
Cayenne
Skin Conditions
Calendula, Chamomile (topical), Clove, Gotu Kola, Tea Tree Oil (topical)
Skin Infections
Clove
Skin Irritations
Chamomile
Skin Ulcers
Gotu Kola
Sore Throat
Goldenseal, Licorice, Marsh Mallow, Mullein, Sage
Stomach Cancer
Garlic, Ginseng, White Willow
Stomach Upset
Chamomile, Cilantro and Coriander, Cinnamon, Clove, Dill, Peppermint, Rosemary
Stress and Tension
Eleuthero, Ginseng, Kava Kava, Passion Flower, Valerian
Stroke
Garlic, White Willow
Sunburn
Aloe
Swelling
Chamomile
Toothache
Allspice, Chamomile, Clove
Tooth Decay
Cinnamon
Traveller’s Diarrhea
Clove
Ulcers
Aloe Juice, Chamomile, Cinnamon, Licorice, Meadowsweet, Turmeric
Urinary Tract Problems
Cinnamon, Cranberry, Uva Ursi
Varicose Veins
Bilberry, Gotu Kola, Horse Chestnut, Witch Hazel (topical)
Viral Diseases and Infections
Astragalus, Balm, Cascara Sagrada, Cinnamon, Clove, Echinacea, Eucalyptus,
Garlic, Ginseng, Goldenseal
Water Retention
Celery Seed, Dandelion Leaf, Tea, Uva Ursi
Wounds
Aloe, Balm, Cilantro and Coriander, Clove, Echninacea, Goldenseal, Gotu Kola,
Marsh Mallow, Mullein, Peppermint, Sage, St. John’s Wort
Yeast Infections
Cinnamon
A few last words...
The information I have provided is meant to be used as the starting point for your research on medicinal herbs. I encourage you to explore all information available for a particular herb or a group of herbs before beginning treatments. You should always consult your medical doctor, homeopath and/or naturopath before beginning any herbal treatments as they are the most informed of your condition and of the herbal treatment that you are planning on following. They will also guide you in the application and usage of the herbs to provide maximum benefit to you.
Beth100
March 4, 2010
© 2010