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. 

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

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

 

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

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

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