Zanthoxylum americanum (Prickly Ash)
Zingiber officinale (Ginger)
Myrica cerifera (Bayberry)
Achillea millefolium (Yarrow)
Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary)
Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgo)
 

Central circulatory stimulants:

Capsicum minimum (Cayenne)
Armoracea rusticana (Horseradish)
Arnica montana (Arnica)
Panax ginseng/quinquefolium (Ginseng)
 

Cerebral circulatory stimulants:

Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgo)
Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary)
Vinca minor (Lesser Periwinkle)
Centella/Hydrocotyl asiatica (Gotu kola)
 

Hypotensives:

Convalleria majalis (Lily of the Valley)
Rauwolfia serpentina (Snake Root)
Veratrum album (White or European Hellebore)
Veratrum viride (Green or American Hellebore)
Crataegus oxycanthoides (Hawthorn)
Allium sativum (Garlic)
Viscum album (Mistletoe)
Olea europea (Olive leaves)
Viburnum opulus (Cramp bark)
 

Hypertensives:

Ephedra sinica (Ma Huang)
Cytisus/Sarothamnus scoparius (Scotch Broom)
Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice) 
Panax ginseng/quinquefolium 
Hydrastis canadensis (Golden Seal) 
Claviceps purpurea (Ergot fungus) 
Taxus baccata (Yew)
Chelidonium majus (Greater Celandine)
Nicotine 
Caffeine
Theophylline 
Theobromine
 

Rubefacients:

Armoracea rusticana (Horseradish)
Capsicum minimum (Cayenne)
Brassica alba/nigra (White/Black Mustard)
Juniperus communis (Juniper)

Crataegus oxycanthoides (Hawthorn) 
Urginea maritima (Squill) 
Asclepias spp. (Milkweeds) 
Nerium oleander (Oleander)
Apocynum cannabinum (Dogbane) 
Cereus grandiflorus (Night Blooming Cactus)
Leonurus cardiaca (Motherwort)
Convalleria majalis (Motherwort)
Cytisus scoparius (Scotch broom)
 

Diuretics:

Cytisus scoparius (Scotch broom)
Juniperus communis (Juniper) 
Armoracea rusticana (Horseradish)
Achillea millefolium (Yarrow)
Nerium oleander (Oleander)
 

Anticoagulants:

Allium sativum (Garlic)
Melilotus officinalis (Melilot)
Coumarouna odorata (Tonka beans)
Rubiaceae family eg. Galium aparine, Asperula odorata (Sweet Woodruff) and Galium triflorum (Sweet-scented Bedstraw)
 

Coagulants:

Medicago sativa (Alfalfa)
Urtica dioica (Nettle)
Capsicum minimum (Cayenne)
Tnnins
 

Anti - atheroma agents:

Allium sativum (Garlic)
Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgo)
Tilia europea (Linden)
Arnica montana (Arnica)
 

Circulatory relaxants:

Viburnum opulus (Cramp bark)
Lobelia inflata (Lobelia)
Achillea millefolium (Yarrow)
Diaphoretics
 

Blood vessel tonics:

Tilia europea (Linden)
Aesculus hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut)
Calendula officinalis (Marigold)
Bellis perennis (Daisy)
Fagopyrum esculentum (Buckwheat)
Hydrastis canadensis (Goldenseal)
Crataegus oxycanthoides (Hawthorn)

Artemisia absinthium (Wormwood)
Tanacetum vulgare (Tansy)
Allium sativum (Garlic)
Ruta graveolens (Rue)
Thuja occidentalis (Arbor-vitae)
Dryopteris filix-mas (Male Fern)
Juglans nigra (Black Walnut)
Pumpkin seeds
 

Alteratives

Arctium lappa (Burdock)
Rumex crispus (Yellow Dock)
Iris versicolor (Blue Flag)
Chionanthus virginicus (Fringe Tree)
Taraxacum off. radix (Dandelion)
Berberis vulgaris (Barberry)
Trifolium pratense (Red clover)
Fumaria officinalis (Fumitory)
Larrea divaricata (Chaparrel)
 

Antiemetics 

Melissa off. (Lemon Balm)
Chamomilla recutita (Chamomile)
Ballota nigra (Black Horehound)
Mentha piperita (Peppermint)
Zingiber off. (Ginger)
 

Anti-inflammatories

Chamomilla recutita (German Chamomile)
Calendula off. (Marigold)
Salix alba/nigra (Black/White Willow)
Filipendula ulmaris (Meadowsweet)
Dioscorea villosa (Wild Yam)
Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice)
Hydrastis canadensis (Golden Seal)
Harpagophytum procumbens (Devil's Claw)
 

Antacids

Acorus calamus (Sweet Flag
Chamomilla recutita (Chamomile)
Filipendula ulmaris (Meadowsweet)
Erythrea centaurea (Centaury)
 

Anti-spasmodic

Viburnum opulus (Cramp bark)
Chamomilla recutita (German chamomile)
Zingiber off. (Ginger)
Valeriana off. (Valerian)
Mentha piperita (Peppermint)
Humulus lupulus (Hops)
Lobelia inflata (Lobelia)
 

Carminative

Pimpinella anisum (Anise)
Foeniculum off. (Fennel)
Mentha piperita (Peppermint)
Melissa off. (Lemon balm)
Chamomilla recutita (German chamomile)
Carum carvi (Caraway)
Rosmarinus off. (Rosemary)
Zingiber off. (Ginger)
Cinnamonum spp. (Cinnamon)

Agrimonia eupatoria (Agrimony)
Quercus robur (White/Red Oak)
Geranium maculatum (Cranesbill)
Potentilla spp. (Tormentil)
Capsella bursa-pastoris (Shepherd's Purse)
 

Bitters

Artemisia absinthium (Wormwood)
Gentiana lutea (Yellow Gentian)
Berberis vulgaris (Barberry)
Centaurea erythrea (Centaury)
Juniperus communis (Juniper)
Most alterative herbs
 

Demulcents

Symphytum off. (Comfrey)
Althea off. (Marshmallow)
Ulmus fulvus (Slippery Elm)
Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice)
 

Cholagogues & Choleretics

Chelone glabra (Balmony)
Curcuma longa (Turmeric)
Fumaria officinalis (Fumitory)
All bitters and alteratives
 

Emetics

Lobelia inflata (Lobelia)
Ipecachuana cephaelis (Ipecac)
Urginea maritima (Squills)
 

Liver tonics

All bitters, alteratives and cholagogues.
Carduus marianus (Milk thistle)
Cynara scolymus (Artichoke)
Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice)
Curcuma longa (Turmeric)
 

Laxatives

Taraxacum off. radix (Dandelion root)
Linum usitatissimum (Flax)
Rhamnus purshiana (Cascara) 
Plantago psyllium (Psyllium/Ispaghula)
Arctium lappa (Burdock)
Rumex crispus (Yellow dock)
Rheum spp. (Rhubarb)
 

Sialagogues

All bitters
Echinacea spp. 
Zanthoxylum americanum (Prickly Ash)
Zingiber off. (Ginger)
 

Stomach tonics

Erythrea centaurea (Centaury)
Acorus calamus (Sweet flag)
Filipendula ulmaris (Meadowsweet)

Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice)
Borago officinalis (Borage)
Panax ginseng (Korean ginseng)
Eleutherococcus sentocosis (Siberian ginseng)
Panax quinquefolium (American ginseng)
Withania somnifera (Ashwaganda)
 

The Thyroid Gland:

Fucus vesiculosis (Kelp)
Lycopus europeus/virginicus (Bugleweed)
Stachys sylvatica (Hedge woundwort) 
Cereus grandiflorus (Nightblooming cactus)
Hydrastis canadensis (Goldenseal)
Phytolacca spp. (Pokeroot)
Iris versicolor (Blue flag)
Leonurus cardiaca (Motherwort)
Verbana officinalis (Blue vervain)

Vitex agnus-castus (Chaste berry)
Stachys betonica (Wood betony)
 

The Pancreas:

Galega officinalis (Goats rue)
Allium cepa (Onion)
Syzygium cumini/Eugenia jambolana (Jambul)
Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice)
 

General stimulants of glandular activity:

Verbena off./hastata (Blue vervain)
Foeniculum vulgaris (Fennel)
Phytolacca spp. (Pokeroot)
Borago off. (Borage)

Eupatorium perfoliatum (Boneset)
Capsicum minimum (Cayenne)
Sambucus niger (Elder)
Zingiber officinalis (Ginger)
Achillea millefolium (Yarrow)
Nepeta cataria (Catnip)
 

Anti-inflammatories

Myrica cerifera (Bayberry)
Chamomilla recutita (Chamomile)
Harpagophytum procumbens (Devils Claw)
Calendula officinalis (Marigold)
Bupleurum falcatum (Chinese Thoroughwax)
Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice)
Dioscorea villosa (Wild Yam)
 

Immuno-modulators

Echinacea angustifolia/purpureum (Echinacea)
Galium aparine (Cleavers)
Phytolacca decandra (Pokeroot)
Ligusticum porteri (Osha)
Viscum album (Mistletoe)
Usnea spp. (Usnea)
Astragalus membranceous (Milk vetch)
Grifolia frondosas (Chicken of the woods)
Auricularia auricula (Wood ear)
Cordyceps sinensis/ophioglossides (Deer fungus parasite)
Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi)
Lentinus edodes (Shiitake)
Tremella mesenterica (Witch's butter)
Trametes versicolor (Turkey tails)

Allium sativum (Garlic)
Baptisia tinctoria (Wild Indigo)
Commiphora mol (Myrrh)
Thymus vulgaris (Thyme)
Origanum vulgare (Marjoram)
Berberis vulgaris (Barberry)
Berberis aquifolium (Oregon Grape)
Hydrastis canadensis (Goldenseal)
Mentha piperita (Peppermint)
Armillaria mellea (Honey mushroom)
Lomatium dissectum (Lomatium)
Lavandula
Rosmarinus essential oils + many more
Thymus 
Malaelucca
Grapefruit seed extract
 

Anti-catarrhals

Euphrasia nemorosa or spp. (Eyebright). 
Salvia officinalis (Sage)
Hydrastis canadensis (Golden seal)
Solidago virgaurea (Golden rod)
Plantago major/lanceolata (Plantain)
Glechoma hederacea (Ground ivy)
Baptisia tinctoria (Wild Indigo)
Ephedra sinesis (Ma Huang)
 

Anti-allergenics

Chamomilla recutita (German chamomile)
Ephedra sinica (Ma Huang)
Astragalus membranaceous (Milk vetch)
Urtica dioica (Nettle)

Allium sativum (Garlic)
Agathosma/Barosma betulina (Buchu)
Thymus vulgaris (Thyme)
Juniperus communis (Juniper)
Arctostaphyllos uva-ursi (Bearberry)
Chimaphilla umbellata & spp. (Pipsissewa)
All phenolic volatile oil constituents
 

Tonic herbs:

Achillea millefolium (Yarrow)
Equisetum arvense (Horsetail)
Hydrastis canadensis (Goldenseal)
Hypericum perforatum (St. John's wort)
Alchemilla/Aphanes arvensis (Parsley piert)
Parietaria diffusa (Pellitory of the wall)
Glechoma hederacea (Ground Ivy)
Plantago major/lanceolata (Plantain)
 

Anticatarrhal herbs:

Solidago virgaurea (Golden Rod)
Galium aparine (Cleavers)
Plantago major/lanceolata (Plantain)
Glechoma hederacea (Ground Ivy)
Hydrastis canadensis (Goldenseal)

Eupatorium purpureum (Gravel root)
Rubia tinctoria (Madder)
Betula alba (Silver birch)
Apium graveolens (Celery)
 

Demulcent herbs:

Agropyron repens (Couch grass)
Althea off. (Marshmallow leaf or root)
Zea mays (Corn silk)
 

Anti-spasmodic herbs:

Viburnum opulus (Cramp bark)
Hyoscyamus niger (Henbane)
Valeriana officinalis (Valerian)
Lobelia inflata (Lobelia)

A diuretic is a substance that will increase the volume of urine produced, in healthy or unhealthy kidneys, by promoting the excretion of salts and water.

Common allopathic diuretics include the Thiazide group, frusemide, and spironolactone.

They are used to reduce oedema especially in heart, liver or kidney disorders, to treat high blood pressure, and occasionally to treat glaucoma.

In the folkloric tradition of healing with herbs practically all herbs are classed as diuretics. This erroneous opinion probably arose from the fact that any fluid taken in volume will increase fluid output - in this sense even water can be regarded as a diuretic. In fact, true herbal diuretics are considerably more limited in number than this.
 

Herbal diuretics may work in 3 ways:

1)By irritating the kidneys so that they try to flush away the offending substance. Armoracea rusticana and Juniperus communis act in this way.

2)By osmotic pressure of unmetabolized sugars being excreted in the urine. Agropyron repens & Zea Mays act in this way.

3)By increasing the renal blood flow and hence the glomerular filtration rate. Up to a certain point any excess glomerular filtrate can be reabsorbed from the kidney tubules, but if it is too high then the urine volume will increase. Herbs that increase the cardiac output (eg. Convalleria majalis) and herbs that stimulate peripheral circulation (eg. Zingiber officinalis, Achillea millefolium, Crataegus oxycanthoides) act in this way.

Having said that, it is interesting to note that the phytotherapist's most powerful diuretic does not act in any of the above 3 ways. Taraxacum officinalis (leaves) appear to contain an enzyme - like substance that acts on the kidneys to stimulate overall functioning. Taraxacum has the added benefit of being very high in potassium so, when using this herb as a diuretic, we never encounter the problem of potassium deficiency that can occur with allopathic diuretics.
 
 

 

MATERIA MEDICA FOR THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

Expectorants

These are herbs which help the body to remove excess mucous from the lungs. Mucous and any inhaled particles are normally voided from the lungs via the mucociliary escalator but this self-cleansing mechanism can become impeded or overloaded if there is an excessive amount of mucus or if the mucus is very thick and sticky.

1) Excessive mucous production leading to overloading of the removal mechanism and congestion in the lungs (eg. bronchitis, bronchiectasis, pneumonia.) calls for stimulating expectorants to increase the activity of the mucociliary escalator.

Most of this type of expectorant contain saponins. These stimulate the digestive system, and initiate a reflex action to stimulate the bronchial apparatus.

Inula helenium (Elecampane)
Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice)
Viola odorata (Sweet Violet)
Marrubium Vulgare (White Horehound)
Cephaelis ipecacuanha (Ipecac)
Populus balsamifera (Balsam Poplar)
Sanguinaria canadensis (Bloodroot)
Polygala senega (Snake Root)
Urginea maritima (Squill)
 

2) Production of a thick or sticky mucous which is hard to remove (eg. in inflammation or hypersensitivity), leads to an unproductive irritable cough and requires soothing or relaxing expectorants. These generally derive their action from the presence of mucilage. This relaxes the gut wall and causes a spinal reflex to embryologically related areas (eg. lungs and urinary system ) to both relax them and to encourage the production of a thin loose mucous which is more easily voided.

Tussilago farfara (Coltsfoot)
Althea officinalis (Marsh Mallow)
Plantago lanceolata (Plantain)
Symphytum officinalis (Comfrey)
Verbascum thapsus (Mullein)
Pulmonaria off. (Lungwort)
Angelica archangelica (Angelica)
Cetraria islandica (iceland Moss)
Chondrus crispus (Irish Moss)
Grindelia camporum (Gumweed)
Trigonella foenum-graecum (Fenugreek)
Hyssopus officinalis (Hyssop)
 

Anti - microbials

Allium Sativum (Garlic)
Thymus vulgaris (Thyme)
Asclepias tuberosa (Pleurisy root)
Baptisia tinctoria (Wild Indigo)
Pimpinella anisum (Anise)
Hydrastis canadensis (Goldeseal)
Echinacea spp. 
Ligusticum porteri (Osha)
Lomatium dissectum (Lomatium)
 

Respiratory tonics

Equisetum arvense (Horsetail)
Glechoma hederacea (Ground Ivy)
Hydrastis canadensis (Golden Seal)
Plantago lanceolata/major (Plantain)
Pulmonaria off. (Lungwort)
Hyssopus off. (Hyssop)
Pilosella off. (Mouse-ear Hawkweed)
 

Anti-spasmodics and broncho - relaxants

Lobelia inflata (Lobelia)
Grindelia camporum (Gumweed/Tarweed)
Angelica archangelica (Angelica root)
Ephedra sinica (Ma Huang)
Prunus serotina (Wild Cherry)
Datura stramonium (Thorn Apple)
Viburnum opulis (Cramp Bark)
Marrubium vulgare (White Horehound)
Asclepias tuberosa (Pleurisy root)
Drosera rotundifolia (Sundew)
Euphorbia hirta (Pill-bearing Spurge)
Symplocarpus foetidum (Skunk Cabbage)
 

MATERIA MEDICA FOR THE MUSCULO-SKELETAL SYSTEM

MATERIA MEDICA FOR THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

MATERIA MEDICA FOR THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM