Archives for "Herbal encyclopedia"

Tussilago farfara
Compositae

Citations

Names : Coughwort, Horsehoof, Foals Foot.
Habitat : A common wild plant in Britain and Europe, growing in damp places.
Collection : The flowers should be gathered before they have fully bloomed (end of February to April) and dried carefully in the shade. The leaves are best collected between May and June. They should be chopped up before they are dried and stored. The fresh leaves can be used until autumn.
Part Used : Dried flowers and leaves.

Constituents : o Flanonoids; rutin, hyperoside and isoquercetin

o Mucilage, consisting of polysaccharides based on glucose, galactose, fructose,
arabinose and xylose; and inulin
o Pyrrolizidine alkaloids, including senkirkine and tussilagine
o Tannin.

Actions : Expectorant, anti-tussive, anti-spasmodic, demulcent, anti-catarrhal, diuretic.
Indications : Coltsfoot combines a soothing expectorant effect with an anti-spasmodic action. There are useful levels of zinc in the leaves. This mineral has been shown to have marked anti-inflammatory effects. Coltsfoot may be used in chronic or acute bronchitis, irritating coughs, whooping coughs and asthma. Its soothing expectorant action gives Coltsfoot a role in most respiratory conditions, including the chronic states of emphysema. As a mild diuretic it has been used in cystitis. The fresh bruised leaves can be applied to boils, abscesses and suppurating ulcers.

Priest & Priest tell us that it is a diffusive expectorant, sedative and demulcent: suitable for debilitated and chronic conditions, especially where there is a tubercular diathesis. They give the following specific indications : chronic pulmonary conditions, chronic emphysema and silicosis, pertussis, asthma.

Kings says that It relieves irritation of the mucous tissues. The decoction is usually administered in doses of from l to 3 or 4 fluid ounces and has been found useful in coughs, asthma, whooping cough, laryngitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis, and other pulmonary affections; in gastric and intestinal catarrh; and said to be useful in scrofula. The powdered leaves form a good errhine for giddiness, headache, nasal obstructions. Used externally, in form of poultice, to scrofulous tumors.

Combinations : In the treatment of coughs it may be used with White Horehound, Mullein or Elecampane.
Preparations & Dosage : Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto l-2 teaspoonfuls of the dried flowers of leaves and let infuse for l0 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day, as hot as possible. Tincture: take 2-4 ml of the tincture three times a day.

Stellaria media
Caryophyllaceae

Citations

Habitat : A common weed, it grows everywhere in moist places and frequently in gardens.
Collection : This common weed can be collected in spring, but may be found throughout the year.
Part Used : Dried aerial parts.

Constituents : o Saponin glycosides
o Coumarins and hydroxycoumarins
o Flavonoids
o Carboxylic acids
o Triterpenoids
o Vitamin C, about l50-350mg per l00g.

Actions : Anti-rheumatic, vulnerary, emollient.
Indications : Chickweed is commonly used as an external remedy for cuts, wounds and especially for itching and irritation. If eczema or psoriasis causes this sort of irritation, Chickweed may be used with benefit. Internally it has a reputation as a remedy for rheumatism.
Kings Dispensatory gives the following uses: Chickweed appears to be a cooling demulcent. I have seen the fresh leaves bruised and applied as a poultice to indolent, intractable ulcers of the leg, of many years standing, with the most decided and immediately beneficial results; to be changed 2 or 3 times a day. In acute ophthalmia, the bruised leaves will likewise be found a valuable application. An ointment, made by bruising fresh leaves in fresh lard, may be used in many forms of cutaneous disease. A tincture of Stellaria media has been extolled in some quarters as a remedy for rheumatic pains of a fugative and shifting character.

Combinations : Chickweed makes an excellent ointment when combined with Marshmallow.
Preparations & Dosage : Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto 2 teaspoonfuls of dried herb and leave to infuse for 5 minutes. This may be drunk three times a day. Fresh Chickweed may be made into a Green Drink by placing a handful of the fresh plant into the blender with pineapple juice, blend and strain. To ease itching, a strong infusion of the fresh plant makes a useful addition to the bath water.

Eupatorium perfoliatum
Compositae

Citations

Names : Feverwort
Habitat : N. America
Collection : Boneset should be collected as soon as the flowers open in August or September.
Part Used : Dried aerial parts

Constituents : o Sesquiterpene lactones ; eupafolin, euperfolitin, eufoliatin, eufoliatorin,
euperfolide, eucannabinolide and helenalin
o Immunostimulatory polysaccharides, mainly 4-0-methylglucuroxylans
o Flavonoids; quercitin, kaempferol, hyperoside, astragalin, rutin, eupatorin
& others
o Miscellaneous: diterpenes – dendroidinic acid, hebenolide; sterols; volatile oil.

Actions : Diaphoretic, bitter, laxative, tonic, anti-spasmodic, carminative, astringent.
Indications : Boneset is one the best remedies for the relief of the associated symptoms that accompany influenza. It will speedily relieve the aches and pains as well as aid the body in dealing with any fever that is present. Boneset may also be used to help clear the upper respiratory tract of mucous congestion. Its mild aperient activity will ease constipation. It may safely be used in any fever and also as a general cleansing agent. It may provide symptomatic aid in the treatment of muscular rheumatism.

Priest & Priest tell us that it is a stimulating, tonic and antispasmodic diaphoretic; indicated for influenzal epidemics and febrile conditions arising in marshy districts. Acts upon the gastro-hepatic organs and promotes secretion and excretion of bile. They give the following specific indications: Influenzal colds & fevers with night sweats and aching bones. Pulmonary inflammation/catarrh with cough and chest soreness. Post-influenzal gastric irritation with biliousness and constipation. Skin diseases & eruptive fevers of hepatic origin.

It is worth quoting from Kings American Dispensatory at length here: As a tonic, it is useful in remittent, intermittent, and typhoid fevers, dyspepsia, and general debility. In intermittent fever, a strong infusion, as hot as can be comfortably swallowed, is administered for the purpose of vomiting freely. This is also attended with profuse diaphoresis, and sooner or later by an evacuation of the bowels. During the intermission, the cold infusion or extract is given every hour as a tonic and antiperiodic. The chill and succeeding fever is slight, the skin dry, and not,as a rule, followed by perspiration; there are pains in the bones, praecordial oppression, and great thirst. If, however, the case is one in which the fever lasts all day, a slight sweating may follow at night. Another indication in ague is vomiting, especially of much bile. Eupatorium given as above, or sometimes in small doses, may relieve headache of intermittant character when the intermissions are irregular. In epidemic influenza the warm infusion is valuable as an emetic and diaphoretic, likewise in febrile diseases, catarrh, colds, with hoarseness and pleuritic pains, and wherever such effects are indicated. In infuenza it relieves the pain in the limbs and back. Its popular name boneset is derived from its well-known property of relieving the deep seated pains in the limbs which accompany this disorder, and colds and rheumatism. often this pain is periosteal, and if neuralgic in character, or due to a febrile condition, Eupatorium will relieve it. But it is not a remedy for periosteal pain due to inflammation or to organic changes in the periosteum. On the other hand, when given until the patient sweats, and then continued in 5-drop doses of specific eupatorium it has relieved the severe nocturnal muscular and “bone pains” of syphilis. It is a remedy for the cough of the aged, that cough in which there is an abundance of secretion, but lack of power to expectorate. The cough of measles, common colds, of asthma, and hoarseness are also relieved by it. Unless given in excess it acts as a good tonic to the gastric functions, increasing the appetite and power of digestion. The stomach disorders of the inebriate are, in a measure corrected by the use of small, tonic doses of Eupatorium.

Combinations : In the treatment of influenza it may be combined with Yarrow, Elder Flowers, Cayenne or Ginger. With Pleurisy Root and Elecampane in bronchial conditions.
Preparations & Dosage : Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto l-2 teaspoonfuls of the dried herb and leave to infuse for l0-l5 minutes. This should be drunk as hot as possible. During fevers or the flu it should be drunk every half hour. Tincture: take 2-4ml of the tincture three times a day.