Specific Uses for Herbs and identifying Them ~ A-B

Acidophilus

Rich source of Beta-Carotene, Fights cancer, Anti-inflammatory for mucous membranes, helps regulate hormones.

Agar Agar

An algae from seaweed, it is a gelatinous natural thickener and is a natural laxative.

Agrimony

A valuable remedy for the digestive system it stimulates the digestive and liver secretions. It is also the herb of choice for appendicitis. Also treats incontinence, sore throats and laryngitis. As a salve it will aid in healing wounds and bruises.

Alder Tree

Use leaves for swelling. Especially helpful in easing pain of swollen breast or burning and aching feet. Should be avoided if pregnant.

Alfalfa

A highly nutritive herb, good for the pituitary gland, it alkalizes the body rapidly and detoxifies the liver. Essential in rebuilding decayed teeth and helps with arthritic and rheumatic pain.

Aloe Vera

Aloe supplements can be used for peptic ulcers and for gastro-intestinal health. Aloe has a moisturizing effect on the skin and is a common remedy for sunburn and skin irritation.

Angelica

Use both the root and seed. Roots and leaves are used medicinally, the stems and seeds are used in confectionery. This herb is a useful expectorant for coughs, bronchitis and pleurisy, especially when they are accompanied by fever, colds or influenza.

Aniseed

Use the dried fruit. The strong oil in Aniseed provides the basis for its internal use to ease griping, intestinal colic and flatulence. It also has an expectorant and anti-spasmodic action and may be used in bronchitis, in tracheitis where there is persistent irritable coughing, and in whooping cough. The oil itself can be the base for an ointment to help control lice and the oil can be used directly in the control of lice.

Apple Tree

Use the bark to create a tonic that will treat gravel in the bladder and also aid in reducing fever.

Arnica

Not to be taken internally, this is an excellent treatment for bruises and sprains. Will also help relieve rheumatic pain as well as pain and inflammation of phlebitis.

Arrowroot

Use as a demulcent and nutritive food for urinary and bowel affections in infants and invalids in convalescence.

Agrimony

Used for all digestive disorders.

Astragalus

Widely used in Chinese Medicine, it boosts the immune system. Use for anything from the common cold to cancer.

Aveno Sativa Extract

Acts as a tonic to the heart, nerves, and thymus gland useful in treating depression, nervous exhaustion, shingles, herpes, menopausal symptoms.

Barberry Bark

Promotes the secretion of bile. Has been used for bad breath, digestion, and sore throat.

Balm

Also known as Lemon Balm, Sweet Balm or Melissa. Using the green leaves and flowers, balm is a natural deterrent to perspiration, will also bring boils to a head, is useful for stings and toothache as well as flatulence and digestion.

Balm of Gilead

Also known as Poplar buds and Balsam Poplar. Bark and leaves are used to alleviate discomfort of cough colds, lung trouble and kidneys. Secondary, the buds can be used as a tea for gargling making it an excellent remedy for sore throats, coughs and laryngitis.

Balmony

Also known as Bitter Herb, Snake Head, Turtle Head or Turtle Broom. Good for the liver, stomach and used in the treatment of eczema. Also used in treatment of gall stones, inflammation of the gall-bladder and in jaundice. It stimulates the appetite, eases colic, dyspepsia and biliousness and is helpful in debility.

Barberry

Use to correct liver function and promote the flow of bile. Also effective for the inflammation of the gall bladder due to gall stones.

Basil

Yes this is the same basil that you use in cooking. Create a tea from the dried herb to treat nausea.

Bay

Create a tonic from the leaves for strength. Also aids in digestion and cramps.

Bayberry

Also known as Candleberry, Waxberry and Wax Myrtle. Use bark, leaves and flowers. For treatment of sore throat, piles, bleeding of the stomach, lungs, bowels and very effective as a douche.

Bee Pollen

Good for allergies. Excellent as an energy food. Aids in radiation sickness, the kind people get when they undergo radiation therapy for cancer.

Beet Root (Red)

A liver and spleen cleanser. It reactivates a sluggish liver. Should be taken in small amounts.

Bergamot

Useful for soothing the stomach and flatulence.

Betony

Useful as a blood purifier, also effective for epilepsy, jaundice and colic.

Birch

Leaves are an effective treatment for cystitis and other urinary infections. Also good for gout, arthritic pain and rheumatism.

Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus)

contains nutrients needed to protect eyes from eyestrain or fatigue, and can improve circulation to the eyes. Bilberry tea is administered to treat stomach problems and soothe the digestive tract.

Bitter Root

Use the root for fever, liver problems, bowels, gallstones diabetes and ailments involving mucous membranes.

Bitter Sweet

Use root and twig for purifying blood, treating ailments of the liver, pancreas, spleen, glandular organs, piles, jaundice, burns skin and fever.

Blackberry

Use the bark of the root and rhizome. A safe, gentle remedy that can be used for diarrhea, dysentery and externally for skin eruptions and burns.

Black Catechu

Effective treatment for diarrhea, dysentery and as a local application for sore mouths and gums.

Black Cohosh

Also known as Black Snakeroot, Bugbane, Rattleroot, Rattleweed, Squawroot. The dried root is the part used. This is a powerful relaxant as well as being extremely effective with easing painful menstrual cramps. Ovarian cramps will be relieved as well as bringing on a delayed menstrual cycle. It is also effective in the treatment of arthritis, osteo-arthritis, rheumatic pain and neurological pan. In small doses, appetite and digestion are greatly improved and is very beneficial for the nervous system in general.

Black Haw

Used the dried root. A powerful relaxant for the uterus, is used to assist in threatened miscarriage as well as false labor pains. Also good for reducing blood pressure

Black Root

Relieves liver congestion, jaundice and for an inflamed gall-bladder..

Black Walnut Hulls

Expels parasites and tape worms. Rich in manganese which is important for nerves, brain and cartilage. Also used for many kind so skin diseases.

Blessed Thistle

Excellent for hormone balance. Helps in all types of female disorders. Good for migraine headaches by improving on taking oxygen to the brain.

Blood Root

Also known as Red Root, Red Indian Paint and Tetterwort. The part of the plant that is used is the dried rhizome (root). It is effective for the treatment of bronchitis easing the bronchial muscles. Also proven effective for the treatment of asthma, croup and laryngitis.

Blue Cohosh

Also known as Papoose Root or Squawroot. Use the root and rhizome. Interesting that the secondary names pertain to women and children. This is an excellent tonic for the uterus and may be used wherever there may be a weakness. Because it has a anti-spasmodic action, it will ease false labor pains. When labor does ensue, using Blue Cohosh shortly before birth will help in an easy delivery.

Blue Flag

The part of this plant to use is the root. It is active for cancer, rheumatism, blood impurities, skin, liver and a good laxative.

Blue Violet

Relieves severe headaches and congestion.

Bogbean

Useful for treatment of rheumatism, osteo-arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Also has a stimulating effect on the walls of the colon and digestive juices.

Boneset

Boneset is one of the best remedies for the relief of symptoms that come with the flue. It will quickly relieve the aches and pains as well as help to reduce fever.

Borage

Effective treatment for kidneys, ringworm, mouth sores and the blood. It is highly recommended after any treatment with cortisone or steroids as it will revive and renew the adrenal glands over time.

Bromelain

Said to flush fat from the body by naturally stimulating your metabolism and ridding your body of excess fluids.

Buchu

Use the leaves to treat urinary ailments as well as kidney, bladder, perspiration and prostate illness.

Bugleweed

Bugleweed is specific for over-active thyroid glands where there is tightness of breath, palpitations and shaking. Good for the central nervous system.

Buckthorn Bark

Acts as a mild, yet reliable and effective laxative. It also works again gout and dropsy.

Burdock

Also known as Lappa and Beggars Buttons. The part of the plant that is used is the rhizome. This is a bitter herb, but very effective for the treatment of skin diseases such as dry and scaly skin and when used over a long period of time can be helpful in the treatment of psoriasis.

Butternut

Also known as Butternut, White Walnut, Lemon Walnut, Oilnut. It influences, with great energy, the liver, small intestines, colon and rectum, causing and increased manufacture and elimination of bile, as well as increased activity of the glands of the intestinal tract.