The Herbs of Herbal Medicine
Here is a list of some herbs and plants used as herbal medicine, including their health benefits and how they can help you with whatever condition or health issue you may have.
Herbs/Plants |
Health Benefits |
| Agrimony | Used as an anti-inflammatory; antibiotic; astringent; also good for digestive disorders. |
| Alder Buckthorn | Bark can be used as a laxative. |
| Alfalfa | Nutritive with high mineral and vitamin content; lowers cholesterol. |
| Alkanet | Has been used as an expectorant and as an emollient. |
| Aloe (Aloe Vera) | Used for minor wounds and burns. Dried leaves can be used as a strong laxative. Widely used in cosmetics and commonly used in gel form on the skin primarily for its emollient (skin softening) property. |
| Angelica | Calming digestive disturbances; stimulates the appetite; alleviates coughs. |
| Anise | Can be used to relieve gas pains. |
| Apples | Used for bladder trouble; liver; diarrhoea; tooth decay; and loss of appetite. |
| Apricots | Detoxifies the liver and pancreas. |
| Asparagus | Helps with urinary problems and fatty tumors. |
| Beet | Excellent liver and blood cleansers and purifier; good for nerves and anaemia. |
| Bell Peppers | Good for eyes and indigestion. |
| Blackberry | Good for diarrhoea and colon problems. |
| Blueberry | Feeds the pancreas; good for sugar problems |
| Cabbage | For vitamin C; tissue builder; removes toxins; helps with digestion. |
| Celandine | Excellent liver and blood cleansers and purifier. |
| Cantaloupe | Good for complexion and digestion. |
| Carrots | For eyes, blood, lymph, skin and digestion. |
| Cascara Sagrada | Purgative; laxative. |
| Cayenne (Capsicum Annuum) | Systematic stimulant that stimulates blood flow, strengthening the heartbeat and metabolic rate. Helpful for circulatory and digestive systems. Externally used for rheumatic pains. |
| Celery | Good for arthritis; heart; indigestion; colds and skin problems. |
| Chamomile | Pleasant tasting tea, good for digestion. |
| Chaste Tree (Chasteberry) | Menstrual regulator; improves circulation and tone of female organs; promotes progesterone production. |
| Cherries | A good blood cleanser; also used for gout. |
| Crab Apple | For Vertigo. |
| Cranberry | Good for kidneys and asthma. |
| Dandelion | Excellent diuretic and liver cleanser. |
| Dong Quai | Menstrual regulator. |
| Echinacea | Relief for common cold and flu. External wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties. |
| Feverfew | Fever reduction and migraine relief. |
| Garlic | Antibiotic, antifungal and antiviral activity used to help clear congested lungs, coughs and bronchitis, intestinal worms, dysentery, sinus congestion, certain ulcers, gout, and rheumatism. Cardiovascular benefits and chemo preventive properties. |
| Ginger | For indigestion and gas pain; helps in relieving morning sickness; a general stimulant. Popular for anti-nausea and anti-motion sickness. |
| Ginkgo | Used in treatment of disturbances to peripheral circulation, cerebral dysfunction, heart and eye diseases and accidents involving brain trauma. |
| Ginseng | Has antioxidant, antihepatotoxic (liver protecting) and hypoglycaemic effects. |
| Ginseng, American | Used as a stimulant; can be used to prevent stress; to fight colds. |
| Goldenseal | Tonic remedy with antimicrobial activity. Externally used for eczema, ringworm, itching, earache and conjunctivitis. |
| Hawthorn | Heart tonic used in conjunction with pharmaceutical drugs such as Digoxin in treatment of heart-related conditions. |
| Hops | Approved use in conditions such as nervous tension, excitability, restlessness and sleep disturbances. Appetite stimulant. |
| Liquorice | Anti-inflammatory action. Can be used in treatment of peptic ulceration and gastritis. |
| Milk Thistle | Excellent liver and blood cleansers and purifier. |
| Mistletoe, American | Used in folk medicine to reduce blood pressure and as a sedative. |
| Nettles | An astringent and alkalising diuretic; good nutritive and high mineral content. |
| Oregon Grape | Excellent liver and blood cleansers and purifier. |
| Passion Flower | Mildly sedative properties. Often used together with hawthorn as antispasmodics for digestive spasms in cases of gastritis and colitis. |
| Peppermint | Digestive aid. Externally used for muscle and nerve pain. |
| Raspberry | Relieves nausea and improves digestion; improves uterine tone and blood supply; increases milk production |
| Sarsaparilla | Serves as a precursor for hormone production. |
| Saw Palmetto | Acts to tone and strengthen the male reproductive system. |
| Senna | Laxative. |
| St John's Wort | Remedy for anti-inflammatory, wound-healing nervine, valued for its mild sedative and pain-reducing properties. |
| Valerian | Nighttime sleep aid. |
| Wild Yam | Antispasmodic; relieves spasm or cramping of smooth muscle; hormone precursor. |
| Witch Hazel | Easing of internal and external bleeding. |
| Yellow Dock | Blood cleanser; helpful in anaemia. |
Vitamins & Minerals on Herbs
And this is a list of vitamins & minerals that herbal medicine are rich of that can help with different conditions you may have.
Vitamins & Minerals |
What They Do |
| Vitamin A | Boosts immune system; helps protect against cancer; keeps skin healthy; improves eyesight |
| Vitamin B's | Improves mental attitude; protects against stress; keeps muscles, the nervous system and heart functioning well; also aids in digestion; promotes growth |
| Vitamin C | Helps immune system fight viruses and bacteria; prevents colds; heals wounds; decreases blood cholesterol |
| Vitamin E | Acts as an antioxidant, helping to protect cells from the damage caused by free radicals |
| Calcium | Vital in the formation of strong bones and teeth; also important for muscle growth and contraction; provides energy and participates in the activation of several enzymes; aids in deterring nervousness, brittle nails, hypertension, aching joints, increased cholesterol levels, and insomnia |
| Chromium | Involved in the metabolism of glucose needed for energy; vital in the synthesis of cholesterol, fats and protein; maintains stable blood sugar levels through proper insulin utilization. |
| Copper | Aids in the formation of bone, haemoglobin, and red blood cells; works in balance with zinc and vitamin C to form elastin; involved in the healing process, energy production, hair and skin colouring, and taste sensitivity; needed for healthy nerves. |
| Magnesium | Plays a roll in muscle movement and the transmission of nerve impulses; helps the body fight stress and combats depression; promotes the conversion of sugar into energy and aid digestion |
| Potassium | Important for healthy nervous system; aid in proper muscle contraction; works with sodium to control the body's water balance; aids in maintaining blood pressure. |
| Selenium | Keeps body tissues young and elastic; helps protect against some forms of cancer; aids in the combat against arthritis. |
| Zinc | Crucial to the reproductive system; important in prostrate gland functioning; decreases cholesterol and aids in healing wounds. |
To learn more about herbal medicine and how it can help you, contact a herbalist in your area.
Originally published on Jun 08, 2008
