Herbal

Bearberry Leaves

Bearberry leaves (Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi)

Parts Used
Leaves

Components

Arbutin	Methylarbutin
Flavonoids	Tannins
Gallic acids	Egallic acids

Activities
Diuretic
Anticeptic
Prevents kidney and bladder infections
Helps reduce accumulations of uric acid

Blue Vervain

Blue vervain - Verbena officinalis

Parts Used
Leaves
Flowering heads

Components
Tannin

Activities
Astringent
Diaphoretic
Antispasmodic
Improves circulation of the blood
Improves functioning of the joints

Capsicum Fruit

Capsicum fruit - Capsicum annuum

Parts Used
Fruit, ripe and dried

Components
Capsaicin, a red coloring matter
Oleic
Palmitic acid
Stearic acid

Activities
Weak digestion and loss of appetite
Non-narcotic local stimulant

Cornsilk

Cornsilk (Zea mays)

Parts Used
Flower Pistils

Components

Maizenic acid	Fixed oil
Resin	Chlorophyll
Cellulose	Sugar-gum extractive albuminoids
Phlobaphine salt	Water

Activities
Demulcent
Diuretic
Helpful in urinary problems such as cystitis; pyelitis, oliguria
Helpful in edemous conditions

Couch Grass Leaves

Couch Grass leaves (Agropyron repens)

Parts Used
Dried rhizome
Leaves

Components

Triticin	Sugar
Inositol	Salts of potassium
Mucilage	Acidmalates
A volatile oil with antibiotic properties

Activities
Diuretic
Supports the urinary system

Damiana

Damiana - Turnera diffusa

Parts Used
Leaves

Components
A greenish volatile oil, smelling like chamomile
Amorphous bitter principle Damianin
Resins
Tannin

Activities
Stimulant
Tonic
Acts directly on the reproductive organs

Dandelion

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

Parts used
Leaves
Roots
Flowers - powdered

Components

Inulin	Taraxacin, a bitter principle
Taraxerol	Taraxerin, a acrid resin
Flavoxanthin	3,4 dioxycinnamic acid
Citric acid	Phenyloxyacetic acid
Riboflavin	Sitosterol
Sitosterin	Stigmasterol
Coumesterol	Vitamin B
Vitamin C	Provitamin A

Activities
Mild laxative
Promotes the formation of bile
Removes excess water from the body

Fenugreek Seed

Fenugreek seed - Trigonella Foenum-graecum

Parts Used
Seeds

Components

Mucilage	Bitter fixed oil
Trigonelline	Choline
Phosphates	Lecithin
Necleoalbumin	Iron
Trimethylamine	Neruine
Betain

Activities
Strong mucilage        Mild stimulant
Supports liver and pancreas metabolism

Flax Seed

Flax seed (Linum usitatissiumum)

Parts used

Seeds	Seed-oil
Stem	Powdered oil-exhausted seed

Components
Fixed oil (30-40%) comprising the glycerides of linoleic, linolenic and other fatty acids, stearic and palmitic acids, mucilage (6%)
A cyanogenic glycoside, linamarine
Pectin
Other nitrogenous substances

Activities

Laxative	Anti-inflammatory
Demulcent	Soothes mucous membranes

Fleece Flower Root

Fleece flower root - Polygonum multiflorum

Parts Used
Tuberous root

Components

Anthraquinones	Chrysophanol
Rhein	Chrysophanic acid
Tannins	Lecithin

Activities
Anemia
Constipation
Hypercholesterolemia

Ginkgo

Ginkgo - Ginkgo biloba

Parts Used
Seed

Components

Starch	Fat
Protein	Cytokinin-like substances
Gibberellin	Hydroginkgolinic acid
Ginkgolic acid	Bilobol
Ginnol

Activities
Improves functions of the respiratory system
Improves resistance

Greater Burdock Root

Greater Burdock root (Arctium lappa)

Parts used
Roots - powdered

Components

Inulin	Bitter principle
Volatile oil	Resin
Several antibiotic substances

Activities

Rheumatism	Increases resistance to infection
Gout	Lung disease
Mild laxative	Perspiration inducer

Horsetail

Horsetail - Equisetum arvense

Parts Used
Herb

Components

Thymine	Ferulic acid
Caffeic acid	Vanillin
Tannin	Resin
Bioavailable silicon

Activities
Diuretic
Astringent

Hydrangea

Hydrangea root (Hydrangea arborescens)

Parts Used
Dried rhizome
Roots

Components

Resins	Gum	Sugar
Starch	Albumen	Soda
Lime	Potassium	Magnesium
Sulphuric acid	Phosphoric acid	Protosalt of iron
Hydrangin

Activities
Diuretic
Tonic
Supports kidney function

Licorice Root

Licorice root - Glycyrrhiza glabra

Parts used
Dried root-stock
Extract

Components

Protein	Starch (30%)
Resin	Asparagine
Volatile oil	Saponins
Fat Sucrose and dextrose (5-10%)	Flavonoid glycosides, liquiritoside
Glycrrrhizin (5-10%), calcium & potassium salts of glycyrrhizic acid

Activities

Demulcent	Expectorant	Mild laxative
Spasmolytic	Anti-inflammatory

Marshmallow Root

Marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis)

Parts Used
Roots
Leaves
Flowers - powdered

Components

Sucrose	Lecithin
Phytosterol	Asparagin
30% mucilage comprising glucosan and xylan

Activities

Demulcent	Emollient
Supports gastrointestinal tract

Milk Thistle Fruit

Milk Thistle fruit (Silybum marianum)

Parts used

Fruit	Powedered seed
Shoots	Whole & dried flowering plant
Root	Fresh and dried leaves
Stems

Components

Essential oil	Tyramine
Histamin	Bitter principles
A flavonoid, silymarine

Activities

Choleretic	Liver poisoning
Hepatitis	Liver regeneration
Cirrhosis

Oat

Oat - Avena sativa

Parts Used
Seeds

Components

Starch	Gluten
Albumen	Sugar
Gum oil	Salts

Activities

Mild nutritious aliment	Easy digestion
Nervine stimulant	Antispasmodic

Psyllium Husk

Psyllium husk (Plantago psyllium)

Parts used
Husk

Components

Plantagonin	Indicain
Indicamin	Mucus containing polysaccharides
Cellulose	Mucus containing polyuronides
Beta-sitosterol	Stigmasterol
Campesterol

Activities
Intestinal lubricant
Mild laxative
Increases threshold for stress of the gastrointestinal system

Red Clover Flower

Red clover flower (Trifolium pratense)

Parts Used
Flower - powdered/extract

Components

Salicylic acid	Sugars, including rhamnose
Isorhamnetin	A phytosterol glucoside
Trifolianol	Quercitin glucoside
Essential oil	Phenolic glycoside, trifolin
Coumaric acid	Hydroxymethyloxyflavone, pratol
A plant oestrogen, coumestrol

Activities

Diuretic	Expectorant
Anti-spasmodic	Liver stimulant
Gallbladder stimulant

Sarsaparilla

Sarsaparilla root - Smilax officinalis

Parts Used
Root - powdered

Components

Salseparin	Starch
Coloring matter	Essential oil
Chloride of potassium	Bassorin
Albumen	Pectic acid
Ascitic acid	Salts of lime
Potassium	Magnesium

Activities
Support of joints and connective tissue
Support of respiratory function

Saw Palmetto

Saw palmetto - Serenoa serrulata

Parts Used
Partially-dried ripe fruit

Components

Volatile oil	Fixed oil
Glucose	Free acids
Ethly esters of acids

Activities
Tissue builder (anabolic)

Siberian Ginseng

Siberian ginseng - Eleutherococcus senticosus

Parts Used
Roots

Components

Eleutherosides	Alkaloid aralin
Lipoids	Does not contain saponins

Activities
Improvement of general immune resistance and alertness

Teasel Root

Teasel root - Dipsacus asper

Parts Used
Root

Components
Alkaloid
Essential oil
Vitamin E

Activities
Anti-rheumatic
Strengthens the liver and kidney

Wild Yam Root

Wild yam root - Dioscorea villosa

Parts Used
Dried rhizome

Components
Saponin
Dioscorein

Activities
Preventing involuntary contraction of muscle (spasm)

Wood Betony

Wood betony - Betonica officinalis

Parts Used
Herb

Components

Tannin	Bitter principle
Stachydrin	Resins
Betaine	Cholin

Activities
Astringent
Stimulant
Improves blood circulation and liver function

Yerba Mate

Yerba mate - Ilex paraguaiensis

Parts Used
Leaves

Components

Caffeine	Tannin
Ash	Insoluble matter

Activities

Tonic	Diaphoretic
Stimulant	Improves alertness

Yohimbe

Yohimbe (Pausinystalia yohimbe or Corynanthe Yohimbe K. Schum)

Parts of plant used
Reddish-brown bark pieces
Egg-shaped leaves

(Both sources contain from 0.3 to 1.5% (w/w) yohimbine) The formation of the precursors of alkaloids and finally of alkaloids occurs in Corynanthe Yohimbe K. Schum in the leaves. Accumulation of alkaloids in the rind takes place afterwards. The presence of yohimbine and other alkaloids in the leaves of this plant have been discovered by Thoms in 1897.

Components

Ajmalicin	Alloyohimibine Corynanthein
Pseudoyohimbine	Dihydrocoynanthein Corynanthin
Yohimbine (or corynine)

Yohimbine is the most active compound of the plant.

Activities
Sympathicolytic (alpha-adrenolytic)
Vasodilating
Hypotonic (lowering blood pressure)

References

Chrubasik, S.U.J., Kompendium der Phytotherapie. Hippokrates Verlag GmbH, Stuttgart, 1983.

Grieve, M., A Modern Herbal. Dover Publications, Inc., New York, 1971.

Magic and Medicine of Plants. The Reader's Digest Association, Inc. Pleasantville, New York; Montreal. 1986.

Steinmetz, E.F., Codex Vegetabilis. Amsterdam. 1957.

Yeung, Him-che., Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Los Angeles. January 1985.

Friedrich Czapek, Biochemie der Pflanzen, Vol. 3, p.313. Gustav Fischer, Jena 1921.