Cramp Bark

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Latin name: Viburnum opulus Family: Caprifolioaceae (Honeysuckle family) DESCRIPTIVE CHARACTERISTICS  Part of the Plant Used Bark. CONSTITUENTS Esculetin (antispasmotic) Viopudial (antispasmotic) Beta-sitosterol (phytoestrogenic sterol) Iridoids, triterpenoids, diterpenoids, sespqiterpenes, coumarins, anthocyanins, phenolic acids, organic acids. Salicin, amentoflavone, chologenic acid (mostly in wild species). Resins, Valeric acid Tannins Bitter substance – viburnin Saponins THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS Uterine pain,…

Coltsfoot

Materia Medica, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Latin name: Tussilago farfara Family: Asteraceae (Aster, daisy or sunflower family) DESCRIPTIVE CHARACTERISTICS  Part of the Plant Used Roots, stalks, leaves. Flowers, harvested in early spring, and leaves harvested in summer. Chop up leaves BEFORE they are dried and stored. Coltsfoot Tussilago farfara is a very old medicine and has been documented for coughs as…

California Poppy

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Latin name: Eschscholzia californica Family: Papaveraceae (Poppy family) DESCRIPTIVE CHARACTERISTICS  Part of the Plant Used Whole plant including roots in fresh state or dried, ariel portions. Has a reputation for being non-addictive, milder substitute for Opium poppy. CONSTITUENTS Alkaloids (0.5-2%) Pavine alkaloids (californidine, escholzine) Protopine (antispasmodic, anti-arrhthymic, anticholinergic {blocksacetylcholine}, binds to GABA) Benzophenanthrides Aporphine alkaloids…

Yellow Dock

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Latin name: Rumex crispus, Rumex obtusifolius Family: Polygonaceae Folk Names: Curled dock, curly dock, Chukkah, field sorrel. DESCRIPTIVE CHARACTERISTICS  Part of the Plant Used Roots mostly, mucilaginous new leaves still in sheath. Traditionally native to Europe and Western Asia, yellow dock has now naturalized in North America and will grow almost anywhere. The perennial herb…

Slippery Elm

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Latin name: Ulmus rubra Family: Ulmaceae Folk Names: Indian elm, Elm, Red elm, Rock elm, Slippery elm, Sweet elm. DESCRIPTIVE CHARACTERISTICS  Part of the Plant Used Inner Bark. Native Americans traditionally used this tree’s bark which is rough, reddish brown color. The deciduous tree itself grows 40-60 feet with branches containing dark, green ovate leaves…