Unit One: Medicinal Herbs: Part 1

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Neal Strickland
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1 Unit One: Medicinal Herbs: Part 1 Learning Objectives: In unit one we will cover the first 25 of 75 different herbs and their medicinal properties being discussed during this three part class. Assignment: For this week s assignment you are required to go out into your back yard, local botanical garden, woods and try to find at least five different types of herbs and list their medicinal properties. Medicinal Herbs covered in unit 1: African Pepper Parts Used: Fruits Habitat: Africa pepper is found in Africa, Asia and South America. It is available in other parts of the world also. Description: Africa pepper grows to a height of 3 feet or more. The plant possesses a stem which is woody at the lower areas but is branched at the upper parts. The leaves are ovate and petiole. The flowers are white to yellow in color. The plant bears fruits which are in the form of pods having many seeds. The ripen fruit is red or yellow in color. Uses: Africa pepper has antiseptic, antibacterial and carminative properties. It has beneficial antioxidant and cardiovascular effects and it benefits gastrointestinal functions. It is used in bursitis, diabetic neuropathy, osteoarthritis, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis and in a number of other diseases (Medicinal Herbs American Beech Parts Used: Leaves, nut, bark and root Habitat: American Beech is native to eastern North America. Description: American Beech is a deciduous tree which can grow up to a height of 100 feet. The plant possesses silvery-gray colored bark and dark green leaves. The leaves are simple, sparsely-toothed and are 6-12 cm in length. The flowers are yellowish in color, bloom in April to May and are followed by fruits that have triangular nuts inside. Uses: American Beech's bark and leaves have astringent and antiseptic properties. Its sap is used to prepare ointments for burns, sores and ulcers (Medicinal Herbs American Ginseng Parts Used: Root Habitat: American Ginseng is found in East North America (Canada and the US) Description: American Ginseng is a perennial herb with a fleshy tuber-like root and grows to a height of 8-24 inches. The plant bears three compound leaves, each composed of five toothed leaflets. Its flowers are greenish white in color and appear in June-July. The fruits are in the form bright red berries that appear in late summer. Uses: American Ginseng has anti-fatigue and energy giving properties. The plant is used as a demulcent, panacea and stimulant. It increases resistance of the body to infections and improves energy metabolism (Medicinal Herbs American Nightshade Parts Used: Dried root and berries Habitat: American nightshade is found in North America and in Mediterranean countries Description: American nightshade is a shrubby perennial which grows up to a height of 8 feet. The plant possesses a large white taproot and green or red hollow stems. Its leaves are large, simple, alternate

2 and ovate-lanceolate. Its flowers are white in color and fruits are in the form of purple to almost black berries Uses: American nightshade has narcotic properties. It is used in chronic rheumatism, hemorrhoids and granular conjunctivitis. It is used in skin diseases too (Medicinal Herbs Balsam Fir Parts Used: All parts are used Habitat: Native to North America. Description: Balsam fir is an evergreen tree growing feet tall. It has dark, shiny green and flattened needles. The needles look as if it was arranged in two rows. It flowers around May-June. There are separate male and female flowers. The bark is smooth and grayish and is covered with resin blisters when young. As the tree matures, these resin blisters crack into scaly plates. Uses: Balsam fir is an antiseptic and stimulant, and has been used in North America and Europe for congestion, chest infections such as bronchitis, and urinary tract conditions such as cystitis and frequent urination. Externally, balsam fir was rubbed on the chest or applied as a plaster for respiratory infections (Medicinal Herbs Bayberry Parts Used: Root bark, leaves and flowers Habitat: Bayberry is found in eastern parts of North America and is widely cultivated in Europe and in the British Isles also. Description: Bayberry is an evergreen slender tree with varied heights in different region. In the Southeast USA, it grows to a height of about 35 feet. But in other parts of USA, the plant may be as small as 3 feet. The leaves too vary and may have a length of 1 to 4 inches and give fragrant odor when crushed. The flowers are yellow in color and appear in spring and produce nutlike fruits thickly covered with wax. Uses: Bayberry is useful in diarrhea, jaundice, etc. The powdered bark of the plant is used as a stimulant to indolent ulcers and it excites coughing too. The decoction is an excellent wash for the gums and is useful to cure chronic inflammation of the throat, leucorrhoea, uterine hemorrhage etc. (Medicinal Herbs Birch Parts Used: The leaves and bark are used. Habitat: It is a native of Northern U.S, Canada and Northern Europe. Description: It has white bark, which can be peeled off in horizontal strips. Its leaves are chordate, bright green above and lighter beneath, serrate, and hairy. Both male and female trees bear flowers; but only the female will bear seed cones. It has drooping branches and peeling bark and grows about meters in height. Uses: It is used for rheumatism, arthritis, gout, arteriosclerosis, water retention, cystitis, kidney stones, fevers, as well as skin eruptions. It is used with great success to help with psoriasis and eczema. The astringent effect of the sap also helps to tone the skin and has a positive effect on increasing skin elasticity. In hair care products, it is most useful to combat oily and greasy hair and also acts as a general conditioner to the hair (Medicinal Herbs Blue Violet

3 Parts Used: Leaf and flowers Habitat: Blue Violet is widely found in Europe, Asia and throughout in North America. Description: Blue Violet is a trailing plant which has thick and scaly underground stem. The leaves are heart-shaped and dark green in color. The flowers are deep purple or blue to pinkish or even yellow whitish in color and have 5 petals. Uses: Blue Violet has anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic, diuretic and emollient properties. The plant is used to cure chronic skin disorders and is used to treat mouth and throat infections too. It is used in the treatment of bronchitis, respiratory catarrh, coughs and asthma (Medicinal Herbs Caraway Parts Used: Fruit Habitat: The plant is distributed throughout the northern and central parts of Europe and Asia. Description: Caraway is a biennial that reaches 2 feet. It has feathery leaves and umbrella-like clusters of tiny white flowers, which bloom in early summer. Uses: Both fruit and oil possesses aromatic, stimulant and carminative properties. Caraway was widely employed at one time as a carminative cordial, and was recommended in dyspepsia and symptoms attending hysteria and other disorders. It possesses some tonic property and forms a pleasant stomachic. The chewing of caraway seeds is a popular way of aiding digestion after a meal (Medicinal Herbs Chamomile Parts Used: Flowers and Herb. Habitat: Chamomile is spread over Europe, North Africa and the temperate regions of Asia. Description: Chamomile is a low-growing plant, creeping or trailing, its tufts of leaves and flowers a foot high. The root is perennial, jointed and fibrous, the stems, hairy and freely branching are covered with leaves, which are divided into thread-like segments, the fineness of which gives the whole plant a feathery appearance. Uses: It is a welcome tea for nerves and menstrual cramps. Chamomile helps promote a natural hormone, like thyroxin, which helps rejuvenate the texture of the hair and skin, and also helps in youthful mental alertness. It is a soothing sedative with no harmful effects. It is useful for small babies and children for colds, stomach trouble, colitis, a gargle and externally for eczema and inflammation (Medicinal Herbs Cinnamon Parts Used: Bark Habitat: Cinnamon is found widely in Sri Lanka but grows in Malabar, Cochin-China, Sumatra and in Eastern Islands too. It is cultivated in Brazil, Mauritius, India, Jamaica and in other countries also. Description: Cinnamon is an evergreen tree which grows from 20 to 30 feet. The plant has strong branches and thick scabrous bark which is smooth and yellowish. In color, the leaves are dark green on top and lighter green underneath. It has small yellowish-white flowers with a disagreeable odor that bears dark purple berries. The fruits are oval and berry like. Uses: Cinnamon bark is used as a spice. It is employed in cookery as a condiment and flavoring material. It is carminative, astringent, stimulant, antiseptic in action. The essential oil of this herb is a potent antibacterial, anti-fungal, and uterine stimulant. It stops vomiting, relieves flatulence and is useful in

4 diarrhea and hemorrhage of the womb. Recent studies suggest that consuming as little as one-half teaspoon of Cinnamon each day may reduce blood sugar and cholesterol level (Medicinal Herbs Guide, 2015). Cranberry Parts Used: The fruits Habitat: Cranberry is found in cooler parts of the Northern Hemisphere. Description: Cranberries are dwarf evergreen shrubs. The creeping shrubs grow to a height of 2 m. The stems are slender, not thickly woody and possess small evergreen leaves. The flowers are dark pink in color, having very distinct reflexed petals. The style and stamen are fully exposed and point forward. The berries are the fruits of the herb which are initially white but turn to deep red in color on ripening. Uses: Cranberries are used as jelly and it is often known as cranberry sauce. Cranberries are a source of polyphenol antioxidants which benefits the cardiovascular system and immune system. It is also used in spinal paralysis. It is believed that Cranberry is antibacterial, antifungal in action and acts as an antioxidant. It is assumed that Cranberries reduce the rate of urinary tract infections (Medicinal Herbs Damiana Parts Used: Leaves. Habitat: Mexico, South Arnerica, Texas and West Indies Description: A small shrub; leaves smooth and pale green on upper side, underneath glabrous, with a few hairs on the ribs, ovolanceolate, shortly petiolate with two small glands at base; flowers yellow, rising singly from axils of the leaves, capsule one-celled splitting into three pieces; smell aromatic, taste characteristic, bitterish, aromatic and resinous. Uses: It is used for Depression, Impotence/infertility (male) (Medicinal Herbs Dandelion Parts Used: Leaves and Root Habitat: Dandelion is grown commercially in the United States and Europe. Description: Dandelion is a perennial with a thick taproot. The saw-toothed leaves form a rosette at the base of the plant. Solitary, bright yellow flowers appear from spring to autumn. Ribbed fruits bearing tufts of fine, white hairs follow flowers. Dandelion is well known as a garden weed. Uses: Dandelion is also a rich source of vitamins and minerals. Dandelion is commonly used as a food. The leaves are used in salads and teas, while the roots are often used as a coffee substitute. Dandelion leaves and roots have been used for hundreds of years to treat liver, gallbladder, kidney, and joint problems. In some countries, dandelion is considered a blood purifier and is used for ailments such as eczema and cancer. Dandelion has also been used historically to treat poor digestion (Medicinal Herbs Devil's Claw Parts Used: Dried Roots Habitat: Devil's Claw is a native plant of southern Africa, especially the Kalahari Desert, Namibia, and the island of Madagascar.

5 Description: Devil's claw is a tender trailing perennial with tubers and many round to oval-shaped stems. The leaves have white, hairy undersides. Solitary, red to purple flowers, shaped like trumpets appear in spring followed by the characteristic large, hooked and claw-like fruit. Uses: Devil's claw is used internally to treat rheumatoid arthritis, neuralgia and problems involving the gall bladder and pancreas. It is also very effective in treating lower back pain, as well as digestive problems, loss of appetite and the treatment of pain during and after childbirth or labor. Devil's claw is used externally to treat swollen, arthritic joints as well as boils, sores and skin ulcers (Medicinal Herbs Dill Parts Used: Seeds Habitat: Dill is indigenous to South West Asia. Description: Dill usually has one upright, hollow stem with waxy or powdery leaves divided into filaments. Umbels of small yellow flowers appear in summer, which are followed by flattish and oval seeds. Uses: Carminative, aromatic, anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory, galactogogue, calmative, diuretic, stomachic. Dill is an excellent remedy for flatulence and the colic that is sometimes associated with it. It is the herb of choice for colic of children. Chewing the seeds helps to clear bad breath (Medicinal Herbs Echinacea Parts Used: Roots Habitat: Echinacea is a wildflower native to North America. Description: The stout, bristly stem bears hairy, linear-lanceolate leaves, tapering at both ends, the lower on long petioles, the upper sessile. The distinctive flower features 12 to 20 large, spreading, dullpurple rays and a conical disk made up of numerous purple and tubular florets. Uses: Echinacea had been used to treat infections. It enhances the body's immune system. It has been shown effective for treating conditions such as influenza, colds, upper respiratory tract infections, urogenital infections and other infectious conditions (Medicinal Herbs Elder Parts Used: The bark, leaves, flowers and berries Habitat: Elder is found widely in North America and in Europe Description: Elder grows up to 10m in height with a trunk-diameter of up to 30cm. The bark is light grey in color when young but changes to coarse grey as it gains height. It possesses feathery leaves. Its tiny, cream scented flowers are borne in summer, followed by black berries. The flowers are arranged in rich, flat cymes. They have a short, bell-shaped calyx and a rounded corolla composed of creamy oval petals. The ovary has a sessile stigma divided into three to five lobes, maturing into globular, glossy and blackish-purple drupes containing the seeds. Uses: Elder is bitter, pungent, have a diuretic and anti-mucus effect. The leaves and bark are used externally to treat minor burns and chilblains. The flowers are effective to cure sore eyes, irritated and inflamed skin, mouth ulcers and minor injuries. These are used to lower fever, reduce inflammation and sooth irritation also. The fruits are used for their analgesic effects, as well as for their laxative and diaphoretic properties. They are used in rheumatic complaints also(medicinal Herbs

6 Eucalyptus Globules Parts Used: Leaves, Oil Habitat: Eucalyptus is a tall, evergreen tree native to Australia and Tasmania. Description: The Eucalyptus or blue gum tree has a wide spread crown and the trunk has smooth, white bark, which peels to reveal a red shade. The leaves are silver-green when young, ranging to green when adult and differ in shape, from lance-like to sickle shaped. White flowers appear in spring and summer. Uses: It is useful in bronchial disease and other respiratory problems. Also used as a liniment for bruises, sprains and various muscular pains. Ointments are also manufactured, with eucalyptus as an ingredient, to treat wounds and abscesses. Although good for muscular aches and pains, it is a very effective oil to use for respiratory problems during flu, colds, coughing, sinus and asthma (Medicinal Herbs Guide, 2015). False Unicorn Parts Used: Dried Rhizome and Root. Habitat: Bogs and wet places in woodlands, meadows, and thickets. Description: A perennial that grows to 4 feet in height. Plant produces a rosette of basal leaves from which a spike rises. A few narrowly linear leaves may be found on the spike. Male and female flowers are on different plants. The male flowers are white and, when dried, become yellowish; the female flowers are greenish. Uses: It is of the greatest value in female disorders of the reproductive organs. The indication for its use is a dragging sensation in the extreme lower abdomen. It is useful in impotence, as a tonic in genitalurinary weakness or irritability, for liver and kidney diseases. It is also useful in diseases due to poor action of the liver and weakness of the heart or circulation. It is a good remedy in albumin aria (Medicinal Herbs Fennel Parts Used: Seeds, leaves, roots Habitat: Native of the Mediterranean region. Description: Fennel is a tall perennial plant that forms clumps, with deep roots, hollow stems and glossy, feathery leaves (looks like threads). Tiny, dull, yellow flowers appear in umbels in summer, followed by oval brown seeds. Uses: Fennel water mixed with sodium bicarbonate and syrup, constitute the domestic 'Gripe Water,' used to correct the flatulence of infants. Volatile oil of Fennel has these properties in concentration. Fennel tea, formerly also employed as a carminative, is made by pouring half a pint of boiling water on a teaspoonful of bruised Fennel seeds. Syrup prepared from Fennel juice was formerly given for chronic coughs (Medicinal Herbs Frankincense Parts Used: The gum resin. Habitat: Frankincense is indigenous to Arabia and the Horn of Africa. Description: It is a resinous and evergreen tree with papery and peeling bark. The tree produces clusters of feathery leaves and very small creamy white flowers appear in spring, which are followed by the seeds that look like reddish brown capsules.

7 Uses: It is a stimulant to the circulation and has antiseptic, analgesic, expectorant and sedative properties. It is often used for bronchial and urinary infections. The Chinese include it in a mouthwash for gum, mouth and throat complaints. It helps clear the lungs and other mucus related problems. It furthermore helps to lighten heavy periods and also eases postnatal depression (Medicinal Herbs Guide, 2015). Garcinia Cambogia Parts Used: Gum resin. Habitat: It is a native of Southern India, China, Cambodia and Ceylon Description: The Gamboge tree grows to a height of 50 feet, with a diameter of 12 inches, and the gum resin is extracted by incisions or by breaking off the leaves and shoots of the trees. Uses: It is very useful in dropsically conditions and to lower blood pressure, where there is cerebral congestion. The fruit of Garcinia cambogia has been traditionally used in food preparation and cooking, having a distinctive sweet acid taste. When fully ripe, it is too acid to eat fresh by itself (Medicinal Herbs Garlic Parts Used: Bulb and Oil. Habitat: It is a native of southwest Siberia and southern Europe. Description: The leaves are long, narrow and flat like grass. The bulb (the only part eaten) is of a compound nature, consisting of numerous bulblets, known technically as 'cloves,' grouped together between the membranous scales and enclosed within a whitish skin, which holds them as in a sack. Uses: Garlic is often applied to indolent tumors, ulcerated surfaces and wounds. A poultice of the bulb is used for scrofulous sores and ringworm. A clove of Garlic when introduced into the ear passage gives relief of earache. It is locally used in sciatica, paralysis and neuralgic pains. Raw Garlic juice is inhaled in whooping cough and pulmonary tuberculosis (Medicinal Herbs Geranium Parts Used: Dried rhizome leaves. Habitat: It is a native of Europe. Description: A perennial grows from 1 to 2 feet high. The entire plant is erect and unbranched, more or less covered with hairs; the leaves deeply parted, each division again cleft and toothed. Flowering time is April to June and flowers are rosy purple in color. Uses: The leaves are added to desserts, fruit drinks, sauces and punches. Geranium essential oil has a balancing effect on the mind and nervous system, relieving anxiety, depression and especially stress. It also has a balancing effect on the hormonal system and helps both with heavy menstrual flow as well as vaginal dryness. It tones up the waste and water removal in the body and perks up the kidneys and liver, as well as the lymphatic system. Used for skin care, it balances the production of sebum and clears sluggish congested skin (Medicinal Herbs

8 Herbs Guide. (n.d.). Medicinal Herbs Guide. Retrieved August 10, 2015, from

Leaves: Basal leaves are long and narrow. Leaves have 3 ribs.

Leaves: Basal leaves are long and narrow. Leaves have 3 ribs. Common Name: English Plantain Scientific Name: Plantago lanceolata General: 10-23 inches. Common in waste places and yards. Flowers: Tiny whitish flowers on a short cylindrical head. Flower parts indistinguishable.