Materia Medica
MATERIA MEDICA FOR THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
Herbs continue to be an important part of allopathic treatment for several heart conditions. The cardiac glycosides contained in some plants are used world wide for the treatment of arrhythmias and heart failure, in these conditions these herbs help to strengthen the heart beat, and normalize the rate of beat. One of the most important properties of these plants is to increase efficiency of this organ.
The following are some of the broad range herbs that medical herbalists use to treat the cardiovascular system, they are known as cardiac remedies.
| Diffuse circulatory stimulants:
Zanthoxylum americanum (Prickly Ash) Zingiber officinale (Ginger) Myrica cerifera (Bayberry) Achillea millefolium (Yarrow) Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgo)
Central circulatory stimulants: Capsicum minimum (Cayenne) Armoracea rusticana (Horseradish) Arnica montana (Arnica) Panax ginseng/quinquefolium (Ginseng)
Cerebral circulatory stimulants: Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgo) Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) Vinca minor (Lesser Periwinkle) Centella/Hydrocotyl asiatica (Gotu kola) Hypotensives: Convallaria majalis (Lily of the Valley) Rauwolfia serpentina (Snake Root) Veratrum album (White or European Hellebore) Veratrum viride (Green or American Hellebore) Crataegus oxycanthoides (Hawthorn) Allium sativum (Garlic) Viscum album (Mistletoe) Olea europea (Olive leaves) Viburnum opulus (Cramp bark)
Hypertensives: Ephedra sinica (Ma Huang) Cytisus (Scotch Broom) Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice) Panax ginseng/quinquefolium (Ginseng) Hydrastis canadensis (Golden Seal) Claviceps purpurea (Ergot fungus) Taxus baccata (Yew) Chelidonium majus (Greater Celandine) Nicotine Caffeine Theophylline Theobromine
Rubefacients: Armoracea rusticana (Horseradish) Capsicum minimum (Cayenne) Brassica alba/nigra (White/Black Mustard) Juniperus communis (Juniper) |
Cardiac tonics:
Crataegus oxycanthoides (Hawthorn) Urginea maritima (Squill) Asclepias tuberosa (Milkweeds)Nerium oleander (Oleander)Apocynum cannabinum (Dogbane) Cereus grandiflorus (Night Blooming Cactus) Leonurus cardiaca (Motherwort) Convallaria majalis (Lily of the Valley) Cytisus scoparius (Scotch Broom)
Diuretics: Cytisus scoparius (Scotch Broom) Juniperus communis (Juniper) Armoracea rusticana (Horseradish) Achillea millefolium (Yarrow) Nerium oleander (Oleander)
Anticoagulants: Allium sativum (Garlic) Coumarouna odorata (Tonka beans) Rubiaceae family eg. Galium aparine, Asperula
Coagulants: Medicago sativa (Alfalfa) Urtica dioica (Nettle) Capsicum minimum (Cayenne) Anti – atheroma agents: Allium sativum (Garlic) Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgo) Tilia europea (Linden) Arnica montana (Arnica)
Circulatory relaxants: Viburnum opulus (Cramp bark) Lobelia inflata (Lobelia) Achillea millefolium (Yarrow) Diaphoretics
Blood vessel tonics: Tilia europea (Linden) Aesculus hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut) Calendula officinalis (Marigold) Bellis perennis (Daisy) Fagopyrum esculentum (Buckwheat) Hydrastis canadensis (Goldenseal) |
MATERIA MEDICA FOR THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
“Let your food be your medicine” a mantra said by Hyppocrates, really describes the affinity of plants and the digestive system. Through the centuries, food has been our herbal medicine, the unique healing properties of the plants have a direct effect upon our digestive process from beginning to end, not just through absorption, metabolism and elimination of plant chemicals, but they also have a direct action through tissue contact. Digestive conditions in our system is usually due to abuse. Processed foods, chemicals, additives,soft drinks, cigarettes, alcohol, irregular meals and just plain junk food create havoc in our over worked system creating innumerable conditions. Some of the herbs for the digestive system will provide the soothing, astringency and toning required for some conditions. But it is really up to our individual changes and discipline that the herbs will provide us with the powerful healing results that they are capable of delivering.
MATERIA MEDICA FOR THE URINARY SYSTEM
The multitude of physiological functions performed by the kidneys and other related structures is fundamental to maintain body homeostasis. The medical herbalist is provided by nature with a great number of specific diuretic remedies, helping the body in excreting unwanted excess water, toxic waste, products of metabolism and inorganic salts, as well as to regulate water balance, blood’s Ph and helping control blood pressure.
| Anti-microbial herbs:
Allium sativum (Garlic) Tonic herbs:
Achillea millefolium (Yarrow) |
Lithotropic herbs:
Eupatorium purpureum (Gravel root) Demulcent herbs:
Agropyron repens (Couch grass) Anti-spasmodic herbs:
Viburnum opulus (Cramp bark) Anticatarrhal herbs:
Solidago virgaurea (Golden Rod) |
DIURETICS
A diuretic is a substance that will increase the volume of urine produced, in healthy or unhealthy kidneys, by promoting the excretion of salts and water. Common allopathic diuretics include the Thiazide group, frusemide, and spironolactone.
They are used to reduce edema especially in heart, liver or kidney disorders, to treat high blood pressure, and occasionally to treat glaucoma.
In the folkloric tradition of healing with herbs practically all herbs are classed as diuretics. This erroneous opinion probably arose from the fact that any fluid taken in volume will increase fluid output – in this sense even water can be regarded as a diuretic. In fact, true herbal diuretics are considerably more limited in number than this.
Herbal diuretics may work in 3 ways
1) By irritating the kidneys so that they try to flush away the offending substance. Armoracea rusticana (Horseradish) and Juniperus communis (Juniper) act in this way.
2) By osmotic pressure of un-metabolized sugars being excreted in the urine. Agropyron repens (Couchgrass) and Zea Mays (Corn Silk) act in this way.
3) By increasing the renal blood flow and hence the glomerular filtration rate. Up to a certain point any excess glomerular filtrate can be reabsorbed from the kidney tubules, but if it is too high then the urine volume will increase. Herbs that increase the cardiac output (e.g.. Convallaria majalis) and herbs that stimulate peripheral circulation (e.g.. Zingiber officinalis (Ginger), Achillea millefolium (Yarrow), Crataegus oxycanthoides (Hawthorn) act in this way.
Having said that, it is interesting to note that the phytotherapist’s most powerful diuretic does not act in any of the above 3 ways. Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion leaves) appear to contain an enzyme – like substance that acts on the kidneys to stimulate overall function. Taraxacum has the added benefit of being very high in potassium so, when using this herb as a diuretic, we never encounter the problem of potassium deficiency that can occur with allopathic diuretics.
MATERIA MEDICA FOR THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
In our modern age the lungs have to function under very difficult conditions. The urban and industrial pollution created by our way of life is very hard on the respiratory system, in other words the air quality is very poor. Stress also contributes to respiratory conditions that may become chronic. Asthma is almost epidemic in all ages, also chronic conditions such as bronchitis are very common now a days.
We should try to prevent rather than repair the many conditions of the respiratory system. Many of the diseases associated with the upper and lower respiratory systems are preventable, if we can avoid some of the pollution around us, many lung conditions will not develop.
Expectorants
These are herbs which help the body to remove excess mucous from the lungs. Mucous and any inhaled particles are normally voided from the lungs via the mucociliary escalator but this self-cleansing mechanism can become impeded or overloaded if there is an excessive amount of mucus or if the mucus is very thick and sticky.
1) Excessive mucous production leading to overloading of the removal mechanism and congestion in the lungs (e.g.. bronchitis, bronchiectasis, pneumonia.) calls for stimulating expectorants to increasethe activity of the mucociliary escalator. Most of this type of expectorant contain saponins. They stimulate the digestive system, and initiate a reflex action to stimulate the bronchial apparatus.
Marrubium Vulgare (White Horehound)
Populus balsamifera (Balsam Poplar)
Sanguinaria canadensis (Bloodroot)
Cephaelis ipecacuanha (Ipecac)
Inula helenium (Elecampane)
Polygala senega (Snake Root)
Viola odorata (Sweet Violet)
Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice)
Urginea maritima (Squill)
2) Production of a thick or sticky mucous which is hard to remove (e.g.. in inflammation or hypersensitivity), leads to an unproductive irritable cough and requires soothing or relaxing expectorants. These generally derive their action from the presence of mucilage. This relaxes the gut wall and causes a spinal reflex to embryologically related areas (e.g.. lungs and urinary system ) to both relax them and to encourage the production of a thin loose mucous which is more easily voided.
Trigonella foenum-graecum (Fenugreek)
Althea officinalis (Marshmallow)
Symphytum officinalis (Comfrey)
Angelica archangelica (Angelica)
Grindelia camporum (Gumweed/Grindelia)
Cetraria islandica (iceland Moss)
Plantago lanceolata (Plantain)
Chondrus crispus (Irish Moss)
Verbascum thapsus (Mullein)
Hyssopus officinalis (Hyssop)
Tussilago farfara (Coltsfoot)
Pulmonaria off. (Lungwort)
MATERIA MEDICA FOR THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
The pressures created in the nervous system in our modern world are too much. We have a multi tasking system constantly on the go, just being alive requires extra loads on our nervous system. The days of humans living in small villages, performing not too demanding tasks are gone forever.
The loads that we inflict to this system in our modern society are creating many conditions only seeing very rarely in the past. The more we demand from the body the more anger, stress, anxiety, irritability is created. No wonder we have road rage.
A new partner, a new job, the possibility of loosing a loved one or a job, sometimes is too much to deal with.
Herbal medicine is uniquely suited to deal with the problems of this system, the complexities of the mind/body help us select the right herbs for many nervous conditions. All of the herbal nervines impact our system/s at many different levels not just symptomatic. They bring vitality, invigorate and restore functions.
MATERIA MEDICA FOR THE MUSCULO SKELETAL SYSTEM
Nutrition, pollution, our active world, extreme sports, all these factors affect this system creating joint problems, inflammations, and gout. Also autoimmune conditions such as Lupus, Rheumatism and Myalgias create havoc on this system. Fortunately we have a good arsenal of herbal medicines which together with proper nutrition and appropriate levels of exercise, will help us minimize or cure these conditions.
We have herbs to use internally as well as externally for these conditions, sometimes both types are required to achieve our goals.
MATERIA MEDICA FOR THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
The immune system has become crucial in our modern world as we are bombarded with all types of toxins, viruses, microbes, and free radicals. There are more infectious and autoimmune conditions than ever before. Super bugs, the so called conditions of the “civilized world” like cancer, all test our immune system every minute of our lives.
The immune system is one of my favorite systems to use preventative herbalism, as we can strengthen it and prepare it to better cope with future confrontations of our modern world. There are many excellent herbs with deep immune activation, surface immune activation, adaptogens and hormonal modulating properties for us to use. This is Preventative herbal medicine at its best.
MATERIA MEDICA FOR THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
The understanding of the functions of the endocrine system is very recent, there is a complex set of delicate interactions among these glands. A great contribution to this system is provided by some of the herbs listed below, as you can see there are several herbs that provide effective help to each gland.
In most cases it is a combination of different systems that feel the effects of an imbalanced endocrine system, Adaptogen herbs are also used as normalizers to these glands.
MATERIA MEDICA FOR THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
As the role of the female in the 21 century continues to evolve, more and more pressures are placed upon them. These pressures continue to create havoc with their systems creating all kind of conditions like infertility as well as organic, and hormonal imbalances.
We are lucky that most of the herbalists of the past were females. Due to this fact, the healing potential is wonderful, there is a great number of specific herbs for the female reproductive system, which in conjunction with nervines and adaptogens present a very strong arsenal of herbal medicines to take care of almost every imbalance in this system..
MATERIA MEDICA FOR THE MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
The pressures that are created for the males start an a very early age, playing at home with siblings or friends, then at school, our male world continues to develop until we arrive to the business world, by then we are hardened as “most males should be”, and the business world continues to prolong the myth of the male toughness and never to show weakness or emotions, we like to be in control.
How then do we seek advice or help if needed?, very simple we don’t., but if we do there are very good herbs that may help us, not only deal with our physical health issues but also our emotional problems. Our main job will be to diffuse most of the common male conditions which are: Stress, hypertension, arteriosclerosis, ulcers, prostate conditions, infertility and diabetes.
| Adaptogens Herbs that help the body to adapt to a new strain/stress Panax quinquefolium (American Ginseng) Stimulants: nervous system Turnera diffusa (Damiana) Hypotensives: Crataegus oxycanthoides(Hawthorn) |
Aphrodisiacs Herbs that stimulate sexual activity and libido Turnera diffusa (Damiana) Prostate aids: Equisetum arvense (Horsetail) Nervous Relaxants: Verbena off. (Vervain) |