WARNING: This article is provided as information only and is not to be construed as medical recommendations. The data provided here regarding the use of herbs, spices and medicinal plants for ailments is derived from antidotal sources, herbologists and medical anthropologists published reports and publications.

Before using any medicinal plant, YOU MUST DO PERSONAL RESEARCH ON YOUR OWN AS WELL AS CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN BEFORE USING!

Using Healing Herbs, Spices & Medicinal Plants

Before we begin Matching Healing Plants to your Ailments, let's examine the need for the above warning. Just because a substance is derived from a plant doesn't mean it is always harmless. Many drugs we used today are derived from plants, or at least their predecessors. One thing used for one ailment could actually be detrimental to the treatment of another. How a natural alternative may effect your own personal body chemistry is yet another concern.

Ever wonder why some ailments require doctors to test various drugs on their patients to find the best one suited for them? It's because all our bodies have slightly different make ups that can effect the value of certain subscriptions. Not only do you have to keep this in mind, but also how the natural supplement you'll use may interact with any prescription drugs you may be taking. Your physician can help you determine if there would be any problems with interactions in most cases.

Doing your own personal research is another way to validate your doctors recommendation's, or at least be able to ask them the right questions about the natural plant supplements you'd like to include in your treatment. No rational person will encourage you to abandon traditional medical treatments in favor of a complete natural plant-based treatment. True, these medicinal plants have been used by humans for centuries, but recent advances in science and technology weren't available in our ancient history. The human life span hasn't increased so dramatically by sheer luck.

That having been said, there is much that mother nature has provided us with that enables us to treat our ailments that is quite simply neglected by today's sciences. Before you start distrusting the medical profession, there is a simple yet crucial reason for this most ominous fact. Economics. Large medical studies are necessary to prove or disprove the medicinal value of any treatment. These studies can last many many years and cost multiple millions of dollars. Pharmaceutical companies see these costs as just part of doing business. They know that if the drug they've developed does prove to be a valuable, effective one, they will see their large investment returned many times over. They know this because they can patent the drug they've developed. This will allow them to be the sole producer of the drug for many years, hopefully long enough to develop product recognition and sustained sales.

Now let's look at a medicinal plant. Cayenne pepper has been a popular spice for centuries and can be found in virtually any supermarket and growing in many backyard gardens. A multi-year study costing many millions of dollars will never be conducted on cayenne pepper because there is absolutely no way to patent such a common plant that has been around for centuries. Who then will do the study? The government? But why would they when there have been no scientific studies to date that cayenne pepper can significantly help a particular ailment they want to defeat? The answer is that they wouldn't. A catch 22 condition is evident when it comes to non-patentable natural herbs, spices and medicinal plants. It is the reason that many of mother natures healing gems will go unstudied until the economics of the health industry becomes radically altered or there is an alternative method of funding for these natural remedies.

The subject of "Plants for What Ails You" is meant as an introduction to using the powers of these healing plants for common ailments. We can't recommend it enough that you need to do more extensive research on your own. We've provided a list of good books to help you in your personal research at the end of this article. You should be able to find them, or books like them at most book stores, public libraries or even in our on-line Gardening Book Store. Consulting your physician is a wise idea, particularly if they have studied or have exposure to alternative treatment information. Herbologists, homeopathic or naturopathic doctors can be very good to consult with as well as they should be well versed in the use and effects of using natural plant remedies.

When using these natural remedies, pay attention to what your body is telling you. Should you feel any symptom that isn't expected or seems unusual, stop the alternative treatment until you've determined it's source. Also, never take natural plant remedies at the same time you take prescription drugs. Even though your doctor may have told you there is no conflict, consumption at the same time is almost always counter productive.

Natural treatments are almost always used to treat a specific problem, not as an ongoing dietary supplement. Exemptions to this are when the ailment is a lifelong condition that demands the constant use of certain medicinal plants, or when the plants have specific nutritional value allowing for use on a fairly consistent basis. The latter category can often provide the body with a solid base to protect against potential illnesses by supplying vitamins, minerals, amino acids, hormones and enzymes.

If you have a special medical condition on top of the one you are trying to heal, take special care when researching to look for negative effects of the natural remedies you are considering. An example would be the use of strongly hypoglycemic plants such as cayenne pepper, unaged garlic, goldenseal, onion and paud'arco which when taken individually can cause mood swings or fatigue in those afflicted with low blood sugar or hypoglycemia. Also remember that the effectiveness of an herbal remedy can depend on a wide variety of variables, including both the subject to be treated and the substance that will be used.

The following list is a culmination from various public sources that attempts to match common ailments to the healing herbs, spices and medicinal plants that have been known to be effective treatments throughout history. Taking all that was said above into account, we hope you will use this list as a starting point for your own research that should culminate in your sharing the results with your physician for their opinion. One's own health is not a passive subject, but one in which the individual has to take the responsibility to take a proactive approach to finding the right treatment for themselves, whether that be natural remedies, medical science, or preferably, a logical mixture of both

Match Ailments with Healing Herbs/Plants!

The following information is provided as a guide only. Please do your own research, and consult your physician before undertaking any treatment based on this information.

Matching Healing Plants
to Your Ailment!

Note: Some plant are in green text indicating that there is a GreenWeb Plant Info (Bio) Page in our Articles section that you can get more information on the specific plant noted.
 

Alphabetical Listing Below by Ailments:

- A -

ABDOMINAL CRAMPS & INFLAMMATIONS (see also CRAMPS): apple bark, ginger, lilac, prickly ash, rhubarb, sweet cicely.

ABRASIONS (see also BRUISES): adder's tongue, cattail, shepherd's purse, witch hazel.

ABSCESSES: Chinese cucumber, mullein, peony.

ABSENTMINDEDNESS: (see MEMORY LOSS):

ACHES (see also PAIN): lemongrass, thyme.

ACID INDIGESTION: belladonna, bitters, caraway, chicory, cinnamon, lilac, sweet cicely.

ACNE: amaranth, asparagus, birch, burdock, celandine, pine , poplar, rhubarb, roses, thyme, turmeric, walnut, wheat grass.

ADDICTIONS: (see DRUG ADDICTIONS):

AGING: (see also OLD AGE SPOTS and MRINKLES): chaparral, he-shou-wu .

AGITATION: ashwagandha.

AIDS (see also CANCER): anemone, astragalus, chamomile, Chinese cucumber, echinacea.

AIR-SWALLOWING: tarragon.

ALCOHOLISM: ashwagandha, cloves.

ALLERGIC RHINITIS (see ALLERGIES):

ALLERGIES: agrimony, Brigham tea, chamomile, eyebright, osha , thyme, uva ursi, wood betony.

ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE (see also MEMORY LOSS): ginkgo biloba.

AMEBIASIS: Brigham tea.

ANEMIA: angelica, prickly ash, suma.

ANGINA (see also CARDIAC DISORDERS): aconite, arnica, chrysanthemum , mullein.

ANOREXIA NERVOSA: chives.

ANXIETY NEUROSIS: ashwagandha, Japanese honeysuckle, kava kava , lavender, lily, spruce, tarragon.

APPETITE (POOR): asafoetida, bouquet garni, cinchona fennel seed , fungus, ginger, licorice root, sweet cicely, tarragon , thyme, wild black cherry.

ARTERIOSCLEROSIS: (see also CARDIAC DISORDERS and CHOLESTEROL, ELE- VATED): arnica, skullcap.

ARTHRITIS: angelica, ash, ashwagandha, bay, bean, belladonna , cayenne pepper, feverfew, pine, prickly ash, rhubarb, sassafras, skullcap, turmeric, wormwood, yarrow, yucca

ASTHMA: aconite, adder's tongue, agrimony, black haw, camphor, chamomile, Chinese cucumber, coffee, coltsfoot, elderberry , elecampane, eucalyptus, frankincense, ginger, ginkgo biloba , jumiper berry, lobelia, mountain mahogany, mullein, onion, osha, peony, thyme, yellow dock.

ATHEROSCLEROSIS (see also ARTERIOSCLEROSIS): alfalfa, digitalis, ginkgo biloba, tea.

ATHLETE'S FOOT (see also FUNGAL INFECTIONS): calendula, chaparral , cinnamon, thyme.

ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER: ashwagandha, blue vervain.

- B -

BACKACHE: bay, bupleurum, camphor, ginger, lemongrass, mustard, prickly ash.

BAD BREATH: alfalfa, blackberry, chrysanthemum, cinnamon, coriander, dill, fennel seed, myrrh, parsley, rosemary, thyme, watercress.

BALDNESS: magnolia, stinging nettle.

BED SORES: aloe, anemone, arnica, arum, bearded darnel, malaleuca, witch hazel.

BED WETING: cornsilk.

BIRTH CONTROL (MALE): chicory, cotton.

BIRTH CONTROL (FEMALE): juniper berry, kola nut.

BITTER TASTE: chrysanthemum.

BLACK EYE: bluebottle.

BLACKHEADS: asparagus, roses.

BLADDER PROBLEMS: buchu, cornsilk, eucalyptus, ginger, tar ragon, wood betony.

BLEEDING: amaranth, aster, atractylis, bayberry, birthwort, bugle weed, cayenne pepper, cotton, horsetail, , moss, plantain, shepherd's purse, smartweed, stinging nettle , turmeric, white oak.

BLISTERS: celandine.

BLOOD CIRCULATION (poor): basil, flaxseed, ginkgo biloba, thyme.

BLOOD CLOTS: cayenne pepper, ginger, goldenseal, motherwort , pine, red clover, sage.

BLOOD COAGULATION (ENCOURAGE): juniper berry (Cannot be used by pregnant women!).

BLOOD IMPURITIES: blackberry, burdock, chickweed, dandelion, dang-shen, sagebrush, sassafras, yellow dock, cranberries.

BLOOD PRESSURE (see HYPERTENSION and LOW BLOOD PRESSURE):

BLOOD VESSEL PROBLEMS: calendula.

BLOODY STOOL & URINE: aster, bayberry, bugleweed, oak, shepherd's purse, white oak.

BLOTCHES (SKIN): horseradish.

BODY ODOR: anise, poplar, white oak, willow.

BOILS: (see also CARBUNCLES): apple bark, burdock, calendula, chickweed, morning glory, mullein, peony, slippery elm, thyme.

BONE WEAKNESS: horsetail.

BONES, BROKEN (see FRACTURES):

BRAIN DISEASE, DEGENERATIVE (see also ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE):

BRAIN DISTURBANCES (see CEREBROSPINAL PROBLEMS):

BREAST INFLAMMATION: ash, chickweed, Chinese cucumber, poke-root.

BREAST MILK (DELAYED): anise, blessed thistle, fennel seed.

BRIGHT'S DISEASE (see also KIDNEY PROBLEMS): apple bark.

BROKEN BONES (see FRACTURES):

BRONCHIAL ASTHMA (see ASTHMA):

BRONCHITIS: aconite, adder's tongue, agrimony, baby's breath, bay, black haw, camphor, castor bean, Chinese cucumber, coffee , coltsfoot, dandelion, elderberry, elecampane, eucalyptus, frankincense, ginger, jie-geng, marjoram, mountain mahogany, osha, pau d'arco, pine, thyme, yellow dock.

BRUISES (see also ABRASIONS): adder's tongue, arnica, birch, bluebottle, buchu, calendula, cayenne pepper, comfrey, daffodil, lily, parsley, peony, roses, St. Johnswort, thyme, witch hazel.

BUMPS (see BRUISES):

BURNS: adder's tongue, aloe, beech, birch, box elder, calendula , curry, elderberry, garlic, lavender, melaleuca, mullein , onion, poplar, St. Johnswort, thyme, willow.

BURSETIS (see RHEUMATISM):

- C -

CALCIUM DEPOSITS: asparagus, parsley, wheat grass.

CALLUSES: celandine.

CANCER: ashwagandha, astragalus, beet root, birch, bloodroot, chaparral, cinnamon, coffee, comfrey, dill, echinacea, evening primrose, flaxseed, fungus, garlic, magnolia, mountain mahogany, parsley, pau d'arco, pokeroot , poplar, red clover, rhubarb, St. Johnswort, suma, tea , turmeric, wheat grass, wild Mexican yam, yucca.

CANDIDIASIS (see also FUNGAL and YEAST INFECTIONS): aloe, astragalus , basil, chaparral, cinnamon, garlic, goldenseal.

CANKERS: burdock, myrrh, watercress.

CARBUNCLES: burdock, chickweed, peony.

CARDIAC ARREST: nux vomica.

CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE (see also EDEMA and CARDIAC DISORDERS): : digitalis.

CONJUNCTIVITIS: eyebright, goldenseal, mountain mahogany, snap-dragon, turmeric.

CONSTIPATION: agave, aloe, barberry, bayberry, birch, bouquet garni, brier rose, cascara sagrada, citrin, elderberry, flaxseed , mountain mahogany, psyllium, rhubarb, senna, tarragon , zedoary.

CONTAMINATED WATER: thyme.

CONTRACEPTIVE (see BIRTH CONTROL):

CONVULSIONS: skullcap.

CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE: evening primrose.

CORONARY PROBLEMS (see CARDIAC DISORDERS):

COUGHS: agave, anise, bay, bryony, eucalyptus, eyebright, hyssop, iris, lavender, mustard, spruce, wild black cherry.

CRAMPS: apple bark, calendula, cinnamon, ginger, lemon balm , lilac, marjoram.

CRAMPS, MENSTRUAL (see MENSTRUAL CRAMPS and PREMENSTRUAL SYN- DROME)

CRIPPLED SEXUALITY (see IMPOTENCY):

CROUP (see also COUGHS): ramps.

CUTS: adder's tongue, cattail, plantain, roses, sagebrush, thyme , zedoary.

CYSTITIS: (see also BLADDER PROBLEMS): cornsilk, marshmallow, pau d'arco, rhododendron.

- D -

DANDRUFF (see also SCALP PROBLEMS): bay, chaparral, hops, sagebrush.

DAYDREAMING: lily.

DEAFNESS (see HEARING LOSS):

DEHYDRATION: Chinese cucumber, sagebrush.

DELAYED LABOR: birthwort, cotton, motherwort, raspberry.

DELUSION: ashwagandha.

DEMENTIA (see MEMORY LOSS):

DEPRESSION: alfalfa, ashwagandha, borage, corydalis, ginkgo biloba, lavender, lily, St. Johnswort, tarragon.

DERMATITIS (see also SKIN PROBLEMS): ash, slippery elm, turmeric, watercress, wheat grass.

DETACHED RETINA: chervil.

DIABETES: alfalfa, atractylis, bean, bilberry, cactus, cayenne pepper, dandelion, garlic, goldenseal, guar gum, , pine, psyllium, turmeric.

DIABETIC RETINOPATHY: ginkgo biloba.

DIAPER RASH: beech, turmeric, witch hazel

DIARRHEA: agave, amaranth, arnica, aster, bilberry, birch, Brigham tea, blackberry, butternut, cardamom, cattail, gladi-ola, rhubarb, sagebrush, walnut, white oak, willow.

DIGESTION, POOR (see INDIGESTION):

DIGESTIVE DISORDERS (see INDIGESTION):

DIPHTHERIA: lobelia.

DISLOCATED JOINTS: daffodil, wormwood.

DISTENDED BOWELS: prickly ash.

DIZZINESS: bearded darnel, catnip, chrysanthemum, mistletoe.

DROPSY (see EDEMA):

DRUG ADDICTION (WITHDRAWAL): camphor, catnip, goldenseal, kola nut, lily, nutmeg, nux vomica, passion flower.

DRUG OVERDOSE: nux vomica.

DRY MOUTH: chrysanthemum.

DRY SCALP (see SCALP PROBLEMS):

DRY SKIN: flaxseed.

DUODENAL ULCER (see ULCERS):

DYSENTERY: agave, apple bark, butternut, gladiola, hops, lobelia, sassafras.

DYSMENORRHEA (see FEMALE COMPLAINTS):

- E -

EAR ACHE: melaleuca, mullein, turmeric.

ECZEMA: amaranth, ash, birch, burdock, club moss, evening primrose, poplar, rhubarb, sage, sagebrush, St. Johnswort , sassafras, slippery elm, turmeric, walnut, watercress, witch hazel.

EDEMA: aloe, asparagus, broom, citrin, cornsilk, digitalis, horsetail, parsley, turmeric, uva ursi, wood betony, yarrow.

EMOTIONAL TRAUMA: agrimony, licorice root, lily.

EMPHYSEMA: frankincense, mountain mahogany, pine, yellow dock.

ENERGY IMBALANCE: astragalus, atractylis, dang-shen, mistletoe.

EPIDEMICS: camphor, garlic, goldenseal, onion, thyme.

EPILEPTIC SEIZURES: cleavers, elephant grass, marjoram, safflower .

ERYSIPELAS: arrowroot, belladonna, club moss, elephant grass, lobelia.

EYE PROBLEMS: agrimony, basil, brooklime, burdock, catnip, chervil, chrysanthemum, eyebright, fennel seed, flaxseed , goldenseal, morning glory, mountain mahogany, roses, sage brush, snapdragon, squawvine, thyme, turmeric.

- F -

FATIGUE: astragalus, barley grass, cattail, cayenne pepper, club moss, dang-shen, evening primrose, fungus, gentian, ginseng, guarana, kava kava, kola nut, mahuang, maple, pine, prickly ash, spruce, suma, thyme.

FEAR: lily

FEMALE COMPLAINTS: bayberry, black haw, blue cohosh, motherwort , yarrow.

FEVER: agave, anemone, apple bark, barberry, basil, bayberry belladonna, bergamot, birthwort, black pepper, boneset, borage, castor bean, catnip, cinnamon, dandelion, dogwood, eucalyptus. garlic. ginger, lilac marjoram, oak, pine , prickly ash, rhubarb, sassafras, slippery elm, thyme, wintergreen, wormwood.

FEVER BLISTERS: myrrh

FINGERNAIL FUNGUS (see FUNGAL INFECTION):

FLATULENCE (see INTESTINAL GAS):

FLEAS: chaparral.

FLU (see INFLUENZA):

FLUID RETENTION (see EDEMA):

FOOD POISONING (see POISONING):

FOOT PROBLEMS: celandine ginger.

FRACTURES & BROKEN BONES: cactus, horsetail, marshmallow, turmeric, wormwood.

FRECKLES: American centaury, horseradish.

FREE RADICAL ACTIVITY: echinacea, garlic, onion, pine, ramps

FRIGIDITY (see also IMPOTENCY): clary sage, jasmine, parsley, savory.

FROSTBITE: beech, calendula.

FUNGAL INFECTION: castor bean, cinnamon, garlic, neem, pine , thyme, wormwood.

- G -

GALL BLADDER ATTACKS: apple bark.

GALL BLADDER PROBLEMS: bitters, cumin, wormwood, zedoary

GALLSTONES: burdock, chicory, wormwood.

GANGRENE: alfalfa, beech, elephant grass, morning glory, poplar

GAS (see INTESTINAL GAS):

GASTRITIS: bitters, pau d'arco.

GASTRODUODENITIS: calendula.

GASTROINTESTINAL PROBLEMS: plantain, willow.

GENITAL ODOR: coriander.

GIARDIASIS (see DIARRHEA):

GINGIVITIS (see GUM DISEASE):

GLANDULAR PROBLEMS: bitters, bladderwrack. kelp, pokeroot.

GLAUCOMA: chervil, yarrow.

GLUTEN ENTEROPATHY: barley grass.

GLUTEN INTOLERANCE (see CELIAC DISEASE):

GOITER: bladderwrack, kelp.

GONORRHEA (see also SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES): blazing star, Brigham tea, garlic, sarsaparilla, squawvine.

GOUT: ash, asparagus, bean, buchu, lilac, peony, pine, rosemary, sassafras, tarragon, watercress, wood betony, yarrow.

GRANULOMA INGUINALE: Brigham tea

GUM DISEASE & PROBLEMS: catnip, cinquefoil, eucalyptus, myrrh , thyme, watercress, willow.

GYNECOLOGICAL PROBLEMS (see also FEMALE COMPLAINTS): doong quai, motherwort.

- H -

HAIR LOSS (see BALDNESS):

HAIR PROBLEMS (see SCALP PROBLEMS):

HALITOSIS (see BAD BREATH):

HALLUCINATION: ashwagandha.

HANGOVER (see also ALCOHOLISM): barberry, nux vomica.

HAY FEVER: catnip, chamomile, coltsfoot, eyebright, fenugreek

HEAD COLD (see CONGESTION):

HEAD INJURIES: ginkgo biloba.

HEADACHE (see also MIGRAINES): asafoetida, basil, brooklime, bupleurum, cayenne pepper, chamomile, chrysanthemum, cinchona , coca, ginger, lavender, mint, mistletoe, morning glory, sagebrush, spruce, thyme, watercress, wintergreen , wood betony.

HEARING LOSS: bergamot, ginkgo biloba.

HEART ARRHYTHMIA: belladonna, ginkgo biloba.

HEART ATTACK: cayenne pepper, garlic, ginkgo biloba, mistletoe.

HEART MUSCLE TWITCHING: kava kava.

HEART PROBLEMS (see CARDIAC DISORDERS):

HEARTBURN (see also INTESTINAL GAS): anise, annatto, belladonna, bitters, bouquet garni, caraway, cinnamon, sweet cicely, turmeric, willow.

HEMORRHAGING (see BLEEDING):

HEMORRHOIDS: brooklime, bugleweed, mountain mahogany, mullein, oak, uva ursi, white oak.

HEPATITIS (see also INFECTIONS and LIVER PROBLEMS): barberry, Brigham tea, calendula, chamomile, dandelion , milk thistle, rhubarb , wormwood.

HERNIA: comfrey, fenugreek, marshmallow.

HERPES: aloe, arnica, arum, astragalus, bearded darnel, birch, burdock, cascara sagrada, chickweed, cotton, garlic, henna, melaleuca, mint, morning glory, rhubarb, sassafras , slippery elm, turmeric, wild Oregon grape.

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE (see HYPERTENSION):

HIVES: agrimony, amaranth, pennyroyal.

HOARSENESS: clary sage, iris, slippery elm, tea.

HODGKIN'S DISEASE: pau d'arco.

HOT FLASHES (see also PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME): angelica, motherwort .

HYDROCEPHALUS (see CEREBROSPINAL PROBLEMS):

HYPERACTIVITY: blue vervain, catnip, chamomile, fennel seed, passion flower, tarragon.

HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA (see CHOLESTEROL, ELEVATED):

HYPERTENSION: asparagus, black cohosh, chrysanthemum, dandelion, digitalis, evening primrose, hawthorn, magnolia , mistletoe, pine, smartweed, wood betony.

HYPOGLYCEMIA (see also FATIGUE): astragalus, bean, fungus, garlic, onion.

HYPOTENSION: bitters, purslane.

HYPOTHERMIA: cayenne pepper.

HYSTERIA: kava kava, licorice root, St. Johnswort, safflower, vanilla.

- I -

ILLNESS (RECUPERATION): : brier rose, slippery elm.

IMMUNE SYSTEM PROBLEMS: astragalus, echinacea, garlic, goldenseal, onion.

IMPETIGO (see also SKIN PROBLEMS): birthwort.

IMPOTENCY (see also FRIGIDITY): bamboo, clary sage, dang-shen, ginseng, hops, he-shou-wu, lavender, parsley, saffron, vanilla , yohimbine.

INCOHERENT SPEECH: ashwagandha.

INDIGESTION: agave, anise, annatto, apple bark, bitters, blessed thistle, bouquet garni, caraway, cardamom, ginger, licorice root , mints, nutmeg, osha, rhubarb, tarragon, turmeric.

INFECTION: alfalfa, birthwort, blue flag, castor bean, dandelion, echinacea, garlic, goldenseal, nasturtium , onion, osha, roses, tea, thyme, wild Orgeon grape, wormwood.

INFLAMMATION: aswagandha, beech, bird-of-paradise, borage, box elder, calendula, castor bean, Chinese cucumber , coltsfoot, evening primrose, lobelia, prickly ash, skullcap, snapdragon, tea, turmeric, wild Mexican yam, wormwood, yarrow .

INFLUENZA (see also COMMON COLD and FEVER): blue vervain, boneset, cayenne pepper, cinchona, cinnamon, cotton, elderberry, eucalyptus, mountain mahogany, pine, spruce, thyme.

INGROWN HAIRS: aloe.

INSECT BITES/STINGS: adder's tongue, aloe, apple bark, asafoetida, bird-of-paradise, cattail, celery, curry, jewelweed, lavender , morning glory, onion, sage, sagebrush, shepherd's purse , turmeric, wild Orgeon grape, witch hazel.

INSECT (REPELLANT): eucalyptus, lemongrass, mountain mahogany , neem, pyrethrum, wormwood.

INSOMNIA: bearded darnel, belladonna, catnip, chrysanthemum, dill, fungus, hops, lavender, lily, passion flower, squawvine, tarragon.

INSULIN SHOCK: aconite.

INTESTINAL GAS (see also HEARTBURN): agave, annatto, bitters, bouquet garni, lemongrass, lovage, nutmeg, sweet cicely, tarragon, willow.

INTESTINAL INFLAMMATION: mullein, tea.

INTESTINAL PARASITES: ash, Brigham tea, bayberry, citrin, garlic , pumpkin, wood betony, wormwood.

INTOLERANCE: beech.

IRREGULAR HEART BEAT: bitters, mullein.

IRRITABLE BOWL SYNDROME: marshmallow, psyllium, slippery elm .

IRRITABILITY: mistletoe.

ITCHING: bird-of-paradise, chickweed, sage, yellow dock.

ITCHY SCALP (see SCALP PROBLEMS):

- J -

JAUNDICE: agave, chicory, dandelion, rhubarb, wormwood.

JOINT PAIN & STIFFNESS: flaxseed, ginger, mustard, prickly ash.

KIDNEY PROBLEMS: agave, cornsilk, digitalis, mustard, nutmeg , parsley, rhododendron, tarragon, uva ursi, wood betony.

- K -

KIDNEY STONES: apple bark, buchu, burdock, cornsilk, ginger , parsley, rhododendron, rosemary, sorrel, uva ursi.

- L -

LABOR, DELAYED (see DELAYED LABOR):

LACTATION (IMPROVE): anise, caraway, dill, parsley.

LACTATION (ENDING): sage, sassafras.

LARYNGITIS: aconite, arnica, Chinese cucumber, clary sage, euca- lyptus, hyssop, jie-geng, sage.

LEG CRAMPS: eucalyptus, melaleuca, peppermint.

LEG ULCER: alfalfa, aloe, arnica, brooklime, morning glory.

LEPROSY: anemone, castor bean, elephant grass, hops, turmeric.

LEUKEMIA (see also CANCER): parsley, pine, red clover, wheat grass.

LICE (see also SCALP PROBLEMS): azalea, chaparral.

LIGAMENTS, TORN (see TORN LIGAMENTS):

LIP SORES (see COLD SORES):

LIVER PROBLEMS: apple bark, artichoke, bitters, blackberry, blessed thistle, chamomile, chicory, cumin, dandelion, eucalyptus , milk thistle, roses, tea, turmeric, wormwood, zedoary .

LIVER SPOTS: dandelion.

LOCKJAW: aloe, chickweed.

LOOSE DENTURES: aloe.

LOW BLOOD PRESSURE: bitters.

LUMBAGO: lemongrass.

LUNG BLEEDING (see BLEEDING):

LUNG CONGESTION (see CONGESTION):

LUNG DISORDERS (see LUNG PROBLEMS):

LUNG INFECTION (see LUNG PROBLEMS):

LUNG PROBLEMS (see also RESPIRATORY DISORDERS): astragalus, black cohosh, bracken fern, castor bean, mountain mahogany, sassafras, shepherd's purse, yellow dock.

LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS: pau d'arco, pine, wheat grass.

LYMPHEDEMA: angelica.

LYMPHOGRANULOMA VENEREUM: Brigham tea.

- M -

MACULAR DEGENERATION: ginkgo biloba.

MALARIA (see also FEVER): anemone, cinchona, dogwood, wormwood.

MALIGNANT GROWTHS (see CANCER):

MASTITIS: ash, pokeroot, rhubarb.

MEASLES: Chinese cucumber, dandelion, lilac, majoram, mullein, pennyroyal, pine, turmeric, wheat grass.

MELANOMA (see CANCER):

MEMORY LOSS: anise, artichoke, ashwagandha, coca, frankincense , ginkgo biloba, lily.

MENINGITIS (see SPINAL MENINGITIS):

MENOPAUSAL SYMPTOMS: angelica, motherwort.

MENSTRUAL CRAMPS: lemon balm.

MENSTRUAL PROBLEMS: angelica, apple bark, aster, bayberry, black haw, blue cohosh, bugleweed, caraway, citrin, cotton , doong quai, lemon balm, marjoram, tarragon, yarrow .

MENTAL DEPRESSION (see DEPRESSION):

MENTAL RETARDATION: ginkgo biloba, gotu kola.

MENTAL TRAUMA: lily.

MIGRAINES: basil, belladonna, bergamot, elderberry, feverfew, lavender, melaleuca, mint, pine, tea, thyme.

MINERAL DEFICIENCY (see VITAMIN/MINERAL DEFICIENCY):

MONONUCLEOSIS: astragalus, echinacea, garlic, goldenseal, onion.

MOOD SWINGS: ashwagandha, catnip, motherwort, mints.

MORNING SICKNESS: ginger, pine, red raspberry.

MOTION SICKNESS: ginger, pine.

MOUTH DISORDERS (see ORAL PROBLEMS):

MOUTH SORES (see COLD SORES):

MUCUS ACCUMULATION: arnica, black alder, black haw, elderberry , eucalyptus, nasturtium, rhododendron, watercress.

MUMPS: Chinese cucumber, dandelion, lilac, marjoram, mullein , pennyroyal, pine, turmeric.

MUSCLE PROBLEMS: calendula, camphor, daffodil, ginger, licorice root, marshmallow, prickly ash, roses, rosemary, thyme.

MUSCLE SPASMS: agave, lobelia, mints, skullcap.

MUSCULAR STIFFNESS (see also CRAMPS, ARTHRITIS, LUMBAGO, RHEUMA TISM, TENDONITIS, PULLED LIGAMENTS): chamomile, ginger, horse radish, roses, wormwood.

MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION: cayenne pepper, ginger, sage.

- N -

NAIL PROBLEMS: horsetail.

NAUSEA (see also VOMITING): apple bark, bergamot, catnip, ginger , nutmeg.

NAVEL INJURY: turmeric.

NERVOUS TRAUMA (see SHOCK, HYSTERIA): St. Johnswort.

NERVOUSNESS: basil, blue vervain, cattail, celery, hops, Japanese honeysuckle, licorice root, lily, sage, skullcap, tarragon.

NEURALGIA: adder's tongue, cinchona, doong quai, ginger, moth- erwort.

NEURITIS: motherwort.

NIGHT BLINDNESS: dandelion, eyebright, passion flower, roses, yellow dock.

NOSEBLEED: bugleweed, shepherd's purse.

- O -

OBESITY: cayenne pepper, celery, chickweed, citrin, guar gum , kelp, mahuang, psyllium, stinging nettle, wild Mexican yam, yohimbine.

OLD AGE SPOTS: dandelion, horsetail.

OPHTHALMIA: turmeric.

ORAL PROBLEMS: echinacea, goldenseal, zedoary.

OSTEOARTHRITIS: feverfew.

- P -

PAIN: arnica, belladonna, coca, dong quai, elecampane, fungus, ginger, pau d'arco, peony, prickly ash , wormwood.

PALSY (see also NERVOUSNESS): corydalis.

PANCREATITIS: mullein.

PANIC ATTACKS (see also ANXIETY NEUROSIS): ashwagandha, lily.

PARALYSIS: chamomile, pine, prickly ash.

PARASITES (see INTESTINAL PARASITES, SKIN PARASITES):

PARKINSON'S DISEASE: corydalis, pine.

PEPTIC ULCER (see ULCERS):

PERITONITIS: mullein, prickly ash.

PERSPIRATION, STRONG (see BODY ODOR):

PHLEBITIS: gotu kola.

PHLEGM (see MUCUS ACCUMULATION):

PHYSICAL WEAKNESS (see also FATIGUE): astragalus, slippery elm.

PIMPLES (see ACNE):

PLACENTA (RETAINED): bugleweed, red raspberry.

PLAGUE (see EPIDEMICS):

PLAQUE: tea.

PLEURISY (see also PAIN): catnip, feverfew, jie-geng.

PMS (see PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME):

PNEUMONIA: castor bean, cayenne pepper, dandelion, elecampane , prickly ash

POISON IVY/OAK RASH (see also RASH): beech, cattail, goldenseal, jewelweed, lily, pennyroyal, sage, sumac, witch hazel

POISONING: cilantro, ipecac, milk thistle, pokeroot, turmeric , white oak, willow, wormwood.

POST-NASAL DRIP (see also SINUS PROBLEMS): aloe vera, horseradish, walnut.

PREGNANCY PROBLEMS (see CHILDBIRTH DIFFICULTIES):

PREMATURE AGING: evening primrose, garlic, rosehips, wild Oregon grape.

PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME (PMS): angelica, black cohosh, evening primrose, lemon balm, motherwort, suma.

PROLAPSED UTERUS: bayberry, bupleurum.

PROSTATE PROBLEMS: buchu, mountain mahogany, stinging nettle.

PROSTATITIS: ginger, mountain mahogany, pau d'arco.

PSORIASIS: amaranth, angelica, birch, burdock, pennyroyal, rhubarb, sage, sagebrush, St. Johnswort, sassafras, turmeric, walnut.

PSYCHOSES: ashwagandha.

PULLED LIGAMENTS: flaxseed, roses, slippery elm.

PULLED MUSCLES (see MUSCLE PROBLEMS):

PULMONARY DISORDERS (see LUNG PROBLEMS):

- Q -

- R -

RABIES: agave, apple bark, wild Oregon grape.

RADIATION EXPOSURE: aloe vera, bamboo, elecampane.

RASH: beech, chickweed, pennyroyal, pine, poplar, sassafras , slippery elm, sumac, thyme.

RAZOR BUMPS (see INGROWN HAIRS):

RECTAL SORES: aloe vera, amaranth.

RESPIRATORY DISORDERS: dandelion, elecampane, eucalyptus, frankincense, mahuang, mountain mahogany, purslane, yellow dock.

RESTLESSNESS (see NERVOUSNESS):

RHEUMATISM: agave, camphor, lemongrass, lilac, motherwort , prickly ash, roses, rosemary, sassafras, tarragon, wild Mexican yam.

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (see ARTHRITIS):

RINGING IN THE EAR: (see TINNITUS):

RINGWORM: arum, azalea, pau d'arco, sagebrush, turmeric, walnut.

RUNNY NOSE (see POST-NASAL DRIP):

- S -

SALIVA (DELAYED FLOW): anemone, prickly ash.

SCABIES (see also SKIN PROBLEMS): neem, pennyroyal.

SCALDS (see BURNS):

SCALP PROBLEMS: cactus, cattail, henna, horsetail, magnolia , rosemary, sage, sagebrush, stinging nettle.

SCARLET FEVER (see FEVER):

SCHIZOPHRENIA: ashwagandha, evening primrose, tarragon.

SCIATICA: adder's tongue, bean, buttercup, camphor, lemongrass , motherwort.

SCRAPES (see BRUISES):

SCURVY: blue spruce, cayenne pepper, pine.

SEIZURES (see EPILEPTIC SEIZURES):

SENILITY (see MEMORY LOSS):

SEXUAL DYSFUNTION (see FRIGIDITY, IMPOTENCY):

SEXUAL FRIGIDITY (see FRIGIDITY):

SEXUAL PROBLEMS (see FRIGIDITY, IMPOTENCY):

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES: Brigham tea, garlic, melaleuca , pokeroot.

SHINGLES: belladonna, buttercup, cayenne pepper, garlic, penny royal, sassafras.

SHIGELLOSIS: Brigham tea, garlic, wormwood.

SHOCK: arnica, lily, St. Johnswort.

SHOULDER PAIN (see PAIN):

SICKLE CELL ANEMIA: prickly ash, red clover.

SINUS PROBLEMS: camphor, eyebright, goldenseal, horehound, horseradish, pine, walnut, watercress, yellow dock.

SINUSITIS (see SINUS PROBLEMS):

SKIN PARASITES: eucalyptus, garlic, melaleuca, neem, pau d'arco.

SKIN PROBLEMS: agrimony, birch, calendula, castor bean, chamomile, club moss, coffee, elderberry, garlic, henna , horseradish, horsetail, jewelweed, marshmallow, mullein oak, pennyroyal, pokeroot, poplar. purslane, roses, rosemary , thyme, turmeric.

SKIN SORES (see also SORES): agave, anemone, arnica, arum, blackberry, brooklime. burdock, henna, marshmallow, melaleuca, oak, thyme, witch hazel.

SKIN ULCERS: adder's tongue, marshmallow, mullein, pine, poplar, shepherd`s purse, slippery elm, turmeric.

SMALLPOX: castor bean.

SMOKER'S COUGH: aconite, slippery elm.

SMOKING ADDICTION: lobelia, sassafras, slippery elm.

SMOKING DETERRENT: lobelia.

SNAKEBITES: asafoetida, turmeric, wild Oregon grape.

SORE GUMS (see GUM DISEASE):

SORE MUSCLES (see MUSCLE PROBLEMS):

SORE THROAT: aconite, amaranth, arnica, arum, basil, birthwort, black alder, blazing star, boneset, cayenne pepper , cinchona , cinquefoil, clary sage, eyebright, fungus, garlic, goldenseal, hyssop, myrrh, oak, osha, ramps, red clover , roses, sage, sorrel, thyme, walnut, wintergreen.

SORES (see also SKIN SORES): adder's tongue, agave, alfalfa, anemone, arnica, arum, birch, blackberry, brooklime, burdock, calendula, elephant grass, eucalyptus, oak, poplar, ramp, St. Johnswort, slippery elm, thyme, willow.

SPASMS (see MUSCLE SPASMS):

SPINAL MENINGITIS: echinacea, garlic, wild Orgeon grape.

SPLEEN PROBLEMS: apple bark, ash, astragalus, chicory.

SPORTS INJURIES: arnica, ashwagandha, comfrey, horsetail.

SPRAINS: bay, calendula, cayenne pepper, daffodil, lemongrass , roses, turmeric, wormwood, zedoary.

STAPH INFECTION (see also INFECTION): blue flag, echinacea, garlic, goldenseal.

STICKY TASTE (see ORAL PROBLEMS):

STIFF NECK: ginger.

STOMACH PAINS: agave, asafoetida, calendula, cardamom, cumin , elderberry.

STOMACH PROBLEMS: eucalyptus, lily, mint, nutmeg, sweet cicely, wood betony, zedoary.

STOMACH ULCERS (see ULCERS):

STRESS: asafoetida, cattail, dang-shen, evening primrose, ginger, ginseng, kava kava, lavender

STROKE: aconite, cayenne pepper, ginkgo biloba, pine.

STYES (see EYE PROBLEMS and BLOOD IMPURITIES):

SUFFOCATION: aconite.

SUNBURN: aloe, arrowroot, box elder, mullein, witch hazel.

SUNSTROKE: catnip, mints, sagebrush.

SWEATING (INDUCE): boneset, catnip, feverfew.

SWELLING (see INFLAMMATION):

SWOLLEN GLANDS: ginger, lavender. pokeroot.

SWOLLEN JOINTS (see ARTHRITIS):

SYPHILLIS (see also SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES): Brigham tea, burdock, echinacea, garlic, morning glory, sarsaparilla, squawvine.

- T -

TAPEWORMS (see INTESTINAL WORMS):

TENDONITIS (see also INFLAMMATION): bay, lemongrass, plantain.

TENSION (see STRESS):

TESTICLE INFLAMMATION: burdock, chickweed, plantain.

TETANUS (see LOCKJAW):

THIRST (see DEHYDRATION):

THROAT DISORDERS (see COUGHS. LARYNGITIS, SORE THROAT, and TONSILLITIS):

THYROID PROBLEMS: bladderwrack, kelp.

TINNITUS: fenugreek, ginkgo biloba.

TONSILLITIS: cinquefoil, echinacea, jie-geng, lobelia, mullein, pokeroot, sage, sorrel, walnut, willow, yellow dock.

TOOTH DECAY: camphor, prickly ash, rhubarb, sorrel, tea, thyme, watercress.

TOOTHACHE: allspice, apple bark, black pepper, catnip, cattail, cloves, coriander, garlic, ginger, melaleuca, plantain, prickly ash, ramps.

TORN LIGAMENTS: horsetail, marshmallow, slippery elm.

TRANSPLANT REJECTION: garlic, ginkgo biloba, kava kava.

TREMBLING (see also NERVOUSNESS): catnip, corydalis.

TUBERCULOSIS: castor bean, echinacea, elecampane, hops, mountain mahogany, thyme.

TUMORS (see CANCER):

TWITCHES (see NERVOUSNESS and MUSCLE SPASMS):

TYPHOID (see FEVER and INFECTION):

TYPHUS (see FEVER and INFECTION):

- U -

ULCERS: aloe. bilberry, calendula, cayenne pepper, comfrey, licorice root, plantain, roses, wheat grass.

URIC ACID ACCUMULATION (see CALCIUM DEPOSITS and GOUT):

URINARY PROBLEMS: asparagus, buchu, horsetail, parsley.

URINARY TRACT INFECTION: agave, garlic, marshmallow, mullein , purslane, uva ursi.

URINATION (POOR): agave, buchu, Chinese cucumber, parsley, rosemary, tarragon.

UTERINE CRAMPS (see CHILDBIRTH, DIFFICULT):

UTERINE HEMORRHAGING (see BLEEDING):

- V -

VAGINITIS: amaranth, bayberry, blazing star, witch hazel.

VARICOSE VEINS: bay, bayberry, calendula, gotu kola, oak, pine, zedoary.

VENEREAL DISEASE (see also SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES): blazing star, chickweed, sarsaparilla, sassafras, slippery elm, sumac.

VERTIGO: catnip, ginkgo biloba, mints.

VITAMIN/MINERAL DEFICIENCY: alfalfa, parsley, purslane, water cress.

VOMITING: apple bark, bergamot, ginger, lemongrass, nutmeg

VOMITING (INDUCE): ipecac.

- W -

WARTS: aloe, celandine, dandelion.

WEAKNESS (see FATIGUE):

WHITLOWS (see BOILS and CARBUNCLES):

WHOOPING COUGH (see also COUGHS): bryony, lobelia, red clover

WORMS (see INTESTINAL PARASITES):

WOUNDS: adder's tongue, agave, arnica, bilberry, birch, brier rose, cactus, calendula, comfrey, elephant grass, eucalyptus, lily, marshmallow, melaleuca, morning glory, mullein, poplar, sagebrush, St. Johnswort, shepherd's purse, slippery elm, smartweed, thyme, turmeric, wheat grass, wild Oregon grape, willow, yarrow.

WRINKLES: cleavers, horsetail, roses, wild Mexican yam.

- X -

- Y -

YEAST INFECTIONS (see also CANDIDIASIS and FUNGAL INFECTION): castor bean, squawvine, thyme.

- Z -

Good Books to Research About
Healing Herbs, Spices & Medicinal Plants:

A Modern Herbal (2 Volumes) by Maude Grieve (New York: Dover Publications, 1971)

Herbs That Heal by Michael A. Weiner, Ph.D. and Janet A. Weiner (Mill Valley, CA: Quantaum Books, 1994)

Heinerman's Encyclopedia of Healing Herbs & Spices by John Heinerman (Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1996)

The Way of Herbs by Michael Tierra, N.D. (Santa Cruz, CA: Unity Press, 1980)

Medicinal Plants of Mountain West (1979) and Medicinal Plants of Desert and Canyon West (