Useful For: Circulation, Skin, Energy, Digestion, Migraines
Herbal Sources: Alfalfa, Burdock Root, Catnip, Cayenne, Chickweed, Eyebright, Fennel, Fenugreek, Hops, Mullein, Licorice, Nettle Oatstraw, Parsley, Peppermint, Raspberry Leaf, Red Clover, Rosehips, Slippery Elm, Yellow Dock
Food Sources: Whole grains, organ meats, sweet potatoes, avocados, egg yolks, fish, whey
Name: Black Cohosh
Latin: Cimicifuga racemosa
Other Common Names:
Family:
Parts Used: Root
Vitamins/Minerals:
Used for: As a natural supplier of estrogen, black cohosh is an herb that is useful for a wide variety of female issues. The research studies have focused primarily on its use for menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, vaginal discomfort, and osteoporosis. It also assists with incidences of menstrual migraines. It is also useful for pms, assisting with a wide range of symptoms, and helping to ease painful menstruation. It is useful during labour, facilitating effective contractions. Also assists with the recovery after the child is born. It is said to ease false labour pains, but overall I do not suggest using at all during pregnancy until labour has begun.
Use in tandem with: Red Clover
Directions & Warnings: Do not take this herb if you are pregnant or planning on becoming so. Do not give this herb to children. Also, if you begin having headaches after taking black cohosh, it is likely a sign that your estrogen levels are fine and you should use something else. Sarsaparilla and Ginseng are decent substitutes. Over 50 years of studied use in Germany have yielded no sign of toxicity, side effects, or drug interactions.
Name: Feverfew
Latin:
Other Common Names:
Family:
Parts Used:
Vitamins/Minerals:
Used for: Used for headaches, particularly migraines.
Use in tandem with:
Directions & Warnings: Not for use during pregnancy, or if wishing to become pregnant. Feverfew is a potent emmenagogue.
Name: Fenugreek
Latin: Trigonella foenum graecum
Other Common Names:
Family:
Parts Used:
Vitamins/Minerals:
Used for: Good for healing ulcers and sores in the stomach, and also acts as a digestive ease. Can be used as a poultice for inflammation. Can assist with migraines caused by sinus infections by helping to expel the mucous.
Use in tandem with:
Directions & Warnings:
Name: Passionflower
Latin: Passiflora incarnata
Other Common Names:
Family:
Parts Used:
Vitamins/Minerals:
Used for: Is a good herb to use to ease the effects of stress. Can help to calm anxiety and ease nervous tension. Good herb to include in preparations for headaches, if stress is a factor, and can also assist with asthma. Used as an alternative to sedatives for both people and animals. Passionflower is one of the herbal pain-killers, although not in the pharmaceutical drug sense. Rather than deaden nerve endings, it soothes and nourishes the nerves and muscle tissue. Can also be used as an antispasmodic.
Use in tandem with:
Directions & Warnings: Preparations involving passionflower should be tested for the first time at a point when tiredness will not be an issue. For some people it is a fairly potent sedative.
Name: Pennyroyal
Latin: Hedeoma pulegiodes
Other Common Names:
Family:
Parts Used:
Vitamins/Minerals:
Used for: Good as a poultice for burns. Works on uterine muscles to promote contractions, and is a good tonic for menstrual problems. It is a powerful emmenagogue, however, and should not be taken while pregnant or trying to become pregnant. The oil can be helpful for headaches, if the scent is inhaled.
Use in tandem with:
Directions & Warnings: Not for use during pregnancy or while attempting to become pregnant.
Name: Eucalyptus
Latin: Eucalyptus Globulus
Other Common Names:
Family:
Parts Used: Leaf
Vitamins/Minerals:
Used for: This is an herb to use with a fair amount of caution, and only in small doses, particularly when taking it internally. A smattering of flakes will be plenty for a full quart jar of loose tea. Eucalyptus helps to dilate capillaries for better circulation, which can be useful when dealing with migraines. A small amount on the tongue can quell nausea. It is an antiseptic, which means it can be good for wounds, or as a scent or steam to inhale for internal infections. When diluted with olive oil or vitamin E, the oil can be applied as an ointment. The oil is also a decent insect repellent. For coughs, it actually outstrips Robitussin as an expectorant.
Use in tandem with:
Directions & Warnings: Eucalyptus is very useful, but you must be careful with the dosages, as it can be incredibly toxic when overdone.