This is part of an A to Z guide to the normally available herbs that are used in alternate healing.

All information provided on this Guide is for educational purposes only. Please seek professional advice before commencing any treatment.

See our other guides for the rest of this herb guide.

Although these herbs are safe for most people, we advise that you
consult with your holistic health practitioner. Some can
interact with other medications; others are ill-advised with
certain allergic conditions.Before putting anything in your body,
understand what is right for you based on your health history.

Listen to your body's wisdom.

 

Lady's mantle 

 

Alchemilla vulgaris  Family: Rosaceae(rose) 
Parts used: Leaves and flowering tops 

Actions:

    * Astringent
    * Diuretic
    * Anti-inflammatory
    * Emmenagogue
    * vulnerary

Properties:
Lady's mantle ease pain associated with period, help going through the menopausal transition. In traditional medicine, it has been used for wound healing, and as its name indicates for any women condition!
It is prescribed for endometriosis, sterility related problems and fibroids. It is also used to facilitate childbirth as it helps the uterus to contract.

Preparation and dosage:
Infusion: for a cup of boiling water add

2 teaspoonfuls of the dried herb and leave to infuse for 10-15 minutes. Drink 3 times daily.

Caution: Do not use during pregnancy.

 

Lavender flower

Lavendula augustifolia Family: Labiatiae

Parts used: Flowers

Actions:

·        Carminative

·        Anti-spasmodic

·        Anti depressant

·        Anti bacterial

·        Circulatory stimulant

·        Stomachic

·        Tonic

Properties: 
Stimulates blood flow, relieves muscular spasms. One of the best herbs to relieve headaches especially related to stress. May help ease indigestion, colic, flatulence(gas) and bloating. May kill putrefactive bacteria in the intestines.

Preparation and dosage:
Infusion: add 1 teaspoonful of the dried herb for a cup of boiling water and leave to infuse for 10 minutes. Drink 3 times daily.

Bath: infuse 100 grams of the flower in a saucepan of water for 1/2 hour, drain and pour into your bath, enjoy! Very calming.

 

Lemon balm  

Melissa officinalis Family:  Labiaceae (mint) 
Parts used: dried aerial parts  
Other names:  Balm, bee balm, cure all, sweet balm, Melissa, Melisse.

Actions:

    * Relaxant
    * Antispasmodic
    * Diaphoretic(make you sweat)
    * Carminative
    * Antiviral
    * Nerve tonic

Properties: .
Lemon balm is a relaxing tonic for mild anxiety, mild depression, and valuable remedy for palpitations of a stress origin. Following the discovery of its anti-thyroid effect, the herb is given for people with hyperthyroid activities.

Preparation and dosage:
Infusion: add 1-2 teaspoonful of the dried herb for a cup of boiling water and leave to infuse for 10-15 minutes. Drink 2 times daily.

 

lemon peel

Citrus limon  Family: Rutaceae
Parts used:  Peel

Lemons Contain these Substances (mg of Substance per 100 grams)

Amino Acids:  1,100                                     

Carbohydrates: 9,300          

Dietary Fiber: 2,800   Pectin

Carotenoids:   Beta-Carotene  3 mcg   Cryptoxanthin   20 mcg

Lipids: 300    

Terpenes: Limonene

Minerals: Calcium      26        Magnesium       8

Potassium 138            

Organic Acids: Citric Acid      6,500   P-Coumaric Acid       

Sinapic Acid                           

Peptides: Glutathione   8.7                 

Polyphenols:   Diosmin, Eriocitrin      

Didymin, Hesperidin     Rutin

Vitamins: Vitamin A                Vitamin C:        53

Volatile Oils:  Citronellal         Citral  

 

Lemon verbena

Nymphea

Alousia triphylla (syn: Lippia citriodora)  Family: Verbenaceae 
Parts used:  Leaves
Other names:lemon beebrush, herb louisa, verveine odorante, verveine citronnée.

Actions: antispasmodic

Dosage and preparations:
Similar qualities to Lemon balm, calming and digestive properties for soothing abdominal pain. It has a mild antidepressive action on the nervous system.

 

Linden/ Tilia flowers

Tillia spp.syn Tillia cordifolia  Family: Tiliaceae 

Parts used:  Flowers 

Other names:  Lime flower, Tilleul, Tillia, Linden, basswood.

Actions:

    * Antispasmodic
    * Diaphoretic
    * Sedative
    * Sleep inducing

 

Properties:
It relieves tension and headaches, lime is highly relaxant, calming and it is used to treat nervous tension and palpitations. In Europe, it is wisely used to treat colds and flu by reducing nasal catarrh and soothing fever. The calming effect helps in lowering systolic blood pressure(high) .

Preparation and dosage:
Infusion: for a cup of boiling water add 1-2 teaspoonful of the dried herb and leave to infuse for 10-15 minutes. Should be drunk 2 times daily.

Externally: Calm skin irritation.

 

Liquorice root

Glycyrrhiza glabra  Family: Fabaceae (legume) 
Parts used: roots
Other name: Licorice, reglisse, Zhi Gang Cao(TCM)

Actions:

    * Demulcent
    * Expectorant
    * Anti-inflammatory
    * Adrenal stimulative
    * Mild laxative
    * Anti-spasmodic

 

 Properties:
 Liquorice is used to harmonize formula as well as for all the properties. Sweet taste and slight warming . Meridian: Heart, Lung, Spleen and stomach.

Traditionally used in western medicine to treat cough, mucous congestion, bronchial problems. The demulcent effect may benefit the stomach like peptic ulcers, as well as kidneys and bladder problems. May reduce fever.

Preparation and dosage:
Decoction: Put 1 teaspoon of the root in 1 and ½ cup of water, bring to boil and gently simmer for 10-15 minutes. This should be drunk 3 times daily.

 

 Maca root powder

 Lipidium mayenii Family: Cruciferea

Parts used:  Tuber or roots
Other names:  Los Pumpush, Peruvian Ginseng.maka, mace, maca-maca, maino, ayak chichira, ayuk willku, pepperweed

Actions:

    * Stimulating
    * Aphrodisiac
    * Support endocrine function
    * Reduce fertility problems in both Female and Male.
    * Support erectile function

Properties: 

Traditionally, maca has been used to enhance fertility in people and animals, for libido, energy and other medicinal purposes. In Peruvian herbal medicine today, maca is reported to be used as an immuno-stimulant; for anemia, tuberculosis, menstrual disorders, menopause symptoms, stomach cancer, sterility (and other reproductive and sexual disorders); and to enhance memory.

Maca reputedly increases energy level, improves stamina and alertness. May improve sexual desire (libido), sexual performance for male and female, and male impotency. The Peruvian use it as a treatment for infertility. May improve the symptoms related to menopausal transition. Maca contains various minerals included Zinc, it is rich in vitamin B complex included B12.

Dosage and preparation:

1 to 3 grams per day in three doses. It can be mixed with a drink or yogurt.

Maca Contains these Substances

Alkaloids:       Macaina 1        Macaina 2      

Macaina 3        Macaina 4      

Lepidiline A      Lepidiline B    

Amino Acids:  Aspartic Acid   Glutamic Acid 

Histidine           Glycine

Threonine         Cystine

Alanine Arginine          

Tyrosine           Phenylalanine  

Lysine              Valine 

Tryptophan       Serine 

Carbohydrates: 40% - 59%   Fructose                                 

Polysaccharides:        Starch

Lipids:  2% - 8% Alpha-Linolenic Acid Palmitic Acid  

Oleic Acid        Stigmasterol    

Beta-Sitosterol Saponins         Campesterol  Ergosterol

Brassicasterol   Ergostadienol  

Minerals:        Calcium            Magnesium     

Potassium         Phosphorus    

Selenium           Silicon

Iodine               Manganese     

Copper                        Zinc    

Sodium                       

Polyphenols:   Tannins                       

Protein:10%                                      

Sulfuric Compounds:  Isothiocyanates                       

Vitamins:        Vitamin B1       Vitamin B2     

Vitamin B12     Vitamin C       

Vitamin E                               

Other: P-Methoxybenzyl Glucosinate 

Benzyl Isothiocyanate   Macaenes         Macamides     

p-Methoxybenzyl Isothiocynate
Nutritional Profile of Dried Maca Root
(Average 10 gram serving)
Component  per 10 g     Amino Acids  per 10 g     Minerals  per 10 g
Protein  1–1.4 g     Alanine  63.1 mg     Calcium  25 mg
Carbohydrates  6–7.5 g     Arginine  99.4 mg     Copper  0.6 mg
Fats (lipids)  220 mg     Aspartic acid  91.7 mg     Iron  1.5 mg
Fiber  850 mg     Glutamic acid  156.5 mg     Iodine  52 mcg
Ash  490 mg     Glycine  68.3 mg     Manganese  80 mcg
Sterols  5–10 mg     Histidine  41.9 mg     Potassium  205 mg
Calories  32.5     HO-Proline  26.0 mg     Sodium  1.9 mg
         Isoleucine  47.4 mg     Zinc  380 mcg
         Leucine  91.0 mg        
Vitamins  per 10 g     Lysine  54.5 mg     Fats/Lipids  per 10 g
B2   39 mcg     Methionine  28.0 mg     Linoleic  72 mcg
B6  114 mcg     Phenylalanine  55.3 mg     Palmitic  52 mcg
C   28.6 mg     Proline    0.5 mg     Oleic  24.5 mcg
Niacin  565 mcg     Sarcosine    0.7 mg        
         Serine  50.4 mg        
         Threonine  33.1 mg        
         Tryptophan  4.9 mg        
         Tyrosine  30.6 mg        
         Valine  79.3 mg     

 

Marshmallow root 

Althea officinalis Family: Malvaceae
Parts used:  roots
Other name: Althea root

Actions:

    * Demulcent
    * Diuretic
    * Emollient
    * Antacid
    * Vulnerary 

Properties:

The mucilage in Marshmallow makes an excellent remedy for digestive problems such as gastric ulcers, gastritis, gastroenteritis and colitis. It is southing for bronchitis, respiratory catarrh (building mucous) and irritating cough. Other use: urethritis and urinary tract gravel.

Preparation and dosage:

Decoction: Put 1 teaspoon of the root in 1 and ½ cup of water, bring to boil and gently simmer for 10-15 minutes. This should be drunk 3 times daily before meals.

Meadosweet herb   

Filipendula ulmaria Family: Rosaceae
Parts used: Aerial parts

Actions:

    * Anti rheumatic
    * Anti-inflammatory
    * Stomachic
    * Antacid
    * Anti-emetic
    * astringent

Properties:

Meadowsweet is the most valuable herb for the treatment of digestive problems, it is protective for the mucous membrane of the digestive tract, reducing acidity, and easing nausea. It may  help treating diarrhea in children.

Preparation and dosage:

Infusion: for a cup of boiling water add 1-2 teaspoonful of the dried herb and leave to infuse for 10-15 minutes. Should be drunk 2 times daily or as needed.

Mistletoe Herb

Viscum album Family: Laurentaceae
Parts used: Dried leafy twig

Never use the berries, poison.

Caution: Due to high Toxicity, this plant should be taken under supervision of a qualified practitioner.

Actions:

    * Emetic
    * Nervine
    * Hypotensive
    * Cardiac depressant

Properties:
Mistletoe may be anti-tumour. Mistletoe was the "druid"herb, it is a valuable relaxing herb, it acts directly on the vagus nerve to reduce heart palpitation and strengthens the wall of the peripheral capillaries. The current medical research indicates valuable anti cancer properties.

Preparation and dosage:
Infusion: for a cup of boiling water add 1-2 teaspoonful of the dried herb and leave to infuse for 10-15 minutes. Drink 2 times daily.

 

Motherwort herb

Leonorus cardiatus Family: Labiatae (mint)
Parts used: Aerial parts

Action:

    * Sedative
    * Emmenagogue
    * Anti-spasmodic
    * Cardiac tonic
    * Astringent
    * stomachic

Properties:
Motherwort's name reveals its qualities for the female condition, specially the uterine condition like suppressed or delayed menstruation. It is a relaxing tonic to ease the passage through menopause. Cardiatus is related to the heart and circulatory conditions like palpitations due to nervousness or anxiety.

Preparation and dosage:
Infusion: for a cup of boiling water add 1-2 teaspoonful of the dried herb and leave to infuse for 10-15 minutes. Should be drunk 2 times daily

Caution: Do not take during pregnancy. If suffering from heart condition or take any medicine related to heart condition, consult a qualified practitioner.

 

Mugwort herb

Artemisia vulgaris Family: Compositeae 
Parts used: Leaves

Actions:

    * Appetizer
    * Digestive
    * Cholagogue
    * Purgative
    * Bitter tonic
    * Emmenagogue
    * Nervine tonic

Indications:

  Mugwort promotes appetite.  It is a digestive tonic, may promote digestion, may regulate menstruation. Can be added at a bath for gout or rheumatism and tired legs.

Dosage and preparations:
steep 1 teaspoon of herb in 1/2 cup of water. Take a mouthful at a time during the day.

 

Myrrh Gum

Comiphora molmol Family: Burseraceae
Parts used: gum resin

Actions:

    * Antiseptic
    * Astringent
    * Anti-microbial
    * Carminative
    * Anti-catarrhal
    * Expectorant
    * Vulnerary
    * Stomachic

  Properties: 
  Myrrh makes a good gargle for mouth wash and periodontal infections. Its immuno stimulant action may help in condition like flu, bronchitis and common cold. It can be used externally for wound healing.

  Preparation and dosage:
  The gum does not infuse well in water, put in a grinder to use it in powder form. Infusion: For a cup of boiling water, add 1 teaspoonful of the powder gum and leave to infuse for 10-15 minutes. Drink 3 times daily.

 

Myrtle aniseed

Backousia anisata Family: Myrtaceae
Parts used: Leaves

Actions:

    * Astringent
    * Tonic
    * Antiseptic
    * Anticatarrhal

Indications:
Myrtle may be used topically for treating wounds or internally to help disorders of the digestive tract and urinary system.

 

Myrtle Lemon

Backhousia citriodora Family: Myrtaceae
Parts used: Leaves

Actions:

    * Antiseptic
    * Bactericide
    * Cancer preventative
    * Carminative
    * Expectorant
    * Fungicide
    * Gastro stimulant
    * Insecticide

Indications:
Myrtle may be used topically for treating wounds or internally to help disorders of the digestive tract and urinary system.

 

Nettle Leaf

Urtica dioica Family: Urticaceae
Parts used:  Aerial parts

Other names:  stinging nettle

Actions:

·        Astringent

·        Diuretic

·        Galactagogue

·        Haemostatic

·        Tonic

Properties: 
Helps the digestive system; increase the milk flow for breastfeeding mothers.
Its astringent quality makes a good remedy for ailments of the urinary tract like blood in urine and relieve of hemorrhoids. Nettle is used specifically for childhood eczema and for any eczema due to nervous condition. Nettle was traditionally taken as a tea to help with rheumatic condition. Nettle can be used as a scalp wash for loss of hair.

Preparation and dosage:
Infusion: add 1-3 teaspoonful of the dried herb for a cup of boiling water and leave to infuse for 10-15 minutes. Drink 3 times daily.