Scientific Name: Elettaria cardamomum
Key Actions: Mild stimulant | Relieves gas | Soothes digestion | tonic
Common Use: Digestive problems
Common Dosage Form: Crushed seed
Fun Fact: One of the oldest spices in the world, this herb has been used as a perfume by ancient Egyptians.
Scientific Name: Echinacea angustifolia, E. purpurea, E. pallida
Key Actions: Antibacterial | Antiviral | Blood cleanser | Immune-enhancing | Wound healer
Common Use: Colds, flu, viral infections
Common Dosage Form: Tincture
Fun Fact: A very popular plant, echinacea has been used historically for hundreds of years for all sorts of problems.
Scientific Name: Dioscorea villosa
Key Actions: Anti-inflammatory | Estrogenic | Relieves spasms
Common Use: Menstrual pains and cramps
Common Dosage Form: Tincture
Fun Fact: The wild yam is known for its very beautiful leaves for which it gets part of its name from. The bottoms of the leaves are slightly hairy and “villosa” means hairy in Latin.
Scientific Name: Cynara scolymus
Key Actions: Antioxidant | Bitter and digestive tonic | Lowers cholesterol levels | Protects the liver
Common Use: Liver and kidney problems
Common Dosage Form: Tablet
Fun Fact: It’s scientific name comes from a Greek legend: “Zeus grew bored with the women on Mount Olympus and decided to go slumming on Earth. He met a sexy Greek girl named Cynara, but she grew tired of him and left. So Zeus hurled a lightning bolt at Cynara and turned her into an artichoke.”
Scientific Name: Curcuma longa
Key Actions: Anti-inflammatory | Antioxidant | Protects liver | Stimulates bile flow
Common Use: Allergic and inflammatory conditions
Common Dosage Form: Tablet
Fun Fact: Turmeric has also been known for its cosmetic use in reducing scarring and frown lines.
Source: http://www.blessedherbs.com/resources/turmeric-curcumin-herbal-remedy/
Scientific Name: Crataegus spp.
Key Actions: Antioxidant | Heart Tonic | Lowers blood pressure | Relaxes blood vessels
Common Use: Heart diseases and conditions
Common Dosage Form: Tincture
Fun Fact: Traditionally hawthorn flowers were used in May Day celebrations throughout Europe and have long been associated with fertility.
Scientific Name: Cucurbita pepo
Key Actions: Demulcent | Deworming agent | Diuretic | Hormonal agent
Common Use: Benign prostatic hypertrophy
Common Dosage Form: Seed
Fun Fact: The word pumpkin originated from the Greek word, Pepõn, meaning “large melon” which eventually became the word “pumpkin” we know today.
Source: http://www.allaboutpumpkins.com/history.html
Scientific Name: Crataeva nurvala
Key Actions: Anti-inflammatory | Bladder tonic
Common Use: Kidney problems
Common Dosage Form: Decoction
Fun Fact: Commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine, this herb is used to combat many kidney and urinary problems.
Source: https://sambodhihealingcenter.wordpress.com/2013/12/06/varun-crataeva-nurvala-in-ayurveda-the-bark-of-kidney-damage/
Scientific Name: Convallaria majalis
Key Actions: Diuretic | Heart tonic | Lowers blood pressure
Common Use: Heart problems
Common Dosage Form: *Only available as a prescription product*
Fun Fact: The active component, digitoxin, found in this herb is similar to that found in digitalis purpurea which is the source of the digitalis class of heart medications.
Source:
Image: http://tophdimgs.com/data_images/wallpapers/24/408546-lily-of-the-valley.jpg
Scientific Name: Commiphora molmol
Key Actions: Anti-inflammatory | Antimicrobial | Antiseptic | Astringent | Stimulant
Common Use: Skin and digestive problems
Common Dosage Form: Diluted tincture (topical)
Fun Fact: Most commonly known of its use in religion, myrrh is an herb that also serves as a rejuvenating facial treatment.
Source: http://www.history.com/news/a-wise-mans-cure-frankincense-and-myrrh
Image: http://www.savoryspiceshop.com/content/mercury_modules/cart/items/2/8/4/2842/myrrh-gum-1.jpg
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