CAROLINA HERBS!!!

THIS IS PART TWO:

We often hear words such as aleratives,anti

microbial , aperient, cholagogue and other strange

sounding names.But, what are they?These are all

called actions or herbal properties. They refer to the

energetic pathway of how an herb affects the body.

Every herb has more than one such action.

Here we will find out some of the actions and which

herbs have these actions.This is justenough

information to give you an idea of what these terms

mean and what herbs would be in each category. Many

herbs are in many different categories, thus, making them easy to work with.

This is by no means conclusive and I probably won’t be

able to list every herb in every category.

Like I have mentioned before, herbalism is a huge

field.Also, I am mentioning herbs that have been

usedand some people have found them to work.

This does not mean that I necessarily condone the use

of some of these herbs.For herbs that I really would

not use myself I have an * just after the herb.

PART TWO:

DIAPORETICthis is an action that aids the skin in the

elimination of toxins and promotes perspiration.

Commonly used as an aid in the relief of common

colds.Diaphoretics act most favorably when

administered hot, before bedtime.

EXAMPLES: angelica*, bayberry, blessed thistle, 

Boneset, catnip, cayenne, chamomile, elder flowers,

garlic, ginger, golden rod, hawthorn,hyssop, linden

flowers, lime blossom, peppermint, sassafras root,

thyme, white horehound, yarrow

DIURETICincreases the elimination of urine from the

body.The fastest action generally is obtained by liquid

diuretics taken on an empty stomach and taken during

the day.Physical exertion retards the effects of

diuretics.

EXAMPLES;agrimony* , bearberry* ,bilberry,

boneset, borage, broom, buchu, burdock root, celery

seed, corn silk*, couch grass*,dandelion leaf, , elder,

Hawthorn berries, horse tail, juniper, lime blossom, 

parsley , saw palmetto, yarrow

EMETICherbs cause one to vomit. The main use of

emetics is as a first aid treatment of poisoning, where

they will empty the stomach content. .Most emetics

work through irritation, either of the stomach or the

nervous system.

EXAMPLES:blood root*, boneset, elder flowers, white horehound, Echinacea, lobelia* senga*, squill*

EMMENAGOGUEStimulate menstrual flow and activity. This term is often employed in the wider

context of tonics to the female reproductive systems.

EXAMPLES: beth root*, black haw*, blessed thistle,

chamomile, chaste tree*, cramp bark, fenugreek,

gentian*, ginger, golden seal, juniper berry, calendula,

motherwort, mugwort, parsley, pasque flower*,

pennyroyal*, peppermint, raspberry, sage, rosemary,

rue*, southernwood*, squaw vine*, tansy* , vervian*,

wormwood*, yarrow

EMOLLIENTherbs are applied to the skin to soften,

soothe or protect it. They act externally in a manner

similar to the way demulcents act internally. Emollients

should  NOT  be used externally.

EXAMPLES: borage, chickweed*, coltsfoot*, comfrey,

elecampane*, fenugreek, flax seed, licorice,

marshmallow, mullein, oatmeal, plantain, slippery elm bark.

EXPECTORANT support the body in the removal of

excess amounts of mucus from the respiratory system.

Expectorants are often combines with DEMULCENTS .

EXAMPLES: aniseed, Balm of Gilead, balsam, blood

root*, coltsfoot*, comfrey (never used comfrey

internally), elder flower, elecampane*, garlic, golden

seal, hyssop, Iceland moss*, Irish moss*, licorice,

lobelia*, lungwort, marshmallow, mullein, pleurisy root,

senega*, skunk cabbage (if you’re brave), squill*,

thuja*, thyme, vervain*,white or black horehound, wild

cherry

FEBRIFUGE a/k/aANTI PYRETICthey bring down fevers.

EXAMPLE :angelica*, blessed thistle, boneset,

borage, cayenne, elder flower, hyssop, pennyroyal*,

peppermint, raspberry, sage, vervain*

GALACTAGOGUEhelp increase the flow of breast milk

EXAMPLES:aniseed, blessed thistle, centaury*, fennel seed, goat’s rue*

HEPATIC aid the liver by toning and strengthening it, and increases the flow of bile.

EXAMPLE :agrimoney*, aloe* (not internally), balmony*, barberry*, boldo, cascara segrada*, celery

seed, centaury*, clevers*, dandelionroot or leave,

elecampane*, fennel, fringe tree, gentian*, golden seal,

horseradish, hyssop, lemon balm, milk thistle,

motherwort, Mountain Grape, yarrow, yellow dock*

HYPNOTICthese herbs are meant to induce sleep,

but, not in a hypnotic trance as in a “high”. I believe

these would be used in an instance of helping a person

to go into a deep sleep so that the body can heal.

EXAMPLES:chamomile, lime blossom, vervain*,

hops, skullcap*, valerian*, Jamaican dogwood*,

passion flower*, black haw*, cramp bark

LAXATIVE these herbs promote the evacuation of the bowels

EXAMPLES:balmony*, barberry*, buckthorn*,

burdock root, cascara sangrada*, clevers*, dandelion

root, flax seed, fringetree*, Mountain Grape, yellow

dock*.

Personally, I think the best ones to use to get the

plumbing system moving are four sticks of licorice

candy and handful red grapes every day!Easy!

NERVINESa/k/aRELAXANTSthese herbs tend to abate or relax temporarily, non-serious nervous

irritation, due to excitement, strain or fatigue.Nervines

are beneficial in toning and strengthening the nervous system.

EXAMPLES:black cohosh*, black haw*, blue

cohosh*, bugleweed*, chamomile, cramp bark,

damiana*, ginseng, hops, kola*, lavender, lemon balm,

lime blossom, lobelia*, mistletoe*, motherwort*, oat

straw, pasque flower*, passion flower*, peppermint,

red clover, rosemary, skullcap*, valerian*, vervain*

OXYTOCIC stimulate the contraction of the uterus

and can help in childbirth for reasons such as: to

induce labor, in the removal of retained placenta and

management of post-partum bleeding. However, some

of these medicines have harmful side effects and

when taken in large quantities can lead to the death of

the unborn baby and/or uterine rupture, and other

longer term effects on the mother or baby. ( i.e you

might not want to fool around with this type of thing)

I personally would not use the following, however,

raspberry leaf, partridge berry and stinging nettle would

likely be safe enough to use.

This I found atUS National Library of Medicine

National Institutes of Health 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3407953 /

however, once again, I personally would not advise

using the herbs.According to the just mentioned

website; “to induce labour (blue cohosh, black cohosh

and beth root) [99]. Preparations of black cohosh root

(Actaea racemosa [Nutt.] L.), Goldenseal root

(Hydrastis canadensis L.) and Chaste tree fruits (Vitex

agnus-castus L.) are listed in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia

and are available as dietary supplements to be used

for premenstrual stress syndrome, as emmenagogue

agents and for gynaecological problems”

HOWEVER, My findings come up with the facts

that:BLUE COHOSH is potentially toxic effect by

constricting the coronary blood vessels, thus

exerting a toxic effect on the cardiac muscle and

causes internal spasms. BLACK COHOSH can

cause nausea and vomiting; low blood pressure

and Black cohosh should not be taken at all, for

any reason, by a pregnant woman!.BETHROOT

a/k/a birth rootcan cause vomiting and has toxic

effects on the heart. Bethroot may stimulate the

uterus, but, not in the way one might desire! Little

scientific evidence supports bethroot’s traditional

uses in promoting childbirth and delivery or 

managing postpartum bleeding. CHASTE TREE

side effects include abdominal pain, cramping,

diarrhea, headache, increased blood flow in the

vagina area, uterine bleeding.GOLDENSEAL

ROOTcauses excessive sleepiness, slows down

breathing , reduced mental alertness , tingling in

the arms and legs, paralysis, seizure, slow pulse,

vomiting.

I delivered two of my babies at home and the placenta

held back on the first one.So, after ½ hour of this

stuff, I simply put a (throw up pan or wash basinJ) in

between the toilet seat to catch the placenta and made

myself an 8 oz glass of orange juice and 2

tablespoons of caster oil.Trust me, it works and fast!

The placenta was not torn anywhere.End of problem! J

IF A WOMAN IN LABOR IS HAVING DIFFICULTY

DELIVERING, SHE SHOULD BY ALL MEANS GO

TO A HOSPITAL.THERE ARE SOME THINGS

THAT HERBS CAN NOT DO.You’re messing

around with two lives!(particularly if you really

don’t know what the heck you are doing!)

PECTORAL These herbs have the general

strengthening and healing effect on the respiratory

system, in other words, good for the lungs.These

herbs are used to strengthen a weak chest.

EXAMPLES: elecampane*, mullein, white horehound,

coltsfoot*, yarrow,cayenne,lobelia*,blood root*,

sage, thyme, marshmallow, licorice, elder, hyssop, garlic.

PART THREE TO FOLLOW

You can find excellant quality and  safe herbs, herb teas, bath herbs and salves in my store here on LOCAL HARVEST!

Local Harvest.com .Look for

SPICES &   HERBS BY ELAYNN    

THE HERBAL HANDBOOK by David Hoffman

COMMON SENSEJ by SPICES & HERBS BY ELAYNN

US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Healthhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3407953

THE COMPLETE ISSUSTRATED HOLISTIC HERBAL by David Hoffman

THE HERBALIST by Joseph E.. Meyer

THE LITTLE HERB ENCYLOPEDIA by Jack Ritchason N.D

THECOMPLETE GUIDE TO HERBAL MEDICINEby Charles W. Fetrow and Juan R. Avila both pharmD

THE HONEST HERBALby Varro E. Tyler