Astringent herbs draw together or constrict body tissues and are effective in stopping the flow of blood or other secretions. A mild blend of astringent herbs and essential oils are good for facial cleansing and toning and will help keep facial oil to a minimum especially in the summer heat.
Herbs that contain tannins, like tea,coffee, roses,wine and oak bark are astringents as are tart fruits like lemons.
Harsh astringents, like alchohol and witch hazel can cause unwanted dryness of the skin when used in excessive amounts.
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Detail
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Agrimony |
Agrimonia eupatoria L. |
Liverwort, cockleburr, sticklewort |
| :
Aerial parts :
:
It is a member of the rose family, and like all its relatives is highly astringent. Used as a medieval wound herb ...
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Detail
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Almond |
Prunus dulcis |
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| :
Almond kernal, expressed oil :
:
Sweet Almond oil is a favorite in aromatherapy carrier oils and skin care oils for it's ability to soften and condition the skin. ...
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Detail
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Andiroba |
Carapa guianensis |
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| :
Oil extracted from the nut, bark and leaves :
:
Andiroba oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and is an anti-inflammatory due to the presence of compounds known as limonoids. ...
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Detail
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Andrographis |
Andrographis paniculata |
Creat, chuan xin lian, Kan jang, Kalmegha |
| :
leaves and roots :
a :
Andrographis paniculata is an herb native to the Indian subcontinent and is used in Ayurveda,the ancient (before 2500 b.c.) I ...
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Detail
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Arjuna |
Terminalia arjuna |
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| :
Bark :
:
Arjuna is among the most frequently prescribed herbs for cardiovascular health in ayurvedic medicine ...
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Detail
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Balm of Gilead |
Populus spp |
Popular buds |
| :
Leaf buds :
:
The dried, unopened buds of the poplar tree are used in ointments and skin treatments to reduce pain and inflammation ...
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Detail
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Bayberry |
Myrica cerifera |
Candleberry, wax myrtle |
| :
Roots, berries :
8 :
Early American colonists used the wax covering the plants berries to make candles. ...
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Detail
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Bilberry |
Vaccinium myrtillus |
Huckleberry |
| :
The ripe fruit. The leaves :
1 :
The huckleberry of North America and the Bilberry of England are all closely related to the cranberry and blueberry. ...
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Detail
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Birch |
Betula alba |
White Birch, Sweet Birch, Cherry Birch |
| :
Bark, leaves :
:
Teas of the birch bark contain salicylate, the compound found in aspirin. Salicylate relieves inflammation and pain associated with osteoarthritis, rh ...
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Detail
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Bitter Melon |
Momordica charantia |
balsam pear, bitter gourd |
| :
gourd fruit :
Asian :
The gourd-like fruit has a long history as a treatment for diabetes. Bitter melon improves the body's ability to use blood sugar and improves glucose ...
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Detail
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Black Haw |
Viburnum prunifolum |
Stagbush, sweet viburnum, guelder-rose, water elder, arrowwood |
| :
Bark :
American :
Crampbark has a long history of use by Native Americans for gynecologic problems. ...
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Detail
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Boswellia |
Boswellia thurifera |
Olibanum, Indian Frankincense, Arabic Frankincense, and Salai guggal |
| :
gum resion :
Middle East :
Boswellia or Indian frankincense is one of the Ayurvedic gum resins which are referred to collectively as guggals. ...
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Detail
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Bugleweed |
Lycopus spp. |
Water Horehound, Gypsywort |
| :
leaves, stems, flowers :
Roman :
Bugleweed is useful in many heart and vascular system disorders ,hyperthyroid conditions and breast pain. ...
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Detail
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Butterbur |
Petasites vulgaris |
Langwort, Umbrella Plan |
| :
root :
Europe, N. America :
Butterbur is thought to work by reducing spasms in muscle tissues, including blood vessels. However, there are concerns about possible liver damage ...
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Detail
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Cajueiro |
Anacardium occidentale |
cashew nut shells, jambu |
| :
bark, stems, nuts, and resin :
Amazon :
Cajueiro contains naturally occurring analogs of the latest diabetes drugs without their potential for liver damage or weight gain. ...
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Detail
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Calendula |
Calendula officinalis |
Pot marigold |
| :
flowers and leaves :
:
Calendula flower oil is one of the first herbs to consider in minor first aid applications.
Particularly good treatment for cuts, scrapes, bruises, a ...
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Detail
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Cedar |
Cedurs atlantica |
Atlas cedarwood |
| :
Essense obtained from wood :
:
Cedarwood is known for use in problem skin, as an insect repellent, and as an inhalant in respiratory complaints. It's actions are sedative, astringen ...
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Detail
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Cinnamon |
Cinnamomum zeylanicum, C. aromaticum |
Cassia Bark |
| :
Dried bark :
:
The distinct, spicy aroma of cinnamon bark, Cassia, or Chinese cinnamon, is the spice sold as cinnamon in the United States. ...
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Detail
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Cinnamon |
Cinnamomum zeylanicum, C. aromaticum |
Cassia Bark |
| :
Dried bark :
:
The distinct, spicy aroma of cinnamon bark, Cassia, or Chinese cinnamon, is the spice sold as cinnamon in the United States. ...
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Detail
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Cleavers |
Galium aparine |
Clivers, Goose Grass, Catchweed, Sweet Woodruff |
| :
Dried aerial parts and fresh expressed juice :
:
Herbalists have long regarded cleavers as a valuable lymphatic tonic and diuretic. ...
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Detail
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Coconut |
Cocos nucifera |
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| :
Copra is the dried meat of the seed and is the main source of coconut oil, also known as coconut butter :
Tropics - South Pacific :
There is no mistaking the wonderful benefits of coconut oil for the softening and healing dry and damaged skin. ...
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Detail
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Colt's Foot |
Tussilago farfara |
Coughwort |
| :
Leaves and stems of mature plant :
Greek :
Since the days of ancient Greece and Rome, coltsfoot has been used to relieve asthma, coughs and bronchial congestion. ...
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Detail
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Comfrey |
Symphytum officinale |
|
| :
root, leaves :
Greek :
Comfrey salves, ointments and teas are best know for the topical treatment of burns, skin ulcerations, abrasions, lacerations, flea and insect bites, ...
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Detail
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Corn Silk |
Zea mays |
Indian Corn |
| :
silk :
Mayan :
Corn silks are the silky tassels running the length of an ear of corn. Those same strings you work so hard to get out of an ear of corn soothe and rel ...
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Detail
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Cypress |
Cupressus sempervirens |
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| :
Needles and twigs :
:
The cypress is a tall, conical shaped tree with small flowers succeeded by round cones, or nuts.Many cemeteries in the East a ...
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Detail
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Damiana |
Turnera aphodisiaca |
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| :
Leaves :
South America :
The Mayans and Aztecs used it as a sexual stimulant and as a treatment for respiratory disorders. ...
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Detail
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Elecampane |
Inula helenium |
Wild sunflower, Horseheal, Yellow Starwort |
| :
Root and rhizome, flowers :
Greek :
Elecampane has been used since the days of ancient Greece and Rome and was included in the U.S. Pharmacopeia as a remedy for ...
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Detail
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Elm, Slippery |
Ulmus fulva |
Red Elm, Moose Elm, Indian Elm |
| :
Inner Bark :
North America :
In herbal medicine a Slippery Elm bark powder is considered one of the best possible poultices for wounds, boils, ulcers, burns and reducing pain and ...
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Detail
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Eucalyptus |
Eucalyptus globulus |
Eucalyptus |
| :
Leaves, oil :
Australian :
Eucalyptus is best known for it's ability to relieve congestion and ease breathing in colds. The essential oil of eucalyptus contains cineole, a pote ...
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Detail
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Eyebright |
Euphrasia, various species |
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| :
Aerial parts :
Worldwide :
Eyebright is often used as an eyewash or in a compress to treat sore, itchy eyes. Eyebright is also a traditional remedy for nasal congestion and cata ...
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Detail
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Flax |
Linum usitatissimum L. |
Linseed |
| :
Seeds :
Greek :
The origins of the use of flax go back into the dawn of history, its fibers have been found a prehistoric archaeological site ...
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Detail
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Fo-Ti Root |
Polygonum multiflorum |
He-shou-wu |
| :
root :
Chinese :
With a distinctive sweet yet bitter taste, fo-ti is thought to unblock the channels of energy through the body, allowing the escape of the pathogenic ...
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Detail
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Fumitory |
Fumaria officinalis |
Earth smoke |
| :
Aerial parts :
:
The main medical use of fumitory is in eruptive skin diseases such as eczema. ...
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Detail
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Geranium |
Pelargonium graveolens |
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| :
Leaves :
Africa :
Many people still call pelargoniums by their common name, scented geraniums ...
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Detail
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Ginger |
Zingiber officinale |
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| :
Root :
:
Perhaps no other herb, except garlic, crosses all barriers, foods versus medicine, Western versus Oriental, scientific versus folk tradition. Ginger i ...
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Detail
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Ginkgo biloba |
Ginkgo biloba L. |
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| :
Leaves and Nuts :
China :
Today gingko is one of the most commonly prescribed herbs and is a great example of a tonic herb - one that balances ...
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Detail
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Goldenrod |
Solidago canadensis |
Woundwort, Aaron's rod, golden rod |
| :
Flowering tops, leaves :
:
This common wildflower is a traditional kidney tonic ...
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Detail
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Gotu Kola |
Centella asiatica (L.) |
Indian Pennywort, Brahmi |
| :
leaves :
Ayurvedic :
Gotu kola is widely used in Ayurvedic medicine and TCM to rejuvenate both mind and body. Clinical experiments have shown that the plant does improve ...
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Detail
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Grapes |
Vitis vinifera |
Grape Seed |
| :
:
:
Grapes are a naturaly powerful antioxitdent and grapeseed extracts are concentrated for maximine benefits. ...
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Detail
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Guarana |
Paulinia Cupana |
|
| :
:
:
Guarana is made from the seeds of the world famous Paulinia Cupana plant. ...
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Detail
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Gurmar |
Gymnema sylvestre |
|
| :
:
Ayurvedic :
Gymnema sylvestre has been used traditionally in India for diabetes for over 2,000 years. It has recently become popluar as a ...
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Detail
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Hazelnut |
Corylus avellana |
|
| :
:
:
Hazelnut oil is Absorbed quickly into the skin, it has tonifying and astringent action. Good for those with slightly oily ...
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Detail
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Hibiscus |
Hibiscus sabdariffa |
Roselle, rosemallow, Jamaica Sorrel, red sorrel, agua de Jamaica |
| :
flower, Calyx :
:
Traditional cultures world wide, from China to the Caribbean and the Americas have used hibiscus for medicinal teas ...
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Detail
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Honeysuckle |
Lonicera periclymenum |
jin yin hua, lonicera |
| :
Aerial parts :
:
The sweet smelling backyard shrub has suprising medicinal qualities. ...
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Detail
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Horehound |
Marrubium vulgare L. |
White horehound, marrubio |
| :
Aerial parts :
:
The Egyptians and Romans esteemed Horehound for coughs and colds, the same uses as it is recommend by modern herbalists ...
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Detail
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Horse Chestnut |
Aesculus hippocastanum |
Buckeye |
| :
Bark, seed, leaf :
:
The plant is called "horse" chestnut because its seeds are edible for horses, but not humans, not related to the edible ...
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Detail
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Horsetail |
Equisetum arvense |
|
| :
All ariel parts :
:
Gently stimulating increased urinary flow, horsetail helps "flush" infectious bacteria out of the bladder without altering the body's balance of elect ...
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Detail
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Jasmine |
Jasminum officinale |
|
| :
Essence obtained from flowers :
:
In aromatherapy, jasmine absolute oil in used to uplift the spirits in cases of apathy, depression, menopausal disorders, and lack of confidence ...
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Detail
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Juniper |
Juniperus communis |
|
| :
berries :
:
Juniper berry oil is distilled from the dried ripe berry of the juniper tree. The action of juniper closely resembles cypress, to which it is botanic ...
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Detail
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Lady's Mantle |
Alchemilla vulgaris |
Leontopodium, Stellaria |
| :
whole herb, root :
:
The root, when employed may be fresh. Mantle has astringent and styptic properties, on account of the tannin it contains ...
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Detail
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Lemon |
Citrus limonum |
|
| :
Rind, juice, essential oil :
:
Lemon is used in alternative medicine to help build immunity against colds, influenza, and other viral infection, to detoxify the body and assist lymp ...
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Detail
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Lemongrass |
Cymopogon citratus, C.flexuosus |
lemongrass |
| :
stalk, essential oil :
:
Lemon grass herb is commonly used in teas, soups, and curries. It is also suitable for poultry, fish, and seafood. The essential oil can be used in ma ...
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Detail
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Lime |
Citrus aurantifolia |
|
| :
rind of fruit :
:
Delightful, tangy, citrus aroma. Dozens of limes are needed to produce ½ ounce of oil. Two types of lime oil are commonly ...
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Detail
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Mate |
Ilex paraguariensis |
yerba mate, matte |
| :
leaves :
South America :
Containing 196 active compounds, nutrients, and amino acids, Yerba mate is touted as the new healthy alternative to coffee. ...
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Detail
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Meadowsweet |
Spriea Ulmaria |
Queen of the Meadow, Bridewort, Quaker Lady |
| :
:
:
The meadowsweet is one of the best know wildflowers, its virtues have been known since the time of Dioscorides ...
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Detail
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Motherwort |
Leonurus caridica L. |
Lion's tail, lion's ear |
| :
Aerial parts :
:
Motherwort has been used for hundreds of years in Europe and China for all manner of heart problems and circulatory disorders ...
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Detail
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Mullein |
Verbascum, various species |
Flannel Leaf, Mullein Dock, Aaron's Rod |
| :
Leaves, flowers, roots :
:
Traditionally used as a tea, and is frequently combined with other herbs in mixtures for treating cough. ...
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Detail
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Myrrh |
Commiphora myrrha |
|
| :
Resin :
:
Natural myrrh resin is one of the oldest known perfumery materials. Myrrh has been used as a cleansing, purifying agent since ancient times. ...
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Detail
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Myrtle |
Myrtus communis |
|
| :
berries :
:
Myrtle is an evergreen shrub that grows wild throughout the Mediterranean. ...
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Detail
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Nettle |
Urtica dioica |
Stinging Nettle, Common Nettle |
| :
Leaves, stems, and to a lesser extent root :
Europe, N. America :
The stinging comes from the presence on the bristles of histamine. Nettles are a potent herb with a long history of use. ...
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Detail
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Nutmeg |
Myristica fragrans |
Mace |
| :
essential oil, spice :
:
Nutmeg provides a warming, activating action, without the potentially irritating effects of other spice oils. ...
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Detail
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Oak |
Quercus robur |
White Oak |
| :
Bark :
:
Oak bark is a powerful astringent, and has been used by herbalists for thousands of years ...
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Detail
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Olive |
Olea europea |
Olive Leaf |
| :
oil of the fruit, leaves, bark :
:
The monounsaturated oil of this evergreen tree's fruit is the used widely in cooking and as a skin care oil. ...
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Detail
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Oolong Tea |
Camellia sinensis |
Wu Long, Wu Yi Tea |
| :
leaves :
:
It is true that Oolong/Wu Long tea not only boosts metabolism and suppresses sugar cravings, but it may also burn fat. ...
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Detail
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Orange |
Citrus sinensis |
Sweet Orange, Bitter Orange, Mandarin Orange |
| :
Fruit rind :
:
Cold-pressed from fresh orange peel, Orange refreshes the mind and regulates the body. It is excellent for lethargy or tiredness, and for wrinkles or ...
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Detail
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Patchouli |
Pogostermon patchouli |
|
| :
:
:
Used in countless perfumes and fragrances, patchouli is noted for its long-lasting fragrance and fixative ability. It borders ...
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Detail
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Peppermint |
Mentha piperita |
|
| :
whole herb :
:
Of all the mints, peppermint is now probably the most widely used of all, due to its high content of menthol. ...
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Detail
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Peruvian Bark |
Cinchona spp |
Red Bark. Jesuits' Powder. Cinchona Bark |
| :
bark :
:
Peruvian Bark, is the historical name of the main active principle, quinine. ...
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Detail
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Plantain |
Plantago major ,lanceolata L. |
Broad-leaved Plantain, Ribword, narrow leaved plantain, Slan-lus |
| :
root, leaves, flowers :
:
An important constituent of plantain is the gluside aucubin. The macerated fresh leaves are put on bee stings and used for ...
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Detail
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Pleurisy Root |
Asclepias tuberosa |
Butterfly-weed. Swallow-wort, Tuber root, Wind root, Colic root, Orange Milkweed |
| :
root :
N. America :
Known popularly as pleurisy root, from its medicinal use against a wide range of respiratory and lung conditions, specifically pleurisy ...
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Detail
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Psyllium |
Plantago psyllium, Plantago ovata |
|
| :
Seeds and seed husks :
:
Psyllium seeds contain a mucilage that, when combined with water, swells up to 14 times its volume ...
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Detail
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Raspberry |
Rubus idaeus |
Raspberry Leaf |
| :
fruit, leaves, bark :
:
Raspberry's most extensive use is to alleviate menstrual cycle and facilitate childbirth ...
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Detail
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Rose |
Rosa centifolia |
|
| :
Hips, flower petals, leaves, bark :
:
Attar of rose is the steam-extracted essential oil from rose flowers that has been used in perfumes for centuries. Rose water, made from the rose oil, ...
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Detail
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Rosemary |
Rosmarinus officinalis |
|
| :
Leaves, stems and flowers :
:
Rosemary is an extremely useful herb, with many culinary, medicinal and aromatherapy attributes. The essential oil is distilled from the fresh flower ...
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Detail
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Safflower |
Carthamus tinctorius |
|
| :
oil :
:
The Safflower plant , known in India as Koosumbha and in china as Hoang-tchi, is extensively cultivated in India, China and ...
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Detail
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Sage |
Salvia officinalis |
|
| :
Leaves, small stems and flowers :
:
Sage is an excellent and safe natural disinfectant. The antimicrobial action of thujone, a compound found in the volatile oil, works against bacterial ...
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Detail
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Salad Burnet |
Sanguisorba officinalis |
|
| :
:
:
Salad burnet , while not considered on of the major additons to the herbal pharmacopeia, is still a decorative and endearing ...
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Detail
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Sandalwood |
Santalum album |
|
| :
Heartwood :
:
Sandalwood oil has a sweet-woody, warm, balsamic aroma that improves with age. The essential oil blends wonderfully with most ...
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Detail
|
Self-Heal |
Prunella vulgris L. |
Self-heal, Heal-all, Blue Curls, Heart-of-the-Earth, Brunella Carpenter-weed |
| :
whole herb :
Europe, N. America :
Culpepper, explaining the name 'Self-Heal' whereby when you are hurt, you may heal yourself, as the bruised, fresh leaves ...
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Detail
|
Shepherd's Purse |
Capsella bursa-pastoris |
Pickpurse, Casewort |
| :
whole herb :
Europe, N. America :
Shepherd's purse is one of the important herbs to stop bleeding an effect due to the tyramine and other amines it contains. ...
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Detail
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Skullcap |
Scutellaria lateriflora |
Virginian skull cap, mad-dog skull cap, scullcap |
| :
Leaves,stems and flowers :
N.America :
The plant has been used for centuries by herbalists as an effective nerve tonic and sedative. Its common uses include relief of nervous tension, anx ...
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Detail
|
Spearmint |
Mentha spicata |
Spear mint |
| :
Leaves, essential oil :
:
Spearmint has much the same properties as peppermint, but is milder and good for use with children's complaints ...
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Detail
|
Speedwell |
Veronica officinalis |
common speedwell ,common gypsyweed, Fluellin, Paul's Betony Groundhele |
| :
flowering plant :
European :
Modern herbalists still consider that an infusion of the dried plant is useful in coughs, and in ointments to treat skin irritations. ...
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Detail
|
St. John's Wort |
Hypericum perforatum |
|
| :
Herb tops, flowers :
:
St. Johns Wort has a demonstrated ability to act as an antidepressant, but this versatile herb also has dozens of chemical compounds that disinfect an ...
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Detail
|
Tea |
Camellia sinensis |
Green Tea, Black tea |
| :
leaves :
:
Black tea, Oolong/Wu long tea and green and white teas are all from the same plant, Camellia sinensis. ...
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Detail
|
Thuja |
Thuja occidentalis |
Arborvitae, tree of life, white cedar, yellow cedar, American cedar |
| :
Leaves and young twigs :
:
Thuja may also be used in hot compresses and steam baths to ease rheumatism, arthritis, and achy muscles. ...
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Detail
|
Tribulus terrestris L |
Tribulus terrestris, Pedalium Murex L |
Burra Gookeroo, Burra Gokhru |
| :
seeds :
:
Native to India, the role of Tribulus Terrestris in Eastern European folk medicine for muscle strength and sexual potency ...
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Detail
|
Uva Ursi |
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi |
Bearberry |
| :
Leaves :
8 :
Uva ursi contains a considerable amount of tannins ( up to 40 percent) making it one of natures most powerful astringents. Uva usi is a strong herb th ...
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|
Detail
|
Vervain |
Verbena hastata, V. officinalis |
Blue Vervain, Wild Hyssop, Simpler's Joy, Herb of the cross |
| :
Leaves, flowering heads :
:
The name Vervain is derived from the Celtic ferfain, the plant was used by them for afflections of the bladder. ...
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Detail
|
White Willow |
Salix Alba |
|
| :
Bark :
:
White willow has been used to combat fevers and pain for thousands of years, it may be the oldest herb known to treat pain an ...
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|
Detail
|
Wild Cherry |
Prunus serotina |
Black Cherry, chokecherry |
| :
bark :
N. America :
Black cherry is an very effective herbal cough remedy. The main use of the bark main use is to still irritated, nagging coughs. ...
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|
Detail
|
Wintergreen |
Gaultheria procumbens |
Teaberry, Mountain Tea, Spice Berry, Checker-berry, Partridge-berry |
| :
Leaves :
:
The volatile oil obtained by distillation and to which all the medicinal ...
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|
Detail
|
Witch Hazel |
Hamamelis virginiana |
Spotted Alder, Winterbloom, Snapping Hazelnut |
| :
Bark, leaves :
Europe,N.America, S.Amercia :
A general and all purpose remedy for abrasions, burns, scalds, insect bites and other inflammatory conditions of the skin. ...
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Detail
|
Wood Betony |
Stachys officinalis |
|
| :
flowers, leaves and stems :
:
Many extravagant superstitions grew up round Betony, one, of very ancient date, was that serpents would fight and kill each ...
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|
Detail
|
Wormwood |
Artemisia absinthium L. |
|
| :
Aerial parts :
:
Wormwood is used today mainly as a bitter tonic, and in natural pest control. ...
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|
Detail
|
Yarrow |
Achillea millefolium |
Milfoil, Old Man's Pepper, Nosebleed |
| :
aerial parts, essential oil :
Europe, N. America :
Yarrow is one of the best-known herbal remedies for fevers, and bleeding. The chemical makeup of yarrow is complex, and it contains many active medici ...
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|
Detail
|
Yellow Dock |
Rumex crispus |
Sorrel, curled or narrow dock |
| :
Root :
Native American :
American Indians used yellow dock leaves to treat boils, and the pulverized roots to treat cuts. ...
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