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The following is a basic Herbal Materia Medica of 15 herbs. Click on each of the headings to view the materia medica of that herb. Materia Medica 1.0 Introduction 2.0 Calendula officinalis 3.0 Gentiana luteum 4.0 Althaea officinalis Botanical name: Althaea officinalis. Common name: Marshmallow Appearance: (p 186 Herbal Medicine) The plant may grow to heights of over one metre, and has large, reddish-white flowers. Major phytochemical constituents: Mucilages: galacturonic acid, glucuronic acid, rhamnose, arabinose, galactose, glucose, mannose and xylose. Other: asparagine, calcium oxalate, pectin, starch, tannin, phenolic acids (caffeic, ferulic, syringic). (Anderson, et al. 1996; Balch & Balch, 1997.) Therapeutic actions: Demulcent, expectorant, emollient, diuretic, antilithic, vulnerary. (British Herbal Medicine Association, 1983, p.22). Traditional and historical uses: Irritations of the bronchial, gastrointestinal and urinary tract. (Textbook of Advanced Herbology). Respiratory tract diseases, dry cough. (Herbal Medicine) Althaea Leaf: Bronchitis, respiratory catarrh, cystitis, urethritis, urinary calculus. Locally: abscesses, boils, ulcers. BHP specific: respiratory catarrh associated with digestive weakness. Althaea Root: Gastritis, gastric or peptic ulceration, enteritis, inflammation of the mouth or pharynx, respiratory catarrh with irritating cough, cystitis. Locally: varicose and thrombotic ulcers. BHP specific: gastric or duodenal ulcer. (British Herbal Medicine Association, 1983, p.22). Dosage: Leaf, three times daily: 2 - 5 g, or by infusion. 2 - 5 ml (1:1 Liquid extract in 25% alcohol). 5% powdered leaf in ointment base. Root, three times daily: 2 - 5 g, or by cold extraction. 2 - 5 ml (1:1 Liquid extract in 25% alcohol). 2 - 10 ml Syrup. 5% powdered root in ointment base. (British Herbal Medicine Association, 1983, p.22). Contraindications: None. Safety considerations: None. 5.0 Taraxacum officinalis Botanical name: Taraxacum officinalis Common name: Dandelion Appearance: Flower stem emerges from basal, serrated leaves. Flower is composed of yellow coloured florets. (British Herbal Medicine Association, 1983). Major phytochemical constituents: Acids: Caffeic acid, p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, cholorogenic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid. Resin: Undefined bitter complex, taraxacin. Terpenoids: Sesquiterpene lactones taraxanic acid Vitamins: Bioflavonoids, biotin, choline, folic acid, inositol, niacin, pantothenic acid, para-aminobenzoic acid, vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C & E. Other: Carotenoids, choline, fats, inulin, pectin, phytosterols, sugars, triterpenes. (Anderson, et al., 1996, p.96; Balch & Balch, 1997). Therapeutic actions: Cholagogue, diuretic, laxative, antirheumatic, hepatic tonic, alterative. (Balch & Balch, 1997. p 69; British Herbal Medicine Association, 1983, p.208). Traditional and historical uses: Cholecystitis, gallstones, jaundice, atonic dyspepsia with constipation, muscular rheumatism, oliguria. BHP specific: cholecystitis and dyspepsia. (British Herbal Medicine Association, 1983, p.208). Used in the treatment of abscesses, anemia, boils, breast tumors, cirrhosis of the liver, fluid retention, hepatitis, and rheumatism. Assists in reduction of serum cholesterol and uric acid. Assists kidney, pancreas, spleen, and stomach function. (Balch & Balch, 1997. p 69.) Dosage: Leaf, three times daily: 4 - 10 g, or by infusion. 4 - 10 ml (1:1 Liquid extract in 25% alcohol). (British Herbal Medicine Association, 1983, p.207). Root, three times daily: 2 - 8 g, or by infusion or decoction. 2 - 8 ml (1:1 Liquid extract in 30% alcohol). 5 - 10 ml (1:5 Liquid extract in 45% alcohol). 4 - 8 ml juice of fresh root. (British Herbal Medicine Association, 1983, p.208). Contraindications: None. Safety considerations: None. 6.0 Echinacea spp Botanical name: Echinacea spp. Common name: Echinacea, Black Sampson, Coneflower. Appearance: Major phytochemical constituents: Alkylamides, caffeic acid esters, flavonoids, essential oil, polysaccharides. (Anderson, et al. 1996; Balch & Balch, 1997). Therapeutic actions: Antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, immunomodulator, immunostimulant, lymphatic, peripheral vasodilator, vulnerary. (Anderson, et al., 1996; Balch & Balch, 1997). Traditional and historical uses: Furunculosis, septicaemia, naso-pharyngeal catarrh, pyorrhoea, tonsillitis. BHP specific: Boils, carbuncles and abscesses. (British Herbal Medicine Association, 1983, p.81). Colic, colds, flu, infectious illnesses. (Balch & Balch, 1997, p.69). Dosage: Three times daily: 1 g dried root or rhizome, or by infusion or decoction. 0.25 - 1 ml (1:1 Liquid extract in 45% alcohol). 1 - 2 ml (1:5 Liquid extract in 45% alcohol). (British Herbal Medicine Association, 1983, p.81). Contraindications: None. Safety considerations: Should be avoided by people who are allergic to plants in the sunflower family. Echinacea may interfere with immuno-suppressive therapy. (Anderson, et al., 1996; Balch & Balch, 1997). 7.0 Achillea millefolium 8.0 Inula helenium 9.0 Withania somnifera 10.0 Scutellaria laterifolia 11.0 Zingerber officinalis 12.0 Cratageus oxycantha 13.0 Arctostaphylos uva-ursi 14.0 Harpagophytum procumbens 15.0 Cimicifuga racemosa 16.0 Glycerrhiza glabra 17.0 Conclusion 18.0 References |