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Medicinal Uses
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There are many hundreds of medicinal plants that can be grown in temperate climates and there are probably a great deal more with properties as yet undiscovered.
Just to look at a few of our more common herbs: thyme has been shown to slow down the ageing process by maintaining the vigour of our body cells; sage is an excellent antiseptic for treating mouth ulcers and sore throats; camomile is a safe treatment for childrens' stomach upsets and garlic contains fungicides and is used in the treatment of Candida.
The following leaflets examine the heath and nutritional benefits of plants in more detail:
- Plants for Health
- Fruit: Food of the Gods
- Green Gold - The Leaves of Life!
- Active Plant Components
- Plant Parts
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Top Rated 54 plants with the most useful medicinal properties. |
Alternative and Complementary Medicine
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Alterative
Causes a gradual beneficial change in the body, usually through improved nutrition and elimination, without having any marked specific action.
(
143
)
-
Aromatherapy
Plants whose essential oils are used in Aromatherapy.
(
40
)
-
Bach
Plants used in the Bach flower remedies.
(
38
)
-
Homeopathy
A plant used in homeopathic treatments.
(
134
)
Bacteria, Viruses, Fungi and Parasites
-
Anthelmintic
Expels parasites from the gut.
(
261
)
-
Antibacterial
Kills bacteria.
(
331
)
-
Antibiotic
An agent that inhibits or destroys a living organism. It usually refers to bacteria or other micro-organisms and is probably synonymous with Antibacterial
(
34
)
-
Antifungal
An agent that inhibits or destroys fungi. Used in the treatment of various fungal problems such as candida.
(
127
)
-
Antiviral
Treats virus diseases
(
41
)
-
Parasiticide
Treats external parasites such as ringworm This should perhaps be joined with Parasiticide in 'Other Uses'.
(
195
)
-
Vermifuge
Expels and kills internal parasites.
(
211
)
-
Warts
Used in the treatment of warts, corns etc.
(
53
)
Bites and Stings
-
Antidote
Counters poisoning.
(
164
)
-
Stings
Used in the treatment of stings and insect bites.
(
87
)
Bones
Bowles and Bladder
-
Antihaemorrhoidal
Treats haemorrhoids (piles). This would probably be best added to another heading.
(
65
)
-
Aperient
A mild laxative.
(
79
)
-
Carminative
Reduces flatulence and expels gas from the intestines.
(
363
)
-
Cathartic
A strong laxative but less violent than a purgative.
(
96
)
-
Hydrogogue
A purgative that causes an abundant watery discharge.
(
8
)
-
Laxative
Stimulates bowel movements in a fairly gentle manner.
(
407
)
-
Purgative
A drastic laxative causing a cleansing or watery evacuation of the bowels, usually with a griping pain.
(
239
)
-
Urinary
Treats urinary problems, including urinary tract infection (UTI).
(
228
)
Cancer
-
Antitumor
Preventing, or effective against, tumors, it is used in the treatment of cancer. Probably synonymous with Cytotoxic.
(
98
)
-
Cancer
Used in the treatment of cancer.
(
366
)
-
Cytostatic
Slows or controls the growth of tumours.
(
19
)
-
Cytotoxic
Destroys body cells. Used in the treatment of diseases such as cancer, where it is targeted against the cancer cells.
(
16
)
-
Resolvent
Breaks down tumors. This might be placed under antitumor.
(
48
)
Chest and Lungs
-
Antiasthmatic
Treats asthma.
(
153
)
-
Antitussive
Prevents or relieves coughing.
(
230
)
-
Decongestant
Removes phlegm and mucous, especially from the respiratory system.
(
13
)
-
Demulcent
Soothes, lubricates and softens irritated tissues, especially the mucous membranes.
(
200
)
-
Expectorant
Clears phlegm from the chest by inducing coughing.
(
486
)
-
Pectoral
Relieves respiratory diseases, a remedy for chest diseases.
(
192
)
Ear, Nose and Throat and Eyes
-
Errhine
Produces sneezing.
(
4
)
-
Mouthwash
Treats problems such as mouth ulcers.
(
61
)
-
Mydriatic
Dilates the pupils of the eyes.
(
9
)
-
Odontalgic
Treats toothache (temporary measure only) and other problems of the teeth and gums.
(
192
)
-
Ophthalmic
Treats eye complaints.
(
311
)
-
Sialagogue
Stimulates the secretion of saliva.
(
44
)
-
Sternutatory
Promotes sneezing and nasal discharges.
(
21
)
Fevers
General Well Being
-
Antiscorbutic
A plant rich in vitamin C that is used to counteract scurvy.
(
93
)
-
Balsamic
A healing and soothing agent.
(
16
)
-
Nutritive
A food for convalescents to help restore strength.
(
40
)
-
Tonic
Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.
(
838
)
Heart and Blood
-
Anticholesterolemic
Prevents the build up of cholesterol.
(
50
)
-
Anticoagulant
Removes blood clots.
(
24
)
-
Blood purifier
Purifies the blood.
(
60
)
-
Blood tonic
Is this any different to a blood purifier?
(
42
)
-
Cardiac
Used in the treatment of heart problems.
(
137
)
-
Cardiotonic
A tonic for the heart.
(
151
)
-
Haemolytic
Breaks down red blood corpuscles to separate haemoglobin.
(
12
)
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Hypoglycaemic
Reduces the levels of sugar in the blood.
(
119
)
-
Hypotensive
Reduces blood pressure, it is used in the treatment of high blood pressure
(
207
)
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Vasoconstrictor
Narrows the blood vessels, thereby increasing blood pressure.
(
25
)
-
Vasodilator
Widens the blood vessels, thereby reducing blood pressure.
(
84
)
Infectious Diseases
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Antiperiodic
Counteracts recurring illnesses such as malaria.
(
83
)
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Antiscrophulatic
Counteracts scrofula. (TB, especially of the lymph glands)
(
16
)
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TB
Plants used in the treatment of tuberculosis
(
66
)
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VD
Used in the treatment of venereal disease
(
93
)
-
Cholera
Used in the treatment of cholera - an acute diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine with Vibrio cholerae bacteria.
(
42
)
-
Malaria
Treats malaria - an acute febrile illness caused by Plasmodium parasites spread to people through the bites of mosquitos.
(
152
)
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Leprosy
Used to treat leprosy - a chronic bacterial infection of the skin and superficial nerves (in the skin) caused by Mycobacterium leprae.
(
84
)
-
Dysentery
Used in treating dysentery - an infection of the intestines that causes diarrhoea containing blood or mucus.
(
583
)
Liver, Kidneys, and other internal bits
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Antibilious
Corrects the secretions of bile.
(
23
)
-
Cholagogue
Increases the flow of bile and its discharge from the body.
(
148
)
-
Diuretic
Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
(
1124
)
-
Haemostatic
Controls internal bleeding.
(
146
)
-
Hepatic
Acts on the liver (for better or worse!).
(
83
)
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Kidney
Used in the treatment of kidney diseases
(
112
)
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Lithontripic
Removes stones from the kidney, bladder etc.
(
52
)
Nerves and Muscles
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Antispasmodic
Relaxes muscular spasms and cramps, calming nervous irritation.
(
421
)
-
Nervine
Stimulates and calms the nerves.
(
103
)
-
Epilepsy
Used in the treatment of Epilepsy - a disorder in which nerve cell activity in the brain is disturbed, causing seizures.
(
95
)
Other medicinal uses
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Antidandruff
Treats dandruff.
(
30
)
-
Antihydrotic
Reduces perspiration.
(
9
)
-
Antiphlogistic
Reduces inflammation.
(
138
)
-
Antivinous
Treats addiction to alcohol
(
12
)
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Appetizer
Improves the appetite
(
124
)
-
Aromatic
Having an agreeable odour and stimulant qualities.
(
103
)
-
Astringent
Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
(
982
)
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Bitter
Increases the appetite and stimulates digestion by acting on the mucous membranes of the mouth. Also increases the flow of bile, stimulates repair of the gut wall lining and regulates the secretion of insulin and glucogen.
(
112
)
-
Deodorant
Masks smells. Is this medicinal?
(
38
)
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Diaphoretic
Induces perspiration.
(
451
)
-
Emollient
Softens the skin, causing warmth and moisture.
(
136
)
-
Enuresis
Treats bed wetting.
(
7
)
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Hallucinogenic
Causes the mind to hallucinate.
(
32
)
-
Hypnotic
Induces sleep.
(
74
)
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Irritant
Causes irritation or abnormal sensitivity in living tissue.
(
25
)
-
Miscellany
Various medicinal actions that need more clarification.
(
263
)
-
Refrigerant
Cools the body.
(
72
)
-
Restorative
Restores consciousness or normal physiological activity.
(
18
)
-
Rubefacient
A counter-irritant and external stimulant, it produces inflammation and redness of the skin.
(
98
)
-
Sedative
Gently calms, reducing nervousness, distress and irritation.
(
325
)
-
Stimulant
Excites or quickens activity of the physiological processes. Faster acting than a tonic but differing from a narcotic in that it does not give a false sense of well-being.
(
378
)
Pain Relief
-
Anaesthetic
Numbs the feeling in a local or general area of the body.
(
33
)
-
Analgesic
Relieves pain.
(
280
)
-
Anodyne
Relieves pain, it is milder than an analgesic.
(
312
)
-
Lenitive
Soothing, palliative.
(
16
)
-
Narcotic
Relieves pain, induces drowsiness and gives a sense of well-being.
(
91
)
Sex and Reproduction
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Abortifacient
Causes an abortion.
(
94
)
-
Anaphrodisiac
Reduces sexual desire.
(
10
)
-
Aphrodisiac
Increases the sexual appetite.
(
143
)
-
Birthing aid
Used in facilitating birth, but not just to cause uterine contrctions.
(
60
)
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Contraceptive
Prevents fertilization occurring in females.
(
80
)
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Emmenagogue
Promotes or increases the menstrual flow. In early stages of pregnancy it can induce an abortion.
(
310
)
-
Galactofuge
Stops or reduces the flow of milk in a nursing mother.
(
17
)
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Galactogogue
Promotes the flow of milk in a nursing mother.
(
135
)
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Infertility
Used in treating problems of human fertility.
(
26
)
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Oxytoxic
Hastens parturition and stimulates uterine contractions. See also birthing aids.
(
42
)
-
Uterine tonic
A tonic for the uterus. See also oxytoxic.
(
16
)
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Women's complaints
A very vague title, it deals with a miscellany of problems peculiar to the female sex.
(
89
)
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Women
A very vague title, it deals with a miscellany of problems peculiar to the female sex.
(
0
)
Skin, Hands and Feet
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Acrid
Causes heat and irritation when applied to the skin.
(
18
)
-
Antidermatosic
Prevents or cures skin complaints.
(
13
)
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Antipruritic
Treats itching of the skin.
(
56
)
-
Foot care
Plants that are used in various ways to treat foot problems.
(
20
)
-
Skin
Plants used in miscellaneous treatments for the skin.
(
478
)
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Vesicant
A blistering agent.
(
15
)
-
Eczema
Used in the treatment of eczema - a chronic health condition that affects the skin, causing redness, dryness, itching and infections.
(
134
)
Stomach
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Antacid
Counters excess acidity in the stomach.
(
9
)
-
Antiemetic
Prevents vomiting.
(
68
)
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Digestive
Aids digestion.
(
178
)
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Emetic
Induces vomiting.
(
270
)
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Stomachic
Aids and improves the action of the stomach.
(
557
)
Treatment of Wounds and Bruises
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Antiecchymotic
Prevents or treats bruising.
(
8
)
-
Antiseptic
Preventing sepsis, decay or putrefaction, it destroys or arrests the growth of micro-organisms.
(
389
)
-
Detergent
A cleansing agent, used on wounds etc. It removes dead and diseased matter.
(
25
)
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Disinfectant
Used for cleaning wounds.
(
63
)
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Plaster
Used in the treatment of broken bones.
(
8
)
-
Poultice
A moist, usually warm or hot, mass of plant material applied to the skin in the treatment of burns etc.
(
491
)
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Salve
Soothes and heals damaged skin.
(
143
)
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Styptic
An astringent that stops bleeding by contracting the blood vessels.
(
98
)
-
Vulnerary
Promotes the healing of wounds.
(
214
)
Whole Body
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Adaptogen
Helps the body 'rise' to normal stress situations, thus preventing the many chronic degenerative diseases.
(
23
)
-
Deobstruent
Clears obstructions from the natural ducts of the body.
(
49
)
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Depurative
Eliminates toxins and purifies the system, especially the blood.
(
210
)
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