B - HERBS

Ba Ji Tian (Morinda officinalis)
The pungent, sweet-tasting ba ji tian is an important Chinese herb. It is a kidney tonic, and therefore strengthens the yang. It is also used as a sexual tonic, treating impotence and premature ejaculation in men, infertility in both men and women, and a range of conditions, such as an irregular menstrual cycle. Ba ji tian is also prescribed for conditions affecting the lower back or pelvic region, including pain, cold, and urinary weakness—especially frequent urination or incontinence.

Baby's Tears (Phyllanthus liebmannianus):
Boil an entire plant in 3 cups water for 2 minutes; strain and drink for stomatitis, internal infections, kidney stones, and stoppage of urine. Use same preparation to bathe infants who are ill.

Badrang (Zanthoxylum limonella):
The bark and fruit are attributed with stomachic properties. Mullilam oil, an orange-scented, steam-distilled extract from the fruits, is reported to have a variety of medical applications. The methanolic extract of the Zanthoxylum rhetsa Roxb. stem bark, given by oral route to mice at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg, significantly reduced the abdominal contraction induced by acetic acid and the diarrheal episodes induced by castor oil in mice.

Baeckea (Baeckea frutescens):
Tea of the leaves is used to treat sunstroke, fever. Indonesians consider the decoction to be diuretic, emmenagogue, refrigerant and tonic. It is also used for dysmenorrheal, parturition and as a tonic. Leaves and flowers are also used in Indochina for catarrh, headache and rheumatism. Packets of leaves are burned under the bed of colic sufferers.

Bael (Aegle marmelos )
The astringent half-ripe bael fruit reduces irritation in the digestive tract and is excellent for diarrhea and dysentery. The ripe fruit is a demulcent and laxative, with a significant vitamin C content. It eases stomach pain and supports the healthy function of this organ. Pulped, the flesh of Bael is an excellent curative for dysentery, while the fragrant juice is used as an appetizer, for curing stomach disorders, and for purifying the blood. Bael’s astringent leaves are taken to treat peptic ulcers. A decoction of leaves is a favorite remedy for ailments that often occur during seasonal changes—fevers, influenza, fatigue. The tree’s most unusual application is for earache. A piece of dried root is dipped in the oil of the neem tree an set on fire. Oil from the burning end is dripped into the ear (not recommended to try)

Bai Lian (Ampelopsis japonica): Roots are used to expel phlegm; treat inflammation of the skin, burns, boils, ulcers, acne, swellings, vaginal and uterine discharges. A decoction of the roots is used in the treatment of tuberculous cervical nodes, bleeding from hemorrhoids and burn injuries.

Bai Mao Xia Ku Cao (Ajuga decumbens)
The leaf decoction is used for bladder ailments, diarrhea, eye trouble, fever; juice for bugbites, burns, cuts, and tumors. Fresh leaves are pounded with boiled rice and poulticed onto carcinoma. A shoot decoction is bathed onto neuralgic and rheumatic parts. A hot decoction of the seed is used for diarrhea, stomach ache. The plant is used for abscesses, boils, bronchitis, burns, cancer, cold, colic, epistaxis, fever, fungoid diseases, hemorrhage, hypertension, inflammation, pneumonia, snakebite, sore throat and tonsillitis. The whole plant promotes tissue regeneration. A decoction of the stem is bathed onto neuralgic and rheumatic parts.

Bai Qian (Cynanchum stauntonii): Decoctions of all parts are used as a febrifuge and for treating internal fever. The roots are used medicinally for pulmonary tuberculosis, infantile malnutrition due to intestinal parasites, influenza, cough, and chronic bronchitis.

Bai Wei (Cynanchum atratum):
The roots are used to treat fever, coughs, blood in urine, inflammation of the urethra. Cardiac tonic ingredients of bai wei stimulate the heart muscle and improve contraction and slow down heart rate. Bai wei can inhibit pneumococcus. Toxic amount: 30-40 grams. Koreans use the root to treat women in pregnancy and parturition, for fever and micturition, and to apply externally to rounds.

Bai Zhi (Angelica anomala):
The plant is used to lower arterial pressure, increase diuresis and stimulate contraction of the smooth muscles, especially the uterus, but without causing abortion. It is also used in the treatment of colds and headaches, coryza, leucorrhoea, boils and abscesses. Small quantities of angelicotoxin, one of the active ingredients in the root, have an excitatory effect on the respiratory center, central nervous system and vasculomotor center. It increases the rate of respiration, increases blood pressure, decreases the pulse, increases the secretion of saliva and induces vomiting. In large doses it can cause convulsions and generalized paralysis.

Bai Zhi (Angelica dahurica )
Bai Zhi has been used for thousands of years in Chinese herbal medicine where it is used as a sweat-inducing herb to counter harmful external influences. The pungent, bitter bai zhi is used for frontal headaches and aching eyes, nasal congestion, and toothache. Like its cousins angelica and Chinese angelica, it is warming and tonic, and it is still given for problems attributed to “damp and cold” conditions, such as sores, boils, and ulcers affecting the skin. Bzi zhi also appears to be valuable in treating the facial pain of trigeminal neuralgia. Small quantities of angelicotoxin, one of the active ingredients in the root, have an excitatory effect on the respiratory center, central nervous system and vasculomotor centre. It increases the rate of respiration, increases blood pressure, decreases the pulse, increases the secretion of saliva and induces vomiting. In large doses it can cause convulsions and generalized paralysis.

Bai Zhu (Atractylodes macrocephala )
Bai Zhu is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. It has traditionally been used as a tonic for the digestive system, building qi and strengthening the spleen. The rhizome has a sweet, pungent taste, and is used to relieve fluid retention, excessive sweating, and digestive problems such as diarrhea and vomiting. It is also used in the treatment of poor appetite, dyspepsia, abdominal distension, and edema. It is often used in conjunction with other herbs such as Codonopsis tangshen and Glycyrrhiza uralensis. Combined with Baical skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) it is used to prevent miscarriage.

Baical Skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis)
The root is used. Indications: ailments of “full” and “hot” excess: oppression in chest, thirst with no desire for water, dysentery and diarrhea, jaundice, body heat, irritability, blood in stool and sputum, nosebleeds. Clinical tests in China found it improved symptoms in over 70% of patients with chronic hepatitis, increasing appetite, improving liver function and reducing swelling. Other studies show it reduces inflammation and allergic reactions. These effects are due to the flavonoids. It is also likely that Baical skullcap may help venous problems and fragile capillaries. The herb may be useful for problems arising from diabetes, including cataracts. In Chinese medicine it is prescribed for hot and thirsty conditions such as high fevers, coughs with thick yellow phlegm, and gastrointestinal infections that cause diarrhea, such as dysentery. It is also given to people suffering from painful urinary conditions. It is now used for allergic conditions such as asthma, hay fever, eczema, and nettle rash, although its anti-inflammatory action is most useful for digestive infections. It is a valuable remedy for the circulation. In combination with other herbs, it is used to treat high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, varicose veins and easy bruising. Applied to the skin, it treats sores, swelling and boils. It appears to be useful for circulatory problems that arise from diabetes. The seed is used to cleanse the bowels of blood and pus.

Bailahuen (Haplopappus baylahuen):
The medicinal properties lie principally in its resin and volatile oil, the resin acting chiefly on the bowels and urinary passages, and the volatile oil on the lungs. It does not cause disorder to the stomach and bowels, it is a valuable remedy in dysentery, chronic diarrhea specially of tuberculous nature and in chronic cystitis. Internally is it used as a tea for loss of appetite and non-ulcer dyspepsia with fullness, flatulence, change of bowel habits, etc. associated with minor disorders of the hepatobiliary tract (chronic cholecycstitis, nonobstructive gallstones, chronic hepatitis and for inflammations of the upper respiratory tract. Also as a diaphoretic hot tea for the common cold and to enhance the effects in problems of the genitourinary tract, the fluid intake should be more than 2 liters per day. Externally it is used as a wet compress or poultice for minor skin inflammations and wounds.

Bakula (Mimusops elengi):
The bakula also produces a berrylike fruit, which turns yellow when ripe. The pulp is given to patients suffering from stomach upsets, but the unripe berry is considered a useful masticatory, and is also used as an infusion to provide a general health tonic. The flowers, fruit, and bark of the bakula are all astringent, and they are used as elements in an Ayurvedic lotion for wounds and ulcers. The bark, which is powdered and made into a gargle for infected mouth and gums, is one of the main ingredients in an Ayurvedic tooth powder recommended for patients with spongy gums. Traditional remedies are: A decoction of the astringent bark or flower is taken to treat fever and diarrhea. The leaves pounded with Nigella seeds are applied as a hot compress or burned and smoke inhaled to alleviate the discomfort of an ulceration nose. The juice of the leaves is dropped into sore eyes to treat eye ache. A decoction of the bark with tamarind bark is used as a lotion to treat skin affections. An infusion of the bark is used as a nasal wash against mucous discharge. The bark is used as a component in a poultice to treat leucorrhoea and pimples. The leaves are burned and smoke inhaled to treat asthma, affection of the nose and mouth. A decoction of the bark is gargled as a dental strengthener to fix teeth loosened. It also to treat sore throat or relaxed uvula to strengthen the gums. A tincture of the bark is employed as an embrocation to treat rheumatism and distended abdomen. A decoction of the bark is used to treat blennorrhea, sprue, gonorrhea and itch. Fruit of Bakula is made into a paste by grinding it with alcohol. It will stop menstruation, if taken during the period of menstruation.
Balloon Flower (Platycodon grandiflorum) It loosens phlegm, stops cough in both hot and cold conditions, aids the elimination of pus in the upper parts of the body, is effective for sore throat, lung abscess, and loss of voice. It has an ascending energy and is sometimes added in small amounts to formulas to direct the therapeutic action of other herbs to the upper parts of the body.

Balloon Vine (Cardiospermum halicacabum)
In Indian herbal medicine, balloon vine root is used to bring on delayed menstruation and to relieve backache and arthritis. The leaves stimulate local circulation and are applied to painful joints to help speed the cleaning of toxins. The seeds are also thought to help in the treatment of arthritis. The plant as a whole has sedative properties. It has been prescribed for years by European skin specialists and family doctors. In a study of 833 patients with eczema, better than 4 out of 5 subjects reported improvement or remission of symptoms (inflammation, swelling, scaling, blisters/vesicles, dry skin, itching, burning and pain). This small and delicate wiry climber can be used to treat piles, rheumatism, nervous disorders and chronic bronchitis. A paste of the leaves is a dressing for sores and wounds. Crushed leaves can also be inhaled to relieve headaches and the seeds used to relieve fever and body aches. A tea made from the leaves is used in the treatment of itchy skin. Salted leaves are used as a poultice on swellings. The leaf juice has been used as a treatment for earache.

Balmony (Chelone glabra)
It is believed to be an appetite stimulant, and some herbalists prescribe the dried plant in an infusion to treat anorexia. Balmony is a very bitter herb with a tea-like flavor that acts mainly as a tonic for the liver and digestive system. It also has anti-depressant and laxative effects. It is used internally in the treatment of consumption, debility, diseases of the liver, gallbladder problems, gallstones etc. It is also used to relieve nausea and vomiting, intestinal colic and to expel worms. Externally, it is applied as an ointment to inflamed tumors, irritable ulcers, inflamed breasts etc. It Is beneficial for a weak stomach and indigestion, general debility, constipation, and torpid liver, it also stimulates the appetite, and in small doses is a good tonic during convalescence. In addition, balmony is an effective antheimintic. Externally, it is used for sores and eczema. The ointment is valuable to relieve the itching and irritation of piles. Balmony is an excellent agent for liver problems. It acts as a tonic on the whole digestive and absorptive system. It has a stimulating effect on the secretion of digestive juices, and in this most natural way its laxative properties are produced. Balmony is used in gall stones, inflammation of the gall-bladder and in jaundice. It stimulates the appetite, eases colic, dyspepsia and biliousness and is helpful in debility. Externally it has been used on inflamed breasts, painful ulcers and piles. It is considered a specific in gall stones that lead to congestive jaundice.

Herbalists consider this herb a useful remedy for gastro-intestinal debility with hepatic torpor or jaundice. Dyspeptic conditions attending convalescence from prostrating fevers are often aided by it, and should be studied particularly for vague and shifting pain in the region of the ascending colon. Kings Dispensatory describes it as being tonic, cathartic, and anthelmintic. Especially valuable in jaundice and hepatic diseases, likewise for the removal of worms, for which it may be used in powder or decoction, internally and also in injection. Used as a tonic in small doses, in dyspepsia, debility of the digestive organs, particularly when associated with hepatic inactivity, and during convalescence from febrile and inflammatory diseases. It is valuable after malarial fevers as a tonic and to unlock the secretions when checked by quinine. Recommended in form of ointment as an application to painful and inflamed tumors, irritable and painful ulcers, inflamed breasts, piles, etc. Kings gives the following specific indications: Gastro-intestinal debility, with hepatic torpor or jaundice; worms.

From: herbnet.com