A - HERBS

Abcess Root (Polemonium reptans):
It is used almost exclusively in the treatment of pulmonary diseases. Even in moderate doses, it is a powerful diaphoretic and will cause profuse sweating in the patient. The herb is also an astringent and antiseptic and will soothe an inflamed bronchial mucosa and promote the rapid healing of an ulcerated throat. The most valuable aspect is its use as an expectorant. It will quickly remove mucous from the lungs and bronchi, and as the herb also produces a slight vasodilative action, it makes breathing easier and reduces coughing.

Acacia Bark (Acacia decurrens)
Strongly astringent, babul is used to contract and toughen mucousmembranes throughout the body in much the same way as witch hazel or oak bark does. Babul may be made into a variety of preparations: for instance, a lotion for bleeding gums, a gargle for sore throats, a wash for eczema, an eyewash for conjunctivitis and other eye problems, and a douche for excessive vaginal discharge. The herb is taken internally to treat diarrhea, mainly in the form of a decoction. In Ayurvedic medicine, babul is considered a remedy that is helpful for treatingpremature ejaculation. .

Acacia, Catsclaw (Acacia greggii)
The pod is powdered and applied moistened as a poultice for muscle pain, bruises or sprains. It also is used for the same purposes as Mesquite. Gather the pods when still green and dry the leaves and branches over a paper as the leaves often fall off while hanging. The longer distal roots, chopped into small segments while moist. The gum is gathered the same way as mesquite gum and the flowers are dried. The green leaves, stems, and pods are powdered for tea (standard infusion) or for topical application; the roots are best used as a cold standard infusion, warmed for drinking and gargling.

Pods are used for conjunctivitis in the same manner as mesquite pods and the gum, although catsclaw is harder to harvest it is used in the same way as mesquite gum. The powdered pods and leaves make an excellent infused tea (2-4 ounces of the standard infusion every three hours) for diarrhea and dysentery, as well as a strongly astringent hemostatic and antimicrobial wash. The straight powder will stop superficial bleeding and can also be dusted into moist, chafed body folds and dusted on infants for diaper rash. The flowers and leaves as a simple tea are good anti-inflammatory for the stomach and esophagus in nausea, vomiting, and hangovers. It is distinctly sedative. The root is thick and mucilaginous as a tea and is good for sore throat and mouth inflammations as well as dry raspy coughing.

Acacia, Sweet (Acacia farnesiana )
Colombians bathe in the bark decoction as a treatment for typhoid. The gummy roots have been chewed as a treatment for sore throat. A decoction of the gum from the trunk has been used in the treatment of diarrhea. An infusion of the flowers has been used as a stomachic. It is also used in the treatment of dyspepsia and neuroses. The flowers are added to ointment, which is rubbed on the forehead to treat headaches. The powdered dried leaves have been applied externally as a treatment for wounds. The green pods have been decocted and used in the treatment of dysentery and inflammations of the skin and raucous membranes. An infusion of the pod has been used in the treatment of sore throats, diarrhea, leucorrhoea, conjunctivitis, and uterorrhagia.

Acacia, Umbrella Thorn (Acacia tortilis)
Leaves, bark, seeds, and a red gum are used in many local medicines. Two pharmacologically active compounds for treating asthma have been isolated from the bark. The stem of the tree is also used to treat diarrhea. The gum is used like that of gum arabics in folk remedies. The dried, powdered bark is used as a disinfectant in healing wounds; in Senegal it serves as an anthelmintic. In Somalia the stem is used to treat asthma. Seeds are taken to treat diarrhea. In French Guinea, the bark is used as a vermifuge and dusted onto skin ailments.

Aconite (Aconitum napellus):
Aconite is poisonous in all but the smallest doses and is rarely prescribed for internal use. More commonly , it is applied to unbroken skin to relieve pain from bruises or neurological conditions. In Ayurvedic medicine, aconite is used to treat neuralgia, asthma, and heart weakness. Aconite has been added to salves because of its painkilling action on neuralgia, lumbago, and rheumatism. The tincture has been given in one-drop doses for heart failure, high fevers, pneumonia, pleurisy and tonsillitis. Use only under a professional's supervision. Adam and Eve Root (Aplectrum hyemale): It has been used in folk remedies but is too rare to harvest. Admire it and leave it alone. The corm has been used to treat bronchial illness.

Adder's Tongue (Erythronium americanum):
Generally used as a poultice for ulcers and skin troubles. An infusion of the leaves is taken for the relief of skin problems and for enlarged glands. Various oil infusions and ointments made from the leaf and spike have been used to treat wounds, and poultices of the fresh leaves have been applied to soothe and heal bruises. The bulbs of the plant have been recorded as emetic and as a substitute for Colchicium in the treatment of gout. In the fresh state it has been reported to be a remedy for scurvy. It is often used to treat scrofulous skin arising from tubercular infection. Can mix the expressed juice with cider for internal use. Must be used fresh.

Adder's Tongue, English (Ophioglossum vulgatum):
the fresh leaves make a most effective and comforting poultice for ulcers and tumors. The expressed juice of the leaves is drunk as a treatment for internal bleeding and bruising.
Adenophora, (Adenophora verticillata): This is a commonly used medicinal plant in China. It is used in the treatment of women's diseases, chronic bronchitis with dry cough, pulmonary infections with cough and thick yellow sputum, dry throat. The root of the Adenophora physcically resembles that of ginseng and has some of its virtues as well. Adenophora root is considered a restorative of body vigor and, to some extent, a sexual reparative. It is also employed by the Chinese as a tonic and for the treatment of pulmonary ailments.

Adonis (Adonis vernalis):
The leaves and tops contain a number of biologically active compounds, including cardioactive glycosides that benefit the heart. It dilates the coronary vessels. They are similar to those found in foxglove but gentler. These substances increase the heart's efficiency by increasing its output while slowing its rate. Unlike foxglove, however, false hellebore's effect on the heart is slightly sedative, and it is generally prescribed for patients with hearts that are beating too fast or irregularly. It is also used for mitral stenosis and edema due to heart failure. False hellebore is recommended as a treatment for certain cases of low blood pressure. False hellebore is strongly diuretic and can be used to counter water retention, particularly if this condition can be attributed to poor circulatory function. It is an ingredient of several commercial German preparations for heart complaints and low blood pressure. It is also found in Bechterew's Mixture, a Russian formulation for heart conditions of nervous origin.

Adrue (Cyperus articulatus)
The aromatic properties of the drug cause a feeling of warmth to be diffused throughout the whole system and it acts as a sedative in dyspeptic disorders. Adrue is used in traditional African and Asian medicine to control nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and gas. It is also used for headaches and epilepsy; for blood in the urine, and for some female disorders such as menstrual irregularity, breast pain, and vaginal discharge.

Aerva (Aerva lanata):
The roots are diuretic and demulcent. They are credited with tonic properties and given to pregnant women. The roots and flowers are used to cure headaches. The flowers are used for the removal of kidney stones and in gonorrhea. Roots used in headache and also as emulcent. Decoction of the root is given as tonic to pregnant women. Also used for the treatment of gonorrhea and kidney disorders, cutaneous affections and sugar in urine. This herb is described as "one of the best known remedies for bladder and kidney stones." Ayurvedic practitioners recommend a decoction of the plant to be taken internally for a few days to dissolves the stone and to clear the urinary path. As a tea it is used as a flushing-out treatment using more than 2 liters per day, sometimes combined with a medication for inflammations of the genitourinary tract (cystitis, urethritis), urinary gravel and nonobstructive stones, to prevent relapsing urinary infections, gravel and stones and for inflammations of the upper respiratory tract (bronchitis, phyarngitis, etc; coughs due to thickened bronchial section, and gastrointestinal tract. Externally it is used as a poultice for minor skin inflammations. It is useful to treat boils cephalgia, Cough, and lithiasis. For fever: Crush the leaves in cold water and bathe.

Agar (Gelidium amansii )
Like most seaweeds and their derivatives, agar is nutritious and contains large amounts of mucilage. Its chief medicinal use is as a bulk laxative. In the intestines, agar absorbs water and swells, stimulating bowel activity and the subsequent elimination of feces. It is principally used in scientific cultures and commerce

from: Herbnet.com