Alfalfa
( Medicago Sativa)
Other Names:: : Lucerne, Purple Medic, Spanish Clover
Sweet smelling, extremely deep rooted perennial with weak reclining stems. up to 60 cm tall. leave divided into 3 oblong leaflets, sharply tooted on upper half.
Flowers deep purple to bluish (rarely white), slender, pea like 7-10 mm long, in dense 2-4 cm heads. Once established it grows abundantly and returns each year. Roots will spread underground and keep sprouting new plants each year. Rich source of vitamins, minerals, trace minerals, and other nutrients. Goof tor the pituitary glad, mild alterative and blood purifier; Has been used for arthritis, poor appetite, general weakness, and mineral deficiencies. Good mixed with peppermint for digestive issues.
Large amounts can cause bloating, blood-clotting disorders and contains canavanine which is potentially toxic and may cause recurrence of lupus in patients with the disease.
Energetics::
Moistening
Increase moisture content of tissues: lubricate and soften dry, brittle or hardened tissues
Nourishing
Provide essential nutrients that aid tissue healing, improving tissue structure and function.
Warming
Stimlate or speed up metabolism; increase energy production and warmth; bring blow flow and vitality to tissues that are pale and cool
Properties::
Bitter
Triggers the gastrointestinal system to get ready to eat
Galactagogue
Increase breast milk production
Mineralizer
Catalyst for absorbtion of minerals
Nutritive
Provides nutrition and is often high in vitamins and minerals
Antioxidant
Protects cells from damage
Anti-Inflammatory
Helps control inflammation
Ailments::
Allergies
Anemia
Appetite (improve)
Arthritis
Bad Breath
Blood Purifier
Bursitis
Colon
Cramps
Diabetes
Digestive Disorders
Endurance
Energy
Flu
Fractures
Gout
Hay Fever
Hypoglycemia
Kidneys
Lactation
Morning Sickness
Nausea
Pituitary Gland
Rheumatism
Senility
Teeth
Uterus
Vitality
Associated with ::
Kidneys
Digestion
Heart
Gastrointestinal
Circulatory
Respiratory
Musculoskeletal
Urinary
Blue Cohosh
( Caulophyllum thalictroides)
Other Names:: : Papoose root, Squaw root
Has been used in small doses over a period of time to induce labour. Can also be used in this way to induce delayed menstruation. During labour, strengthens contractions and eases the pain of childbirth. It's tonic action helps stimulate and relax the uterus; Helpful for relieving painful menstrual symptoms, cramps, and breast pain.
It stimulates uterine contractions so not for use during pregnancy or by women trying to get pregnant. Should be avoided during heavy menstrual bleeding as well. Careful and supervised use after due date to induce labour.
Energetics::
Cooling
Sedate or slow down metabolism to decrease energy production while cooling or soothing irritation and redness
Drying
Remove excess fluid from tissue, causing it to become more firm and dense, relieve conditions of dampness and sweling.
Relaxing
Relax muscle cramps and spasms, relieving excess tension in the tisues. promotes easier flow and movement and can help increse deficient secretion.
Warming
Stimlate or speed up metabolism; increase energy production and warmth; bring blow flow and vitality to tissues that are pale and cool
Properties::
Antispasmodic
Quick relief of pain and spasms, muscle and or gastrointestinal.
Emmenagogue
Regulates, induces normal menstruation
Oxytocic
Hastening or facilitating child birth
Anti-Inflammatory
Helps control inflammation
Ailments::
Childbirth
Cramps
Menopause
Menstrual Cramps
Menstruation
Miscarriage
Associated with ::
Reproductive
Musculoskeletal
Black Cohosh
( Actaea racemosa, Cimicifuga racemosa)
Other Names:: : snake root, squar root, rattle root, bugbane, macrotys, tall bugbane, bugwort, rattleweed
Has an estrogenic effect. Relief of menopausal symptoms. Relieves anxiety and muscle tension - often used as a relaxant and anti-spasmodic. Relieves rheumatism and inflammatory pain. Breaks up mucus in lungs and aides eliminatory secretions of the kidneys, liver and lymphatic system.
Decoction: 2 - 4 oz 3 times a day. Tincture :: 3 - 30 drops (.1 - 1ml) 3 times a day. Glycerite :: 6 drops - 1ml 3 times a day.
Large doses can cause, headaches, dizziness, irritation of central nervous system, nausea, vomiting. Should NOT be used during first trimester of pregnancy. At full term pregnancy can used helpful to initiate and regulate labor contractions.
Energetics::
Cooling
Sedate or slow down metabolism to decrease energy production while cooling or soothing irritation and redness
Drying
Remove excess fluid from tissue, causing it to become more firm and dense, relieve conditions of dampness and sweling.
Relaxing
Relax muscle cramps and spasms, relieving excess tension in the tisues. promotes easier flow and movement and can help increse deficient secretion.
Properties::
Alterative
Gradually restoring healthy bodily functions - slow working, increase assimilation of nutrients.
Anti-Arrhythmic
Suppress abnormal heart rhythms
Anti-Depressant
Helps prevent, cure or alleviate mental depression
Antirheumatic
Helps ease pain of rheuatism and inflammation of joints and muscles
Antispasmodic
Quick relief of pain and spasms, muscle and or gastrointestinal.
Antivenomous
Treat certain venomous bites and stings
Astringent
Constriction / knitting together of body tissues - good to reduce chronic inflammation of the bowels.
Bitter
Triggers the gastrointestinal system to get ready to eat
Emmenagogue
Regulates, induces normal menstruation
Expectorant
Facilitates removal or secretions and phlegm
stimulant
Raises levels of physiological or nervous activity in the body
Anti-Inflammatory
Helps control inflammation
Ailments::
Arthritis
Asthma
Bee Stings
Blood Pressure (high)
Blood Purifier
Bronchitis
Circulation
Convulsions
Coughs
Cramps
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Headaches
Heart
Hormones (female)
Hot Flashes
Insect Bites
Kidneys
Liver
Lumbago
Lungs
Menopause
Menstruation
Nervous Disorders
Rheumatism
Skin Problems
Smoking
Snake Bite
Thyroid
Uterus
Associated with ::
General muscle aches
Musculoskeleton
Skin
Sinuses
Heart
Liver
Immune System
Endocrine
Reproductive
Jamaican Dogwood
( Piscidia erythrina, P. piscipula)
Other Names:: : Piscidia erythrina, Fish Poison Bark
Mild narcotic and anodyne. Potent sedative known as a remedy for migraine headaches, neuralgia, treatment of insomnia caused by pain, nervous tension, and stress. Anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic, useful for painful menstrual cramps. Combined with other herbs to treat musculoskeletal pain of arthritis and rheumatism. Mixes extremely well with Corydalis for pain relief.
Tincture: 10 drops to 3ml every 4 hours.
Use very cautiously with pregnant women or hypotension. May increase effectiveness of sedative medication.
Energetics::
Cooling
Sedate or slow down metabolism to decrease energy production while cooling or soothing irritation and redness
Relaxing
Relax muscle cramps and spasms, relieving excess tension in the tisues. promotes easier flow and movement and can help increse deficient secretion.
Warming
Stimlate or speed up metabolism; increase energy production and warmth; bring blow flow and vitality to tissues that are pale and cool
Properties::
Anti-Inflammatory
Helps control inflammation
Antispasmodic
Quick relief of pain and spasms, muscle and or gastrointestinal.
Narcotic
A drug that in moderate doses dulls the senses, relieves pain, and induces profound sleep but in excessive doses causes stupor, coma, or convulsions
Sedative
Exerts soothing, tranquilizing effect
Soporific (Hypnotic)
Induce drowsiness or sleep
Ailments::
Cramps
Headaches
Inflammation
Menstrual Cramps
Menstruation
Migraine Headaches
Muscle ache
Muscles - Back or neck
Tight and tense neck or back pain, or dealing with a condition that causes muscle spasms
Neuralgia
A sharp, shocking pain that follows the path of a nerve and is due to irritation or damage to the nerve
Pain
Polymyalgia rheumatica
An inflammatory disorder that causes muscle pain and stiffness, especially in the shoulders and hips
Rheumatism
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease that causes inflammation around the body and commonly presents with pain in the joints. It can cause severe damage to the joints and their surroundin
Stress
Tension
Associated with ::
Neurological
Musculoskeletal
