Herb Profile: Cascara Sagrada (Rhamnus purshiana)

Quick Facts

• Family: Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn family)

• Parts Used: The bark (must be aged for ≥1 year)

• Energetics: Cooling, Purgative

• Taste/Aroma: Intensely Bitter

Core Uses & Actions

• Primary Actions: Stimulant Laxative, Purgative, Bitter Tonic.

• Key Uses: Used as a powerful stimulant laxative for occasional constipation. Promotes bowel movement by irritating the colon lining.

Critical Safety Warnings

• CRITICAL USE: Use only as a last resort for occasional constipation and only for short periods (no more than one week).

• Toxicity/Dependency: Fresh bark is a severe irritant. Habitual, long-term use causes laxative dependency and electrolyte imbalances (low potassium).

• Contraindications: Do not use during pregnancy/breastfeeding. Avoid if you have intestinal obstruction, Crohn's, Ulcerative Colitis, or undiagnosed abdominal pain.

Herb Profile: Catnip (Nepeta cataria)

Quick Facts

• Family: Lamiaceae (Mint family)

• Parts Used: Leaves, flowering tops (aerial parts)

• Energetics: Diaphoretic, Sedative

• Taste/Aroma: Pleasant and Minty

Core Uses & Actions

• Primary Actions: Diaphoretic, Sedative, Antispasmodic, Carminative, Nervine.

• Key Uses: Traditional remedy for colds, flu, and fevers (promotes sweating). Highly regarded for settling the stomach and relieving colic/flatulence (safe for infants as a weak tea). Calms nerves and induces sleep.

Critical Safety Warnings

• Pregnancy: Do not take during pregnancy (potential emmenagogue effect).

• Duration: Long-term internal use may interfere with the absorption of iron.

Herb Profile: Cattail (Typha latifolia)

Quick Facts

• Family: Typhaceae (Cattail Family)

• Parts Used: Rootstock, shoots, pollen, flower spike

• Energetics: Cooling, Astringent

• Taste/Aroma: Sweet (Rhizome), Cucumber/Sweet Corn (Shoots/Spike)

Core Uses & Actions

• Primary Actions: Astringent, Diuretic, Hemostatic, Nutritive.

• Key Uses: Nearly all parts are edible (rhizome is a staple starch/flour). Pollen used internally for hemorrhages. Roots/stems used as a poultice for wounds, boils, and burns.

Critical Safety Warnings

• Contamination: Harvest only from clean, unpolluted water sources (absorbs pollutants).

• Pregnancy: Pollen should not be prescribed for pregnant women (potential emmenagogue).

Herb Profile: Cleavers (Galium aparine)

Quick Facts

• Family: Rubiaceae (Madder family)

• Parts Used: The entire herb (aerial parts)

• Energetics: Cooling, Diuretic, Astringent

• Taste/Aroma: Slightly Salty and Fresh

Core Uses & Actions

• Primary Actions: Diuretic, Lymphatic Tonic, Astringent, Vulnerary.

• Key Uses: Primarily a lymphatic herb used to help the body eliminate excess water/toxins. Diuretic for UTIs and kidney stones. Topical wash/juice for wounds, skin infections, and clearing the complexion.

Critical Safety Warnings

• Duration: Should only be taken for 2 weeks at a time, with a 1-2 week break.

• Pregnancy/Breastfeeding: Avoid during pregnancy (emmenagogue properties).

• Drug Interactions: Avoid use with anticoagulant medications (coumarin content when dried) and other diuretics.

• Contraindications: Do not use if existing kidney problems are present.

Herb Profile: Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara)

Quick Facts

• Family: Compositae (Composite family)

• Parts Used: Leaves and flowers

• Energetics: Cooling, Soothing, Bitter

• Taste/Aroma: Bitter

Core Uses & Actions

• Primary Actions: Expectorant, Antitussive (cough suppressant), Demulcent, Anti-inflammatory.

• Key Uses: Classic remedy for persistent coughs, asthma, and bronchitis (Tussilago means "cough dispeller"). Soothes irritated tissues (mucilage) and helps break up congestion.

Critical Safety Warnings

• CRITICAL TOXICITY: Contains liver-harming Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids (PAs).

• Duration: Internal use must be short-term and only under medical supervision.

• Contraindications: Do not use during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or for children under six.

• Toxicity: The roots and berries are toxic and should not be consumed.

Herb Profile: Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)

Quick Facts

• Family: Boraginaceae (Borage family)

• Parts Used: Root and leaves

• Energetics: Cooling, Moistening, Astringent

• Taste/Aroma: Neutral

Core Uses & Actions

• Primary Actions: Vulnerary (wound healing), Cell Proliferator, Demulcent, Astringent.

• Key Uses: Premier herb for external healing (known as "knitbone"). Used for sprains, fractures, bruises, and stubborn wounds. Promotes rapid growth of new cells (allantoin).

Critical Safety Warnings

• CRITICAL: LIVER TOXICITY: Contains toxic Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids (PAs), which cause severe liver damage.

• INTERNAL USE IS BANNED/DISCOURAGED in many countries. Use only on unbroken skin.

• Duration: Topical use must be short-term (no more than 10 consecutive days).

• Contraindications: Do not use during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or on children.

Herb Profile: Couch Grass (Agropyron repens L.)

Quick Facts

• Family: Gramineae (Grass family)

• Parts Used: Rhizome (rootstock)

• Energetics: Cooling, Demulcent

• Taste/Aroma: Mild, Earthy, Slightly Sweet

Core Uses & Actions

• Primary Actions: Diuretic, Aperient, Demulcent, Antiseptic.

• Key Uses: Used as a diuretic to increase urine flow and flush the urinary tract (UTIs, cystitis). Soothes inflamed mucous membranes. Historically used to help pass kidney stones/gravel.

Critical Safety Warnings

• Invasive: Do not grow it; it is a highly invasive weed.

• Contraindications: People with severe kidney or heart disease should not use it.

• Pregnancy/Breastfeeding: Avoid due to insufficient safety data.

• Dehydration: High diuretic action requires careful fluid management.

Herb Profile: Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale L.)

Quick Facts

• Family: Asteraceae (Daisy family)

• Parts Used: Root, leaves, and flowers

• Energetics: Cooling, Diuretic, Bitter

• Taste/Aroma: Bitter (Leaves), Roasted (Root)

Core Uses & Actions

• Primary Actions: Diuretic (Potassium-Sparing), Cholagogue (Bile-flow), Hepatic Tonic, Alterative.

• Key Uses: Leaves are a powerful, potassium-sparing diuretic (reduces fluid retention). Root is a tonic for the liver and gallbladder (jaundice, sluggish digestion). Leaves are a nutritious food source.

Critical Safety Warnings

• Contact Dermatitis: The milky latex in the stems/leaves may cause contact dermatitis.

• Allergies: People allergic to the Asteraceae family (ragweed) may react.

• Gallbladder Issues: Do not use if you have acute biliary obstruction or inflamed gallbladder.

• Drug Interactions: May interact with diuretics (additive effect) and blood sugar medications.

Herb Profile: Devil's Club (Oplopanax horridus)

Quick Facts

• Family: Araliaceae (Ginseng family)

• Parts Used: Inner bark of the root and stem

• Energetics: Warming, Bitter, Slightly Sweet

• Taste/Aroma: Bitter, Pungent, Piney

Core Uses & Actions

• Primary Actions: Antidiabetic (Hypoglycemic), Anti-inflammatory, Expectorant, Antimicrobial, Tonic.

• Key Uses: Traditional remedy to manage blood sugar levels. Used for arthritis and joint pain (anti-inflammatory). Inner bark treats respiratory infections and gastrointestinal issues.

Critical Safety Warnings

• CRITICAL TOXICITY/INJURY: The bright red berries are toxic to humans. Stems are covered in brittle, sharp spines that cause festering wounds; handle with extreme care.

• Blood Sugar: Individuals with diabetes must use only under medical supervision (risk of hypoglycemia).

• Pregnancy/Breastfeeding: Avoid internal use.

• Harvesting: Harvest sustainably due to slow growth.

Herb Profile: Dittany (Cunila origanoides)

Quick Facts

• Family: Lamiaceae (Mint family)

• Parts Used: Leaves

• Energetics: Warming, Aromatic, Stimulant

• Taste/Aroma: Aromatic and Sharp, similar to Oregano

Core Uses & Actions

• Primary Actions: Diaphoretic, Febrifuge, Emmenagogue, Antiseptic, Stimulant.

• Key Uses: Traditional tea for colds, fevers, and headaches (promotes sweating). Used in cooking for its oregano-like flavor.

Critical Safety Warnings

• Pregnancy: Is a uterine stimulant and should be avoided during pregnancy until the final weeks of term (if inducing labor is desired, under professional care).

• General: Contains carvacrol, which can be a skin irritant in concentrated forms.

Herb Profile: Dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum)

Quick Facts

• Family: Apocynaceae (Dogbane family)

• Parts Used: Root, milky sap, and leaves

• Energetics: Cold, Pungent, Bitter

• Taste/Aroma: Distinctly Bitter and Nauseous

Core Uses & Actions

• Primary Actions: Diuretic, Emetic, Cathartic, Cardiotonic.

• Key Uses: Historical use only. Historically used as a powerful diuretic (for dropsy/edema) and a heart stimulant. Latex applied topically to warts.

Critical Safety Warnings

• CRITICAL TOXICITY: All parts of the plant are considered toxic. Internal consumption is dangerous and can lead to cardiac arrest.

• Risk vs. Benefit: Modern use is limited to highly diluted homeopathic remedies. Avoid internal use.

• Drug Interactions: The cardiotonic effects could interact with heart medications.

Herb Profile: Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea, E. angustifolia, E. pallida)

Quick Facts

• Family: Asteraceae (Daisy family)

• Parts Used: Root, aerial parts (leaves and flowers)

• Energetics: Stimulating, Aromatic

• Taste/Aroma: Earthy, Floral, Tingling/Numbing on tongue

Core Uses & Actions

• Primary Actions: Immunostimulant, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Febrifuge.

• Key Uses: Widely used to boost the immune system at the first sign of a cold or flu to reduce severity/duration. Used topically for wounds, boils, and abscesses.

Critical Safety Warnings

• Allergies: Individuals with allergies to the Asteraceae family (ragweed, daisies) may react.

• Autoimmune Conditions: People with autoimmune disorders (Lupus, MS, RA) should use caution as it stimulates the immune system.

• Drug Interactions: May interact with immunosuppressant drugs (reducing their effectiveness).

Duration: Long-term safety of continuous use (beyond 8 weeks) is not well established.