Herb Profile: Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis, Sambucus nigra)

Quick Facts

• Family: Adoxaceae (Elderberry family)

• Parts Used: Flowers, berries (cooked), inner bark, and roots

• Energetics: Cooling, Diaphoretic

• Taste/Aroma: Tart, Earthy, Sweet (Cooked Berries), Floral (Flowers)

Core Uses & Actions

• Primary Actions: Antiviral, Antioxidant, Diaphoretic, Cathartic (Bark), Diuretic.

• Key Uses: Popular remedy for colds and flu (syrup reduces duration and severity). Flower tea breaks fevers and clears congestion. Supports cardiovascular health.

Critical Safety Warnings

• Toxicity: Unripe berries, leaves, stems, bark, and roots are toxic (contain cyanogenic glycosides). Berries must be cooked before consumption to neutralize toxins.

• Toxicity (Bark): Inner bark is a strong purgative and emetic and should only be used under professional supervision.

• Autoimmune Conditions: Contraindicated for people with chronic autoimmune diseases (stimulates immune system).

Herb Profile: Elecampane (Inula helenium L.)

Quick Facts

• Family: Asteraceae (Daisy family)

• Parts Used: Roots, leaves, and flowers

• Energetics: Warming, Pungent

• Taste/Aroma: Bitter, Aromatic, Camphoraceous

Core Uses & Actions

• Primary Actions: Expectorant, Antitussive, Diaphoretic, Tonic, Anthelmintic.

• Key Uses: Highly valued expectorant for chronic coughs, asthma, and bronchitis (helps clear phlegm). Aids digestive issues (gas, bloating, nausea). Used externally for skin problems and rheumatic aches.

Critical Safety Warnings

• Uterine Stimulant: Avoid during pregnancy.

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

• Irritation: Can be severely irritating to mucous membranes.

• Contraindications: Avoid if you have severe kidney or heart disease.

Herb Profile: Ephedra (Ephedra sinica)

Quick Facts

• Family: Ephedraceae

• Parts Used: The stem and branches

• Energetics: Warming, Stimulant

• Taste/Aroma: Pungent, Slightly Bitter, Astringent

Core Uses & Actions

• Primary Actions: Sympathomimetic, Decongestant, Diaphoretic, Antispasmodic.

• Key Uses: Historical use only. Used in TCM (Ma Huang) to treat asthma, bronchitis, and colds by promoting perspiration and opening airways. Isolated ephedrine is used in modern medicine.

Critical Safety Warnings

• CRITICAL TOXICITY (FDA BAN): Unsafe for medicinal use. The FDA banned ephedrine supplements due to serious, life-threatening cardiovascular events (stroke, heart attack, arrhythmia, sudden death).

• Contraindications: Avoid use if you have heart, thyroid, or blood pressure issues or are taking antidepressants/stimulants. Unsafe for children and pregnant/breastfeeding individuals.

Herb Profile: Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis)

Quick Facts

• Family: Onagraceae (Evening Primrose family)

• Parts Used: Seed oil (EPO), leaves, stems, flowers, roots

• Energetics: Cooling, Sedative

• Taste/Aroma: Mild, Sweet (Root/Flower), Neutral (Oil)

Core Uses & Actions

• Primary Actions: Anti-inflammatory, Antispasmodic, GLA Source.

• Key Uses: Modern use focuses on the oil (EPO), a rich source of GLA (omega-6 fatty acid). Used for skin conditions (eczema, acne) and women's health (PMS, menopausal hot flashes).

Critical Safety Warnings

• Drug Interactions: Can potentially lower the seizure threshold; use with caution if taking seizure medications.

• General: Not recommended in large doses.

Herb Profile: Ginger (Zingiber officinale L.)

Quick Facts

• Family: Zingiberaceae (Ginger family)

• Parts Used: Rhizome

• Energetics: Warming, Pungent, Spicy

• Taste/Aroma: Pungent, Spicy, Warming

Core Uses & Actions

• Primary Actions: Antiemetic, Anti-inflammatory, Carminative, Stimulant, Antispasmodic.

• Key Uses: Classic remedy for nausea, motion sickness, and morning sickness. Used for digestive health (gas, indigestion). Anti-inflammatory for arthritis and muscle aches. Warming herb for colds and flu.

Critical Safety Warnings

• Drug Interactions: Can act as an anti-clotting agent and may interact with blood thinners. Also affects blood sugar levels (use caution with diabetes medications).

• Stomach Upset: Avoid excessive amounts if you have peptic ulcers (can cause heartburn).

• Pregnancy: Use in prescribed doses only during pregnancy.

Herb Profile: Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L., Panax ginseng)

Quick Facts

• Family: Araliaceae (Ginseng family)

• Parts Used: The root

• Energetics: Cooling (American) or Warming (Asian), Adaptogen

• Taste/Aroma: Sweetish, Aromatic, Slightly Bitter

Core Uses & Actions

• Primary Actions: Adaptogen, Tonic, Stimulant, Hypoglycemic, Immune Support.

• Key Uses: Helps the body adapt to and resist stress. Used to combat fatigue, improve physical and mental performance, and enhance stamina. American variety can help lower blood glucose levels.

Critical Safety Warnings

• Blood Pressure/Sugar: Can affect blood pressure and lower blood sugar; monitor closely if you have high BP or diabetes.

• Stimulants: Avoid with caffeine or other stimulants (risk of nervousness/insomnia).

• Overharvesting: Wild American ginseng is endangered and harvesting is restricted/illegal in many areas.

• Pregnancy: Use is generally avoided.

Herb Profile: Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis L.)

Quick Facts

• Family: Ranunculaceae (Buttercup family)

• Parts Used: The rhizome and roots

• Energetics: Cooling, Drying, Bitter, Astringent

• Taste/Aroma: Intensely and Unpleasantly Bitter

Core Uses & Actions

• Primary Actions: Antimicrobial (Berberine), Astringent, Cholagogue (Bile-flow), Hepatic, Anti-inflammatory.

• Key Uses: Used to fight infections of mucous membranes (respiratory, digestive, genitourinary tracts). Topical wash/eyewash for infections. Bitter tonic that supports liver/bile flow.

Critical Safety Warnings

• Endangered Status: Wild populations are severely depleted and endangered due to overharvesting. Source cultivated plants only.

• CRITICAL FOR INFANTS: Avoid use during breastfeeding. Berberine can displace bilirubin, potentially causing kernicterus (brain damage) in newborns. Not for infants/young children.

• Drug Interactions: Berberine can inhibit liver enzymes, interfering with the metabolism of many prescription drugs (anticoagulants, antidepressants, blood pressure meds).

• Contraindications: Avoid if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, or blood clotting disorders.

Herb Profile: Goldenrod (Solidago odora, Solidago virgaurea)

Quick Facts

• Family: Asteraceae (Aster or sunflower family)

• Parts Used: Leaves, flowering tops, and stem

• Energetics: Diuretic, Astringent

• Taste/Aroma: Aromatic, Pungent, Anise-like

Core Uses & Actions

• Primary Actions: Diuretic, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Antispasmodic.

• Key Uses: Excellent diuretic for Urinary Tract Health and kidney stones. Anti-inflammatory for the urinary tract. Tea relieves nausea and gas.

Critical Safety Warnings

• Allergies: While often blamed for hay fever, it rarely is the cause (ragweed is the culprit). Still, people sensitive to the Asteraceae family may react.

• Contraindications: May cause adverse reactions in those with kidney or heart disease or high blood pressure.

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

Herb Profile: Gravel Root (Eupatorium purpureum L.)

Quick Facts

• Family: Compositae (Composite family)

• Parts Used: Root, flowers

• Energetics: Stimulant, Diuretic

• Taste/Aroma: Slightly Bitter, Aromatic

Core Uses & Actions

• Primary Actions: Diuretic, Stimulant, Tonic, Astringent.

• Key Uses: Historical use only. Traditional remedy for gravel in the gallbladder and dissolving kidney stones. Used to break fevers by inducing copious sweating.

Critical Safety Warnings

• CRITICAL TOXICITY: Contains liver-harming Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids (PAs). Considered "likely unsafe" for internal use. Liver damage can be permanent and fatal.

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

• Allergies: People with allergies to the Asteraceae/Compositae family may react.

Herb Profile: Hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha L.)

Quick Facts

• Family: Rosaceae (Rose family)

• Parts Used: Berries, flowers, leaves

• Energetics: Tonic, Diuretic, Sedative

• Taste/Aroma: Tart/Acidic (Berries)

Core Uses & Actions

• Primary Actions: Cardiac Tonic, Vasodilator, Antioxidant, Sedative, Hypotensive.

• Key Uses: One of the best-known herbal remedies for the heart. Treats early stages of congestive heart failure, strengthens heart muscle, normalizes blood pressure, and corrects irregular heartbeat. Reduces cholesterol.

Critical Safety Warnings

• Drug Interactions (CRITICAL): Can interact with heart medications (beta-blockers, antiarrhythmics, digoxin) and blood pressure drugs. Must be used under medical supervision.

• Contraindications: Avoid in children under twelve and during the first trimester of pregnancy. Avoid if colitis or ulcers are present.

Herb Profile: Heal-All (Prunella vulgaris L.)

Quick Facts

• Family: Labiatae (Mint family)

• Parts Used: The whole plant

• Energetics: Cooling, Tonic, Antiviral

• Taste/Aroma: Slightly Bitter

Core Uses & Actions

• Primary Actions: Antiseptic, Astringent, Antiviral, Vulnerary, Anti-inflammatory.

• Key Uses: Used externally to stop bleeding and promote wound healing. Modern studies suggest antiviral properties (effective against herpes simplex). Used as a gargle for sore throats and mouth ulcers.

Critical Safety Warnings

• Contraindications: Avoid use if hypertensive.

• General: Avoid use in cases of abnormal uterine bleeding, bleeding gums, or blood in the urine.