Herb Profile: Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)

Quick Facts

• Family: Ericaceae (Heath Family)

• Parts Used: Leaves

• Energetics: Cooling, Drying, Astringent

• Taste/Aroma: Astringent, Bitter

Core Uses & Actions

• Primary Actions: Strongly Astringent, Urinary Antiseptic, Diuretic, Tonic.

• Key Uses: Primary remedy for Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs), cystitis, and kidney/bladder infections, due to the release of hydroquinone (antiseptic) in alkaline urine. Also used for diarrhea (tannins).

Critical Safety Warnings

• Toxicity: Use under medical supervision. Contains arbutin, converted to the toxic antiseptic hydroquinone.

• Duration/Dose: Excessive or prolonged use (high doses) can cause nausea, stomach distress, and potential chronic poisoning.

• Preparation: Infusions should be made by soaking leaves in alcohol first, then steeping in hot (not boiling) water.

Herb Profile: Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus)

Quick Facts

• Family: Ericaceae (Heath Family)

• Parts Used: Berries (fresh and dried), Leaves, Roots

• Energetics: Cooling, Astringent

• Taste/Aroma: Sweet, Sour, Astringent

Core Uses & Actions

• Primary Actions: Antioxidant (Anthocyanins), Astringent, Hypoglycemic (Leaves), Hypotensive.

• Key Uses: Famous for improving vision (especially night vision) and strengthening capillaries. Dried berries treat diarrhea. Leaves are used to help lower blood sugar (hypoglycemic).

Critical Safety Warnings

• Toxicity: Leaves can produce symptoms of poisoning if used over long periods.

• Drug Interactions: May alter the efficacy of blood thinners and diabetes medications (hypoglycemic risk). Do not take with blood thinners.

• General: Large quantities of fresh berries can be laxative.

Herb Profile: Bittersweet (Celastrus scandens)

Quick Facts

• Family: Celastraceae (Staff tree family)

• Parts Used: Root bark, stem bark

• Energetics: Warming (Diaphoretic), Diuretic

• Taste/Aroma: Bitter, Sweetish, Nauseous

Core Uses & Actions

• Primary Actions: Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Emetic, Alterative (Blood purifier).

• Key Uses: Historical use only. Root bark was a folk remedy for chronic liver and skin ailments, rheumatism, and suppressed menses. External use for burns and sores.

Critical Safety Warnings

• CRITICAL TOXICITY: This plant is toxic and NOT recommended for internal consumption. Use only under expert supervision.

• Poisoning Risk: All parts, especially fruit and seeds, are toxic. Ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and loss of consciousness.

• Pregnancy & Breastfeeding: Do not use.

Herb Profile: Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa)

Quick Facts

• Family: Ranunculaceae (Buttercup family)

• Parts Used: Roots and rhizomes

• Energetics: (Not specified)

• Taste/Aroma: Bitter and acrid (Root/Rhizome)

Core Uses & Actions

• Primary Actions: Menopausal Symptom Relief, Anti-inflammatory, Serotonergic Activity.

• Key Uses: Most well-studied use is for alleviating menopausal symptoms (hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings). Also used for PMS and menstrual cramps.

Critical Safety Warnings

• Hepatotoxicity (Liver Damage): Rare but serious reports of liver damage/failure. Avoid if you have liver disorders. Stop use immediately if experiencing jaundice or dark urine.

• Hormone-sensitive Conditions: Use with caution or avoid if you have breast, uterine, or ovarian cancer, or endometriosis.

• Pregnancy/Breastfeeding: Avoid use (traditionally used to induce labor).

• Drug Interactions: May interact with blood pressure-lowering agents.

Herb Profile: Black Haw (Viburnum prunifolium, Viburnum opulus)

Quick Facts

• Family: Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle family)

• Parts Used: Root bark, stem bark

• Energetics: Sedative, Relaxant

• Taste/Aroma: Bitter, Aromatic, Astringent (Bark)

Core Uses & Actions

• Primary Actions: Antispasmodic, Uterine Relaxant, Nervine, Sedative, Cardiac Tonic.

• Key Uses: Primary remedy for relieving menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea) and afterbirth pains. Used to prevent threatened miscarriages (uterine tonic). Relieves general muscle tension and spasms.

Critical Safety Warnings

• Allergies: Do not use if you are allergic to aspirin (contains salicin).

• Toxicity: Do not exceed the recommended dose. Berries of V. prunifolium may cause nausea.

• General: Use caution if on blood pressure or heart medication.

Herb Profile: Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)

Quick Facts

• Family: Papaveraceae (Poppy family)

• Parts Used: Rhizome (rootstock)

• Energetics: Warming, Pungent

• Taste/Aroma: Unpleasant and Bitter

Core Uses & Actions

• Primary Actions: Expectorant, Stimulant, Emetic (large doses), Antiseptic, Antiviral.

• Key Uses: Used in very small doses as an expectorant for chronic bronchitis and cough. External sap/tincture used for warts, skin infections, and ringworm.

Critical Safety Warnings

• CRITICAL TOXICITY: A powerful and toxic herb. Must be used with extreme caution and only under professional supervision.

• Overdose Risk: Large doses are sedative and an overdose can be fatal. Doses larger than a few grains are strongly emetic.

• Contraindications: Do not use during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or if suffering from glaucoma.

Herb Profile: Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides)

Quick Facts

• Family: Berberidaceae (Barberry family)

• Parts Used: Root, rhizome

• Energetics: Stimulant, Bitter

• Taste/Aroma: Bitter

Core Uses & Actions

• Primary Actions: Uterine Stimulant (Oxytocic), Emmenagogue, Antispasmodic, Antirheumatic.

• Key Uses: Historically a significant "woman's herb". Used to facilitate childbirth by improving uterine contractions. Relieves menstrual cramps and rheumatism.

Critical Safety Warnings

• CRITICAL TOXICITY: The berries and aerial parts are toxic. The root contains toxic alkaloids.

• Pregnancy: Do not use during the first two trimesters. Use to induce labor only under the guidance of an experienced healthcare professional (can be dangerous).

• Contraindications: Do not use if you have a history of heart problems or high blood pressure.

Herb Profile: Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum)

Quick Facts

• Family: Asteraceae (Aster family)

• Parts Used: Leaves and flowering tops

• Energetics: Warming, Bitter

• Taste/Aroma: Very Bitter

Core Uses & Actions

• Primary Actions: Diaphoretic, Febrifuge, Immune Stimulant, Expectorant.

• Key Uses: Classic remedy for breaking fevers associated with colds and flu (hot infusion induces sweating). Famously used for the intense muscle/bone pain of "breakbone fever" (dengue).

Critical Safety Warnings

• Toxicity: Avoid long-term use. Some Eupatorium species contain liver-harming pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs).

• Dosage: High doses cause severe vomiting and diarrhea. Do not take recommended dosage for more than two weeks.

• Misidentification: Do not confuse with the toxic White Snakeroot (Eupatorium rugosum).

• Pregnancy: Should be avoided.

Herb Profile: Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica, Rhamnus frangula)

Quick Facts

• Family: Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn family)

• Parts Used: Ripe berries

• Energetics: Cold, Dry

• Taste/Aroma: Bitter, Sour

Core Uses & Actions

• Primary Actions: Cathartic, Purgative, Laxative, Diuretic.

• Key Uses: Historical use only as a powerful cathartic for severe chronic constipation. Also used historically for gout and to create dyes.

Critical Safety Warnings

• CRITICAL TOXICITY: All parts, especially the berries, are mildly poisonous. Overdose causes severe nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

• Duration: Not for long-term use (risk of dependency and electrolyte imbalance).

• Contraindications: Do not use during pregnancy or in cases of acute intestinal inflammation/pain.

Herb Profile: Burdock (Arctium lappa)

Quick Facts

• Family: Asteraceae (Aster family)

• Parts Used: Root, leaves, and seeds

• Energetics: Cooling, Diuretic

• Taste/Aroma: Sweet, Earthy, Slimy (Root)

Core Uses & Actions

• Primary Actions: Alterative (Blood Purifier), Diuretic, Anti-inflammatory, Hypoglycemic.

• Key Uses: Primary remedy for chronic skin disorders (acne, eczema, psoriasis). Used as a detoxifying herb to support liver/gallbladder function. Root is edible (gobo).

Critical Safety Warnings

• Drug Interactions: May slow blood clotting. Use caution if taking anticoagulants or before surgery.

• Diabetes: Diabetics should use with caution due to blood-sugar-lowering effects.

• Allergies: People with allergies to the Asteraceae family (ragweed, daisies) may be sensitive.

Herb Profile: Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

Quick Facts

• Family: Asteraceae (Daisy family)

• Parts Used: Flower heads and petals

• Energetics: Cooling, Drying

• Taste/Aroma: Slightly bitter, Pungent, Resinous

Core Uses & Actions

• Primary Actions: Vulnerary (wound healing), Anti-inflammatory, Antiseptic, Lymphatic.

• Key Uses: Premier herb for skin conditions. Highly effective in salves/creams for cuts, scrapes, burns, rashes, and slow-healing wounds. Used internally to support the lymphatic system and cleanse the liver.

Critical Safety Warnings

• Pregnancy: Do not take internally during pregnancy (may induce miscarriage).

• Surgery: Discontinue use at least two weeks before surgery (may interact with sedatives).

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

Herb Profile: California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)

Quick Facts

• Family: Papaveraceae (Poppy family)

• Parts Used: The entire plant (aerial parts and root)

• Energetics: Cooling, Drying

• Taste/Aroma: Bitter

Core Uses & Actions

• Primary Actions: Sedative, Anxiolytic, Analgesic, Antispasmodic, Hypnotic.

• Key Uses: A gentle remedy to calm nervous tension and mild anxiety. Used to improve sleep quality and treat insomnia (non-addictive sedative). Relieves muscle and menstrual cramps.

Critical Safety Warnings

• Sedation: Can cause drowsiness or sedation. Use caution when driving or operating heavy machinery.

• Pregnancy: Should be avoided during pregnancy (emmenagogue effects).

• Drug Interactions: Avoid use with other sedative medications or alcohol due to additive effects.