Herb Profile: Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

Quick Facts

• Family: Fabaceae (Pea family)

• Parts Used: The dried, unpeeled root and rhizomes

• Energetics: Cooling, Moistening, Sweet

• Taste/Aroma: Strong, Persistent Sweetness (50x sweeter than sugar), Anise-like

Core Uses & Actions

• Primary Actions: Adrenal Tonic, Demulcent, Expectorant, Anti-ulcer, Anti-inflammatory.

• Key Uses: Supports adrenal glands (by slowing cortisol breakdown) to manage stress and fatigue. Soothes stomach ulcers, gastritis, and GERD. Clears coughs and bronchitis (expectorant).

Critical Safety Warnings

• CRITICAL: HYPERTENSION/HYPOKALEMIA: Avoid prolonged high-dose use of glycyrrhizin (non-DGL form). It can cause high blood pressure, low potassium levels, fluid retention, and heart rhythm issues.

• Contraindications: Do not use if you have high blood pressure, heart/kidney/severe liver disease, or low potassium levels.

• Pregnancy: Avoid use.

• Drug Interactions: Interferes with diuretics, blood pressure drugs, cardiac glycosides (digoxin), and corticosteroids.

Herb Profile: Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis)

Quick Facts

• Family: Malvaceae (Mallow family)

• Parts Used: Root (highest mucilage), leaves, and flowers

• Energetics: Cooling, Moistening, Demulcent

• Taste/Aroma: Mildly Sweetish, Earthy, Slimy (Mucilaginous)

Core Uses & Actions

• Primary Actions: Demulcent, Antitussive, Anti-inflammatory, Expectorant, Vulnerary.

• Key Uses: Supreme soothing agent for dry, irritating coughs, sore throats, and mouth ulcers. Soothes and protects the entire gastrointestinal tract (gastritis, ulcers, IBS).

Critical Safety Warnings

• Drug Absorption: The high mucilage content can slow the absorption of oral medications. Take other drugs at least 1-2 hours apart.

• Diabetes: Might affect blood sugar levels; monitor closely.

• Dosing: Ensure adequate water intake with powdered root to prevent potential esophageal blockage.

Herb Profile: Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)

Quick Facts

• Family: Apocynaceae (Dogbane family)

• Parts Used: Roots, leaves, latex sap (for external use only)

• Energetics: Warm, Dry

• Taste/Aroma: Acrid, Unpleasant, Bitter

Core Uses & Actions

• Primary Actions: Cardiotonic (Toxic), Diuretic, Expectorant, Purgative.

• Key Uses: Historical use only. Traditionally used to treat respiratory issues and rheumatism. Latex sap was historically applied topically to remove warts and ringworm.

Critical Safety Warnings

• CRITICAL TOXICITY: This plant is highly toxic and should not be ingested. All parts contain lethal cardiac glycosides (cardenolides). Ingestion can cause seizures, heart rhythm changes, and cardiac arrest.

• Topical Contact: The milky sap can cause skin and eye irritation.

• Contraindications: Avoid internal use. Avoid if taking heart medications.

Herb Profile: Monkshood (Aconitum napellus)

Quick Facts

• Family: Ranunculaceae (Buttercup family)

• Parts Used: Tuberous root system (after extensive processing)

• Energetics: Warming

• Taste/Aroma: None (Extreme Toxicity)

Core Uses & Actions

• Primary Actions: Analgesic, Neurotoxic, Cardiotonic.

• Key Uses: ONLY used after extensive processing (boiling/steaming) in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for chronic pain (rheumatism, arthritis) and extreme cold/weakness. External use as a liniment for pain.

Critical Safety Warnings

• CRITICAL: EXTREMELY TOXIC/LETHAL. One of the most poisonous plants. Ingesting even a tiny amount of the raw plant can be fatal (respiratory paralysis or cardiac arrest).

• Processing is CRITICAL: Never use raw or improperly processed Aconitum. Therapeutic dose is very close to toxic dose.

• Contraindications: Do not use without the strict supervision of a qualified TCM practitioner. Avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and in children.

Herb Profile: Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca)

Quick Facts

• Family: Lamiaceae (Mint family)

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

• Energetics: Cooling, Bitter, Pungent

• Taste/Aroma: Very Bitter and Pungent

Core Uses & Actions

• Primary Actions: Nervine, Cardiotonic, Uterine Tonic/Stimulant, Hypotensive.

• Key Uses: Treats nervous heart conditions (palpitations, irregular heartbeat) caused by anxiety. Used for women's health (painful/delayed menses, menopausal anxiety, uterine tonic after childbirth).

Critical Safety Warnings

• Pregnancy: Considered likely unsafe and must be avoided (potential uterine stimulant effect).

• Heart/Blood Pressure: Consult a doctor if taking heart medications or blood thinners. Avoid if you have low blood pressure.

• Surgery: Stop use at least two weeks before surgery (sedative effect).

Herb Profile: Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)

Quick Facts

• Family: Asteraceae (Daisy family)

• Parts Used: Leaves, flowers, roots

• Energetics: Warming, Drying, Bitter, Pungent

• Taste/Aroma: Aromatic, Bitter, Sage-like

Core Uses & Actions

• Primary Actions: Emmenagogue, Nervine, Digestive Tonic/Bitter, Antispasmodic.

• Key Uses: Used to regulate delayed or absent menstrual cycles and relieve menstrual cramps. Bitter tonic for indigestion and cramps. Used for insomnia and lucid dreaming. Ceremonial use as moxa (TCM).

Critical Safety Warnings

• Pregnancy: Must not be used by pregnant women (can cause uterine contractions and miscarriage).

• Toxicity: Contains thujone (neurotoxin). Avoid high concentrations (essential oils) or excessive, chronic use (risk of seizures).

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

Herb Profile: Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)

Quick Facts

• Family: Scrophulariaceae (Figwort family)

• Parts Used: Leaves, Flowers (for ear oil), Roots

• Energetics: Cooling, Moistening, Demulcent

• Taste/Aroma: Mild, Earthy, Slightly Sweet

Core Uses & Actions

• Primary Actions: Expectorant, Demulcent, Antispasmodic, Vulnerary.

• Key Uses: Premier herb for the respiratory system. Soothes dry, irritating coughs, bronchitis, and asthma (mucilage) while clearing congestion (saponins). Flower oil is a traditional remedy for earaches.

Critical Safety Warnings

• Irritation: The fine hairs (trichomes) on the leaves can irritate the throat. CRITICALLY: Always strain mullein tea thoroughly through a fine-mesh cloth or filter.

• Ear Oil: Never use mullein oil if the eardrum is perforated.

• Drug Absorption: High mucilage content may delay the absorption of oral medications (take 1-2 hours apart).

• Seed Toxicity: Mullein seeds are toxic (contain rotenone).

Herb Profile: Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium)

Quick Facts

• Family: Berberidaceae (Barberry family)

• Parts Used: The root bark and rhizome

• Energetics: Cooling, Drying, Bitter

• Taste/Aroma: Extremely Bitter (Root/Bark), Tart and Acidic (Berries)

Core Uses & Actions

• Primary Actions: Antimicrobial (Berberine), Cholagogue (Bile-flow), Alterative, Bitter Tonic.

• Key Uses: Used topically for chronic skin conditions (psoriasis, eczema, acne). Stimulates bile flow for digestive weakness. Fights intestinal and topical infections (due to berberine).

Critical Safety Warnings

• Pregnancy/Breastfeeding: Avoid use (berberine is a uterine stimulant and unsafe for newborns).

• Drug Interactions (CRITICAL): Berberine can interfere with many medications, including blood thinners, immunosuppressants (Cyclosporine), and diabetes medications. Consult a doctor before use.

• Contraindications: Avoid if you have severe liver/kidney disease, or biliary obstruction.

Herb Profile: Oregano (Origanum vulgare L.)

Quick Facts

• Family: Lamiaceae (Mint family)

• Parts Used: Leaves and flowering tops (Essential Oil)

• Energetics: Warming, Drying, Pungent

• Taste/Aroma: Pungent, Earthy, Slightly Bitter

Core Uses & Actions

• Primary Actions: Potent Antimicrobial (Carvacrol/Thymol), Antioxidant, Expectorant, Carminative.

• Key Uses: Primary use is the essential oil (Oil of Oregano), a powerful agent against bacterial, viral, and fungal infections (respiratory/digestive). Used as an expectorant and for intestinal parasites.

Critical Safety Warnings

• Essential Oil Potency: Oil of Oregano is extremely potent and must always be diluted. Undiluted oil can cause severe burns/mucosal damage.

• Pregnancy: Avoid medicinal use (may stimulate uterine contractions).

• Bleeding Risk: Might slow blood clotting (caution with anticoagulants; stop 2 weeks before surgery).

• Diabetes: May lower blood sugar levels.

Herb Profile: Plantain (Plantago major L.)

Quick Facts

• Family: Plantaginaceae (Plantain family)

• Parts Used: The fresh or dried leaves

• Energetics: Cooling, Moistening, Astringent

• Taste/Aroma: Mild, Bland, Mucilaginous

Core Uses & Actions

• Primary Actions: Vulnerary, Astringent, Demulcent, Anti-inflammatory.

• Key Uses: Classic first-aid remedy (chewed poultice) for cuts, burns, insect bites, and stings (draws out toxins). Soothes internal irritation (gastritis, ulcers, coughs) due to mucilage.

Critical Safety Warnings

• Drug Absorption: High mucilage content can slow the absorption of oral medications (take 1-2 hours apart).

• Blood Thinners: The Vitamin K content can affect blood clotting (use caution with Warfarin).

• Pregnancy/Breastfeeding: Avoid medicinal use.

• General: High oral doses may cause nausea or a drop in blood pressure.

Herb Profile: Red Clover (Trifolium pratense L.)

Quick Facts

• Family: Fabaceae (Pea family)

• Parts Used: The dried or fresh flower blossoms and leaves

• Energetics: Neutral to Cooling, Moistening, Sweet

• Taste/Aroma: Mildly Sweet (Flowers), Bland/Earthy (Leaves)

Core Uses & Actions

• Primary Actions: Phytoestrogenic, Alterative (Blood Purifier), Expectorant, Anti-inflammatory.

• Key Uses: Used for menopausal symptoms (hot flashes, night sweats) due to isoflavones. Treats chronic skin conditions (psoriasis, eczema). Used as a cough remedy for bronchitis.

Critical Safety Warnings

• Hormone-Sensitive Conditions: Avoid during pregnancy and if you have hormone-sensitive cancers (due to estrogen-like activity).

• Bleeding Disorders: May slow blood clotting. Use with caution if taking anticoagulants.

• Side Effects: May cause bloating, breast tenderness, or irregular periods due to its estrogen-like effects.