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Wild Medicinal Plants

Below, you will find three different sections on this page. The first is understanding what the different types of preparations used, medical terms and 

​​Types of Medicinal Preparations:
Infusion: Made from steeping an herb or flowers in water and then strained to make a tea. 

Decoction: Made from taking the woody parts of the plant, such as the bark, root or stem, and then boiling it for a while to make a tea. Depending upon the size of the root or bark will determine the amount of time to be boiled. Some may have to be boiled and left to stand over night before the bark is softened enough and the plant extract drawn out enough.

Maceration: Made by soaking the herb in cool water for a period of time in order to draw out the needed plant extract. Usually this is done to mucilaginous herbs which produce a jelly-like substance such as the aloe plant. 

Fomentation: Is when you take a cotton cloth and you allow it to be steeped in either an infusion or a decoction in order to absorb the liquid into the material. Afterwards the cloth is placed externally upon the skin or affected area.

Wash: When you take an infusion or a decoction in order to use the liquid as a wash for disinfecting an area, cleaning of the skin, or to soak in a bath, like an epsom salt bath, to alleviate muscle aches and pain. 

Poultice: Made by taking the bark and pulverizing it into a powder and then adding hot or cold water to make a paste from the pulverized bark. You can then use this paste as a topical application in order to stop bleeding, reduce swelling or pain and is usually kept in place by a cloth or bandage.

Tinctures: Made by soaking the herb or root in a solvent liquid, such as alcohol or water. Once soaked for a period of time the liquid is strained or pressed in order to yield the tincture. A usual concentration of 1 part herb, or root or seed to 5 or 10 parts liquid. ​

MEDICAL TERMS:
Abortifacient
Causes an abortion.

Acrid
Causes heat and irritation when applied to the skin.

Adaptogen
Helps the body 'rise' to normal stress situations, thus preventing the many chronic degenerative diseases.

allantoin
An effective moisturizing ingredient when used in skincare, and its gentle, non-irritating qualities make it an excellent addition to anti-aging products for those with sensitive or easily irritated

Alterative
Causes a gradual beneficial change in the body, usually through improved nutrition and elimination, without having
​any marked specific action.

Anaesthetic
Numbs the feeling in a local or general area of the body.

Analgesic
Relieves pain. Included under Anodyne.

Anaphrodisiac
Reduces sexual desire.

Anodyne
Relieves pain.

Antacid
Counters excess acidity in the stomach.

Anthelmintic
Expels parasites from the gut.

Antiaphonic
Restores the voice.

Antiarthritic
Treats arthritis.

Antiasthmatic
Treats asthma.

​Antibilious
Treats nausea.

Antibiotic
See antiseptic.

Antibacterial
Kills bacteria.

Anticholesterolemic
Prevents the build up of cholesterol.

Anticoagulant
Removes blood clots.

Antidandruff
Treats dandruff.

Antidermatosic
Prevents or cures skin complaints.

Antidote
Counters poisoning.

Antiecchymotic
Helps remove bruising

Antiemetic
Prevents vomiting.

Antifungal
Treats various fungal problems such as Candida.

Antihaemorrhoidal
Treats haemorrhoids (piles). This would probably be best added to another heading.

Antihalitosis
Treats bad breath

Antihydrotic
Reduces perspiration.

Antiinflammatory
Reduces inflammation of joints, injuries etc.

Antiperiodic
Counteracts recurring illnesses such as malaria.

Antiphlogistic
Reduces inflammation.

Antipruritic
Treats itching of the skin.

Antipyretic
Treats fevers. See Febrifuge.

Antirheumatic
Treats rheumatism.

Antiscorbutic
A plant rich in vitamin C that is used to counteract scurvy.

Antiscrophulatic
Counteracts scrofula. (TB, especially of the lymph glands)

Antiseptic
Destroys or arrests the growth of micro-organisms.

Antispasmodic
Treats muscular spasms and cramps.

​Antitumor

Used in the treatment of cancer.

Antitussive
Treats coughing.

Antivinous
Treats addiction to alcohol

Antiviral
Treats virus diseases

Aperient
A mild laxative.

Aphrodisiac
Increases the sexual appetite.

Appetizer
Improves the appetite

Aromatherapy

Plants whose essential oils are used in Aromatherapy

Aromatic
Having an agreeable odour and stimulant qualities.

Astringent
Reduces the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.

Bach
Plants used in the Bach flower remedies.

Balsamic
A healing and soothing agent.

Bitter
Increases the appetite and stimulates digestion by acting on the mucous membranes of the mouth. Also increases the flow of bile, stimulates repair of the gut wall lining and regulates the secretion of insulin and glucogen.

Blood purifier
Purifies the blood.

Blood tonic
Vitalizing the blood

Cancer
Used in the treatment of cancer.

Cardiac
Used in the treatment of heart problems.

Cardiotonic
A tonic for the heart.

Carminative
Reduces flatulence and expels gas from the intestines.

Cathartic
A strong laxative but less violent than a purgative.

Cholagogue
Increases the flow of bile and its discharge from the body.

Contraceptive
Prevents fertilization occurring in females.

Cytostatic
Slows or controls the growth of tumours.

Cytotoxic
Destroys body cells. Used in the treatment of diseases such as cancer.

Decongestant
Removes phlegm and mucous, especially from the respiratory system.

Demulcent
Soothes irritated tissues, especially the mucous membranes.

Deobstruent
Clears obstructions from the natural ducts of the body.

Deodorant
Masks smells. Is this medicinal?

Depurative
Eliminates toxins and purifies the system, especially the blood.

Detergent
A cleansing agent, used on wounds etc. It removes dead and diseased matter.

Diaphoretic
Induces perspiration.

Digestive
Aids digestion.

Disinfectant
Used for cleaning wounds.

Diuretic
Promotes the flow of urine.

Emetic
Induces vomiting.

Emmenagogue
Restores the menstrual flow, sometimes by inducing an abortion.

Emollient
Softens the skin.

Enuresis
Treats bed wetting.

Errhine
Promoting or inducing nasal discharge

Expectorant
Clears phlegm from the chest by inducing coughing.

Febrifuge
Reduces fevers.

Foot care
Plants that are used in various ways to treat foot problems.

Galactofuge
Stops the flow of milk in a nursing mother.
​
​Galactogogue
Promotes the flow of milk in a nursing mother.

Haemolytic
Breaks down red blood corpuscles to separate haemoglobin.

Haemostatic
Controls internal bleeding.

Hallucinogenic
Causes the mind to hallucinate.

Hepatic
Acts on the liver (for better or worse!).

Hydrogogue
A purgative that causes an abundant watery discharge.

Hypnotic
Induces sleep.

Hypoglycaemic

Reduces the levels of sugar in the blood.

Hypotensive
Reduces high blood pressure.

Infertility
Used in problems of human fertility.
Irritant
Causes irritation or abnormal sensitivity in living tissue.

Kidney
Used in the treatment of kidney diseases

Laxative
Stimulates bowel movements in a fairly gentle manner.

Lenitive
Soothing, palliative.

Lithontripic
Removes stones.

Miscellany
Various medicinal actions that need more clarification.

Mouthwash
Treats problems such as mouth ulcers.

Mydriatic
Dilates the pupils of the eyes.

Narcotic
Induces drowsiness and gives an artificial sense of well-being.

Nervine
Stimulates and calms the nerves.

Nutritive
A food for convalescents to help restore strength.

Odontalgic
Treats temporary toothache and other problems of the teeth and gums.

Ophthalmic
Treats eye complaints.

Oxytoxic
Hastens parturition and stimulates uterine contractions.

Parasiticide
Treats external parasites such as ringworm 

Pectoral
Relieves respiratory diseases, a remedy for chest diseases.

Plaster
Used in the treatment of broken bones.

Poultice
Used in the treatment of burns etc.

Purgative
A drastic laxative.

Refrigerant
Cools the body.

Resolvent
Breaks down tumors. 

Restorative
Restores consciousness or normal physiological activity.

Rubefacient
A counter-irritant and external stimulant.

Salve
Soothes and heals damaged skin.

Sedative
Gently calms, reducing nervousness, distress and irritation.

Sialagogue
Stimulates the secretion of saliva.

Skin
Plants used in miscellaneous treatments for the skin.

Sternutatory
Promotes sneezing and nasal discharges.

Stimulant
Excites or quickens activity of the physiological processes. Faster acting than a tonic but differing from a narcotic in that it does not give a false sense of well- being.

Stings
Used in the treatment of stings and insect bites.

Stomachic
Aids and improves the action of the stomach.

Styptic
An astringent that stops bleeding by contracting the blood vessels.

TB
Plants used in the treatment of tuberculosis

Tonic
Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Uterine tonic
Stimulates uterine contractions.

Vasoconstrictor
Narrows the blood vessels, thereby increasing blood pressure.

Vasodilator
Widens the blood vessels, thereby reducing blood pressure.

VD
Used in the treatment of venereal disease

Vermifuge
Expels internal parasites.

Vesicant
A blistering agent.

Vulnerary
Heals wounds.

Warts
Used in the treatment of warts, corns etc.

Women's complaints
A very vague title, it deals with a miscellany of problems peculiar to the female sex.

MEDICINAL PLANTS:​

White Clover

Latin Name: Trifolium repens
Picture
Medicinal use of White Clover: 

This plant is anti-rheumatic (also known as anti-inflammatory), anti-scrophulatic (counteracts scrofula), depurative (having purifying and detoxifying effects), detergent (a cleansing agent) and tonic (improves general health). As an infusion it can be used in the treatment of coughs, colds, fevers and used as a dush for leukorrhoea (abnormal vaginal discharge). When used as a tincture the leaves can be applied as an ointment and applied for those suffering gout. As an infusion the flowers can used as an eyewash.

yarrow

Latin Name: Achillea millefolium
Picture
Medicinal use of Yarrow: ​

This plant can be administered both internally and externally. It is used in the treatment of a very wide range of disorders but is particularly valuable for treating wounds as astringent, stopping the flow of blood, treating colds, as a febrifuge towards fevers, kidney diseases, menstrual pain etc. The whole plant is used, both fresh and dried, and is best harvested when in flower. Some caution should be exercised in the use of this herb since large or frequent doses taken over a long period may be potentially harmful, causing allergic rashes and making the skin more sensitive to sunlight. The herb combines well with Sambucus nigra flowers (Elder) and Mentha x piperita vulgaris (Peppermint) for treating colds and influenza. The herb is antiseptic, antispasmodic, mildly aromatic, astringent, carminative, cholagogue, diaphoretic, digestive, emmenagogue, odontalgic, stimulant, bitter tonic, vasodilator and vulnerary. It also contains the anti-inflammatory agent azulene, though the content of this varies even between plants in the same habitat. The herb is harvested in the summer when in flower and can be dried for later use. The fresh leaf can be applied direct to an aching tooth in order to relieve the pain.

Black snakeroot

Latin Name: Sanicula canadensis
Picture
​Medicinal use of Black Snakeroot: ​

The powdered root is used as a heart remedy, to stimulate menses and as an abortifacient (causes an abortion). The leaves, which contain the cell proliferant and healing agent allantoin, are used as a poultice for bruises and inflammation.

horseweed

Latin Name: Conyza canadensis
Picture
​Medicinal use of Horseweed: ​

In traditional North American herbal medicine, Canada fleabane or also called Horseweed was boiled to make steam for sweat lodges, taken as a snuff to stimulate sneezing during the course of a cold and burned to create a smoke that warded off insects. Nowadays it is valued most for its astringency, being used in the treatment of gastro-intestinal problems such as diarrhoea and dysentery. It is said to be a very effective treatment for bleeding haemorrhoids. The whole plant is antirheumatic, astringent, balsamic, diuretic, emmenagogue, styptic, tonic and vermifuge. It can be harvested at any time that it is in flower and is best used when fresh. The dried herb should not be stored for more than a year. The seeds can also be used. An infusion of the plant has been used to treat diarrhoea and internal haemorrhages or applied externally to treat gonorrhoea and bleeding piles. The leaves are experimentally hypoglycaemic. The essential oil found in the leaves is used in the treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery and internal haemorrhages. It is a uterine stimulant and is also said to be valuable in the treatment of inflamed tonsils plus ulceration and inflammation of the throat. A tea of the boiled roots is used to treat menstrual irregularities. A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant. It is used in the treatment of haemorrhoids and painful menstruation.
...more coming soon...
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