Angelica sinensis (Dong Quai).

Family: Umbelliferae

Parts used: Rhizome

Indications:

·         Known as women’s ginseng, this herb is used to treat endometriosis and to alleviate dysmenorrhoea.  An antispasmodic, it acts by regulating uterine contractions.  Also, it is an emmenagogue (promotes menstrual flow).  Through its anti-oestrogenic and anti-androgenic activity the herb helps menopausal symptoms.

·         By normalising heart function it is a cardiac tonic.  It does this by dilating coronary arteries.  It also improves peripheral circulation and has anticoagulant properties and treats anaemia.

·         By lubricating the bowels Angelica sinensis treats constipation.

Key constituents

Volatile oil (ligustilide, sesquiterpenes, and carvacrol); coumarins; phytosterols; polyacetylenes, ferulic acid (Chevallier1996: 63).  It contains vitamins E, A and B12, as well as iron.  At least six anticoagulant derivatives have a beneficial effect on the nervous and cardiovascular systems.  Polyacetylenes destroy benzopyrene, a known carcinogen.

Caution:     Should not be used by pregnant or lactating women.

Arctium lappa (burdock).

Family:  Asteraceae            

Parts used:  leaves and fruit

This is a detoxifying herb, so useful for chronic and infective skin conditions, and other infections.  It is reported to lower blood sugar, is diuretic and is thought to have anti-tumour properties.  Arctium promotes secretion of digestive juices, particularly bile, which aids detoxification in cases of skin diseases that are due to a sluggish digestive system.  It is useful for cystitis and supports normal functioning of the kidneys.  It has antimicrobial properties, believed to be due to polyacetylenes.  Its bitter glycoside arctiopicrin and flavonoid arctin are also believed to be antibacterial.  It also contains astringent tannins.  It contains inulin, believed to have immunomodulatory effects and to promote probiotic bacteria in the large intestine.  It is used internally for psoriasis, eczema, tonsillitis, inflamed lymph nodes, throat infections, rashes and boils.   Caution in those allergic to Asteraceae.

Avena sativa (Oat straw).

Family: Graminaceae

Parts used: The green tops are dried and can be used topically and internally. 

Borago officinalis (Borage).

Family: Boraginaceae

Parts used:  Aerial. 

 The seed oil contains gamma-linolenic acid and is believed to be superior to evening primrose oil for premenstrual syndrome (PMS), skin problems and rheumatic conditions.  The herb is best used fresh.

·         The high mucilage content renders borage useful for respiratory conditions such as pleurisy, being soothing and demulcent.  It is also anti-inflammatory due to its saponin content.

·         The emollient and anti-inflammatory properties of the juice soothe inflamed skin.

·         Borage is believed to be an adrenal restorative, particularly following use of exogenous corticosteroids.  Borage drives away melancholia, which may be due to its effect as an adrenal tonic.

·         The leaves and seeds act as galactagogues (promote milk flow) in nursing mothers but borage is contraindicated in pregnancy.

·         The flowers are diaphoretic and the leaves are diuretic.

Caution: Pyrrolizidine alkaloids in borage may be toxic to the liver.  Borage is contraindicated in pregnancy.

Calendula officinalis (pot marigold, gold-bloom, Mary-bud).

Family: Asteraceae

Parts used:  flowering tops

Distribution:  native to the Mediterranean.  Garden plant worldwide.

Description:  Grows up to 60 cm tall.  Leaves light green and slightly curling at edges, slightly wrinkled, alternate, simple and entire, oblanceolate and spatulate.  Upper leaves sessile lower leaves in a basal rosette. Stalk thick, hairy, angular and branching.  Flowers bright orange with multiple layers of tridentate ray florets and central tubular disc florets.

Marigold was endowed with magical powers in folklore due to its remarkable healing properties.  Medieval women would rub a concoction of the flowers, honey and white wine over their bodies in the hope that they might see their future husband in their dreams.

Indications and actions:

Calendula has styptic, vulnerary (wound-healing), anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-tumourigenic actions.  It is used externally in creams or ointments for skin lesions such as burns, wounds, bruises and leg ulcers and as an aqueous infusion for conjunctivitis.  The antifungal properties of its resins make it useful for seborrhoeic dermatitis, athlete’s foot and vaginal thrush and other Candida infections.  Internal uses are numerous:

Digestive system: The anti-inflammatory and cholagogue actions of Calendula render it a useful herb for non-specific digestive disturbances.  

·         It heals intestinal inflammation that may predispose a person to increased gut permeability and perpetual precipitation of an autoimmune response.  

·         As Calendula’s vulnerary and anti-inflammatory actions may help to may help to heal any damaged mucosa, it is useful in the treatment of peptic ulcers. 

·         When containing resins following extraction above 60% alcohol its antimicrobial properties may be of particular use in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) following treatment to suppress hydrochloric acid secretion, as a high stomach pH (low levels of acid) may result in overgrowth of bacteria (Vaèkevaèinen et al 2000: 1511).  

·         Its spasmolytic action may help to alleviate gastro-intestinal pain and diarrhoea.

Immunity: Calendula’s anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties treats inflamed lymphatic vessels and prevents them from becoming infected.  Its lymphatic action may assist in detoxification in cases of food intolerance. 

Circulation: As a circulatory stimulant it helps to alleviate engorged blood vessels, relieving pelvic congestion, and haemorrhoids and draining lymphatic channels (by the action of coumarins).  

Gynaecology:  Calendula treats fibroids by reducing their size (Trickey 2003).  At 25% alcohol Calendula is of therapeutic value on the female reproductive system by its anti-spasmodic and oestrogenic actions, and also as a circulatory stimulant.  It allays dysmenorrhoea and, as an emmenagogue, it stimulates menstrual flow in congestive dysmenorrhoea.  It also regulates menstrual flow in cases of menorrhagia.

Key constituents:

Major active constituents are triterpenoid saponins, sterols, carotenes, xanthophylls, tannins, essential oils, resins, polysaccharides and flavonoids, which synergistically contribute to the wound-healing properties.  The anti-inflammatory action internally is due to flavonoids, and flavonoids and saponins in the gut, while the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects externally are due to saponins and resins.

Carduus marianus/Silybum marianum (milk thistle).

Family: Asteraceae

Parts used: seeds

Carduus contains a complex of flavonolignans (1.5-3%) collectively known as silymarin - containing silybin, silychristin, silydianin and isosilybin.  By these major active phytochemicals it supports and regenerates the liver.  This ‘trophorestorative’ action is by increasing protein synthesis within the cell and therefore cellular regeneration.  Its liver protective activity is by scavenging free radicals, increasing Kupffer cell (phagocytes ie cells that ingest and destroy foreign matter) proliferation and stabilising liver cell membranes. It prevents toxins from entering the liver cells by preventing them from binding to cell membranes and prevents liver damage by increasing levels of an antioxidant called glutathione in the liver.  Glutathione prevents liver cell damage from toxins such as free radicals.

Cimicifuga racemosa (black cohosh) Syn.  Snakeroot, bugbane.

Family: Ranunculaceae

Part used:  Root

Believed by herbalists to be a panacea as early as the 1800s, the root and rhizome of this plant is used for the treatment of numerous ailments including snakebite.  Cimicifuga contains oestrogenic sterols and glycosides that stimulate the production and utilisation of a variety of hormones. 

Summary of uses

·         Disorders of the female reproductive system – dysmenorrhoea, secondary amenorrhoea, ovarian pain, ovarian insufficiency.

·         Menopausal problems including anxiety, depression, insomnia and loss of short-term memory, PMS, PCOS. 

·         Alleviation of menopausal hot flushes.

·         Tinnitus, pertussis, mastitis, arthritis and rheumatism.

·         Cimicifuga also lowers blood pressure. 

Mode of action

There is a lot of controversy surrounding the actions of Cimicifuga.  It may suppress luteinizing hormone (LH).  In PCOS there is excess LH and insufficient follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), due to large, distended ovaries producing too much oestrone and androgens.  Oestrone causes negative feedback, so treatment involves blocking of oestrogen receptors.  This results in FSH production, which then stimulates follicle growth Oestrogens stimulate synthesis of progesterone receptors in the brain and uterus. Cimicifuga has not been found to alter FSH levels.

·         Cimicifuga may alleviate hot flashes by lowering levels of LH.  It is believed that LH surges in menopause cause activity of the vasomotor centres in the hypothalamus, causing peripheral vasodilatation.  However, it has not been shown to lower LH in clinical trials and recent in vitro research suggests its ability to alleviate hot flashes is due to its ability to bind to D₂ receptors, causing a dopaminergic effect, which cools the body.

·         By its dopaminergic effect it lowers prolactin, which in excess prevents formation of the corpus luteum and insufficient progesterone production.  Insufficient progesterone causes high LH and consequent ovarian insufficiency.

·         It has been postulated to have an oestrogenic effect.  Its oestrogen-like effect is believed to be due to its ability to bind to oestrogen receptors.  Recent clinical research, however, disputes these actions previously found in rats.  It does not bind to breast cancer cells in vitro.

·         It inhibits breast cancer cell proliferation and enhances the action of Tamoxifen so is not contraindicated in oestrogen-dependent tumours.

·         Of use in oestrogen-dependent problems such as leiomyomas and endometriosis, by competitive inhibition.

·         Ant-inflammatory in arthritic conditions, due to salicylates.

Key constituents:

Saponins (triterpene glycosides), including actein and cimicifugoside, 26-deoxyactein (previously known as 27-deoxyactein), isoflavones, resins, and fatty acids and small amounts of salicylates.

Contraindications:  pregnancy, lactation.

Side-effects:  Frontal headache.

Toxicity: Overdose causes nausea, vomiting and vertigo.  According to Commission E, it should not be taken for more than 6 months, mainly due to its hypotensive effects.

Crataegus spp.  eg C. laevigata and C. monogyna (hawthorn).

Family: Rosaceae

Parts used: berries, leaves and flowers

Crataegus spp. is positively inotropic and negatively chronotropic, meaning it increases the force whilst reducing the rate of heart muscle contractions.  This makes the heart more efficient.  It does this by increasing the availability of oxygen to the muscle by dilating coronary arteries and increasing the blood supply to the heart.  It lowers blood pressure and cholesterol and is potently antioxidant.  It may prevent formation of atheroma (fatty deposits that line arteries and restrict blood flow).  Key constituents are oligomeric procyanidins (OPCs) eg OPC-B2; catechin tannins eg epicatechin and catechin, and flavonoids such as rutin, quercetin and hyperoside.

Curcuma longa (turmeric).

Family:  Zingiberaceae

Part used: rhizome

This bright yellow spice, which belongs to the ginger family, is best known for enhancing the colour and taste of curry dishes.  Research, however, indicates its value as a health promoting plant. Turmeric contains curcumin, a powerful antioxidant that may help to prevent certain cancers from developing.  It has been demonstrated in clinical trials to lower cholesterol levels. It also has anticoagulant properties and may therefore have a protective effect in circulatory problems. It has powerful anti-inflammatory properties and is therefore useful for conditions in which there is inflammation.  It may have a protective effect on the liver and improves digestion by increasing the production and flow of bile.

Curcuma is believed to be of benefit for numerous skin conditions, for example psoriasis, bacterial infections, and fungal infections such as athletes foot, when applied topically.