More Seldom Heard Herbs and What They Do

Blue Cohosh

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The following is the second installment of an article edited and reprinted from Majority Report, August 6-19, 1977. It is in direct violation of the federal Comstock Law as amended by the ScheuerBush Act [Public Law 91-662, 1971]. This law prohibits, among other things, "1] use of the mails. to ship any abortifacient drug or device, or any information as to where such things may be obtained or any inducement to use such articles, or any information as to how or where an abortion may be obtained [18 USC 1461], and 2] transportation by common carrier interstate or foreign commerce, of abortifacient drugs or devices, and information as to how or where such things may be obtained." The first installment appeared in the June, 1978 issue of WSW.

Balm, Melissa officinalis.

COMMON NAMES: Balm mint, bee balm, melissa, sweet balm. MEDICINAL PARTS: Herb, leaves.

USES: Antispasmodic, calmative, carminative, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, stomachic.

TO USE: Infusion: 2 tsp. chopped herb or leaves to 1 cup boiling water. Add infusion to bath water.

Black Cohosh, Cimicifuga racemosa.

COMMON NAMES: Black snakeroot, bugbane, rattleweed, squawroot. MEDICINAL PART: Rootstock.

USES: Antispasmodic, astringent, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, sedative.

TO USE: Dedoction: Boil 2 tsp. rootstock in 1 pint water. Take 2 to 3 tbsp. 6 times a day, cold.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Overdosage can cause symptoms of poisoning.

Blue Cohosh, Caulphyllum thalictoides.

COMMON NAMES: Beechdrops, blueberry, blue ginseng, squaw root. MEDICINAL PART: Rootstock.

USES: Anthelmintic, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, oxytoclc. TO USE: Infusion: 1 oz. rootstock with 1 pint boiling water, steep for 1/2 hour. Take 2 tbsp. in hot water every 2-3 hours. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Irritating to mucous surfaces and can cause dermatitis on contact. Berries are poisonous.

Wild Yam, Dioscorea villosa.

COMMON NAMES: Colic root, China root, yuma. MEDICINAL PART: Root.

USES: Antispasmodic, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant. TO USE: Steep 1 tsp. root to 1 cup water for 30 minutes. Take 1 cup a day, homeopathically.

Squaw Vine, Mitchelia repens.

COMMON NAMES: Checkerberry, deerberry, squaw berry.

MEDICINAL PART: Leaves.

USES: Astringent, diuretic, emmenagogue, tonic.

TO USE: Infusion: Steep 1 tsp. leaves in 1 cup water for 1/2 hour. Take

1 to 3 cups a day.

Alees, Aloe socratina.

COMMON NAMES: Bombay aloes, Turkey aloes.

MEDICINAL PART: Leaves.

USES: Cathartic, emmenagogue, stomachic.

TO USE: Steep 1 tsp. to 1 cup water,

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Take sparingly at first, may have strong laxative

effect. Best taken in conjunction with an aromatic tea, such as camomile,

Madder, Rubia tinctorum.

COMMON NAME: Madder root.

MEDICINAL PART: Rootstock.

USES: Astringent, diuretic, emmenagogue,

TO USE: Infusion: 1 tsp. root to 1 cup water, steeped. Take 1 to 1-1/2 cups a day.

Angelica, Angelica atropurpurea,

COMMON NAMES: Great angelica, high angelica, masterwort. MEDICINAL PART: Roots.

USES: Carminative, diuretic, emmenagogue, stimulant. PREPARATION ANO DOSAGE: Use 1 tsp. dried roots to 1/2 cup water. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Fresh, undried roots are poisonous.

Birthroot, Aristolochia clematitis.

COMMON NAMES: Aristolochia root, upright birthwort. MEDICINAL PART: Rootstock.

USES: Antiseptic, astringent, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, TO USE: Decoction: Use 1 tsp. to 1 cup water. Take hot or cold just before going to bed. Drink 1 to 2 cups a day.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Do not confuse birthroot with birthwort, which can be poisonous.

Brookline, Veronica beccabunga.

COMMON NAMES: Beccabunga, mouth-smart, neckweed, speedwell. MEDICINAL PARTS: The herb.

USES: Diuretic, emmenagogue, febrifuge.

TO USE: Take 1 to 3 tsp. of the juice a day (take in milk if stomach is sensitive).

Sweet Flag, Acorus calamus.

COMMON NAMES: Calamus, grass myrtle, myrtle flag, sweet grass. MEDICINAL PART: Rootstock.

USES: Carminative, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, febrifuge, sedative, stomachic.

TO USE: Infusion: Steep1 tsp. rootstock in 1/2 cup water for 5 minutes. Take 1 cup a day. Decoction: Add 1 tbsp. dried rootstock to 1 cup simmering water and boil briefly. Take 1 cup a day.

Lovago, Levisticum officinale.

COMMON NAMES: European lovage, lavose, sea parsley. MEDICINAL PART: Rootstock.

USES: Carminative, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, stimulant, stomachic.

TO USE: Infusion: Fresh or dried rootstock, 1 tsp. to 1 cup water. take 1 to 1-1/2 cups a day.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Should not be taken by those with kidney nroblems.

Mugwort, Artemesia vulgaris. COMMON NAMES: Felon herb, sailor's tobacco, common mugwort MEDICINAL PARTS: Rootstock, herb,

USES: Appetizer, digestive, emmenagogue, purgative.

TO USE: Decoction: Boil 1 to 2 tsp. rootstock in 1 cup water. Take 1 to 2 cups daily, homeopathically. CONTRAINDICATIONS:

Excessive doses can cause poisoning, but

nothing is to be feared from normal use.

Gentlan, Gentiana lulea.

COMMON NAMES: Bitterroot, berrerwort, felwort. MEDICINAL PART: Root,

USES: Anthelmintic, emmenagogue, stomachic, tonic.

TO USE: Steep 1 tsp. to 1 cup water. Take 2 to 3 cups a day.

Thyme, Thymus vulgaris.

COMMON NAME: Garden thyme.

MEDICINAL PARTS: Whole plant.

USES: Antispasmodic, antiseptic, carminative, emmenagogue, tonic.

TO USE: Infusion: Steep 1/2 tsp. fresh or 1 tsp. dried herb in 1/2 cup water fcr 310 5 minutes. Take 1 to 1-1/2 cups a day.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Excessive internal use of thyme can lead to symptoms of poisoning and overstimulation of the thyroid gland.

Vervain, Verbena officinalis,

COMMON NAMES: Vervain, enchanter's plant, pigeonweed. MEDICINAL PARTS; Whole plant.

USES: Astringent, diuretic, emmenagogue, galactagogue, stimulant, tonic, vulnerary.

TO USE: Cold extract. Use 1 tbsp. to 1 cup water. Let stand for 8 to 10 hours. Take 1 cup a day.

Fraxinella, Dictamnus albus.

COMMON NAMES: Bastard dittany, burning bush, diptam. MEDICINAL PARTS: Rootstock, herb, seed.

USES: Anthelmintic, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, febrifuge. TO USE: Decoction: Use 1 tbsp. rootstock or seeds, steeped in 1 cup water. Take 1 cup a day, homeopathically.

Rue, Ruta graveolens.

COMMON NAMES: Common rue, garden rue, German rue, herb of grace. MEDICINAL PART: The herb.

USES: Carminative, emmenagogue.

TO USE: Steep 1 tsp. dried herb to 1/2 cup water. Take 1/2 cup a day. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Large doses can cause mild poisoning. Do not boil rue.

Parsley, Petroselinum sativum.

COMMON NAMES: Garden parsley, rock parsley.

USES: Emmengagogue, expectorant.

TO USE: Steep 1 tbsp. leaves or seeds to 1 cup water for 20 minutes.

Weed Sage, Teucrium scorodonia, COMMON NAMES: Garlic sage.

MEDICINAL PARTS: Whole plant.

USES: Alterative, diuretic, emmenagogue, vermifuge.

TO USE: Infusion: Steep 1 tsp. to 1 cup water. Take 2 to 3 cups a day.

Horehound, Marrubium vulgare.

COMMON NAME: White horehound. MEDICINAL PARTS: Plant.

USES: Diaphoretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, diuretic.

TO USE: infusion: Steep 2 tsp. to 1 cup water. Take 1 to 1-1/2 cups a day, .homeopathically.

Imperial Masterwort, Imperatoria ostruthium

COMMON NAME. Masterwort

MEDICINAL PART: Rootstock

USES: Calmative, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, febrifuge. stimulant.

TO USE: Decoction. Use 1 tsp. rootstock with 1/2 cup water, boil lightly and steep 3 minutes. Strain. Take 1/2 to 1-1/2 cups a day, unsweetened. homeopathically.

Hyssop, Hyssopus officinalis. COMMON NAMES: Hyssop. MEDICINAL PART: Whole plant

USES: Anthelmintic, aperient, emmenagogue, febrifuge, sudorific

TO USE: Steep 1 tsp. to 1 cup boiling water for 20 minutes. Take 1 to 3 cups a day, a large swallow at a time.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Not to be confused with Hedge Hyssop which can be poisonous.

The following herbs are also listed as emmenagogues but are to be used only under medical supervision. They can be dangerous if used inadvisedly and are noted here as a caution to you.

Pleurisy Root, Birthwort, Bloodroot, Flax, Hallebore, Rosemary, Saffron, Sumac, Thuja, Wood Sorrel, and also some of those listed under dangerous abortifacients,