Herbs T-Z

Tea Tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolila)

Medicinal parts: Leaves and branch tips. Oil is distracted by steam distillation.

Actions: antiseptic, antifungal, antibacterial, disinfectant

Uses: acne, canker sores, gum disease, boils, burns, bites, candidiasis, fungus infections, trichimonas vaginitis, skin borne infections, tonsilitis, root canal treatment.

Active constituents: 40% terpin-4-ol, eucalyptol, cineole, phenylpropanoids, limonene, terpinene

Dosage: Found in every type of body care product. Add 3-5 drops to bathwater to heal minor skin infections. For upper respiritory congestion ad two drops to a bowl of steaming water. Cover your head with a towel and inhale for 5-10 minutes
Adverse reactions: Little or no danger if used externally.

Contraindications: Never use undiluted to treat babies or toddlers, or during pregnancy.

Valerian root (Valeriana officinalis)

Actions: Sedative, anodyne, carminative, hypotensive, hypnotic, spasmolyticUses: Insomnia, colic, dysmenorrhea, restlessness, migraine, tension, St. Vitus Dance, heart palpitations (Slows down heart rate while strengthening heart beat.)

Active constituents: Iridoid valepotriates, volatile oil, sesquiterpenes, pyridine alkaloids, caffeic acid, choline, beta-sitosterol.
Dosage: varies widely Typical - one 500 mg capsule before bed
Tea or infusion: 1-2 tsp root per cup water/ Tincture - 2-10 ml up to every four hours. (Herbal PDR lists maximum internal daily dose as 15 g of root powder.)

Adverse reactions: Few. Long term use can occasionally cause headache, restless states, sleeplessness, mydriasis, disorders of cardiac function.

Contraindications: Use with caution during pregnancy or lactation.Do not drive or operate moving machinery after ingesting valerian.

Drug interactions: May potentiate the effect of other CNS depressants. Has an additive effect in combination with barbituates and benzodiazapines.

Vitex(Vitex agnus-castus) [A.K.A. Chasteberry or Monk’s Berry]

Uses:Premenstrual breast pain, PMS, menopausal complaints, menstrual cycle disorders, ovarian stimulant, acne.

Active constituents:Iridoid glycosides (agnoside, aucubin,) flavonoids, volatile oil, fatty acids

Dosage:Tincture: 1/4-1 tsp 2-3 X day
Capsules: 225-500 mg standardized to .05% agnoside, 2 X day
aqueous-alcoholic extract: 30-40 mg daily

Adverse reactions:Dopaminergic effects include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, tiredness, agitation, and dry mouth.

Contraindications:Pregnancy & lactation. Theoretical: May cause ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. It may stimulate follicle development leading to multiple pregnancies.
May interfere with the action of drugs that antagonize dopamine receptors. May interfere with the efficacy of oral contraceptives.

White Willow bark (Salix Alba) (aka European or weeping willow)

Actions: analgesic, anti-inflammatory

Uses: Reduces fever & muscle aches associated with colds & flu. Temporary relief of pain, such as headache, toothache, backache. Reduces the joint inflammation associated with arthritis, bursitis and rheumatism. Effective in treating mild diarrhea. Externally, can treat dandruff.

Active constituents:salicin (precursor to salicylic acid), tannins, quercetin & other flavonoid compounds

Dosage: Tea - 1-2 tsp powdered bark/cup. Steep 8 hours. Strain. Sweeten with honey or combine with another herb tea such as mint or lemon balm. Up to 3 cups per day. In pill or tincture form, usual dosage is 60-120 mg salicin per day.

Adverse reactions: ?

Contraindications:sensitivity to aspirin/ Children under 18.
Note: Unlike aspirin, salicin does not interfere with platelet adhesiveness. Willow bark is often used in weight-loss formulas.

Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)

Medicinal parts: Aerial shoots and leaves of plant.

Actions: Cholagogic, digestive, anthelmintic, appetite stimulating and wound healing. The essential oil may be antimicrobial.

Uses: Dyspepsia, loss of appetite, liver and gallbladder complaints. Traditional use - worm infestations.

Active constituents: Volatile oil (with a high level of Thujone,) sesquiterpene bitter principles.

Dosage: Total daily dose - 3-5 g of herb as an aqueous extract.
Tea - 1 g herb to 1 cup water/ Tincture - 10-30 drops 3 X daily
Liquid extract - 1-2 ml taken 3 X daily.

Adverse reactions: Large doses can lead to headaches, dizziness, vomiting, stomach cramps, CNS disturbances.

Contraindications: Pregnancy & lactation. Patients with a predisposition to seizures. Thujone may lower seizure threshold.

Yohimbe(Pausinystalia yohimbe)

Medicinal parts: Bark

Actions: CNS stimulant, vasodilator, an alpha-2-adrenergic receptor antagonist, a weak MAO inhibitor, and a weak calcium channel blocker.

Uses:Impotence, orthostatic hypotension, angina. Improves sexual function in patients on SSRIs

Active constituents:Yohimbine (alkaloid)

Dosage: Tincture - 5-10 drops 3 X day/ Yohimbine: 15-30 mg/day

Adverse reactions:Nervousness, anxiety, dizziness, headache, hyper or hypotension, tachycardia, psychoses, and hallucinations. Can trigger panic attacks.

Contraindications: Pregnancy & lactation. Chronic prostate inflammation, renal or hepatic disease, hypertension, angina or heart disease, psychiatric disorders. Do not use with sympathomimetic drugs, tyramine-containing foods.

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