Category: Herbarium

Scientific Name: Artemisia absinthium

Plant Family: Asteraceae

Part Used: Leaves, flowers and roots

Actions: Antimalarial, antimicrobial, antiparasitic

Energetics: Slightly cooling and drying

Preparations: Capsule, tablet, infusion, tincture, alcoholic beverage (Absinthe)

Cautions: The active ingredient is thujone which can be toxic in large doses or with prolonged use. Do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding.

Medicinal Uses: Digestive bitter also used for indigestion, gas, bloating and for expelling parasitic worms such as roundworms or pinworms.

Historically used as a strewing herb and as Absinthe – an anise-flavoured distilled spirit derived from botanicals, including the flowers and leaves of Artemisia absinthium, anise, sweet fennel, coriander seeds, hyssop, angelica roots and sometimes lemon balm and spearmint.

In 18th century literature, Absinthe is known as as The Green Fairy (la fée verte).

Scientific Name:  Solidago spp.

Plant Family:  Asteraceae

Part Used: Leaves, flowers

Actions: Diuretic, nephritic anticatarrhal, anti-inflammatory, astringent, carminative, antiseptic, diaphoretic, vulnerary

Energetics:  Warming and drying

Preparations:  Tea, tincture, vinegar, infused honey, syrup, elixir, cordial

Cautions: May cause allergic reactions in those sensitive to the Asteraceae family of plants.

Medicinal Uses:  Digestive aid, acute and chronic bronchitis,  seasonal allergies, colds, flu, kidney health, cystitis, high blood pressure

 

Scientific Name: Melissa officinalis

Plant Family: Lamiaceae (mint family)

Part Used: Leaves

Actions: Antioxidant, antiviral, calmative, hypothyroidal, nervine, sedative, stomachic

Energetics: Cool and dry

Preparations: Tea, tincture, salve, glycerite

Cautions: do not use if hypothyroidism or pregnant unless under the care of a professional

Medicinal Uses: Used to help heal cold sores and herpes,  asthma, fevers, migraines, shock, vertigo, menstrual problems, hypertension, gout, insect bites, skin infections

Called “Herbe Melisse”  in 1440 medieval manuscripts

Scientific Name: Silybum marianum

Plant Family: Asteraceae

Part Used: Seeds

Actions: hepatic, choleretic, cholagogue, anti-inflammatory, digestant, galactagogue

Energetics: Neutral

Preparations: Capsules, tea, tincture, topical gel

Cautions: Sometimes causes headache, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal bloating, and gas. Less commonly, muscle aches or joint pain.

Allergic reactions are also possible. People with allergies to ragweed, daisies, artichokes, kiwi, or plants in the aster family may also be allergic to milk thistle.

Avoid with endometriosis, uterine fibroids, or cancers of the breast, uterus, or ovaries or if taking estrogen-based contraceptives.

Do not take if pregnant or nursing.

Milk thistle can change the way that your body metabolizes certain drugs in the liver, and may interaction with:

• • Antibiotics like Biaxin (clarithromycin)
  • Anticoagulants like Coumadin (warfarin)
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Advil (ibuprofen), Celebrex (celecoxib), and Voltaren (diclofenac)
  • Statin drugs like Mevacor (lovastatin) and Lescol (fluvastatin)

Medicinal Uses: liver health, neutralize toxins, protect against
cancer, modulate oxidative stress, modulate blood cholesterol and blood sugar levels