Herbs V to Z

Achillea millefolium L. Yarrow

Family: Compositae
Description: “Aromatic perennial with tough stems and feathery leaves, 5-15cm long. Corymbs of greyish-white to pink flowers appear from early summer to late autumn. H 5-30cm, S 5-20cm, variable in wild.” (Bown, 1995: 71)
Habitat: Native to Europe and western Asia, also naturalized in N. America, Australia and New Zealand; common in meadows, hedgerows, waysides and waste places, especially in dry, sunny conditions.
Harvest: Plants are cut when in flower in summer.

Parts used: Flowers, leaves, aerial parts.
Dosage: 1:5 Tincture: 2-3ml tds, Fluid Extract: 1-2ml tds, Dried: 1-5g tds.

Character: Cool, dry; sweet, astringent, slightly bitter taste (Ody, 1993).

Actions:
-DIAPHORETIC,
-ANTIPYRETIC,
-ANTI-INFLAMMATORY,
-SPASMOLYTIC,
-AROMATIC BITTER,
-HAEMOSTATIC,
-HYPOTENSIVE,
-EMMENAGOGUE (Bradley, 1992),
-peripheral vasodilator (Mills, 1993).

Organ systems: RESPIRATORY, digestive, musculoskeletal, nervous, circulatory.

Indications:
-Feverish conditions, common cold; [catarrh];
-Digestive complaints, [indigestion]; loss of appetite; [gastritis, dyspeptic conditions -Mills,1993]
-Hypertension;
-Menstrual irregularities; (all Bradley, 1992)
-Intestinal colic, stomach cramps, nervous dyspepsia, palpitations, painful periods, asthma and convulsions;
-Catarrhal conditions of mucous membranes, enteritis, diarrhoea (Mills, 1993)
-Allergenic mucous problems, incl. hayfever (flowers), (Ody, 1993).
-Haemorrhoids, varicose veins; lowering mod. high blood pressure (Mills, 1993);
-Rheumatism (Wren, 1988).

External usage: Slow-healing wounds; skin inflammations (Bradley, 1992); nosebleeds (Ody, 1993).

Safety: Very safe, good remedy for children, but prolonged use may increase skin’s photosensitivity.

Contra-indications: Hypersensitivity to Yarrow or other members of Compositae family, may cause severe allergic skin reaction; pregnancy (uterine stimulant).

Key Constituents (Bradley, 1992):
-Volatile oil, 0.2-1%, [incl. cineol, pinene, azulene, eugenol, thujone, camphor, achillin, sabinene, camphene, (Mills, 1993)];
-Bitter constituents: sesquiterpene lactones;
-Flavonoids, incl apigenin, luteolin; rutin;
-Phenolic acids, incl. caffeic, salicyclic;
-Misc.: alkaloids; triterpenes and sterols; coumarins; tannins.

Pharmacology: Few studies published. Moderate anti-inflammatory action demonstrated in rats (administered topically and orally), attributed to protein-carbo complex; chamazulene and proazulene also anti-inflammatory. Spasmolytic action attributed to flavonoids; spasmolytic effects of apigenin demonstrated. Alkaloid achilleine has haemostatic action. Bitter properties due to alkaloids and sesquiterpene lactones. See Bradley, 1992. Also Mills, 1993: 399 for further studies.
Toxicology: The presence of a fluorescent substance accounts for occasional case of photosensitivity after consuming plant in quantity (Mills, 1993)

History: Name derived from Greek hero, Achilles, and reputably used to treat wounds during Trojan wars. Yarrow tea frequently used for fevers by Pilgrim fathers when sailed to America in 1620 (Smith, 1977).

Traditional and Practitioner sources:
“Most men say that the leaves chewed , especially the greene, are a remedie for toothache.” Gerard, 1597 (Ody, 1993).

“…for Dioscorides saith that…it stayeth the flux of blood in women being applied in a pessary, and the powder of the dryed herbe taken with Comfrey or Plantain water doth also stay inward bleeding.” Parkinson, (Mills, 1993: 400).

“in fever management…its digestive tonic activity will help the digestion cope with potentially toxic food material and ‘redirect heat’ to the process; the relaxant effect will reduce the tendency to fits and convulsions, especially in the very young, and will generally calm and soothe; the astringent effect will be helpful in gastro-enteric infections or when diarrhoea is a major source of debility.” Simon Mills, 1993:401.

“In the first stages of all diseases there is not a better or simpler remedy…It cannot be bettered in diseases of the mucous membranes, renal and pelvic organs, as well as for rheumatism. [For bronchitis -yarrow, elecampane and mullein; haemorrhoids -yarrow, pilewort, cranesbill and mullein; muscular rheumatism, fibrositis -yarrow, meadowsweet, sea holly and chickweed.] For any inflammation in any part of the body mix equal parts of yarrow, peppermint and elderflower…prepare freshly, a cupful at a time, using 1-2 teaspoonfuls of the mixture to which should be added one or two capsicum pods (cayenne), then add boiling water and allow to stand to draw out the excellent properties.” William Smith, 1977: 164.

“INFUSION OF FLOWERS Drink for upper respiratory phlegm or use externally as a wash for eczema. INHALATION OF FLOWERS For hayfever and mild asthma, use fresh in boiling water.” Penelope Ody, 1993: 30.

Artemisia absinthum L. Wormwood

Family: Compositae
Description: “Subshrub with grey-green, deeply dissected foliage, with silky hairs on both sides. Insignificant, yellow, globose flowers borne in panicles in summer. H 1m, S 60-90cm. Half hardy.” (Bown, 1995:88)
Habitat: Native to Europe, N Africa and W Asia -“on roadsides and waste-places” (Mills, 1993: 436).
Harvest: “Whole plants are cut when flowering; leaves are picked before flowering.” (Bown, 1995: 244)

Parts used: Herb
Dosage: 1:5 Tincture: 1-2ml tds, Fluid Extract: 1ml tds, Dried:1-2g tds.

Character: Bitter, pungent, drying, quite cold (Ody, 1993)

Actions:
-Bitter digestive tonic;
-antiparasitic;
-uterine stimulant (Mills,1991);
-antibiotic;
-bile stimulant;
-carminative;
-antiseptic (Ody, 1993)

Organ systems: Digestive

Indications:
-In cases where appetite requires stimulation, eg. anorexia nervosa, and likewise for gallbladder; intestinal worms (Ody,1993);
-liver-disease, eg. hepatitis;
-chronic digestive infections (possible source of IBS), eg, giardia (AD).

External usage:
-Bruises and bites (compress);
-infestations, eg. scabies (wash) (Ody,1993)

Safety: Use with caution.
Contra-indications: Do not use in pregnancy; persons with gallstones; children; epileptics (due to thujone content); persons with porphyria.

Key Constituents (Mills, 1993):
-Essential oil, inc. thujone (up to 35%), thujol,isovaleric acid
-Bitter sesquiterpenes, inc. caryophyllene and cardinene
-Bitter sesquiterpene lactones, inc. germacranolides, guaianolides or ‘azulenes’ (eg. absinthin), santanolides
-Terpenoids
-Flavonoids
-Hydroxycoumarins; Polyacetylenes; Tannins; Resin; Silica

Pharmacology (Mills, 1993): In addition to the classic bitter effects of the sesquiterpenes, flavonoids and essential oil constituents, many other actions: germacranolide group of sesqueterpene lactones are significantly anti-tumour in effect; azulenes – anti-inflammatory; santonin (santanolide) – powerful vermifuge; absinthin and anabsinthin – insecticidal. Essential oil – carminative: thujone and thujol – stimulate smooth muscle and antiseptic. Polyacetylenes (in fresh plant) – antiseptic; tannins and resin – astringent; silica promotes connective tissue repair.

Toxicology (Mills, 1993): Long term use of ‘absinthe’, the liqueur based on the essential oil, has been shown to severely damage CNS; while therapeutic dose unlikely to harm, long term prescriptions should be restricted (Gentiana alternative as simple bitter tonic). Plant has been shown to cause abortion so must be avoided in pregnancy.

History: Many Biblical references have led to its bitterness becoming metaphor for consequences of sin: “For the lips of a strange woman drip honey, and her mouth is smoother than oil; but her end is bitter as wormwood…” (Proverbs 5: 3-4) Ancient household strewing herb to deter insects.
Used in aperitifs such as vermouth as digestive stimulant. Liqueur, absinthe, (first produced by Pernod in 1797) became popular in 19th century society, mainly in France. Its popularity was boosted when French army chose it to ward off disease during North Africa campaigns of 1840s. Especially associated with the artists and bohemians of the time, Van Gogh, Baudelaire and Maupassant among them, it was said to stimulate the mind and sexual appetite but in larger doses caused hallucinogenic effects; subsequent discovery of damage to CNS and addictive nature, often resulting in crimes, caused it to be banned in many countries (Switzerland, 1908 and France finally in 1915). (Mann, 1994)
Generic term comes from goddess Artemis (Diana) who is supposed to have first delivered the plant to the great healer, Chiron the Centaur. Common name “wormwood” derives from the German Wermut, “preserver of the mind”, as it was thought to enhance mental functions; also however indicative of use to expel parasitic worms. (Smith, 1977)

Traditional and Practitioner sources:
“Wormwood tea, made from one ounce of herb, infused 10-12 mins in one pint boiling water, and taken in wineglassful doses, will relieve melancholia and help dispel the yellow hue of jaundice from the skin, as well as being a good stomachic…” Mrs. Grieve (Grieve, 1985: 860)

Valeriana officinalis L. Valerian

Family: Valerianaceae
Description: “Variable perennial with short rhizome, and pinnate, irregularly divided leaves. Dense clusters of small, tubular, pink or white flowers, appear in summer, followed by tiny seeds with a tuft of white hair. H 1.5m, S 1.2m. Fully hardy.” (Bown, 1995)
Habitat: Native to Europe and Asia, naturalised in US.
Harvest: Rhizomes and roots are lifted in 2nd year after the leaves have died off. (Bown, 1995)

Parts used: ROOT.
Dosage: 1:5 1-10ml, FE 1-3ml, dried 3-10g daily;

Actions:
-SEDATIVE,
-RELAXANT,
-SPASMOLYTIC,
-HYPOTENSIVE (Bradley, 1992);

Indications:
-*Nervous tension and stress,
-*Restlessness, excitability (Wren),
-*Disturbed sleep patterns,
-*Anxiety states (Bradley), *treatment of anxiety or depression, especially combined with Hypericum,
-Epilepsy,
-To relieve digestive and other spasms of smooth muscle,
-**Alleviation of withdrawal symptoms from benzodiazepines. (Mills and Bone);
-Essential hypertension (GT);

External usage:
-Soak a pad in the tincture to ease muscle cramps,
-Use the infusion or maceration (see ‘sources’) as a wash for chronic ulcers and wounds, and for drawing splinters (Ody, 1993);

Safety: No adverse effects expected within recommended dosage (Mills and Bone) Symptoms of overdose however may include blurred vision, change in heartbeat, excitability, headache, nausea, restlessness or uneasiness (GT).
Mills and Bone assert can be used in the long-term. Ody (1993) however cautions not to take continually for more than 2-3 weeks, to avoid possible adverse effects. Also not to take with other sleep-inducing medication as valerian may enhance their action.
NB Therapeutic effects vary widely in individuals, even to extent of a paradoxical stimulation in some patients.
Contra-indications: None known.

Key Constituents (Wren, 1988):
-Volatile oil, usually 0.4-1.4% (Bradley), containing valerenic acid, valerenone, valerenal, eugenyl and isoeugenyl esters and other components;
-Iridoids known as valepotriates (their breakdown responsible for characteristic smell);
-Alkaloids;
-Misc.: choline, flavonoids, sterols, tannins.

Pharmacology: Valepotriates and components of volatile oil have primary CNS depressant activity and both partly cause of sedative effect as shown in vivo; also suggested interaction between these constituents. Valerian, valerienic acid and the eugenyl and isoeugenyl esters are spasmolytic. (Wren, 1988)
For more detail, see Mills and Bone p582-584.

Clinical trials: Human studies have shown that valerian root reduces the latency to fall asleep and improves sleep quality (Bradley).
For further evidence, see Mills and Bone p584-587.

Toxicology: Tests on mice show toxicity is low due to restricted distribution of the drug and no adverse reactions in humans have been noted (Wren, 1988 -similarly concluded by Bradley).
Again, see Mills and Bone for greater detail.

History: Supposed to be the lure used by the Pied Piper of Hamelin. Was used by Dioscrides as a diuretic, anadyne, spasmolytic, expectorant (by relaxing bronchials) and sedative. In the 17th century was used to treat epileptic fits and in the 18th, used widely as a sedative. The Eclectics employed it to treat chorea, hysteria and sometimes fever. It was also used to treat shell shock during WW1.

Traditional and Practitioner sources:
GT’s first choice for essential hypertension; also period pains and other smooth muscle cramps.

“…As a plant source of magnesium phosphate, it is arguably the best. …
[Indicated when] pressure of many kinds, emotional, physical or circumstantial, can be reflected in even tighter control and alarming sudden pains, spasms and ‘tightness’ and constriction feelings. …
Symptoms needing valerian include muscular tension, either chronic or recent, and the result of not only physical trauma but also of emotional or environmental pressures. …
High or fluctuating blood pressure is one valerian indication, but so is pain…Chronic or severe pain can cause spasm and tension as well as being the result of these…The chronic pain of deep-seated rheumatic arthritic diseases calls for valerian too.” Dorothy Hall (1998: 295-298)

“Use in any chronic or severe condition where the whole system needs to be relaxed: chronic anxiety, chronic insomnia, migraines, panic attacks, palpitations, convulsions and vertigo.
For irritating coughs: Boil together 15g each of valerian, raisins, aniseed and liquorice; sip with honey.
For shock: 5-7 drops of tincture in a cupful of warm water.” Elisabeth Brooke (1992: 208-211)

“Soak 2tsp of the chopped, preferably fresh, root for 8-10 hours in a cup of cold water. Use as a sedating brew for anxiety and insomnia.
Combine the tincture with liquorice and other expectorants such as hyssop for coughs. Can be added to mixtures for high blood pressure where tension or anxiety is a contributory factor.” Penelope Ody (1993: 110)

“Soothing, diffusive, relaxing and stimulating nervine. Indicated for the relief of nervous irritation and to support atonic and functional nervous disorders.
Individual indications:
-Nervous excitability -with Passiflora.
-Nervous insomnia -with Humulus.
-Nervous palpitation -with Convallaria.
-Flatulent colic, abdominal cramp, gastrodynia, diarrhoea -with Dioscorea and Zingiber.
-Menopausal dysfunction, retarded and scanty periods -with Pulsatilla.
-Nervousness of children, chorea.” Priest and Priest (1983: 82)

“Teas of the following can help the insomniac and are non-addictive: Limeflower, Chamomile, Passion flower, Valerian, Hops.” Michael McIntyre (1990: 110)