Materia Medica
Alfalfa, Blackberry Leaf, Blackberry Root, Borage, Burdock Root, Bilberry, Chickweed, Catnip, Clary Sage, Cleavers, Comfrey, Cinnamon, Calendula, Cypress, Chamomile, Dandelion, Eucalyptus, Elderflower, Elderberry, Elecampane, Echinacea, Fennell, Feverfew, Frankincense, Ginger, Holly, Hawthorn (berry, leaf flower), Hops, Horsetail, Juniper, Licorice Root, Lady's Mantle, Lemon Balm, Lavender, Mullein, Marshmallow Leaf and Root, Mullein, Motherwort, Mistletoe, Meadowsweet Leaf and Flower, Milk Thistle, Mugwort, Nettle Leaf and Root, Sweet Orange, Oatstraw, Milk Oat Tops, Passionflower, Plantain, Peppermint, Rose, Rosemary, Red Raspberry, Red Clover, Self Heal, St. John's Wort, Sassafras Bark, Skullcap, Spearmint, Thyme, Tea Tree, Vervain, Valerian, Wild Lettuce, Wood Betony, Willow, Yarrow, Ylang Ylang
1) Bilberry- The fruit and leaves of the Bilberry plant have long been used as a dietary supplement or in alternative medicines. Various cultures have and continue to use bilberry leaf for treating everything from circulation abnormalities to scurvy and visual disturbances. Though research remains limited, there is evidence that suggests bilberry contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that decrease inflammation, help maintain cognitive function and enhance vision. Although bilberry constituents have multiple pharmacological actions, most of the research has focused on the anthocyanosides. Extracts containing anthocyanosides have been shown to possess strong antioxidant properties. Bilberry is high in vitamin C. Bilberry monograph and further information: https://altmedrev.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/v6-5-500.pdf
2) Vervain- strengthen and tone nervous system, Insomnia, nervous tension
Encourage sweating, eliminate toxins, break a fever (especially in the early stages). For lactating women, to encourage bountiful milk production. As a restorative for nervous exhaustion- relaxing tension and stress. For mild depression as a nervine stimulant
Mouth ulcers, tonsillitis, infected gums (use as a mouth wash, gargle). Migraines and nervous headaches. To ease acute anxiety. Great remedy for postpartum depression or those depleted in energy and going through change.
3) Oatstraw- strengthen and tone nervous system. Highly nutritive. Can stimulate the central nervous system, so good for combating lethargic depression. Specific herb for cases of nervous debility and exhaustion. Nourishes the entire body (drink your vitamins!). Milky tops have been know to increase libido levels by nourishing the reproductive system. Use for any type of addiction withdrawal to support the nervous system.
4) Hawthorn berry- strengthen and tone nervous system. Non-toxic- no side effects or contraindications- complementary with allopathic drugs Improves strength and contraction of heart muscles. Opens up arteries, improving blood supply to tissues and organs. Lowers essential hypertension/ normalizes blood pressure (toning of vascular walls). Alleviates congestion and pressure on the heart, lowering chances of heart attack. Improves circulation to the brain due to aging and stress. Improves circulation- especially in the capillaries of the extremities. Regulates irregular heartbeat/ soothes and corrects angina. Use in diabetes to increase circulation to the extremities
Use after a heart attack to shorten recovery time. For palpitations and other circulatory disturbances due to menopause (with motherwort). Diuretic- alleviates fluid retention due to heart/ kidney disease.
5) Hawthorn leaf and flower- strengthen and tone nervous system. Non-toxic- no side effects or contraindications- complementary with allopathic drugs Improves strength and contraction of heart muscles. Opens up arteries, improving blood supply to tissues and organs. Lowers essential hypertension/ normalizes blood pressure (toning of vascular walls). Alleviates congestion and pressure on the heart, lowering chances of heart attack. Improves circulation to the brain due to aging and stress. Improves circulation- especially in the capillaries of the extremities. Regulates irregular heartbeat/ soothes and corrects angina. Use in diabetes to increase circulation to the extremities. Use after a heart attack to shorten recovery time. For palpitations and other circulatory disturbances due to menopause (with motherwort). Diuretic- alleviates fluid retention due to heart/ kidney disease.
6) Lady's Mantle- Anti-inflammatory. Feminine reproductive tonic- especially surrounding fertility/ childbirth and metaphysically for menopause. Reduce pain associated with heavy menstrual bleeding, reduce amount of bleeding (uterine astringent). Stimulates proper menstrual flow if there is resistance. Tonifying to blood vessels and the skin, to the breasts. Mouthwash for sores. Gargle for laryngitis
Overall reproductive tonic- facilitating successful implantation. Postpartum remedy. One of the plants that represents the mantle (cloak) of Brigid (goddess): mantle of healing and feminine wisdom/ power To wrap yourself up in her cloak of protection- especially during your moon time- create a sanctuary on the ethereal plane when we can’t go there physically. To create sacred space.
7) Motherwort- Reduce menopausal anxiety and sleeplessness. Hot flashes. Nerve sedative: calming, relax and regulate stimulated system, create balance.
8) Borage- strengthen and tone nervous system, help body adapt to situations, Nervine demulcives- protect and soothe nerve endings and ease raw nerves. Tonifies the adrenal cortex- increasing the ability to cope during stress. Strengthens the nervous system- promoting good sleep and reducing anxiety and depression. Aid the adrenal production of estrogen/ progesterone during menopause. Helpful in convalescence, recovering from a long illness or surgery. Ease post-partum stress/ depression and promotes milk flow. Gives courage in times of difficulty and grief. Alleviates sadness.
9) Lemon Balm- strengthen and tone nervous system. Insomnia. Headaches. Depression (esp SAD: seasonal effective disorder). Digestive disorders: relieves flatulence and harmonizes gall bladder and stomach. Palpitations (due to nervousness). Colds and flus- especially for children, the weak and elders. Relieves respiratory allergies. To ease nervousness. Emmenagogue and ease menstrual pains
10) Horsetail- Nutritive herb. Strengthens and improves the elasticity of the hair fiber, helps regulate the hair growth cycle, and reduces inflammation, and improves cell turnover to create an optimal environment on the scalp for healthy hair growth. Calcium. UTI's. Researchers believe that horsetail’s bone-remodeling effect is mostly due to its high silica content. In fact, up to 25% of its dry weight is silica. No other plant boasts as high of a concentration of this mineral.Silica, which is also present in bones, improves the formation, density, and consistency of bone and cartilage tissue by enhancing collagen synthesis and improving the absorption and use of calcium.
11) Mugwort- Nervine tonic, Circulatory stimulant, Anti-inflammatory, Entheogenic. Painful, sluggish menses/ to provoke delayed or absent menses. Nervous tension, hysteria, depression. Good for indigestion, nausea, upset stomach: activates the digestive process and stimulates the liver (bitter). Rheumatism. Herb of Water, herb of the Triple Goddess, herb of the Moon. Empowers the sacredness of all phases of Womanhood: sacred midwife who aids transformation and rebirth
12) Calendula- Nervine demulcive- protect and soothe nerve endings and ease raw nerves. Skin inflammations- due to infection or physical damageFor external bleeding, bruising, strains. Yeast infections, anti-fungal properties. Sluggish digestion . Slow healing wounds- internally and externally. Brings on sluggish periods and reduces excessive bleeding if taken a week prior. Gastric and duodenal ulcers internally. Mouth ulcers and gum disease. Anxiety and depression
13) Rosemary- Nerve stimulant for depression, fatigue. Sore muscles. Very high in rosmarinic acid, an antioxidant. Rosemary is a tonic herb that has a multitude of uses. It invigorates various body systems and relaxes muscle tissue through parasympathetic nervous system pathways toning the arteries, digestive system, heart, and lungs. For the nervous system, rosemary can relieve headaches and calm nervousness/anxiety and is very good at activating other calming sedative herbs. For the brain, rosemary helps strengthen memory, clear foggy thinking, and improve attention and focus. It’s often known as the herb of remembrance and is high in antioxidants. Its antioxidants help decrease oxidative stress and inflammation
14) Elecampane root- deep-seated respiratory infections; persistent, stubborn wet or dry cough, tuberculosis, bronchitis, asthma, fever with chills; stagnant digestion, intestinal parasites, and GI colic; convalescence and malnutrition; stagnant lymph, homesickness.
15) Blackberry leaf- Leaf is an excellent daily nutritive tonic, strengthens the physical body. Mouthwash, gargle, sore throat, sore gums, laryngitis, reducing phlegm. Reproductive and fertility tonic- safe for pregnancy, strengthens the womb. Tones and strengthens the muscular and organ tissues. Anemia. Overall vitality
16) Sassafras bark- Sassafras bark is an alterative meaning it will induce change to bring about health. Indigenous cultures use Sassafras and a blood purifier and general "cure all" for ailments.
17) Red Clover- Used to eliminate/ reduce cancerous growths, To dissolve ovarian and uterine cysts- early stages. Gentle sedative/ nervine for children. Nutritive tea for people with debilitating illnesses such as hepatitis and mononucleosis (long duration infections). Fertility herb due to high content of vitamins and minerals, trace minerals- to restore and balance hormonal function. Menopausal- post-menopausal herb for same reasons as fertility
18) Feverfew- Feverfew's long folk history of use in the treatment of inflammatory conditions such as fever, arthritis, headache, and migraine is validated by experimental studies that confirm activity similar to common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs), such as aspirin. In experimental studies, extracts of feverfew have been shown to inhibit the synthesis of compounds which promote inflammation.
19) Marshmallow root- Nervine demulcives- protect and soothe nerve endings and ease raw nerves. Sooth inflamed membranes of the mouth, throat and lungs. Soothe a dry, irritating cough. Ease the heat and fire of heartburn. Healing for Chrone’s disease
Eases inflammation of colitis, ulcers. Activates immune response (promote phagocytosis). Gentle for those with sensitivities and little to no contraindications.
20) Wood Betony-Wood Betony is a nervine, it has a gentle relaxant effect upon the nervous system. It has long been used to ease mild states of unease, tension, and anxiety, and soothes headaches while at the same time providing a deeper level of nourishment and strength to the nerve. Because of its bitter properties it has a positive effect on the digestive system. It's increases the secretions of the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, stomach, small and large intestine. This makes it a useful remedy to consider in digestive formulations, especially using it nervine action. Because of its mild antispasmodic property, it can be used to calm cramping, bloating. Gas and colic. Wood Betony exerts a mild relaxant effect upon the smooth muscles, and even skeletal muscles, specifically easing the neck and shoulders. It has been used for tension in the respiratory system, uterine cramping, high blood pressure and headaches.
21) Dandelion leaf and root- Original spring tonic as an alterative and hepatic- purifies the blood by strengthening and toning the liver. Kidney diseases- prevents/ eliminates gallstones and kidney stones. Eliminate excess fluids and toxins while contributing potassium (pharmaceutical diuretics deplete potassium)- especially due to high blood pressure. Edema, gout. Digestive/ bowel disorders- hepatitis, anemia, jaundice, cirrhosis, colitis. Rheumatic- breaks down uric acid in cartilage and tendons
Promotes digestion, stimulates appetite for better assimilation, good for habitual constipation. Lowers cholesterol and balances blood pressure. Root containers bitters- good for cleansing the liver, spleen and gallbladder. Thyroid disorders. Hormonal imbalances.
22) Nettle- Lymphatic tonic, full body nourishment, arthritis, strengthen and tone nervous system, help body adapt to situations, Gentle liver detox, calcium, magnesium, UTI support, Reduce fatigue, improve stamina. Nourish kidneys and adrenal glands (diuretic: help with stabilizing blood pressure). Nourish the immune system. Nourish the endocrine system: increase metabolism, normalize weight
23) Cleavers- As an alterative herb, cleavers offers light, daily cleansing support especially beneficial in the spring and following the semi-hibernation period some of us can go through in the winter. It helps open the elimination channels and enhance the natural detoxification process in a gentle way. Think of it as a general tonic action. Cleavers pairs well with nettle for that purpose, along with dandelion leaf. Cleavers has an affinity for the lymphatic system and helps to move stagnation through the body. The lymphatic system is cleansed by using cleavers as it moves lymph and expels toxins.
24) Yarrow- anxiety and stress relief. Raises and moderates body heat, produces perspiration (good for fevers). Astringent and antiseptic for urinary and yeast infections (candida). Stimulates appetite, mild bitter- helps improve food absorption. Colds, flus, fevers. Tones blood vessels: varicose veins, hemorroids, cardiovascular health. Promotes circulation, gentle stimulant to the body. Regulate menses and to ease heavy menstrual bleeding. All over body and organ healer
