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DISCLAIMER: These pages are presented solely as a source of INFORMATION and ENTERTAINMENT and to provide stern warnings against use where appropriate. No claims are made for the efficacy of any herb nor for any historical herbal treatment. In no way can the information provided here take the place of the standard, legal, medical practice of any country. Additionally, some of these plants are extremely toxic and should be used only by licensed professionals who have the means to process them properly into appropriate pharmaceuticals. One final note: many plants were used for a wide range of illnesses in the past, but be aware that many of the historical uses have proven to be ineffective for the problems to which they were applied.



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C
= toxic agent, AVOID          = danger/caution, mild to severe apply          = AVOID if pregnant
See corresponding herb pages for more information
TERM DEFINITION NATURAL AGENTS ASSOCIATED with the TERM
CARDIAC/CARDIO Descriptive of agents which affect heart activity in some way. Also see specific activity (ie. stimulant, tonic, etc) Ailanto (depressant); Bala (tonic); Catalpa; Johnny-Jump-Up; Motherwort; Rosemary (tonic)
= Cereus, Night-blooming (stimulant); Crampbark (tonic); Thistle, Blessed (tonic); Yarrow
= Yarrow
= Aconite, Carmichael's (stimulant/tonic); Adonis (stimulant); Ambrosia-2 (stimulant); Arrowwood; Bittersweet, American; Black Cohosh (stimulant); Bloodroot (slows heart rate); Broom, Scotch (stimulant); Lily-of-the-Valley
CARMINATIVE Expels gas from intestines; relieves colic Adrue; Agrimony; Amaranth; Anise; Apple; Ash, Prickly; Shiny Bramble (See Ash, Prickly); Szechuan Pepper (see Ash, Prickly); Aster, Short's (mild); Astragalus; Atractylodes; Atractylodes macrocephela; Balloon Flower; Balm of Copaiba; Balm, Lemon; Basil; Basil, Holy; Bearswort; Beet; Birdsfoot Trefoil; Currant, Red; Carrot, Wild; Catnip; Clove; Coriander; Costmary; Goldenrod, Sweet; Mint; Sarsaparilla
= Angelica, European Wild; Apricot, Japanese; Bay; Bayberry; Black Cherry; Boneset; Boneset, Japanese; Buchu; Burdock; Caraway; Cardamom; Cayenne
= Angelica, European Wild; Burdock; Calamint, Lesser; Cumin
= Ambrosia; Asarabacca; Butterfly Weed
CATHARTIC Same as laxative See LAXATIVE
CAUSTIC Corrosive. Can burn tissue Celandine
CHOLAGOGUE Increases bile flow Agrimony; Artichoke; Aspen, Quaking; Cardamom, Bastard; Centaury, European; Corn; Dandelion; Pussytoes
= Angelica; Apricot; Apricot, Japanese; Bindweed, Hedge; Birch, Common; Bogbean; Boldo; Burdock; Butternut; Calendula; Chicory; Mugwort
= Angelica; Burdock; Butternut; Calendula
= Alder Buckthorn; Arrowwood; Blackroot
COAGULANT Causes the formation of clots in a liquid, notably blood Agrimony; Lady's Mantle
= Cattail
CONTRACEPTIVE Prevents conception/pregnancy
♦ NOT KNOWN TO BE RELIABLE and/or PROVEN
Amaranth; Balmony; Carrot, Wild
= Bishop Flower; Cashew
= Calamint; Ginger, Wild
COUNTERIRRITANT Produces irritation in one part of the body to counteract irritation/inflammation in another part = Cajuput; Cayenne; Horseradish; Mustard
= Cajuput
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©2006 by Ernestina Parziale, CH