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DISCLAIMER: These pages are presented solely as a source of INFORMATION 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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♠ = Denotes a POISONOUS agent/s. Professionals only! These agents are more common in Chinese medicine where they are especially processed to render them safe, or else used in homeopathic tinctures which are safe to take. There are also instances where one component of the plant is safe, as in the Castor Bean which is deadly, but its oil is safe to use. |
| Rabies | Rectum | Reproductive Sys: Male | Rheumatism | |||
| Raynaud's Disease | Reproductive Sys: Female | Respiratory System | Roseola | |||
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| RABIES | |||
| The following agents are of HISTORICAL NOTE only. Desperation caused people to try many things in an unsuccessful effort to defeat this disease. THERE IS NO CURE, but today we have treatment in a series of shots, however you must see a doctor immediately if contact with a possibly rabid animal is made. Even if you aren't bitten, any small cut coming in contact with infected saliva is a danger. The following agents are listed for their historical interest only. | |||
| TYPE | DO FIRST | NATURAL AGENTS | HOW TO USE/MORE INFO |
| GENERAL | SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE! See Healthline |
Ash, Black; Bamboo, Black; Broom, Dyer's ♠ = Hemlock |
See individual herb pages |
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| RAYNAUD'S DISEASE | |||
| A condition which affects more women than men and involves chronic constriction and spasm of the blood vessels of the fingers, toes and tip of the nose. Can sometimes lead to gangrene. | |||
| TYPE | DO FIRST | NATURAL AGENTS | HOW TO USE/MORE INFO |
| GENERAL | Requires medical supervision See Healthline |
Bilberry; Borage; Cayenne | See individual herb pages |
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| RECTUM | |||
| The lower 8 to 10 inches (in adults) of the large intestine with the anus being the termination point. | |||
| TYPE | DO FIRST | NATURAL AGENTS | HOW TO USE/MORE INFO |
| ANUS: FISSURE/FISTULA |
See Healthline | Ajuga; Cranesbill; Stoneroot ♠ = Blue Flag |
See Skin and Wounds/Sores |
| ANUS: WEAKNESS | Same as above | Aspen, Quaking | See individual herb pages |
| HEMORRHOIDS/PILES | Same as above | Agrimony; Ailanto; Alder; Aloe; Arsesmart; Avens; Bala; Balm of Capaiba; Balmony; Balsam of Peru; Balsam Pear; Bayberry; Bearberry; Bilberry; Bishopweed; Bistort; Blackberry; Black Chebula; Black Cherry; Brucea; Bupleurum; Burdock; Burnet; Burnut; Butcher's Broom; Butter-and-Eggs; Calendula (bleeding); Canary Island Tea Plant; Cardamom; Cascara Sagrada; Catnip; Cat's Claw; Cattail; Cayenne; Celandine; Celosia; Centipeda; Chamomile; Chervil; Chickweed; Coltsfoot; Comfrey; Coriander; Cranesbill; Ground Ivy; Plantain; Poplar, Black; Poplar, White; Stoneroot; Walnut, Black; Witch Hazel; Yarrow ♠ = Alder Buckthorn; Apple, Balsam; Ash, Mountain; Birthwort; Blue Flag; Boxwood; Buttercup; Castor Bean; Melon, Bitter Indochinese; Stargrass |
See Hemorrhoids |
| PROCTITIS (Inflammation of anus and rectum) |
See Healthline | Stoneroot | See individual herb pages |
| RECTAL BLEEDING | See your doctor See Mayo Clinic |
Pilewort (see Amaranth); Redroot Pigweed (see Amaranth) | See Bleeding |
| RECTAL ITCHING | See Mayo Clinic | Aloe | Can be caused by a number of factors. In children worms are often the culprit. In adults, itching can be the result of hemorrhoids. See Itch, Hemorrhoids, and Parasites: Internal |
| RECTAL SORES | See Mayo Clinic | Stoneroot | See individual herb pages and related topics such as Hemorrhoids and Wounds/Sores |
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| REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM: FEMALE | |||
| Involves those organs of the body involved in the process of reproduction. Also known as sexual organs and includes the uterus, cervix, ovaries, fallopian/ovarian tubes, vagina, and vulva. In the human female there is a monthly cycle of bleeding (menstruation) from the uterus as part of the process of sloughing off old cells within the womb to be replaced by new and is commonly called a period. | |||
| TYPE | DO FIRST | NATURAL AGENTS | HOW TO USE/MORE INFO |
| GENERAL | See Healthline | Akebia; Arsesmart; Ash, Prickly; Ashwaganda; Aspen, Quaking (weakness); Avens, Large-leaved; Avens, White; Barberry, Common; Bearberry; Boneset; Calendula; Celosia; Chamomile; Motherwort; Poplar, Balsam (weakness); Sage; Sage, Purple;
Shatavari (see Asparagus) ♠ = Stargrass |
See Female Matters |
| CERVICAL CELLS: ABNORMAL |
Requires professional medical assessment See Healthline |
Calendula | See individual herb pages |
| CERVIX: INFECTION | Requires medical attention See Healthline |
Avens | Same as above plus see Infection |
| CERVIX: INFLAMMATION/CERVICITIS |
Requires professional medical assessment See Healthline |
Avens | See individual herb pages plus Inflammation |
| ENDOMETRIOSIS (Cells which normally line the uterus migrate to other places such as the bladder, intestinal wall, or ovaries; can result in infertility and painful and erratic periods) |
Requires professional medical care See Healthline |
Burdock; Cohosh, Blue ♠ = Stargrass |
See Female Matters |
| GENITAL ITCHING/ INFLAMMATION |
See Healthline | Stoneroot ♠ = Arnica; Boxthorn |
Same as above plus Itch, Skin, and Ointments |
| HORMONES | See Healthline | Agnus-Castus | See individual herb pages |
| INFERTILITY | See Healthline | Achryanthes Root; Ashwaganda; Catnip; Damiana; Shatavari (see Asparagus) ♠ = Stargrass |
Same as above |
| INFLAMMATION: GENERAL | See Healthline | ♠ = Arnica | Same as above |
| PELVIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASE/PID |
Requires professional medical care See Healthline |
Calendula; Cohosh, Blue ♠ = Blue Flag |
Same as above |
| PERIODS: GENERAL | See Healthline | Akebia; Angelica; Anise; Bachelor Button; Bay; Beet; Betel Nut; Birch, Dwarf; Blackberry; Borage; Bupleurum; Butcher's Broom; Calendula; Canella; Cardamom, Bastard; Carrot; Carrot, Wild; Cat's Claw; Cedar, White; Chervil; Cinnamon; Cohosh, Blue; Ginger; Ground Pine; Turkey-Corn; Walnut, English; Yarrow ♠ = Birthwort; Black Cohosh |
See Female Matters |
| PERIODS: ABSENCE/ AMENORRHEA/LATE/DELAYED Absence of a period (menstruation). The situation can be of a single instance or a long-standing problem. These natural agents should be avoided by pregnant women. |
See Healthline | Achryanthes Root; Akebia; Amber; Angelica; Angelica pubescens; Anise; Arsesmart; Bamboo Fern; Barroom Plant; Basil, Holy; Bay; Beggartick; Benjamin Bush; Betony; Bistort; Blackberry; Bur Reed; Calamint; Calendula; Catnip; Cattail; Cedar, White; Celosia; Centaury, American; Centaury, European; Chamomile; Cohosh, Blue; Coriander; Costmary; Hops (due to nerves); Motherwort; Pinks, Chinese; Thistle, Blessed ♠ = Bittersweet, American; Black Cohosh; Butterfly Weed; Castor Bean |
Same as above |
| PERIODS: DYSMENORRHEA/ PAINFUL/CRAMPING/SPASMODIC |
See Healthline | Achryanthes Root; Amber; Angelica; Asafetida; Aspen, Quaking; Asphodel; Aster, Red-Stalked; Baeckea; Balm, Lemon; Beggartick, Swamp; Benjamin Bush; Bilberry; Black Haw; Boneset, Asian; Bunchberry; Bupleurum (spasmodic); Buttonbush; Calamint, Lesser; Calendula; Caraway; Cattail; Celosia; Cereus, Night-blooming; Chamomile; Cohosh, Blue; Crampbark; Damiana; Meadowsweet; Mint; Monarda; Oregano, Greek; Poplar, White; Shatavari (see Asparagus); Thistle, Blessed; Valerian; Willow, White; Wintergreen; Yarrow ♠ = Aconite; Ambrosia-2; Arnica; Black Cohosh; Butterfly Weed; Camphor; Stargrass (fatigue due to) |
Same as above |
| PERIODS: HEAVY BLEEDING/ EXCESSIVE LENGTH of TIME |
See Healthline | Agrimony; Alfilaria; Amaranth; Apricot, Japanese; Bayberry; Bethroot; Bistort; Brazilwood; Bugleweed; Burnet; Buttonbush; Cannabis; Celosia; Cohosh, Blue; Comfrey; Corn; Cranesbill; Love-Lies-Bleeding (see Amaranth); Pilewort (see Amaranth); Plantain; Yarrow | Same as above |
| PERIODS: IRREGULAR | Same as above | Balm, Lemon; Barrenwort; Bethroot; Blackberry Lily; Celandine; Cohosh, Blue; Mugwort; Nettle, Blind | Same as above |
| PERIODS: SPOTTY/SCANTY | Same as above | Agnus-Castus; Burnut; Nettle, Blind; Yarrow | Same as above |
| PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME/PMS | See Healthline | Agnus-Castus; Bugleweed; Bupleurum; Cat's Claw; Cohosh, Blue; Skullcap; Thistle, Milk ♠ = Black Cohosh |
Same as above |
| RECTOCELE (Rectum protrudes into vagina, often as a result of tearing during childbirth) |
Requires professional medical care See Healthline |
Apricot, Japanese; Astragalus | See invidual herb pages |
| SEXUAL PROBLEMS/ DYSFUNCTION/LOSS of LIBIDO |
See Healthline | Agnus-Castus; Anise; Barrenwort (frigidity); Bay; Beggartick; Celandine; Coriander; Damiana; Ginger; Ginseng; Shatavari (see Asparagus) ♠ = Black Cohosh |
Same as above |
| UTERUS: GENERAL | See Healthline | Acacia, Gum; Amber; Balsam Pear; Barberry, Common; Bay; Beggartick, Swamp; Bethroot; Blackberry; Black Haw; Calamint, Lesser; Candle Nut; Cashew; Cattail; Cedar, White; Celandine; Cinnamon; Clove; Ginger, Wild; Mugwort; Oregano, Greek ♠ = Arrowwood; Birthwort; Black Cohosh; Broom, Scotch; Butterfly Weed; Pasque Flower (see Anemone) |
See Female Matters |
| UTERUS: ABNORMAL DISCHARGE | See your doctor for assessment See same as above |
Ampelopsis | Same as above |
| UTERUS: BLEEDING (Atypical/unusual; not associated with a period) |
Requires professional medical evaluation See Healthline |
Alfilaria; Arsesmart; Avens; Bayberry; Bethroot; Black Chebula; Burnet; Cattail; Cedar, White; Celosia; Cinnamon; Corn | Same as above plus Bleeding |
| UTERUS: CANCER | Requires professional medical care See Healthline |
→ | See Cancer and Cancer-1 |
| UTERUS: FIBROIDS | Requires professional medical evaluation See Healthline |
Agnus-Castus; Cohosh, Blue ♠ = Blue Flag |
See Female Matters |
| UTERUS: INFECTION | Requires professional medical care See Healthline |
Bay | See Infection |
| UTERUS: INFLAMMATION | See Healthline | Acacia, Gum; Bead Tree; Black Chebula; Cohosh, Blue | See Inflammation |
| UTERUS: INVOLUTE | Requires professional medical care See Healthline |
Parsley | See individual herb pages |
| UTERUS: PAIN/ DISCOMFORT/CRAMPING |
See Healthline | Caraway; Crampbark; Nettle, Blind ♠Arrowwood; Black Cohosh; Stargrass |
See Female Matters |
| UTERUS: PROLAPSE | Requires professional medical attention See Healthline |
→ | See Prolapse |
| UTERUS: TUMORS | Requires professional medical evaluation See Healthline |
Atractylodes macrocephela | See Female Matters and Tumors |
| UTERUS: ULCERS/ ULCERATIONS |
See Healthline | Carrot; Carrot, Wild | See individual herb pages |
| UTERUS: WEAKNESS/ATONY | See Healthline | Aspen, Quaking; Astragalus; Cohosh, Blue | Same as above |
| VAGINA: GENERAL | See Healthline | Acacia, Gum; Amur Cork Tree (itching) | See Female Matters |
| VAGINA: ABNORMAL DISCHARGE/ LEUKORRHEA/BLENORRHEA (Also see Yeast Infection below as abnormal discharge is often caused by a fungal infection) |
See Healthline | Agrimony; Ailanto; Ampelopsis; Amur Cork Tree; Angelica anomala; Arsesmart; Aspen, Quaking; Astragalus sinicus (blenorrhea); Avens; Balm of Capaiba; Balsam; Balsam of Peru; Banana, Ryukyu; Bay; Bearberry; Bethroot; Bilberry; Bistort; Black Chebula; Black Musli (blenorrhea); Buchu; Burnet; Caesar Weed (blenorrhea); Cattail; Canary Island Tea Plant; Cedar, True (blenorrhea); Celosia; Chamomile; Cohosh, Blue; Comfrey; Corn (blenorrhea); Damiana; Nettle, Blind; Pilewort (see Amaranth); Poplar, Balsam; Stoneroot; Thistle, Blessed; Walnut, Black ♠ = Bittersweet, American; Blue Flag; Bonduc Nut |
Same as above |
| VAGINA: INFECTION | Requires professional medical assessment See Healthline |
Avens; Cranesbill | Same as above |
| VAGINA: INFLAMMATION/ VAGINITIS/METRITIS |
See Healthline | Acacia, Gum; Aloe; Avens; Comfrey | Same as above |
| VAGINA: ITCHING (Usually due to an infection, yeast infection so see related topics) |
See Healthline | Amur Cork Tree; Clover, Red | Same as above |
| VAGINA: WEAKNESS/ FLACCIDITY |
See Healthline | Aspen, Quaking; Cranesbill | See individual herb pages |
| VAGINA: YEAST INFECTION/ VAGINAL THRUSH |
See Healthline | Acidophilus; Brucea | See Female Matters |
| YOUNG FEMALES APPROACHING PUBERTY |
→ | Coltsfoot | See individual herb pages |
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| REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM: MALE | |||
| Male reproductive organs consist of the testes, penis, and prostate. | |||
| TYPE | DO FIRST | NATURAL AGENTS | HOW TO USE/MORE INFO |
| GENERAL PROBLEMS (Also see Aphrodisiac |
See Healthline | Anise; Aquilaria; Ashwaganda; Balsam Pear; Ginseng; Hops (neuroses); Sandalwood ♠Camphor, Borneo |
See Male Miseries |
| GLEET (Pus discharge from the penis) |
Requires professiona medical care See same as above |
Aspen, Quaking; Balsam; Balsam of Peru; Cranesbill | See individual herb pages |
| HYDROCELE (Fluid in a sac surrounding the testicle; may need a surgical solution) |
Requires professional medical care See Healthline |
♠ = Bonduc Nut | Same as above |
| INFERTILITY | See Healthline | Atractylodes lancea | Same as above |
| IMPOTENCE/ ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION |
See Healthline | Ashwaganda; Asparagus, Chinese; Balsam Pear; Barrenwort; Basil, East Indian; Black Musli; Broomrape; Chives, Garlic; Clove; Damiana; Walnut, English ♠ = Bonduc Nut; Boxthorn |
See Male Miseries |
| INVOLUNTARY EJACULATION/ SPERMATORRHEA |
See Med Help | Asafetida; Barrenwort; Black Chebula; Broomrape; Buchu; Burnut ♠ = Black Cohosh |
See individual herb pages |
| PREMATURE EJACULATION | See Healthline | Ailanto; Anemarrhena; Barrenwort; Burnut; Cardamom, Bastard; Damiana; Hops; Water Plantain | Same as above |
| PROSTATE PROBLEMS | See Healthline | Alfalfa; Aspen, Quaking; Bearberry; Buchu; Cleavers; Couchgrass; Damiana; Echinacea; Nettle, Stinging; Saw Palmetto ♠ = Stargrass |
See Male Miseries |
| PROSTATE: ENLARGED | Requires professional medical attention See Healthline |
Bearberry; Bee Pollen; Couchgrass; Dandelion; Saw Palmetto | Same as above |
| PROSTATE: INFECTION | Requires professional medical attention See Healthline |
Comfrey; Saw Palmetto | Same as above plus Infection |
| TESTICLES/TESTES | See Healthline | Bay; Chickweed (swollen) | See Male Miseries |
| TESTOSTERONE | See Healthline | Sarsaparilla | Same as above |
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| RESPIRATORY SYSTEM | |||
| Consists of the lungs and all airway passages leading to them. Also see specific related topics (lungs, chest, nose, congestion, colds/flu, etc). | |||
| TYPE | DO FIRST | NATURAL AGENTS | HOW TO USE/MORE INFO |
| GENERAL PROBLEMS | See Healthline | Adenophora; Angelica Tree; Anise; Anise Hyssop; Aspen, Quaking; Atractylodes macrocephela; Barley; Bay; Bethroot; Boneset (allergies); Butcher's Broom; Catnip; Cayenne; Cedar, White; Cereus, Night-blooming (painful problems); Chervil; Cinnamon; Coltsfoot; Comfrey; Elderberry; Ephedra, American; Eucalyptus; Horseradish; Licorice; Mallow, Purple-Rose; Pine; Plantain; Poplar, Balsam; Shatavari (see Asparagus); Speedwell
♠ = Broom, Scotch (depresses respiration); Bryony; Camphor |
See Respiratory System |
| INFECTIONS | See Healthline | Ammoniac Gum; Amur Cork Tree; Astragalus; Avens; Balm, Lemon; Barberry, Common; Basil, Holy; Beech; Cinnamon; Cleavers; Couchgrass; Fenugreek; Horseradish; Linden; Mullein; Poplar, Ontario; Thistle, Blessed ♠ = Bloodroot |
See Colds/Flu, Congestion and related topics |
| INFLAMMATION/IRRITATION | See Healthline | Mallow, Purple-Rose; Mullein | Same as above |
| WHEEZING | See Healthline | Cinnamon | See individual herb pages |
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| RHEUMATISM | |||
| A term used to describe diseases of the muscles, joints, tendons, and bones. | |||
| TYPE | DO FIRST | NATURAL AGENTS | HOW TO USE/MORE INFO |
| GENERAL | See Healthline | Agave; Akebia; Alfalfa; Alfilaria; Alliaria; Allspice; Alstonia; American Ivy; Anaphalis; Angelica; Angelica pubescens; Angelica Tree; Anise; Anise, Star; Apple; Apricot; Aquilaria; Arrowhead; Asafetida; Ash; Ash, Prickly; Ash, Prickly Southern; Ash, White; Ash, Winged Prickly; Ashwaganda; Asparagus; Aspen, Quaking; Atractylodes macrocephela; Avocado; Baeckea; Bala; Balloon Vine; Balsam; Balsam of Peru; Bamboo Palm; Barberry, Amur; Barberry, Common; Barley; Barrenwort; Basil; Basil, East Indian; Bay; Bayberry; Bead Tree; Bean; Bearsfoot, American; Beggartick; Beggartick, Hairy; Betel; Betony; Bindweed; Birch, Common; Birch, Silver; Birch, Sweet; Bishopweed; Blackberry Lily; Black Currant; Bogbean; Boneset; Borage; Bottle Gourd; Bowman's Root; Brunfelsia; Buchu; Burdock; Burnet, Salad; Burrweed; Butternut; Cabbage; Cajuput; Candytuft; Canella; Cannabis; Capers; Cayenne; Cedar, White; Celandine; Centaury, American; Centaury, European; Cereus, Night-blooming; Chervil; Chicory; Chickweed; Cinnamon; Clove; Cohosh, Blue; Comfrey; Coriander; Couchgrass; Crampbark; Dandelion; Elder; Feverfew; Fo-ti; Ginger; Ginger, Wild; Gotu Kola; Ground Pine; Hyssop; Juniper; Nettle, Stinging; Parsley; Poplar, Balsam; Poplar, Black; Poplar, Ontario; Poplar, White; Ragwort; Sarsaparilla; Sassafras; Stoneroot; Valerian; Walnut, English; Wintergreen; Shiny Bramble (see Ash, Prickly); Szechuan Pepper-2 (see Ash, Prickly) ♠ = Aconite, Carmichael's; Alder Buckthorn; Arnica; Arum; Bittersweet, American; Black Cohosh; Bloodroot; Bonduc Nut; Boxwood; Broom, Scotch; Bryony; Bryony, White; Buttercup (joints/hip); Butterfly Weed; Calabar Bean; Camphor; Camphor, Borneo; Castor Bean; Columbine; Jack-in-the-Pulpit; Stargrass |
See Arthritis, Aches & Pains, Ointments and Muscles |
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| ROSEOLA | |||
| A contagious disease of infants and children which is marked by a fever for several days, followed by a light rose-colored rash and a drop in fever. | |||
| TYPE | DO FIRST | NATURAL AGENTS | HOW TO USE/MORE INFO |
| GENERAL | See Healthline | Catnip | See individual herb pages |
