Black Walnut

Black Walnut is both an alterative and laxative, and its oil content stimulate the gallbladder and liver to lubricate the intestines to help ease constipation. It is known in Russia by the common name Greek nut (Jugulans regia) and it was prepared into a walnut jam in such a way that 90% of the vitamins were still intact. Since the 17th century, Russian military hospitals have used Black Walnut for cleaning and healing wounds and ulcers.

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Common Name: Black Walnut

Latin Binomial: Juglans nigra

Family: Juglandaceae

Part Used: Green hull

Qualities: Cold; pungent, bitter, astringent, aromatic (Woods)

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Constituents:

• Naphthoquinones (juglone, plumbagin)

Matthew Woods noted Black Walnut Hulls as being high in iodine and, thus, acts on the thyroid. He states that it is a traditional remedy in the South for goitre (no references found to tested amounts in the hulls – speculative).

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Actions:

• Anthelmintic
• Antimicrobial (antibacterial and antiparasitic)
• Antiseptic
• Antidysentric
• Alterative / Depurative
• Mild laxative

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Indications:

• Gastrointestinal infections
• Food poisoning
• Helminth (worm) infection
• Parasitic infection – e.g. round / tape worms / flukes
• Diarrhoea
• Tones the bowels (leaky gut / flood intolerances)
• Tones the arteries (atherosclerosis)
• Skin conditions (chronic) i.e. acne, eczema, ulcers, furunculosis, impetigo, herpes, shingles, cold sores, itchy skin eruptions, ringworm, lichen, rashes, and scaly skin disorders – cleanses the blood; a consideration for skin cases involving low metabolism and irritability/inflammation of the intestines, particularly cases involving infection with parasites/worms
• Topically – can be applied to boils and abcesses, mouth ulcers, impetigo and ringworm

Traditionally: Thought to be effective internally against round and tape worms as well as flukes. Extrenally, it was used for ringworm and impetigo.

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Contraindications:

Allergy to tree nuts

Interactions:

No known

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Dosage:

1:10 10ml-40ml per week 

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Combinations:

Combine with Golden Seal, Manuka, Burr Marigold or Coptis for ulcers, intestinal infections and bronchial infections.

Combine with Manuka and Red Root for a gargle to address a sore throat

Combine with Red Clover, Yellow Dock, Burdock, Prickly Ash for blood cleansing

Combine with Wormwood, Garlic and Cloves for parasites

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References:

Hutchens, A. R. A Handbook of Native American Herbs

Holy Basil

Holy Basil is known as ‘Queen of Herbs’ in India and has been used medicinally and grown there for over 3,000 years. Holy Basil is a powerful panacea and herbal medicine that is often employed to promote longevity due to its action on mood and to encourage energy and vitality. Ayurvedic medicine considers Holy Basil an ‘elixir of life’. It is a tonic for the body, mind and spirit.

Common Name: Holy Basil, Tulsi

Latin Binomial: Ocimum tenuiflorum

Part Used: Leaf

Qualities:

A herbal medicine for those who feel helpless and without hope, especially due to illness or chronic conditions.

Constituents:

• Ocimumoside A and B (antioxidant and adaptogenic activity plus central monoamine and HPA-axis modulation)
• Volitile oils
• Phenolics
• Flavonoids
• Neolignans
• Terpenoids
• Fatty acid derivatives

Seeds contain mucilage, pollysaccharides, and beta-sitosterol

Actions:

• Adaptogen
• Anxiolytic
• Antidepressant
• Antioxidant
• Anticancer
• Chemopreventative
• Antifungal
• Antidiabetic
• Antimicrobial
• Cardioprotective
• Hepatoprotective
• Hypolipidaemia
• Immunomodulator
• Neuroprotective

Indications:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Mood disorders
• Stress and fatigue
• Immune dysfunction associated with stress or chronic illness
• Sleep issues
• Poor memory and cognition
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Can increase mental clarity and improve cognitive function
• Convalescence
• Enhances mood and motivation – may help shift perspective towards wellness and restore hope during illness
• Metabolic conditions – e.g. diabetes, insulin resistance, diabetes
• Fungal infections
• Cancer prevention
• Cardiac disease
• Hepatic disease/steatosis
• Peptic Ulcers
• Cancer adjunct to radiotherapy

Traditionally: Used for many ailments (as a panacea) such as common colds, bronchitis, fever, headaches, fatigue, inflammation, skin conditions, heart disease, poisoning and malaria.

Contraindications:

Not recommended to use Holy Basil in either pregnancy or lactation due to a lack of evidence regarding its safety in these areas.

Holy Basil may act as a male contraceptive in large doses.

Interactions:

Caution with coprescription with other medications that are metabolised via cytochrome P450 enzymes as Holy Basil has been shown (in vitro) to modulate these enzymes (theoretical).

Dosage:

1:2 LE 20 – 50ml weekly

TREATMENT TIME FRAMES: It may take two months to see full effect when using as adaptogen for stress, anxiety or depression

Combinations:

Combine with Horopito for fungal infections

References & Articles:

tulsi-a-herb-for-all-reasonsDownload

2018-a-review-on-phytochemical-and-pharmacological-properties-of-holy-basilDownload

Fumitory

Primarily used for colic of the upper digestive tract and gallbladder.  Traditionally used as a ‘purifying’ herb.  Of Fumitory’s cleansing properties, Culpeper noted that it “clarifies the blood from saltish, choleric and other humours which cause leprosy, scabs, letters and itches and other outbreaks of the skin”.  Culpeper listed Fumitory as a tonic, diuretic and aperient, stating that it was best indicated in eczematous skin conditions, stomach upsets, and liver derangements.   Was a remedy used in Ayurvedic, Unani and Bulgarian folk medicine.

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Common Name: Fumitory

Botanical Name: Fumaria officinalis

Dose: 15 – 40 mL 1:2 weekly

Part Used: Aerial parts

Constituents:

• Isoquinoline alkaloids (bitter) – includes bulbocapnine, canadine, coptisine, corydaline, dicentrine, cryptopine, fumaricine, fumariline, fumaritine, N-methylhydrastine, protopine (fumarine), sanguinarine, sinactine; Note: Protopine is the main alkaloid (spasmolytic, antihistamine, antiasthmatic, antithrombitoc when isolated)
• Acid – fumaric acid, hysroxycinnamic acid derivatives
• Flavonoids
• Mucilage
• Resin
• Potassium salts

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Actions:

• Alterative / depurative
• Cholagugue
• Amphicholeretic (it can increase or decrease bile flow activity; modulates)
• Bitter tonic
• Spasmolytic
• Potential antibacterial activity against Gram-positive organisms, Bacillus anthracis
  and Staphylococcus species

Secondary actions:

• Laxative
• Digestive tonic
• Purgative
• Sedative
• Mild diuretic

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Indications:

• Biliary:
  • Gallbladder / biliary colic – regulates gallbladder motility and improve gallbladder health
  • Dysregulation of the gallbladder; biliary dyskinesia, biliary colic, biliary dyspepsia, biliary migraine (Yarnell)
  • Prevention of gallstones
  • Infant colic (was dosed at 2.5ml TID for one week in newborns in a randomised cotrolled trialvia mother if breastfeeding)
• Upper GIT:
  • Dysregulation of smooth muscle sphincters
  • Reflux / gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD)
  • Indigestion (sensation of fullness, flatulence, sluggish digestion)
• Liver:
  • Liver insufficiency 
• Skin:
  • Eczema, psoriasis, and management of other chronic skin disorders / eruptions; the juice of the plant was used for these indications
  • Skin eruptions where liver and biliary detoxification may be inadequate
• Topical Use:
  • Has been used as a cream for topical application (lotion) in conjunctivitis according to the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia (BHP) and ocular redness; Culpeper warned that it can cause pain and tears in the process of healing the eyes
  • Cradle cap in infants (decoction topically)

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COMBINATIONS/DOSING:

Use as a simple for biliary colic – take as needed in drop dose, or:

• Combine with other cholagogues/choleretics – such as Turmeric, Barberry, Oregon Grape, Dandelion Root, St. Mary’s Thistle and Blue Flag
• Combine with Burdock and Clivers for treatment of skin conditions and eruptions

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Good safety profile and can be used long term when prescribed at therapeutic doses.

Safety in pregnancy and lactation is not established.

Potential herb/drug interactions with antiarrhythmic, beta-blocker and cardiac glycoside drugs.

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REFERENCES:

Wood, M. The book of herbal wisdom.

Babaeimarzangou, S.S., Aghajanshakeri, S., Anousheh, D. & Mikaili, P.

(2015). Ethno-botanical, Bioactivities and Medicinal Mysteries of Fumaria officinalis (Common Fumitory). J Pharm Biomed Sci |Vol.05 No.11 | 857–862

Bradley PR editor. British Herbal Compendium. Fumitory – Fumariae

herba. Bournemouth: British Herbal Medicine Association; 1992.

pp. 102–4

Bitter Melon

Common Name: Bitter Melon

Botanical Name: Momordica charatia

Family: Cucurbitaceae

Part Used: Fruit

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Key Actions:

• Antidiabetic
• Antiobesity
• Hypocholesterolaemia
• Antibacterial
• Anticancer
• Antiinflammatory
• Antioxidant
• Antiparasitic
• Antiulcer
• Antiviral
• Emmenagogue
• Immunomodulator
• Pancreatic trophorestorative
• Vulnerary

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Indications:

• Diabetes
• Metabolic syndrome
• Atherosclerosis prevention
• Diabetic complications
• Dyslipidaemia
• Obesity

Preserves and protects pancreatic beta-cells and can prevent against many diabetic complications.

Secondary Indications:

• Bacterial infections
  • Gram-positive bacteria and Gram-negative bacteria
• Cancer Tx adjunct
• Fungal infectons – particularly Candida species
• Gastric ulcer prevention
• Hepatic steatosis
• Parasitic infections
• Psoriasis
• Viral infections
• Worms (traditional use)
• Wound healing (topically)

EXTREMELY BITTER TASTING LIQUID – Combine with Cinnamon liquid extract and Nigella.

REFERENCES:

Information obtained from Optimal Rx Herbal Dispensary Update webinar and Tech Sheet

Blessed Thistle

Traditionally used as a bitter tonic to stimulate digestion and enhance appetite, Blessed Thistle herb is included in Essiac tea.

Historically, this herb has been used as a ‘cure’ for the plague and malaria – a ‘cure-all’ tonic herb. It is local to Mediterranean areas in Southern Europe. 

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Botanical Name: Cnicus benedictus

Common Name: Blessed Thistle, bitter thistle, holy thistle, St. Benedict thistle

Family: Compositae; Asteraceae

Part Used: Aerial Parts (leafs, flowers and seeds)

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Constituents: 

• Sesquiterpenen lactone glycosides
  • cnicin (bitter)
  • salonitenolide
  • absinthin
• Triterpenoids
  • a-amyrenone
  • a-amyrin acetate
  • a-amyrine
  • multiflorenol acetate
• Lignans
  • trachelogenin, artigenin
  • nortacheloside
• Flavonoids and polyenes
  • Tannins
• Essential & volatile oils
  • p-cymene
  • fenchon
  • citral 
  • cinnamaldehyde

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Actions:

• Mild diuretic
• Appetite stimulant
• Digestive tonic
• Gastric Stimulant
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antibacterial
• Antiviral – Blessed thistle exhibited no antiviral activity against herpes, influenza or polio viruses in vitro; lignans found in blessed thistle are under investigation as anti-HIV agents
• Antipyretic
• Diaphoretic
• Emmenagogue (traditional)
• Galactagogue
• Antitumor – Cnicin and arctigenin exhibited cytotoxic activity against some tumor cell lines including leukemia (HL-60), hepatomas and sarcomas. Arctigenin also induced differentiation in mouse myeloid leukemia cell lines.

Cnicin and the essential oil of blessed thistle were mildly antibacterial in vitro against Bacillus subtilis, Brucella species, Escherichia coli, Proteus species, Psedomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus faecalis; other studies demonstrated no activity against Klebsiella, Pseudemonas, S. aureus, S.tyhpi, or yeast

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Indications:

• Dysmennorhoea (traditional)
• Dyspepsia
• Reduced appetite
• Flatulence
• Bloating
• Indigestion

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Safety – Cautions & Contraindications:

Avoid in pregnancy due to traditional use as an emmenagogue; used as a galactagogue in lactation

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Dose:

30 drops t.d.s. (before meals as gastric stimulant)

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References:

Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinkmann J, editors. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Boston (MA): Integrative Medicine Communications; 2000.

Kemper, K.J. (1999)/ Blessed Thistle Monograph. Centre for Holistic Paediatric Education & Research

Origano

“Oregano”

Botanical Name: Origanum vulgare

Common Names: Oregano

Family: Lamiaceae

Parts Used: Leaves

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Constituents:

• Carvacrol (phenol)
• Thymol
• Rosmarinic acid

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Actions:

• Anti-microbial
• Anti-inflammatory
• Anti-oxidant
• Nervous system tonic
• Vagotonic
• Digestive
• Anti-spasmodic

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Dose: 

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Petasites

Found in wet, damp, marshy ground, near water.  Used throughout history to treat fevers, the plague and skin wounds. It is found in Europe and in some parts of Asia and North America.

The name Butterbur apparently comes from the fact that its large leaves were used to wrap fresh butter in the cellars of American pioneer farms.

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Botanial Name: Petasites hybridus 

Common Names: Butterbur, Blatterdock, Bog Rhubarb, Butter-dock, Sweet Coltsfoot

Family: Asteraceae (Senecioneae)

Part Used: Rhizomes, roots and leaves can be used; roots have stronger antispasmodic effects. In Japan it is used as a vegetable, with the young shoots being used for this purpose.  Leaves are collected during time of growth.

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Qualities:

The large leaves of Petasites love moisture

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Emotional/Energetics: 

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Constituents:

• Petasin
  • reduce spasms in smooth muscle and vascular walls
  • Inhibit leukotriene synthesis 
• Isopetasin 
  • Positive impact on prostaglandin synthesis 
• Volatile oil
• Flavonoids
• Tannins
• Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (highest in stalks and lowest in the leaves)

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Actions:

• Antispasmodic
• Anodyne
• Anti-inflammatory
• Neuroprotective
• Cardiotonic (traditional)
• Diaphoretic (Hoffman)
• Diuretic (Hoffman)

Additional observations:

• May improve lung ventilation
• Possible impact on normalising blood lipids
• Possible support of antioxidant pathways in liver – glutathione reductase, peroxidase and transferases 
• May reduce vasoconstriction via blocking calcium-gated channels in vasculature
• Noted to induce formation of peptidoleukotrienes released from macrophages
• May also reduce release of histamine and leukotrienes from mast cells

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Indications:

• Chronic asthma (antispasmodic)
• Chronic cough
• Chronic obstructive bronchitis
• Allergic airway disease
• Migraine prevention
• Prevention of gastric ulcers
• Irritable bladder
• Urinary tract spasm relief 
• Kidney stone disorders
• Obstruction of bile flow
• Intestinal colic
• Menstrual cramping / dysmennorhoea
• Allergic hyperactivity
• Specific: smooth muscle spasm and ‘difficult types of pain’ – e.g. terminal cancer / bone metastasis (Weiss); may reduce the need for other pharmaceutical sedatives / anodynes

COMMISSION E (leaves) – Nervous, cramp-like states, pain, colic, headaches and as an appetite stimulant; supportive therapy for spastic pain in the urinary tract.

Seems specific for pain of the vasculature – smooth muscle spasms in hollow organs – e.g. bronchi, uterus, bladder.

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Safety – Cautions & Contraindications:

In rats – reduction in testosterone production; unknown if this is relevant to humans 

Alkaloids may be toxic to liver and carcinogenic in animals, therefore adhere to low doses

Possible interaction with pharmaceutical anti-inflammatory agents.

CONTRAINDICATED IN PREGNANCY & LACTATION

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Dose:

Migraine prevention – daily dose 4 to 6 months, then see if dose frequency can be reduced.  If migraines return, step up dose slightly.

Infusion: 1 teaspoon or root in 1 cup water – bring to boil and simmer 10-15 minutes.  Drink 3 x day.

USE LEAVES EXTERNALLY AS A WOUND DRESSING

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Combinations:

MIGRAINES: Feverfew, Turmeric and St. John’s Wort

VASCULAR INFLAMMATION: Horsechestnut, Angelica and Dan Shen

ACUTE SPASTIC COUGH: Thyme, Fennel

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References:

Hoffman, D. (1990). Holistic Herbal.

Oliff, H. (2002). Butterbur Monograph. HerbClip. American Botanical Council

Stansbury, J. (2012). Petasites for pain and inflammation. Naturopathic Doctor News and Review.

Pleurisy Root

Native Americans used this herb internally and applied externally for bronchial and pulmonary diseases, such as fever and pneumonia.

Part of the Milkweed family, the American Indians selected it as the most beneficial from this plant family and it was then adopted by English settlers as a herbal medicine.  This herb got its common name from its main use for the treatment of pleurisy.  It also known as Butterfly Weed.  It has bright orange flowers but does not have the milky sap as with other plants in this family.

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Latin Binomial: Asclepias tuberosa

Common Names: Pleurisy Root, Butterfly Weed

Family: Asclepiadaceae (Milkweed)

Plant Part Used: Root; better collected from places where it grows naturally, such as sandy soil, rather than in gardens

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Qualities: Cold, bitter, dry

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Energetics/Emotional: For people who are worse in cold and damp weather

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Actions:

• Diaphoretic (slow acting and prolonged)
• Expectorant (relaxing)
• Lung tonic (traditional)
• Antispasmodic
• Pulmonary lymphagogue

Pleurisy Root exerts three potent actions on the respiratory system, namely diaphoretic, expectorant, and spasmolytic.  It is able to remove both solid and liquid waste from the body, even if the patient has diminished “vital force” energy.  These actions allow Pleurisy Root to act as a lung tonic, to mitigate chest pain and relieve the difficulty of breathing.

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Indications: 

• Respiratory disorders / bronchial congestion
  • Catarrhal
  • Chronic
  • Inflammatory 
  • Spasmodic – relaxes bronchioles
  • With fever
  • e.g. those due to common cold, flu, pneumonia, pleurisy, bronchitis, whooping cough
• Fever with cough that is painful; releases heat of fever and promotes perspiration; may have a hot skin that is often flushed
• Cough with varying amounts of mucous, scratchy throat, loss of voice, and lack of perspiration; helps regulate lung clearing activity to aid removal of phlegm from lungs
• Cough that is dry, tight and constricted
• Chest pain / fullness; “an oppressed feeling in the chest” (often worse for motion/movement)
• Chronic inflammation of the bursa (bursitis); worse for cold / damp weather

Well suited to people who get a cold and it settles in the chest and becomes chronic. Skin is dry, heart and circulation oppressed, respiration constricted. Occasional sharp, stitching pains in the lower lungs.  Indicated when there is a full, rapid pulse.

May be a feeling of oppression and tightness in the chest that impacts the heart where they may feel like it is a problem with the heart.  Pleurisy Root initiates the free flow of fluids to the surface taking the burden off the heart and lungs, moistens the skin, removes effusion and adhesions and settles cough reflex

Pleurisy Root is suited to patients where the pleura has been damaged by inflammation which has led to adhesions and poor dissemination of fluids out of the pleural cavity.

Brings up phlegm in chronic lung cases.  Matthew Wood states that it is suited to acute conditions which have settled on the lungs and to chronic inflammation in other cavities, especially the bursa.

May be a useful remedy for inflammation in the bursa that is worse with cold, damp weather.

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Cautions/Contraindications:

Contraindicated in patients taking cardiac glycoside drugs

Caution when combined with diuretic drugs (potassium depleting diuretics)

Avoid in pregnancy – may have uterine stimulant activity

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Dose:

10 – 20 mL weekly 1:2 LE

Drop dose – 3 to 5 drops t.d.s.

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Combinations:

• Low vitality and cold conditions where heat is required – combine with warming herbs (e.g. Ginger)
• Asthma with wheeze – combine with Grindella, Euphorbia
• Viral repiratory infections with cough – Licorice,  Mullein, Thyme, Lomatium, Elecampane

Teasel

Pulls bacteria out of the tissues

TCM uses a plant similar to Teasel for the ability to maintain the meridian of the liver and essence of kidneys.

“It will restore what is broken”

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Latin Binomial: Dipsacus sylvestris

Common Names: Teasel

Part Used: Root. biennial.

Native to Europe – but introduced to the Americas. A similar species is used in TCM.

Emotional/Energetic – People who jump in without thinking – bull-headed – and suffer the consequences. IRIDOLOGY – Silk type/lymphatic. Dried out — lack of vitality due to injury. A loss of purpose & helplessness.

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Actions:

• Warms cells and muscles (Wood) – inviting bacteria into bloodstream so that it can then detox. 
• Tonic
• For joints that have been torn, stretched or wrenched (Wood)
• TCM – tonification of kidney essence and liver blood — responsible for strength of joints & tendons. Deficient kidney essence = lower back and knees compromised — weak, stiff, ache. Liver blood deficient = muscles & tendons are not nourished, tightening and become injured easy.
• Promotes circulation of the blood – removing pain & stiffness in areas that are bruised.

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Indications:

Detoxifying and strengthening to the immune system. 

• Lyme and stealth infections – chronic inflammation & destruction of muscles & joints
• Muscle pain and inflammation – chronic and limiting movement – torn, stiff & sore
• The ‘deterioration of structure’ (Wood)
• Sciatica 
• Take in conjunction with antibiotics

SPECIFIC – Large, bulky people who have thrown joints out – increased momentum. Chronic inflammation of muscles – limiting movement and increased pain.

“For people who had a use, but lost it. They stepped of the path”

– William LeSassier.

TCM – The root of Dipsacus japonica, i similar plant to Teasel, is considered a medicine for kidney jing (essence). “Restore what is broken”.

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Caution: Risk of herx when using this herb in Lyme/Chronic pathogenic stealth infections is very strong. Must go low and slow! Herx usually shows up around week 2 into treatment (Wood).

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DROP DOSE: Slowly increase.

Wood suggests to only use  one to three drops – 1 to 3 times a day.

He says that even this may be too much for chronic cases.

 

PPC HERB DOSE:

DAY ONE: Start with only one drop in the morning.  

DAY TWO: Start with one drop in the morning and add one drop in the afternoon.  

DAY THREE: Start with one drop in the morning, one drop in the afternoon and add one drop at night.  

DAY FOUR: Start with 2 drops in the morning, one drop in afternoon & one drop at night.

DAY FIVE: Start with 2 drops in morning, two drops in afternoon and one drop at night.

Continue this process until 9 drops are achieved.  

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Combinations:

Burdock, Boneset & Dandelion – Lyme

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References:

Wood, M. (1997). The Book of Herbal Wisdom.

Red Root

Common names for Red Root include Redshank, Mountain Lilac, Buckbrush, Snow Brush, and Desert Buckthorn.

Modern day use of this herb was influenced by American Indian use.  The Cherokee Indians used the root as a digestive tonic, and the Iroquois made a strong decoction from the astringent leaves to stop diarrhoea. They also used the root to improve blood flow and to treat colds.

Allopathic medicine discovered it in 1835 where they used it as a antihemorrhagic astringent to stop bleeding during operations.

During the Civil War, Red Root was used to treat ‘ague cake’; swollen spleen associated with malaria and intermittent fever.

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Botanical Name: Ceanothus americanus 

Botanical Family: Rhamnaceae 

Part Used: Root or inner bark of the root. Roots are covered in little nodules, representative of its use on the lymphatic nodes.

Qualities: Neutral, warming, sweet to taste.  Leaves taste similar to black tea (was used for this purpose during the Revolution)

Dosage: 15 – 40 mL/week 1:2 LE

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Emotional/Energetics: Symptoms worse in damp cold weather. Tongue is swollen; dirty white coating. Slow, frail pulse. Cold extremities. Excess damp (spleen). Stagnant.

‘For people who cannot think their way out of a problem’ – ‘When the spleen is strong… the imagination flourishes. Life is happy, well-adjusted, vibrant and meaningful’ Wood.

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Constituents: 

• Betulin, betulinic acid (triterpenes), bacteriohopanetrol 
• Ceanothic acid, ceanothenic acid, ceanothine (alkaloid), ceanothamine
• Americane 
• Integerressine, Integerreine, Integerrine
• Methyl salicylate
• Flavonoids, flavonoids glycosides, flavonoids, dihydroflavonols
• High amount of tannins
• Iron, protein, copper, zinc, magnesium, calcium
• Nitrogen

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Actions:

• Alterative
• Anti-bacterial
• Anti-fungal
• Anti-bacterial
• Anti-inflammatory
• Anti-oxidant
• Astringent
• Anti-spasmodic
• Blood coagulant
• Haemostatic
• Expectorant
• Lymphatic stimulant/tonic
• Spleen tonic
• Mucus membrane tonic
• Hepatic stimulant/tonic
• Mild hypotensive

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Indications:

• Mouth ulcers/tooth abscess
• Asthma, bronchitis, cough, pharyngitis, sinusitis, tonsilitis
• Blood – red blood cell clumping
• Menorrhagia
• Ovarian cysts
• Pelvic Congestion
• Diarrhoea
• Fibrocystic breasts
• Mastitis
• Headache – THICK FRONTAL (after fatty meals)
• Liver stagnation
• Lymphatic stagnation
• Splenitis/mild splenomegaly
• Lymphatic congestion – weakness and bogginess
• Swollen glands
• Swollen sore throat
• Swollen prostate
• Oedema
• Bacterial & viral infections
• EBV Glandular fever
• Loss of appetite

American eclectic medicine: Used by Native Americans as wash for injured legs/feet and used powdered bark for sores caused by venereal disease.  Infusions of the root were used for mouth issues, bowel and stomach issues and for flu type symptoms. 

Indicated for clanged spleen and enlarged liver. STAGNATION.

SPECIFIC – Swollen spleen accompanied with melancholia

Wood says that a swollen tongue covered with a dirty white coating is the best indication of Red Root as a remedy.

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SAFETY: Safe within dosage ranges – both short and long term.

CONTRAINDICATED IN PREGNANCY . Limited research for pregnancy and lactation, so not recommended.

DO NOT USE in people with coagulation disorders.

May also lower blood pressure – so caution for people with already lowered BP

AVOID USING WITH THESE PHARMACEUTICALS: coagulants or anti-coagulants.

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Dose:

1:2 LE  15 – 40 mL week

Wood suggests drop doses to be effective – even in lowest homeopathic potency.

3 drops 3 x day

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Combinations:

Lymph/Spleen – Calendula

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Wood, M. (1997). The book of herbal wisdom.