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Top herbs in medical practice by Paul Bergner Medical Herbalism 04-30-94 6(1): 8-9 The following list of herbs was compiled from a year-long survey of readers of Medical Herbalism, lasting from Spring of 1993 to Spring of 1994. Respondents were asked to rank the ten most important herbs in their practice. There were eighty-nine respondents. The numbers for “rank” on the list indicate the number of times the herb appeared on anyone’s top ten list. Latin names may not be precise because most were indicated by common name, and many of those have several species. The most common use of the herb is listed, although some herbs have additional properties that are not as well known in popular practice. Rank Latin Name (Common Name ) Action 74 Echinacea spp (Echinacea) Immune stimulant/tonic 34 Hydrastis canadensis (Goldenseal) Antibiotic, astringent 33 Taraxacum off (Dandelion) Alterative 26 Urtica dioica (Nettles) Alterative, astringent 23 Ginseng (unspecified) Energy tonic 21 Crataegus oxycantha (Hawthorn) Cardiac tonic 20 Allium sativa (Garlic) Cardiovascular tonic, antibiotic 19 Valeriana off (Valerian) Sedative, analgesic 18 Silybum marianum (Milk thistle) Liver tonic 18 Glycyrrhiza spp. (Licorice) Energy tonic, respiratory, digestive, hepatic, female system 17 Capsicum annum (Cayenne) Circulatory stimulant, heating synergist 17 Arctium lappa (Burdock) Alterative 17 Mentha piperita (Peppermint) Digestive 16
Astragalus
membranaceus (Astragalus)
Immune tonic 16 Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgo leaf) Cardiovascular tonic 16 Zingiber off (Ginger) Digestive, anti nauseant, heating synergist 15 Vitex agnus-castus (Chaste berry) Female system 14 Chamomilla recutita (Chamomile) Sedative, digestive 14 Dioscorea villosa (Wild Yam) Antispasmodic; female system 13 Scutellaria lateriflora (Scullcap) Sedative 13 Hypericum perforatum (St John’s Wort) Nervine, topical 11 Centella asiatica (Gotu Kola) Cerebral stimulant, wound healing 10 Avena sativa (Oat) Nervine, tonic 8 Achillea millefolium (Yarrow) Diaphoretic 8 Angelica sinensis (Dong quai) Female system 8 Verbascum thapsus (Mullein) Respiratory 7 Berberis aquifolium (Oregon grape) Alterative 7 Chrysanthemum parthenium (Feverfew) Headache 7 Rubus ideaus (Raspberry) Female tonic 7 Symphytum off (Comfrey) Demulcent 7 Trifolium pratense (Red clover) Alterative, expectorant 7 Ulmus fulva (Slippery elm) Demulcent 6 Cimicifuga racemosa (Black cohosh) Female system, antispasmodic 6 Ligusticum porteri (Osha root) Respiratory, antiviral 6 Lobelia inflata (Lobelia) Respiratory 6 Serenoa repens (Saw palmetto) Male urogenital 5
Leonurus
cardiaca
(Motherwort)
Female system, sedative 5 Passiflora incarnata (Passion flower) Sedative 4 Calendula off (Calendula) Antibiotic, wound healing 4 Ephedra sinensis (Ma huang) Anti-allergy, stimulant 4 Lomatium dissectum (Lomatium) Antiviral 4 Tabebuia impetiginosa (Pau D’Arco) Antifungal 4 Rosemarinus off (Rosemary) Nerve tonic, circulatory stimulant, digestive stimulant 4 Stellaria media (Chickweed) Used in ointments, alterative 4 Usnea barbata (Usnea) Antibiotic 3 Oplopanax horridum (Devils Club) Hypoglycemic, alterative 3 Sambucus nigra (Elder flowers) Diaphoretic 3 Gallium aparine (Cleavers) Urinary tract 3 Melissa off (Lemon Balm) Sedative 3
Smilax off
(Sarsaparilla)
Alterative
Copyright 2001 Paul Bergner |
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