Herbs can do many amazing healing functions in the body; and, are less likely to cause the side effects seen in prescription or over-the-counter drugs. Caution, however, must be used when using herbs to help with various ailments as many herbs are quite potent. Some herbs can be deadly if used for prolonged periods of time. The active ingredients in some herbs may interact negatively with some prescription medications. So, if you're being treated by a doctor for any reason, let the doctor know what herbs you are taking or plan to take.
Before you consider using herbs, be sure to look up their full list of benefits, side effects, drug interactions, toxicities, and dosages on places like WebMD. A good google search will also help. There are many ways herbs can be used: compresses, teas, essential oils, extracts, ointments or salves, poultices, and powders.
All herbs/seasonings have health benefits. Below is a list of SOME herbs with their healing properties, ailments, and human systems with which they can help:
❧Alfalfa
Detoxifies the body, diuretic, inflammation, lowers cholesterol, balances hormones, antifungal, bleeding disorders, bone and joint disorders, digestive disorders, skin disorders, and ulcers.
❧Aloe Vera
Heals burns and wounds (externally), cell regeneration, astringent, emollient, antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, (internally) soothes stomach, aids healing, laxative.
❧Anise
Digestion, clears mucus from air passages, infections, promotes milk production in nursing mothers, sinusitis, menopause.
❧Astragalus
Protects immune system, adrenal gland function, digestion, increases metabolism, produces sweat, promotes healing, combats fatigue, increases stamina, colds, flu, cancer, chronic lung problems.
❧Barberry
Decreases heart rate, slows breathing, reduces bronchial constriction, antibacterial on skin, stimulates intestinal movement.
❧Bayberry
Congestion, aids circulation, fever, astringent, helpful to stop bleeding, circulation, fever, hypothyroidism, ulcers, eyes, immune system.
❧Bilberry
Insulin levels, strengthen connective tissue, diuretic, hypoglycemia, inflammation, stress, anxiety, night blindness, cataracts, may halt or prevent macular degeneration.
❧Birch
Diuretic, inflammation, pain, joint pain, urinary tract infections, (externally) boils and sores.
❧Black Cohosh
Hypertension, cholesterol, reduces mucus production, cardiovascular and circulatory disorders, induces labor, hot flashes, menstrual cramps with back pain, morning sickness, pain, arthritis.
❧Black Walnut
Digestion, promotes healing of mouth or throat sores, parasites, bruising, antifungal, herpes, poison ivy, warts.
❧Blessed Thistle
Increases appetite and stomach secretions, liver, inflammation, circulation, purifies the blood, strengthens the heart, brain food, female disorders, milk flow in nursing mothers.
❧Blue Cohosh
Muscle spasms, stimulates uterine contractions in childbirth, memory problems, menstrual disorders, nervous disorders.
❧Boneset
Congestion, loosens phlegm, fever, increases perspiration, calms the body, laxative, inflammation, bronchitis, aches and pains.
❧Borage
Adrenal tonic, gland balancer, cardiovascular function, healthy skin and nails.
❧Buchu
Inflammation of the colon, gums, mucous membranes, prostate, sinuses, and vagina. Bladder and kidney problems, diabetes, digestion, fluid retention, prostate disorders, bladder infections.
❧Burdock
Purifies blood, restores liver and gallbladder function, immune system, skin disorders such as boils and carbuncles, relieves gout symptoms.
❧Butcher's Broom
Inflammation, carpal tunnel, circulation, edema, meniere's disease, obesity, raynaud's phenomenon, thrombophlebitis, varicose veins, vertigo, bladder, and kidneys.
❧Calendula
Inflammation, skin soother, regulates the menstrual cycles, fever, skin disorders like rashes and sunburn, neuritis, toothache, diaper rash, skin problems in small children.
❧Cascara Sagrada
Colon cleanser, laxative, constipation, parasites.
❧Catnip
Fever, digestion, sleep, stress, stimulates appetite, anxiety, colds and flu, inflammation, pain.
❧Cat's Claw
Cleanses intestinal tract, enhances actions of white blood cells, antioxidant, inflammation, viral infections, arthritis, cancer, ulcers.
❧Cayenne
Digestion, circulation, stops bleeding from ulcers, catalyst for other herbs, heart, kidneys, lungs, pancreas, spleen, arthritis, rheumatism, colds, sinus infections, sore throats, pain (externally), with lobelia (another herb) used for nerves.
❧Cedar
Antiviral, antifungal, immune system, increases venous blood flow, expectorant, lymphatic cleanser, urinary antiseptic, (externally) warts.
❧Celery
Hypertension, muscle spams, improves appetite, arthritis, kidney, antioxidant, sedative.
❧Chamomile
Inflammation, appetite stimulant, digestion, diuretic, nerve tonic, sleep, colitis, diverticulosis, fever, headaches, pain, stress, anxiety.
❧Chaparral
Free radical scavenger, protects from radiation and sun exposure, skin disorders, protects against the formation of tumors and cancer cells, pain.
❧Chickweed
Reduces mucus in lungs, lower blood lipids, bronchitis, circulation, colds, coughs, skin diseases, warts, good source of vitamin C.
❧Cinnamon
Diarrhea, nausea, congestion, peripheral circulation, warms the body, digestion, metabolism of fats, antifungal, diabetes, weight loss, yeast infections, uterine hemorrhaging.
❧Clove
Antiseptic, parasites, digestion, (externally) mouth pain.
❧Comfrey
Wound healing, various skin conditions, bleeding hemorrhoids, leg ulcers, nosebleeds.
❧Corn Silk
Bladder, kidneys, small intestine, diuretic, bed-wetting, carpal tunnel syndrome,edema, obesity, PMS, prostate, removes mucus from urine.
❧Cranberry
Prevents bacteria from adhering to the bladder, urinary tract infections, good source of vitamin C.
❧Damiana
Stimulates muscular contractions of the intestinal tract and brings oxygen to the genital area, energy tonic, aphrodisiac.
❧Dandelion
Cleanses blood and liver, increases production of bile, diuretic, reduces serum cholesterol and uric acid, kidneys, pancreas, spleen, stomach, abscesses, anemia, boils, breast tumors, cirrhosis of the liver, rheumatism.
❧Dong Quai
Ovarian and testicular hormones, female problems such as menopause and PMS, vaginal dryness.
❧Echinacea
Stimulates certain white blood cells, inflammation, antiviral, immune system, lymphatic system, colic, colds, flu, infectious illnesses.
❧Elder
Builds the blood, cleanses the system, constipation, immune system, inflammation, increases perspiration, fever, respiratory tract, circulation, antioxidant, skin irritations.
❧Ephedra
Congestion, diuretic, relieves bronchial spams, stimulates the central nervous system, decreases appetite, elevates mood, allergies, asthma, colds, general respiratory complaints, depression obesity.
❧Eucalyptus
Congestion, antiseptic, inflammation, relaxes tired and sore muscles, colds, coughs, other respiratory disorders.
❧Eyebright
Eye wash, eyestrain or minor irritation of eyes, allergies, itchy and/or watery eyes, runny nose, hay fever.
❧False Unicorn Root
Balances sex hormones, infertility, menstrual irregularities and pain, PMS, prostate, may help prevent miscarriage.
❧Fennel
Appetite suppressant, eyewash, kidneys, liver, spleen, clears lungs, abdominal pain, colon disorders, gas, GI spasms.
❧Fenugreek
Laxative, lubricates intestines, fever, eyes, asthma, sinuses (reduces mucus), inflammation, lung disorders.
❧Feverfew
Increases fluidity of lung and bronchial tube mucus, promotes menses, stimulates appetite, stimulates uterine contractions, arthritis, colitis, fever, headaches, menstrual problems, muscle tension, pain.
❧Flax
Bones, nails, teeth, skin, colon, female disorders, inflammation.
❧Garlic
Detoxifies body, enhances immune function, hypertension, circulation, lowers blood lipid levels, arteriosclerosis, arthritis, asthma, cancer, cold and flu, digestion, heart, insomnia, liver, sinuses, ulcers, yeast infections.
❧Gentian
Digestion, circulation, kills plasmodia (causes malaria) and worms, stimulates appetite, pancreatitis, parasites.
❧Ginger
Cleanses colon, reduces spasms and cramps, circulation, antioxidant, antimicrobial for sores and wounds, fever, hot flashes, morning sickness, motion sickness, nausea, vomiting.
❧Ginkgo
Brain function, circulation, oxygenation, depression, headaches, memory, tinnitis, leg cramps, asthma, eczema, heart, kidneys.
❧Ginseng
Adrenal and reproductive glands, immune system, lung function, stimulates appetite, bronchitis, circulation, diabetes, infertility, lack of energy, stress, cocaine withdrawal, protects against radiation exposure, body strengthening.
❧Goldenseal
Antibiotic, cleanses the body, inflammation, insulin resistance, immune system,colon, liver, pancreas, spleen, lymphatic system, respiratory system, cleanses mucous membranes, digestion, regulates menses, decreases uterine bleeding, hypertension, stimulates the central nervous system, ulcers, bladder, prostate, vagina, can stop a cold or flu from developing.
❧Gotu Kola
Diuretic, fatigue, depression, libido, shrinks tissues, stimulates the central nervous system, fever, heart, liver, circulation, connective tissue disorders, kidneys stones, poor appetite, sleep.
❧Gravel Root
Diuretic, urinary tract tonic, prostate.
❧Green Tea
Fatigue, may lower the risk of esophageal, stomach, colon, and skin cancer, delays arteriosclerosis.
❧Hawthorn
Dilates coronary blood vessels, lowers cholesterol, restores heart muscle, anemia, circulation, immune system.
❧Hops
Anxiety, heart, hyperactivity, insomnia, nervousness, pain, restlessness, STD's, shock, stress, toothaches, ulcers.
❧Horehound
Respiratory disorders, fever, sinusitis, immune system.
❧Horsetail
Calcium absorption, skin, bone, hair, nails, teeth, healing of broken bones and connective tissues, heart, lungs, diuretic, arthritis, bone diseases, bronchitis, edema, gallbladder, inflammation, muscle cramps, prostate, (poultice) depresses bleeding and accelerates healing of burns and wounds.
❧Hydrangea
Diuretic, kidneys, bladder infections, obesity, prostate, kidney stones (when combined with gravel root).
❧Hyssop
Congestion, blood pressure, gas, (externally) wound healing, circulation, epilepsy, fever, gout, weight problems, (poultice) heal cuts.
❧Irish Moss
Aids in the formation of stools, intestinal disorders, used in skin lotions.
❧Juniper
Diuretic, blood sugar, inflammation, congestion, asthma, bladder infections, gout, kidneys, obesity, prostate.
❧Kava Kava
Relaxation, diuretic, genitourinary antiseptic, anxiety, depression, insomnia, stress.
❧Lavender
Stress, depression, skin, burns, headaches, psoriasis.
❧Lemon Grass
Astringent and tonic properties, skin and nails.
❧Licorice
Cleanses colon, muscular spasms, respiratory disorders, adrenal glands, has female-like effects, stimulates interferon, allergies, asthma, chronic fatigue, depression, fever, herpes, hypoglycemia, inflammatory bowel disorders, ulcers, GI disorders. Use with caution.
❧Lobelia
Cough, hormone production, colds, fever, respiratory disorders, flu, heart disease, epilepsy, pain, viruses.
❧Marshmallow
Skin, mucous membranes, diuretic, expectorant, bladder infections, digestion, headaches, kidneys, sinusitis, sore throat.
❧Milk Thistle
Contains the most potent liver-protecting substances known, antioxidant, prevents formation of damaging leukotrienes, kidneys, adrenal disorders, inflammatory bowel disorders, immune system, psoriasis.
❧Mullein
Laxative, pain, sleep, warts, respiratory disorders, earache, hay fever, swollen glands, kidneys, inflammation.
❧Mustard
Digestion, aids in metabolism of fat. (Externally) chest congestion, inflammation, injuries, joint pain.
❧Myrrh
Antiseptic, disinfectant, deodorizer, bacteria in the mouth, bad breath, periodontal disease, skin, ulcers.
❧Nettle
Diuretic, expectorant, pain, anemia, arthritis, hay fever, allergies, kidneys, malabsorption syndrome, goiter, inflammation, respiratory problems.
❧Oat Straw
Depression, restorative nerve tonic, promotes sweating, bed-wetting, skin, insomnia.
❧Oregon Grape
Purifies blood, cleanses liver, skin-including acne and psoriasis.
❧Papaya
Stimulates appetite, digestion, heartburn, inflammatory bowel disorders.
❧Parsley
Prevents multiplication of tumor cells, expels worms, gas, digestion, freshens breath, bladder, kidney, liver, lung, thyroid, bed-wetting, diuretic, hypertension, obesity, prostate.
❧Passion Flower
Sedative, anxiety, hyperactivity, insomnia, neuritis, stress.
❧Pau D'arco
Antibacterial, cleanses blood, healing effects, candidiasis, smoker's cough, warts, infections, AIDS, allergies, cancer, heart problems, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatism, ulcers.
❧Peppermint
Digestion, chills, colic, diarrhea, headache, heart trouble, nausea, poor appetite, rheumatism, spasms.
❧Plantain
Respiratory problems, urinary tract, (topically) antibiotic effect for sores and wounds, bed-wetting, (poultice) bee stings and any kind of bite.
❧ Primrose
Weight loss, hypertension, alcoholism, arthritis, hot flashes, menstrual problems, multiple sclerosis, skin.
❧Pumpkin
Prostate
❧Red Clover
Antibiotic, appetite suppressant, blood purifier, relaxant, infections, AIDS, inflamed lungs, inflammatory bowel disorders, kidney, liver, skin, immune system.
❧Red Raspberry
Decreases menstrual bleeding, relaxes uterine and intestinal spasms, strengthens uterine walls, nails, bones, teeth, skin, diarrhea, female disorders, canker sores, morning sickness when combined with peppermint.
❧Rhubarb
Eliminates worms, gallbladder, antibiotic properties, colon, spleen, liver, ulcers, constipation, malabsorption.
❧Rose
All infections and bladder problems, good source of vitamin C, rose hip tea is good for diarrhea.
❧Rosemary
Antibacterial, relaxes stomach, circulation, digestion, acts as astringent and decongestant, brain, liver, anticancer properties, headaches, blood pressure, menstrual cramps.
❧Sage
Stimulates the central nervous system, digestion, estrogenic effects on the body, reduces sweating and salivation, menopause, disorders of mouth and throat, dries up milk when women stop nursing.
❧St. Johnswort
Antiviral, HIV, herpes, depression, nerve pain.
❧Sarsaparilla
Increases energy, protects against radiation exposure, regulates hormones, diuretic, hives, impotence, infertility, nervous system disorders, PMS, blood impurities.
❧Saw Palmetto
Diuretic, urinary antiseptic, stimulates appetite, enlarged prostate.
❧Skullcap
Sleep, circulation, heart, anxiety, fatigue, headache, hyperactivity, nervous disorders, rheumatism, muscle cramps, pain, spasms, stress, barbiturate withdrawal.
❧Slippery Elm
Inflammation, digestion, urinary tract, diarrhea, ulcers, colds, flu, sore throat.
❧Squawvine
Pelvic congestion, soothes nervous system, menstrual cramps, childbirth.
❧Suma
Anemia, fatigue, stress, immune system, cancer, AIDS, liver, hypertension.
❧Tea Tree
Disinfecting wounds and healing all skin conditions, acne, athletes's foot, cuts, scrapes, antifungal, herpes, insect bites, scabies, vaginitis, warts, (gargle with water) colds and sore throats, (douche) yeast infections.
❧Thyme
Gas, fever, headaches, reduces mucus, antiseptic, lowers cholesterol, respiratory problems, liver, scalp itching caused by candidiasis.
❧Turmeric
Liver, inhibits platelet aggregation, lowers cholesterol, antibiotic, anticancer, inflammation, antioxidant.
❧Uva Ursi
Diuretic, strengthens heart muscle, spleen, liver, pancreas, small intestine, bladder and kidney infections, diabetes, prostate.
❧Valerian
Circulation, sedative, reduces mucus from colds, anxiety, fatigue, hypertension, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome, menstrual cramps, muscle cramps, nervousness, pain, spasms, stress, ulcers.
❧White Oak
Antiseptic, skin wounds, bee stings, burns, diarrhea, nosebleed, poison ivy, varicose veins, teeth.
❧Wild Yam
Muscle spams, inflammation, promotes perspiration, has progesterone-like effects, gallbladder, hypoglycemia, kidney stones, female disorders such as PMS and menopause.
❧Willow
Pain, headaches, backaches, nerve pain, toothache, injuries.
❧Wintergreen
Pain, inflammation, arthritis, headache, toothache, muscle pain, rheumatic complaints.
❧Witch Hazel
(Topically)-astringent and healing properties, itching, hemorrhoids, phlebitis, skin.
❧Wood Betony
Stimulates the heart, relaxes muscles, hyperactivity, neuritis.
❧Wormwood
Sedative, expels worms, digestion, fever, vascular disorders, migraine.
❧Yarrow
Heals mucous membranes, inflammation, improves blood clotting, increases perspiration, diuretic, fever, colitis, viral infections.
❧Yellow Dock
Blood purifier and cleanser, colon, liver, anemia, skin disorders-eczema, hives, psoriasis, rashes.
❧Yerba Mate
Cleanses blood, controls appetite, fights aging, stimulates the minds, stimulates cortisone, nervous system, enhances other herbs, allergies, constipation, inflammatory bowel disorders.
❧Yohimbe
Hormone stimulant, libido, erectile dysfunction, increases testosterone levels. Use with caution.
❧Yucca
Blood purifier, arthritis, osteoporosis, inflammation.
As you can see, many herbs are considered every day spices and seasonings. If you don't have a spice or seasoning for one of your recipes, please consider these substitutions.
Need help to understand cooking measurements and terms?
Need more recipe ideas and substitutions?
If you like this recipe/blogpost, please feel free to use the social media buttons below to share it.
