Plant Structure, Function, and UsePlant Uses |
What is herbal medicine? |
Herbal medicine treats disease and promotes health using plant materials. For centuries, herbal medicine was the primary method of administering medically active compounds. The following lists some herbs used for medicinal purposes:
Herb |
Botanical Name |
Common Use |
Aloe |
Aloe vera |
Skin, gastritis |
Black cohosh |
Cimicifuga racemosa |
Menstrual problems, menopause |
Dong quai |
Angelica sinensis |
Menstrual problems, menopause |
Echinacea |
Echinacea angustifolia |
Colds, immune health |
Evening primrose oil |
Oenothera biennis |
Eczema, psoriasis, menopause |
Feverfew |
Tanacetum parthenium |
Migraine headaches |
Garlic |
Allium sativum |
Cholesterol, hypertension |
Ginkgo biloba |
Ginkgo biloba |
Cerebrovascular insufficiency, memory problems |
Ginseng |
Panax ginseng, Panax quinquifolius, Panax pseudoginseng, Eleutherococcus senticosus |
Energy, immunity, libido |
Goldenseal |
Hydrastis candensis |
Immune health, colds |
Hawthorne |
Crateaegus laeviagata |
Cardiac function |
Kava kava |
Piper methysticum |
Anxiety |
Milk thistle |
Silybum marianum |
Liver disease |
Peppermint |
Mentha piperita |
Dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome |
Saw palmetto |
Serona repens |
Prostate problems |
St. John’s Wort |
Hypericum perforatum |
Depression, anxiety, insomnia |
Tea tree oil |
Malaleuca alternifolia |
Skin infections |
Valerian |
Valeriana officinalis |
Anxiety, insomnia |