9 Uncommon Herbs That Are Used by Herbalists ...

Chelsie

9 Uncommon Herbs That Are Used by Herbalists ...
9 Uncommon Herbs That Are Used by Herbalists ...

Herbs like chamomile, parsley, and lavender are herbs that are used by herbalists that you may be familiar with, but there are many uncommon herbs that herbalists use to treat a variety of ailments. I am fascinated by all the different plants that can be employed for medicinal purposes. Often, these herbs are very safe and can be very effective when taken properly. In learning about herbalism, I have come across many uncommon herbs that have long standing uses in herbalism. I invite you to learn about these herbs, and maybe you will find one you might consider trying.

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1. Horsetail

Horsetail Horsetail is a weed that frequently grows in damp areas, and is one of the uncommon herbs that can be helpful for many problems. It has a variety of uses and is especially healing because of its high content of silica and zinc. Horsetail can be used to treat arthritis, as a diuretic, and to speed healing of wounds after surgery. Due to its mineral content, it is also great for strengthening hair and nails. For medicinal purposes, herbalists recommend drinking a strong decoction two times a day for one month. If you are pregnant, this is an herb you might want to pass on because in large doses it can stimulate contractions.

2. Codonopsis

Codonopsis A Chinese herb known as Dang Shen, codonopsis has yellow shaped flowers and is very helpful for chronic conditions. It is often used for chronic coughs, asthma, and shortness of breath, but its uses are not limited to respiratory problems. Codonopsis is also given to people who have weakness, exhaustion, and a lack of appetite. Usually codonopsis is sprinkled on soups or boiled in water to make a decoction. Having never used codonopsis, I can’t say that it would be a nice seasoning for your soup, but you never know.

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3. Meadowsweet

Meadowsweet Meadowsweet is an herb that is quite fragrant and has very pretty flowers. It is actually known as the “queen of the meadow” because of its beauty. Aside from being pretty to look at, meadowsweet is great for treating indigestion, heartburn, ulcers, and even arthritis. It is also supposed to be helpful for children who have an upset stomach accompanied with a fever. If you do want to try meadowsweet, don’t take too much at once because in large doses it can cause nausea.

4. Devil’s Claw

Devil’s Claw Despite its ominous name, devil’s claw is an herb you may want to keep in your medicine cabinet. This interesting looking plant comes from South Africa and contains a chemical compound called harpagoside that is known to decrease inflammation in joints. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, devil’s claw is great for arthritic conditions, gout, and sciatica. This is one herb I have actually tried, and I found it to be quite helpful for inflammation! Although it is a very beneficial herb, devil’s claw should be avoided during pregnancy and in people who have ulcers.

5. Yellow Dock Root

Yellow Dock Root Yellow dock root is an herb that is very beneficial for people with digestive complaints. It has been used for chronic constipation, malabsorption, stomach acid imbalances, and irritable bowel syndrome. This herb has laxative properties, and it stimulates the flow of bile from the liver and the gall balder, which helps break down food and results in more nutrients being absorbed. Due to its ability to enhance vitamin and mineral absorption, yellow dock root has also been used to treat problems such as anemia. If you suffer from digestive problems, and get tired of taking over the counter pills, yellow dock root may be an herbal treatment you want to consider.

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6. Motherwort

Motherwort As its name suggests, motherwort is commonly used for women. This wild European herb is used to promote uterine contractions during childbirth and to stimulate lactation in new mothers. It is also a treatment for menstrual cramps and irregular menstrual cycles. While it’s mainly used for females, motherwort does have other uses, specifically related to the heart. It has been shown to help hyperthyroid patients with tachycardia and is useful for heart palpitations caused by anxiety. It has even been shown to improve blood flow and reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes!

7. Mullein

Mullein If respiratory problems often plague you, mullein just might be your favorite herb. Mullein is a plant with yellow flowers and is also known as “bullock’s lung” because it has been used to successfully cure lung disease in cattle. Drinking tea made from mullein is beneficial for coughs, bronchitis, and asthma. Oil infused with mullein can be helpful if you suffer from itchy ears or a chronic ear ache. While I don’t currently suffer from any of these problems, as a child I had many upper respiratory and ear infections and probably would have benefited greatly from this herb; however, even though it wouldn’t be my first choice now, the bubble gum tasting amoxicillin did work.

8. Cramp Bark

Cramp Bark It is pretty obvious that cramp bark is very useful for pain associated with cramps and spasms. In fact, many people have remarked that using cramp bark results in dramatic improvement of back spasms! I have had my fair share of back spasms, and nothing has ever resulted in a dramatic improvement. So, I think it is very impressive that people have had such great outcomes using cramp bark. Should you decide to use it, don’t go overboard because large doses can decrease blood pressure and result in feeling faint.

9. Pau D’Arco

Pau D’Arco Pau d’arco hails from the South American rainforest. It is a very strong herb that is useful in several serious illnesses. Pau d’arco has traditionally been used to treat cancer, and new research suggests that it may indeed be a viable treatment for breast, liver, and prostate cancers! It has also been used for people who have HIV or AIDS because of its antibacterial and antifungal properties. Pau d’arco’s strong antimicrobial effects are even useful for oral thrush and candidiasis. This herb alone proves that plants have great healing properties.

Although some of the names of these uncommon herbs are strange and barely pronounceable, they can be a great alternative to medication. There are so many herbs and plants that herbalists use, and many of them are completely foreign to most people. That doesn’t mean you should ignore them because you might find one that really helps you. Do you know of any other strangely named herbs that have medicinal uses?

Source: Shealy, C. Norman. Illustrated Encyclopedia of Healing Remedies. London: HarperCollins, 2002. Print

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