Herb, Mineral, Plant and Vitamin Uses

The following table presents some of the most common herbs, plants, minerals and vitamins, as well as their primary uses in alternative medicine.  This is by no means a complete list of herbal uses, nor are are the items shown the only herbs, plants, minerals and vitamins with healthful properties.  However, you should find almost everything you need here, and if you would like to see something added to this list, please e-mail us and let us know.   Thanks!

Copyright 1996, 1998-2006  by Lori Herron, R.N.and Alternative Nature. All Rights Reserved.

See more extensive monographs about our native and naturalized medicinal herbs with pictures
at Altnature Herb Gallery 

Herbs, Vegetables and  and Plants

Agrimony   Infusion of Agrimony is used as an astringent, often used as a skin wash for irritations or tea for diarrhea and stomach upsets.

Agrimony can be grown in the garden for its unique foliage. In the wild, it is quite common and often grows in large colonies.

Alder Buckthorn

Bark can be used as a laxative.

Alfalfa

Nutritive with high mineral and vitamin content; lowers cholesterol. Commonly culivated as hay for livestock.

Alkanet

Has been used as an expectorant and as an emollient. Used to make purple like color in natural products

Aloe

The inner sap from fresh plants is used for minor wounds and burns. Juice or dried leaves can be used as a strong laxative. Easily grown as a houseplant, handy in the window sill for kitchen accidents.

Angelica  Calming digestive disturbances; stimulates the appetite; alleviates coughs.

Anise

Infusion made from seeds can be used to relieve gas pains.

Apples

Used for bladder trouble; liver; diarrhea; tooth decay; and loss of appetite. Organic Apple Juice and Organic Apple Cider are used in many "detox" regimens.

Apricot

Detoxifies the liver and pancreas.

Asparagus

Helps with urinary problems and fatty tumors.

Beet

Excellent liver and blood cleansers and purifier; good for nerves and anemia.

Bell Peppers
 

Good for eyes and indigestion. High in anti-oxidants.          

Blackberry  Leaf tea is used in herbalism for diarrhea and colon problems.

Blueberry

Feeds the pancreas; good for sugar problems. High in Anti-oxidants. Said to be good for brain function.

Cabbage

For vitamin C; tissue builder; removes toxins; helps with digestion. Poultices of cabbage leaves are used for skin irritations.

Celandine  is said to be an excellent liver and blood cleansers and purifier.

Cantaloupe

Good for complexion and digestion.

Carrots

For eyes, blood, lymph, skin and digestion. Carrot seed oil is said to be beneficial for aging skin.

Cascara Sagrada

Purgative; laxative.

Celery

Good for arthritis; heart; indigestion; colds and skin problems.

Chaste Tree, Vitex - Used as a supplement for several months it is said to regulate hormones.  Menstrual regulator; improves circulation and tone of female organs; promotes progesterone production.

Cherries

A good blood cleanser; also used for gout.

Crab Apple

For Vertigo.

Cranberry

Good for kidneys and asthma.

Dandelion      Excellent diuretic (Expels excess liquids in the body ) and liver cleanser.

Dong Quai

Menstrual regulator.

Ginger

For indigestion and gas pain; helps in relieving morning sickness; a general stimulant.

Ginseng, American  Used as a stimulant; can be used to prevent stress; to fight colds.

Milk Thistle

Excellent liver and blood cleansers and purifier.

Mistletoe, American

Used in folk medicine to reduce blood pressure and as a sedative.

Nettles

An astringent and alkalizing diuretic; good nutritive and high mineral content.

Oregon Grape

Excellent liver and blood cleanser and purifier.

Raspberry

Relieves nausea and improves digestion; improves uterine tone and blood supply; increases milk production

Sarsaparilla

Serves as a precursor for hormone production.

Wild Yam  Antispasmodic; relieves spasm or cramping of smooth muscle; hormone precursor.

Yellow Dock

Blood cleanser; helpful in anemia.