Herbal Remedies

Below is a list of some of the most common herbs which can be found in all good health food stores or chemists. The table is a quick guide to what each herb may benefit, in what forms it can be taken - ie as a powder, capsule or tincture - at what dosages and any known side effects or cautions. This is by no means an exhaustive list as there are literally thousands of herbs which can be used for many everyday ailments. The cautions listed are there for advice and guidance only and if you are concerned or worried about a condition, or are taking any medication, then please consult your GP as there are many know interactions between certain drugs and herbs. Once again, please read our Cautions page for further information.

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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R ST U V W X Y Z

Herbal Remedy	Benefits/can be of use for	In What Form/how much	Cautions
Agnus Castus	PMS Female Infertility Fibrocystic Breast Disease Acne Amenorrhea Dysmenorrhea Endometriosis	Dried herb, capsule or tincture 30-40mg	Not for use during pregnancy Not to be taken with Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
Aloe Vera	Constipation Burns (minor) Diabetes Genital Herpes (topical) Psoriasis Seborrheic dermatitis (topical) Wound healing (topical) Crohn's disease Skin Ulcers	Constipation 50-200mg capsule Diabetes 15ml liquid Gel for topical application	The latax form (capsule) should not be taken by sufferers of Crohn's disease Not to be used by children or pregnant or breastfeding women
Astralagus	Common cold/sore throat Heart attack Hepatitis Immune function Infection	9-15 grams of crude herb per day as a tea 3-5ml of tincture three times per day	None
Bee Pollen	In sufferers of rheumatoid arthritis suggested positive effects on related disorders of the liver, gallbladder, stomach, and intestine Can be used to desensitize people to plants which they are allergic eg Hayfever Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) Prostatitis	Tablet or capsule Granules	Some people may be allergic to pollen
Black Cohosh	Menopause Dysmenorrhoea Osteoporosis PMS	Crude, dried root - 300-2000mg per day Solid, dry powder extract - 250mg 3 times per day Standardized extract - capsule 20-40mg twice a day Tincture 2-4 ml 3 times a day	Not to be used during pregnancy or when breastfeeding Large amounts may cause abdominal pain, nausea, headaches and dizziness Not to be used as a substitute for HRT during menopause
Boldo	Indigestion and heartburn May be used as a liver tonic and for treatment of gallstones	Tincture - 1ml 3 times a day Infusion of dried leaf at 3 grams per day	Should be avoided by people with kidney disease Not to be taken during pregnancy or when breastfeeding
Calendula (Marigold)	Burns (minor including sunburn) Conjunctivitis/blepharitis Eczema Peptic ulcer Ulcerative colitis Wound healing (topical)	As a tea with 5-10 grams of the flower 3 times a day Tincture - 1-2ml 3 times a day Ointments applied topically	None
Cat's Claw	HIV support Immune function Osteoarthritis Rheumatoid arthritis	As a tea from 1 gram root bark 3 times a day Tincture - 1-2ml twice a day Standardized extract (capsule) 20-60mg per day	Should be used with caution by people with autoimmune illnesses, multiple sclerosis and tuberculosis Should be avoided by pregnant or breastfeeding women
Chamomile	Colic Eczema Gingivitis (periodontal disease) Wound healing Anxiety Canker sores Conjunctivitis/blepharitis Crohn’s disease Diarrhoea Gastritis Indigestion and heartburn Insomnia Irritable bowel syndrome Peptic ulcer Ulcerative colitis	Tea - 3-4 times daily 2-3 grams in tablet/capsule form Tincture - 4-6ml 3 times a day Standardized capsules/tablets - 300-400mg 3 times a day Topical creams/ointments 3-4 times daily	Rare side effects include; bronchial constriction with internal use and allergic skin reactions with topical use
Cranberry	Urinary tract infection	Capsule - concentrated juice extract - 400mg per day Tincture - 3-5ml 3 times a day Several glasses of high-quality unsweetened juice each day	None
Dandelion	Constipation (root) Indigestion and heartburn (leaves and root) Oedema (water retention)(leaves) Pregnancy and postpartum support (leaves and root)	Liver/gallbladder tonic and to stimulate digestion - 3-5 grams of dried root Tincture - 5-10ml 3 times a day Diuretic or appetite stimulant - 4-10 grams of dried leaves Fresh leaves can be eaten as part of a salad	People with gallstones should take medical advice Should be used cautiously by those with an ulcer or gastitis
Devils Claw	Osteoarthritis Rheumatoid arthritis Indigestion Low back pain	For osteo and rheumatoid arthritis 4.5-10 grams of powder per day Standardized extract of 1,200-2,500mg per day Digestive stimulant - powdered tuber 1.5-2 grams a day, or 1-2ml tincture 3 times a day	Should not be used by people with gastric or duodenal ulcers, heartburn, gastritis or gallstones
Dong Quai	Dysmenorrhoea (painful menstruation) Menopause Premenstrual syndrome	Capsule/tablet - 3-4 grams a day Tincture - 3-5ml 3 times a day	May cause some people to become sensitive to the sun Not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women
Echinacea	Common cold/sore throat (for symptoms) Immune function Infection Influenza Bronchitis Chronic candidiasis Cold sores Ear infections (recurrent) Gingivitis (periodontal disease) HIV support Vaginitis Wound healing (topical) Yeast infection	At onset of cold or flu, 3-4 ml in a liquid preparation or 300mg of a powdered form in capsule or tablet, can be taken every two hours for the first day of illness, then 3 times per day for 7 to 10 days	Not to be taken by people with autoimmune illnesses such as lupus, or progressive illnesses such as TB, Multiple sclerosis or HIV Should not be taken by those allergic to flowers in the daisy family
Evening primrose Oil	Diabetes Eczema Fibrocystic breast disease Osteoporosis (in combination with fish oil) Premenstrual syndrome Rheumatoid arthritis	3,000-6,000mg per day - capsule or liquid	Not to be used by Epileptics
Fennel	Colic (in combination with chamomile, vervain, liquorice and lemon balm) Indigestion and heartburn Irritable bowel syndrome	5-7 grams of seeds per day made into a tea Tincture - 5-10ml 3 times per day	Oil not to be used by Epileptics Should be avoided by anyone with an oestrogen-dependent cancer (e.g. breast cancer)
Feverfew	MIgraine	Capsules or tablets providing at least 250 mcg of parthenolide per day	May cause minor gastrointestinal upset and nervousness Should not be used during pregnancy or breasfeeding Not to be given to children under the age of two
Garlic	Atherosclerosis Colon cancer (reduces risk of stomach, oesophageal, and colon cancers) High blood pressure High cholesterol High triglycerides Athlete’s foot Chronic candidiasis Ear infections (recurrent) HIV support Infection Peptic ulcer	One to two whole cloves of raw garlic daily Odour-controlled tablets or capsules - 5,000-6,000mcg of allicin potential per day in two or three divided amounts	Some people may experience heartburn Because of its anti-clotting properties, those taking blood thinning drugs should consult their GP
Gingko Biloba	Age-related cognitive decline (ARCD) Alzheimer’s disease (early-stage) Intermittent claudication Depression (for elderly people) Macular degeneration Vertigo Asthma Atherosclerosis Deafness, acute cochlear Diabetes Memory enhancement (in healthy adults) Ménière’s disease Migraine headaches Multiple sclerosis (injections) Premenstrual syndrome Raynaud’s disease Retinopathy Tinnitus	Between 120-240mg (standardized to contain 6% terpene lactones and 24% flavone glycosides) 2-3 times per day The higher amount (240 mg) may be of benefit to those with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease, age-related cognitive decline, intermittent claudication and resistant depression	Minor side effects (rarely reported) include headache and nausea People should seek an accurate medical diagnosis prior to self-prescribing. This is especially important for the elderly, whose circulatory conditions can involve serious disease, and for people scheduled for surgery, as GBE may affect bleeding time.
Green Tea	Atherosclerosis Colon cancer (reduces risk) High cholesterol Leukoplakia Breast cancer (risk reduction) Crohn’s disease Haemochromatosis (iron overload) High triglycerides Hives Immune function Infection Lung cancer (risk reduction) Tooth decay Weight loss	Between 750-2,500ml per day (3-10 cups) which provide 240-320mg of polyphenols Tablets and capsules containing standardized extracts of polyphenols can be taken	The most common adverse effects are from consuming large amounts (several cups per day) of green tea such as insomnia, anxiety, and other symptoms caused by the caffeine content in the herb
Guarana	Athletic performance Fatigue Weight loss and obesity	A cup of guaraná tea using 1-2 grams of crushed seed or resin to can be drunk three times per day. Each cup may provide up to 50 mg of caffeine	As with any caffeinated product, guaraná may cause insomnia, trembling, anxiety, palpitations, and urinary frequency Guaraná should be avoided during pregnancy and breast-feeding
Horse Chestnut	Chronic venous insufficiency Haemorrhoids Sprains and Strains (topical) Wound healing (topical) Oedema (water retention) Varicose veins	For the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency, seed extracts standardized for aescin content (16-20%) - 300mg 2-3 times per day Tincture - 1-4ml taken 3 times per day Gels or creams containing 2% aescin can be applied topically 3-4 times per day for haemorrhoids, skin ulcers, varicose veins, sports injuries and trauma of other kinds	Oral intake of horse chestnut may cause itching, nausea, and upset stomach Should be avoided by anyone with kidney or liver disease Topically it has been associated with rare cases of allergic skin reactions Circulation disorders and trauma associated with swelling may be the sign of a serious condition so a healthcare professional should be consulted before self-treating with horse chestnut
Juniper	Indigestion Oedema (water retention) Urinary tract infection	One 250ml cup of tea made with 1-2 tsp of berries each day Capsule/tablet - 1-2 grams 3 times per day Tincture - 1-2ml taken 3 times daily	Amounts above the recommended doses above may cause kidney irritation and therefore should be avoided by those with any kidney conditions Should not be taken for greater than four weeks without first consulting a healthcare professional People with diabetes should use juniper cautiously as it may raise glucose levels It should be avoided during pregnancy as it may cause uterine contractions
Kava	Anxiety Menopause Stress	For mild-moderate stress and anxiety 120-240mg per day As a tincture 1-3ml, 3 times a day	Should not be taken for more than 3 months without the advice of a doctor or health professional Cases of liver disease has been reported by some people taking Kava so should not be taken by anyone who has a kidney disease or who is taking medication related to the kidneys Mild gastrointestinal disturbances may be seen in some people Kava may temporarily turn the skin yellow - If this occurs, people should discontinue use In rare cases, an allergic skin reaction, such as a rash, may occur
Kelp	Iodine deficiency - and is therefore benficial to those who avoid sea vegetables, dairy, seafood, processed food, and salt Iodine deficiency can cause low thyroid function	No more than 1000mcg a day	Not to be used by those with a thyroid condition Not to be used by those taking Thyroxine Do not take above 1000mcg per day
Lavender	Pregnancy (in bath, for perineal pain after childbirth) Indigestion and heartburn Insomnia	Internally 5-10 grams of the herb be taken as a tea, or 2-4ml of tincture can be taken 2-3 times per day Externally several drops of the oil can be added to a bath or diluted in vegetable oil for topical applications	Internal use of the volatile oil can cause severe nausea
lemon Balm	Cold sores (topical) Colic (in combination with vervain, liquorice, and fennel) Genital herpes (topical) Grave’s disease (hyperthyroidism) Indigestion and heartburn Infection (antiviral) Insomnia Nerve pain	1.5-4.5 grams in a tea several times daily Tincture can also be used at 2-3ml 3 times per day Concentrated extracts - 160-200mg 30 minutes to one hour before bed for insomnia Highly concentrated topical extract ointments for herpes can be applied 3-4 times per day to lesions	People with glaucoma should avoid lemon balm volatile oil until human studies are conducted, as animal studies show that it may raise pressure in the eye
Milk Thistle	Alcohol-related liver disease Hepatitis Liver cirrhosis Gallstones	For liver disease and impaired liver function - 420-600mg of silymarin per day from an herbal extract of milk thistle standardized to 80% silymarin content	None
Nettle	Benign prostatic hyperplasia (root extract) Osteoarthritis Hay fever Pregnancy and postpartum support Rheumatoid arthritis Urinary tract infection	During the allergy season, 2-3 300mg nettle leaf capsules/tablets or 2-4ml tincture taken 3 times per day For BPH, 120mg of a concentrated root extract in capsules 2 times per day	Mild gastrointestinal upset in some people
Oregano	Chronic candidiasis Indigestion Infection Yeast infection	Tea - made with 5-10 grams 3 times a day Oregano oil can be used for topical anti-fungal applications Can also be taken as capsule/tablet form	Should not be used during pregnancy as it stimulates menstruation and may cause miscarriage The oil should not be used internally by anyone Topically, the volatile oil of oregano may be moderately irritating to skin and can be a potent mucous membrane irritant - It should not be applied topically to mucous membranes in greater than a 1% concentration Children less than two years of age and people with damaged or very sensitive skin should not use the oil topically
Passiflora	Anxiety (in combination with valerian) Insomnia Pain	The recommended intake of the dried herb is 4-8 grams per day - whicah can be made into a tea and drunk 3 times a day Tincture - 5-10ml can be taken 3-4 times per day	May be possible (unreported) interactions with MAO-inhibiting antidepressant drugs they may interact with the harman alkaloids in passion flower Not been proven to be safe during pregnancy and breast-feeding
Pau d'arco	Infection Prostatitis	Capsules or tablets providing 500-600mg of powdered bark 3 times per day A tincture - 0.5-1ml 3 times per day	High amounts (several grams daily over several days) of lapachol can cause uncontrolled bleeding, nausea, and vomiting Use of the whole bark is typically safer than isolated lapachol - side effects include nausea and gastrointestinal upset Pregnant or breast-feeding women should avoid using it
Peppermint	Irritable bowel syndrome (combination with caraway oil) Gingivitis (periodontal disease) Indigestion Irritable bowel syndrome Tension headache (topical) Chronic candidiasis Colic Common cold Gallstones Low back pain (topical)	Internally a tea can be made with 5 grams of the leaves - 3-4 times daily between meals to relieve stomach and gastrointestinal complaints Tablets and capsules - 3-6 grams per day For treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, 1-2 enteric-coated capsules containing 0.2ml of peppermint oil 2-3 times	Peppermint oil can cause burning and gastrointestinal upset in some people and should be avoided by people with chronic heartburn, severe liver damage, inflammation of the gallbladder, or obstruction of bile ducts People with gallstones should consult a doctor before use Peppermint oil should not be applied to the face - in particular the nose - of children and infants
Raspberry Leaf	Common cold/sore throat Diarrhoea Pregnancy and postpartum support	As a tea with 5-10 grams of the herb - up to 6 cups a day for acute conditions such as diarrhoea and sore throats and 2-3 for preventative use during pregnancy Tincture - 4-8ml 3 times per day	May cause mild loosening of stools and nausea
Red Clover	Coughs Eczema Menopause	Tea made with 10-15 grams can be drunk 3 times a day Capsule or tablet form - equivalent to 2-4 grams of the dried flowers By tincture - 2-4ml 3 times per day	Fermented red clover may cause bleeding and should be avoided Should be avoided by pregnant or breast-feeding women and its safety has not been established in young children and infants
Sage	Excessive perspiration Gingivitis (periodontal disease) (as mouthwash, in combination with peppermint oil, menthol, chamomile tincture, expressed juice from echinacea, myrrh tincture, clove oil, and caraway oil) Indigestion Infection Menopause Pregnancy and postpartum support Sore throat	For treatment of sore throats, inflammation in the mouth, or gingivitis, 3 grams of the chopped leaf can be used as a mouthwash or gargle several times daily 5ml of fluid extract (1:1) diluted in one glass of water, several times daily can also be used as a mouthwash For internal use, the same tea preparation described above may be taken three times per day	There are concerns about the internal use of sage as it contains thujone which even in small doses, may cause increased heart rate and mental confusion and may lead to convulsions if taken at a higher dose, therefore if taken internally it is best to limit use to the amounts listed above and to periods of no more than one to two weeks Sage should not be used internally during pregnancy - although this does not apply to the use of sage as a gargle or mouth rinse Sage should be avoided when fever is present
Saw Palmetto	Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) Prostatitis (NBP)	For early-stage BPH, 160mg per day of liposterolic saw palmetto herbal extract in capsules is taken two times per day Liquid extracts of whole herb at 5-6ml per day	Rarely can cause stomach problems Use of saw palmetto extract for BPH should only occur after a thorough workup and diagnosis by a doctor
St Johns Wort	Depression Seasonal affective disorder Anxiety Cold sores Ear infections (recurrent) HIV support Infection Menopause Ulcerative colitis Wound healing	For mild to moderate depression 500-1,050mg of St. John’s wort extract per day For more severe depression, higher intakes may be used, under the supervision of a healthcare professional	Not to be taken alongside the contraceptive pill Not to be taken by those planning prolonged exposure to the sun Not to be taken by pregnant ladies Occasionall adverse effects reported included stomach upset, fatigue, itching, sleep disturbance, and skin rash People with a history of manic-depressive illness (bipolar disorder) or a less severe condition known as hypomania, should avoid use of St. John’s wort as it may trigger a manic episode
Tea Tree	Acne(topical) Athlete’s foot (topical) Toenail fungal infection (topical) Chronic candidiasis (topical) Halitosis (tea tree oil rinse or toothpaste) HIV support Infection (topical) Vaginitis (topical) Wound healing (oil, topical) Yeast infection (topical)	Oil at a strength of 70-100% should be applied moderately at least twice per day to the affected areas of skin or nail For topical treatment of acne, the oil is used at a dilution of 5-15% and concentrations as strong as 40% may be used - with extreme caution and qualified advice - as vaginal douches For thrush in immune-compromised adults, the oil diluted to 5% or less is used in the amount of 15ml 4 times daily (as a mouth rinse)	Tea tree oil should never be swallowed The oil may burn if it gets into the eyes, nose, mouth, or other tender areas An allergic skin reaction may appear in some people with sensitive skin
Uva Ursi	Urinary tract infection	For alcohol-based tinctures - 5ml 3 times per day Standardized extracts in capsules or tablets (containing 20% arbutin) - 700-1,000mg 3 times per day	Should not be used to treat an infection without first consulting a physician Should not be taken for more than 14 days Due to the high tannin content in uva ursi, some people may experience cramping, nausea, or vomiting Should not be taken by pregnant or breast-feeding women and should be used in young children only with the guidance of a healthcare professional
Wild Yam	High cholesterol Menopause	Tincture - up to 2-3ml 3-4 times per day Dried, powdered root - 1 gram 3 times each day	May experience nausea or vomiting when taking large amounts - several times the amounts listed above Not proven to be safe in pregnancy or during breastfeeding