MATERIA MEDICA SUMMARY SHEET

Medicinal Herb Active Herbal Actions Body System Therapeutic Indications/ Dosage & Similar herbs
constituents Affinities
Physiological mode(s) of action Contra- Formulations
indications

Aesculus Triterpenoid Venotonic, anti- Cardiovascular Venous insufficiency Saponins can Gotu kola
saponins, oedema, anti- cause/aggravate
hippocastanum Varicose veins, haemorrhoids Bilberry
flavonoids inflammatory GORD
(Horsechestnut)
DVT (to reduce risk)
Do not apply to
Lymphoedema broken/ulcerated
skin

Aloe spp. (Aloes) Anthraquinone Laxative GIT Constipation Use for short
glycosides periods of time
Haemorrhoids (softens stool)
(8-10 days)
Anal fissure (softens stool)
Caution in
pregnancy,
lactation, IBS and
GIT inflammation
Caution in
children

Bacopa moniera Dammarane-type Cognition Nervous To improve memory / concentration / Saponins can Gingko, rosemary
saponins, enhancing, nervine mental performance cause/aggravate
(Brahmi)
flavonoids tonic, anxiolytic, GORD
ADHD
mild anticonvulsant,
thyroid stimulant Insomnia
Hypothyroidism

Berberis vulgaris Protoberberine Antimicrobial, GIT Liver insufficiency, dyspepsia Best avoided Blue flag, St
alkaloids cholagogue, during pregnancy Mary’s thistle,
(Barberry) Gall stones, gall bladder dysfunction
choleretic, and lactation Globe artichoke
antiemetic, bitter Peptic ulcer, helicobacter infection
tonic, antiparasitic
Bowel flora modification
 Nausea

Capsicum annuum Capsaicinoids, Pungent, Cardiovascular Impaired peripheral circulation Caution in peptic
carotenoids, counterirritant, ulcers and
(Cayenne) GIT Hypochloridia, digestive weakness,
flavonoids and carminative, application to
flatulaent colic
phenolic acids circulatory / damaged skin
metabolic To assist weight loss
May cause reflux
stimulant,
Topically for OA, RA, myalgia, diabetic
spasmolytic,
neuropathy
diaphoretic

Centella asiatica Triterpene Healing promoter, Cardiovascular To promote healing and prevent Avoid in known Ginkgo, bilberry,
saponins and vulnerary, anti- adhesions allergy horsechestnut
(Gotu Kola) Integumentary
their aglycones inflammatory,
Varicose veins, venous insufficiency,
adaptogenic, Nervous
haemorrhoids
nervine tonic,
antifibrotic Burns, cellulitis, diabetic neuropathy /
ulcer
Topically for burns, varicose veins,
wounds, ulcers, psoriasis

Cimicifuga Triterpene Oestrogen Endocrine Menopausal symptoms Contraindicated Wild yam, tribulus
saponins, resin, modulating, uterine during pregnancy
racemosa (Black Integumentary Spasmodic dysmenorrhoea, PMS
caffeic and tonic, spasmolytic, (except for last
Cohosh) isoferulic acids antirheumatic couple of weeks)
Reproductive OA, RA
Partum preparator Controversial in
breast cancer

Drosera Napthoquinones Spasmolytic, Respiratory Acute bronchitis, pertussis, tracheitis Elder,

demulcent, andrographis
rotundafolia GIT Chronic bronchitis, asthma
expectorant
(Sundew)
Gastritis, peptic ulcer

Foeniculum Essential oil, Carminative, GIT Intestinal colic, flatulence, dyspepsia Caution in GORD Chamomile,
fixed oil, phenolic spasmolytic, ginger
vulgare (Fennel) Respiratory Anorexia, nausea, diarrhoea
acids, flavonoids, expectorant,
coumarins, orexigenic, Endocrine Difficult lactation, spasmodic
galactagogue, dysmenorrhoea, secondary
 furanocoumarins antimicrobial, amenorrhoea
oestrogen
Nasopharyngeal catarrh, acute / chronic
modulating
bronchitis, asthma
IBS

Harpagophytum Iridoid glycosides Anti-inflammatory, Integumentary OA, RA Caution in peptic Black cohosh,
antirheumatic, ulcer cayenne
procumbens GIT Myalgia, lower back pain
analgesic, bitter (topically)
(Devil’s Claw) tonic Anorexia, dyspepsia
Rheumatism, gout

Iris versiclour Triterpenoids, Depurative, mild GIT Chronic skin disorders (eczema etc.) Clivers
essential oil, laxative, lymphatic,
(Blue Flag) Lymphatic Digestive liver insufficiency with
resin cholagogue
nausea, constipation and headache
Integumentary
(secondary) Enlarged lymph glands
To assist with weight loss

Juniperus Essential oil, Urinary antiseptic, Urinary Cystitis (acute and recurrent), urethritis, Contraindicated Bearberry, celery
resin, flavonoids, mild diuretic, dysuria in pregnancy seed
communis Integumentary
fatty alcohol carminative, anti-
(Juniper) inflammatory
Rheumatism, OA
Gout
Acute prostatitis

Piper methysticum Kava lactones Anxiolytic, hypnotic, Nervous Anxiety, panic attacks Caution in Passionflower
anticonvulsant, mild Parkinson’s,
(Kava) Insomnia
sedative, skeletal pregnancy and
muscle relaxant, Menopausal symptoms lactation
spasmolytic, local
Leg cramps May rarely cause
anaesthetic, mild
liver damage
analgesic Tension headache
Neuralgia

Polygonum Tetrahydroxystilb Nervine tonic, Nervous To slow aging process Panax, green tea
ene glucoside, antioxidant,
multiflorum (Fo- Cardiovascular Fatigue with insomnia, debility in the
anthraquinones, antiaging,
Ti-Tien) – extra elderly
herb tannins, hypocholesterolae Strengthen connective tissue, OA
phospholipids mic, bitter tonic
Hypercholesterolaemia

Rubus idaeus Flavonoids, Astringent, partus Reproductive Partum preparation and ensure healthy Do not take with Black cohosh
gallotannins, preparatory, uterine function mineral supp.s
(Raspberry Leaf) GIT
ellagitannins parturifacient,
Dysmenorrhoea Only use in 2nd
antidiarrhoeal
and 3rd trimesters
Morning sickness (in 2nd trimester)
Uterine prolapsed / haemorrhage

Rumex crispus Anthraquinone Mild laxative, Integumentary Chronic skin disorders Avoid excessively Clivers
glycosides cholagogue, laxative doses
(Yellow Dock) GIT Constipation
depurative (especially with
RA, OA intestinal
obstruction)

Salvia officinalis Essential oil Spasmolytic, Menopausal symptoms, excessive Contraindicated Black cohosh
(thujones), antioxidant, sweating in pregnancy and
(Sage)
diterpenoids, astringent, lactation
To improve memory and concentration
phenolic acids antihyperhydrotic,
Caution in long-
antimicrobial Dyspepsia, flatulence
term use
To inhibit lactation
Alzheimer’s

Sambucus nigra Flavonoids, Diaphoretic, Immune Colds, influenza, sinusitis Andrographis,

phrnolic acids, anticatarrhal echinacea
(Elderflower) Respiratory Acute infections with fever
triterpenes,
essential oil Chronic sinusitis, otitis media,
pharyngitis, catarrh
Asthma

Serenoa repens Free fatty acids, Anti-inflammatory, Reproductive BPH, chronic prostatitis Caution with Horsetail
triglycerides, male tonic, concurrent use of
(Saw Palmetto) Inflammation of genitourinary tract
phytosterols, antiprostatic, warfarin
(orchitis, cystitis etc.)
flavonoids spasmolytic,
possibly Male and female infertility
antiandrogenic
 Underdeveloped mammary glands
Male impotence, testicular atrophy

Stellaria media Flavonoids, Demulcent, GIT Peptic ulcer Avoid in known Barberry, golden
phenolic acids, astringent, allergy seal
(Chickweed) Integumentary Topically for chronic skin disorders,
triterpenoid refrigerant,
wounds, bites and burns
saponins, antiulcer (peptic)
phytosterols

Symphytum Allantoin, Anti-inflammatory, Integumentary Topically for: Topical use only Calendula,
mucilage, vulnerary, chamomile
officinale - Wounds, bites, ulcers
phenolic acids, demulcent
(Comfrey) pyrrolizidine - Chronic skin disorders
alkaloids
- Fractures, sprains
- OA, mylagia

Thymus vulgaris Essentail oil, Expectorant, Respiratory Acute bronchitis, pertussis, catarrh, Avoid in known Andrographis,
flavonoids, spasmolytic, cold, pharyngitis allergy elder
(Thyme) GIT
phenolic acids antibacterial,
Chronic bronchitis, asthma, cough
antifungal,
antioxidant, Dyspepsia, chronic gastritis, diarrhoea
rubefacient
“The teacher’s herb”
(topically),
antimicrobial

Trigonella Steroidal Hypoglycaemic, GIT Diabetes Saponins may Gymnema,

saponins, hypocholesterolae cause / cinnmon
foenum-graecum Dyspepsia, gastritis, anorexia
mucilage, mic, aggravate GORD
(Fenugreek) flavonoids, hypolipidaemic, Debility, convalescence
High doses can
sterols, essential demulcent, anti-
Difficult lactation cause
oil inflammatory,
characteristic
galactagogue,
body odour
orexigenic

Verbascum Iridoid Expectorant, Respiratory Acute / chroninc bronchitis, Thyme,

glycosides, demulcent, bronchiectasis, lower respiratory marshmallow
thapsus (Mullein)
flavonoids, anticatarrhal, catarrh, cough
saponins, vulnerary
 triterpenes Colds, flu, pharyngitis
Peptic ulcer, diarrhoea
Topically for wounds haemorrhoids

Vaccinium Anthocyanins, Vasoprotective, Circulatory Diabetic / hypertensive retinopathy Grape seed

flavonoids, antioedema,
myrtillus Macular degeneration
procyanidins antioxidant, anti-
(Bilberry) inflammatory Eyestrain, glaucoma
Capillary fragility, bleeding gums
Haemorrhoids, varicose veins, venous
insufficiency

Viburnum opulus Catchin, Spasmolytic, Circulatory Spasmodic dysmenorrhoea, Black cohosh

epicatechin, hypotensive, endometriosis
(Cramp Bark) Reproductive
coumarins peripheral
Miscarriage (threatened / repeated)
vasodilator, mild
sedative, astringent Hypertension
Partus preparation
IBS
BPH / chronic prostatitis

Zea mays (Corn Flavonoids, Urinary demulcent, Urinary Cystitis, urethritis, dysuria Bearberry, juniper
mucilage, antilithic, mild
Silk) Acute / chronic prostatitis
tannins, essential diuretic
oil, K Enuresis
Kidney stones

Zizyphus spinosa Dammarane-type Hypnotic, mild Nervous Anxiety (with excessive sweating), Caution in Kava
saponins, flavone sedative, insomnia, emotional stress patients with
(Spiny Jujube) –
glycosides hypotensive, severe diarrhoea
extra herb anxiolytic
Night sweats, irritability, palpitations
Hypertension