ADMM: amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, metrorrhagia

Actea racemosa (aka Cimicifuga racemosa)

Common name Black cohosh, Black snakeroot, Squawroot, Radix,Rafin,Bugbane,Rattle root

Family name Ranunculaceae
Parts used Roots and rhizome, dried
Main actions/constituents Relaxant (triterpene glycoside)
Normalizer of female reproductive system (isoflavone: formononetin)
Antirheumatic (synergy)
Constituents Triterpene glycosides, isoflavones (formononetin), aromatic acids, tannins,
resins, fatty acids, sugars, volatile oils
Important indications Painful menses/dysmenorrhea, menopause, osteoarthritis, rheumatic pain

CI or Toxicity Pregnancy, lactation, estrogen-dependent tumors

Local irritant with fresh, caution with GIT irritation or salicylate irritation
Toxic - triterpene glycosides, tannins. 5g powder -isoferulic acid, cimicifugen
Interactions Hormone replacement therapy (estrogen excess), tamoxifen, retention of
digoxen, complement analgesics and triptans
Energetics People who feel victimized or opposition to self-expression, energy but with
fear of being cut down

Alchemilla vulgaris

Common name Lady's mantle, Lion's Foot, Stellaria

Family name Rosaceae
Parts used Leaf, flowering shoots
Main actions/constituents Astringent (tannins: glycosides of ellagic acid)

Constituents Salicylic acid (trace amounts), bitters

Important indications Dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, menopause, fibroids, endometriosis, diarrhea

CI or Toxicity None reported
Key information "making a subtle, invisible membrane around a woman, and cohesion in all
aspects of life"
Aletris farinosa

Common name True unicorn root, Star Grass, Blazing star, colic root, Ague root
Family name Liliaceae
Parts used Rhizome
Main actions/constituents Gynecological problems (steroidal saponins: diosgenin, phytoestrogen)
Tonic + Stomachic (bitter principle)

Constituents Diosgenin, bitter principle, volatile oil, resin

Important indications Prevention of miscarriage, menopause, dysmenorrhea, anorexia, nervous

dyspepsia, flatulence, bloating, back pain with prolapse
CI or Toxicity Pregnancy. Side effects: GI irritation (stimulation of ST acid)
Toxic - volatile oil and resin
Key information Female issues and digestive issues

Angelica archangelica

Common name Angelica, European Angelica, Garden Angelica

Family name Apiaceae (Umbelliferae)
Parts used Root, rhizome, leaves, stems (some authors)
Main actions/constituents Expectorant (volatile oil)
Carminative (volatile oils)

Constituents Volatile oil (roots and seeds), macrocyclic lactones, phthalates, coumarins,
bioflavonoids
Important indications Cough, bronchitis, chest inflammation, intestinal colic, flatulence, anorexia
cystitis
CI or Toxicity Pregnancy, peptic ulcers (root d/t gastric acid secretion)
Angelica sinensis

Common name Don Quai, Dang gui, Tang Kuei, Chinese Angelica
Family name Apiaceae (Umbilleferae)
Parts used Root, whole plant as a liver tonic
Main actions/constituents Tonic
Antispasmodic (coumarins)
Blood tonic (coumarin)
Menstrual regulator
Constituents Coumarins, volatile oils, ferulic acid, other (sucrose, vit B12, carotene)
Important indications Poor circulation to abdomen hands and feet, dysmenorrhea, irregular menses
anemia from blood loss, menopause, infertility, chronic hepatitis
TCM: blood deficiency, pain d/t blood stasis, congealed blood, ab pain
Interactions Warfarin, NSAIDs, HRT (hormone replacement therapy)
Cautions In cases of diarrhea or abdominal pain d/t damp obstruction
Photosensitization (useful in psoriasis and vitiligo Tx)
CI or Toxicity Pregnancy, bleeding disorders, Yin deficiency with heat symptoms

Caulophyllum thalictroides

Common name Blue Cohosh, Squaw root, Papoose root, Blue or yellow ginseng
Family name Berberidaceae
Parts used Root and Rhizome
Main actions/constituents Emmenogogue
To prevent miscarriage
Parturient and Partus prepartor
Constituents Quinolizidine alkaloids, steroidal saponins, resin, essential oil, phytosterols
Important indications ADMM, partrurition, rheumatism, arthritis, poor uterine tone
Interactions May interfere with angina therapy
CI/toxicity First trimester pregnancy, postpartum, may cause GIT irritation
Toxic - quinolizidine alkaloids
Key information Uterine pain with fullmess in the legs
Chamaelirium luteum (aka Helonias dioica)

Common name False unicorn root, Starwort, Blazing star, Helonias root, Fairy wand
Family name Liliaceae
Parts used Root and rhizome
Main actions/constituents Uterine and ovarian tonic
Normalizer of female reproduction and ovarian hormones

Constituents Glycosides (steroidal saponins), free diosgenin, other (calcium oxalate)

Important indications AD, endometriosis, uterine infections, ovarian cysts, menopause,

deficiency in sex hormones
CI or Toxicity Early pregnancy

Crocus sativus
very expensive herb!

Common name Saffron, Saffron crocus

Family name Iridaceae
Parts used Stigmas and styles, dried
Main actions/constituents Emmenagogue
Carminative and somachic (volatile oil)
Constituents Volatile oil, bitter glycoside, other (carotenoids, vit B1 B2)

Important indications AD, poor digestion, colic

Toxic Carotenoids, glycosides at 5g
CI Not to be used without skilled therapeutic knowledge, pregnancy
Dioscorea villosa

Common name Wild yam, colic root, Rheumatism root

Family name Dioscoreaceae
Parts used Root and tuber
Main actions/constituents Antispasmodic (alkaloids)
Anti-inflammatory
Constituents Steroidal saponins (diosgenin), phytosterols (beta-sitosterol), alkaloids,
tannins, starch
Important indications Intestinal colic, gripping pains of ST and bowels, flatulence, GIT irritation,
pain on passing gallstones, dysmenorrhea, uterine and ovarian pains, RA
CI or Toxicity Bile duct pathologies (obstruction, inflammation, cancer, ), pancreatic
cancer, intestinal spasm, unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia, liver disease
toxic - saponin
Gossypium herbaceum

Common name Cotton, Levant cotton

Family name Malvaceae
Parts used Root bark, seeds, seed oil
Main actions/constituents Parturient, emmenogogue, abortifacient
Decreased fertility in men

Constituents Sesquiterpenes (gossypol), flavonoids

Important indications Bark: difficult labor, amenorrhea, heavy menstrual flow, lack of lactation
sexual lassitude. Seed oil: heavy menstrual flow, endometriosis
CI or Toxicity Pregnancy, genito-urinary tract inflammation, prolonged use may
decrease fertility in men and/or hypokalemia

Interactions Anticoagulants, antiarrhythmics, cardiac glycosides, kaliuretics and diuretics

Lithospermum ruderale

Common name Stoneseed

Family name Boraginaceae
Parts used Leaf and root
Main actions/constituents Anti-gonadotropic
Diuretic
Constituents Phenolcarboxylic acid; 3,4 dihydrocinnamic acid and derivatives,
L. officinale contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids
Important indications Birth control, skin lesions, hyperthyroidism
CI or Toxicity Lactation, hypothyroid, euthyroid goiter
Key information Diuretic, acute and chronic cystitis, calculous affections
Medicago sativa

Common name Alfalfa, Lucerne, Purple medick

Family name Fabiaceae (Leguminosae)
Parts used Aerial and sprouting seeds
Main actions/constituents Food nutrient
Estrogenic (isoflavones)
Protective to Kupffer cells
Constituents Isoflavones, coumarins, alkaloids, saponins, other (vit, porphyrins, ascorbate,
peroxidase enzyme (root)
Important indications Phytoestrogenic protection (like soy)

CI or Toxicity Pregnancy, lactation, SLE, autoimmune conditions, KI transplant

Mitchella repens

Common name Partridge berry, Squaw vine, Checker Berry

Family name Rubiaceae
Parts used Aerial parts with berries
Main actions/constituents Parturient and partus prepartor
Uterine tonic and alterative
Emmenogogue
Constituents Largely unknown, alkaloids, saponins, glycosides, tannins, mucilages

Important indications Good birthing, ADM, congestion of uterine, colitis, diarrhea

CI or Toxicity Do not take the first 6 months of pregnancy

Oenothera biennis

Common name Evening Primrose, King's Cure all

Family name Onagraceae
Parts used Leaves, stem, bark, seeds, flowers
Main actions/constituents HERB OIL
Astringent Antiinflammatory
Sedative Nutritive

Constituents Evening primrose oil (EFA, cic-linoleic, gamma-linolenic)

Important indications HERB: whooping cough, asthma, digestive problems, rheumatic disorders
OIL: eczema, rheumatoid arthritis, MS, UC, PMS, mastalgia, schizophrenia
hypertension, diabetic neuropathy

CI or Toxicity Epilepsy, mania

Piscidia erythrina

Common name Jamaica Dogwood, Fish Fuddle

Family name Fabaceae (Leguminosae)
Parts used Root bark, stem
Main actions/constituents Powerfully sedative
Analgesic
Antispasmodic
Constituents Isoflavones, organic acids, beta-sitosterols, tannins, rotenoids, glycosides
Important indications Pain and spasms (neuralgia, toothache, migraine, menstrual, ovarian, uterine
muscle, back), respiratory conditions, insomnia, anxiety
CI/toxicity Pregnancy, lactation, depression, heart problems

Rotenoid --> toxic

Rubus idaeus

Common name Raspberry

Family name Rosaceae
Parts used Leaves, fruit
Main actions/constituents Astringent
Tonic
Parturient and partus prepartor
Constituents LEAF: flavonoids, tannins, polypeptides
FRUIT: fruit sugar, volatile oil, pectin, citric acid, malic acid, vot A, B1 C
Important indications Pregnancy, strengthen and tone uterus, diarrhea, leukorrhea,
bleeding gums, sore throats, oral inflammation
CI or Toxicity Early stage pregnancy

Rubus villosus

Common name American Blackberry, Bramble, Fingerberry

Family name Rosaceae
Parts used Bark of root rhizome, leaves, berries
Main actions/constituents Astringent
Styptic
Constituents Root bark: tannins (gallic acid), saponins
Leaves: tannins, flavonoids
Fruit: anthrocyanins, pectin, fruit acids, vit C
Important indications Diarrhea and dysentry, wash fro burns, scrapes, skin erruption
leukorrhea, staunch bleeding
CI or Toxicity
Senecio aureus

Common name Life root, Squaw weed, Golden ragwort, Female regulator, Golden groundsel
Family name Asteraceae (compositae)
Parts used Aerial parts
Main actions/constituents Emmenagogue
Astringent (tannins)
Constituents Volatile oil, pyrrolizidine alkaloids, flavonoids, coumarin derivatives, taanins,
resins, eremophilane sesquiterpenes
Important indications Dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea and menorrhagia, menopause, leukorrhea
general hemorrhage
CI or Toxicity Toxic - pyrrolizidine alkaloids - hepatoxicity, vomiting, H/A, emaciation
CI: pregnancy, lactation, infants and small children, prolonged use