SHEPHERD'S PURSE HERB PLANT

Latin Name: Capsella bursa-pastoris

Alternate Names: Saint James' Wort, Mother's Hearts, Life Preserving Plant, Lady's Purse, Pepper And Salt, Rattle Pouch, Pickpocket, Cocowort, Bursa

Family: BRASSICACEAE

Parts Used: Above ground portion.

Properties: Alterative, Anti-inflammatory, Antiseptic, Astringent, Diuretic, Febrifuge, Hemostatic, Hypotensive, Styptic, Urinary Antiseptic, Vasoconstrictor.

Internal Uses: Bloody Urine, Cystitis, Diarrhea, Dysentery, Dysmenorrhea, Hemorrhage, Injury, Internal Bleeding, Kidney Stones, Labor, Malaria, Nosebleeds, Postpartum Hemorrhage, Ulcers, Urethritis, Uterine Hemorrhage, Varicose Veins

Internal Applications: Tea, Tincture, Capsules.

Make tincture from the fresh plant.  The reason for the plant's styptic ability is not fully understood, but Shepherd's Purse constricts blood vessels and thus is considered an important herb for both internal and external bleeding.  It has long been used by midwives to aid uterine contraction during birthing and to prevent postpartum hemorrhaging, because it improves oxytocin's ability to aid birthing after cervical dilation has occurred.  It also helps the kidneys eliminate uric acid.  Eating the seeds is believed to improve vision. 

Topical Uses: Bleeding, Fever, Nosebleeds, Oily Skin, Pyorrhea, Wounds

Topical Applications: Poultice applied to wrists to lower fever, also to treat bleeding wounds. Cotton soaked in tea or fresh juice is placed in nostril to stop a nosebleed.  Mouthwash for pyorrhea.  Bath herb for post natal care.  Facial steam for oily skin.  Footbath for sore feet.

Culinary uses: Can be added to salads or cooked as a potherb in moderate quantities. 

Energetics: Pungent, Sweet, Cool, Dry.

Chemical Constituents: Saponins, mustard oil, bursinic acid, flavonoid (diosmin, luteolin, quercitin), sitosterol, choline, acetylcholine, beta carotene, vitamins B, C, K, tyramine, histamine.

Contraindications: Use in moderate doses, as large ones may be toxic.  Avoid during pregnancy, except during labor. Do not use with overt kidney disease.  It does not have a long shelf life, so use within one year.

Comments: The genus name, Capsella, is Latin for 'purse' or 'pocket' in reference to the shape of the flat seed pouches of the plant. During World War I, Shepherd's Purse was used to staunch the bleeding of soldier's wounds. Sprinkling the seeds on water where mosquitoes breed produces a mucilage that will kill larvae and reduce mosquito populations. One pound of seed can destroy 10 million larvae. 

The common name Shepherd's Purse includes the species Capsella rubella, which is used interchangeably with Capsella bursa-pastoris.

(c)1997 Hale Software, Inc.  Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.

TIENCHI GINSENG HERB PLANT

Latin Name: Panax pseudoginseng 

Alternate Names: Tien Qi, San Qi, Som Chuk (Chinese)

Family: ARALIACEAE

Parts Used: Root.

Properties: Adrenal Tonic, Anticoagulant, Blood Tonic, Cardiotonic, Circulatory Stimulant, Emmenagogue, Energy Tonic, Hemostatic, Hypotensive, Yin Tonic.

Internal Uses: Angina, Anxiety, Arteriosclerosis, Bloody Stool, Bloody Vomit, Fatigue, Hemorrhage, High Cholesterol, Hypertension, Injury, Nosebleeds, Stress, Tachycardia, Trauma, Urinary Bleeding

Internal Applications: Tea, Tincture, Capsules.

Tienchi Ginseng is a premier herb to use for a wide range of injuries and traumas.  It improves energy circulation, reduces pain and swelling and dissolves blood clots. It is used internally and topically.  Tienchi Ginseng increases circulation to the coronary artery and in China it is often given to heart patients instead of nitroglycerin. 

Topical Uses: Injury, Sprains, Trauma, Wounds

Topical Applications: Liniment or poultice for wounds (including gunshot wounds), injuries, sprains and trauma.

Culinary uses: Cooked into soups for its tonic properties. 

Energetics: Bitter, Neutral.

Chemical Constituents: Arasaponin A and B, flavonoids (dencichine).

Contraindications: Avoid during pregnancy and in cases of blood deficiency.  If blood remains in the urine, stool or vomit after using this herb, seek medical attention. 

Comments: It is also known is China as the Miracle Root for the preservation of health.  In the Chinese Compedium of Materia Medica written in 1578, Tienchi Ginseng was regarded as more valuable than gold.

The common name Tienci Ginseng includes the species Panax notoginseng, which is used interchangeably with Panax pseudoginseng.

(c)1997 Hale Software, Inc.  Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.

Venus fly trap herb plant

Latin Name: Dionaea muscipula

Family: DROSERACEAE

Properties: Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antiviral, Immune Stimulant.

Internal Uses: AIDS, Arthritis, Crohn's Disease, Epstein-barr Virus, Herpes, HIV, Multiple Sclerosis, Psoriasis, Tumors, Ulcers

Internal Applications: Tincture.

It appears to activate killer T cell activity, reduce the rate of tumor tissue growth and shrink existing tumors. In Germany it is sometimes given by injection. 

Topical Uses: Bronchial Cancer, Lung Cancer

Topical Applications: Used in a nebulizer for bronchial and lung cancer.

Chemical Constituents: Naphthaquinone (plumbagin, ellagic acid), proteolytic enzymes.

Contraindications: Fresh plant juice can cause blistering, and residues will even penetrate plastic bags. 

Comments: Many people are familiar with this carnivorous plant.  Venus Fly trap does not have a long history of traditional use; however modern research has been conducted in Germany by Dr. Hemmett Keller.  

This herb has been listed by United Plant Savers as an 'at risk' plant, so please avoid buying products harvested from the wild.  Only use the cultivated herb.

(c)1997 Hale Software, Inc.  Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.