Paeonia lactiflora
Monograph
- Plant Family:
- Paeoniaceae, or the peony
family [1]
- Habitat & Cultivation:
- Native to
central and eastern Asia, introduced to Europe and England in the mid-18th
century. The flowers bloom perennially in a cup- or bowl- shape. [1]
- Parts Used:
- Herbal Actions:
- Anti-inflammatory
- Anti-viral
- Anti-bacterial
- Antioxidant
- Cholesterol
reduction
- Modulation of
pro-inflammatory mediators
- Modulate blood
glucose
- Alterative
- Emmenagogue
- Nervine
- Anti-allergic
prevention of mast cell activation
- Spasmolytic
- Mild sedative
- Ovarian tonic
- Anti-androgenic
[1]
- Body System Indications:
- GU - Prevent
diabetes associated renal failure, dissolve kidney stones, fatty liver
- GI - Reduce
elevated liver enzymes (AST/ALT), hepatitis, H. Pylori, healing fissures,
dyspepsia
- MSK - Rheumatoid
arthritis, muscle cramping
- Cardiovascular -
Atherosclerosis
- Respiratory - Whooping
cough
- Skin - Eczema,
dermatitis, HSV
- CNS - Migraine,
neuralgia, epilepsy
- Endocrine - Reduce
HgbA1C, stimulate insulin secretion, dysmenorrhea, PCOS, PMS [1]
- Plant Constituents:
- Flavonoids,
tannins/polyphenols, monoterpene glycosides [2]
- Energetics:
- Bitter,
astringent, cooling, sweet [3]
- Safety & Interactions:
- May inhibit
platelet aggregation (use caution for those with low platelets, clotting
disorders, or those on anticoagulant medications). [1]
Personal
Experience
- Organoleptics:
- The dried root looks like shaved curls of wood. Medium-dark brown in color. A strong bitter smell, again like urine (same as licorice).
- Preparation Method:
- Tincture: (1:4 in 70%) 2-4 dropperfuls 3x/day.
- Decoction: 1 g dried herb in 1 cup water, boil and simmer for 5 mins. Drink 3x/day. [2]
- Usage Notes:
- I made a tincture. It turned out very strong, almost chemical-tasting but I think it's the strong floral taste that makes it this way. Almost like drinking perfume. It would be better in a glycerine-based formula. I can feel the bitter attributes clearly in my mouth. I was very interested in this herb for the liver support - I definitely feel that my body liked this herb. It's hard to say why.
Sources:
- Zollinger, R. & Riccio, L. (2019).
Week 4 Study Questions. Bastyr University: WI-19_MW5125-A Botanicals 5:
Holistic Gynecologic Health
- Hoffmann, D. (2003). Medical
Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester, VT:
Healing Arts Press.
- Frawley, D. & Lad, V. (2001).
The Yoga of Herbs. Twin Lakes, Wisconsin: Lotus Press.
Glycyrrhiza glabra
Monograph
- Plant Family:
- Fabaceae, or the legume
family [1]
- Habitat & Cultivation:
- Licorice is
native to Southern Europe and parts of Asia. Glycyrrhiza lepidota, or American Licorice, is a relative of
Glycyrrhiza glabra that can be found throughout the United States and
Canada. It prefers well-draining soil and full sunlight. [1]
- Parts Used:
- Herbal Actions:
- Expectorant
- Demulcent
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antihepatotoxic
- Antispasmodic
- Mild laxative [2]
- Body System Indications:
- GI - Gastritis,
gastric ulcers, Hepatitis
- ENMT - Reduces
dental plaque and aphthous ulcers, reduces HSV
- Respiratory - Cough,
catarrh, bronchitis
- CNS - Depression
in cases of elevated cortisol
- Immune - Inhibits
growth of virus
- Endocrine - Adrenal
fatigue, PCOS, infertility
- GU - Prevents
bacterial adherence to bladder wall
- MSK - Rheumatism
[1]
- Plant Constituents:
- Glycyrrhizin
saponin, flavone and isoflavone, sterols, coumarins [2]
- Energetics:
- Safety:
- Avoid in high
doses and/or long-term usage - Chronic intake of the compound glycyrrhizin can lead to
hypokalemia, headache, spastic numbness, hypertension, weak limbs,
dizziness, edema.
- “Deglycyrrhizinated”
licorice is safe for general use. [2]
- Interactions:
- Not recommended for those on cardiac glycosides, hypotensive
agents, corticoids, diuretic drugs, or monoamine oxidase inhibitors. [2]
Personal
Experience
- Organoleptics:
- Dried licorice
root looks like pale, broken twigs. Not a fan of the smell - it actually
smells a bit like urine.
- Preparation Method:
- Tincture: (1:5 in 40%)
1 – 3 mL 3x/day
- Decoction: ½ - 1 tsp
root in 1 cup water, boil and simmer for 10-15 mins and drink 3x/day [2]
- Usage Notes:
- I made a
decotion of the licorice root. It came out darker than I thought it would
be. It's so sweet, I almost can't stand to drink it. I can see why this
herb is used (in small amounts) to sweeten tinctures, especially because
it can increase absorption of other herbs in a formula. It really lingers
in the mouth, especially the back of the throat. I get the strong
demulcent qualities of this herb right away. It coats the tongue and
mucous membranes.
Sources:
- Zollinger, R. & Riccio, L.
(2019). Week 3 Study Questions. Bastyr University: WI-19_MW5125-A
Botanicals 5: Holistic Gynecologic Health
- Hoffmann, D. (2003). Medical
Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester, VT:
Healing Arts Press.
- Frawley, D. & Lad, V. (2001).
The Yoga of Herbs. Twin Lakes, Wisconsin: Lotus Press.
