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Herbs A to Z (T - Z) contains a wealth of information concerning the healing potential of many herbs. Experience using these herbs that have been used for many medicinal purposes. The bark and leaves of witch hazel from the small shrub or witch hazel tree have been used as an astringent internally as a tea or gargle and externally as a poultice or tea soaked pad. Treatment with witch hazel bark and witch hazel leaf has been used for its anti-inflammatory properties as well. Reasons for witch hazel use include: to tighten pores, varicose veins, and hemorrhoids; to relieve pain and swelling of bruises, sore throat, and gums; and to reduce bleeding. The most common use of valerian root is to treat insomnia and anxiety. Besides the sedative effect, valerian root is used for convulsions and pain. It is easiest to take this as a supplement placing the valerian root powder into capsules. Taking excessive amounts of valerian root may cause apathy. Partially due to the high vitamin C content, white pine tree bark has been used as tea and topically in salves and poultices to treat and prevent infections, gangrene, parasites, and colds. Female hormones are said to be positively affected by wild yam root. Used for menopause, infertility, and menstrual problems, wild yam may be used as a tea, in capsules, and in creams and lotions. There are many conditions uva ursi has been used for. These include: arthritis, lower back pain, infections, reducing high blood sugar levels, fluid retention, gallstones, kidney stones, heavy menstruation, obesity, pancreatitis, and rheumatism.
With similar properties to aspirin, white willow bark has been used to boost immunity, reduce fever and inflammation, and relieve pain, especially headache and low back pain. Also, white oak bark has been used for digestion, inflammation, nosebleeds, strep throat, and varicose veins. Rich in carbohydrates, yucca root powder contains an abundance of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin C. Sometimes yucca root has been used to treat irritable bowel syndrome. It should not be consumed in excessive amounts. The root of yellow dock is used for digestion as well as liver and skin health. Fragrant sweet woodruff is often used in perfumes, potpourris, as moth repellent, and as tea. Taken internally, large amounts should be avoided. The herb yerba santa is most often used for respiratory conditions including asthma, hay fever, and problems with the larynx. The herb blue vervain has been used to treat diarrhea, fever, after birth pain, and to increase a mother’s supply of breast milk. Used as wild cherry bark tea, wild cherry bark has been used for asthma, coughs, digestion, and calming the nervous system. The aromatic yarrow flower has been used for allergies, hay fever, colds, and mild cases of asthma. Use yarrow herb topically on wounds, bruising and varicose veins or use internally as yarrow tea. Common use for wormwood herb is for parasitic infections.
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