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This is part one of four installments of our herbal supplements encyclopedia. Please see the bottom of this page for links to the other encyclopedia health article sections.

Beta-Sitosterol
Beta-sitosterol is a plant sterol (also known as a phytoestrogen), which is a plant-derived estrogen. Some phytoestrogens seem to play a role in inhibiting the body’s absorption of cholesterol absorption. There is also some evidence (although inconclusive) to suggest phytoestrogens might fight certain types of cancer. Phytoestrogens do not, however, increase the natural levels of estrogen in the body.

Black Walnut
Native to the forests of the United States, the black walnut tree grows over 90 feet high. The bark and root of this tree are used in homeopathic medicine to treat headache, hepatitis, skin conditions, hemorrhoids, and liver and gallbladder problems. Juglone, a compound isolated from black walnut, can fight bacteria. It also shows anti-tumor activity, serves as a gentle laxative and is helpful for intestinal worms. The black walnut is also known as butternut, lemon walnut, oil nut and white walnut.

Butcher’s Broom
Used by ancient Greek physicians as a laxative and a diuretic, butcher’s broom gained modern-day acceptance in the 1950s when a French scientist discovered that two chemicals from the plant’s stem cause blood vessels to narrow, as well as help reduce inflammation. Herbalists then began recommending butcher’s broom as a treatment for the itching and burning of hemorrhoids. More recently butcher’s broom has been used to help treat lower leg discomfort, including the cramps, pain, itching and swelling caused by pooling of blood in the veins. A perennial evergreen, butcher’s broom (also known as Jew’s myrtle, knee holly, kneeholm, pettigree and sweet broom) grows throughout Europe, western Asia and northern Africa. It has tough stems and rigid leaves that make it useful for sweeping, and folklore tells us that bundles of butcher’s broom were used to sweep butcher’s blocks clean.

Cranberry
Cranberry, either in pill form or juice, is often used to treat urinary-tract infections and may be useful in dissolving kidney stones and gallstones. Although cranberry juice has long been part of medicinal folklore, recent studies have confirmed its effectiveness in fighting urinary tract infections. Herbalists also suggest that cranberry not only kills the bacteria that cause urinary-tract infections, but can also prevent bacteria from adhering to cells, thereby allowing the bacteria to be flushed from the system. Cranberry is commonly used by bodybuilders, especially those who take steroids, because they believe it helps detoxify the kidneys.

Photo by Nadia Gossett

Dandelion
Dandelion, a common plant in the US, is also known as “wet-a-bed” in other countries because of its diuretic action. Dandelion is considered an effective diuretic because it replaces potassium that is normally lost through urination, and has no negative side effects. It is also regarded as a liver tonic and is used to treat fever, boils, heartburn, appendicitis and various skin problems. Dandelion contains more vitamin A than any other plant: 14,000 IU per 100 g of raw greens. Laboratory studies indicate that dandelion increases the flow of bile, which may alleviate such conditions as bile duct inflammation, hepatitis, gallstones and jaundice. Other reported benefits include anti-tumor and glucose-buffering properties, which suggests it might be a beneficial herb for diabetics.

Photo by Irina Dolgova

Devil’s Claw
Devil’s claw, also known as grapple plant or wood spider, is native to south and central Africa. Its medicinal value lies in its fleshy roots, which are sliced, chopped or pulverized while fresh (once dry, they are extremely difficult to cut), and used for skin disorders, appetite loss, indigestion, rheumatism and pain associated with childbirth. Researchers have found that devil’s claw stimulates production of digestive juices and increases the appetite, boosts production of bile, fights inflammation and relieves minor pain.

Because devil’s claw increases stomach acid, you should avoid devil’s claw if you have stomach or duodenal ulcers. Devil’s claw has also been known to trigger an allergic reaction.

Echinacea
Echinacea is a popular American wildflower and garden plant — the purple coneflower. Three varieties of echinacea — Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea pallida, and Echinacea angustifolia — are used to boost the immune system and fight infection, although only Echinacea purpurea and Echinacea pallida have been proven effective. Echinacea is used as a remedy for bronchitis, colds, cough, fever and sore throat, and is considered an effective treatment for urinary tract infections, poorly healing wounds, skin ulcers and burns. Historically, echinacea was used by Native Americans as a general antiseptic and for snakebites. As a natural immunity booster echinacea has become one of the hottest items in the current herbal renaissance — and for good reason. Researchers have found that ingesting echinacea boosts the effectiveness of the immune system by increasing the number of white blood cells, spleen cells and other disease-fighting agents. In addition, echinacea has been shown to prevent the growth of bacteria and viruses and to speed the healing of wounds.

Because of echinacea’s effects on the immune system, do not take this herb if you have multiple sclerosis, AIDS, tuberculosis, leukemia, or autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. Don’t take echinacea injections if you have an allergy to the plant or to ragweed, or if you have diabetes or are pregnant. It has no side effects when taken orally at customary dosage levels, but you shouldn’t take it for longer than three successive weeks at any given time. (You can begin taking it again for another three weeks after a week’s absence from it though.) Additionally, when echinacea extract is given intravenously it can lead to shivers, short-term fever and very rarely, an immediate allergic reaction.

Fennel
Although ancient Greeks and Romans used fennel to ward off evil spirits and kill fleas, they also recognized the more practical application that is still used today — to relieve stomach cramps and intestinal gas. Fennel also can be used as a weak diuretic and as a gentle laxative. You should not take fennel if you have a history of alcoholism, hepatitis, liver disease, abnormal blood clotting, or estrogen-dependent breast tumors.

Fenugreek
Fenugreek is commonly used as a cooking spice, but it also has medicinal properties. Ayurvedic medicine practitioners suggest fenugreek to alleviate diarrhea, flatulence and gastritis; improve appetite; and aid liver and spleen disorders.

Feverfew
Used in Greco-Roman times as a medicine for menstrual cramps, feverfew is more commonly used today for prevention (or reducing the severity) of migraine headaches.

Flavonoids
There are over 4,000 different flavone compounds. Of these many compounds, two are currently the most popular and best understood — “proanthocyanidins,” found in pine bark (Pycnogenol), and grape seed extract and quercetin, found in citrus fruits and green tea. Proanthocyanidins have a very powerful antioxidant characteristic and their free-radical scavenging effects are better than most antioxidant vitamins. They may also help protect connective tissue from disease and damage. Quercetin also has antioxidant characteristics, but its main use has been as an anti-inflammatory or antiviral agent.

Read part two (G-L)
Read part three (M-R)
Read part four (S-Z)

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