Therapeutic Index

This index lists herbs that can be considered as treatment for specific diseases. The diseases or conditions are listed alphabetically. The most useful herbs, or the specifics, for each category are listed first, the others listed second. Specifics are those herbs which are considered to be the best and most effective remedies to relieve a particular condition or disease state. For specific formulas and recipes see: Folk Medicine Remedies and Cures.

Abscess

• Echinacea, Garlic, Marsh Mallow, Myrrh, Wild Indigo
• Blue Flag, Cleavers, Coltsfoot, Fenugreek, Golden Seal, Mallow, Poke Root

Acne

• Blue Flag, Cleavers, Echinacea, Garlic, Poke Root, Wild Indigo

Adenoids

• Cleavers, Echinacea, Garlic, Golden Seal, Marigold, Poke Root, Wild Indigo

Angina Pectoris

• Hawthorn
• Motherwort

Anxiety

• Californian Poppy, Chamomile, Mistletoe, Motherwort, Pasque Flower, St John’s Wort, Skullcap, Valerian, Wild Lettuce
• Balm, Betony, Cowslip, Damiana, Hops, Hyssop, Oats, Passion Flower, Peppermint, Vervain

Appendicitis

• Agrimony
• American Cranesbill, Golden Seal, Wild Yam

Appetite Loss

• Calamus, Centaury, Condurango, Gentian, Mugwort, Wormwood
• Blessed Thistle, Chamomile, Galangal, Golden Seal, Quassia, Southernwood, Tansy, White Poplar

Arteriosclerosis

• Lime
• Hawthorn, Mistletoe

Arthritis

• Black Cohosh, Bogbean, Celery Seed, Guaiacum, Prickly Ash, Wild Yam
• Bittersweet, Daisy, Juniper, Meadowsweet, Red Cedar, Scots Pine, Silver Birch, White Poplar, Wintergreen, Yarrow

Asthma

• Elecampane, Ephedra, Grindelia, Lobelia, Pill-bearing Spurge, Sundew, Wild Cherry
• Balsam of Tolu, Black Cohosh, Black Haw, Blood Root, Blue Cohosh, Butterbur, Coltsfoot, Mullein, Pasque Flower, Senega

Blood Pressure (high)

• Hawthorn, Lime Blossom, Mistletoe, Yarrow
• Balm, Black Haw, Cramp Bark, Garlic

Boils

• Blue Flag, Echinacea, Garlic, Myrrh, Pasque Flower, Poke Root, Wild Indigo
• Chickweed, Cleavers, Coltsfoot, Comfrey, Fenugreek, Figwort, Flax Seed, Greater Plantain, Mallow, Marsh Mallow

Bronchitis

• Blood Root, Coltsfoot, Echinacea, Elecampane, Garlic, Grindelia, Lobelia, Mouse Ear, Mullein, Pill-bearing Spurge, Pleurisy Root, Senega, Sundew, White Horehound
• Angelica, Aniseed, Balm of Gilead, Balsam of Tolu, Caraway, Carline Thistle, Comfrey, Cowslip, Ephedra, Fennel, Fenugreek, Flax Seed, Greater Plantain, Ground Ivy, Horseradish, Hyssop, Iceland Moss, Ipecacuanha, Irish Moss, Licorice, Mallow, Marsh Mallow, Nasturtium, Pansy, Scots Pine, Soapwort, Squill, Sweet Violet, Thyme, Wild Cherry

Bruises

• Arnica, Elder
• Chickweed, Cucumber, Lady’s Mantle, Marigold, St John’s Wort

Burns

• Aloe, Elder, Marigold, Greater Plantain, St John’s Wort
• Chamomile, Chickweed, Comfrey, Cucumber, Quince Seed

Catarrh

• Echinacea, Elder, Eyebright, Garlic, Golden Rod, Golden Seal, Mouse Ear, Mullein, Peppermint, Pine, Poke Root
• Avens, Balsam of Tolu, Bistort, Chamomile, Coltsfoot, Daisy, Fenugreek, Grindelia, Ground Ivy, Hyssop, Iceland Moss, Mallow, Myrrh, Pill-bearing Spurge, Sweet Violet, Wild Indigo

Chilblains

• Cayenne, Ginger
• Black Mustard, Horsetail, Prickly Ash

Circulation

• Cayenne, Ginger, Prickly Ash
• Black Mustard, Horseradish, Rosemary

Colds

• Angelica, Cayenne, Elder, Garlic, Ginger, Golden Rod, Golden Seal, Hyssop, Peppermint, Yarrow
• Avens, Bayberry, Catnip, Cowslip, Echinacea, Eyebright, Fenugreek, Lime Blossom, Marjoram

Colic

• Angelica, Boldo, Calamus, Condurango, Cramp Bark, Gentian, Ginger, Peppermint, Valerian, Wild Yam
• Allspice, Aniseed, Avens, Balmony, Blessed Thistle, Blue Cohosh, Butterbur, Caraway, Cardamon, Catnip, Cayenne, Chamomile, Cinnamon, Coriander, Dill, Fennel, Horseradish, Jambul, Juniper, Licorice, Mugwort, Pennyroyal, Red Cedar, Rue, Tormentil, Wild Lettuce, Wormwood

Colitis

• Agrimony, American Cranesbill, Bayberry, Comfrey, Marsh Mallow
• Bistort, Black Catechu, Meadowsweet, Oak, Tormentil

Conjunctivitis

• Chamomile, Eyebright, Golden Seal, Marigold
• Fennel

Constipation

• Balmony, Barberry, Buckthorn, Cascara Sagrada, Rhubarb Root, Senna, Yellow Dock
• Aloe, Black Root, Bogbean, Boldo, Butterbur, Figwort, Flax Seed, Wahoo

Cough

• Angelica, Aniseed, Balm of Gilead, Coltsfoot, Comfrey, Cowslip, Elecampane, Garlic, Golden Seal, Grindelia, Ground Ivy, Hyssop, Mouse Ear, Mullein, Pine, Greater Plantain, Pleurisy Root, Senega, Sundew, White Horehound
• Balsam of Tolu, Caraway, Carline Thistle, Daisy, Fennel, Fenugreek, Licorice, Mallow, Marjoram, Marsh Mallow, Myrrh, Red Poppy, Soapwort, Sweet Violet, Thuja, Thyme, Wild Lettuce

Cramp

• Black Cohosh, Cramp Bark, Pasque Flower, Skullcap, Valerian, Wild Lettuce, Wild Yam
• Cayenne, Ginger, Woundwort

Cystitis

• Bearberry, Buchu, Couchgrass, Echinacea, Juniper, Red Cedar, Yarrow
• Angelica, Silver Birch, Boldo, Carline Thistle, Celery Seed, Cleavers, Coltsfoot, Corn Silk, Golden Rod, Gravel Root, Ground Ivy, Horsetail, Hydrangea, Pansy, Pellitory of the Wall, Sea Holly

Diabetes

• Mulberry, Celery
• Fenugreek, Pumpkin

Debility

• Balmony, Blessed Thistle, Cayenne, Damiana, Dandelion, Golden Seal, Kola, Rosemary
• Agrimony, Barberry, Betony, Calamus, Ginger, Life Root, Mugwort, Oats, True Unicorn Root, White Poplar, Wormwood

Depression

• Damiana, Kola, Oats, Skullcap, Wormwood,
• Balm, Celery, Chamomile, Mistletoe, Mugwort, Rosemary, Southernwood, Valerian, Vervain

Diarrhea (in adults)

• Agrimony, American Cranesbill, Bayberry, Bistort, Black Catechu, Comfrey, Lady’s Mantle, Meadowsweet, Oak, Greater Plantain, Rhatany, Silverweed, Tormentil
• Avens, Blessed Thistle, Burr-Marigold, Caraway, Catnip, Cinnamon, Coriander, Daisy, Eyebright, Ground Ivy, Jambul, Kola, Self-Heal

Diarrhea (in children)

• Meadowsweet
• American Cranesbill, Lady’s Mantle

Diverticulitis

• Wild Yam
• Comfrey, Chamomile, Marsh Mallow

Earache

• Pennywort, Pasque Flower
• Mullein
• See also “Infection“

Eczema

• Blue Flag, Burdock, Chickweed, Cleavers, Figwort, Golden Seal, Nettles, Red Clover, Yellow Dock
• Balm of Gilead, Bittersweet, Comfrey, Mountain Grape, Oregon Grape Root, Pansy, Sarsaparilla, Sweet Violet

Epilepsy

• Hyssop, Skullcap
• Passion Flower, Valerian

Fever

• Boneset, Catnip, Cayenne, Ginger, Peruvian Bark, Pleurisy Root
• Angelica, Black Mustard, Borage, Carline Thistle, Chamomile, Horseradish, Peppermint, Vervain

Fibrositis

• Cayenne, Ginger, Pine, Ragwort, Wintergreen
• Horseradish, Rosemary, St John’s Wort

Flatulence

• Angelica, Calamus, Caraway, Cardamon, Cayenne, Cinnamon, Condurango, Coriander, Fennel, Gentian, Ginger
• Allspice, Aniseed, Balm, Blessed Thistle, Calumba, Catnip, Centaury, Chamomile, Cloves, Galangal, Horseradish, Juniper, Marjoram, Mugwort, Parsley, Pennyroyal, Peppermint, Red Cedar, , Thyme, Valerian, Wormwood

Fungus Infection

• Marigold
• Golden Seal, Greater Celandine, Myrrh

Gall Bladder Problems

• Balmony, Black Root, Dandelion, Fringetree Bark, Milk Thistle, Vervain, Wahoo, Wild Yam
• Barberry, Bogbean, Boldo, Golden Seal, Greater Celandine, Marigold

Gastritis

• American Cranesbill, Calamus, Comfrey, Golden Seal, Marsh Mallow, Meadowsweet, Slippery Elm
• Chamomile, Iceland Moss, Irish Moss, Licorice, Mallow, Peach Leaves, Quince

Gingivitis

• Bistort, Echinacea, Golden Seal, Myrrh, Oak Bark, Poke Root, Rhatany, Wild Indigo
• Avens, Bayberry, Black Catechu, Garlic, Lady’s Mantle, Red Sage, Self-Heal, Silverweed, Tormentil, Vervain

Glands (swollen)

• Cleavers, Echinacea, Poke Root
• Marigold, Wild Indigo

Glandular Fever

• Echinacea, Myrrh, Poke Root, Wormwood
• Garlic, Wild Indigo

Halitosis

• Dill, Fennel

Hay Fever

• Ephedra, Golden Seal,
• Elder, Eyebright, Garlic, Peppermint

Headache

• Betony, Feverfew, Marjoram, Rosemary, Skullcap
• Chamomile, Cowslip, Hops, Mistletoe, Peppermint, Rue, St John’s Wort, Valerian

Heartburn

• Comfrey, Marsh Mallow, Meadowsweet
• Iceland Moss, Irish Moss, Mallow, Slippery Elm

Hemorrhoids

• Bistort, Horsechestnut, Lady’s Mantle, Pilewort, Silverweed, Tormentil
• American Cranesbill, Balmony, Comfrey, Greater Plantain, Ground Ivy, Oak, Rhatany

Hypersensitivity

• Ephedra

Incontinence (urinary)

• Ephedra, Horsetail
• Agrimony

Indigestion

• Balm, Calamus, Cayenne, Centaury, Chamomile, Condurango, Fennel, Ginger, Oregon Grape Root,  Peppermint, Valerian, Wild Yam, Wormwood,
• Allspice, Agrimony, Balmony, Blessed Thistle, Boldo, Caraway, Cardamon, Catnip, Cinnamon, Cloves, Dill, Galangal, Gentian, Iceland Moss, Marjoram, Mugwort, Quassia, Red Sage, Rosemary, Thyme, True Unicorn Root, Wild Lettuce

Infection

• Cleavers, Echinacea, Garlic, Golden Seal, Myrrh, Wild Indigo
• Cayenne, Fenugreek, Ginger, Nasturtium, Thyme, Wormwood

Influenza

• Boneset, Cayenne, Echinacea, Garlic, Golden Seal, Pleurisy Root
• Angelica, Balm, Black Mustard, Carline Thistle, Elder, Ginger, Horseradish, Lime, Marjoram, Myrrh, Nasturtium, Peppermint, White Poplar, Yarrow

Insomnia

• Californian Poppy, Hops, Jamaican Dogwood, Passion Flower, Valerian, Wild Lettuce
• Chamomile, Cowslip, Lime Blossom, Pasque Flower, Skullcap

Itching

• Chickweed, Golden Seal, Marigold
• Chamomile, Cleavers, Cucumber, Peppermint, St John’s Wort

Jaundice

• Balmony, Barberry, Black Root, Dandelion, Oregon Grape Root, Vervain, Wahoo, Yellow Dock
• Bittersweet, Centaury, Golden Seal, Mountain Grape, Wild Yam

Kidney Stones

• Bearberry, Corn Silk, Couchgrass, Gravel Root, Hydrangea, Pellitory of the Wall, Stone Root
• Dandelion, Sea Holly, Wild Carrot, Yarrow

Labor Pains (false)

• Black Cohosh, Cramp Bark, Motherwort, Wild Yam
• Blue Cohosh, Valerian, Wild Lettuce

Laryngitis

• Balm of Gilead, Blood Root, Echinacea, Golden Seal, Myrrh, Oak, Red Sage, Thyme
• Agrimony, Bayberry, Bistort, Black Catechu, Caraway, Cayenne, Chamomile, Fenugreek, Golden Tod, Lady’s Mantle, Mallow, Poke Root, Tormentil, Wild Indigo

Leucorrhea

• American Cranesbill, Bayberry, Beth Root, Golden Seal, Lady’s Mantle, Life Root, Myrrh, Nasturtium
• Wild Indigo, Avens, Bearberry, Bistort, Black Catechu, Ground Ivy, Oak

Liver Tonic

• Balmony, Black Root, Blue Flag, Centaury, Dandelion, Oregon Grape Root, Wahoo, Yellow Dock
• Bogbean, Burdock, Garlic, Golden Seal, Mountain Grape, Wild Yam

Lumbago

• Black Mustard, Cayenne, Ragwort, Wintergreen

Menopause

• Black Cohosh, Chaste Tree, False Unicorn Root, Golden Seal, St John’s Wort
• Beth Root, Life Root

Menstruation (delayed)

• Blue Cohosh, Chaste Tree, False Unicorn Root, Life Root, Parsley, Pennyroyal, Rue, Tansy, Southernwood, Wormwood
• Marigold, Motherwort, Mugwort, Thuja, Yarrow

Menstruation (excessive)

• American Cranesbill, Beth Root, Periwinkle
• Golden Seal, Lady’s Mantle

Menstruation (painful)

• Black Cohosh, Black Haw, Cramp Bark, Jamaican Dogwood, Pasque Flower, St John’s Wort, Skullcap, Valerian, Wild Lettuce
• Blue Cohosh, Butterbur, Caraway, Chaste Tree, False Unicorn Root, Marigold, Squaw Vine, Wild Yam

Metrorrhagia

• American Cranesbill, Beth Root, Golden Seal, Periwinkle
• Lady’s Mantle

Migraine

• Feverfew
• Jamaican Dogwood, Kola, Mistletoe, Peppermint, Skullcap, Wormwood

Milk Stimulation (breast)

• Goat’s Rue, Milk Thistle
• Borage Caraway, Dill, Fennel, Fenugreek

Miscarriage (threatened)

• Blue Cohosh, False Unicorn Root
• Black Haw, Cramp Bark

Mouth Ulcers

• Myrrh, Red Sage
• Bistort, Chamomile, Lady’s Mantle, Oak

Nausea

• Black Horehound, Chamomile, Meadowsweet, Peppermint
• Avens, Cayenne, Cinnamon, Cloves, Fennel, Galangal, Marsh Mallow

Neuralgia

• Betony, Black Cohosh, Jamaican Dogwood, Mistletoe, Passion Flower, St John’s Wort, Skullcap, Valerian
• Hops, Pasque Flower, Rosemary

Nosebleed

• Lady’s Mantle, Witch Hazel
• Marigold, Tormentil

Ovarian Pain

• Jamaican Dogwood, Pasque Flower, Valerian
• Passion Flower, St John’s Wort, Skullcap, Wild Yam

Pain

• Black Cohosh, Black Willow, Jamaican Dogwood, Valerian, Wild Lettuce
• Cramp Bark, Guaiacum, Hops, Rosemary, Skullcap

Palpitations

• Motherwort
• Skullcap, Valerian

Phlebitis

• Hawthorn, Horsechestnut
• Lime Blossom, Mistletoe

Pregnancy Tonic

• Raspberry Leaves
• Squaw Vine

Pregnancy (vomiting)

• Black Horehound, False Unicorn Root, Meadowsweet
• Blue Cohosh, Peppermint

Pre-Menstrual Tension

• Chaste Tree, Skullcap, Valerian
• Lime Blossom, Pasque Flower

Prostate

• Damiana, Horsetail, Hydrangea, Saw Palmetto
• Corn Silk, Couchgrass, Sea Holly

Psoriasis

• Blue Flag, Burdock, Cleavers, Figwort, Mountain Grape, Oregon Grape Root, Red Clover, Sarsaparilla, Yellow Dock
• Balm of Gilead, Chickweed, Flax Seed, Sassafras, Thuja

Rheumatism

• Angelica, Black Cohosh, Bogbean, Celery Seed, Guaiacum, Meadowsweet, Prickly Ash, White Poplar, Wild Lettuce, Wild Yam, Wintergreen, Yarrow
• Arnica, Bittersweet, Black Mustard, Blue Cohosh, Burdock, Cayenne, Couchgrass, Daisy, Dandelion, Elder, Fennel, Gravel Root, Horseradish, Horsetail, Juniper, Poke Root, Ragwort, Red Cedar, St John’s Wort, Sarsaparilla, Sassafras, Scots Pine, Silver Birch, Thuja, Wild Carrot

Sciatica

• Black Cohosh, Jamaican Dogwood, St John’s Wort
• Yarrow

Shingles

• Jamaican Dogwood, Mistletoe, Passion Flower, St John’s Wort
• Flax Seed, Hops, Skullcap, Valerian, Wild Lettuce, Wild Yam

Sinusitis

• Elder, Eyebright, Garlic, Golden Rod, Golden Seal, Poke Root, Scots Pine, Wild Indigo
• Chamomile, Myrrh, Peppermint, Thyme, Yarrow

Sore Throat

• Balm of Gilead, Echinacea, Garlic, Golden Seal, Mulberry, Oak
• Agrimony, Bayberry, Cayenne, Chamomile, Ginger, Golden Rod, Marsh Mallow, Myrrh, Poke Root, Silverweed, Thyme

Spots

• Blue Flag, Cleavers, Echinacea, Figwort, Garlic, Poke Root

Stress

• Damiana, Lime Blossom, Mistletoe, St John’s Wort, Skullcap
• Balm, Betony, Borage, Chamomile, Cowslip, Hops, Oats, Pasque Flower, Passion Flower, Valerian, Wild Lettuce, Wormwood

Sunburn

• Aloe, Marigold
• Eyebright, St John’s Wort

Tension

• Betony, Cowslip, Jamaican Dogwood, Lime Blossom, Mistletoe, Motherwort, Pasque Flower, Passion Flower, St John’s Wort, Skullcap, Valerian, Vervain, Wild Lettuce
• Balm, Californian Poppy, Damiana, Hops, Peppermint

Tinnitus

• Black Cohosh, Golden Seal
• Golden Rod, Ground Ivy

Tonsillitis

• Cleavers, Echinacea, Garlic, Golden Seal, Myrrh, Poke Root, Red Sage
• Thyme, Wild Indigo

Toothache

• Cloves

Travel Sickness

• Black Horehound, Ginger
• Galangal, Peppermint

Tumors

• Cleavers, Comfrey, Elder, Fenugreek, Greater Celandine, Red Clover, Sweet Violet, Thuja

Ulcers (peptic)

• American Cranesbill, Comfrey, Marsh Mallow, Meadowsweet, Slippery Elm
• Calamus, Golden Seal, Irish Moss, Licorice, Mallow

Ulcers (skin)

• Chickweed, Comfrey, Golden Seal, Marigold
• Echinacea, Marsh Mallow

Varicose Ulcers

• Golden Seal, Horsechestnut, Marigold
• Comfrey, Marsh Mallow

Varicose Veins

• Horsechestnut
• Hawthorn, Lime Blossom, St John’s Wort, Witch Hazel

Vomiting

• Black Horehound, Meadowsweet
• Cinnamon, Cloves, Comfrey, False Unicorn Root, Iceland Moss, Peppermint, Rosemary

Warts

• Greater Celandine
• Thuja

Water Retention

• Bearberry, Broom, Buchu, Dandelion, Gravel Root, Juniper Berries, Pellitory of the Wall, Red Cedar, Wild Carrot
• Burr-Marigold, Carline Thistle, Celery Seed, Corn Silk, Horsetail, Parsley, Sea Holly, Silver Birch Stone Root, Yarrow

Whooping Cough

• Coltsfoot, Grindelia, Lobelia, Mouse Ear
• Black Cohosh, Ephedra, Garlic, Mullein, Pansy, Red Clover, Sundew, Wild Cherry

Worms

• Cucumber, Garlic, Kousso, Male Fern, Pomegranate, Pumpkin, Quassia, Santonica, Tansy, Wormwood

Wounds

• Chickweed, Comfrey, Elder, Golden Seal, Marigold, Greater Plantain, St John’s Wort, Self-Heal, Woundwort
• Carline Thistle, Chamomile, Fenugreek, Garlic, Horsetail, Lady’s Mantle, Marsh Mallow, Mouse Ear, Red Sage, Tormentil

Source: The Complete Illustrated Holistic Herbal