Herbal medicine draws on a vast traditional knowledge that has come together to form a safe and modern therapeutic tool. Contemporary herbalists are able access a history spanning thousands of years of tried and tested natural medicines from Chinese, Ayurvedic, European, North American Indian and other native traditions. Many of today’s pharmaceutical medications have their origin in our herbal remedies; aspirin from willowbark is one such example. Herbal medicines may be prescribed alone or alongside other natural therapies. With a knowledge of herb / drug interactions they may also be used with orthodox prescriptions to enhance healing or to decrease the side effects of some medications. Jason and Ally use the highest quality herbal medicines (organic where possible) from leading Australian suppliers Mediherb , Herbal Extract Company and Optimal Rx . We stock a large herbal medicine dispensary of liquid herbal tinctures enabling us to individualise the herbal medicine mixtures we prescribe for our patients.
‘Planet Earth, what a beautiful & bounteous world to call home! The more we turn our attention towards the nature of our relationship with the environment, the more profound become the insights into the close embrace we share. Whether on the global scale of our effects upon climate and the climates effects upon us, or at the biochemical level of plants as medicines, the connections revealed are powerful and very real. Of the many ways in which our ecological inter-relatedness shows itself, the art and science of Herbal Medicine is for many people the most unexpected.
Above all else, Herbalism is the medicine of belonging, the direct experience of the whole healing the part. Our world blesses us with herbs, with leaves of life. In the face of blind abuse and rape of nature, we discover remedies that can help us survive the impact of humanity’s mistakes. To heal ourselves we must know ourselves, and all of ecology, spirituality, intuition and common sense tells us that we are all one. If our world is sick and poisoned then so are we. If the forests are being destroyed, then we die a little with each felling. Every whale that is respected and let live, blesses us. Each river cleaned and renewed, flows through our veins and renews us.
Humanity is being faced with the realities of a shared planet. This may take the form of a drought caused by the green house effect, pollution induced birth defects or the purgatory of human overpopulation. On the other hand it may be the dawning recognition that the intimate embrace of our world is a healing force moving humanity towards a transformation of our relationship with the earth, ourselves and each other.’
By David L. Hoffmann B.Sc. (Hons), M.N.I.M.H.
We stock a large range of herbal tinctures at the clinic.
Herbal Materia Medica.
Botanical Name | Actions |
Achillea millefolium | Diaphoretic, digestive tonic, |
Yarrow | circulatory stimimulant, mucous |
membrane tonic, amennagogue | |
Adhatoda vasica | Expectorant, bronchodilator, |
Adhatoda | antiasthmatic, oxytocic |
Aesculus hippocastanum | Astringent, antihaemorrhagic, |
Horse Chestnut | anti-inflammatory, diuretic, vascular tonic |
Agrimonia eupatoria | Astringent, haemostatic, tissue |
Agrimony | healer, diuretic, bitter |
Agropyrum repens | Diuretic, demulcet, relieves |
Couch Grass | irritation & spasm in urinary tract |
Albizzia lebek | Antiallergic, antimicrobial, mast cell |
Albizzia | stabilising, hyporcholesterolaemic |
Alchemillia vulgaris | Astringent, uterine astringent, |
Lady’s Mantle | digestive tonic, alterative |
Allium sativum | Antiseptic, hypotensive, platelet agg’n |
Garlic | inhibitor, immune enhancer, expectorant |
Althaea officinalis (rad) | Rad: Soothing, demulcent, relaxing |
Marshmallow | expectorant, vulnerary |
Andrographis paniculata | Bitter, choleretic, immunostimulant, |
Andrographis | hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory |
Anemone pulsatilla | Analgesic, spasmolytic, |
Pasque flower | bactericidal, gen sedative |
Angelica archangelica | Antispasmodic, carminative, bitter |
Angelica Root | warming- strengthens the gut, tonic, |
relaxing expectorant | |
Angelica sinensis | Uterine tonic, hormonal balancer, |
Dong Quai | oestrogenic, anti-inflammatory, |
antianemic, mild laxative, spasmolytic, warming to circulation, antiarrhythmic | |
Apium graveolens | Anti rheumatic, alterative, antiarthritic, |
Celery Seed | diuretic, carminative, urinary antiseptic |
Articum lappa | Alterative, diuretic, diaphoretic, |
Burdock | cholagogue, laxative, bitter |
Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi | Urinary antiseptic, astringent, |
Bearberry | and tonic to urinary and GI tract |
Arnica montana | Stimulates blood supply locally, |
Arnica | local healing, antiinflammatory |
Artemesia absinthium | Antiparasitic, bitter, cholagogue, |
Wormwood | anti-inflammatory,carminative, hepatic |
Asclepias tuberosa | Diaphoretic, relaxing expectorant |
Pleurisy root | |
Astragalis membranaceus | Immunostimulant, antiviral, cardiotonic |
Astragalis | adaptogen, diuretic, hypotensive, tonic |
Avena sativa | Thymoleptic, NS restorative, uterine |
Oats | tonic, sedative, nutritive, galactagogue, antidepressant, sedative |
Bacopa monniera | Nervine tonic, mild sedative, mild |
Bacopa | anticonvulcent, anti-inflammatory |
Baptisia tinctora | Anti-microbial/ viral, antiseptic, anti- |
Wild Indigo | catarrhal, lymphatic, cholagogue |
Barosma betulina | Urinary antiseptic, diuretic, carminative |
Buchu | |
Berberis aquifolium | Mild cholagogue & laxative, |
Oregon Grape | alterative |
Berberis vulgaris | Bitter digestive tonic, cholagogue, |
Barberry | alterative, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory |
Bupleurum falcatum | Anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective |
Bupleurum (Chai Hu) | antitussive, alterative, adaptogen |
Calendula officinalis | Vulnerary, astringent, antiseptic, styptic, |
Marigold | antifungal, anti-inflam, oestrogenic |
Capsella bursa-pastoris | Styptic & anti-haemorrhagic, diuretic, |
Shepherd’s Purse | uterine stimulant, astringent |
Capsicum minimum spp | Diaphoretic, circ. stimulant, carminative, |
Cayenne Pepper | spasmolytic, adjuvant, hypoglycaemic |
Cassia sp. fruit | Stimulating laxative, uterine stimulant, |
Senna Pods | |
Caulophyllum thalictroides | Spasmolytic, emmenagogue, |
Blue Cohosh | uterine tonic, antirheumatic |
Centella asiatica | Gentle cerebral & adrenal stim, bitter |
Gotu Kola | relaxant, alterative, anti-rheumatic |
Chamaelirium luteum | Uterine tonic, bitter, amphoteric to |
False Unicorn Root | ovary, assists in poor stamina & spirits |
Chelidonium majus | Hepatic tonic, cholagogue, laxative |
Greater Celandine | antispasmodic, anti-inflam, |
Chionanthus virginicus | Cholagogue, hepatic, laxative, diuretic |
Fringe Tree | alterative, diuretic |
Cimicifuga racemosa | Alterative, antispasmodic & NS sedative |
Black Cohosh | antirheumatic, emmenagogue, alterative |
anti-inflammatory, antitussive, nervine | |
Cinnamomum zeylanicum | Astringent, antihaemorrhagic, |
Cinnamon | warming aromatic tonic, carminative |
Codonopsis pilosula | Adaptogen, nutritive, |
Codonopsis | |
Coleus forskohlii | Hypotensive, antiglaucoma, |
Coleus | antiplatelet, bronchospasmolytic, |
cardiotonic | |
Commiphora molmol | Antimicrobial, antiseptic, astringent |
Myrrh | anticatarrhal, carminative, expectorant |
Crataegus monogyna/ | Cardiac trophorestorative, vasodilator |
oxycanthoides | of coronary vessels, gen visceral relax. |
Hawthorn Berries | increases sensitisation to cardioactive glycosides |
Crataeva nurvala | Antilithic, bladder tonic, |
Crataeva | anti-inflammatory |
Curcuma longa | Cholagogue, aromatic digestive, anti- |
Tumeric | inflammatory, carminative, antimicrobial |
Cynara scolymus | Cholagogue, hepatic trophorestorative, |
Globe Artichoke | diuretic |
Dioscorea villosa | Antispasmodic to gut & uterus, anti- |
Wild Yam | inflam, anti-rheumatic, cholagogue, |
oestrogenic action, diuretic | |
Drosera longifolia | Relaxing expectorant, demulcent |
Sundew | antiseptic, antispasmodic |
Echinacia Blend 1 | Immune enhancing, antimicrobial, |
alterative, antiallergy, anti-inflammatory | |
Echinacea angustifolia | Immune enhancing, antimicrobial, |
Echinacea purpurea | alterative, antiallergy, anti-inflammatory |
Eleutherococcus senticosis | Stimulating adaptogen, circulatory |
Siberian Ginseng | stimulant and vasodilator |
Equisetum arvense | Genito-urinary astringent, anti-inflam |
Horsetail | diuretic, vulnerary, alterative |
Erythrea centaurium | Stimulant to digestive system and |
Centaury | sedative to nervous system, bitter, |
decongestant, cholagogue, carminative | |
Eschscholzia california | Anodyne, sedative, hypnotic, |
California Poppy | spasmolytic |
Eupatorium perforatum | Diaphoretic, spasmolytic, tonic, |
Boneset | relaxes mucous membranes, cholagogue |
peripheral vasodilator, anti-pyretic | |
Euphorbia hirta | Antiasthmatic, spasmolytic, |
Euphorbia | expectorant & sedative |
Euphrasia officinalis | Anticatarrhal, anti-inflammatory, |
Eyebright | astringent |
Filipendula ulmaris | Gastrointestinal relaxant, anodyne |
Meadowsweet | antipyretic, antiinflammatory, anti- |
rheumatic, astringent, antiseptic diuretic | |
Flavouring Mix | Licorice/ Fennel/ Citrus |
Foeniculum vulgare | Carminative, antispasmodic, aromatic |
Fennel | digestive, galactagogue, expectorant |
Fucus vesiculosis | Antihypothyroid, antirheumatic, gentle |
Bladderwrack | metabolic stimulator, nutritive, alterative, immune stimulant |
Galium aparine | Alterative, affects both the lymphatics |
Clivers (Succus) | and kidneys, anti-inflammatory, diuretic |
Gentian lutea | Bitter tonic, digestive stimulant, |
Gentian | cholagogue, sialagogue, antiinflamatory |
Ginko biloba | Circulatory stim, antithrombotic, anti- |
Ginko | inflammatory, antiallergic, antioxidant |
PAF inhibitor, strengthens and relaxes blood vessels | |
Glycyrrhiza glabra | Major action: anti-inflammatory |
Liquorice | demulcent, relaxing expectorant, |
spasmolytic on visceral smooth muscle, | |
adaptogen (adrenal), mild laxative, | |
counters effects of cortisone creams. | |
Heoatoprotective, antiviral | |
Grindelia camporum | Antispasmodic, relaxing expectorant, |
Grindelia | demulcent, relaxing/ sedative- dose dependent |
Guiaicum officinalis | Antirheumatic, anti-inflammatory |
Guiaicum resin | |
Gymnema sylvestre | Hypoglycaemic, antidiabetic, |
Gymnema | hypocholesterolaemic |
Harpagophytum procumbens | Anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic |
Devil’s Claw | anodyne |
Humulus lupulus | CNS sedative, sedative, hypnotic, |
Hops | antimicrobial, anti-spasmodic, astringent |
Hydrastis canadensis | Immune stimulant, mucous membrane |
Goldenseal | tonic, hepatic stim & laxative, tonic, |
astringent, anticatarrhal, muscular | |
stimulant, oxytocic, bitter | |
Hypericum perforatum | Relaxant nervine, sedative, thymoleptic, |
St John’s Wort | antidepressant, anxiolytic, analgesic, |
antiviral, antiparasitic, alterative, | |
expectorant, anticatarrhal, analgesic | |
Hyssopus officinalis | Astringent, relaxing expectorant, anti |
Hyssop | spasmodic, diaphoretic, sedative & |
carminative, peripheral vasodilator | |
Inula helenium | Gentle stimulating tonic expectorant |
Elecampane | with diaphoretic & diuretic actons |
Iris versicolor | Stim liver & pancreas, stimulant to |
Blue Flag | circulation & lymphatics, alterative, |
diuretic, cholagogue, antiinflammatory | |
Juniperis communis | Urinary antiseptic, diuretic, carminative |
Juniper | digestive tonic, antirheumatic |
Lactuca virosa | Sedative, anodyne |
Lettuce | |
Larrea mexicana (fol) | Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, |
Chapparal | |
Leonurus cardiaca | Mild sedative & relaxant, spasmolytic, |
Motherwort | emmenagogue, cardiac tonic |
Ligusticum wallichii | Relaxant (smooth muscle), uterine |
Szechuan Lovage Root | relaxant, alterative, sedative |
Marrubium vulgaris | Expectorant (stim), spasmolytic, |
White Horehound | bitter, cholagogue, decongestant |
Matricaria recutita | General body & visceral relaxant, anti- |
Camomile | inflam, spasmolytic, antiseptic, vulnerary |
bitter, anxiolytic, analgesic, carminative | |
Medicago sativa | Nutritive tonic, alterative, diuretic, |
Alfalfa | hypocholesterolemic, hormonal balancer- estrogen excess |
Melissa officinalis | Nervine, carminative, antispasmodic |
Lemon Balm | diaphoretic, peripheral vasodilator, |
stomachic, antiviral, hypotensive | |
Mentha piperita | Spasmolytic, carminative, digestive |
Peppermint | tonic, diaphoretic decongestant, |
anti-emetic, cholagogue, hepatic, bitter, | |
nervine, antimicrobial, diaphoretic | |
Mitchella repens | Tonic to reproductive organs, diuretic, |
Squaw Vine | emmenagogue, astringent, tonic |
Myrica cerifera | Warming circulatory stimulant, astringent, |
Bayberry | diaphoretic, antiseptic |
Paeonia lactifolia | Antispasmodic, relaxant (skeletal muscle) |
White Paeony (Bai Shao) | anti-inflam, antiallergic, immune enhancer, cognition enhancer |
Paeonia suffruticosa | Antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory |
cognition enhancer, antiallergic, | |
immune enhancing, mild skeletal muscle relaxant | |
Panax ginseng | Thymoleptic, stimulating adaptogen, |
Chinese Ginger | tonic, hypoglycaemic, antiinflammitory, |
immunostimulant, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, antiarrhythmic | |
Passiflora incarnata | Sedative, hypnotic, antispasmodic, |
Passionflower | anodyne, peripheral vasodilator, diuretic |
Phytolacca americanum | Antirheumatic, anticatarrhal, mild |
Poke Root | anodyne, parasiticide, fungicide, |
lymphatic, alterative | |
Picrorrhiza kurroa | Hepatoprotective, bitter tonic, anti- |
Picrorrhiza | inflamm, antiallergic, immune stimulant, |
chronic lymphatic congestion | |
Piper methysticum | Antimicrobial, diuretic, sedative, hypnotic |
Kava Kava | spasmolytic, carminative, anxiolytic, antimicrobial |
Piscidia erythrina | Sedative, anodyne |
Jamaican Dogwood | |
Polygala tenuifolia | Expectorant, sedative |
Chinese Senga (Yuan Zhi) | |
Propolis Resin | Antimicrobial, antiseptic, antibiotic |
Bee Glue | enhancer, antifungal, antiparasitic |
Prunus serotina | Antitussive, stim expectorant (day), |
Wild Cherry | relax expectorant (night), mild sedative, |
astringent, digestive bitter | |
Rhamnus purshiana | Mild purgative, bitter tonic, astringent, |
Cascara Segrada | cholagogue, antiparasitic |
Rhemannia glutinosa (raw) | Antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, anti- |
Di Huang | haemorrhagic, antiarthritic, kidney tonic |
Rhemannia glutinosa (cured) | Promotes blood production, |
Shu Di Huang | |
Rosmarinus officinalis | Peripheral circulatory stimulant, |
Rosemary | diaphoretic, antispasmodic, carminative, cholagogue |
Rubus ideaus | Astringent , uterine tonic |
Raspberry leaves | |
Rumex crispus | Mild purgative, cholagogue, antipuritic |
Yellow Dock | alterative, skin tonic, iron tonic |
Ruscus aculeatus | Anti-inflammatory, constrictive |
Butcher’s Broom | action on venous system |
Ruta graveolens | Spasmolytic, emmenagogue, |
Rue | antitussive, abortifacient |
Salix alba | Strong anti-inflammatory, anodyne, anti- |
White Willow | rheumatic, bitter, astringent, antipyretic |
Salvia officinalis | Antiseptic, anhydrotic, astringent, |
Sage | antispasmodic, antiseptic |
Sambucus nigra | Diaphoretic, anticatarrhal, diuretic |
Elder Flowers | expectorant, antiinflam, laxative, alterative |
Schisandra chinensis | Hepatoprotective, nervine tonic, |
Schisandra | adaptogenic, antitussive |
Scrophularia nodosa | Alterative, dermatological agent, |
Figwort | mild diuretic, increases myocardial contraction |
Scutellaria biacalensis | anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, |
Baical Skullcap | antibacterial, mild sedative, hypotensive, diuretic, bitter |
Scutellaria laterifolia | Nervine, sedative, antispasmodic, |
Scullcap | diuretic, anticonvulsive |
Serenoa serrulata | Anabolic agent, tonic to reproductive |
Saw Palmetto | organs & nasal & mucous membranes |
Silybum marianum | Hepatoprotective, cholagogue, bitter, |
St Mary’s Thistle | galactagogue, demulcent, antioxidant, |
liver trophorestorative, | |
hypocholesterolaemic | |
Similax ornata | Alterative & mild circulatory stim, |
Native Sarsaparilla | antirheumatic, antipuritic, diuretic |
Solidaga virgaurea | Diaphoretic, antiseptic, diuretic, |
Golden Rod | anticatarrhal, carminative, antiinflamm |
Stachys betonicus | Sedative, bitter tonic, CNS relaxant |
Wood Betony | |
Stellaria media | Anti-inflammatory (skin), wound |
Chickweed (succus) | healer, herbal cortisone, demulcent |
Stillingia Sylvatica | Sialogogue, expectorant, diaphoretic, |
Queen’s Delight | dermatological agent, astringent, spasmolytic |
Tabebuia avellanedae | Alterative, antibiotic, anti-inflam, |
Pau d’Arco | antiviral, antiparasitic, antitumor |
Tanacetum parthenium | Anti-inflammatory, vasodilatory, |
Feverfew | relaxant, dig stim, uterine stimulant |
Taraxacum officinale (fol) | Diuretic, antirheumatic, alterative, bitter, |
rad and fol | cholagogue, stimulating liver tonic. |
Taraxacum officinale (rad) | Bitter, cholagogue, antirheumatic |
Dandelion | laxative |
Thuja occidentalis | Stimulant expectorant, diuretic, astringent, |
Thuja | Stim uterus & heart muscle, alterative |
Thymus vulgaris | Astringent, spasmolytic, carminative |
Thyme | bacteriocidal, antiseptic expectorant |
Tilea spp. europaea | Diaphoretic, sedative, slight diuretic, |
Lime Flowers | spasmolytic, peripheral vasodilator |
Trifolium pratense | Alterative, expectorant, spasmolytic, |
Red Clover | nervine, dermatological agent |
Trigonella foenum-graecum | Nutritive & digestive tonic, galactagogue |
Fenugreek | hypoglycaemic, anti-inflammatory, expectorant |
Turnea diffusa | Antidepressant, thymoleptic, nerve tonic |
Damiana | trophorestorative to reproductive system, hormone balancer |
Tylophora indica | Antiasthmatic, anti-inflamm, expectorant, |
Tylophora | immunodepressant, antiallergic |
Uncaria tormentosa | Antioxidant, antimicrobial, |
Cat’s Claw | anti-inflammatory, antitumour |
Urtica spp. dioica | Alterative, antihaemorrhagic, nutritive |
Stinging Nettle | tonic, hypoglycaemic, astringent, antirheumatic, galactagogue, antiasthmatic |
Vaccinium myrtillus | Collagen stabiliser, vasoprotective, |
Bilberry | antioxidant, antiinflammatory, anti-platelet |
Valeriana officinalis | Muscle relaxant, sedative, spasmolytic |
Valerian Root | carminative, hypotensive, hypnotic |
Verbascum thapsus | Expectorant (relax), lung tonic, |
Mullein | antispasmodic, alterative, anodyne, |
Verbena officinalis | Relaxant, sedative, thymoleptic, digestive |
Vervain | emmenagogue, anxiolytic, hepatic |
Viburnum opulus | Spasmolytic, sedative, astringent, cardiac |
Cramp Bark | tonic, anti-inflammatory, emmenagogue |
Viburnum prunifolium | Uterine tonic, spasmolytic, astringent, |
Black Haw | hypotensive, diuretic, analgesic |
Viscum album | Hypotensive, vasodilator, diuretic, |
Mistletoe | antiinflamm, antacid, antirheumatic |
Vitex angus castus | Amphoteric (pred progesogenic) |
Chaste Tree Berry | emmenagogue, galactagogue, relaxant |
depresses desire in men, female aphrodesiac | |
Withania somnifera | Adaptogen, nervine sedative, spasmolytic |
Ginseng Indian | on s.m., anti-inflammatory, hypotensive |
Zanthoxylum clavaherculis | Circulatory stimulant, astringent, |
Prickly Ash | alterative, lymphatic, hepatic, carminative |
Zea mays | Soothing diuretic to urinary tract, anti- |
Corn Silk | lithic, tonic to urinary tract |
Zingiberis officinalis | Circulatory stimulant, spasmolytic, |
Ginger | carminative, PAF inhibitor, aromatic |
digestive, antiinflamm, hypocholesterolaemic | |
Zizyphus spp. | Sedative, hypnotic, hypotensive |
Sugar Palm |