Category: Herb of the Week

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Rehamnnia Glutinosa

Sheng Di huang

Rehamnnia Glutinosa

 

Personal Note: This is the most Yin of all our herbs. Traditionally used in TCM, Rehmannia is becoming increasingly common in Western formulas for it’s ability to support and rebuild in convalescence. I like it especially post-delivery, or following a significant illness.

Description

Sheng Di huang is mainly found in Mongolia as well as northeast China. This dried slightly sweet tasting herb is used in traditional Chinese medicine to ‘clear heat and cool blood’ as well as ‘nourish yin’.

Common Medical Uses

  • Fever
  • Dry mouth
  • Nosebleeds
  • Internal bleeding
  • Rheumatism
  • Constipation

How To Consume

  • Decoction
  • Tincture

Works well with – Rehmannia is so yin in nature that it must always be paired with other herbs to balance. Usually it’s used with herbs like Codonopsis, Canadian Ginseng, and Licorice root.

NOTE: Always use the cooked root.

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Shepherd’s Purse

Shepherd’s Purse

Capsella Bursa-Pastoris

 

Personal Note: Shepherd’s Purse has a long traditional use as what we call a “styptic”, used to staunch bleeding, particularly after delivery. Although not commonly used for other actions, Shepherd’s Purse is also a useful alterative in skin disorders.

Description

Shepherd’s purse is known for its triangular, purse-like pods and is a member of the mustard (Brassicaceae) family. In traditional Austrian medicine it has been used internally as a tea or tincture to teat skin disorders, cardiovascular and gynecological conditions.

Common Medical Uses

  • Post-partum hemorrhage
  • Excess menstrual flow or to stimulate menstrual flow
  • Topical bleeding lesions

How To Consume

  • Tincture
  • Infusion

Works well with – This herb is sometimes used as a single, specific, for post-partum bleeding. It can be used in combo with Yarrow, and perhaps some Old Man’s Beard (the herb, not an actual old man’s beard), to further help with bleeding.

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Night Blooming Cereus

Selenecereus Grandiflorus

Night Blooming Cereus

 

Personal Note: A useful herb in lowering blood pressure, Cereus is often used in combo with other cardiovascular herbs or alteratives.

Description

Selenecereus grandiflorus is a species of Night Blooming Cereus originating from Mexico and Central America. It blooms only once a year, for a single night. Its principal action is upon the circular muscle fibers of the heart and arterioles making it a useful cardiotonic and hypotensive.

Common Medical Uses

  • Angina pectoris
  • Hypertension
  • Congenital heart failure

How To Consume

  • Tincture

Works well with –  I like Cereus with Hawthorn, Lily of the Valley, Linden, and perhaps some Gingko.