Glossary
CONSTITUENTS
Alkaloids: These are the strongest and the largest group of plant constituents and many modern drugs are derived from plant alkaloids. Examples include morphine, dopamine and mescaline. Their actions vary widely and so they cannot be described generally.
Allantoin: Found in the flowers and leaves of comfrey, this substance enters the skin easily and heals bones, muscles and ligaments.
Bioflavonoids: Or vitamin P, found in berries and citrus fruits. It strengthens the blood vessels, makes them more flexible and resilient, protects against haemorrhage and aids the absorption of vitamin C.
Bitters: These are a group of substances widely distributed in plants. They have a bitter taste, hence their name. They stimulate the liver, increase the secretion of bile and thus stimulate digestion of food, absorption and the numerous other functions the liver has. They work by reflex action from the mouth, via the taste buds, and for this reason they should not be sweetened.
Vitamin B12: Found in comfrey, B12 is needed for the absorption of iron into the body. Some sources claim that vegans and vegetarians need extra B12 in their diets, others claim that they are able to manufacture this.
Coumarins: They are believed to have an anti-clotting action on the blood.
Flavonoids: Very common, they have several actions, such as assisting the circulation, and acting as antispasmodics, diuretics and heart stimulants.
Glycosides: Some are heart remedies, others are bitters working on the liver.
Gums and Mucilages: These are both protective; they cover tissues with a layer of gummy material which aids healing. They are used where there is inflammation, especially for the lungs, kidneys and bladder. They are destroyed by heat, so remedies containing mucilage, when this action is required, should be taken in cold infusions (left overnight in cold water).
Histamine: It is used to counter allergic actions in the body.
Inulin: A type of fruit sugar.
Resin: A solid often found with volatile oils e.g. pine resin.
Rutin: Has an action very similar to that of bioflavonoids.
Salicyclic acid: It is a pain killer which lowers fever; it is anti-inflammatory and a sedative and kidney remedy.
Saponins: These appear to be similar to hormones and many saponin-containing plants do act on the gynaecological system, backing up this theory. They also work on the lungs as expectorants. They aid digestion and the absorption of food.
Silica: Found in all grasses, silica is a wound healer and a soothing remedy for inflammation, used especially for the lungs and kidneys.
Sucrose: A type of sugar.
Tannins: These are astringent in that they reduce the water content of the body and stop discharges and haemorrhages. They can affect protein absorption into the body and therefore plants high in tannin should only be taken for a short time, such as myrrh.
Valerianic acids: Sedative in action.
Volatile oils: These give plants their scent, and as their name suggests, they are dissolved in boiling water. For this reason herbal teas made with boiling water are often more effective than tinctures and tablets. Volatile oils are antiseptic, generally relaxant and stimulate the digestion.