🌼 A–C
Acacia (White Acacia) – Cough suppressant, mild laxative, prevents excessive stomach acid production. A decoction of its bark is used in some places against hyperacidity, constipation, and gastric and intestinal ulcers.
Agrimony – Against respiratory, gastric, bile, liver and kidney complaints, as well as gastric and intestinal catarrh.
Angelica – Root: appetite stimulant, digestive stimulant, diuretic, blood purifier, carminative, expectorant, nerve tonic, diaphoretic, anti-bloating. Leaf: diuretic and tonic. Fruit: appetite stimulant, diuretic, gastric and intestinal catarrh, bile and nerve disorders.
Anise – Digestive stimulant, appetite stimulant, carminative, expectorant, antispasmodic, promotes bile secretion and mucus dissolution.
Artichoke – Against bile and liver disorders, high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, diabetes, kidney and bladder complaints.
Basil – For coughs, nerve-calming, appetite stimulant, carminative, lactogenic, diuretic.
Bilberry – Carminative, diuretic, relieves intestinal catarrh, against kidney and bladder complaints. Also used as a component of anti-diabetic tea blends. Bilberry tea is pleasant in taste and may also be consumed as an everyday refreshing drink.
Black Cumin – Carminative, diuretic, appetite stimulant, digestive stimulant, cholagogue, anti-jaundice and expectorant.
Black Currant – Against high blood pressure, kidney and bladder complaints, rheumatism, joint complaints, respiratory diseases; also diaphoretic.
Black Wormwood – Appetite stimulant, stimulates bile function, anthelmintic, nerve tonic.
Blackthorn – The flower tea is a mild laxative, blood purifier, diuretic and lowers high blood pressure. A decoction of the fruit is consumed against intestinal catarrh.
Blessed Thistle – Appetite stimulant, digestive stimulant, cholagogue, anti-jaundice effects.
Burdock – Diuretic, diaphoretic, dissolves bile and kidney stones, blood purifier, cholagogue.
Caraway – Component of carminative and digestive tea blends.
Celandine – The juice of the fresh plant removes warts and corns.
Chamomile – Sedative, antispasmodic, carminative, stomach tonic, digestive stimulant, diaphoretic, antiseptic, relieves gastric and intestinal disorders. Externally used as an eye compress, gargle, and gum tonic.
Chicory – Appetite stimulant, digestive stimulant, against bile and liver complaints, and high blood pressure.
Club Moss – Diuretic, against chronic constipation.
Coltsfoot – A highly effective remedy for respiratory diseases. Asthmatics also smoke the leaves in a pipe to relieve their spasmodic cough. Also used as a component of teas against gastric and intestinal ulcers.
Comfrey – An extract prepared by soaking the root is effective against gastric and intestinal ulcers; also bone-strengthening, promotes callus formation in bone fractures. Used as a compress for bruises, wounds, and varicose vein inflammation. Also recommended as a gargle. Its leaves are used against respiratory and digestive disorders.
Coriander – Digestive aid, antispasmodic, detoxifying, supports the cardiovascular system.
Corn Silk – Diuretic, complementary treatment of urinary tract infections, kidney-cleansing, may help expel kidney stones and gravel, reduces inflammation of the urinary tract, also used as a supplement for prostate problems, may have a mild blood pressure-lowering effect, may help reduce cholesterol levels, supportive in regulating blood sugar levels, haemostatic (according to traditional use), detoxifying – supports the cleansing of the body.
Cowslip – Component of cough tea blends.
Cranesbill – Against intestinal catarrh and haemorrhoidal complaints, gastric and intestinal bleeding, hyperthyroidism.
🌿 D–H
Dandelion – Appetite stimulant, digestive stimulant, promotes bile function, diuretic, blood purifier, tonic, heals liver complaints.
Dill – Digestive support, antispasmodic, carminative, reduces bloating and stomach cramps.
Elderberry – Used in colds as a diaphoretic, diuretic, cough suppressant, blood purifier and mild laxative.
Eyebright – Remedy against gastric and intestinal ulcers. Its infusion is used as a compress against "eye weakness."
Fennel – Expectorant, carminative, digestive stimulant, appetite stimulant, antispasmodic, flavour improver, diuretic, lactogenic.
Fenugreek – Its decoction relieves intestinal cramps, is carminative and dissolves urinary stones; a softening paste poultice is also prepared from its ground seeds.
Fumitory – Appetite stimulant, digestive stimulant, laxative, cholagogue.
Ginger Root – Intestinal catarrh.
Goat's Rue – Lowers blood sugar, diuretic, diaphoretic. Used as a lactogenic agent for nursing mothers.
Goldenrod – Used against high blood pressure, bile, kidney, bladder and liver complaints, heavy menstruation, whooping cough, rheumatic and joint pain, also as a diaphoretic, diuretic, and externally as a gargle.
Ground Ivy – Against bile, kidney, stomach, and respiratory diseases. Recommended for use in tea blends, as the drug alone is potent!
Hawthorn – Blood circulation, cardiac neurosis, insufficient heart function, high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, coronary artery disease.
Heather – Diuretic and urinary disinfectant in kidney and bladder disorders, astringent against intestinal catarrh, also tonic, sedative, blood purifier, diaphoretic and antipyretic.
Hops – Sedative, sleep-inducing, reduces anxiety, improves digestion, antispasmodic, diuretic.
Horse Chestnutv – Internally against intestinal catarrh and internal bleeding; externally used as a face wash for acne-prone skin.
Horsetail – Its decoction is diuretic, kidney-cleansing, diaphoretic, haemostatic, and a frequently used component of tea blends against bile and liver complaints. Also used against rheumatism, arthritis, and complaints caused by calcium deposits.
Horehound – Against bronchitis, loss of appetite, bile and liver diseases. Also used in the preparation of medicinal lozenges and bitter liqueurs.
Hyssop – Cough suppressant, reduces sweating, carminative, appetite stimulant, raises blood pressure, relieves asthmatic and bronchitic complaints.
🌱 I–M
Juniper – Diuretic (caution with kidney disease!), carminative, appetite stimulant and digestive stimulant, dissolves kidney and gallstones.
Lady's Bedstraw – Used against kidney, bile, liver, and respiratory diseases. Formerly also used as a cheese dye.
Lady's Mantle – Drunk to relieve menstrual bleeding and against gastric and intestinal catarrh. Its decoction is used as a compress or bath for inflamed body parts (e.g. haemorrhoids).
Lavender – Nerve-calming, antispasmodic and appetite stimulant. The essential oil obtained from the flowers is used mainly in perfumery.
Lemon Balm – Nerve and heart-calming, nerve tonic, antispasmodic, digestive stimulant, carminative, diaphoretic, promotes bile function.
Liquorice Root – Expectorant, digestive stimulant, diuretic, blood purifier.
Linden Blossom – Diaphoretic for colds, cough suppressant, nerve tonic, blood purifier, mild heart stimulant; externally skin-nourishing.
Lovage – Used as a component of tea blends for dissolving gallstones and kidney stones. The leaf drug is diuretic. Also a flavouring in the liqueur industry.
Lungwort – Its tea is the most effective remedy against respiratory diseases.
Marigold (Calendula) Externally:
- Wound-healing – speeds up the healing of minor cuts and abrasions
- Anti-inflammatory – reduces skin redness and swelling
- Antiseptic (antibacterial) – helps prevent infections
- Epithelialising – promotes skin regeneration
- For burns – soothes sunburn and minor burns
- For eczema and skin problems – calms irritated skin
Internally (as tea or extract):
- Anti-inflammatory – especially for gastrointestinal inflammation
- Digestive aid – supports the function of the stomach and intestines
- Cholagogue – stimulates bile production
- Antispasmodic – may relieve stomach and menstrual cramps
- Immune booster – supports the body's defences
Other effects:
- May also be effective against fungal infections
- Used as a mouthwash it can help with gum inflammation
- A common ingredient in wound-healing ointments
Marjoram – Carminative, appetite stimulant, cough suppressant, and nerve-calming.
Meadowsweet – Diaphoretic, diuretic, and antipyretic.
Mullein – Expectorant, diaphoretic, diuretic, blood purifier. As a hair wash, it is a care product for blonde hair.
🌾 N–R
Nettle – Against rheumatism, gout, diabetes, dropsy, nettle rash, cystitis, high blood pressure, gastric and intestinal catarrh, skin rashes, kidney gravel; also blood purifier, diuretic, general tonic, stops gastric and intestinal bleeding, cough suppressant.
Oak – Strongly astringent. Its decoction is used internally against diarrhoea, gastric and intestinal bleeding; externally for rinsing and compressing frostbitten, inflamed, or sweating body parts. Sitz baths are also prepared from it against haemorrhoidal complaints.
Parsley – Component of diuretic, appetite-stimulating, kidney stone-expelling, and anti-cystitis teas.
Peppermint – Appetite stimulant, carminative, stimulates bile function, nerve-calming, antispasmodic for menstrual disorders, disinfects the digestive tract and urinary tract, against gastric and intestinal catarrh, headache, and biliary colic.
Plantain – Its antibacterial and wound-healing effect is attributed to the enzymatic breakdown products of aucubin. Plantain tea is expectorant and cough suppressant. Medicinal lozenges are also made from the drug. As an old folk remedy, fresh leaves are used to treat hard-to-heal wounds.
Purslane – Against kidney and bladder complaints, intestinal catarrh, and bronchitis.
Raspberry – Contains vitamin C and tannins. The drug is a component of tea blends against diabetes, kidney and bladder complaints, and as a diaphoretic.
Restharrow – Component of tea blends against kidney and bladder disorders, as well as rheumatic complaints.
Roman Cumin – Against colic and loss of appetite.
Rosehip – Immune booster, colds, influenza, anti-inflammatory, supports digestion, protects the cardiovascular system, skin care.
Rosemary – Carminative, appetite stimulant, nerve tonic, cholagogue, antispasmodic; consumed to relieve unpleasant menstrual and menopausal sensations. Its essential oil is used to make a rheumatism rub, moth repellent, and perfumes.
🌸 S–Z
Safflower – Expectorant, bladder tonic, immune booster.
Sage – Used internally for disinfecting the urinary tract, against intestinal catarrh, and to prevent debilitating sweating. Its tea is generally astringent. Also used externally for gargling inflamed throat and body parts. Baths are also prepared from sage leaves against haemorrhoidal complaints.
Savory – Against low blood pressure, intestinal catarrh, bloating and cough.
Sea Buckthorn – Immune booster, anti-inflammatory, cell-regenerating, for stomach and nervous system complaints.
Shepherd's Purse – For reducing gastric and intestinal bleeding, and heavy uterine bleeding.
Silverweed – Used internally against gastric and intestinal bleeding, diarrhoea, intestinal catarrh, gastric and intestinal ulcers. Sitz baths are also prepared from it for the treatment of haemorrhoid complaints.
Spearmint – Carminative, appetite stimulant, nerve-calming, antispasmodic, bile stimulant.
Speedwell – Its tea is used to suppress cough, and against asthma and cardiac asthma.
St. John's Wort – Used against gastric and intestinal ulcers, high blood pressure, digestive disorders, internal and external bleeding, kidney and bile complaints. Its infusion is used externally to treat skin disorders and hard-to-heal wounds; as a gargle against sore throat and gum recession.
Sweet Clover – Against gastric, intestinal, and respiratory diseases; also used as a softening compress on boils, ulcers, and varicose vein inflammation.
Thyme – Against flatulence, loss of appetite, cough, and cramps.
Toadflax – Laxative and diuretic.
Valerian – An indispensable component of nerve-calming, sedative, and mild sleep-inducing tea blends. Also used in the production of pharmaceutical preparations for the same purposes.
Verbena – Its tea is refreshing, tonic, appetite-increasing, relieves bronchitis and whooping cough, and eliminates liver and bile complaints. In the household it is also used as a flavouring when preserving pickles.
Walnut Tree – Against gastro-intestinal catarrh, high blood pressure, intestinal worms; also blood purifier, appetite stimulant.
White Dead-Nettle – Against bronchitis, intestinal catarrh, cystitis, and insomnia.
White Horehound – Mild heart stimulant, against asthma, nerve-calming, against hyperthyroidism, carminative, used against prostate inflammation.
White Mallow Leaf – Cough suppressant, relieves bronchitis, anti-inflammatory, externally skin-soothing.
White Mallow Root – For dry cough, sore throat, gastric and intestinal catarrh.
White Mistletoe – Blood pressure-lowering, antispasmodic, stops internal bleeding (lung, stomach, uterine, intestinal), stimulates heart function.
White Mustard – Against arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, metabolic disorders, bile and liver complaints, digestive problems, constipation, bloating, rheumatism, sciatica, and skin rashes; also blood purifier.
White Wormwood – Appetite stimulant, digestive stimulant, carminative, anthelmintic, stimulates bile function.
Wild Pansy – Its tea is tonic, blood-purifying (e.g. for nettle rash), expectorant, and blood pressure-lowering.
Wild Strawberry – Used against intestinal catarrh and as a mild diaphoretic. Also a component of anti-diabetic tea blends.
Willow – Against internal bleeding, intestinal catarrh, rheumatism, joint complaints, gastritis, cystitis, and fever.
Woodruff – Used against kidney, liver, and bile complaints, as well as a sedative, blood purifier, and diaphoretic.
Yarrow – Appetite stimulant, digestive stimulant, antispasmodic, promotes bile and liver function, relieves menstrual disorders, heals urinary and respiratory complaints, lowers blood pressure. Against varicose veins, gastric and intestinal catarrh, and prostate disorders.
⚠️ Important Warning
The use of herbal remedies does not replace medical treatment. In case of pregnancy, chronic illness, or medication use, always consult a specialist.
Vitamin Knowledge Base
FAT-SOLUBLE VITAMINS
Vitamin A – Its deficiency causes diseases of the skin and mucous membranes. Growth slows down, the skin becomes rough, and the mucous membranes become inflamed. The conjunctiva of the eye becomes particularly inflamed. Vitamin A is found in significant quantities in fruits, vegetables, dairy products, eggs, and animal liver. Its provitamin (carotene) is found in carrots.
Vitamin D – Strengthens the skeletal system, eliminates rickets and muscle weakness. Its provitamins are found in the human skin, which are converted into Vitamin D under the influence of ultraviolet rays (quartz light). High amounts of Vitamin D are found in cod liver oil, egg yolk, and butter.
Vitamin E – Plays a role in the normal functioning of the nervous system, muscles, and gonads, and in carrying pregnancies to term. Found in plant seeds and oils, green vegetables, dairy products, corn germ oil, etc.
Vitamin F – Its deficiency causes liver damage, skin inflammation, and growth retardation. Has a beneficial effect in treating boils and eczema. Linseed oil contains it in large quantities.
Vitamin K – Its deficiency greatly prolongs blood clotting time, resulting in haemophilia and jaundice. Used against metabolic disorders, fungal infections, and excessive menstrual bleeding. Found in lucerne, spinach, cauliflower, nettle, pine needles, etc.
WATER-SOLUBLE VITAMINS
Vitamin B – Indispensable in the combustion of carbohydrates and in nerve and muscle function. Its deficiency can cause beriberi disease, nervous disorders, and myocardial damage. Found in larger quantities in brewer's yeast, grain germ, grain and rice bran, legumes, paprika, cabbage, spinach, rosehip, etc.
Vitamin B2 – Has an important role in various metabolic processes. Found in milk, eggs, meat, green vegetables, fruits, rosehip, and yeast.
Vitamin B12 – Used against nerve paralysis and other nervous disorders, and as a remedy for pernicious anaemia. Produced from animal proteins. Also found in faeces, mud, and liver.
Vitamin C – A sour-tasting, white, crystalline compound. Its deficiency causes capillary fragility and scurvy, which is accompanied by bleeding gums, subcutaneous bleeding, muscle atrophy, circulatory disorders, and bone fragility. Increases the body's resistance against infectious and other diseases. Found in significant quantities in green peppers, rosehips, lemons, sauerkraut, tomatoes, melons, many fruits, potatoes, lettuce, and generally in green vegetables. It is heat-sensitive and easily breaks down when cooked. Vitamin C is produced artificially on a large scale.
Vitamin H – Found in yeast, potatoes, milk, eggs, and liver; also produced by bacteria. With a fatty, protein-rich diet, its deficiency can cause increased sebum production, seborrhoea, skin inflammation, furunculosis, and also growth arrest.
Vitamin P – Found in significant quantities in lemon, rosehip, and paprika. Increases the resistance of capillaries, reduces their permeability, raises the blood calcium level, and promotes blood clotting.
⚠️ Important Warning!
The use of vitamins does not replace medical treatment. In case of pregnancy, chronic illness, or medication use, always consult a specialist.