Salix

(White willow)

Constituents:  Glycosides and esters yeilding salicylic acid, salicin , salicortin and salicin derivitives

Dosing range:  will not generate an acute analgesic effect d/t the conversion process by the intestinal flora

(meadowsweet)

Medicinal actions: anti-inflammatory diaphoretic, anti-inflammatroy, Stomactic (good for elderly)

Medicinal uses: stomach tonic (Indigestion, IBS), allergies

(birch tree)

Constituents: research for anti-cancer properties

(Devils Claw)

Pharmacology: COX and LOX inhibition

Medicinal actions: anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic

Medicinal use: stimulates lymphatic flow (mild lymphagogue)

Contraindications: gallstones

(frankincense)

Constituents: boswellic acids

Pharmacology: inhibits inflammatory mediators in the body, such as leukotrienes 

Medicinal actions: anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, alterative

(yan hu suo)

OM pain reliever (acetomenophin, opiod)

Feverfew

Constituents: sesquiterpene lactones including parthenolide. 

Pharmacology: antiplatelet and inhibits release of serotonin and some inflammatory mediators.  COX inhibition.

Medicinal actions: anodyne, bitter, migrane prevention.

C/I: emmenagogue

(butterbur)

related to colt foot

Medical uses: works better than feverfew for migrane prophylaxis.  Asthmatics, GI disorders

Constituents: petasin (antispasmodic; smooth muscle relaxation

MOA:  cerebral blood flow, anti-histamine reactions (possible correlatoin with serotonin)

Dose: 50mg 1-2x/day standardized extract

(teasel)

Medicinal uses: Lyme disease; anti-inflammatory for muscles, tendons, cartilage and connective tissues.

Dose:  Decoction; 20-30g/day

          Tincture: 30-60ml/week (1:2)

(jamaican dogwood)

Medicinal actions: anodyne

Medicinal Use: gynecological conditions; spasm and pain of uterus, dysmenorrhea, ovarian neuralgia, labor pains dysmenorrhea w/ assoc. nervous and/or musculoskeletal tension

Dose: 5-10g dried 

Medicinal actions: anti-inflammatory

Medicinal Use: decreased both cell mediated and humoral componenets of immune system. added to formulas for mixed connective tissue disease that present with significant pain

(cayenne)

Constituents: capsaicin, carotenoids

Pharmacology: 

Medcinal Use:

   Traditional: gastric stimulant, cardiac stimulant, 

   Current: topical pain relief (depletion of                substance P), counter-irritant