Botanical Review (Achillea through Bryonia)

Achillea millfolium (Yarrow)

Key Constituent: Volatile oils
Key Action: Hemostatic
Key Indication: Atonia
Adverse effects: allergenic, dermatitis
Other: used for fever, common cold, amenorrhea, diarrhea

Aconitum napellus (Monkshood)

Key Constituent: Aconitine
Key Action: Antipyretic
Key Indication: Fever

Actea racemosa (Black Cohosh)

Key Constituent: Triterpene glycosides
Key Action: Relaxant
Key Indication: Dysmenorrhea

Aesculus hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut)

Key Constituent: glycoside lactones
Key Action: Astringent
Key Indication: Vascular congestion
Adverse effects: Nephrotoxic
Interactions: don't take with ticlopidine, heparin or warfarin because of additive effects on platelets

Allium cepa (Onion)

Key Constituent: Disulphides
Key Action: Antimicrobial
Key Indication: Elevated cholesterol

Allium sativum (Garlic)

Key Constituent: Disulphides
Key Action: Hypotensive
Key Indication: Hypertension
Adverse effects: Irritant to GI, Dermatitis
Interactions: don't use with chlorzoxazone (garlic blocks breakdown of chlorzoxazone into inactive compounds).  Don't use with Ticlopidine or warfarin because of effects on platelets

Aloe vera

Key Constituent: Anthraquinone glycosides
Key Action: Laxative
Key Indication: Constipation
Adverse effects: irritant to GI tract from anthrquinones
Interactions: when applied with topical corticosteroid, enhanced the hormones antiinflammatory activity

Althaea officinalis (Marshmallow)

Key Constituent: Mucilage
Key Action: Demulcent
Key Indication: Inflamed mucus

Angelica sinensis (Dong Quai)

Key Constituent: Coumarins
Key Action: Uterine tonic
Key Indication: Menstrual disorders
Adverse effects: Phototoxic dermatitis from furanocoumarins
Interactions: don't take with ticlopidine, heparin or warfarin because of additive effects on platelets

Arctium lappa (Burdock)

Key Constituent: Lignins
Key Action: Alterative
Key Indication: Skin conditions

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Bearberry)

Key Constituent: Glycosides
Key Action: Genitourinary sedative
Key Indication: Bladder irritation
Interactions: don't use with atropine, cardec dm, codeine, ephedrine, lomotil, diuretics, spironolactone, theophylline, triamterene

Arnica montana

Key Constituent: Sesquiterpene lactones
Key Action: Vulnerary
Key Indication: Bruises
Adverse effects: Dermatitis and irritant to GI tract because of sesqutierpene lactones

Artemisia absinthum (Wormwood)

Key Constituent: Volatile oil
Key Action: Bitter
Key Indication: Weak digestion

Artemisia annua (Qi Hao)

Key Constituent: Volatile oils
Key Action: Antiparasitic
Key Indication: Malaria infection

Artemisia vulgairs (Mugwort)

Key Constituent: Volatile oils
Key Action: Bittter tonic
Key Indication: Poor digestion

Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly weed)

Key Constituent: Glucosides
Key Action: Diaphoretic
Key Indication: Fever/cough

Aspidosperma quebracho

Key Constituent: Alkaloids
Key Action: Expectorant
Key Indication: Functional dyspnea

Astragalus membranaceus (Milk Vetch)

Key Constituent: Volatile oils Triterpenoid saponins
Key Action: Adaptogen
Key Indication: Depressed immunity

Atropa belladona 

Key Constituent: Atropine
Key Action: Antispasmodic
Key Indication: Muscle spasm

Avena sativa (Oats)

Key Constituent: Starch
Key Action: Nutritive
Key Indication: Nervous exhaustion

Baptisia tinctoria (Wild indigo)

Key Constituent: Isoflavones
Key Action: Immunostimulant
Key Indication: Focused infections

Berberis aquifolium (Oregon grape)

Key Constituent: Isoquinoline alkaloids
Key Action: Alterative
Key Indication: Skin conditions, antimicrobial
Interactions: decreases effect of antibiotics

Berberis vulgais (Barberry)

Key Constituent: Isoquinoline alkaloids
Key Action: Cholagogue
Key Indication: Liver disease
Interactions: decreases effect of antibiotics

Boswellia (Frankincense)

Key Constituent: Resins
Key Action: Anti-inflammatory
Key Indication: Osteoarthritis

Bryonia alba

Key Constituent: Curcurbitacins
Key Action: Antirheumatic
Key Indication: rheumatism