Plant Nutritional Value
Zinc Deficiency
General Information
DEFINITION - Inadequate amounts of zinc in body cells. This affects function of the testes, liver and muscles, and affects the structure of bones, teeth, hair and skin. Zinc is a vital part of many enzymes that facilitate chemical reactions necessary for normal body function - including immune function and skin healing.
Vitamin K Deficiency
General Information
DEFINITION - Inadequate or absent vitamin K, a fat-soluble vitamin necessary for proper blood clotting. Some vitamin K is produced in the gastrointestinal tract.
BODY PARTS INVOLVED - Liver; blood.
Vitamin D Deficiency
General Information
DEFINITION - Insufficient intake or absorption of vitamin D, coupled with too little exposure to sunlight. This deficiency causes rickets in children and osteomalacia (softening of the bone) in adults.
BODY PARTS INVOLVED - Total body, but bones are more affected than other tissues.
Vitamin C Deficiency
General Information
DEFINITION - Illness caused by an inadequate intake of vitamin C. Vitamin C is essential for the body to manufacture collagen, connective tissue that helps form healthy bones, teeth and capillaries, and it promotes wound healing.
BODY PARTS INVOLVED - Bones; teeth; gums; capillaries.
Vitamin B Deficiencies
General Information
DEFINITION - Diseases caused by inadequate or absent B vitamins: B-1 (thiamine); B-2, (riboflavin); niacin; B-6 (pyridoxine); B-12 (cyanocobalamin). Vitamins are organic chemicals that occur in many natural foods. They are necessary for normal body function. B vitamins are water soluble and excess amounts cannot be stored by the body.
Vitamin A Deficiency
General Information
DEFINITION - Insufficient intake or absorption of vitamin A, a fat-soluble vitamin. This deficiency is rare in the U.S. and is usually due to failure of the intestine to absorb enough of the vitamin. Synthetic vitamin A compounds (retinoids) are being used for some skin conditions such as acne.
Yohimbe
BASIC INFORMATION
Biological name (genus and species):
- Corynanthe yohimbe
Parts used for medicinal purposes:
- Bark
- Chemical this herb contains:
- Yohimbine, also called quebrachine, aphrodine OR corynine
KNOWN EFFECTS
- Blocks responses of parts of autonomic nervous system.
Yerba Santa
BASIC INFORMATION
Biological name (genus and species):
- Eriodictyon californicum
Parts used for medicinal purposes:
- Leaves
Chemicals this herb contains:
- Formic acid
- Pentatriacontane eriodicytyol
- Resin
- Tannic acid
- Tannins
KNOWN EFFECTS
Yerba Mate
BASIC INFORMATION
Biological name (genus and species):
- Ilex paraguariensis St. Hill
Parts used for medicinal purposes:
- Leaves
Chemical this herb contains:
- Caffeine
KNOWN EFFECTS
- Stimulates central nervous system.
Yellow Lady's Slipper
BASIC INFORMATION
Biological name (genus and species):
- Cypripedium pubescens
Parts used for medicinal purposes:
- Roots
Chemicals this herb contains:
- Resin
- Tannins
- Volatile acid
- Volatile oils
KNOWN EFFECTS
- Irritates mucous membranes.
Yellow Dock
BASIC INFORMATION
- Biological name (genus and species):
- Rumex crispus
- Parts used for medicinal purposes:
- Leaves
- Roots
- Chemical this herb contains:
- Potassium oxalate
KNOWN EFFECTS
- Irritates skin when handled.
- Stimulates gastrointestinal tract.
Yellow Cedar
BASIC INFORMATION
Biological name (genus and species):
- Thuja occidentalis
Parts used for medicinal purposes:
- Leaves
Chemicals this herb contains:
- Fenchone
- Pinipirin
- Tannins
- Thujetic acid
- Thujone
- Volatile oils
KNOWN EFFECTS
Yarrow
BASIC INFORMATION
Biological name (genus and species):
- Achillea millefolium
Parts used for medicinal purposes:
- Berries/fruits
- Leaves
Chemicals this herb contains:
- Achilleic acid
- Achilleine
- Bitters
- Caledivain
- Tannins
- Volatile oils
Wormwood
BASIC INFORMATION
Biological name (genus and species):
- Artemisia absinthium
Parts used for medicinal purposes:
- Berries/fruits
- Leaves
Chemicals this herb contains:
- Absinthol
- Thujone
- Volatile oils
KNOWN EFFECTS
- Depresses central nervous system.
Wormseed
BASIC INFORMATION
Biological name (genus and species):
- Chenopodium ambrosioides
Parts used for medicinal purposes:
- Roots
- Berries/fruits
Chemicals this herb contains:
- Ascaridol
- Calcium
- Cymene
- d-camphor
- l-limonene
- Saponin
- Terpene
Woodruff
BASIC INFORMATION
Biological name (genus and species):
- Asperula odorata, Galium odoratum
Parts used for medicinal purposes:
- Entire plant
Chemicals this herb contains:
- Asperuloside
- Bitters
- Coumarin
- Oil
- Tannins
KNOWN EFFECTS
Witch Hazel
BASIC INFORMATION
Biological name (genus and species):
- Hamamelis virginiana
Parts used for medicinal purposes:
- Bark
- Leaves
- Twigs
Chemicals this herb contains:
- Bitters
- Calcium oxalate
- Gallic acid
- Hamamelitannin
- Hexose sugar
- Tannins
Wintergreen
BASIC INFORMATION
Biological name (genus and species):
- Gaultheria procumbens
Parts used for medicinal purposes:
- Leaves
- Roots
- Stems
Chemicals this herb contains:
- Methyl salicylate
- Monotropitoside
KNOWN EFFECTS
- Blocks impulses to pain center in brain.
Willow
BASIC INFORMATION
Biological name (genus and species):
- Salix nigra
Parts used for medicinal purposes:
- Bark
Chemicals this herb contains:
- Salicin
- Salinigrin
- Tannins
KNOWN EFFECTS
- Causes protein molecules to clump together.
- Produces puckering.
White Pine
BASIC INFORMATION
Biological name (genus and species):
- Pinus strobus, P. alba
Parts used for medicinal purposes:
- Inner bark
Chemicals this herb contains:
- Coniferin
- Coniferyl alcohol
- Mucilage
- Oleoresin
- Tannic acid
- Vanillin
- Volatile oils