B

• Balm of Gilead
  Latin Name: Populus gileadensis
  Common Names: Quaking Aspen, White Poplar
  Family: Salicaceae
  Parts Used: Buds, bark
  Actions: Expectorant, antiseptic, anti-irritant, vulnerary.
  Uses: Sore throat, cough, laryngitis, chronic bronchitis, psoriasis, eczema.
  Dosage: Tea - drink one cup three times or more daily; Tincture - Take 1-2 ml three times per day; Ointment - Rub liberally on skin conditions.

• Balmony
  Latin Name: Chelone glabra
  Family: Scrophulariaceae
  Parts Used: Dried above ground parts
  Actions: Cholagogue, anti-emetic, stimulant, laxative.
  Uses: Liver problems, gall stones, gall-bladder inflammation, jaundice, appetite stimulant, colic, dyspepsia, biliousness, ulcers, piles.
  Dosage: Tea - drink one cup three times daily; Tincture - Take 1-2 ml three times per day.

• Baptisia
  Latin Name: Baptisia tinctoria
  Common Name: Wild indigo, Indigoweed
  Family: Leguminosae
  Parts Used: Roots, leaves
  Actions: Alterative, antibiotic, antiseptic, emmenagogue, emetic.
  Uses: Infections, blood poisoning, meningitis, swollen glands, malignant sores.
  Dosage: Tea - One T. every three hours; Tincture - 2-5 drops.

• Barberry
  Latin Name: Berberis vulgaris
  Family: Berberidaceae
  Parts Used: Root bark or stem.
  Actions: Cholagogue, anti-emetic, bitter tonic, laxative.
  Uses: Liver ailments, gall-bladder inflammation, gall stones, jaundice, constipation, enlarged spleen, malaria.
  Dosage: Tea - drink one cup three times daily; Tincture - Take 2-4 ml three times per day.
  CAUTION: Avoid during pregnancy.

• Bayberry
  Latin Name: Myrica cerifera
  Family: Myricaceae
  Parts Used: Root bark.
  Actions: Astringent, circulatory stimulant, diaphoretic.
  Uses: Diarrhea, dysentry, colitis, common colds.
  Dosage: Tea - drink one cup three times daily; Tincture - Take 1-3 ml three times per day.
  

• Bearberry
  Latin Name: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
  Family: Ericaceae
  Parts Used: Leaves.
  Actions: Diuretic, astringent, antiseptic, demulcent.
  Uses: Kidney and bladder problems, cystitis, bed wetting, infection.
  Dosage: Tea - drink one cup three times daily; Tincture - Take 2-4 ml three times per day.
  

• Beth Root
  Latin Name: Trillium erectum
  Family: Lilaceae
  Parts Used: Root or dried rhizome.
  Actions: Uterine tonic, astringent, expectorant.
  Uses: Bleeding, menopausal changes, ulcers.
  Dosage: Tea - drink one cup three times daily; Tincture - Take 1-4 ml three times per day.
  

• Betony
  Latin Name: Betonica officinalis
  Family: Labiatae
  Parts Used: Above-ground parts, dried.
  Actions: Sedative, nervine tonic, bitter.
  Uses: Nervous conditions especially anxiety, headache, neuralgia.
  Dosage: Tea - drink one cup three times daily; Tincture - Take 1-6 ml three times per day.
  

• Birch (Silver)
  Latin Name: Betula pendula
  Family: Betulaceae
  Parts Used: Leaves and bark.
  Actions: Diuretic, antiseptic, tonic.
  Uses: Cystitis, bloating, gout, rheumatism, arthritic pain, muscle pain.
  Dosage: Tea - drink one cup three times daily; Tincture - Take 1-2 ml three times per day.
  

• Bistort
  Latin Name: Polygonum bistorta
  Family: Polygonaceae
  Parts Used: Root and rhizome.
  Actions: Astringent, anti-catarrhal, demulcent, anti-inflammatory.
  Uses: Diarrhea, dysentry, colitis, mouth or tongue inflammations, laryngitis, hemorrhoids, anal fissures.
  Dosage: Tea - drink one cup three times daily (Can also be used as a mouthwash or gargle); Tincture - Take 2-4 ml three times per day.
  

• Bittersweet
  Latin Name: Solanum dulcamara
  Family: Solanacaea
  Parts Used: Leaves and stems. CAUTION: The berries are poisonous.
  Actions: Diuretic, alterative, anti-rheumatic, expectorant, mild sedative.
  Uses: Psoriasis, eczema, pityriasis, rheumatic and arthritic inflammations, diarrhea, dysentry, jaundice, ulcers.
  Dosage: Tea - drink one cup twice daily; Tincture - Take 1-2 ml three times per day.
  CAUTION: The berries are poisonous and must be avoided.
  

• Black Catechu
  Latin Name: Acacia catechu
  Family: Leguminosae
  Parts Used: Dried extract from the heart-wood of the tree.
  Actions: Astringent, atispeptic.
  Uses: Chronic diarrhea, dysentry, colitis, gingivitis, laryngitis.
  Dosage: Tea - drink one cup three times per day.
  

• Black Cohosh
  Latin Name: Cimicifuga racemosa
  Family: Ranunculaceae
  Parts Used: Root and dried rhizome.
  Actions: Emmenagogue, anti-spasmodic, alterative, sedative.
  Uses: Painful or delayed menstruationk, cramping pain, rheumatic pains, rheumatoid arthritis, osteo-arthritis, muscular and neurological pain, sciatica and neuralgia, labour, whooping caugh, tinnitus.
  Dosage: Tea - drink one cup three times per day; Tincture - Take 2-4 ml three times per day.
  

• Black Haw
  Latin Name: Viburnum prunifolium
  Family: Caprifoliaceae
  Parts Used: Dried bark of root, stem, and trunk.
  Actions: Anti-spasmodic, sedative, hypotensive, astringent.
  Uses: Uterine cramps, false labour pains, threatened miscarriage, high blood pressure, asthma.
  Dosage: Tea - drink one cup three times per day; Tincture - Take 5-10 ml three times per day.
  

• Black Horehound
  Latin Name: Ballota nigra
  Family: Labiatae
  Parts Used: Above-ground parts, dried.
  Actions: Anti-emetic, sedative, mild astringent, emmenagogue, expectorant.
  Uses: Nausea, vomiting, motion sickness, morning sickness, irregular periods.
  Dosage: Tea - drink one cup three times per day or as needed; Tincture - Take 1-2 ml three times per day.
  

• Black Root
  Latin Name: Leptandra virginica
  Family: Scrophulariaceae
  Parts Used: Root and rhizome.
  Actions: Cholagogue, mild cathartic, diaphoretic, anti-spasmodic.
  Uses: Liver congestion, inflamed gall-bladder, jaundice, chronic constipation.
  Dosage: Tea - drink one cup three times per day; Tincture - Take 2-4 ml three times per day.
  

• Black Willow
  Latin Name: Salix nigra
  Family: Salicaceae
  Parts Used: Bark.
  Actions: Anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, analgesic, antiseptic, astringent.
  Uses: Rheumatism, arthritis, fevers, influenza.
  Dosage: Tea - drink one cup three times per day; Tincture - Take 2-4 ml three times per day.
  

• Bladderwrack
  Latin Name: Fucus vesiculosus
  Family: Fucaceae
  Common Name: Kelp
  Parts Used: Whole plant.
  Actions: Anti-hypothyroid, anti-rheumatic.
  Uses: Underactive thyroid glands, goitre, obesity, rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis, inflamed joints.
  Dosage: Tea - drink one cup three times per day.
  

• Blessed Thistle
  Latin Name: Cnicus benedictus
  Family: Compositae
  Parts Used: Above-ground parts, dried; seeds.
  Actions: Bitter tonic, astringent, diaphoretic, anti-bacterial, expectorant.
  Uses: Appetite loss, dyspepsia, indigestion, colic, diarrhea.
  Dosage: Tea - drink one cup three times per day; Tincture - Take 1-2 ml three times per day.
  

• Blood Root
  Latin Name: Sanguinaria canadensis
  Family: Papaveraceae
  Parts Used: Dried rhizome.
  Actions: Expectorant, anti-spasmodic, emetic, cathartic, antiseptic, ardio-active, topical irritant.
  Uses: Bronchitis, asthma, croup, laryngitis.
  Dosage: Tea - drink one cup three times per day; Tincture - Take 2-4 ml three times per day.
  

• Blue Cohosh
  Latin Name: Caulophyllum thalictroides
  Family: Berberidaceae
  Parts Used: Root and rhizome.
  Actions: Uterine tonic, emmenagogue, anti-spasmodic, anti-rheumatic.
  Uses: Threat of miscarriage, false labour pains, delayed menstruation, colic, asthma, nervous cough, rheumatic pain.
  Dosage: Tea - drink one cup three times per day; Tincture - Take 1-2 ml three times per day.
  

• Blue Flag
  Latin Name: Iris versicolor
  Family: Iridaceae
  Parts Used: Rhizome.
  Actions: Cholagogue, alterative, laxative, diuretic, anti-inflammatory.
  Uses: Eczema, psoriasis, blemishes, constipation, liver problems, giliousness.
  Dosage: Tea - drink one cup three times per day; Tincture - Take 1-2 ml three times per day.
  

• Bogbean
  Latin Name: Menyanthes trifoliata
  Family: Menyanthaceae
  Common name: Buckbean
  Parts Used: Leaves
  Actions: Bitter, diuretic, cholagogue, anti-rheumatic.
  Uses: Rheumatism, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, colitis, diarrhea, sluggish digestion.
  Dosage: Tea - drink one cup three times per day; Tincture - Take 1-4 ml three times per day.
  

• Boldo
  Latin Name: Peumus boldo
  Family: Monimiaceae
  Parts Used: Dried leaves.
  Actions: Cholagogue, hepatic, diuretic, sedative.
  Uses: Gall-bladder problems, liver problems.
  Dosage: Tea - drink one cup three times per day; Tincture - Take 1-2 ml three times per day.
  

• Boneset
  Latin Name: Eupatorium perfoliatum
  Family: Compositae
  Parts Used: Above-ground parts, dried.
  Actions: Diaphoretic, aperient, tonic, anti-spasmodic, relaxes mucous membranes.
  Uses: Influenza, mucous congestion, constipation, fever, muscular rheumatism.
  Dosage: Tea - drink one cup every half hour until symptoms of fever or flu lessen; Tincture - Take 2-4 ml three times per day.
  

• Borage
  Latin Name: Borago officinalis
  Family: Boraginaceae
  Parts Used: Dried leaves.
  Actions: Diaphoretic, expectorant, tonic, anti-inflammatory, galactogogue.
  Uses: Adrena gland problems, fevers, pleurisy.
  Dosage: Tea - drink one cup three times per day; Tincture - Take 1-4 ml three times per day.
  

• Broom Tops
  Latin Name: Sarothamnus scoparius
  Family: Papilionaceae
  Parts Used: Flowering tops.
  Actions: Cardioactive diuretic, hypertensive, peripheral vasoconstrictor, astringent.
  Uses: Low blood pressure, water retention, over-profuse menstruation.
  Dosage: Tea - drink one cup three times per day; Tincture - Take 1-2 ml three times per day.
  CAUTION: Do not use in pregnancy or hypertension.
  

• Buchu
  Latin Name: Agathosma betulina
  Family: Rutaceae
  Parts Used: Leaves.
  Actions: Diuretic, urinary antiseptic.
  Uses: Cystitis, urethritis, prostatitis, painful urination.
  Dosage: Tea - drink one cup three times per day; Tincture - Take 2-4 ml three times per day.
  

• Buckthorn
  Latin Name: Rhamnus cathartica
  Family: Rhamnaceae
  Parts Used: Fruit, fresh or dried.
  Actions: Laxative, diuretic, alterative.
  Uses: Constipation.
  Dosage: Tea - drink one cup mornings and evenings; Tincture - Take 1-2 ml mornings and evenings; Seeds - Chew approximately 10 before breakfast.
  

• Bugleweed
  Latin Name: Lycopus europaeus
  Family: Labiatae
  Common name: Water Horehound
  Parts Used: Above-ground parts.
  Actions: Cardioactive diuretic, peripheral vasoconstrictor, astringent, sedative, thyrocine antagonist, anti-tussive.
  Uses: Over-active thyroid, bloating, irritating coughs.
  Dosage: Tea - drink one cup three times per day; Tincture - Take 1-2 ml three times per day.
  

• Burdock
  Latin Name: Arctium lappa
  Family: Compositae
  Parts Used: Roots and rhizome.
  Actions: Alterative, diuretic, bitter.
  Uses: Skin conditions including psoriasis and eczema, rheumatic complaints, anorexia nervosa, sluggish digestion, dandruff, wounds, ulcers.
  Dosage: Tea - drink one cup three times per day; Tincture - Take 2-4 ml three times per day.
  

• Butterbur
  Latin Name: Petasites hybridus
  Family: Compositae
  Parts Used: Leaves or rhizome.
  Actions: Anti-spasmodic, diuretic, diaphoretic.
  Uses: Intestinal colic, asthma, painful periods, fevers, wounds.
  Dosage: Tea - drink one cup three times per day; Tincture - Take 1-2 ml three times per day.