Read the full description of the plant in the plant list with all caution notes where applicable.

Also read the general safety notes.

These remedies are for minor ailments or injuries, or may help in a survival situation. Always consult a trained medical professional for medical advice.

Keep samples of plants consumed. In case of adverse reaction seek medical attention immediately, taking along the samples.

The information is given in good faith, but is by no means complete. Absence of information on toxicity or danger is not indicative of a plant's safety. Consumption is at the reader's own risk and discretion.

Some guidance may reduce the risk in a survival situation, but it is best to err on the safe side when medical help is available.

• analgesic: relieves pain
• anodyne: eases pain (milder than an analgesic)
• anthocyanin: antioxidant, mostly in skin of dark blue fruit or red leaves; improves night vision, circulation, memory
• anthocyanosides: antioxidant; strengthens capillaries/connective tissue; may improve night vision
• antiaphonic: for loss of voice
• anti-asthmatic: treats asthma
• antibacterial: kills bacteria
• anticancer: used in the treatment of cancer
• anticholesterolemic: prevents build up of cholesterol
• anticoagulant: retards or prevents blood clotting
• anti-diarrhoea: treats diarrhoea - see also astringent
• antidote: counters poisoning
• antiemetic: prevents nausea and vomiting
• anti-fertility: may help prevent pregnancy
• anti-fungal: inhibits or destroys fungi
• antihistamine: inhibits the effects of histamine; reduces itching and swelling
• anti-inflammatory: reduces inflammation of joints, injuries etc. (see also demulcent, emollient)
• anti-lithic: see lithontripic
• antimicrobial: helps the body destroy or resist pathogens (see also antibacterial and antiseptic)
• anti-periodic: prevents the return of or recurring illnesses (e.g. Malaria)
• antiphlogistic: see anti-inflammatory
• antipyretic: see febrifuge
• anti-rheumatic: treats rheumatism
• antiscorbutic: prevents scurvy, contains Vitamin C
• antiseptic: prevents putrefaction (applied to wounds)
• antispasmodic: prevents or eases spasms or cramps
• antitumor: see anticancer
• antitussive: prevents or relieves coughing
• antivirus, antiviral: treats viral infections
• aperient: mild laxative
• astringent: causes localised contraction of blood vessels and tissue, reducing the flow of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
• bitter: bitter-tasting; stimulates appetite, increases bile flow (essential for aiding the digestion of fat and neutralising stomach acid), regulates insulin and glycogen
• cardiac: has effect on the heart
• carminative: prevents or eases effects of flatulence
• cathartic: strong laxative (less violent than purgative)
• cholagogue: increases flow of bile
• decongestant: relieves congestion (see also expectorant and antitussive)
• demulcent: rich in mucilage, soothes or protects irritated or inflamed tissue (especially mucosa)
• deobstruent: clears obstructions, opens natural passages of body
• depurative: eliminates toxins and purifies the system, especially the blood
• detergent: cleans wounds etc.; removes dead and diseased matter
• diaphoretic: promotes perspiration, aids the skin in elimination of toxins
• digestive: aids digestion
• diuretic: increases secretion and elimination of urine
• emetic: causes vomiting (mostly when taken in high doses)
• emmenagogue: stimulates or normalises menstrual flow, in early pregnancy may induce an abortion
• emollient: applied to the skin softens, soothes, protects (externally, as demulcents do internally)
• expectorant: removes excess amount of mucus from respiratory system (see also decongestant)
• febrifuge: reduces fever; use only for dangerously high temperature; a raised temperature is the body's way of burning up the pathogen
• fumaric acid: - the ionised form is used by cells to produce energy from food. Used to treat psoriasis. Excess may cause kidney or gastrointestinal disorders, and skin flushing. Prolonged use may cause decreased count of white blood cells. Produced in human skin by exposure to sunlight. Used as mordant for dye.
• galactagogue: stimulates the production of breast milk or increases milk flow
• glucoquinones: reduce blood sugar levels
• glucose-modulatory: the ability to help maintain normal blood glucose levels
• haemostatic: controls bleeding (see astringent)
• hepatic: acts upon the liver
• hypnotic: induces sleep
• hypolipidemic: decreases circulating fats in the bloodstream
• hypotensive: reduces blood pressure
• lactobacilli: beneficial microorganism present in the gut and vagina. May be anti-inflammatory and anticancer, especially for liver, colon, bladder, and breast cancer. May boost immune system.
• laxative: evacuates the bowels or softens stools
• lithontripic: helps prevent and removes stones from kidneys, bladder etc.
• nervine: restores nerves to their natural state
• nutritive: nourishing to the body
• odontalgic: treats toothache (temporarily) and other problems of the teeth and gums
• ophthalmic: treats eye complaints
• oxytoxic/oxytocic: stimulates the contraction of the uterus aiding childbirth
• pectoral: treats chest and lung complaints
• purgative: produces evacuation of the bowels (more severe than aperients or laxatives)
• quercetin: antioxidant; anti-inflammatory (inhibits the production and release of histamine); may protect against cancer and cardiovascular disease
• refrigerant: produces a feeling of coolness
• resveratrol: an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral; may protect against cancer and cardiovascular disease
• rubefacient: applied to the skin to stimulate local irritation and dilate capillaries to increase circulation in the skin and relieve internal pains, e.g. rheumatic joints
• rutin: antioxidant; strengthens capillaries; may protect against cancer and heart disease
• sedative: calms the nervous system and reduces stress
• sialagogue: stimulates secretion of saliva
• soporific: see hypnotic
• stimulant: enlivens physiological functions of the body, without giving a false sense of well-being
• stomachic: treats stomach disorders
• styptic: see astringent
• sudorific: see diaphoretic
• suppurative: forms or discharges pus
• tonic: improves general health, bringing steady improvement
• vasoconstrictor: narrows blood vessels, increasing blood pressure
• vasodilator: widens blood vessels, reducing blood pressure
• vermifuge: expels worms from the body (see also anthelmintic)
• vulnerary: promotes healing of wounds (applied externally)

Tonic - Bilberry; Bramble; Bulrush; Chestnut, Sweet; Cleavers; Couchgrass; Daisy; Dandelion; Dock; Hazel; Hop; Meadowsweet; Nettle, Stinging; Oak; Ramson; Raspberry; Rose, Dog; Silverweed; Strawberry; Willowherb, Rosebay; Woodruff, Sweet
Stimulant - Angelica (Angelica archangelica); Dandelion; Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea) (aerial parts); Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) (tap root); Peppermint (Mentha piperita) (aerial parts); Ramson; Raspberry; Scurvy-grass; Shepherd's Purse; Yarrow

Detox

see also: Kidney, Bladder; Liver, Gallbladder, Spleen

Depurative - Blackthorn; Bramble; Burdock; Chickweed; Cleavers; Clover, Red; Couchgrass; Daisy; Dandelion; Dock; Figwort, Common (Scrophularia nodosa) (aerial parts); Knotweed, Japanese; Meadowsweet; Nettle, Stinging; Plantain; Ramson; Reed, Common; Rose, Dog; Shepherd's Purse; Sorrel; Strawberry
Diaphoretic - Ash; Birch; Blackthorn; Burdock; Cleavers; Deadnettle, Red; Elder; Hazel; Meadowsweet; Mustard, Garlic; Ramson; Woodruff, Sweet; Yarrow

Antispasmodic - Daisy; Hawthorn; Hop; Mustard, Hedge; Ramson; Silverweed; Valerian, Common (Valeriana officinalis) (root); Willowherb, Rosebay; Woodruff, Sweet; Yarrow

Toothache

see also: Pain

Odontalgic - Beech; Reed, Common; Silverweed; Yarrow

Ulcers

Bilberry; Daisy; Willowherb, Rosebay

Antidote - Reed, Common
Emetic - Elder