Chewing Roots

Chewz Your Root

Chewing Roots

Common name	Latin name	Traditional use

Angelica	Angelica archangelica	Traditionally used for a variety of problems such as aiding with gastric ulcers, anorexia, migraine sickness, coughs and colds. In addition to relief of urinary and menstrual problems. Not used for pregnant women, or diabetics. May cause skin irritation.
Ashwagandha	Withania somnifera	Purported to have similar effects to ginseng – said to have sedative, yet rejuvenative, and aphrodisiac effects. Important herb for men.
Astralagus	Astralagus membeanaceus	Used as a sweet tonic that stimulates the immune system, spleen, lungs, liver, circulatory and urinary systems and to lower blood pressure.
Barberry	Root bark, berberis spp	Believed to be highly effective against many disease-causing organisms. It was used to stimulate the liver, spleen and uterus, lower fever, control blood pressure, control bleeding and reduce inflammation. Purported to have anti-malarial and anti-cancer properties. Do not use if you are pregnant.
Bistort	Polygonum bistorta	An astringent, soothing and cooling herb that was used to reduce inflammation, control diarrhoea and excessive bleeding. The Chinese believe it is a hair restorative!
Burdock root	Arctium lappa	You can cook the root like carrots! It has been used to reduce inflammation and control bacterial infections such as psoriasis, eczema, gout, rheumatism, boils and sores.
Calamus	Acorus calamus	Aids digestive complaints. Believed to be a restorative for brain and nervous system in Ayurvedic medicine (e.g. after a stroke). Excess causes vomiting!
Chicory -roasted	Cichorium intybus	Traditionally this is a liver and gall bladder tonic with a cooling effect on the symptoms of rheumatism, gout and haemorrhoids.
Chinese rhubarb	Rheum palmatum	A bitter, astringent, cooling herb customarily used to promote digestion and healing, stimulate the uterus or as a laxative. Also used to treat skin eruptions due to accumulation of toxins – do not use if you are pregnant or breast feeding due to its effect on the uterus.
Couchgrass	Agropyron repens	A herb that is thought to be soothing, aid the kidneys and bowels to expel toxins, lower blood cholesterol and clear infection. Well tolerated remedy with no side effects.
Dandelion	Taraxacum officianale	A strong diuretic, which stimulates liver function and improves digestion. It has also been used to reduce swelling and inflammation.
Dang gui	Angelica sinensis	Historically taken to aid menstrual and menopausal complaints, is mildly laxative; is sedative and painkiller with some antibacterial effect. Do not use if you are pregnant, although it is given after childbirth as a tonic. May cause skin irritation.
Devils claw- slices	Harpagophytum procumbens	Used to soothe digestive and rheumatic complaints. It is purported to have sedative, pain killing and inflammation reducing effects. Do not use if you have gastric or duodenal ulcers.
Echinacea augustifolia	Echinacea augustifolia	A bitter herb that has been used to stimulate the immune system, promote healing; believed to be antibacterial and antiviral, hence its use in the treatment of skin disease such as acne, herpes, and boils. Also used as a remedy for colds and influenza.
Echinacea pallida	Echinacea pallida	Interchangeable with echinacea augustifolia and echinacea purpurea.
Echinacea purpurea	Echinacea purpurea	Thought to be a detoxicant which can stimulate the immune system, promote healing, in addition to being antiviral and antibacterial.
Elecampane	Inula helenium	Slightly sweet. Customarily used to relax spasms and irritation. It may have antibacterial and antifungal properties, therefore it is used to cleanse toxins and stimulate the immune and digestive systems.
Fo Ti root	Polygonum multiflora	A bitter-sweet astringent, slightly warming herb. Beleived to be good for the liver, reproductive, urinary and circulatory systems. Purported to lower blood sugar and cholesterol and be effective against bacterial infections. Avoid excess.
Galangal	Alpina officinarum	Historically used to stimulate the digestive system, relieve pain, lower fever and control bacterial/ fungal infections. Chewing it is thought to help to relieve gum disease.
Gentian	Gentiana lutea	In the past it has been used to stimulate the liver and digestive systems, reduce fever and lower inflammation.
Ginger - slices	Zingiber officinale	A warming herb that is traditionally used to increase perspiration, aid digestion, control nausea and vomiting in addition to coughing in colds and influenza. Is also believed to increases liver function and circulation, relieve pain and spasms and has been used to combat motion sickness. Do not use if you have inflammatory skin complaints or digestive tract ulcers.
Ginseng	Panax ginseng	A tonic that relaxes and stimulates the nervous system. Believed to improve stamina, lower cholesterol and increase resistance to disease. Do not use if you are pregnant, suffer from depression or inflammatory diseases. Maximum continuous usage 3 weeks at a time.
Ginseng Siberian	Eleutheroccus senticosus	A tonic for all organs. Alleged to improve resistance to infection and reduces stress. Maximum continuous usage 3 weeks at a time and try to avoid caffeine whilst taking it.
Golden seal	Hydrastis canadensis	Traditionally it has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties that lead it to be used for digestive disorders and peptic ulcers. It has also been used as a decongestant effective against bacterial and amoebic infections. Do not use if you are pregnant or have high blood pressure. Used for 3 months maximum at a time as it destroys good and bad bacteria in the gut.
Horseradish	Armoracia rusticana	This herb has been used as a stimulant that controls bacterial infection, lowers fever by increasing perspiration and has diuretic properties, irritating tissue hence causing increased circulation locally. Believed to be good for gout, arthritis, urinary infections and fevers where coldness is exhibited. Excess causes vomiting and may cause allergic reaction. Do not use if you have stomach ulcers or thyroid problems.
Kava kava	Piper methysticum	This herb has been used in the past to relieve pain, relax spasms and have a stimulant effect on circulatory and nervous systems. Excess causes stupor!
Liquorice sticks	Glycyrrhiza glabra	A sweet, moist, soothing expectorant that is purported to detoxify and protect the liver; control coughing and act as an anti-inflammatory. Do not use if you are pregnant or have high blood pressure, kidney disease or are taking digoxin-based medication.
Marshmallow	Althea officinalis	Traditionally this herb was chewed to soothe sore throat, act as an expectorant and control bacterial infection. The original marshmallow chew!
Shatavari	Asparagus racemosus	Used as a rejuvenative on female reproductive systems with a soothing and tonic action which is believed to aid flagging libido and treats infertility. Important for women! Aborigines use it to soothe digestive upsets and treat skin sores.
Turmeric	Curcuma longa	This herb has long been added to curries to aid digestion, but is also thought to aid liver disease and have antibiotic and anti-inflammatory effects. In moderate doses it is purported to have antitumour properties.
Valerian	Valeriana officinalis	A bitter sedative warming herb with a musky scent. Historically used to calm the nerves, impart a feeling of well being, improve digestion, relieve pain and lower blood pressure, treat migraine, hysteria and insomnia. Not to be used in excess as it can cause palpitations and headaches.
Wild yam	Dioscorea villosa	An acrid anti-inflammatory that is believed to stimulate bile flow and dilate blood vessels, hence its use in treating arthritis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Crohn’s Disease, morning sickness, painful menstruation and whooping cough. Used in homeopathy to treat colic in babies.
Yellow dock	Rumex crispus	A cooling astringent herb that is customarily used to stimulate the gall bladder, cleanse the body of toxins and, not surprisingly, as a laxative. Used to treat chronic skin disease, jaundice, constipation (and associated skin eruptions), liver disorders and anaemia. Excess may cause nausea and dermatitis.

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