|
Flavors and Actions of Herbs
by Susan Marynowski
In the recent discussion of cranberry, someone said that they drank pure cranberry juice (without sugar) and that it was "bitter." Cranberry is actually a "sour" flavor! This has prompted me to write about the flavors, which I believe are a doorway to understanding the plants and their actions. As a perpetual student, this will be a review for me and hopefully interesting for the newer herbalists on the list.
Many traditions categorize plant medicines based on their flavors. Flavors are a great way to understand plants because they relate to the chemical composition of the plants, and therefore the actions of those plants. The Chinese have a 5-flavor system, while the Ayurvedic tradition honors 6 flavors. Native Americans also had flavor categories for plants, as did the ancient Greeks and other lost western traditions. Not every herb fits neatly into these categories, and some herbs have more than one flavor, but this is a great start to understanding plant chemistry. There can be many subdivisions and nuances in flavor, but here's just a basic description of some of the flavors of plants, from a multi-ethnic perspective.
PUNGENT: Also called "acrid" or "spicy," herbs with this flavor are warm or hot and drying in energy. Pungent plants usually contain volatile oils. Many of our favorite essential oils come from pungent plants. They are excellent digestive herbs ("carminatives") and blood purifiers and they move poor circulation and dispel conditions of cold and mucus. They often move energy from the inside of the body to the outside of the body ("diaphoretic"), opening the pores and allowing sweating to occur. They are relaxing and also possess antimicrobial activity. They have a direct effect on the lungs and the colon. Great bunch of plants for "cold" colds without fevers! Think of herbs in the mint family (marjoram, rosemary, thyme, lavendar, mints), ginger, herbs in the Apiaceae family (angelica/dong quai, fennel, coriander, cumin, dill, anise), prickly ash, cayenne, black pepper, garlic.
SWEET: The sweet flavored herbs are warm-to-neutral and moist in nature. This kind of sweetness is the full flavor of complex carbohydrates and other macronutrients, not the empty sweetness of pure sugars (which are cooling in nature). These herbs/foods tend to build, harmonize, strengthen, tonify, and nourish the body, especially for those with a lack of energy or weak blood. They have an inward and consolidating action. These plants actually form the bulk of most diets around the world (e.g., grains, beans). It is now believed that the polysaccharides (long-chain carbohydrates) in mildly sweet herbs and foods are the reason for their long-term nourishing and immunostimulant effects. In excess, however, sweet (esp. empty sweets) can cause congestion and lethargy and dampen (quell) the digestive fires. Examples of sweet herbs include ginseng, jujube dates, cinnamon, licorice, astragalus. (While classified as a bitter herb, echinacea also contains these immunostimulating polysaccharides.)
SOUR: The understanding of sour herbs is divided among different traditions. Some of the sour herbs are warming and moistening. This warming group tends to gain its flavors through the presence of organic acids and bioflavonoids. These foods cleanse the body of toxins and promote digestion. Some are cardiac tonics. They stimulate digestion by directly affecting the liver and galbladder. Sour herbs are high in vitamins (e.g., Vitamin C = ascorbic acid). Examples of these warming sour herbs/foods include citrus, berries (blackberries, cranberries, strawberries, etc.), plums, peaches, pineapple, hibiscus ("red zinger"), rose hips, hawthorn berry, vinegar.
ASTRINGENT: Astringent herbs (also called "sour" by the Chinese) are typically cooling and drying and condensing. They gain their flavor from the presence of chemical constitutents called tannins. These herbs are most useful for tissue contraction and fluid absorption, such as in stopping excess perspiration, loss of fluids, diarrhea, or excess mucus secretion or bleeding. They are especially tonifying to the mucous membranes of the digestive tract, urinary tract, uterus, and kidneys. In excess, astringent herbs can actually harm digestion by coating the mucus linings of the digestive tract, just as tannins act to toughen the flesh when tanning hides. Examples include blackberry leaf, raspberry leaf, strawberry leaf, schizandra, black walnut hulls.
BITTER: The bitter herbs are generally cooling and drying in nature. The bitter flavor comes from chemical components such as alkaloids and glycosides. Bitter herbs are detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral in action. They stimulate the secretion of bile, which stimulates the digestion and normal bowel elimination. They also help clear the blood of cholesterol. This taste stengthens the hearts and small intestines and cleanses the blood. Bitter is America's least favorite flavor, with the notable exception of coffee, with its stimlulating alkaloid, caffeine. Bitter to excess can cause too much cooling and drying. If bitter herbs are being used for more long-term digestive treatment, they often are balanced with warming "carminative" pungent herbs. Examples include dandelion, gentian, turmeric, any of the berberine-containing plants (goldenseal, barberry, etc.)
SALTY: The salty taste is generally cold in energy. It stabilizes and regulates fluid balance and also has a softening effect, such as on hardened lymph nodes, tight muscles, constipation, or tumors. Salty herbs have an effect on the kidneys, adrenals, and bladder and they can improve elimination and bowel action. Salty herbs also help control gas and coughs. A craving for salt is often a sign of adrenal exhaustion. In excess, plain salt can be irritating and heating to the body, causing water retention and high blood pressure. Herbs high in mineral salts, however, will not cause these complications. Examples include nettles, plantain, seaweeds (considered warming in some traditions).
I recommend that you and your herbal friends to get together during the cold of winter and have an herb tasting. Have one or several friends be the hosts, who prepare the "mystery" infusions ahead of time. Then, just like tasting fine wines, you can taste and describe and discuss the flavors (one at a time!) and try to guess what effects the plants would have and perhaps even identify the plants from their flavors. This is a great exercise for even experienced herbalists, and for new herbalists helps to develop the refined sense of taste needed to begin to know and understand the plants. The bitter flavor, in particular, is one for which we should all cultivate a better appreciation!
Now for the person who thought that cranberry was bitter: If you aren't sure what bitter tastes like, start with some turmeric from the spice rack, or make some strong yarrow tea, which is mildly bitter. Graduate to some goldenseal or boneset tea to really get a hit of bitter. Or try some Swedish bitters before a meal to stimulate digestion. Then compare the flavor of straight cranberry, and you will know the difference between sour and bitter. Sour makes your cheeks pucker, while bitter hits the back of the tongue in a very satisfying way! Cheers! --Susan
Specific Herbs
herb descriptions will follow this order:
- herb name
- characteristic
- uses
- cautions, if any
Alfalfa
- salty, bitter, cooling, neutral
- arthritis, fatigue, pituitary gland, mineralizes, blood thinner
- seeds unless sprouted.
Aloe Vera (aloe barbadensis)
- aloin, aloes, muco- polysaccharides cool, moist
- Burns, wound healing, laxative, radiation, frostbite, anti-biotic, anti-viral, immune stimulant, anti-inflammatory
- allergenic for some. Inner-leaf latex is purgative. Do not use whole-leaf juice unless a laxative is desired.
Angelica (Angelica sinensis, Dong Quoi)
- essential oils and fatty acids: ligustilide, safrol, carvacrol, ferulic acid. aromatic, pungent, warming
- antibacterial, ant fungal, immuno-stimulant, anti tumor, stimulates progesterone secretion, reduces arrhythmia.
Anise
- excess mucus, estrogen, whooping cought, colic, intestinal cleanser
Astragalus (astragalus membranaceus)
- sweet, warm
- Anti-viral (papillomavirus and herpes) synergistic with inteferon, deep immune building
Bayberry
- drying, cooling, astringent, aromatic
- polyps, blood builder, jaundice, goiter,
Bearberry (Uva Ursi
- hydroquinone, arbutin, allantoin
- diuretic, astringent, urinary antiseptic, cystitis, herpes & flu virus.
Bee Pollen
- linolenic acid, sterols, amino acids, vitamins, enzymes, minerals, trace elemets
- lower blood fats, suppress atherosclerotic plaques
- use commercially processed products to avoid allergies.
Beet root
- sweet, nourishing
- liver cleanser
Bilberry (vaccinium myrtillus)
- antiviral: herpes, influenza. anti-fungal, yeast, bacteria, protozoan. antihistamine, improves vision.
Birch (betula spp)
- methyl salicylate
- poultice, tea, fevers, rheumatism,
Black Cohosh
- estrogen, bronchitis, nerves
Blessed Thistle (Cnicus benedictus)
- bitter, cooling drying
- diuretic, diaphoretic, febrifuge. Indigestion, appetite stimulant, liver, gallbladder, candida
Bloodroot (sanguinaria canadensis)
- tormentil, tannic acid
- astringent, polyps, tumors, wound healing
- Not to be taken internally. Poisonous. Causes death.
Blue Cohosh
- nerves, cramps, induces labor, spasms
- carcinogen
Blue Flag
- lymphatic cleanser, swollen glands, clogged liver
Blue Vervain
- bitter, cooling, moistening
- tranquilizer, virus, insomnia, expectorant
Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum)
- sesquiterpene lactones bitter, acrid, cooling, drying
- reduces fever, body pain, influenza, induces perspiration
- purgative in large doses.
Boswellia (Boswellia sernata)
- gum resin containing boswellic acids
- anti-inflammatory, arthritic rheumatic
Buchu (agathosma betulina)
- limonene, diosphenol, glycosides, flavonoids
- urinary, kidney, prostate
Burdock
- bitter, sweet, alterative
- blood purifier, liver detox, gout, arthritis, skin blemishes
Calendula
- hot, dry, astringent
- blood cleanser, tumors, skin pigment disorders, healing salve for cuts and wounds
Cayenne (Capsicum frutescens)
- capsaicin, pungent
- general stimulant, used internally and externally for pain, improved digestion., circulation
Cascara Sagrada
- liver purge, gall bladder, laxative
Catnip
- fevers, virus, relaxant, digestion
Chamomile (matricaria chamomilla)
- flavanoid apigenin, essential oils: alpha-bisabodol., soothes intestines
- digestion, soothing, antispasmodic, bowel gas pain, sedative. eye wash
- some allergic response.
Chaste berry (vitex agnus castus)
- volatile oils,
- reduce sexual desire, adjust production of female hormones, progesterogenic, endometriosis, PMS.
Chickweed
- bland, salty, cooling, drying
- emulsifies fat, obesity , blood purifier, dissolves fatty tumors, aids fat metabolism
Cherry (Prunus spp)
- hydrocyanic acid (cyanide) benzaldehyde amygdalin
- bark: cough sedative fruit: gout
- All parts except fruit toxic in large doses.
Cinnamon
Cleavers
- goiter, diuretic, liver, skin
Comfrey
- bland, cooling drying
- lungs, bones, muscle, digestion, poultice, fast wound healing.. not for deep wounds
- carcinogen
Cornsilk
- soothing, bitter, mucilant
- kidneys, bladder, liver
Cramp Bark
- cramps, lung, heart, uterus
Damiana
- diuretic, nerves, depression, mucus
Dandelion
- bitter, salty, cooling drying
- liver, diuretic, spleen, urinary tract
Daisy
Devil's Claw
- bitter, cold
- inflammation, liver tonic, arthritis, headaches, cholesterol
Dill weed
- nervine, gas, digestion, calmative
Dong Quai
- stimulates progesterone, nerves, female glands
Dulse
- thyroid, depression, female problems, palpitations, enhances absorption of calcium
Echinacea
- bitter, acrid, cooling drying
- antibiotic, antiviral, lymph, prostate,
Elderberry
Elder flowers
- cough, colds, fevers, allergies
Elecampane
- warming, stimulating
- bronchitis, phlegm, cough, lungs
Eye Bright
- astringent, tonic, cooling, drying
- eye-wash, feather spray, sinus, cataracts, upper respiratory
False Unicorn
- digestion, cough, kidneys
Fennel
- suppresses appetite, indigestion, colic, spasms
Fenugreek
- sweet, bland, warming
- mucus, lungs, lymph, cholesterol, weight gain
Feverfew
- bitter, cold, aromataic, dry. for exploding headaches
- pain, migraines, sinus,
Garlic (allium sativum)
- alliin & allinase convert to allicin when garlic is crushed. quercetin, cyanidin, selenium, over 75 sulphur compounds.
- Allicin is destroyed in cooking. Use fresh cloves or dried. Antibiotic, viral, fungal, tumor, parasitic. antioxidant, lowers cholesterol, inhibits clotting and inflammation.
- Can cause heinz body anemia in dogs and cats.
Gentian
- liver, jaundice, spleen, circulation, digestion
Ginger
- aromatic, warming, pungent stimulating
- indigestion, colic, nausea, circulation, vertigo
Ginko
- aids vasoconstrictive headaches.
- circulation, memory, muscular degeneration, stroke
Golden Seal
- bitter, cooling, drying
- infections, pancreas, blood sugar, antibiotic, urinary
- Substitute with Oregon grape when possible.
Goto Kola
memory, brain, pituitary, depression, senility
Grapefruit seed extract (GSE)
- antibiotic, antifungal
- must be diluted before use. must use probiotics after use.
- do not use in eyes.
Hawthorn
- heart, adrenals, blood pressure, stress, angina, arteriosclerosis
Hops
- aromatic, bitter, cool, dry. estrogeni
- nerves, sleep, alcoholism, spastic, hyperactivity
Horehound
- bitter, aromatic, cooling and drying
- expectorant, antispasmodic, lungs
Hydrangea
- cooling, soothing
- bone spurs, kidney stones, gall stones, bladder infection, arthritis
Juniper Berries
- irritating diuretic, hot, dry
- infections, urinary infections diuretic, pancreases, diabetes
- poisonous to birds
Kava Kava
- nerves, relaxant, pain killer, antifungal, anticonvulsant, muscle relaxant
- do not overdose, can paralyze muscles
Kelp
- thyroid, goiter, pituitary, obesity
Kudzu (chinese Gen gen)
- sweet, acrid, cool. dehydrogenase inhibitor, diadzin, diadzine, Riboflavin.
- May cure alcoholism. Goes to stomach an and spleen.
Lemon Balm
- anti-viral, circulation, antipyretic, digestion
Lemon Peel
- diuretic, immunity, antibiotic, colds
Licorice
- sweet, bitter, warming, moistening
- low blood sugar, coughs, hoarseness, sore throats, toic
Lobelia
- acrid, bitter
- nervine, relaxant, coughs, congestion
- Use cautiously, can kill.
Marshmallow
- cool, moist, bland to sweet
- kidneys, bladder, soothes digestive, urinary , respiratory
Meadowsweet
- gastritis, antacid, pain, inflammation
Milk Thistle
- bitter, cooling drying
- liver tonic, hepatitis, rashes depression
Mullein
- bland, salty, drying nourishes lungs
- lungs, pain, asthma, lymph
Myrrh
- sour, astringent, cooling, drying
- antiseptic, inflammation, skin sores, lung. contains manganese
Nettles
- salty, mineral rich
- circulation, blood purifier, blood pressure, rheumatism, nourishing mineral rich
Oatstraw
- heart, nerves, urinary problems, kidney stones
Orange Peel
- pungent, warm dry
- digestion, phlegm, coughs
Oregon Grape
- bitter, cold, dry. replaces goldenseal
- lymph, liver, acne, anti-inflammatory
Passion Flower
- bitter, cooling
- nervine, sedative, blood pressure
Pau D'Araco
- sour, astringent, drying, cooling
- blood purifier, prostate, ant tumor, anti fungal
Peppermint
- cooling, drying
- colds, flu, heartburn, digestions, nauseas
Prickley Ash Bark
- heart, circulation, tissue builder
Purple Loosestrife
- eyes, liver, gall bladder, kidney
Red Raspbery
- sour, astringent, cooling, drying
- diarrhea, female tonic, fevers
Red Root
- Liver tonic, lymph, expectorant
Rose Buds
- colic digestion, diarrhea, bioflavanoids
Sage
- antiseptic, astringent, reduces sinus inflammation
St John's Wort (Hypericum)
- nerves, insomnia, bronchitis, depression
Sarsparilla
- sweet, bitter, warming, moistening
- blood purifier, liver tonic, skin, male tonic
Saw Palmettto
- prostaate male reproductive organs, digestion,
Schizandra berry
- high blood sugar, sedative, sweating
Shavegrass
- bladder, brttle nails, circulation, bleeding
Siberian Ginseng
- longevity, blood pressure, endurance, depression
Skullcap
- nerves, insomnia, high blood pressure
Slippery Elm
- cool, moist, sweet, bland soothing, nourishing
- burns, colitis, lungs, diarrhea, coughs, digestive tract
- Substitute with Marshmallow when possible
Spearmint
- colds, flu, gas, dalmative
Spikenard
- acne, pulmonary, expectorant, diaphoretic
Stevia
- natural sweetner, diabetes, heart problems
Tansey
- heart, colon cleanse, worms
Turmuric
- Curcumin, a natural derivative of the spice turmeric, induces glutathione S-transferase activity and reverses aflatoxin induced liver damage (produced by aspergillus).
Thyme
- hot, dry, aromatic
- colds, coughs, indigestion, antiseptic
Una de Gato (Cat's Claw)
- joint pain, immune builder, anti viral
Uva Ursi
- dry, irritating, astringent, disinfectant
- urinary tract problems, spleen, kidney
Valerian
- bitter, aromatic, cooling, drying
- nerves, pain, insomnia, anti-spasmodic
White Pine
- hot, dry astringent
- mucus, throat problems, lung,
White Pond Lily
- tumors, prostrate, uterine problems
White Willlow
- astringent, cooling, drying
- pain killer, anti-inflammatory, fever, astringente
Wild Cherry
- mucus, phlegm, bronchitis, fever
Wild Lettuce
- bitter, cold, dry
- pain killer, bronchitis, cramps, whooping cough, nerves
Wood Betony
- aromatic
- anxiety, blood oxygenator, liver, aches and pains
Wormwood
- worms, cholagogue, stomachic, anti-inflammatory
Yarrow
- lung tonic, liver tonic, anti-inflammatory, antipyrretic, stops bleeding
Yerba Santa
- hot, dry, resinous
- lungs spleen, expectorant, alterative
Yohimbe
- testosterone stimulant, impotency, frigidity
|
