Pharmacognosy: the study of medicines to improve health derived from natural sources such as herbs. The American Society of Pharmacognosy defines pharmacognosy as “the study of the physical, chemical, biochemical and biological properties of drugs, drug substances or potential drugs or drug substances of natural origin as well as the search for new drugs from natural sources.”

This includes the study of plant structure, reproduction, active ingredients and nutrients-vitamins, minerals, sugars, starches and chemical constituents.

Examples
Foxglove has a cardiac glycoside that creates Digitoxin-a drug that helps regulate the heart
Meadowsweet, willow and poplar bark have salicylic acid that helps to form aspirin

Understanding the chemical constituents helps us scientifically determine how herbs work for specific conditions and to generally increase our wellness. The holistic method is to use the whole herb, not just the extracted active components. Treating conditions in this way helps to address the whole person and not just the disease.

Carbohydrates: any form of sugar-provides nutrition and energy as a starch, monosaccharide, disaccharide, polysaccharide, inulin, pectin, gum and mucilage. Examples: marshmallow, comfrey, plantain, slippery elm and aloe vera
Glycosides: sugar combined with a non-sugar (a-glycone) soluble in water and alcohol.
Cardiac Glycosides: effect on the heart-increase efficiency of heartbeat-very dangerous plants and should not be used internally. Examples: foxglove, lily of the valley
Anthraquinone Glycosides: laxative, purgative effect-should always be taken with a carminative. Examples: rhubarb, senna
Flavonoids: antiviral, antispasmodic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, diuretic, heart and circulation stimulants. Examples: hawthorn, raspberry, ginko
Phenols and Phenolic Glycosides: carbon-based, antiseptic, febrifuge, analgesic. Examples: clove, thyme
Coumarins: sweet, aromatic, blood thinning, reducing blood clots. Example: black haw, red clover, angelica, licorice
Saponins: water-soluble and form lather, similar to human sex and stress hormones. Examples: fenugreek, licorice, sarsaparilla, wild yam
Acids: cleans and detoxifies, stimulates pancreatic and bile secretions
Tannic Acid: astringent, promotes rapid healing, swelling, inflammation, cuts, hemorrhoids, varicose ulcers. Examples: red clover, yarrow, willow bark, black haw, blackberry
Alkaloids: when nitrogen isn’t fully used for protein productions, it forms alkaloids. There are 5000 known alkaloids that have diverse and profound effects-especially on the central nervous system. Typically have a bitter taste-nicotine, caffeine, morphine, opium poppy, codeine. Examples: Oregon grape, goldenseal, barberry
Pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PAs): can cause liver blockage-do not take if prego, nursing, have liver disease. Examples: comfrey, coltsfoot
Essential or Volatile Oils: unstable and easily separate from the plant to vaporize into air, when plant is crushed or exposed to the sun. Used in aromatherapy, perfumes and insect repellent. Examples: rosemary, thyme, mint
Bitter Principles: stimulate secretion of digestive juices and bile. Taken before or after meals to stimulate appetite and alleviate indigestion. Antibiotic and antifungal. Examples: gentian, wormwood, goldenseal
Resins: translucent plant secretions yellow to brown and sticky formed from oxidized volatile oils. Expectorant, stimulating, diaphoretic, diuretic. Examples: myrrh, frankincense

Plants also contain vegetable oils, vitamins, trace elements, chlorophyll, oleoresins, alcohols, acrids, latex, gelatins, lipids, enzymes, proteins, balsams and coloring matter.

Through knowledge of our medicinal herbs and their chemical constituents natural healing can be better understood and used to improve health and wellness.

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