The 24 best herbs for medical use as selected by 'Fernsehwoche'
Translation and botanical name of herbs supplied by Zentrum Publishing.
Name	Medicinal Use
Arnica (Arnica montana)	topical for joint pain, nerve pain, bruises, sprains, inflammations of mouth and throat.
Artichoke (Cynara scolymus)	stomach and intestinal problems, increases flow of bile, improves metabolism of fat and lowers cholesterol.
Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis)	local use for conjuctivitis; internal use for hayfever.
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)	nervousness, insomnia.
Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)	local, topical use to speed healing of broken bones, sprains, arthrosis. Some warnings concern internal use!
Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica)	supports health of bladder, urinary system, prostate enlargement, gallbladder, liver, hair growth (contains lots of iron).
Oats (Avena sativa)	the straw has been added to baths to help with nervousness and skin inflammation; the grain is nourishing and helps speed recovery from debilitating illness.
Hops (Humulus lupulus)	nervousness.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale)	nausea, travel sickness, migraine, nervousness and anxiety.
St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)	depression, skin injuries.
Chamomile, German (Matricaria chamomilla)	inflammation of mouth, gum, throat, stomach and intestines.
Garlic (Allium sativum)	lowers cholesterol, antibaterial, lowers blood pressure; external for warts.
Caraway (Carum carvi)	flatulence, stomach trouble, chewed for stomatitis.
Pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita pepo)	prostate enlargement, certain parasites.
Flax (Linum usitatissimum)	gastro-intestinal problems, constipation, cell-respiration, prevention of cancers.
Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum)	mushroom poisoning, liver disease, hepatitis, cirrhosis.
Marigold (Calendula officinalis)	inflammation of mouth, throat, wounds, phlebitis.
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)	circulation, memory, exhaustion.
Sage (Salvia officinalis)	inflammation of membranes, mouth, throat, stomach, excessive sweating, nerves, bronchi.
Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)	bronchitis, infections.
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)	bronchitis, cough, inflammation of mouth, gum, throat, stomach, antibacterial.
Willow Tree bark (Salix alba)	inflammations, minor pains, rheumatism, gout.
Hawthorn (Crataegus)	strengthens the heart, palpitations, weak pulse.
Onion (Allium cepa)	cough, inflammations, hardening of arteries, contains the flavonoid quercetin.
Additional information on all of these herbs is included in the herbal databanks of the Herbs and Wellness programs
(also available in German: Heilpflanzen und Naturheilkunde).

Phytochemicals: The Active Substances in Herbs
Phytochemicals and polyphenols (which include flavonoids and constitute a large bulk of all phytochemicals) are chemical compounds naturally occuring in plants and are often considered the active properies of herbs. Thousands of phytochemicals have so far been identified. The table below lists medicinal properties of some of the main phytochemical groups, along with additional herbal property groups, commonly used by herbalists.
Herbal Group	Medicinal Properties
Acids:	Acids taste sour and may have antiseptic or cleansing actions.
Alkaloids:	Alkaloids taste bitter and may be poisonous. Alkaloids usually affect the central nervous system.
Bitters:	Bitters taste bitter and may be useful stimulants for the digestive juices, stomach and gallbladder.
Coumarins:	Coumarins may increase sun-sensitivity of the skin and may be toxic in large amounts. Otherwise they may act antibacterial or as anticoagulants.
Flavonoids:	Flavonoids act anti-allergic (Quercetin), anti-inflammatory, anti-catarrhagic (Bilberry, Blueberry) and as anti-oxidants.
Glycosides:	Depending on the herb, Glycosides have different actions including antispasmodic, cardiac, sedative, acrid, stimulant, antibiotic, cyanogenic, bitter or even irritating.
Gums & Mucilages:	Gums and Mucilages are mostly used to treat inflammed soft tissue, membranes and linings.
Quinones:	Quinones may act antibacterial and / or antifungal.
Anthraquinones:	These types of quinones may be useful for diarrhea.
Resins:	Resins may be useful antiseptics. They are astringent, acrid and support healing.
Saponins:	Saponins may act anti-inflammatory, diuretic, stimulant and / or hormonal.
Tannins:	Tannins are astringent (useful to stop bleedings) and may be useful antiseptics.
Terpenoids:	Terpenoids taste bitter and display a variety of actions depending on the herb.
Volatile Oils:	Volatile Oils are aromatic and may be antiseptic, antifungal, stimulant or irritating.

The Beginning
Our knowledge of Herbs began with experimentation by the early hunters and gatherers. Throughout the ages, this knowledge has been expanded upon and preserved by the holistic medical systems of China and India, Folk medicines, Aboriginal peoples throughout the world, and even by Monks, Druids and Witches. These groups are the original scientists of herbal knowledge.
Herbs: Present Definition (Western World)
The short dictionary-type definition:
1) A herb is a plant without a woody stem.
2) A herb is a plant used for its medicinal properties.
Another description of Herbs can be found in the Encyclopædia Britannica (1982) under the heading 'Spices, Herbs, and Flavourings'. However, for such a massive encyclopedia, only a few sentences actually describe herbs. The small amount of information presented also leaves the impression that herbs are a thing of the past, with modern use limited to "primitive cultures" and some "present-day herbalists". For example, under the sub-heading 'Uses, Ancient and Modern', information about "ancient herbals" is included while information on existing modern herbals is excluded. The encylopedia then states at the end of this section that "In medicine the spices and herbs have not entirely lost their reputation..." and adds that the curative virtues of herbs are still respected in places like India and other Asian countried.

The Encylopædia Britannica Deluxe Edition CD-ROM (2003) does not provide much more information about herbs. While there is some added content on alkaloids, the overall message about herbs was not too different: Medical uses of herbs happened in "very early times"; herbs are called "ancient herbals"; priests "employed" herbs at one time; and herbal-based drugs still used in the pharmaceutical industry are called "crude". Further herbal information is listed under the heading 'Primitive medicine and folklore'.

The Bantam Medical Dictionary (2004) lists among its 11,000+ entries "all drugs in clinical use"; however, we could not find a single herbal entry. But when we re-checked the dictionary specifically looking for pharmaceuticals based on herbs, suddenly the outdated herbs reappeared. For example, under 'vinca alkaloid' we found the following entry: "one of a group of antimitotic drugs [...] derived from the Periwinkle (Vinca rosea). Vinca alkaloids are usually administered intravenously and are used especially to treat leukemias and lymphomas [...]".

Herbs: Present Popularity and Modern Science
A featured article in the German magazine "Fernsehwoche" (37/2004) has stated that the ancient knowledge collected by monasteries is now again being sought out, "Gott sei Dank!" (Thank God!). From this article we also learn that Europeans spend roughly 4 billion (Milliarden) Euro every year on remedies based on herbs.
In the same article, Dr. Johannes Gottfried Mayer (a medical historian from Wuerzburg) explains that over the past 20 years thousands of herbs have been researched for their medical properties. The data generated from this research can be applied for a whole range of afflictions, including gout and heart problems.

Selected herbs are also beginning to appear in the newest medical dictionaries. For example, in Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary (2006) we found this entry for Saint John's Wort: "[...] the dried aerial parts of a Saint-John's-Wort (Hypericum perforatum) that are held to relieve depression and are used in herbal remedies and dietary supplements". Additional herbal entries were also found for Echinacea ("held to stimulate the immune system"), Ginger ("to relieve nausea"), Horehound ("used as a tonic and anthelmintic..."), Milk Thistle ("the source of silymarin"; Silymarin: "held to protect the liver..."), Thyme Oil ("used chiefy as an antiseptic in pharmaceutical and dental preparations"), Valerian ("to relieve insomnia and anxiety"), and Yohimbe ("bark yields yohimbine"; Yohimbine: "...aphrodisiac and to treat impotence").

Science has identified many constituents in plants which are thought to produce the effects as reported in Folk Medicine. Science has also added a plant classification system. Classification of plants into groups can be very useful; for example, an Astringent can always be used for Bleedings and Membrane conditions.

Science has also attempted to synthesize phytochemicals extracted from plants, which can then be patented and marketed. However, it appears that these isolated chemicals do not produce the same healing effect as the original plant. Apparently, the other components of the whole plant (important enzymes, vitamins, minerals, other phytochemicals, etc) are needed to assist in the use and metabolism of the isolated phytochemical. One example comes to us from the Creosot bush. A chemical was isolated from this plant and marketed for the treatment of Cancer; the derived chemical, however, failed to live up to expectations.

Very interesting in this regard is that some American Aboriginals have said that our artificial Vitamin C is not quite the same as Vitamin C in its natural form. The Cherokee Medicine Man Rolling Thunder stated in 1971 that Vitamins include life-force which cannot be reproduced artificially (Reference: Heinz J. Stammel. Die Apotheke Manitous: Das medizinische Wissen der Indianer und ihre Heilpflanzen. 1986: 49). Later, scientific tests using gas-chromatography did indeed show differences in the electrical signature between natural and artificial Vitamin C. This also teaches us not to disregard the intuitive knowledge and insight of Aboriginal peoples.

Final Note
Science is continually publishing new discoveries, but not always is theoretical knowledge any guarantee. Experience is worth so much more than theoretical study by itself. Traditional herbal knowledge may offer us many benefits; Herbs are also generally safe. Exceptions are usually well-known and are best avoided. Also be aware that allergies and negative interactions with other medications are possible.