Adaptogens help relieve long-term stress:

borage flower, nettles

Alteratives are used for detoxification:

nettles, red clover flower, alfalfa, lemon grass, rose hips, cleavers

Analgesics:

valerian, passionflower, lavender flower, cabbage leaves (externally for mastitis)

Antidepressants:

vervain, lemon balm, lavender flower, borage flower, lemon verbena

Antiemetics are used to control vomiting:

raspberry leaf, lemon balm, chamomile, ginger root (take sips as needed, up to one-half cup of tea daily)

Anti-inflammatories:

chamomile, meadowsweet, wild yam

Antimicrobials:

fresh garlic cloves, corn silk (for painful UTI), echinacea, thyme herb (limit to one cup daily for 3 days), goldenseal root (externally only), uva ursi, tea tree oil (externally for yeast and fungal infections)

Antispasmodics:

cramp bark, black haw (uterine spasms), valerian (nervous muscle cramping), chamomile (intestinal spasms)

Astringents stem excess flow of fluids such as heavy bleeding or discharge:

yarrow, witch hazel, pasque flower (pulsatilla), partridgeberry

Bitters work on dyspepsia, gas, constipation, hemmorhoids, hypoglycemia, depression, digestive health and energy:

Note: Stronger bitters than these may be oxytocic so avoid mugwort and other bitters or laxatives not listed in this section:

chicory root, dandelion, chamomile, burdock root

Carminatives dispel gas:

peppermint, fennel, anise, dill, ginger root, chamomile, caraway seed

Demulcents soothe raw, irritated membranes or skin, internally and externally:

marshmallow root, slippery elm bark, corn silk, aloe (externally)

Diuretics:

dandelion leaf, marshmallow, corn silk

Galactagogues increase the flow of breast milk:

fennel seed, fenugreek, anise, milk thistle, blessed thistle, vervain

Hormonal normalizers affect feedback loops to balance sex hormones naturally (after delivery for strength and recuperation, post-partum depression, or before conception to promote regular cycle):

red clover, chasteberry, dong quai

Labor tonics strengthen and prepare the reproductive organs for delivery:

raspberry leaf, partridgeberry, black cohosh, blue cohosh (the cohoshes only for the last 6 weeks)

Laxatives:

Note: Stronger herbs sold as laxatives may stimulate uterine contractions, try plain water or these gentle tonics first:

dandelion root, prunes, flax seed, psyllium seed, yellow dock

Nervine relaxants: help restore healthy tissue and functioning of nerves after stress:

oatstraw, St. John's wort, skullcap, chamomile, valerian, passionflower, lemon balm