CAPSICUM or Cayenne (Capsicum frutescens)

Warms the body. Increases heart action but not blood pressure. Used for flu and colds. Helps with ulcers. Stimulates the body. Astringent, carminative & antispasmodic. Thins the blood. Helps prevent heart attacks. Used in tincture over inflamed joints. Antibiotic. Antifungal. Lowers cholesterol. Useful for cluster headaches. Topically, useful for psoriasis, shingles, trigeminal neuralgia and pain due to mastectomy and chemotherapy or radiation.

Key Uses: antioxidant support, atherosclerosis, pain disorders, diabetic neuropathy, cluster headaches, arthritis, psoriasis.

CARDAMON (UñElettaria cardamomum)

Used as a spice in India and Middle East. Aids digestion, especially of meat and wheat. Reduces gas and flatulence. Anti-spasmodic. Warms body, stimulant, improves memory.

Key Uses: digestion, gas, stimulant.

CASCARA SAGRADA (Rhamnus purshiana)

Stimulates secretions of digestive tract. Safe tonic-laxative for long term use. Bark should be dried and aged for one year before use. The fresh bark causes nausea. Chelating agent. Has anti-leukemic properties. Anti-bacterial. Useful for liver disorders. Useful against gallstones.

Key Uses: arthritis, bleeding, blood pressure equalizer, circulation, constipation, diabetes, heart, high blood pressure, kidney problems.

CATNIP (Nepeta cataria)

Infant colic. Sedative. Reduces fevers. Helps in fatigue. Improves circulation. Helps with upset stomach. Helps release tension. Relieves emotional anxiety. Helps fight colds and flu.

Key Uses: colds, colic, convulsions, diarrhea, digestion, fevers, flu, gas, nerves.

CAT’S CLAW (Uña de gato)

Inner bark of vine used as medicine. Antiseptic. Used for deep wounds and stomach ulcers. Fevers. Abscesses. Traditionally used for asthma. Used to recover from childbirth. Anti-inflammatory. Used for arthritis, rheumatism, and swollen joints. Also used for gastritis and dysentery. Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Crohn’s disease. Considered a good herb for cleansing. Useful for headaches, colds, and flu. Traditionally used for cancer and tumors. Traditionally used by Peruvian native women for birth control. Research shows that it helps stimulate immune system. Research as an adjunct to chemotherapy has positive results. Current research for use in AIDS and cancer treatment.

Key Uses: Stomach problems. Intestinal tract problems. Cleansing. Digestive aid. Immune system

CHAMOMILE (Anthemis nobilis)

Useful for nerves. Helps promote thyroxine. Gentle for children. Reduces tension. Aids digestion. Soothes the stomach. Helps reduce menstrual cramps. Helps with infant colic.

Key Uses: appetite stimulant, bronchitis, menstrual cramps, fevers, hysteria, insomnia, menstrual suppressant, nervousness.

CHASTE TREE BERRY (Vitex agnus-castus)

Traditionally used for menstrual difficulties and to allay sexual desire. Used to balance hormones and as a fertility aid.

Key Uses: gynecological problems, premenstrual syndrome, heavy menstrual periods, infertility, suppressed menses, and swelling of the breasts. Current research shows that it increases progesterone production, inhibits FSH and prolactin, and increases secretion of estradiol. Binds to dopamine receptor sites in hypothalamus/anterior pituitary. May increase menstrual flow in some women.

Caution: Do not take concurrent with oral contraceptives or hormone therapy.

CHICKWEED (Stellaria media)

Reduces arterial plague build-up. Soothes inflamed bowels. Removes fatty acids from body. Reduces cholesterol. Useful in a salve for skin rashes, eczema and psoriasis. Aids in weight reduction. Has anti-inflammatory effects.

Key Uses: appetite depressant, bleeding, blood purifier, convulsions, obesity, skin rashes, ulcers

CHRYSANTHEMUM (Chrysanthemum morifolium)

Cooling, bitter herb useful for purifying the blood, lowering blood pressure, increasing sweating, reducing fever, calming the liver, and improving eyesight. Also a useful remedy for abscesses and boils. Properties: Alterative, antipyretic, antiseptic, carminative.

Key Uses: inflammation, fevers, pneumonia, dizziness, and headaches.

CINNAMON (Cinnamon zeylanicum )

Stimulant. Increases heat in body. Helps stimulate the action of other herbs. Lowers blood sugar levels. Traditionally used a blood purifier, digestive aid, and carminative. Helps ease menstrual cramps. Helpful for diarrhea, intestinal gas and bloating. Helps fight infection. Tea is used topically for athlete’s foot and fungus infections. Used as spice and flavoring in food and drinks.

Key Uses: lowers blood sugar, intestinal gas.

Caution: Do not ingest cinnamon oil, spice only.

CLEAVERS (Galium Aparine)

Known as a blood purifier. Used to treat enlarged lymph glands, cystitis, psoriasis and skin diseases. Stimulates the immune system. Useful to help relieve lymphatic congestion. Aids in the treatment of deep tissue infections. Useful in poultices for burns and infections. Useful for Mono, CMV, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Effective against tonsillitis and adenoid trouble.

Key Uses: swollen glands, tonsillitis, adenoid trouble, cystitis, ulcers, tumors.