Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis) is one of the most popular herbs in Chinese medicine. Used primarily as a woman’s herb, it is beneficial for various female hormone-related problems, including menstrual irregularities, PMS, and hot flashes. It is also a blood purifying tonic, and has anti-inflammatory properties as well as some pain-killing ability. It improves circulation by dilating veins and helps suppress allergic responses. It is also antiseptic and kills bacteria as well as fungus.

Dong Quai can commonly be found in conjunction with ginseng, as it is a popular herb for women’s problems in Chinese medicine.

Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) is probably most well-known for its use in urinary tract infections. Cranberry works in the system by helping to prevent bacteria from being able to adhere to the walls lining the bladder and ureters. For this reason, it is effective against urinary tract infections and should be used whenever there is a kidney or a bladder infection. Cranberry juice may also be used, but care should be taken to purchase 100% cranberry juice and not a mixture, particularly not one mixed with added sugar as most of them on the market are made.

Cranberries are especially high in vitamin C, and contain anthocyanins, carbohydrates, fiber, and potassium.

Burdock (Arctium lappa) is especially useful as a purifying herb. It works to purify the blood and, for this reason, is often effective against acne and such infections as staphylococcus which tend to circulate through the blood. It is a very mild diuretic and is useful to reduce water retention, and helps with some degenerative diseases.

It has traditionally been used in Chinese medicine and Indian Ayurvedic medicine. Burdock is also used as a food plant in many places, and is especially popular in Japan, where it is known as gobo and is eaten as a vegetable and prized for its health benefits and as a fiber source. (The high fiber content is not present in the tea form.)

In tea form burdock includes volatile oils, acetylenic compounds, phenolic acids, inulin, physterols, tannins, and mucilage.

A note: burdock is best used as a PEELED root. Burdock root tea should brew green in color and not brown.

Alfalfa tea (medicago sativa) is generally taken as a nutritive tea. It provides small amounts of vitamins (including a precursor to Vitamin A, vitamin E, B1, B2, C, D, and K) and minerals. It also offers phytoalexins, alkaloids, saponins, and chlorophyll. Because alfalfa roots grow deeply in the soil, the plant has access to minerals not commonly found in many herbs.

Chlorophyll is one of the main reasons alfalfa is used. You should be aware that it also increases appetite in most individuals, which can be a benefit to some, but should of course be avoided or used with caution by anyone trying to lose weight.