An example:

79 Benefits Of Herbs Defined.

The benefits of herbs and all of the things they can do for the body are simply  amazing! And the most exciting thing about it all, is that it's all derived from nature. Here is my little guide to understanding the most common herbs and their functions in the body.

This list will definitely get bigger as I discover more so stay tuned!

• Acidophilus: Rich source of Beta-Carotene, Fights cancer, Anti-inflammatory for mucous membranes, helps regulate hormones.  

• Agrimony: Used for all digestive disorders. 

• Alfalfa: Help with arthritis, diabetes, asthma, hay fever, and an excellent appetite stimulant. 

• Aloe Vera. Aloe supplements can be used for peptic ulcers and for gastrointestinal health. Aloe has a moisturizing effect on the skin and is a common remedy for sunburn and skin irritation. 

• Angelic Root: Strengthens the heart. Regular users of Angelica Root supposedly develop distaste for alcoholic beverages. 

• Astragalus . Used in traditional Chinese and East Indian medicine for its immune-enhancing and tonic properties. Research has indicated its usefulness as a supportive tool for a variety of chronic immune problems. 

• Aveno Sativa Extract: Acts as a tonic to the heart, nerves, and thymus gland useful in treating depression, nervous exhaustion, shingles, herpes, menopausal symptoms. 

• Barberry Bark: Promotes the secretion of bile. Has been used for bad breath, digestion, and sore throat. 

• Bee pollen: This natural tonic food is a popular energy booster, strengthens the immune system and enhances vitality. 

• Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus): contains nutrients needed to protect eyes from eyestrain or fatigue, and can improve circulation to the eyes. Bilberry tea is administered to treat stomach problems and soothe the digestive tract. 

• Bladderwrack: Seaweed high in iodine and trace elements, Great for obesity. 

• Black Cohosh Extract (Cimicifuga Racemosa): Anti-inflammatory, Helps reduce anxiety Relieves coughing, Relieves fibrositis, headaches, hot flashes, hysteria, myalgia, PMS, arthritis, and uterine cramps. 

• Blue Violet: Relieves severe headaches and congestion. 

• Bromelain: Said to flush fat from the body by naturally stimulating your metabolism and ridding your body of excess fluids. 

• Buchu Leaf: A diuretic. Used for acute and chronic bladder and kidney disorders. 

• Buckthorn Bark: Keeps the bowels regular. 

• Camellia Sinensus (Green Tea): Protects the body from cancer, Helps lower high levels of cholesterol. May help with weight loss by helping to burn fat and regulation blood sugar levels.

• Capsicum (Cayenne, hot pepper) internally, cayenne acts as a circulatory stimulant, induces perspiration, and is used to stimulate digestion. 

• Cascara Sagrada: The bark is used as a stimulant laxative, especially in cases of chronic constipation. 

• Cat's Claw (Uncaria tomentosa): Extracts are used in treatments for a variety of conditions, mostly gastrointestinal. Immuno-stimulant properties help the body fight off infection and protect against degenerative diseases. 

• Chamomile: A popular remedy for indigestion, gastrointestinal spasms, and inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. 

• Chickweed: Purifies blood, Removes excess fat where toxins are retained, Soothes and protects damaged or inflamed skin, Effective for weight loss. 

• Comfrey. (Symphytum officinale): Useful for varicose ulcers and a compress for varicose veins. Also it is good for chest colds. 

• Cornsilk: Useful for trouble with the prostate gland. 

• Cranberry: Helps prevent urinary tract infections caused by E. coli bacteria, particularly in people with a history of recurrent infections. 

• Damiana Leaf: Helps with sexual impotency and fertility for both male and female. 

• Dandelion Leaf & Root: Detoxifies any poisons in the liver. 

• Don Quai (Angelica sinensis): lt is used to restore balance to a woman's hormones and cycles and is helpful in restoring menstrual regularity and for conditions of the reproductive system. 

• Dong Shen: Helps reduce high blood pressure; Helps adjust blood sugar levels, Useful in increasing energy, Aids in anemia and poor digestion. 

• Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolio): Used as a general nonspecific stimulant to the immune system, supporting and stabilizing cellular immunity and cleansing the blood, for the prevention and treatment of infections. 

• Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis): Topically for infections, inflammations and swelling. As a tea to sooth sore throats, speed recovery from cold and flu and relieve respiratory distress. 

* Eurocoma Longifolia (Tongkat Ali): shrub/tree usually found South East Asia commonly used orally for treating erectile dysfunction, increasing sexual desire, treating male infertility, and boosting athletic performance. The root has been proven to have medicinal values, which is rich in various bioactive compounds.

• Fennel Seed: Remedy for gas, acid stomach, gout, cramps and spasms. 

• Feverfew (Chrysanthemum parthenium) Its most popular use is for the prevention of migraine headaches and associated symptoms. Pregnant women should not use the herb. 

• Garcinia (Garcinia Cambogia Extract): Helps Decreases appetite, Balances sugar metabolism, Stops synthesis of fat. • Garlic (Allium sativum): Good for virtually any disease or infection. Improves circulation, maintains healthy cholesterol and blood pressure levels. A natural antibiotic and immune system stimulant. 

• Ginger Root. Everyone is familiar with this spice, but few realize it can make us healthier. Stimulates the circulatory system; a remedy for a sore throat; has a cleansing effect on the kidneys and bowels. 

• Ginkgo Biloba (Ginkgo Biloba Leaf): Has been shown to be nutritional support for mental alertness, enhanced vitality level, circulatory health and blood vessel health. Its high antioxidant activity is valuable for fighting age related conditions.

• Ginseng (Panax ginseng): One of the most popular healing herbs used today throughout the world. It increases mental and physical efficiency and resistance to stress and disease. Ginseng's adaptogenic qualities help balance the body. It is known to normalize blood pressure, increase blood circulation and aid in the prevention of heart disease. 

• Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadenis): Treatment of any infection, inflammation and congestion of lungs, throat and sinuses. Famous for use in treatment of cold and flu. A potent remedy for disorders of the stomach and intestines such as irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, ulcers, and gastritis and internal parasites. 

• Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica): Prevention of mental fatigue and enhanced concentration and memory. Increases energy and relaxes the body. Stimulates the central nervous system, aids circulation especially in the legs, and is a mild diuretic. Aids in many types of wound healing. Used for rheumatism, blood diseases, mental disorders, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, sore throat, and hepatitis. 

• Guar Gum: Reduces cholesterol and triglyceride levels, Binds to toxic substances and carries them out of the body, curbs appetite Hops Flower. Valuable for those with insomnia. 

• Hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacanthas): Helps treat heart disease and related symptoms. Used for beginning heart disease, mild heart-muscle weakness, angina, and arrhythmia. Hawthorn promotes healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels by relaxing blood vessels, increasing metabolism in the heart muscle, and improving blood supply to the heart. 

• Horsetail Herb: Strengthens hair, nails, and bones, Increases calcium absorption, Used to treat kidney stones. 

• Jasmine Green Tea: Stimulates the nervous system and gives energy, provides strong antioxidant protection 

• Kava Kava (Piper methysticum): Primarily used as a natural sedative and sleep enhancement. Traditionally used it as a remedy for nervousness and insomnia. Kava kava is an effective relaxant able to induce a feeling of relaxation, peace and contentment, along with a sharpening of the senses. As a sleep aid it promotes deep and restful sleep. It is also a muscle relaxant that can help relieve cramping due to spasms. 

• Kelp: Beneficial to sensory nerves and membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord, Good for thyroid and obesity. Lecithin: Known to break up cholesterol, allowing it to pass through arterial walls. Lecithin promotes a healthy nervous system. 

• Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra): It is an ingredient in many cough medicines and a popular and well-known remedy for bronchial distress. 

* Maca Root : Traditionally been used to enhance fertility and sex drive. It's also claimed to improve energy and stamina.

• Ma Huang: Strong stimulant, Excellent for asthma, bronchitis, coughing 

• Melatonin: Antioxidant, Induces sleep, Helps reduce insomnia,Antidepressant 

• Milk Thistle (Silybum marianus): Helps the liver detoxification process. For all liver disorders such as jaundice and hepatitis. Fights pollutants and prevents free radical damage by action as antioxidant. Protects the liver and stimulates the production of new liver cells. Helps common skin conditions related to poor liver function.

• Mullein Leaf: High in iron, magnesium and potassium. Good for the entire respiratory system. 

• Myrrh Gum: Cleans the colon and digestive system. Has been called the herbal breath freshener. 

• Nettle Leaf: This herb, in combination with seawrack, is said to bring results in weight loss. Also enhances the natural color of hair. 

• Parsley: Very nutritious herb that is excellent for goiter, thyroid and obesity. Good for the urinary tract and is a diuretic 

• Passion Flower: Pure and natural mild sedative. Calms nerves and blood pressure. 

• Psyllium: A major source of fiber. The primary use of psyllium seed and/or psyllium seed husks is a bulk laxative, especially for cases of chronic constipation. The tiny seeds contain a coating of gelatinous material, which swells upon contact with moisture. This increases the movement (motility) within the colon thus producing a bowel movement. Psyllium husk is an approved over the counter laxative 

• Pycnogenol: Improves joint flexibility, and fights joint inflammation and pain from arthritis, low back and neck problems and sports injuries. Improves skin smoothness and elasticity, relieves ADD/ADHD. Improves circulation and enhances cell vitality. Reduces the effects of stress. 

• Red Clover: Purifies the blood. • Sage Extract: Helps dissolve toxins, Stimulates hair growth, Helps improve memory.

* Rhodoia Rosea: Rhodioa Rosea has long been known as an adaptogen, a natural substance that increases your body’s resistance to stress and anxiety.

• Sarsaparilla Root: Acts as a diuretic. Helps to balance both male and female hormones. 

• Sassafras Leaf & Root: Helps skin disorders, especially ailments such as acne. 

• Saw Palmetto (Sabal Serrulata): The berries have long held a reputation as sexual stimulants and aphrodisiacs. The largest use today is as a supplement for reducing enlarged prostate glands, treating urinary tract problems and for improving body strength. 

• Scullcap: A nerve sedative. Said to be a great hangover remedy. 

• Seawrack: Supposed to be one of the best herbs to combat obesity. 

• Slippery Elm Bark: Used to normalize bowel movement, and has been used beneficially to treat hemorrhoids and constipation. 

• Spikenard: Herb for skin ailments such as acne and rashes. 

• St. John's Wort: Has been used traditionally as an herbal treatment for anxiety and depression. It is an effective astringent that promotes wound healing and has antiviral properties that can counter herpes simplex, flu viruses and is being investigated as a treatment for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). 

• Thyme Leaf: Removes mucus from the head, lungs and respiratory passages. Fights infection. Brings pain relief to migraine headaches. 

• Valerian: is an effective and reliable sedative and sleep aid. It is effective in conditions of anxiety, insomnia and nervous irritability. Unlike prescription or OTC sleep and anxiety medication, it is not habit forming, nor does it produce a hang-over-like side effect. 

• Vanadium: Inhibits cholesterol synthesis in blood vessels, Helps the formation of bones and teeth, Important in cellular metabolism.

• Vervain: Remedy for fevers. Said to clear a cold overnight. 

• White Oak Bark: Strong astringent. One of the best herbs for piles and hemorrhoids. 

• Wild Yam Root: Very relaxing and soothing to the nerves. • Yarrow Root: Said to be unsurpassed for flu and fever reduction. 

• Yerba Maté: Appetite controller and diuretic, Stimulates production of cortisone and helps depression. 

• Yohimbe Bark: The herb has been used for centuries as an aphrodisiac for men, and has similar effects with women. Recent studies suggest the drug may be effective in the treatment of male impotence especially that associated with diabetes. 

This herb contains a chemical called yohimbine which can increase blood flow and nerve impulses to the penis or vagina. It also helps to reverse the sexual side effects of various medications used for depression.

• Yucca Root (Yucca spp). Its primary uses are in pain relieving combinations for arthritic and joint pain, and sediment caused by inflammation such as gout, rheumatism, and cystitis.