Medicinal Herbs: The Smaller Groupings of Active Constituents Part 2

Saponins

https://thenaturopathicherbalist.com/plant-constituents/saponins/#:~:text=In%20plants%20saponins%20are%20found,%E2%80%9Dnatural%20antibiotic%E2%80%9D%20for%20plants.

Saponins in plants are found more often than not in the plant skins where they form their waxy protective barrier, saponins are also part of the plants active immune system, and are basically a natural antibiotic for plants.

Saponins have varied actions when looking at the herbs that they are in. these can include Alterative, Diuretic, expectorant, anti-catarrhal, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, antioxidant, emmenagogue, cardiac stimulant, hormone modulating, hepatoprotective and adrenal adaptogenic effects. They can also decrease blood lipids, lower cancer risks, and lower blood glucose responses

With Saponins there can be side effects so keep these in mind when using herbs that are part of this grouping.

Humans do not normally suffer from severe poisoning from these types of herbs. The Choleterin in our bodies inactivates so that only our mucus membranes are affected. Some of the herbs in this family are poisonous and those are the ones you need to watch out for. Though Saponins can have an irritating effect on mucous membranes and of the respiratory and digestive tract. When treating a cold or flu bug these may not be the best option.

Examples of Saponins: Wild Yam, Chinese or Korean Ginseng, Licorice, Horse Chestnut, Alfalfa, Sarsaparilla, Lily of the Valley.

If you have made it this far in this series of videos you may be starting to notice that a single herb can contain many of the different compounds we have talked about so far. That is why the basics are important especially if you are going to be ingesting these herbs or having family and friends ingest these herbs.

Polysaccharides

https://thenaturopathicherbalist.com/plant-constituents/mucilage/#:~:text=Mucilaginous%20herbs%20derive%20their%20properties,sore%20or%20inflamed%20mucous%20membranes.

SUGAR, All the SUGAR

Yes, all plants contain Polysaccharides and this compound is made up of multiple units of sugar. From where we stand in the Herb Sphere of things the most important part to us is the “Gooey” part of the herb or you can call it mucilages and gums. Gooey seems to just be more fun. These are commonly found in roots, bark, leaves and seeds.

When you place these types of herbs into water, they produce a jelly like mass that can be used to soothe and protect irritated tissue.

The main uses for these in the body are:
Lower bowel Transit Time (Make you poo faster)
Absorb toxins in the Colon
Protect against gastric acidity
Regulate intestinal flora
Relaxes and sooth the endodermal lining of the gut.
Relaxant and antispasmodic to the lungs and the urinary tract
Demulcent & Vulnerary - Basically soothes and protects inflamed or irritated nerve ending in mucous membranes or epithelia (Yes Skin)
It also has a Emollient action externally, thing soap gooey’s

Some examples of these herbs are:
Marshmallow - Yes, what marshmallows used to be made from
Mullein
Slippery Elm (Yup, right there in the name)
Plantain - An herb that most people don’t realize is growing as a weed in their yards
Fenugreek
Comfrey - One of the most widely used herbs because it is so beneficial and works on so many different things but we will get to that later.

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