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Medicinal plants

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As the name suggests, medicinal plants are said to have a healing effect. But which active ingredients make them medicinal plants in the first place? Read our definition for the answer.

What makes a medicinal plant a medicinal plant?

A medicinal plant is a plant that contains special substances (toxins) that serve to heal or alleviate illnesses. The ingredients can have different effects: for example, anti-inflammatory (myrrh, arnica), calming (hops) or laxative (rhubarb).

Ingredients and their effect

The various ingredients of medicinal plants can be divided into different groups of active ingredients. To give you an insight, we have summarized the most common ingredients for you.
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Medicinal plants and their ingredients: Effects and examples

Alkaloids

Alkaloids are the most effective substances among medicinal plants. They are metabolic products of the respective plant. Alkaloids can have a calming, pain-relieving or antispasmodic effect. However, caution is advised: Alkaloids can be toxic in high doses.

Examples: Monkshood, deadly nightshade, nux vomica, comfrey, all nightshade plants

Bitter substances

Bitter substances are chemical compounds that have a bitter taste. Bitter substances increase the secretion of gastric and bile juices and have a digestive effect.

Examples: Gentian, dandelion, centaury, angelica, hops, yarrow

Tannins

Tannins are often found in roots, bark or leaves. They have an antibacterial effect. For this reason, they are often used to treat ulcers, burns and inflammations.

Examples: Oak bark, blackberry leaves, lady’s mantle, witch hazel leaves

Mucilage

Vegetable mucilages are found in cereal grains, roots, barks, stems and leaves. They have an emollient, soothing and enveloping effect, which makes them valuable in the fight against inflammation of the mucous membranes. Mucilage is therefore often used to treat irritating coughs and sore throats.

Examples: Coltsfoot, ribwort, marshmallow, mallow, comfrey

Glycosides

Glycosides are a group of substances that have certain sugar compounds in common. These include: Saponins, flavones and coumarins.

Saponins

Saponins have an irritating effect on the mucous membranes. They can also accelerate the absorption of other active ingredients. For this reason, they are often added to mixed teas.

Examples: Soapwort, marigold, linden, deadnettle, thyme

Flavone

Flavones have a whole range of effects: they can have a diuretic, vasodilatory, antihypertensive, anticoagulant and bile-stimulating effect.

Examples: Chervil, shepherd’s purse, birch leaves, elderflower, lime blossom, broom

Coumarins

Coumarins have an anticoagulant effect. They are also partially effective against insect infestation.

Examples: Woodruff, sweet clover, lavender, bedstraw