Detox, P–Y

Petroselinum sativum

Traditionally turned to for kidney support, digestion and blood pressure.

Pulsatilla vulgaris

⚠ Toxic when fresh — the fresh plant carries protoanemonin, a caustic that blisters skin and, taken internally, can cause severe digestive injury, seizures, and kidney damage; large doses are fatal.

Phyllanthus niruri

Traditionally turned to for liver, kidney and hepatitis.

Opuntia ficus-indica

Traditionally turned to for diabetes, blood sugar and cholesterol.

Plantago ovata

Traditionally turned to for digestion, cleansing and the heart.

Cucurbita pepo

Traditionally turned to for cleansing.

Portulaca oleracea

Traditionally turned to for nutrition, digestion and wounds.

Crotalaria retusa

⚠ Contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids that accumulate and damage the liver — not for internal use, and never in pregnancy.

Rosa canina

Traditionally turned to for immunity, the skin and energy.

Rosmarinus officinalis

Traditionally turned to for immunity, digestion and energy.

Sorbus aucuparia

⚠ Fresh rowan berries are mildly toxic and purgative from parasorbic acid; cooking or drying destroys it, and only the prepared berry is used.

Sanguisorba minor

Traditionally turned to for the skin and cleansing.

Helichrysum arenarium

Traditionally turned to for digestion and cleansing.

Cytisus scoparius

⚠ Broom's principal alkaloid, sparteine, acts on the heart — it slows conduction, steadies rhythm, and dilates the coronary vessels — and it stirs the smooth muscle of gut and womb.

Urera baccifera

Traditionally turned to for aches and cleansing.

Eryngium maritimum

Traditionally turned to for coughs, cleansing and the heart.

Drimia maritima

⚠ Sea squill holds cardiac glycosides that act much like digitalis or strophanthus — they strengthen a failing heart and press the kidneys toward diuresis, easing oedema.

Rumex acetosella

Traditionally turned to for immunity, digestion and the skin.

Betula pendula

⚠ Do not use in reduced kidney function or edema due to cardiac/renal insufficiency.

Herniaria glabra

Traditionally turned to for the skin, aches and cleansing.

Saponaria officinalis

⚠ Soapwort is rich in saponins, which are potent cellular toxins — they blister the eye on contact and, if they reach the bloodstream, cause severe poisoning and death by respiratory paralysis.

Veronica officinalis

Traditionally turned to for the skin, coughs and cleansing.

Ononis spinosa

⚠ Do not use in reduced kidney function.

Boerhavia diffusa

Traditionally turned to for digestion, the skin and energy.

Hypericum perforatum

⚠ Major drug interactions — reduces the effect of antiretrovirals, the contraceptive pill, blood thinners, and antidepressants.

Urtica dioica

Traditionally turned to for leaves, gout adjunct) and nutritive (iron.

Arbutus unedo

⚠ Avoid in pregnancy (insufficient safety data).

Saccharum officinarum

Traditionally turned to for fever, cough and sore throat.

Gentiana asclepiadea

Traditionally turned to for immunity, digestion and energy.

Scoparia dulcis

Traditionally turned to for immunity, digestion and the skin.

Galium odoratum

⚠ Contains coumarin — fine in small culinary or tisane amounts, but high or repeated doses bring headache, nausea, and dizziness, and it thins the blood; avoid alongside anticoagulants and in pregnancy.

Cecropia peltata

Traditionally turned to for diabetes, high blood pressure and asthma.

Solanum torvum

Traditionally turned to for hypertension, diabetes and respiratory infections.

Curcuma longa

Traditionally turned to for digestion, aches and cleansing.

Cissampelos pariera

Traditionally turned to for kidney stones, urinary infections and fever.

Cissampelos pareira

Traditionally turned to for menstrual complaints and colic.

Juglans regia

Traditionally turned to for immunity, digestion and the skin.

Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum

Traditionally turned to for cough, bronchitis and kidney stones.

Nasturtium officinale

Traditionally turned to for digestion, energy and cleansing.

Citrullus lanatus

Traditionally turned to for kidney stones, urinary tract infections and high blood pressure.

Lamium album

Traditionally turned to for the nerves, coughs and cleansing.

Salix alba

⚠ Acts like aspirin — never give to children (Reye's syndrome risk), avoid with blood thinners, and not in the last trimester of pregnancy.

Commelina erecta

Traditionally turned to for the skin and cleansing.

Stemodia durantifolia

Traditionally turned to for colds, coughs and fever.

Allium ursinum

Traditionally turned to for immunity, digestion and cleansing.

Zanthoxylum fagara

Traditionally turned to for digestion, the skin and energy.

Fragaria vesca

Traditionally turned to for digestion and cleansing.

Cucurbita moschata

Traditionally turned to for intestinal worms, constipation and vitamin a source.

Rumex crispus

Traditionally turned to for the skin and cleansing.

Ilex paraguariensis

⚠ Drinking it very hot is linked to cancer of the esophagus — let it cool to warm before drinking.