Oat fresh milky seed (Avena sativa)*

Strengthens and nourishes the nervous system.  It is indicated for nervous exhaustion (burning the candle at both ends), sexual neurasthenia, and occipital pain extending toward the spine.  Oat reduces withdrawal effects from nicotine and caffeine.

White Pond Lily fresh root (Nymphea odorata)*

A demulcent, an astringent and an antiseptic long viewed as a women's herb.  This aquatic plant is used orally and vaginally for cervicitis, leucorrhea, vaginal irritation and as part of Eli Jones's uterine cancer formula.  White Pond Lily is also indicated for acute (diarrhea, enteritis, dysentery) and chronic (irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis, illeitis) bowel disorders .

Chinese Asparagus dried root (Asparagus cochinchinensis)*

A yin tonic that is moistening and tonifying to mucus membrane tissue, the lungs and stomach.

Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra or G. uralensis)*

Has an ancient history of use in China and the Middle East.  This intensely sweet root is an adaptogen, demulcent, expectorant, pectoral, antiviral and antidepressant.  Licorice strengthens endocrine function, especially the adrenals, ovaries, Isles of Langerhans and hypothalamus making it useful for chronic fatigue syndrome menopause, hypoglycemia and autoimmune disease.  The demulcent action heals mucus membrane tissue especially the stomach (ulcers), large and small intestine (irritable bowel syndrome) and lung (dry, irritated cough).  Excessive use of Licorice can elevate blood pressure.

Bibliography:

Bensky, D. and Gamble, A.  Chinese Herbal Medicine - Materia Medica, Eastland Press, 1986

Felter, H. W. and Lloyd, J.U.  King's American Dispensatory, Ohio Valley Co., 1905

McIntyre, A.  The Complete Women's Herbal, Henry Holt, 1995

Scudder, J.M.  Diseases of Women, Medical Pub. Co., 1877