Astringent Herbs

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Herbal medicines hit our taste receptors and begin acting on our physiology immediately. We are innately attuned to the constituents in our foods and medicines and can tap into this to know how to best use and apply herbal medicines in our daily lives.

For example, plants that contain tannins are astringent in taste. This means that they taste bitter, and have a puckering and drying effect on the mouth.

These herbs are drying and constricting in nature and can be used in instances where tissues are "blown-out" and/or producing too many secretions.

Some Examples of Astringent Herbs:

  • White Oak Bark

  • Uva Ursi

  • Sage

  • Green Tea

  • Wild Geranium

  • Unripe persimmons

Common Properties of Astringent Herbs:

  • arrest excessive secretions (blood, mucous, stool, etc)

  • reduce swelling,

  • tighten loose tissues

  • anti-venomous when applied topically

  • tone intestinal membrane 

What are some astringent herbs that have helped you?  Let me know your story in the comments!

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