ashwagandha

1. Starting an Herbal Pharmacy 1
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Starting an Herbal Pharmacy:
Recommendations
Eric Yarnell, ND
Updated April 2008. This document may be used for any non-commercial purpose as long as the author is
clearly cited.
Full Dispensary Option (Primary Care Practice)
Simples:
Achillea millefolium (yarrow) tincture
Actaea racemosa (black cohosh) tincture
Allium sativum (garlic) tincture
Ammi visnaga (khella) tincture
Angelica sinensis (dong quai) tincture
Arctium lappa (burdock) glycerite
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (uva-ursi) tincture
Astragalus membranaceus (astragalus) glycerite
Atropa belladonna (belladonna) leaf tincture [low-dose]
Calendula cream
Centella asiatica (gotu kola) glycerite
Commiphora molmol (myrrh) tincture
Crataegus monogyna (hawthorn) tincture
Echinacea angustifolia tincture
Eleutherococcus senticosus (eleuthero) fluid extract
Ephedra sinica (ephedra, ma huang) tincture [low-dose]
Equisetum arvense (horsetail) glycerite
Euphrasia stricta (eyebright) fluid extract
Fumaria officinalis (fumitory) tincture
Ginkgo biloba tincture
Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) fluid extract
Grindelia spp (gumweed) tincture
Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s wort) tincture
Ligusticum porteri (oshá) tincture
Mahonia aquifolium (Oregon grape) tincture
Panax quinquefolius (American ginseng) tincture (wild-simulated only)
Phytolacca Americana (poke) tincture
Piper methysticum (kava) tincture
Pueraria lobata var montana glycerite
Withania somniferum (ashwagandha) tincture
Schisandra chinensis (schisandra) glycerite
Serenoa repens (saw palmetto) tincture
Silybum marianum (milk thistle) fluid extract
Taraxacum officinale (dandelion) leaf glycerite
Valeriana sitchensis (Pacific valerian) tincture

2. Starting an Herbal Pharmacy 2
Viburnum opulus (cramp bark) tincture
Vitex agnus-castus (chaste tree) tincture
Formulas:
Dr. Heron’s Allerg-Ease Formula F463 (without Ephedra)
Dr. Heron’s Bitters F625
Dr. Heron’s Immune Strengthener Formula F739
Dr. Heron’s Sleep-Ease Formula F950
Dr. Heron’s Stronger Mense-Ease Formula F126
Dr. Heron’s Stronger Uro-Biotic Formula F369
Dr. Heron’s Sugar Balance Formula F628
Beyond these general recommendations, you should choose 5-10 others that are tailored
to whatever areas you think you will most likely work. For example, if you think you will
see a lot of hypertensive patients, Rauvolfia serpentina fluid extract 9310 is a must have.
If you will work with cancer patients, Dr. Yarnell’s CanAttack Formula F774 and Dr.
Heron’s ChemTX Support Formula F770 are critical. We cannot make a complete set of
generic recommendations as there are always special decisions only you can make.

3. Starting an Herbal Pharmacy 3
Low-Overhead Option
Generally you will want to keep your overhead low. Stock some critical herbs and a few
things for acute situations. Order all formulae for chronic problems from us and have
them shipped to you or drop shipped to your patients.
Echinacea angustifolia tincture
A must have for immune support.
An immunomodulator; choose one of the following:
Eleutherococcus senticosus (eleuthero) fluid extract
Panax quinquefolius (American ginseng) tincture (wild-simulated only)
Withania somniferum (ashwagandha) tincture (also relaxing)
Schisandra chinensis (schisandra) glycerite (also supports the liver)
Dr. Heron’s Immune Strengthener Formula F739
A digestive tonic/bitter; choose one of the following:
Mahonia aquifolium (Oregon grape) tincture (more antimicrobial)
Taraxacum officinale (dandelion) leaf glycerite (milder taste, more for liver)
Rumex crispus (yellow dock) glycerite (more laxative)
Dr. Heron’s Bitters F625
Hormone balancers:
Vitex agnus-castus (chaste tree) tincture
Actaea racemosa (black cohosh) tincture (also joint support)
Many of our customers have a primarily women’s health practice. These two
herbs may not be appropriate for your practice if this is not the case.
Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) fluid extract
Formula synergizer, flavor agent, phytoestrogen, immune support, etc.
Valeriana sitchensis (Pacific valerian) tincture
Anxiety relief, sleep support, etc. Also consider Dr. Heron’s Sleep-Ease Formula
F950.
Viburnum opulus (cramp bark) tincture or V. prunifolium (blackhaw) tincture
For smooth muscle relaxation.
Achillea millefolium (yarrow) tincture
GI support, anti-inflammatory, tannins, etc.
Calendula cream
For skin support.
Crataegus monogyna (hawthorn) tincture

4. Starting an Herbal Pharmacy 4
For cardiovascular support.
Mahonia aquifolium (Oregon grape) or Berberis haematocarpa (desert barberry) tincture
General antimicrobial.
Ligusticum porteri (oshá) tincture
General antiviral.
Piper methysticum (kava) tincture
Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s wort) tincture
Both for mood support.
Serenoa repens (saw palmetto) tincture
Dr. Heron’s Stronger Mense-Ease Formula F126 (for women’s health practices)
Dr. Heron’s Stronger Uro-Biotic Formula F369
Dr. Heron’s Allerg-Ease Formula F463 (without Ephedra)
Dr. Heron’s AcheAway Formula F949 (for heavy physical medicine practices)
For More Advanced Prescribers:
Ephedra sinica (ephedra, ma huang) tincture [low-dose]
Great for immediate respiratory relief.
Atropa belladonna (belladonna) leaf tincture [low-dose]

5. Starting an Herbal Pharmacy 5
Acute-Focused Startup
Often times what makes the most sense is to have only those herbs on hand that you are
likely to need to dispense immediately, and then to order formulas or herbs for chronic
problems after each visit occurs. This can be a more cost-effective way to start a practice,
and also to find out what herbs you really will use without committing to a huge
dispensary up front.
Basic categories you’ll want:
Analgesic: Piper methysticum root tincture, Aconitum spp processed root tincture
[very low dose]
Antimicrobials: Mahonia aquifolium root tincture, Ligusticum spp root tincture,
Thuja plicata leaf tincture (these vary a lot from bioregion-to-bioregion)
Immune stimulant: Echinacea angustifolia root tincture
Inflammation modulator: Salix spp bark tincture (musculoskeletal), Grindelia spp
flower bud tincture (lung)
Nervine: Valeriana sitchensis root tincture
Anxiety: Valeriana, Piper methysticum
Insomnia: Valeriana
Musculoskeletal strain/sprain/inflammation: Salix
Otitis media: Ear glycerite or ear oil
Pain: Valeriana, Piper methysticum, Aconitum [very low dose]
URI/bronchitis: Echinacea, Ligusticum, Grindelia (Tilia or Sambucus flower is you see
kids)
UTI: Juniperus spp, Echinacea

6. Starting an Herbal Pharmacy 6
Mostly Pediatric Practice
Echinacea angustifolia glycerite
Schisandra chinensis glycerite or Astragalus membranaceus glycerite
Nepeta cataria (catnip) glycerite
For relaxation and lung support. Also consider Avena sativa (oat seed) glycerite if
ADD/ADHD problems are common in your patients. A less tasty but moderately more
lung tonifying herb is Verbascum thapsus (mullein) flower glycerite.
Viburnum opulus (cramp bark) tincture or V. prunifolium (blackhaw) tincture or V.
opulus glycerite
Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) glycerite
Formula synergizer, flavor agent, phytoestrogen, immune support, etc.
Calendula officinalis glycerite
General anti-inflammatory.
Calendula cream
A bitter antimicrobial—not the easiest thing to get kids to take, but add plenty of wild
cherry syrup, catnip glycerite, licorice, and/or lemon juice and they might.
Mahonia aquifolium glycerite
Hydrastis canadensis glycerite
Dr. Heron’s BronchImmune Formula F481
Developed in consultation with a busy pediatric nurse practitioner who swears by
this during the winter months, particularly to support the Eustachian tubes.
Dr. Heron’s Ear Glycerite F492
Preferred over oil as it does not obscure the tympanic membrane.

7. Starting an Herbal Pharmacy 7
Mostly Women’s Health Practice
(In addition to some of the generic herbs listed at the start of this document.)
Actaea racemosa (black cohosh) root tincture
Alchemilla spp (lady’s mantle) leaf tincture
Angelica sinensis (danggui) processed root tincture
Capsella bursa-pastoris (shepherd’s purse) herb tincture
Chamaelirium luteum (false unicorn) root tincture—use sparingly
Cinnamomum zeylanicum (cinnamon) bark tincture
Dioscorea villosa (wild yam) root tincture
Fouquieria splendens (ocotillo) bark tincture
Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) root fluid extract
Leonurus cardiaca (motherwort) herb glycerite
Medicago sativa (alfalfa) herb glycerite
Mitchella repens (partridge berry) herb tincture
Phytolacca americana (poke) root tincture
Pulsatilla vulgaris (anemone) herb tincture
Serenoa repens (saw palmetto) fruit tincture
Trifolium pratense (red clover) flower tincture or glycerite
Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) seed tincture
Trillium spp (beth root) tincture or glycerite—use sparingly
Vaccinium macrocarpon (cranberry) fruit capsule
Verbena spp (vervain) leaf tincture
Viburnum prunifolium (blackhaw) bark tincture
Vitex agnus-castus (chaste berry) fruit tincture
A diuretic (Solidago canadensis [goldenrod] is great)
A liver tonic (Taraxacum officinale or Silybum marianum)
Formulas to consider:
Dr. Heron’s EndometRid Follicular and Luteal Formulas F105, F106
Dr. Heron’s FibrAway Follicular and Luteal Formulas F152, F153
Dr. Heron’s Follicular Support Formula F107
Dr. Heron’s Luteal Support Formula F108
Dr. Heron’s Stronger Mense-Ease Formula F126
Dr. Heron’s Stronger Uro-Biotic Formula F369