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Swedish medicinal plants - composition, utilization, contraindications
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Phytotherapy is a field that enjoys immense popularity worldwide. There are numerous examples of the use of plants in treating various ailments, with a history dating back thousands of years. Currently, scientists from the pharmaceutical and herbal sectors are developing new recipes and reviving old prescriptions for certain medicines or mood-enhancing drugs [1]. Medicinal mixtures are the oldest symbol of pharmacy, and novel applications of these components, previously less recognized or completely unknown in medicine, are constantly being discovered.
01 / 04
Swedish Herbal Blend – Traditional Medicinal Herb Mixture
The Swedish herbal blend, known since the 18th century, was widely used across Europe. It consisted of seven different herbs combined with aloe in alcohol and a fermented Theriac mixture. The latter, already known in Greece during the first century AD, was older. In recent times, the blend regained popularity thanks to Austrian herbalist Maria Treben in the 1980s. Today, dry blends for self-preparation are preferred, and the composition has been modified by various manufacturers.
02 / 04
Composition of Swedish Herbal Blends
The initial Swedish herbal formulation included aloe vera alongside extracts of ash, saffron, rhubarb, camphor, senna, Alexandrian senna, and charcoal. The remainder of this article will explore the properties of these ingredients, as substantiated by contemporary scientific literature.
03 / 04
Swedish herbs – applications and properties
Ingredients such as aloe, angelica, milk thistle, camphor, rowan, rhubarb, and saffron are thoroughly described in ancient Iranian medical texts. Aloe is renowned for its soothing effects on gastrointestinal discomfort and wound healing. Research on rodents indicates it may improve health in diabetes, regulate oxidative stress, and lower lipid levels. Angelica affects the cardiovascular system, relaxes blood vessels, and may slow skin aging. Milk thistle supports liver function, protects the skin from sun damage, and alleviates chemotherapy side effects. Camphor reduces cholesterol and triglyceride levels, while rowan improves liver function. Rhubarb extract aids the pancreas, saffron protects the digestive and nervous systems, and senna stimulates intestinal peristalsis.
04 / 04
Swedish Herbs – Contraindications and Risks of Use
As with all pharmaceutical preparations, phytotherapy also requires strict adherence to safety measures. The commercial production of Swedish herb blends for medicinal purposes carries certain risks, which is why it is now recommended to prepare them on a smaller scale by specialists who customize the composition for specific patient conditions [20]. Due to the complex composition and diverse mechanisms of action of these herbs, predicting all possible effects is challenging. For instance, reports of liver damage caused by excessive consumption of aloe-based products serve as a cautionary example [21]. It is worth noting that the range of substances in Swedish herb mixtures is extensive, as is their impact on the human body. Therefore, they should not be used without consulting a physician or phytotherapy specialist. This text discusses only some of the extracts found in these blends. Current research confirms their health benefits, though the composition of these preparations can be adjusted as needed. These herbs have been used for nearly 300 years, and scientists continue to study their properties. Before starting herbal supplementation, it is important to remember that each substance may produce different side effects in different individuals.
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![mgr Literatura:
Kochanowska-Karamyan A.J.:
Pharmaceutical Compounding: The Oldest, Most Symbolic, and Still Vital Part of Pharmacy.
Int J Pharm Compd. 2016 Sep-Oct;20(5):367-374.
Ahnfelt N.O., Fors H.:
Making Early Modern Medicine: Reproducing Swedish Bitters.
Ambix. 2016 May;63(2):162-83.
Akaberi M., Sobhani Z., i wsp.:
Therapeutic effects of Aloe spp. in traditional and modern medicine: A review.
Biomed Pharmacother. 2016 Dec;84:759-772.
Noor A., Gunasekaran S., i wsp.:
Improvement of Insulin Secretion and Pancreatic β-cell Function in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats Treated with Aloe vera Extract.
Pharmacognosy Res. 2017 Dec;9(Suppl 1):S99-S104.
Rajasekaran S., Sivagnanam K., i wsp.:
Modulatory effects of Aloe vera leaf gel extract on oxidative stress in rats treated with streptozotocin.
J Pharm Pharmacol. 2005 Feb;57(2):241-6.
Rajasekaran S., Ravi K., i wsp.:
Beneficial effects of aloe vera leaf gel extract on lipid profile status in rats with streptozotocin diabetes.
Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 2006 Mar;33(3):232-7.
Kim B., Kwon Y., i wsp.:
Vasorelaxant effects of Angelica decursiva root on isolated rat aortic rings.
BMC Complement Altern Med. 2017 Oct 2;17(1):474.
Sun Z., Hwang E., i wsp.:
Angelica archangelia Prevented Collagen Degradation by Blocking Production of Matrix Metalloproteinases in UVB-exposed Dermal Fibroblasts.
Photochem Photobiol. 2016 Jul;92(4):604-10.
DI Caprio R., Monfrecola G., i wsp.:
Milk thistle and olive extract: old substances with a new mission against sun-induced skin damage.
G Ital Dermatol Venereol. 2017 Nov 30.
Frassová Z., Rudá-Kučerová J.:
[Milk Thistle (Silybum Marianum) as a Supportive Phytotherapeutic Agent in Oncology].
Klin Onkol. 2017 Winter;30(6):426-432.
Fu J., Zeng C., i wsp.:
Cinnamomum camphora Seed Kernel Oil Improves Lipid Metabolism and Enhances β3-Adrenergic Receptor Expression in Diet-Induced Obese Rats.
Lipids. 2016 Jun;51(6):693-702.
Montó F., Arce C., i wsp.:
Action of an extract from the seeds of Fraxinus excelsior L. on metabolic disorders in hypertensive and obese animal models.
Food Funct. 2014 Apr;5(4):786-96.
Zulet M.A., Navas-Carretero S., i wsp.:
A Fraxinus excelsior L. seeds/fruits extract benefits glucose homeostasis and adiposity related markers in elderly overweight/obese subjects: a longitudinal, randomized, crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled nutritional intervention study.
Phytomedicine. 2014 Sep 15;21(10):1162-9.
Zhang W.F., Li Z.T., i wsp.:
Expression and clinical significance of rhubarb on serum amylase and TNF-alpha of rat model of acute pancreatitis.
J Biol Regul Homeost Agents. 2017 Jul-Sep;31(3):753-760.
Khorasany A.R, Hosseinzadeh H.:
Therapeutic effects of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in digestive disorders: a review.
Iran J Basic Med Sci. 2016 May;19(5):455-69.
Khazdair M.R., Boskabady M.H.:
The effects of Crocus sativus (saffron) and its constituents on nervous system: A review.
Avicenna J Phytomed. 2015 Sep-Oct;5(5):376-91.
Samarghandian S., Azimi-Nezhad M., Farkhondeh T.:
Immunomodulatory and antioxidant effects of saffron aqueous extract (Crocus sativus L.) on streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats.
Indian Heart J. 2017 Mar – Apr;69(2):151-159.
Hishe H.Z., Ambech T.A., i wsp.:
Anti-nociceptive effect of methanol extract of leaves of Senna singueana in mice.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2018 Feb 6;217:49-53.
Sobeh M., Mahmoud M.F., i wsp.:
Senna singueana: Antioxidant, Hepatoprotective, Antiapoptotic Properties and Phytochemical Profiling of a Methanol Bark Extract.
Molecules. 2017 Sep 8;22(9).
Gudeman J1, Jozwiakowski M. i wsp.:
Potential risks of pharmacy compounding.
Drugs R D. 2013 Mar;13(1):1-8.
Parlati L., Voican C.S., i wsp.:
Aloe vera-induced acute liver injury: A case report and literature review.
Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol. 2017 Sep;41(4):e39-e42.](https://www.dietspremium.com/pictures/nutrition-specialist/minimized/tim-klein.assisted.jpg:160x160)
Scientifically reviewed by a clinical dietitian
• 25.09.2026
mgr Literatura: Kochanowska-Karamyan A.J.: Pharmaceutical Compounding: The Oldest, Most Symbolic, and Still Vital Part of Pharmacy. Int J Pharm Compd. 2016 Sep-Oct;20(5):367-374. Ahnfelt N.O., Fors H.: Making Early Modern Medicine: Reproducing Swedish Bitters. Ambix. 2016 May;63(2):162-83. Akaberi M., Sobhani Z., i wsp.: Therapeutic effects of Aloe spp. in traditional and modern medicine: A review. Biomed Pharmacother. 2016 Dec;84:759-772. Noor A., Gunasekaran S., i wsp.: Improvement of Insulin Secretion and Pancreatic β-cell Function in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats Treated with Aloe vera Extract. Pharmacognosy Res. 2017 Dec;9(Suppl 1):S99-S104. Rajasekaran S., Sivagnanam K., i wsp.: Modulatory effects of Aloe vera leaf gel extract on oxidative stress in rats treated with streptozotocin. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2005 Feb;57(2):241-6. Rajasekaran S., Ravi K., i wsp.: Beneficial effects of aloe vera leaf gel extract on lipid profile status in rats with streptozotocin diabetes. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 2006 Mar;33(3):232-7. Kim B., Kwon Y., i wsp.: Vasorelaxant effects of Angelica decursiva root on isolated rat aortic rings. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2017 Oct 2;17(1):474. Sun Z., Hwang E., i wsp.: Angelica archangelia Prevented Collagen Degradation by Blocking Production of Matrix Metalloproteinases in UVB-exposed Dermal Fibroblasts. Photochem Photobiol. 2016 Jul;92(4):604-10. DI Caprio R., Monfrecola G., i wsp.: Milk thistle and olive extract: old substances with a new mission against sun-induced skin damage. G Ital Dermatol Venereol. 2017 Nov 30. Frassová Z., Rudá-Kučerová J.: [Milk Thistle (Silybum Marianum) as a Supportive Phytotherapeutic Agent in Oncology]. Klin Onkol. 2017 Winter;30(6):426-432. Fu J., Zeng C., i wsp.: Cinnamomum camphora Seed Kernel Oil Improves Lipid Metabolism and Enhances β3-Adrenergic Receptor Expression in Diet-Induced Obese Rats. Lipids. 2016 Jun;51(6):693-702. Montó F., Arce C., i wsp.: Action of an extract from the seeds of Fraxinus excelsior L. on metabolic disorders in hypertensive and obese animal models. Food Funct. 2014 Apr;5(4):786-96. Zulet M.A., Navas-Carretero S., i wsp.: A Fraxinus excelsior L. seeds/fruits extract benefits glucose homeostasis and adiposity related markers in elderly overweight/obese subjects: a longitudinal, randomized, crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled nutritional intervention study. Phytomedicine. 2014 Sep 15;21(10):1162-9. Zhang W.F., Li Z.T., i wsp.: Expression and clinical significance of rhubarb on serum amylase and TNF-alpha of rat model of acute pancreatitis. J Biol Regul Homeost Agents. 2017 Jul-Sep;31(3):753-760. Khorasany A.R, Hosseinzadeh H.: Therapeutic effects of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in digestive disorders: a review. Iran J Basic Med Sci. 2016 May;19(5):455-69. Khazdair M.R., Boskabady M.H.: The effects of Crocus sativus (saffron) and its constituents on nervous system: A review. Avicenna J Phytomed. 2015 Sep-Oct;5(5):376-91. Samarghandian S., Azimi-Nezhad M., Farkhondeh T.: Immunomodulatory and antioxidant effects of saffron aqueous extract (Crocus sativus L.) on streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats. Indian Heart J. 2017 Mar – Apr;69(2):151-159. Hishe H.Z., Ambech T.A., i wsp.: Anti-nociceptive effect of methanol extract of leaves of Senna singueana in mice. J Ethnopharmacol. 2018 Feb 6;217:49-53. Sobeh M., Mahmoud M.F., i wsp.: Senna singueana: Antioxidant, Hepatoprotective, Antiapoptotic Properties and Phytochemical Profiling of a Methanol Bark Extract. Molecules. 2017 Sep 8;22(9). Gudeman J1, Jozwiakowski M. i wsp.: Potential risks of pharmacy compounding. Drugs R D. 2013 Mar;13(1):1-8. Parlati L., Voican C.S., i wsp.: Aloe vera-induced acute liver injury: A case report and literature review. Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol. 2017 Sep;41(4):e39-e42.
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