A wide range of herbal remedies are appropriate for digestive problems in elders, including agrimony, marshmallow, chamomile, peppermint, gentian, milk thistle, and slippery elm. The choice depends on the herbs' secondary actions. Herbal remedies can safely ameliorate underlying digestive tract disease while providing symptomatic relief, avoiding the side effects and paradoxical reactions common with allopathic medications in the elderly.

Safe and effective urinary tract remedies for elders include yarrow, bearberry, couch grass, cleavers, elder flower, dandelion leaf, and cranberry. These herbs are selected for their combination of safety, efficacy, and appropriate secondary actions — particularly important since many pharmaceutical diuretics can cause dangerous electrolyte imbalances in older patients.

Reproductive system tonics for elders address post-menopausal problems and benign prostate hypertrophy. Key herbs include black cohosh, blue cohosh, motherwort, partridgeberry, saw palmetto (particularly important for prostate health), cramp bark, black haw, and chasteberry for hormonal balance.

Musculoskeletal problems are particularly well suited to herbal treatment in elders. Gentle antirheumatic tonics like celery seed, meadowsweet, willow bark, and nettle are often effective given time, without resort to intense treatments. Digestive symptoms in patients with rheumatic conditions should be prioritized, as impaired digestion can aggravate arthritis. Stronger effectors like devil's claw and guaiacum are reserved for intransigent cases.

Skin problems in elders may be slow to respond to treatment, but topical symptom relief can be very beneficial. The topical anti-inflammatory activity of calendula and St. John's wort are particularly valuable. Treatment should emphasize gentle alteratives and tonics with extra focus on liver, digestive, and kidney function. Many essential oils are also helpful when applied topically.