St Johns Wort or the ‘sunshine herb‘, is a upright perennial with attractive yellow flowers and is native to Europe and the United States. It normally flowers around St Johns day, June 24th, which is how it gets its common name. The flowers, leaves and stems are used in herbal medicine.

Medicinal Properties of St Johns Wort

St Johns Wort contains several compounds including, hypericin, hyperforin, flavonoids and volatile oils. Hypericin is thought to be the key active constituent that affects mood, however recent research suggests that hyperforin is responsible for this action. Whichever it is, St Johns Wort is a very effective natural anti-depressant. It is also antiviral and antibacterial.

Tags: Anxiety, Asthma, Cold, Depression, Flu, HIV, Skin, Sore

Ivy or common ivy is a well-known evergreen climbing plant that is widely found in the garden. It was a plant held in high esteem by the Ancient Greeks and was used by priests in wedding rituals. Common ivy is native to Europe and should not be confused with its American cousin, ‘poison ivy’, which as the name suggests is highly toxic. The leaves of common ivy are used in herbal medicine, however traditionally the berries also had medicinal use.

Medicinal Properties of Ivy

Ivy leaf contains around 5-8% saponins, which are expectorant in action, helping to break up and clear mucous congestion. These saponins appear to have antispasmodic actions (reduces spasms), especially to the bronchial tubes. Ivy also contains low levels of an alkaloid called emetine, which encourages the secretion of mucous from the respiratory tract.

Tags: Arthritis, Asthma, Bronchitis, Cough, Lactation, Lice, Nausea, Rheumatism, Ulcers, Vomiting, Worms

Horsetail is an invasive grass-like plant that is found throughout the temperate zones of the Northern hemisphere. The dried stems are used in herbal medicine and have been since the Roman times. Gardeners are not fond of this plant, because it spreads quickly and is difficult to control.

Medicinal Properties of Horsetail

Horsetail contains flavonoids, alkaloids, sterols, Manganese, Potassium and high levels of silicic acid. Silicic acid provides the mineral Silicon, is important in bone, teeth, joint and nail health. Horsetail is also a good diuretic and urinary tonic.

Horsetail Herbal Remedies

Our herbalists recommend Horsetail for the following disorders:

Beat the Bloat (diet)
Osteoporosis

Tags: Arthritis, Infections, Kidney, Osteoporosis, Urinary

Horse chestnut originates from eastern Europe and Asia, but now grows in most temperate climatic zones, and is found widespread throughout Europe and Britain. It is a large deciduous tree and boasts ‘candles’ of beautiful pink and white flowers, and spike-covered pods, which contain the seed or ‘conker’. This seed is used in modern herbal medicine, where as in traditional herbal medicine, the leaves, seeds and bark were used.

Medicinal Properties of Horse chestnut

Horse chestnut contains aescin, which is the primary active found in the plant. Aescin is anti-inflammatory and has the ability reduce the swelling of blood vessels and tone the walls of veins whilst also improving overall circulation of the blood throughout the body. Horse chestnut is also a vasodilator, astringent and an Antioxidant.

Tags: Circulation, Haemorrhoids, Kidney, Liver, Varicose Veins, Water Retention, Wound

The Hops plant is native to Europe, Asia and North America. This climbing plant is well known for its use in the brewing industry as the Hops are using for flavouring beer. The Hops are essentially the flowers of the plant, which are often termed ‘strobiles’ and are used in herbal medicine.

Medicinal Properties of Hops

Hops contain bitters, phytooestrogens, volatile oil and resin. The bitters, humulone and lupulone have stimulating action of the appetite and digestive sytem, whilst the oils have a sedative and nerve soothing action. Hops are also said to be mildly diuretic, antispasmodic and have aphrodisiac properties.

Hops Herbal Remedies

Our herbalists recommend Hops for the following disorders:

Tags: Anxiety, Appetite, Depression, Digestion, Insomnia, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Panic, Skin, Sleep, Stress

Hemp oil is the oil from the seeds of the cannabis plant (Cannabis sativa), and do not have any drug-like properties normally associated with the flowers or leaf. Hemp plant seed or Ma Zi in Chinese medicine has been used for degenerative conditions and inflammatory conditions of the intestines.

Hemp oil is primarily used as a food for the essential fatty acids it contains. It is unique as it provides a near perfect balance of omega-6 to omega-3 essential fatty acids. The ratio of around 3:1 (omega-6:omega-3) is thought to be the right balance for optimum human nutrition. An analysis shows that it contains:

Tags: Cholesterol

Hawthorn is a spiny tree or shrub that is native to Europe and Britain and is often seen as a hedge plant. The berries, leaves and flowers are used in herbal medicine.

Medicinal Properties of Hawthorn

Hawthorn contains flavonoids, phenolic acids, tannins and amines. The flavonoids comprise of proanthocyanidins and Quercetin, which are powerful Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that possess significant collagen stabilising properties, and are useful to blood vessels. Hawthorn is an excellent heart and cardiovascular tonic, as it improves circulation, strengthens heart muscle contractions and has a blood pressure lowering effect.

Hawthorn Herbal Remedies

Our herbalists recommend Hawthorn for the following disorders:

High blood pressure
The healthy heart program

Tags: Circulation, Diarrhoea, Heart, High Blood Pressure, Muscle, Pain, Periods, Sore, Throat

Gymnema is sometimes called gurmur or gurmurbooti in Hindi, meaning sugar destroyer, which is relevant as the leaves when chewed reduce the ability to taste sweet foods. The plant is native to India where it grows in the tropical rainforests, and it is the leaves that are used in herbal medicine.

Medicinal Properties of Gymnema

The leaves of Gymnema contain gymnemic acid and gurmarin, which do affect the ability to taste sweet foods, however the leaves also have the ability to lower blood sugar levels. It is thought to do this in two ways. Firstly by regenerating insulin-secreting cells in the pancreas, which encourages insulin production and secondly by improving glucose uptake into the cells of the body. Constituents in Gymnema leaves also demonstrate cholesterol-lowering properties.

Tags: Cholesterol, Diabetes, Flu, Lactation

Guggul, mukul myrrh or gugulipid is a small thorny tree found in India. The stems of the plant contain a yellow resin or gum which has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for many health disorders.

Medicinal Properties of Guggul

Guggul contains resin, volatile oils, and gum. Ketone fraction that is extracted from the resin contains potent cholesterol lowering components. This is composed of C21 or C27 steroids, with the major components being Z- and E-Guggulsterone. These compounds also have Antioxidant properties. In addition Guggul appears to reduce the stickiness of the blood.

Guggul Herbal Remedies

The main uses of Guggul are:

Lowering cholesterol
Atherosclerosis

Tags: Cholesterol, Colitis, Crohn’s Disease, Liver

Guarana, an evergreen vine, is native to the Brazilian rain forest and has been used for thousands of years by the local Indian tribes. The seeds are used in herbal medicine.

Medicinal Properties of Guarana

Guarana contains xanthines (caffeine, theobromine and theophylline), saponins, tannins and choline. It has stimulant, tonic, adaptogenic and nerve soothing properties. Its actions are very different to tea, coffee and cola drinks, as the saponins in Guarana slow down the absorption and release of caffeine into body. Guarana contains around 22% caffeine, which is a mild appetite suppressant and is known to raise body temperature which is thought to encourage the release of energy from stored body fat.

Guarana Herbal Remedies

Our herbalists recommend Guarana for the following disorders:

Tags: Anxiety, Appetite, Depression, Energy, High Blood Pressure, Insomnia, Sleep, Stress

Green Teas, black teas and oolong are derived from the same plant, native to China. Green Tea is produced by lightly steaming the fresh cut leaf, while to produce black the leaves are allowed to oxidise and ferment. Oolong tea is partially oxidised. Oxidation destroys the active compounds in the leaf, therefore Green Tea has the most pharmacological activity.

Medicinal Properties of Green Tea

Green Tea contains many different compounds including polythenols, tannins, caffeine, vitamins minerals, protein and volatile oils. The polythenol, catechin is responsible for most of green tea’s medicinal activity. It is a potent Antioxidant and also encourages production of Antioxidant enzymes in the body, which may have protective effects against cancer.

Tags: Anxiety, Cancer, Cholesterol, Immune System, Insomnia

Gotu kola is an herbaceous perennial plant native to India, China, Indonesia, Australia, the South Pacific, Madagascar and southern and middle Africa. This slender, creeping plant flourishes in and around water. The roots and leaves are used in herbal medicine.

Medicinal Properties of Gotu kola

Gotu kola contains compounds called triterpenoids which have complex actions, but are generally involved in connective tissue repair and stimulation of the healing processes, whilst reducing scar tissue formation. Generally, Gotu kola is also thought to improve the structure of connective tissue surrounding veins. It is also antibiotic and a detoxifier.

Gotu kola Herbal Remedies

Our herbalists recommend gotu kola for the following disorders:

Deep venous thrombosis
E coli
Gastroenteritis
Varicose veins

Tags: Burns, Detox, Gastroenteritis, Varicose Veins, Wound