Anxiety

Is a plant native to North America and is a member of the mint family. It is widely used in western herbal medicine and is similar to European or greater skullcap (S. galericulata), but should not be confused with Chinese or Asian skullcap (S. baicalensis), which has very different action and uses. The aerial parts of the plant are used medicinally.

Medicinal Properties of American Scullcap

It contains a flavanoid glycoside called scutellarin, volatile oil, tannins and iridoids. Scutellarin is thought to be the compound that exhibits sedative and antispasmodic action. The herb is also anticonvulsant, nervine and a brain and central nervous system vasodilator.

American Scullcap Herbal Remedies

Historically American Scullcap has been used to treat a number of conditions including:

Tags: Anxiety, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Epilepsy, Insomnia, Lactation, Liver, Migraine, Nervous, Pain, PMS, Stress, Tension

This small, aromatic, evergreen shrubby plant is native to the Mediterranean region and now cultivated world-wide. It has been used for thousands of years to improve memory and aid digestion, and as a preservative for meats. The leaves and terminal twigs are used in cooking and herbal medicine, the extracted oil is also commonly used in aromatherapy.

Medicinal Properties of Rosemary

It contains a wide variety of compounds, including flavanoids, diterpenes, volatile oil and phenolic acids, in particular rosmarinic acid, which is antioxidant in action. The volatile oil consists of a variety of active constituents that have potent anti-microbial and antispasmodic properties. Historically it is said to be antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, anticancer, circulatory stimulant tonic, diuretic, sedative, mild astringent, analgesic and a brain tonic.

Tags: Anxiety, Cancer, Candidiasis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Circulation, Depression, Digestion, Flatulence, Headaches, Heart, Heartburn, High Blood Pressure, Indigestion, Infections, Lactation, Lice, Liver, Memory, Migraine

This herb is more commonly known as cowslip, the plant has yellow and orange wild flowers and it is found throughout Europe and temperate regions of Asia. The flowers and root (less often) are used in herbal medicine.

Medicinal Properties of Primula

The flowers contain high numbers of flavanoids (around 19 have been isolated) whereas the root contains high levels of saponin glycosides. Both flower and contain phenolic glycosides, tannins and volatile oil. The flowers have potent anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and antioxidant action, due to the flavanoids. It is sedative, a mild diuretic and laxative, antipyretic (reduces fever), hypnotic, platelet anticoagulant, antitussive (reduces coughing) and an expectorant.

Primula Herbal Remedies

Historically Primula has been used to treat a number of conditions including:

Tags: Anxiety, Bronchitis, Cough, Fever, Headaches, Insomnia, Lactation, Lumbago, Nervous, Parasites, Rheumatism, Sleep, Stress, Varicose Veins

Neroli or orange blossom is the flowers of the plant, bitter orange (Citrus aurantium). Neroli is the name of the essential oil that is mainly used for aromatherapy, rather than in herbal medicine. It was named after the princess of Nerola in Italy, who loved to wear it as a perfume. The flowers were used in bridal bouquets and wreaths to calm nervous tension before the honeymoon night. A distillation can also be made from the flowers and is called orange flower water.

Medicinal Properties of Neroli

This herb contains approximately 34% linalol, 6%-17% linalyl acetate, 15% limonene and various volatile compounds. The oil is antidepressant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, carminative (wind relieving), deodorant, nervous stimulant, heart and circulatory tonic, digestive tonic and a mild hypnotic.

Tags: Anxiety, Circulation, Colic, Depression, Diarrhoea, Digestion, Flatulence, Heart, Indigestion, Lactation, Nervous, PMS, Stress, Tension, Wrinkles

Including sweet or knotted marjoram is a small shrubby plant native to the Mediterranean region, Egypt and North Africa. It is now cultivated throughout the world and is a popular herb garden plant. The aerial parts of the plant are used for cooking and occasionally in herbal medicine. It should not be confused with Spanish Marjoram (Thymus mastichina), French Marjoram (Origanum onites or Marjorana onites), or the wild common marjoram or oregano (origanum vulgare) .

Medicinal Properties of Marjoram

It contains up to 3% volatile oil as well as flavanoids. It has trace quantities of miscellaneous compounds including various organic acids, phytosterols and vitamin C. It is anaphrodisiac, sedative, expectorant, emmenagogue (stimulates menstruation), antiseptic, antioxidant, diuretic, gastro-intestinal stimulant, carminative (wind relieving) antispasmodic, diaphoretic (induces perspiration) and antiviral.

Tags: Anxiety, Cold, Cough, Digestion, Flu, Headaches, Influenza, Lactation, Sore, Tension, Throat

Also known as lime blossom or linden flowers it is relative to the floral parts of the various species of the Tilia family. The most used are Tilia platyphylos (broad-leaved lime) and Tilia cordata (small-leaved lime). The trees are native to northern temperate climates such as Britain, Europe, Asia and North America. It should not be confused with the green lime fruit tree (Citrus aurantifolia).

Medicinal Properties of Lime Flowers

They contain a variety of compounds including flavanoids, glycosides of quercitin, mucilage, phenolic acids, tannins, volatile oil and trace amounts of benzodiazepine-like compounds.

The flavanol glycosides and phenolic acids have been shown to demonstrate diaphoretic action (promotes perspiration).

The mucilage has an emollient action which accounts for the effect in soothing irritable coughs.

Tags: Anxiety, Catarrh, Circulation, Cold, Colic, Cough, Crohn’s Disease, Digestion, Fever, Flu, High Blood Pressure, Indigestion, Migraine, Skin, Tension

This is a fast growing, tall perennial grass which is native to Asia. There are two types – East Indian and West Indian, both being widely used in cooking, aromatherapy and medicine. The blades of grass are used in each case.

Medicinal Properties of Lemongrass

It contains a volatile oil which is made up of 65%-85% citral, amongst many other compounds. It is analgesic, anti-microbial, anti-pyretic (reduces fever), deodorant, insecticide, sedative, nervine, carminative (wind relieving) and galactagogue (stimulates breast milk).

Lemongrass Herbal Remedies

Historically Lemongrass has been used to treat a number of conditions including:

Anxiety and stress
Athletes foot (topically)
Dandruff (topically added to shampoo)
Depression
Excessive perspiration
Fever
Headaches
Lice (topically)
Muscle pains

Tags: Anxiety, Dandruff, Depression, Fever, Headaches, Lactation, Lice, Muscle, Pain, Skin, Stress

Lavender, or common/true lavender is an evergreen woody shrub, with beautiful purple-blue flowers. It is native to the Mediterranean region, but is now cultivated world-wide, for its use as a garden herb and for its distinctive fragrant aromatherapy oil.

The flowers are used in herbal medicine and to make essential oil. Several variations exist: French lavender (L. stooechas), Spike lavender (L. latifolia), Lavandin (L. x intermedia).

Medicinal Properties of Lavender

It contains a volatile oil which comprises of over 100 different constituents, including around 40% linalyl acetate, linalool, lavandulol, lavandulyl acetate, terpinol, cineol and limonene, among many others.
The flowers also contain coumarins, flavanoids and other triterpenes.
Lavender is best known as a very calming and relaxing plant.
Lavender is also antibacterial, analgesic, antispasmodic, anticonvulsant, antidepressant, carminative (wind relieving), emmenagogue (stimulates menstruation) and an insecticide (especially spike lavender).

Tags: Anxiety, Burns, Chilblains, Circulation, Colic, Depression, Digestion, Headaches, Heart, Heartburn, High Blood Pressure, Indigestion, Infections, Insomnia, Migraine, Nervous, Neuralgia, Pain, Rheumatism, Stress, Toothache

Chamomile grows throughout Europe and Asia, but is cultivated on a large scale for medicinal use. This attractive and aromatic member of the daisy family has been used since Roman times. The dried and fresh flowers of German Chamomile are most commonly used in herbal medicine. Both German and Roman Chamomile are used in Aromatherapy.

Medicinal Properties of Chamomile

Chamomile flowers contain volatile oils, the most important of which are proazulenes, alpha-bisabolol and spiroether, together with ioflavanoids and Quercetin. This complex mix is anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic, and accounts for its 2,000 year history in the treatment of digestive problems.

Chamomile used topically demonstrates anti-inflammatory, healing and soothing properties to the skin.

Chamomile Herbal Remedies

Chamomile has been used for the following disorders:

Tags: Anxiety, Colic, Digestion, Gastritis, Headaches, Heart, Heartburn, Indigestion, Insomnia, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Lactation, Nervous, Skin, Stomach, Ulcers, Wound

NOTE: Yohimbe herbal supplements are not legally available for over the counter sale in the UK and Ireland, but they may be prescribed by a qualified medical herbalist.The yohimbe tree is a tall evergreen that is native to Africa, mainly growing in the forests of south-western Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon and the Congo. The bark is used in herbal medicine.

Medicinal Properties of Yohimbe

Yohimbe contains an alkaloid called yohimbine, which has various properties:

Firstly, it blocks alpha-2 adrenergic receptors in the nervous system, which increases levels of catecholamines, such as adrenaline (epinephrine). This directly stimulates, blood flow and metabolic rate, which mobilises fats out of their storage areas so they can be burned for fuel.

Tags: Anxiety, Circulation, Cough, Depression, Diabetes, Energy, Fever, Flu, Heart, Impotence, Kidney, Lactation, Liver, Nausea, Nervous, Panic, Sleep, Stress, Ulcers

Valerian is an attractive perennial with pretty pink flowers. It grows throughout Europe and is now established in North America. The root has been used medicinally as far back as the 1st century AD. Valerian was used to treat soldiers with ‘shell shock’ during World War II.

Medicinal Properties of Valerian

Valerian contains many active constituents, including volatile oils, irridoids and alkaloids. Valerian influences levels of GABA, an amino acid found in the brain, which helps combat stress. This herb taken in small doses is calming without causing drowsiness. Larger doses become mildly sedative and help restore regular sleep patterns. As a bonus Valerian is an effective antispasmodic and analgesic, which is of use in cramps of the digestive system.

Tags: Anxiety, Colic, Cramp, Flu, Heart, High Blood Pressure, Insomnia, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Neuralgia, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Pain, Panic, Sleep, Stomach, Stress, Tension

Passiflora or passion flower is a popular climbing vine with gardeners as it is adorned with beautiful purple flowers. It is native to South, Central and North America, but varieties of this vigorous plant now grow almost everywhere. The plant acquired its name from the 16th-century Spanish missionaries, who believed the flower represented the crucifixion: the three styles for the nails through Christ’s hands and feet, and the five stamens for his wounds. The leaves, stems and flowers are used in herbal medicine.

Medicinal Properties of Passiflora

The most important constituents of Passiflora are flavonoids, especially apigenin and isovitexin and the glycosides, including gynocardin. Passiflora has relaxing and anti-Anxiety properties, as well as mild pain relieving and anti-spasmodic effects.

Tags: Anxiety, Colic, Cramp, High Blood Pressure, Insomnia, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Pain, Panic, Sleep, Stomach, Wound