Anxiety

Avena Sativa, or Oats, are well known as the grain or seeds are used for porridge and breakfast Cereals. As a food Oats are known to be good for the heart as they keep blood fats under control. However, they also have other medicinal properties and are used in herbal medicine. Action of Avena Sativa [...]

Continue Reading Herb Avena Sativa (Wild Oats)

There are several varieties of vervain, but European vervain is the most commonly used in herbal medicine. It is a native plant to Europe, and other species include blue vervain (V. hastate) and V. macdougalii, they are all similar in action. The medicinal parts of the plant are the flowers and leaves. It is a [...]

Continue Reading Herb Vervain (Verbena officinalis)

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 [...]

Continue Reading Herb Green Tea (Camellia sinensis)

This is an upright, compact annual or tender perennial, native to California and the south-western United States. It is extremely drought tolerant and ideal for arid environments. The brilliant orange cup shaped flower, is the state flower of California. It is a relative of the Opium poppy, but contains no opiate alkaloids, and is not [...]

Continue Reading Herb California Poppy (Eschsholzia californica)

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 [...]

Continue Reading Herb Valerian (Valerian officinalis)

Kava kava is a large climbing vine-like shrub, which is native to the Polynesian Islands in the Pacific region. It has been used since the earliest times to make a mind-altering liquid that played an essential part in both social and religious ceremonies. The root of the plant is used in herbal medicine. Medicinal Properties [...]

Continue Reading Herb Kava kava (Piper methysticum)

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 [...]

Continue Reading Herb St Johns Wort (Hypericum perforatum)