Arthritis

Stinging nettle or Urtica, which comes from the Latin uro, meaning “I burn” is indicative of the painful stings caused by the tiny hairs on the nettle leaves. Ironically the leaves are also the main medicinal parts of the plant. The nettle root is also sometimes used by herbalists. Nettle grows everywhere in the northern [...]

Continue Reading Herb Nettle (Urtica dioica)

Cayenne pepper (also known as chilli or red hot pepper), is the fruit of a shrubby, tropical plant originally native to South America. It is used as a food and spice world-wide and now cultivated in most tropical regions. Medicinally, Cayenne has been used extensively in folklore and recently in scientific studies for a variety [...]

Continue Reading Herb Cayenne (Capsicum annum)

Wild Yam is found in Mexico, United States and Asia where it is eaten as a food. The root is used is used to manufacture oestrogens, progesterone drugs and steroids in orthodox medicine and is also the part used in herbal medicine. Medicinal Properties of Wild Yam Wild Yam contains steroidal saponins, mainly diosgenin and [...]

Continue Reading Herb Wild Yam (Dioscorea villosa)

Birch, silver birch or European birch is a common tree that is native to Europe, Asia and Siberia. It is also a popular herbal remedy in Scandanavia. The bark and leaves are used in herbal medicine, although the leaves are more commonly used. Action of Birch Birch contains a variety of compounds including volatile oil, [...]

Continue Reading Herb Birch (Betula pendula/alba)

Boswellia, a tree used in traditional Ayuvedic medicine and found primarily in the hills of India. It is the sap or gum of the tree that is used in herbal medicine. Action of Boswellia Boswellia gum contains volatile oils, but it is the boswellic acid that gives most of the medicinal properties. It is anti-inflammatory, [...]

Continue Reading Herb Boswellia (Boswellia serrata)

Is common wild plant in Britain, throughout Europe and parts of Asia. It is also found in North America. The flowers, leaves and finer stems are used in herbal medicine. It is often called the herbalists ‘bicarbonate of soda’ due to its antacid action. Medicinal Properties of Meadowsweet This herb contains a variety of compounds [...]

Continue Reading Herb Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria)

Devils claw, a plant native to South Africa and Madagascar is named due to the claw-like appearance of the barbs on the fruit. It is used by the bushmen who roam the Kalahari sands of Namibia as a source of fluid when no water can be found as well as its medicinal properties. The root [...]

Continue Reading Herb Devils claw (Harpagophytum procumbens)

Celery is a vegetable commonly used in salads and casseroles. It is low in calories and is an ideal snack for those who are weight conscious. Celery seeds have been used in Europe for centuries to help a variety of disorders. Medicinal Properties of Celery seed Celery seeds contain many compounds including: volatile oils, apiol, [...]

Continue Reading Celery seed (Apium graveolens)

Black cohosh is a shrubby plant native to North America and the root is used in herbal medicine. Action of Black cohosh Black cohosh contains many active compounds including icifugosides and isoflavones and so demonstrates many different properties. It acts on the endocrine system and has ‘oestrogen-mimicking’ properties. It is also antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, mildly analgesic [...]

Continue Reading Herb Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa)

Liquorice grows in southern Europe and south-western Asia and is a herb used frequently in Chinese medicine. The roots of three to four years old Liquorice plants are used medicinally and in the manufacture of confectionery due to its flavour and natural sweetness. The Liquorice plant is commercially cultivated in many places and was introduced [...]

Continue Reading Herb Liquorice (Glycrrhiza glabra)