Boils

It comes from the olive tree, is evergreen and originates from the Mediterranean. It is best known for its green or black fruits (olives), these can be eaten or pressed to yield olive oil. The oil is used widely in cooking and has some medicinal uses. It is thought to be one of the major health preserving parts of the Mediterranean diet, although the leaves have other properties which are important in herbal medicine.

Medicinal Properties of Olive leaf

Olive leaf contains oleuropein and various flavanoids including rutin, apigenin and luteolin. Oleuropein appears to be the active that accounts for the leafs ability to lower blood pressure and dilate blood vessels. It also has antioxidant properties and may protect against hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) caused by oxidation of ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol. It is thought to be diuretic, astringent, febrifuge (reduces fever) hypoglycaemic, mildly antispasmodic, antibacterial, vulnerary (wound healing) and a liver tonic.

Tags: Boils, Cholesterol, Circulation, Cystitis, Diabetes, Fever, Gallstones, Heart, High Blood Pressure, Infections, Kidney, Lactation, Liver, Stomach, Wound

Is a bog-plant that is native to Britain and Europe, but is now naturalised in the United States. Used in Europe for over 2000 years as a medicine, especially for soothing digestive and respiratory tracts. The Marshmallow roots and leaves are used medicinally. The root extract is sometimes used to make confectionery.

Medicinal Properties of Marshmallow

The root contains a substance called mucilage which has demulcent (soothing) properties, up to 11% of this active constituent exists, and it protects, lubricates and heals inflamed or irritated tissue and mucous membranes. It also contains flavanoids, tannins, phenolic acids and 37% starch,11% pectin, 10% sucrose, 1.7% fat and up to 2% asparagine. It is thought that the mucilage in this herb may also have immune stimulating and blood sugar-lowering properties. Topically it acts as an emollient (skin softening and soothing).

Tags: Asthma, Boils, Chilblains, Cold, Colitis, Cough, Crohn’s Disease, Cystitis, Diarrhoea, Digestion, Dyspepsia, Eczema, Gastritis, Gastroenteritis, Hernia, Indigestion, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Skin, Sore, Stomach, Throat, Ulcers, Wound

Flaxseed, Flax or linseed is well known for its use as an oil for preserving cricket bats. Flax is one of the most ancient of all cultivated plants, and is known to have been used by man since 5,000 BC. Both the seeds and seed oil are used medicinally.

Medicinal Properties of Linseed

Flax seeds contains oil, mucilage and protein. The mucilage is soothing to the digestive system and has mild laxative and cleansing action. The oil contains some linoleic acid, an omega-6 fat, but much higher levels of the omega-3 fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid. This omega-3 fat has potent anti-inflammatory action on the joints, skin and digestive system.

Linseed Herbal Remedies

Our herbalists recommend flaxseed or Flaxseed oil for the following disorders:

Tags: Arthritis, Boils, Cancer, Cholesterol, Cold, Colitis, Diverticulitis, Gout, Heart, High Blood Pressure, Infections, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Menstrual, Psoriasis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Rhinitis, Sinus, Skin, Tension

Echinacea, the purple coneflower is native to North America and has been used by the American Indians for wound healing and snake bites for many centuries. There are 3 main species used medicinally which have very similar properties: Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea Augustifolia and Echinacea pallida. The root or the whole plant is used in herbal medicine.

Medicinal Properties of Echinacea

Echinacea contains compounds such as polysaccharides, alkamides, echinolone, betaine and alkaloids. Echinacea angustifolia contains additional compounds called echinosides.

Echinacea is able to act on the immune system by supporting and stimulating white blood cell activity and by activating a viral blocking substance called interferon.

Tags: Acne, Boils, Eczema, Immune System, Lice, Periods, Skin, Wound

Coltsfoot is native to North Africa, and is used historically in European herbal medicine. The flowers and leaves are used medicinally.

Medicinal Properties of Coltsfoot

Coltsfoot contains Zinc, flavonoids, mucilage and pyrrolizidine alkaloids. It has anti-catarrhal, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and expectorant properties.

Coltsfoot Herbal Remedies

Herbalists have used it to relieve bronchitis, coughs, whooping cough, asthma and emphysema.
Most traditional products containing Coltsfoot are cough mixtures, cough sweets or as Coltsfoot rock.
Coltsfoot is a mild diuretic and has an action on the immune system, which could be useful in the treatment of Cystitis.
It can also be used topically, as the leaves can be boiled to produce a natural remedy for soothing boils and abscesses.

Tags: Asthma, Boils, Bronchitis, Catarrh, Cough, Cystitis, Immune System, Liver

Chickweed is native to Europe and grows freely all over the United Kingdom. The leaves, stems and flowers are used in herbal medicine.

Medicinal Properties of Chickweed

Chickweed contains coumarins, saponins, Vitamin C and Bioflavanoids and has anti-inflammatory and anti-histamine properties. It has a cooling, soothing and anti-itching action.

Chickweed Herbal Remedies

Our herbalists recommend Chickweed for the following disorders

Eczema and Dermatitis

Chickweed is usually available as a topical application, usually an ointment or cream and is traditionally used to soothe the skin and to help with boils, abscess, stings, bites and hot itchy rashes. It may also be of use in muscular rheumatism.

Chickweed can be taken as a tea or tincture for internal use.

Tags: Boils, Eczema, Rash, Rheumatism, Skin

Is a plant native to Europe and classed as a weed. It is the root that is of value in herbal medicine.

Medicinal Properties of Yellow Dock

It contains anthraquinone glycosides, tannins, oxalates and rumicin. It is a bitter digestive tonic, cholagogue (increase bile flow) and laxative. It is also mineral rich in iron and sulphur.

Yellow Dock Herbal Remedies

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

Constipation
Food poisoning
Irritable bowel syndrome
Jaundice and liver problems
Mouth ulcers (mouth wash)
Poor digestion
Skin disorders – boils, rashes, shingles
Sluggish liver function

Other Yellow Dock Information

It is normally available as a herbal tea for internal use, although a qualified herbalist will be able to make other preparations including tinctures.

Tags: Boils, Constipation, Diarrhoea, Digestion, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Lactation, Liver, Poisoning, Rash, Skin, Ulcers