Cancer

Shiitake or Hua gu is a type of mushroom and has been used as a food and medicine in China and Japan for thousands of years. It is now cultivated all over the world. The mushroom head is used in herbalism and is combined with another mushroom, known as reishi.

Medicinal Properties of Shiitake

Shiitake contains triterpenoids and glucans (polysaccharides), namely lentinan which has potent immune stimulating and regulating properties. It is also antiviral, anti-cancer, cholesterol lowering and adaptogenic.

Shiitake Herbal Remedies

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

Tags: Cancer, Cholesterol, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Cold, Energy, Hepatitis, HIV, Immune System, Infections, Lactation, Stress, Worms

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

Reishi or Ling chih/zhi is a type of mushroom that is native to the coastal provinces of China and has been used in Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years. The red variety is most commonly cultivated for this purpose, but there are 5 other colours that exist. The mushroom head is used in herbalism and is often used in combination with another mushroom called shiitake..

Medicinal Properties of Reishi

It contains sterols, coumarin, mannitol, glucans (polysaccharides) and triterpenoids called ganoderic acids. Ganoderic acids are thought to reduce the stickiness of blood platelets and have lowering action on both LDL cholesterol and high blood pressure. It also contains germanium, which helps to oxygenate cells. It is said to have antiviral, anti-tumour, antibacterial, immuno-stimulant, antihistamine, adaptogenic, expectorant and tonic-like actions.

Tags: Allergies, Asthma, Bronchitis, Cancer, Cholesterol, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Diabetes, Energy, Hepatitis, High Blood Pressure, HIV, Immune System, Infections, Lactation, Stomach, Stress, Throat

Maitake or dancing mushroom is a type of large medicinal mushroom that grows in the mountainous regions of Japan. In addition it is found in some parts of Europe and North America. Most commercial maitake is cultivated in Japan and is produced organically. The mushroom head is used in herbalism and for culinary purposes due to its delicious flavour.

Medicinal Properties of Maitake

It contains glucans (polysaccharides), namely beta-D-glucan, which is known to have immune regulating and cholesterol lowering properties. This mushroom is also adaptogenic, anti-tumour, anti-cancer and tonic in action.

Maitake Herbal Remedies

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

High blood pressure
High cholesterol
HIV
Infections
Lack of energy
Weak immune system

Tags: Cancer, Cholesterol, Energy, High Blood Pressure, HIV, Immune System, Infections, Lactation

Saw Palmetto or sabal is a small palm tree native to the West Indies and the Atlantic coast of North America from South Carolina to Florida. The deep red-brown to black berries are used in herbal medicine.

Medicinal Properties of Saw Palmetto

Saw Palmetto berries contain fatty acids, sterols and esters, which have male hormone balancing effects. Saw Palmetto is able to block an enzyme (5-alpha-reductase), which converts testosterone into hydrotestosterone (DHT), an aggressive hormone which encourages the prostate gland to grow. Saw Palmetto has been studied extensively and solely for its ability to slow down the growth of this male gland.

Saw Palmetto is also a urinary antiseptic and many herbalists consider it to have aphrodisiac properties.

Tags: Cancer, Urinary

Rhodiola rosea, also known as rose root, golden root and arctic root, is found naturally in northern regions of Europe, Scandinavia, Lapland, and Alaska. Traditionally, Rhodiola rosea was believed to give strength and stamina, and therefore was commonly used to treat long-term illness and weakness due to infection. Rhodiola has also been a favoured ingredient in many folk love potions.

Medicinal Properties of Rhodiola

Rhodiola rosea has long been known as a potent adaptogen. Adaptogens are natural plant substances that increase the body’s non-specific resistance, normalize the functions of the body, and are entirely safe (no side effects). It is believed that adaptogens work by increasing the ability of cells to manufacture and use cell fuel more efficiently.

Tags: Cancer, Heart, Lactation, Memory, Muscle, Periods, Stress

Red Clover is a perennial herb with dark pink flowers and is native to Europe and Asia, but has become naturalised in Australia, New Zealand and North America. The flowers are used in herbal medicine.

Medicinal Properties of Red Clover

Red Clover contains high levels of Antioxidant isoflavones, particularly genistein, which has weak oestrogenic properties which have actions of female hormone health. In addition, Red Clover is said to be alterative (promotes health) and is anti-inflammatory in skin disorders, a heart protector and an anti-cancer agent.

Red Clover Herbal Remedies

Our herbalists recommend red clover for the following disorders:

Fibroids
Infertility
Menopause
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Tags: Cancer, Cough, Depression, Detox, Eczema, Fibroids, Flu, Heart, Infertility, Menopause, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Psoriasis, Skin

Mastic gum (mastic or gum) is the gummy extract from the stem and main leaves of the shrub-like tree, Pistachia Lentiscus, which grows mainly in Greece and Turkey. The tree originates from the Greek island of Chios. Mastic gum has been used for around 3,000 years, and today it is widely used as a food ingredient and medicine – especially in the Mediterranean region.

Medicinal Properties of Mastic Gum

This herb (and supplement) is mostly composed of resinous gum and volatile oils. Its properties are not fully understood, but the mastic gum appears to protect gastric and duodenal cells, and tissues, by inhibiting the bacteria Helicobacter Pylori. Mastic is therefore antibacterial, but has also demonstrated cytoprotective (cell protective) and mild anti-secretary properties.

Tags: Cancer, Digestion, Gastritis, Heart, Heartburn, Indigestion, Infections, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Skin, Stomach, Ulcers

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

Garlic is the single most versatile, powerful and widely used medicinal plant in the world. A relative of onions, spring onions, Leeks and chives, it has been used for over 5,000 years and is a key plant in Chinese medicine. Slaves building the pyramids were paid in Garlic, as were Roman soldiers who brought it to England wedged between their toes to ward off athlete’s foot. The bulb of the plant is used medicinally.

Medicinal Properties of Garlic

Garlic contains a Sulphur-containing compound called allicin, which gives Garlic its distinctive odour and much of its medicinal properties. It also contains amino acids, B group vitamins and minerals. It is antibacterial, antiviral, anti-fungal, expectorant, an Antioxidant and has lowering effects on blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It also makes the blood less sticky, thus reducing the risk of clots.

Tags: Cancer, Candidiasis, Cholesterol, Cold, Cough, Flatulence, Heart, Heartburn, High Blood Pressure, HIV, Infections, Liver, Skin

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

Cats claw is a vine that grows up high in the canopy of the Amazon rainforest, and gets its name from the claw-like thorns which protrude from its woody stems. It is also found in Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and other parts of South America. The bark from the roots is used in herbal medicine.

Medicinal Properties of Cats claw

Cats claw contains oxyindole alkaloids which have immune stimulating action. It also has Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties and potential cancer fighting ability.

Cats claw Herbal Remedies

Our herbalists recommend Cats claw for the following disorders

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Tired All The Time (TATT)

Tags: Arthritis, Cancer, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, HIV, Tired All The Time