Chilblains

Also known as toothache tree, it is native to Canada and America. northern prickly ash is Z. americanum and southern prickly ash is Z. clava-herculis. In both cases the bark is used in herbal medicine and berries are also of some use. Another species growing in Asia is called Chinese prickly ash, Z. bungeanum.

Medicinal Properties of Prickly Ash

The bark contains alkaloids, in particular chlerythrine, which is antimicrobial. It also consists of the cinnamamide – herclavin, and some volatile oils, tannins and resins. Northern prickly ash contains coumarins, and southern prickly ash contains the lignan, asarinin and the amides, herculin and neoherculin, which are thought to be anaesthetic in action. The herb is anti-rheumatic, analgesic, circulatory, and digestive stimulant, diaphoretic (induces swelling), carminative (wind relieving), antipyretic (reduces fever) and antidiarrhoeal. Berries are richer in the volatile oil.

Tags: Arthritis, Chilblains, Circulation, Colitis, Diarrhoea, Digestion, Fever, Flu, Indigestion, Lactation, Lice, Parasites, Rheumatic, Rheumatism, Sore, Stomach, Throat, Toothache, Ulcers, Varicose Veins

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

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

This is probably a native to eastern Europe and is thought to be cultivated from the Hungarian plant, Cochlearia macrocarpa. It is now common throughout Russia, Europe and Scandanavia and is cultivated all over the world. The root is used as medicine and a food, particularly as a condiment for roast beef (horseradish sauce).

Medicinal Properties of Horseradish

This herb consists of a variety of compounds and nutrients including vitamin C, B vitamins, asparagines, resin and volatile oils which contain sinigrin, gluconasturtin and other pungent glucosinolates 9also found in mustard). The potent volatile oil is diuretic, antibiotic, a urinary antiseptic, carminative (wind relieving) diaphoretic and a stimulant to the liver, spleen, pancreas, digestion and circulatory system. Topically it has a counter-irritant action similar to cayenne pepper.

Tags: Arthritis, Catarrh, Chilblains, Circulation, Cold, Cough, Cystitis, Digestion, Fever, Flu, Influenza, Kidney, Liver, Pain, Parasites, Sinus, Sore, Throat, Urinary, Vomiting, Water Retention, Worms

Ginkgo biloba, also known as the maidenhair tree, is the most ancient and one of the longest surviving plants on earth. Individual trees can last up to 1,000 years and its medicinal use is recorded 5,000 years ago in traditional Chinese medicine. It is the leaf of the tree is used in herbal medicine.

Medicinal Properties of Ginkgo

Ginkgo contains two main groups of active constituents, 24% Ginkgo flavone glycosides and 6% terpene lactones. These compounds are powerful Antioxidants and reduce the stickiness of the platelets in the blood, increase circulation and keep blood vessels toned and pliable.

Ginkgo Herbal Remedies

Our herbalists recommend ginkgo for the following disorders:

Tags: Alzheimer, Chilblains, Circulation, Dementia, Depression, Headaches, Impotence, Memory, Multiple Sclerosis, Stomach, Tension