Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Is a plant native to North America and is a member of the mint family. It is widely used in western herbal medicine and is similar to European or greater skullcap (S. galericulata), but should not be confused with Chinese or Asian skullcap (S. baicalensis), which has very different action and uses. The aerial parts [...]

Continue Reading Herb American Scullcap (Scutellaria latiflora)

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 [...]

Continue Reading Herb Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

Pau d’arco, lapacho or tahhebo is a tree native to the rain forests of Latin America and was used by the ancient Incas. The shredded bark of the tree has been used by indigenous tribes ever since to make a tea with many medicinal properties. Medicinal Properties of Pau d’arco Pau d’arco contains two main [...]

Continue Reading Herb Pau d’arco (Tabebuia impestiginosa)

Betony or wood betony is an attractive plant that is native to Europe and grows freely throughout the UK, but is also cultivated in temperate regions of the world. The whole plant can be used in herbal medicine, but the leaves and flower are most often used. Other related species are S. sieboldii (kan lu [...]

Continue Reading Herb Betony (Stachys officinalis)

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 [...]

Continue Reading Herb Cats claw (Uncaria tomentosa)

Used in traditional Chinese medicine, it is obviously native to China. The dried aged roots of the Astragalus plant are used in herbal medicine. Action of Astragalus Astragalus contains many different active compounds including Amino Acids and various minerals. It has both a boosting and balancing effect on the immune system. Astragalus Uses The dried [...]

Continue Reading Herb Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus)

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)

Korean Ginseng is also referred to as Asian ginseng or Chinese ginseng. It is a small perennial plant that originally grew in the damp woodlands of northern China, Manchuria and Korea. It has been used for thousands of years and is now widely cultivated and is the most popular ginseng available. The mature root is [...]

Continue Reading Herb Korean Ginseng (Panax ginseng)

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 [...]

Continue Reading Herb Reishi (Genoderma lucidum)

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 [...]

Continue Reading Herb Shiitake (Lentinus edodes)