Circulation

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

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

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

Neroli or orange blossom is the flowers of the plant, bitter orange (Citrus aurantium). Neroli is the name of the essential oil that is mainly used for aromatherapy, rather than in herbal medicine. It was named after the princess of Nerola in Italy, who loved to wear it as a perfume. The flowers were used in bridal bouquets and wreaths to calm nervous tension before the honeymoon night. A distillation can also be made from the flowers and is called orange flower water.

Medicinal Properties of Neroli

This herb contains approximately 34% linalol, 6%-17% linalyl acetate, 15% limonene and various volatile compounds. The oil is antidepressant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, carminative (wind relieving), deodorant, nervous stimulant, heart and circulatory tonic, digestive tonic and a mild hypnotic.

Tags: Anxiety, Circulation, Colic, Depression, Diarrhoea, Digestion, Flatulence, Heart, Indigestion, Lactation, Nervous, PMS, Stress, Tension, Wrinkles

Also known as lime blossom or linden flowers it is relative to the floral parts of the various species of the Tilia family. The most used are Tilia platyphylos (broad-leaved lime) and Tilia cordata (small-leaved lime). The trees are native to northern temperate climates such as Britain, Europe, Asia and North America. It should not be confused with the green lime fruit tree (Citrus aurantifolia).

Medicinal Properties of Lime Flowers

They contain a variety of compounds including flavanoids, glycosides of quercitin, mucilage, phenolic acids, tannins, volatile oil and trace amounts of benzodiazepine-like compounds.

The flavanol glycosides and phenolic acids have been shown to demonstrate diaphoretic action (promotes perspiration).

The mucilage has an emollient action which accounts for the effect in soothing irritable coughs.

Tags: Anxiety, Catarrh, Circulation, Cold, Colic, Cough, Crohn’s Disease, Digestion, Fever, Flu, High Blood Pressure, Indigestion, Migraine, Skin, Tension

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

NOTE: Yohimbe herbal supplements are not legally available for over the counter sale in the UK and Ireland, but they may be prescribed by a qualified medical herbalist.The yohimbe tree is a tall evergreen that is native to Africa, mainly growing in the forests of south-western Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon and the Congo. The bark is used in herbal medicine.

Medicinal Properties of Yohimbe

Yohimbe contains an alkaloid called yohimbine, which has various properties:

Firstly, it blocks alpha-2 adrenergic receptors in the nervous system, which increases levels of catecholamines, such as adrenaline (epinephrine). This directly stimulates, blood flow and metabolic rate, which mobilises fats out of their storage areas so they can be burned for fuel.

Tags: Anxiety, Circulation, Cough, Depression, Diabetes, Energy, Fever, Flu, Heart, Impotence, Kidney, Lactation, Liver, Nausea, Nervous, Panic, Sleep, Stress, Ulcers

Turmeric is a member of the Ginger family and is native to India and China. It is cultivated for the medicinal value of its root, which is commonly used as a flavouring and yellow colourant in Chinese and other Far Eastern cooking, particularly curries.

Medicinal Properties of

Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin, which has much medicinal activity. It is a powerful Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, and has a significant protective effect on the liver. This herb also reduces stickiness of blood platelets and improves circulation.

Herbal Remedies

Our herbalists recommend Turmeric for the following disorders:

Gout
Osteoarthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Systemic Lupus Erythematosis

Tags: Arthritis, Circulation, Gallstones, Gout, Liver, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatism, Rheumatoid Arthritis

Horse chestnut originates from eastern Europe and Asia, but now grows in most temperate climatic zones, and is found widespread throughout Europe and Britain. It is a large deciduous tree and boasts ‘candles’ of beautiful pink and white flowers, and spike-covered pods, which contain the seed or ‘conker’. This seed is used in modern herbal medicine, where as in traditional herbal medicine, the leaves, seeds and bark were used.

Medicinal Properties of Horse chestnut

Horse chestnut contains aescin, which is the primary active found in the plant. Aescin is anti-inflammatory and has the ability reduce the swelling of blood vessels and tone the walls of veins whilst also improving overall circulation of the blood throughout the body. Horse chestnut is also a vasodilator, astringent and an Antioxidant.

Tags: Circulation, Haemorrhoids, Kidney, Liver, Varicose Veins, Water Retention, Wound

Hawthorn is a spiny tree or shrub that is native to Europe and Britain and is often seen as a hedge plant. The berries, leaves and flowers are used in herbal medicine.

Medicinal Properties of Hawthorn

Hawthorn contains flavonoids, phenolic acids, tannins and amines. The flavonoids comprise of proanthocyanidins and Quercetin, which are powerful Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that possess significant collagen stabilising properties, and are useful to blood vessels. Hawthorn is an excellent heart and cardiovascular tonic, as it improves circulation, strengthens heart muscle contractions and has a blood pressure lowering effect.

Hawthorn Herbal Remedies

Our herbalists recommend Hawthorn for the following disorders:

High blood pressure
The healthy heart program

Tags: Circulation, Diarrhoea, Heart, High Blood Pressure, Muscle, Pain, Periods, Sore, Throat

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