Colitis

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 [...]

Continue Reading Herb Prickly Ash (Zanthoxylum clava-herculis, Zanthoxylum americanum)

Also known as lions foot, it is a common wild plant that readily grows in Britain and Europe. The whole aerial parts are used orally as a medicine, and the root is used in topical preparations. It gets its name from a Middle Ages dedication to the Virgin Mary as it was seen as a [...]

Continue Reading Herb Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris)

This is one of the oldest known medicinal plants and its use dates back to the ancient Egyptians. It originates from south east Europe and western Asia, but grows in many hot climates of the world. It is a popular food but the seeds are used in herbal medicine (particularly for diabetes and high cholesterol). [...]

Continue Reading Herb Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)

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 [...]

Continue Reading Herb Marshmallow (Althea officinalis)

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 [...]

Continue Reading Herb Flaxseed – Linseed (Linum usitatissimum)

Yarrow, milfoil or nosebleed is a plant native to Europe and Asia. It is now naturalised in North America and there are several hybrids of yarrow. A. millefolium is the plant most known and has been used since the times of the ancient Chinese. It was once referred to as Englishman’s quinine. In herbal medicine [...]

Continue Reading Herb Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Psyllium, isphagula or plantago is a plant that is both native and cultivated in Iran and India. The seeds and seed husks are used medicinally. Medicinal Properties of Psyllium Psyllium seeds are high in both insoluble and soluble fibre (mucilage). They contain between 10-30% mucilage. These fibres have a bulking and gel-forming action in the [...]

Continue Reading Herb Psyllium (Plantago ispaghula, Plantago ovata)

Guggul, mukul myrrh or gugulipid is a small thorny tree found in India. The stems of the plant contain a yellow resin or gum which has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for many health disorders. Medicinal Properties of Guggul Guggul contains resin, volatile oils, and gum. Ketone fraction that is extracted from the resin contains [...]

Continue Reading Herb Guggul (Commiphora mukul)

Bogbean is an aquatic perennial plant that grows all over Northern hemisphere territories and some parts of India. It has white/ping flowers and has a wide spreading and creeping habit. The leaves are collected after flowering and used in herbal medicine. Action of Bogbean It contains a variety of compounds including coumarins, iridioid glycosides, flavanol [...]

Continue Reading Herb Bogbean (Menyanthes trifoliate)

Tormentil or bloodroot is a creeping perennial plant which is a member of the rose family. It grows throughout Europe on moors and in grassy places. The herb and root are used in herbal medicine, and commonly used for irritable bowel syndrome. Medicinal Properties of Tormentil This herb contains high levels of tannins (10% to [...]

Continue Reading Herb Tormentil (Potentilla tormentilla – erecta)