Depression

Citrus aurantium is also known as bitter orange, green orange or sour orange. In traditional Chinese Medicine it is known as zhi shi and in Aromatherapy the essential oil is called neroli. The fruit of Citrus aurantium contains the active compounds used in herbal medicine. Medicinal Properties of Bitter orange Citrus aurantium contains an alkaloid [...]

Continue Reading Herb Bitter orange (Citrus aurantium)

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 [...]

Continue Reading Herb Yohimbe (Pausinystalia yohimbe)

Vetiver or vetivert is a tall, tufted perennial scented grass. It is native to Sri Lanka, Indonesia and southern India. It is cultivated all over the world for its volatile oil, which is mainly used in aromatherapy. The essential oil is extracted from the roots and rootlets, and often known as the ‘oil of tranquillity’. [...]

Continue Reading Herb Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanoides)

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 [...]

Continue Reading Herb Neroli (Citrus aurantium flos)

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)

This is an upright, compact annual or tender perennial, native to California and the south-western United States. It is extremely drought tolerant and ideal for arid environments. The brilliant orange cup shaped flower, is the state flower of California. It is a relative of the Opium poppy, but contains no opiate alkaloids, and is not [...]

Continue Reading Herb California Poppy (Eschsholzia californica)

Kava kava is a large climbing vine-like shrub, which is native to the Polynesian Islands in the Pacific region. It has been used since the earliest times to make a mind-altering liquid that played an essential part in both social and religious ceremonies. The root of the plant is used in herbal medicine. Medicinal Properties [...]

Continue Reading Herb Kava kava (Piper methysticum)

St Johns Wort or the ‘sunshine herb’, is a upright perennial with attractive yellow flowers and is native to Europe and the United States. It normally flowers around St Johns day, June 24th, which is how it gets its common name. The flowers, leaves and stems are used in herbal medicine. Medicinal Properties of St [...]

Continue Reading Herb St Johns Wort (Hypericum perforatum)

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 [...]

Continue Reading Herb Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)