Diarrhoea

Blackcurrants or quinsy berries are a common summer fruit, grown in the UK. They are nutritious and do have various medicinal properties. In addition, the leaves and seeds are sometimes used in herbalism. Action of Blackcurrant They contain approximately 4 times as much ascorbic acid as the equivalent weight of oranges, and so they provide [...]

Continue Reading Herb Blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum)

This is a blue gum and is a very large evergreen tree that originates from Australia and Tasmania, but is now grown world-wide and mainly used for its essential oil. The leaves contain the oil and this is used in herbal medicine as well as being the main food that koala bears eat. There are [...]

Continue Reading Herb Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globus)

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)

Bistort or adderwort is a traditional herb used in European herbal medicine. The root and rhizome have key medicinal properties. Action of Bistort It contains many compounds, but in particular high amounts of tannis. The tannis gives this herb powerful astringent and anti-inflammatory actions. It is also said to be anti-catarrhal, anti-diarrhoeal, anti-haemorrhagic and a [...]

Continue Reading Herb Bistort (Polygonum bistorta)

Bilberry, grows in northern Europe and North America and Canada. It is the berries are used in herbal medicine. Action of Bilberry Bilberries contain vitamin C and are rich in Bioflavanoids, water soluble pigments that are potent Antioxidants. The main Bioflavanoids are anthocyanosides which are specifically protective and supportive to blood vessels and structures of [...]

Continue Reading Herb Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus)

Is a plant native to Europe and classed as a weed. It is the root that is of value in herbal medicine. Medicinal Properties of Yellow Dock It contains anthraquinone glycosides, tannins, oxalates and rumicin. It is a bitter digestive tonic, cholagogue (increase bile flow) and laxative. It is also mineral rich in iron and [...]

Continue Reading Herb Yellow Dock (Rumex crispus)

Basil or sweet basil is a plant that originates from the middle east and Mediterranean regions. Today it is grown throughout the world as it is popular as a culinary herb. There are three froms of basil, all with similar properties: | O. sanctum (holy basil) | O. gratissimum (basil) | O. canum (hairy basil) [...]

Continue Reading Herb Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

Raspberry or red Raspberry is a plant native to North America, but it is now widely cultivated in most temperate parts of the world. It is a well-known plant because of the delicious berries that it yields, however it is the leaves of the plant that are used in herbal medicine. Medicinal Properties of Raspberry [...]

Continue Reading Herb Raspberry leaf (Rubus idaeus)

Cinnamon is a tree native to various tropical regions of the world, and has been used since the times of the ancient Chinese. It is a popular sweet spice used widely in cooking, and the inner bark (sticks) and leaves are used in herbal medicine.. Medicinal Properties of Cinnamon Cinnamon contains a variety of compounds [...]

Continue Reading Herb Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)

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 [...]

Continue Reading Herb Hawthorn (Crataegus oxycantha)