Digestion

Burdock is a very traditional herb native to Europe and Asia. The leaf is medicinal, but it is the root that is most commonly used. Action of Burdock Burdock contains many active constituents, including 45% inulin. It is one of the most powerful and reliable blood cleansers in herbal medicine. It acts as a diuretic, [...]

Continue Reading Herb Burdock (Articum lappa)

Vinca minor or lesser periwinkle is an evergreen perennial shrub that grows mainly in the northern hemisphere. This invasive plant is found growing in woods and hedgerows. In France, it is sometimes called ‘Virginflower’ due to its madonna blue coloured flowers. Not to be confused with Vinca major or greater periwinkle, which has some but [...]

Continue Reading Herb Lesser Periwinkle (Vinca minor)

Is common wild plant in Britain, throughout Europe and parts of Asia. It is also found in North America. The flowers, leaves and finer stems are used in herbal medicine. It is often called the herbalists ‘bicarbonate of soda’ due to its antacid action. Medicinal Properties of Meadowsweet This herb contains a variety of compounds [...]

Continue Reading Herb Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria)

Bergamot, bee balm or red bergamot was originally grown in Italy and used in folklore medicine. The whole plant is used in herbal medicine and its distinctive flavour is used to make earl grey tea. Bergamot in aromatherapy comes from the plant citrus bergamia. Action of Bergamot This herb contains a variety of compounds that [...]

Continue Reading Herb Bergamot (Monardo didyma)

Several types of savory (a small shrubby plant) exist. The main ones are summer savory (S. hortensis), a herbaceous annual, and winter savory (S. Montana), a perennial woody shrub. Both species are native to Southern Europe and N Africa, but now grow world-wide. The whole herb is used in cooking and herbal medicine. In Germany [...]

Continue Reading Herb Savory (Satureja)

Gentian is a meadow plant native to Europe and Turkey and is one of the most potent herbs for digestion. The root is used medicinally. Medicinal Properties of Gentian Gentian contains compounds called bitters, which are powerful liver and pancreas stimulants. The two main bitters are amarogentin and gentiopicrin, which also act on the digestive [...]

Continue Reading Herb Gentian (Gentiana lutea)

Elecampane is a plant that grows freely in Europe and Asia. The dried roots and rhizomes are collected in the autumn when the plant is 2-3 years old for use as a herbal medicine. Medicinal Properties of Elecampane The roots and rhizome of Elecampane contain sesquiterpene lactones, triterpenes, sterols, thymol derivatives, mucilage and up to [...]

Continue Reading Herb Elecampane (Inula helenium)

Devils claw, a plant native to South Africa and Madagascar is named due to the claw-like appearance of the barbs on the fruit. It is used by the bushmen who roam the Kalahari sands of Namibia as a source of fluid when no water can be found as well as its medicinal properties. The root [...]

Continue Reading Herb Devils claw (Harpagophytum procumbens)