Dysmenorrhoea

Dong Quai, or Chinese angelica, has been used for over 5,000 years in China and is often referred to as ‘female ginseng’. The plant is a member of the Celery family and has white flowers between May and August. The root is used medicinally. Medicinal Properties of Dong Quai Donq quai contains the volatile oil, [...]

Continue Reading Herb Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis)

Known also as squaw root, it is a native of North America and is a flowering plant used for centuries by the women of Indian tribes to help with hormonal problems. Black cohosh is also used for these types of situations, but is a completely different species. The flowers were often used by American Indians, [...]

Continue Reading Herb Blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides)

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)

Borage or Starflower is a plant native to Europe and North Africa, but is now found in Canada and the USA. Used by the Romans and Greeks as a heart tonic and a supplier of courage. Borage has distinctive blue star-shaped flowers and in herbal medicine the seeds, leaves and flowers are used. The seeds [...]

Continue Reading Herb Borage (Borago officinalis)

Agnus castus is a tree native to central Asia and the Mediterranean region, it is the dried ripe berries that are used in herbal medicine. Action of Agnus Castus Agnus castus – contains non-hormone compounds which act on the pituitary gland are and useful for female hormone health. It essentially raises progesterone levels and lowers [...]

Continue Reading Herb Agnus Castus (Chaste tree or vitex)

Black cohosh is a shrubby plant native to North America and the root is used in herbal medicine. Action of Black cohosh Black cohosh contains many active compounds including icifugosides and isoflavones and so demonstrates many different properties. It acts on the endocrine system and has ‘oestrogen-mimicking’ properties. It is also antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, mildly analgesic [...]

Continue Reading Herb Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa)

Liquorice grows in southern Europe and south-western Asia and is a herb used frequently in Chinese medicine. The roots of three to four years old Liquorice plants are used medicinally and in the manufacture of confectionery due to its flavour and natural sweetness. The Liquorice plant is commercially cultivated in many places and was introduced [...]

Continue Reading Herb Liquorice (Glycrrhiza glabra)