Dysmenorrhoea

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 perennial and was used by the ancient Greeks and druids for a variety of health problems. Vervain flowers are also used to make the Bach flower remedy, vervain

Medicinal Properties of Vervain

It contains a variety of compounds including irridoid glycosides, verbenin, verbenalin and bastatoside. In addition it contains volatile oil, flavanoids, mucilage and choline. It is said to be sedative, nervine, antispasmodic, anticonvulsant, diaphoretic (promotes sweating), hypnotic, liver and kidney tonic, antidepressant, galactagogue (stimulates breast milk), aphrodisiac, anti-diarrhoeic, emetic, emmenagogue (stimulates menstruation) and a general tonic.

Tags: Anxiety, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Depression, Digestion, Dysmenorrhoea, Epilepsy, Headaches, Indigestion, Kidney, Lactation, Liver, Nervous, Pain, Periods, Stress, Tension

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 to England by monks during the 16th century.

Medicinal Properties of Liquorice

Liquorice is one of the most biologically active herbs known.

It contains many compounds, but of prime importance are glycyrrhizin, flavonoids, coumarins and sterols.

Glycyrrhizin has anti-inflammatory actions and supports adrenal gland function.

The flavonoids have Antioxidant activity and have potent healing properties.

Tags: Arthritis, Constipation, Cystitis, Diarrhoea, Dysmenorrhoea, Fibroids, Flu, Gallstones, Gastritis, Hepatitis, Liver, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Rheumatic, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Stomach, Ulcers

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, ligustide, coumarins and Vitamin B12. It has many properties including: female hormone balancing, antispasmodic, mild analgesic, circulatory stimulant, blood purifier and red blood cell builder.

Dong Quai Herbal Remedies

Our herbalists recommend dong quai for the following disorders

Anaemia
Charcot’s joints
Dysmenorrhoea (painful periods)
Post Partum Haemorrhage
Premenstrual syndrome
Osteoarthritis
Osteochondritis
Osteoporosis

Tags: Anaemia, Arthritis, Dysmenorrhoea, Haemorrhage, Menstrual, Osteoarthritis, Osteochondritis, Osteoporosis, Pain, Periods, Skin

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 contain the highest amount of oil.

Action of Borage

Borage is mainly used today for its oil, which is the richest source of the omega 6 essential fatty acid, gamma linolenic acid (GLA), containing between 19-26% GLA. This is double the amount found in Evening Primrose Oil (typically 10% GLA). Borage oil therefore, can be useful for many of the conditions that Evening Primrose Oil is used for. GLA is needed in the body for the production of hormone liked chemicals called prostaglandins E1, (PGE1) which control numerous mechanisms such as inflammation, blood pressure, cholesterol regulation and hormone regulation to name a few.

Tags: Amenorrhoea, Arthritis, Cholesterol, Cough, Depression, Dysmenorrhoea, Eczema, Epilepsy, Fever, Haemorrhoids, Headaches, Heart, Infertility, Inflammation, Lactation, Liver, Rheumatoid Arthritis

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, but the root and rhizomes of the herb are more commonly used in herbal medicine.

Action of Blue cohosh

The herb contains several alkaloids which may have various actions, however a compound called caulosaponin is thought to stimulate contractions of the uterus. It is said to be anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory, ant-rheumatic a uterine tonic and emmenagogue (stimulates menstruation).

Tags: Amenorrhoea, Dysmenorrhoea, Headaches, High Blood Pressure, Inflammation, Menstrual, Nausea, Pain, Periods, Rheumatic, Rheumatism, Vaginal

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 and a muscle relaxant.

Black cohosh Uses

Our experts recommend black cohosh for the following disorders:

| Arthritis
| Chondromalacia patellae
| Dysmenorrhoea (painful menstruation)
| Fibroid Degeneration
| Gout
| Irritable Hip
| Menisceal tears
| Myalgia
| Myositis
| Menopause
| Neuritis
| Osteoporosis
| Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
| Whiplash

Tags: Arthritis, Cramp, Dysmenorrhoea, Gout, Lactation, Menopause, Menstrual, Muscle, Osteoporosis, Pain, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

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 oestrogen levels which are commonly out of balance.

Agnus Castus Uses

Our experts recommend agnus castus for the following disorders:

| Amenorrhoea
| Dysmenorrhoea
| Fibroids
| Infertility (female)
| Polycystic ovary syndrome
| Pre-menstrual syndrome

Tags: Acne, Amenorrhoea, Dysmenorrhoea, Fibroids, Infertility, Lactation, Menstrual, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome