Flatulence

Garlic is the single most versatile, powerful and widely used medicinal plant in the world. A relative of onions, spring onions, Leeks and chives, it has been used for over 5,000 years and is a key plant in Chinese medicine. Slaves building the pyramids were paid in Garlic, as were Roman soldiers who brought it [...]

Continue Reading Herb Garlic (Allium sativum)

This is a strongly aromatic annual herb that grows about a metre in height. It is native to Europe and Western Asia, but is now naturalised in North America and cultivated all around the world. The Persians grew this herb over 3,000 years ago and used it to add fragrance to the Hanging Gardens of [...]

Continue Reading Herb Coriander (Coriandrum sativa)

Also known as colic root or Chinese ginger, this is a reed-like plant that is native to south east China, especially in the island of Hainan. It is now cultivated in China, Indonesia, Thailand and Japan. It is closely related to ginger (Zingiber officinale) and to the large Galanga (Galanga officinalis). The root and rhizome [...]

Continue Reading Herb Galangal (Alpinia officinarum)

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)