Gastritis

Parsley is a herb commonly known for its culinary use. Used by the Greek physician, Galen for disorders of the womb and bladder. Parsley tea was also used in the trenches of World War I for soldiers suffering kidney complications following dysentery. The root, leaves and seeds have medicinal properties in herbal medicine, but today [...]

Continue Reading Herb Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)

Mastic gum (mastic or gum) is the gummy extract from the stem and main leaves of the shrub-like tree, Pistachia Lentiscus, which grows mainly in Greece and Turkey. The tree originates from the Greek island of Chios. Mastic gum has been used for around 3,000 years, and today it is widely used as a food [...]

Continue Reading Herb Mastic Gum (Pistachia lentiscus)

Petasites or butterbur is a woodland plant that is a member of the daisy family. It grows freely in damp conditions throughout Europe and the British Isles. Petasites means ‘large brimmed hat’, which is the best way to describe the large, round leaves. The root and leaves are used in herbal medicine. Action of Petasites [...]

Continue Reading Herb Petasites/Butterbur (Petasites hybridus)

Thyme or common thyme is a perennial, evergreen shrub and is native to Spain and the Mediterranean region, although it is now found throughout the world. It originates from wild thyme (T. serpyllum), which is native to Britain and Europe, and has been used since the time of the ancient Egyptians. The leaves and flowers [...]

Continue Reading Herb Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

Slippery elm is a tree, which naturally grows in North America and has been used by native Americans for a variety of conditions for centuries. The bark of the tree is commonly used in herbal medicine. Medicinal Properties of Slippery elm Slippery elm bark contains very high levels of mucilage, which is rich in polysaccharides. [...]

Continue Reading Herb Slippery elm (Ulmus rubra)

Black horehound originates from rocky wasteland regions of the Mediterranean, Europe and Western Asia. It is a member of the mint family and is now found growing on many continents around the world. It is a completely different species to White horehound (Marrubium vulgare) and has different medicinal properties. The flower and leaf are used [...]

Continue Reading Herb Black horehound (Ballota nigra)

Betony or wood betony is an attractive plant that is native to Europe and grows freely throughout the UK, but is also cultivated in temperate regions of the world. The whole plant can be used in herbal medicine, but the leaves and flower are most often used. Other related species are S. sieboldii (kan lu [...]

Continue Reading Herb Betony (Stachys officinalis)

Also known as lions foot, it is a common wild plant that readily grows in Britain and Europe. The whole aerial parts are used orally as a medicine, and the root is used in topical preparations. It gets its name from a Middle Ages dedication to the Virgin Mary as it was seen as a [...]

Continue Reading Herb Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris)

Cayenne pepper (also known as chilli or red hot pepper), is the fruit of a shrubby, tropical plant originally native to South America. It is used as a food and spice world-wide and now cultivated in most tropical regions. Medicinally, Cayenne has been used extensively in folklore and recently in scientific studies for a variety [...]

Continue Reading Herb Cayenne (Capsicum annum)

Berberis or barberry, is a perennial shrub, native to Europe. The bark, root, red berries and leaves are used in herbal medicine. The plant is closely related to the North American species, Berberis aquifolium (Oregon grape). Action of Berberis This plant contains a potent antibacterial alkaloid, called berberine, a component also found in goldenseal. This [...]

Continue Reading Herb Berberis (Berberis vulgaris)