Gout

Blackcurrants or quinsy berries are a common summer fruit, grown in the UK. They are nutritious and do have various medicinal properties. In addition, the leaves and seeds are sometimes used in herbalism. Action of Blackcurrant They contain approximately 4 times as much ascorbic acid as the equivalent weight of oranges, and so they provide [...]

Continue Reading Herb Blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum)

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)

Turmeric is a member of the Ginger family and is native to India and China. It is cultivated for the medicinal value of its root, which is commonly used as a flavouring and yellow colourant in Chinese and other Far Eastern cooking, particularly curries. Medicinal Properties of Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin, which has [...]

Continue Reading Herb Turmeric (Curcuma longa)

Stinging nettle or Urtica, which comes from the Latin uro, meaning “I burn” is indicative of the painful stings caused by the tiny hairs on the nettle leaves. Ironically the leaves are also the main medicinal parts of the plant. The nettle root is also sometimes used by herbalists. Nettle grows everywhere in the northern [...]

Continue Reading Herb Nettle (Urtica dioica)

This is an invasive plant native to Britain, Russia and middle eastern Europe. The leaves, roots and stalks of this weed are used in herbal medicine. Medicinal Properties of Knotgrass It contains compounds such as tannins, namely catechin and gallic acid, which have potent astringent and haemostatic (slows bleeding) properties. It also contains silicic acid [...]

Continue Reading Herb Knotgrass (Polygonum aviculare)

Birch, silver birch or European birch is a common tree that is native to Europe, Asia and Siberia. It is also a popular herbal remedy in Scandanavia. The bark and leaves are used in herbal medicine, although the leaves are more commonly used. Action of Birch Birch contains a variety of compounds including volatile oil, [...]

Continue Reading Herb Birch (Betula pendula/alba)

This evergreen conifer is native to the northern hemisphere growing mainly in Scandinavia, Siberia, Canada, northern Europe and northern Asia. The berries are used to make the alcoholic spirit – Gin. Juniper is of course also used in herbal medicine, especially for urinary problems. Medicinal Properties of Juniper Juniper contain volatile oil, tannins, resin, grape [...]

Continue Reading Herb Juniper (Juniperus communis)

Flaxseed, Flax or linseed is well known for its use as an oil for preserving cricket bats. Flax is one of the most ancient of all cultivated plants, and is known to have been used by man since 5,000 BC. Both the seeds and seed oil are used medicinally. Medicinal Properties of Linseed Flax seeds [...]

Continue Reading Herb Flaxseed – Linseed (Linum usitatissimum)

Buchu or agathosma is a shrubby plant native to South Africa. The main species used in herbal medicine for commercial use is B. betulina and B. crenulata (oval Buchu), however there another form that has historically been used, B. serratifolia (long Buchu). It is the leaves that are used medicinally in all three forms. Action [...]

Continue Reading Herb Buchu (Barosmae folium)

Mate or yerba mate tea is the national drink of Paraguay and Brazil. The leaves are used in herbal medicine. Medicinal Properties of Mate The leaves contain less tannins than ordinary black tea, but still has good levels of caffeine, which is a stimulant to the brain and nervous system. It is also a general [...]

Continue Reading Herb Mate (Ilex paraguariensis)