Hernia

Little dragon or Russion tarragon is a tall perennial plant with smooth narrow leaves, and it is popular as a culinary herb. It is native to Europe, southern Russia and western Asia, but is now cultivated world-wide. A hybrid called French tarragon or sativa, is also available and has been cultivated as a garden herb. This is a smaller plant with sharper flavour. In all cases the leaves are used in cooking, herbal medicine and aromatherapy.

Medicinal Properties of Tarragon

The leaves contain volatile oil amongst other compounds. Historically it is said to be antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative (wind relieving), diuretic, anthelmintic (kills and removes worms), emmenagogue (stimulates menstruation), aperitif and a digestive tonic.

Tags: Appetite, Digestion, Heart, Heartburn, Hernia, High Blood Pressure, Indigestion, Lactation, Menstrual, Parasites, Worms

Is a bog-plant that is native to Britain and Europe, but is now naturalised in the United States. Used in Europe for over 2000 years as a medicine, especially for soothing digestive and respiratory tracts. The Marshmallow roots and leaves are used medicinally. The root extract is sometimes used to make confectionery.

Medicinal Properties of Marshmallow

The root contains a substance called mucilage which has demulcent (soothing) properties, up to 11% of this active constituent exists, and it protects, lubricates and heals inflamed or irritated tissue and mucous membranes. It also contains flavanoids, tannins, phenolic acids and 37% starch,11% pectin, 10% sucrose, 1.7% fat and up to 2% asparagine. It is thought that the mucilage in this herb may also have immune stimulating and blood sugar-lowering properties. Topically it acts as an emollient (skin softening and soothing).

Tags: Asthma, Boils, Chilblains, Cold, Colitis, Cough, Crohn’s Disease, Cystitis, Diarrhoea, Digestion, Dyspepsia, Eczema, Gastritis, Gastroenteritis, Hernia, Indigestion, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Skin, Sore, Stomach, Throat, Ulcers, Wound

Ginger is one of the greatest of all natural medicines, used by Chinese doctors since 1,000 BC and popular with European herbalists from the Middle Ages. It is a perennial plant that grows throughout China and the rest of Asia, and in the tropics and South America. The root is used both as a spice in food and in medicine.

Medicinal Properties of Ginger

Ginger contains extremely powerful, active volatile oils, which provide both its distinctive taste and smell as well as medicinal benefits. Zingiberene, zingerone, boreal, bisabolene, Gingerols and shogaols are the most important compounds and are responsible for anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, pain relieving, anti-nausea and anti-vomiting effects. Ginger is also warming and improves circulation and acts as a general tonic to the digestive system.

Tags: Appetite, Circulation, Flu, Heart, Heartburn, Hernia, Inflammation, Morning Sickness, Nausea, Pain, Rheumatic, Stomach, Ulcers, Vomiting

Gentian is a meadow plant native to Europe and Turkey and is one of the most potent herbs for digestion. The root is used medicinally.

Medicinal Properties of Gentian

Gentian contains compounds called bitters, which are powerful liver and pancreas stimulants. The two main bitters are amarogentin and gentiopicrin, which also act on the digestive juices in the mouth and stomach. Gentian is anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antiemetic and encourages red blood cell production.

Gentian Herbal Remedies

Our herbalists recommend Gentian for the following disorders:

Anaemia
Post Partum Haemorrhage

Tags: Anaemia, Appetite, Digestion, Gastritis, Haemorrhage, Heart, Heartburn, Hernia, Indigestion, Liver, Nausea, Stomach, Ulcers

Centaury is a plant found widely in Europe. In Russia, it is traditional to combine this herb with vodka to make a decoction, a wine glassful of this mixture is drunk as a liver and gall bladder tonic. The whole plant is used in herbal medicine.

Medicinal Properties of Centaury

Centaury contains compounds known as bitters, which improve digestive function and encourage a healthy appetite. They stimulate the secretion of digestive juices in the stomach, duodenum and liver. Centaury is also analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic (reduces perspiration) and a mild sedative.

Centaury Herbal Remedies

Our herbalists recommend Centaury for:

Heartburn
Hiatus hernia

Centaury has also been used by herbalists for the follow disorders:

Tags: Appetite, Digestion, Heart, Heartburn, Hernia, Indigestion, Lactation, Liver, Nausea, Stomach, Ulcers

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 or Chinese artichoke) and S. atherocalyx (hedge nettle).

Action of Betony

This herb contains a variety of compounds including alkaloids, glycosides and volatile oils, but its properties are poorly understood. Historically it is said to be a tonic for the liver and nervous system. In addition it improves circulation to the brain and has digestive bitter effects as well as mild sedative action.

Tags: Anxiety, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Circulation, Cystitis, Diarrhoea, Digestion, Energy, Gastritis, Headaches, Heart, Heartburn, Hernia, Indigestion, Lactation, Liver, Memory, Nervous, Neuralgia, Parasites, Sciatica, Sinus, Stress, Varicose Veins