Immune System

Coltsfoot is native to North Africa, and is used historically in European herbal medicine. The flowers and leaves are used medicinally. Medicinal Properties of Coltsfoot Coltsfoot contains Zinc, flavonoids, mucilage and pyrrolizidine alkaloids. It has anti-catarrhal, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and expectorant properties. Coltsfoot Herbal Remedies Herbalists have used it to relieve bronchitis, coughs, whooping cough, asthma [...]

Continue Reading Herb Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara)

Echinacea, the purple coneflower is native to North America and has been used by the American Indians for wound healing and snake bites for many centuries. There are 3 main species used medicinally which have very similar properties: Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea Augustifolia and Echinacea pallida. The root or the whole plant is used in herbal [...]

Continue Reading Herb Purple Coneflower (Echinacea)

Pau d’arco, lapacho or tahhebo is a tree native to the rain forests of Latin America and was used by the ancient Incas. The shredded bark of the tree has been used by indigenous tribes ever since to make a tea with many medicinal properties. Medicinal Properties of Pau d’arco Pau d’arco contains two main [...]

Continue Reading Herb Pau d’arco (Tabebuia impestiginosa)

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)

Used in traditional Chinese medicine, it is obviously native to China. The dried aged roots of the Astragalus plant are used in herbal medicine. Action of Astragalus Astragalus contains many different active compounds including Amino Acids and various minerals. It has both a boosting and balancing effect on the immune system. Astragalus Uses The dried [...]

Continue Reading Herb Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus)

Green Teas, black teas and oolong are derived from the same plant, native to China. Green Tea is produced by lightly steaming the fresh cut leaf, while to produce black the leaves are allowed to oxidise and ferment. Oolong tea is partially oxidised. Oxidation destroys the active compounds in the leaf, therefore Green Tea has [...]

Continue Reading Herb Green Tea (Camellia sinensis)

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)

Reishi or Ling chih/zhi is a type of mushroom that is native to the coastal provinces of China and has been used in Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years. The red variety is most commonly cultivated for this purpose, but there are 5 other colours that exist. The mushroom head is used in herbalism and [...]

Continue Reading Herb Reishi (Genoderma lucidum)

Shiitake or Hua gu is a type of mushroom and has been used as a food and medicine in China and Japan for thousands of years. It is now cultivated all over the world. The mushroom head is used in herbalism and is combined with another mushroom, known as reishi. Medicinal Properties of Shiitake Shiitake [...]

Continue Reading Herb Shiitake (Lentinus edodes)

Maitake or dancing mushroom is a type of large medicinal mushroom that grows in the mountainous regions of Japan. In addition it is found in some parts of Europe and North America. Most commercial maitake is cultivated in Japan and is produced organically. The mushroom head is used in herbalism and for culinary purposes due [...]

Continue Reading Herb Maitake (Grifolia frondosa)