Infections

Lemon balm, balm or Melissa is an aromatic plant that originates from southern Europe, but now grows freely all over the world. It is often found as a popular plant in domestic herb gardens due to its pleasant lemon fragrance and attractive white flowers. It is best grown in a pot due to its invasive [...]

Continue Reading Herb Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

Chinese or Asian skullcap is a plant native to China and Russia, and is a member of the mint family. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine and should not be confused with American skullcap (S. latiflora) or European/Greater skullcap (S. galericulata), which have very different action and uses. The root of Chinese skullcap [...]

Continue Reading Herb Chinese Scullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis)

This small, aromatic, evergreen shrubby plant is native to the Mediterranean region and now cultivated world-wide. It has been used for thousands of years to improve memory and aid digestion, and as a preservative for meats. The leaves and terminal twigs are used in cooking and herbal medicine, the extracted oil is also commonly used [...]

Continue Reading Herb Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

This is a blue gum and is a very large evergreen tree that originates from Australia and Tasmania, but is now grown world-wide and mainly used for its essential oil. The leaves contain the oil and this is used in herbal medicine as well as being the main food that koala bears eat. There are [...]

Continue Reading Herb Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globus)

Neem is a tree that is a member of the mahogany family and originates from the Bay of Bengal region of India. The neem tree has noble status and has been worshiped for thousands of years. In addition, it has been used topically in Ayurvedic medicine as an insecticide and for the treatment of many [...]

Continue Reading Herb Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss)

Bistort or adderwort is a traditional herb used in European herbal medicine. The root and rhizome have key medicinal properties. Action of Bistort It contains many compounds, but in particular high amounts of tannis. The tannis gives this herb powerful astringent and anti-inflammatory actions. It is also said to be anti-catarrhal, anti-diarrhoeal, anti-haemorrhagic and a [...]

Continue Reading Herb Bistort (Polygonum bistorta)

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)

Bay or sweet bay is a plant that has been used for thousands of years and held in high esteem by the ancient Greeks. The young stems and older leaves are used culinary and medicinally. Action of Bay leaves This herb contains an oil which has antiseptic properties, demonstrating anti-microbial action against bacteria and fungi. [...]

Continue Reading Herb Bay leaves (Laurus nobilis)

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 cactus-like plant is native to Africa, but is grown in most hot climates all over the world. The inner gel of the leaf is used in herbal medicine. Action of Aloe vera Aloe vera gel contains compounds called mucopolysaccharides which have a soothing, cooling, astringent and healing action, reduce inflammation and have anti-bacterial properties. [...]

Continue Reading Herb Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis)