Inflammation

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 Skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis)

Known also as squaw root, it is a native of North America and is a flowering plant used for centuries by the women of Indian tribes to help with hormonal problems. Black cohosh is also used for these types of situations, but is a completely different species. The flowers were often used by American Indians, [...]

Continue Reading Herb Blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides)

Witch hazel is native to North America, but can now be found growing in most parts of Europe and Britain. In herbal medicine the leaves and the tree bark are used. Medicinal Properties of Witch hazel Witch hazel contains very high levels of tannins and volatile oils, which are astringent, anti-inflammatory and mildly antiseptic. It [...]

Continue Reading Herb Witch hazel (Hamamelis viginiana)

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)

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 [...]

Continue Reading Herb Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

Marum verum or Cat’s Thyme is small shrub native to Spain, where it has well-known use as a ‘snuff’. The plant has oval leaves and flowers consisting of one-sided spikes. It is not actually a member of the Thyme family, as its name suggests, but more closely related to Wood Sage and the Germander family. [...]

Continue Reading Herb Cat’s Thyme (Marum verum)

Calendula or Marigold is a plant often grown for its beautiful orange or yellow flowers by gardeners and is popular in North America and Europe. The flowers are also the part used in herbal medicine. Action of Calendula Calendula is very rich in Bioflavanoids and saponins. It is ant-inflammatory, anti-microbial, immune stimulating, soothing and antihistamine. [...]

Continue Reading Herb Calendula (Calendula officinalis)