Influenza

Is common wild plant in Britain, throughout Europe and parts of Asia. It is also found in North America. The flowers, leaves and finer stems are used in herbal medicine. It is often called the herbalists ‘bicarbonate of soda’ due to its antacid action.

Medicinal Properties of Meadowsweet

This herb contains a variety of compounds including flavanol glycosides (quercitin in particular), phenolic glycosides, 0.2% volatile oil and polyphenols (tannins). The volatile oil contains a range of salicylates which are broken down in the body to form salicylic acid, a compound very similar to the pain killer – aspirin. It has mild analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as antacid, diuretic, astringent and stomich (relieves stomach pain) benefits.

Tags: Arthritis, Cold, Cystitis, Digestion, Dyspepsia, Flatulence, Flu, Gastritis, Heart, Heartburn, Indigestion, Influenza, Pain, Rheumatism, Stomach, Ulcers, Water Retention

Including sweet or knotted marjoram is a small shrubby plant native to the Mediterranean region, Egypt and North Africa. It is now cultivated throughout the world and is a popular herb garden plant. The aerial parts of the plant are used for cooking and occasionally in herbal medicine. It should not be confused with Spanish Marjoram (Thymus mastichina), French Marjoram (Origanum onites or Marjorana onites), or the wild common marjoram or oregano (origanum vulgare) .

Medicinal Properties of Marjoram

It contains up to 3% volatile oil as well as flavanoids. It has trace quantities of miscellaneous compounds including various organic acids, phytosterols and vitamin C. It is anaphrodisiac, sedative, expectorant, emmenagogue (stimulates menstruation), antiseptic, antioxidant, diuretic, gastro-intestinal stimulant, carminative (wind relieving) antispasmodic, diaphoretic (induces perspiration) and antiviral.

Tags: Anxiety, Cold, Cough, Digestion, Flu, Headaches, Influenza, Lactation, Sore, Tension, Throat

This is probably a native to eastern Europe and is thought to be cultivated from the Hungarian plant, Cochlearia macrocarpa. It is now common throughout Russia, Europe and Scandanavia and is cultivated all over the world. The root is used as medicine and a food, particularly as a condiment for roast beef (horseradish sauce).

Medicinal Properties of Horseradish

This herb consists of a variety of compounds and nutrients including vitamin C, B vitamins, asparagines, resin and volatile oils which contain sinigrin, gluconasturtin and other pungent glucosinolates 9also found in mustard). The potent volatile oil is diuretic, antibiotic, a urinary antiseptic, carminative (wind relieving) diaphoretic and a stimulant to the liver, spleen, pancreas, digestion and circulatory system. Topically it has a counter-irritant action similar to cayenne pepper.

Tags: Arthritis, Catarrh, Chilblains, Circulation, Cold, Cough, Cystitis, Digestion, Fever, Flu, Influenza, Kidney, Liver, Pain, Parasites, Sinus, Sore, Throat, Urinary, Vomiting, Water Retention, Worms

Elder or Black Elder is a tree which grows in Europe and North America and has much medicinal activity, mainly in the flowers and berries. Traditionally the bark was also used in Europe. Species with red berries are not medicinal.

Medicinal Properties of Elderflower

Elderflower and elderberry have similar active compounds such as Quercetin, anthocyanidins and other flavonoids, which have diaphoretic, diuretic and anti-inflammatory action. The flowers contain high levels of Potassium, whilst the berries are rich in Iron and vitamin C.

Elderberry Herbal Remedies

Main uses of Elderflower and elderberry include:

Colds and sore throats
Feverish conditions and chills
Influenza

Tags: Cold, Fever, Flu, Influenza, Sore, Throat

Cinnamon is a tree native to various tropical regions of the world, and has been used since the times of the ancient Chinese. It is a popular sweet spice used widely in cooking, and the inner bark (sticks) and leaves are used in herbal medicine..

Medicinal Properties of Cinnamon

Cinnamon contains a variety of compounds including volatile oil, coumarins and tannins.

The Cinnamon oil contains active constituents known as terpenoids such as eugenol and cinnamaldehyde.

These give the herb medicinal properties.

Cinnamon is anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-histamine, carminative (wind relieving), antispasmodic, anti-worm, anti-diarrhoea, warming and a stimulant to the stomach.

Cinnamon Herbal Remedies

Historically Cinnamon has been used to treat a number of conditions including:

Tags: Appetite, Cold, Colic, Diarrhoea, Digestion, Flatulence, Flu, Heart, Heartburn, Indigestion, Influenza, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Lice, Rheumatism, Stomach

Siberian Ginseng is a shrub with erect spiny shoots and is native to the Soviet Far East, Korea, China and Japan north of latitude 38. Its distribution is actually much greater than its more popular distant relative, panax or Korean Ginseng. Siberian Ginseng was used by the ancient Chinese as far back as 2000 BC. The roots are used in herbal medicine.

Medicinal Properties of Siberian Ginseng

Siberian Ginseng contains eleutherosides which have powerful adaptogenic properties and immune boosting action. This herb also enhances mental function, increases physical energy levels, and helps the body eliminate toxins by boosting liver function.

Siberian Ginseng is supportive to the adrenal glands and is often used to help with stress and fatigue.

Tags: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Energy, Flu, High Blood Pressure, Influenza, Lactation, Liver, Sleep, Stress, Tired All The Time

Yarrow, milfoil or nosebleed is a plant native to Europe and Asia. It is now naturalised in North America and there are several hybrids of yarrow. A. millefolium is the plant most known and has been used since the times of the ancient Chinese. It was once referred to as Englishman’s quinine. In herbal medicine the flowering tops are freshly collected and used.

Medicinal Properties of Yarrow

It contains a wide variety of compounds including volatile oil, sesquiterpene lactones, flavanoids, alkaloids, polyacetylenes, triterpenes, sterols, phenolic acids, coumarins and 3% to 4% tannins. The volatile oil contains chemicals called chamazeulines which are thought to be anti-inflammatory. The flavanoids, namely apigenin, appear to be antispasmodic in action. The alkaloids and sesquiterpene lactones give the herb digestive bitter properties, and the haemostatic effect (stops bleeding) is attributed to the alkaloid, achilleine, though the tannins may also be responsible. It is diaphoretic (reduces sweating), hypotensive, analgesic and an emmenagogue (stimulates menstruation).

Tags: Amenorrhoea, Appetite, Bleeding, Cold, Colic, Colitis, Diarrhoea, Digestion, Fever, Flu, Heart, Heartburn, High Blood Pressure, Indigestion, Inflammation, Influenza, Lactation, PMS, Rash, Skin, Ulcers, Vaginal, Varicose Veins, Wound