Insomnia

Is a plant native to North America and is a member of the mint family. It is widely used in western herbal medicine and is similar to European or greater skullcap (S. galericulata), but should not be confused with Chinese or Asian skullcap (S. baicalensis), which has very different action and uses. The aerial parts of the plant are used medicinally.

Action of American Skullcap

It contains a flavanoid glycoside called scutellarin, volatile oil, tannins and iridoids. Scutellarin is thought to be the compound that exhibits sedative and antispasmodic action. The herb is also anticonvulsant, nervine and a brain and central nervous system vasodilator.

American Skullcap Uses

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

Tags: Anxiety, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Epilepsy, Insomnia, Lactation, Liver, Migraine, Nervous, Pain, PMS, Stress, Tension

Vetiver or vetivert is a tall, tufted perennial scented grass. It is native to Sri Lanka, Indonesia and southern India. It is cultivated all over the world for its volatile oil, which is mainly used in aromatherapy. The essential oil is extracted from the roots and rootlets, and often known as the ‘oil of tranquillity’. It is related to lemongrass and citronella.

Medicinal Properties of Vetiver

The oil contains vetiverol, vitivone and various terpenes including vetivenes. Used topically in aromatherapy it has many actions, including antiseptic, antispasmodic, depurative (purifying agent) rubefacient, sedative, circulatory stimulant, tonic and vermifuge (helps to expel worms).

Vetiver Herbal Remedies

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

Tags: Acne, Anxiety, Arthritis, Depression, Insomnia, Lactation, Pain, Rheumatism, Skin, Stress, Worms, Wound

Is a plant native to North America and is a member of the mint family. It is widely used in western herbal medicine and is similar to European or greater skullcap (S. galericulata), but should not be confused with Chinese or Asian skullcap (S. baicalensis), which has very different action and uses. The aerial parts of the plant are used medicinally.

Medicinal Properties of American Scullcap

It contains a flavanoid glycoside called scutellarin, volatile oil, tannins and iridoids. Scutellarin is thought to be the compound that exhibits sedative and antispasmodic action. The herb is also anticonvulsant, nervine and a brain and central nervous system vasodilator.

American Scullcap Herbal Remedies

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

Tags: Anxiety, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Epilepsy, Insomnia, Lactation, Liver, Migraine, Nervous, Pain, PMS, Stress, Tension

This herb is more commonly known as cowslip, the plant has yellow and orange wild flowers and it is found throughout Europe and temperate regions of Asia. The flowers and root (less often) are used in herbal medicine.

Medicinal Properties of Primula

The flowers contain high numbers of flavanoids (around 19 have been isolated) whereas the root contains high levels of saponin glycosides. Both flower and contain phenolic glycosides, tannins and volatile oil. The flowers have potent anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and antioxidant action, due to the flavanoids. It is sedative, a mild diuretic and laxative, antipyretic (reduces fever), hypnotic, platelet anticoagulant, antitussive (reduces coughing) and an expectorant.

Primula Herbal Remedies

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

Tags: Anxiety, Bronchitis, Cough, Fever, Headaches, Insomnia, Lactation, Lumbago, Nervous, Parasites, Rheumatism, Sleep, Stress, Varicose Veins

Lavender, or common/true lavender is an evergreen woody shrub, with beautiful purple-blue flowers. It is native to the Mediterranean region, but is now cultivated world-wide, for its use as a garden herb and for its distinctive fragrant aromatherapy oil.

The flowers are used in herbal medicine and to make essential oil. Several variations exist: French lavender (L. stooechas), Spike lavender (L. latifolia), Lavandin (L. x intermedia).

Medicinal Properties of Lavender

It contains a volatile oil which comprises of over 100 different constituents, including around 40% linalyl acetate, linalool, lavandulol, lavandulyl acetate, terpinol, cineol and limonene, among many others.
The flowers also contain coumarins, flavanoids and other triterpenes.
Lavender is best known as a very calming and relaxing plant.
Lavender is also antibacterial, analgesic, antispasmodic, anticonvulsant, antidepressant, carminative (wind relieving), emmenagogue (stimulates menstruation) and an insecticide (especially spike lavender).

Tags: Anxiety, Burns, Chilblains, Circulation, Colic, Depression, Digestion, Headaches, Heart, Heartburn, High Blood Pressure, Indigestion, Infections, Insomnia, Migraine, Nervous, Neuralgia, Pain, Rheumatism, Stress, Toothache

Chamomile grows throughout Europe and Asia, but is cultivated on a large scale for medicinal use. This attractive and aromatic member of the daisy family has been used since Roman times. The dried and fresh flowers of German Chamomile are most commonly used in herbal medicine. Both German and Roman Chamomile are used in Aromatherapy.

Medicinal Properties of Chamomile

Chamomile flowers contain volatile oils, the most important of which are proazulenes, alpha-bisabolol and spiroether, together with ioflavanoids and Quercetin. This complex mix is anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic, and accounts for its 2,000 year history in the treatment of digestive problems.

Chamomile used topically demonstrates anti-inflammatory, healing and soothing properties to the skin.

Chamomile Herbal Remedies

Chamomile has been used for the following disorders:

Tags: Anxiety, Colic, Digestion, Gastritis, Headaches, Heart, Heartburn, Indigestion, Insomnia, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Lactation, Nervous, Skin, Stomach, Ulcers, Wound

Valerian is an attractive perennial with pretty pink flowers. It grows throughout Europe and is now established in North America. The root has been used medicinally as far back as the 1st century AD. Valerian was used to treat soldiers with ‘shell shock’ during World War II.

Medicinal Properties of Valerian

Valerian contains many active constituents, including volatile oils, irridoids and alkaloids. Valerian influences levels of GABA, an amino acid found in the brain, which helps combat stress. This herb taken in small doses is calming without causing drowsiness. Larger doses become mildly sedative and help restore regular sleep patterns. As a bonus Valerian is an effective antispasmodic and analgesic, which is of use in cramps of the digestive system.

Tags: Anxiety, Colic, Cramp, Flu, Heart, High Blood Pressure, Insomnia, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Neuralgia, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Pain, Panic, Sleep, Stomach, Stress, Tension

Passiflora or passion flower is a popular climbing vine with gardeners as it is adorned with beautiful purple flowers. It is native to South, Central and North America, but varieties of this vigorous plant now grow almost everywhere. The plant acquired its name from the 16th-century Spanish missionaries, who believed the flower represented the crucifixion: the three styles for the nails through Christ’s hands and feet, and the five stamens for his wounds. The leaves, stems and flowers are used in herbal medicine.

Medicinal Properties of Passiflora

The most important constituents of Passiflora are flavonoids, especially apigenin and isovitexin and the glycosides, including gynocardin. Passiflora has relaxing and anti-Anxiety properties, as well as mild pain relieving and anti-spasmodic effects.

Tags: Anxiety, Colic, Cramp, High Blood Pressure, Insomnia, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Pain, Panic, Sleep, Stomach, Wound

The Hops plant is native to Europe, Asia and North America. This climbing plant is well known for its use in the brewing industry as the Hops are using for flavouring beer. The Hops are essentially the flowers of the plant, which are often termed ‘strobiles’ and are used in herbal medicine.

Medicinal Properties of Hops

Hops contain bitters, phytooestrogens, volatile oil and resin. The bitters, humulone and lupulone have stimulating action of the appetite and digestive sytem, whilst the oils have a sedative and nerve soothing action. Hops are also said to be mildly diuretic, antispasmodic and have aphrodisiac properties.

Hops Herbal Remedies

Our herbalists recommend Hops for the following disorders:

Tags: Anxiety, Appetite, Depression, Digestion, Insomnia, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Panic, Skin, Sleep, Stress

Guarana, an evergreen vine, is native to the Brazilian rain forest and has been used for thousands of years by the local Indian tribes. The seeds are used in herbal medicine.

Medicinal Properties of Guarana

Guarana contains xanthines (caffeine, theobromine and theophylline), saponins, tannins and choline. It has stimulant, tonic, adaptogenic and nerve soothing properties. Its actions are very different to tea, coffee and cola drinks, as the saponins in Guarana slow down the absorption and release of caffeine into body. Guarana contains around 22% caffeine, which is a mild appetite suppressant and is known to raise body temperature which is thought to encourage the release of energy from stored body fat.

Guarana Herbal Remedies

Our herbalists recommend Guarana for the following disorders:

Tags: Anxiety, Appetite, Depression, Energy, High Blood Pressure, Insomnia, Sleep, Stress

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 the most pharmacological activity.

Medicinal Properties of Green Tea

Green Tea contains many different compounds including polythenols, tannins, caffeine, vitamins minerals, protein and volatile oils. The polythenol, catechin is responsible for most of green tea’s medicinal activity. It is a potent Antioxidant and also encourages production of Antioxidant enzymes in the body, which may have protective effects against cancer.

Tags: Anxiety, Cancer, Cholesterol, Immune System, Insomnia

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. The aerial parts are used in herbal medicine.

Medicinal Properties of Cat’s Thyme

Marum verum / Cat’s Thyme is a herb that has not been extensively studied, hence its constituents and mode of action are not fully understood. Clinically, it has been used for its anti-inflammatory effect on the mucous membranes of the nasal passages. The leaves, when rubbed give off an aromatic smell that can trigger sneezing. Traditionally, this herb is said to be aromatic, deobstruent (removes blockages) and stimulant in action.

Tags: Catarrh, Inflammation, Insomnia, Lactation, Nasal, Nervous, Neuralgia, Pain, Periods, Sore, Throat