Kidney

Blackcurrants or quinsy berries are a common summer fruit, grown in the UK. They are nutritious and do have various medicinal properties. In addition, the leaves and seeds are sometimes used in herbalism. Action of Blackcurrant They contain approximately 4 times as much ascorbic acid as the equivalent weight of oranges, and so they provide [...]

Continue Reading Herb Blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum)

Parsley is a herb commonly known for its culinary use. Used by the Greek physician, Galen for disorders of the womb and bladder. Parsley tea was also used in the trenches of World War I for soldiers suffering kidney complications following dysentery. The root, leaves and seeds have medicinal properties in herbal medicine, but today [...]

Continue Reading Herb Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)

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)

NOTE: Yohimbe herbal supplements are not legally available for over the counter sale in the UK and Ireland, but they may be prescribed by a qualified medical herbalist.The yohimbe tree is a tall evergreen that is native to Africa, mainly growing in the forests of south-western Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon and the Congo. The bark is [...]

Continue Reading Herb Yohimbe (Pausinystalia yohimbe)

Boldo is a shrubby plant native to Central Chile and its leaves are used in herbal medicine. Action of Boldo Boldo contains amongst many compounds a flavonoid called boldine, which has diuretic and bile stimulating effects. It is choloretic, a liver tonic, urinary antiseptic and anti-inflammatory. Boldo Uses Many herbalists recommend Boldo as a general [...]

Continue Reading Herb Boldo (Peumus boldus)

Also known as wild pansy, this is a flowering plant native to Europe. The flowers are used in herbal medicine and offer valuable benefits to the skin. The other well known species of viola is sweet violet (V. odarata), which is sometimes used in herbal medicine for respiratory problems such as coughs, colds, catarrh and [...]

Continue Reading Herb Viola (Viola tricolor)

Basil or sweet basil is a plant that originates from the middle east and Mediterranean regions. Today it is grown throughout the world as it is popular as a culinary herb. There are three froms of basil, all with similar properties: | O. sanctum (holy basil) | O. gratissimum (basil) | O. canum (hairy basil) [...]

Continue Reading Herb Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

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 [...]

Continue Reading Herb Horseradish (Cochlearia armorica – Armoracia rusticana)

This is one of the oldest known medicinal plants and its use dates back to the ancient Egyptians. It originates from south east Europe and western Asia, but grows in many hot climates of the world. It is a popular food but the seeds are used in herbal medicine (particularly for diabetes and high cholesterol). [...]

Continue Reading Herb Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)

There are several varieties of vervain, but European vervain is the most commonly used in herbal medicine. It is a native plant to Europe, and other species include blue vervain (V. hastate) and V. macdougalii, they are all similar in action. The medicinal parts of the plant are the flowers and leaves. It is a [...]

Continue Reading Herb Vervain (Verbena officinalis)