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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 [...]

Continue Reading Herb Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria)

Bergamot, bee balm or red bergamot was originally grown in Italy and used in folklore medicine. The whole plant is used in herbal medicine and its distinctive flavour is used to make earl grey tea. Bergamot in aromatherapy comes from the plant citrus bergamia. Action of Bergamot This herb contains a variety of compounds that [...]

Continue Reading Herb Bergamot (Monardo didyma)

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)

Devils claw, a plant native to South Africa and Madagascar is named due to the claw-like appearance of the barbs on the fruit. It is used by the bushmen who roam the Kalahari sands of Namibia as a source of fluid when no water can be found as well as its medicinal properties. The root [...]

Continue Reading Herb Devils claw (Harpagophytum procumbens)

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)

Black cohosh is a shrubby plant native to North America and the root is used in herbal medicine. Action of Black cohosh Black cohosh contains many active compounds including icifugosides and isoflavones and so demonstrates many different properties. It acts on the endocrine system and has ‘oestrogen-mimicking’ properties. It is also antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, mildly analgesic [...]

Continue Reading Herb Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa)