Piles

This is an invasive plant native to Britain, Russia and middle eastern Europe. The leaves, roots and stalks of this weed are used in herbal medicine. Medicinal Properties of Knotgrass It contains compounds such as tannins, namely catechin and gallic acid, which have potent astringent and haemostatic (slows bleeding) properties. It also contains silicic acid [...]

Continue Reading Herb Knotgrass (Polygonum aviculare)

Butchers broom is a small evergreen bush native to Europe and the Mediterranean. It is the rhizome of Butchers broom that is used in herbal medicine. Action of Butchers broom Butchers broom contains saponins which have ant-inflammatory action, are diuretic and act as a veinous tonic. Butchers broom Uses Our experts recommend Butchers broom for [...]

Continue Reading Herb Butchers broom (Ruscus aculeatus)

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)

This is a strongly aromatic annual herb that grows about a metre in height. It is native to Europe and Western Asia, but is now naturalised in North America and cultivated all around the world. The Persians grew this herb over 3,000 years ago and used it to add fragrance to the Hanging Gardens of [...]

Continue Reading Herb Coriander (Coriandrum sativa)

Vinca minor or lesser periwinkle is an evergreen perennial shrub that grows mainly in the northern hemisphere. This invasive plant is found growing in woods and hedgerows. In France, it is sometimes called ‘Virginflower’ due to its madonna blue coloured flowers. Not to be confused with Vinca major or greater periwinkle, which has some but [...]

Continue Reading Herb Lesser Periwinkle (Vinca minor)

Greater plantain is native to Asia and Europe, but now grows all over the world. In the UK it is classed as a weed. It should not be confused with the banana-like food, plantain. Another plantain called ribwort plantain (plantago lanceolata) is similar in action, but Plantago Major is preferred in herbal medicine. It is [...]

Continue Reading Herb Plantain (Plantago major)

Cascara is a small tree native to North America. The aged bark is used in herbal medicine. Medicinal Properties of Cascara Cascara contains high levels of anthraquinone gycosides called cascarosides and they have a powerful stimulating effect on peristaltic action of the bowel. Cascara Herbal Remedies Cascara is a traditional herbal remedy for Constipation, due [...]

Continue Reading Herb Cascara (Cascara sagrada)