Psoriasis

Neem is a tree that is a member of the mahogany family and originates from the Bay of Bengal region of India. The neem tree has noble status and has been worshiped for thousands of years. In addition, it has been used topically in Ayurvedic medicine as an insecticide and for the treatment of many [...]

Continue Reading Herb Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss)

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)

Cayenne pepper (also known as chilli or red hot pepper), is the fruit of a shrubby, tropical plant originally native to South America. It is used as a food and spice world-wide and now cultivated in most tropical regions. Medicinally, Cayenne has been used extensively in folklore and recently in scientific studies for a variety [...]

Continue Reading Herb Cayenne (Capsicum annum)

Berberis or barberry, is a perennial shrub, native to Europe. The bark, root, red berries and leaves are used in herbal medicine. The plant is closely related to the North American species, Berberis aquifolium (Oregon grape). Action of Berberis This plant contains a potent antibacterial alkaloid, called berberine, a component also found in goldenseal. This [...]

Continue Reading Herb Berberis (Berberis vulgaris)

Milk thistle belongs to the same family as the Artichoke. It grows wild on roadside verges, derelict sites and is found in many gardens. The plant’s vivid purple flower heads are a favourite with flower arrangers, but the seeds of the dried flowers are used medicinally. Medicinal Properties of Milk thistle Milk thistle seed contains [...]

Continue Reading Herb Milk thistle (Silybum marianum)

Burdock is a very traditional herb native to Europe and Asia. The leaf is medicinal, but it is the root that is most commonly used. Action of Burdock Burdock contains many active constituents, including 45% inulin. It is one of the most powerful and reliable blood cleansers in herbal medicine. It acts as a diuretic, [...]

Continue Reading Herb Burdock (Articum lappa)

Flaxseed, Flax or linseed is well known for its use as an oil for preserving cricket bats. Flax is one of the most ancient of all cultivated plants, and is known to have been used by man since 5,000 BC. Both the seeds and seed oil are used medicinally. Medicinal Properties of Linseed Flax seeds [...]

Continue Reading Herb Flaxseed – Linseed (Linum usitatissimum)

Sarsaparilla is the name given to several different species of smilax. These include S. aristolochiaefolia (Vera Cruz, Mexico or Grey Sarsaparilla), S. febrifuga (Ecuador or Guayaquil Sarsaparilla), S. ornata (Jamaica, Costa Rica or Red Sarsaparilla), S. regelli (Honduras or Brown Sarsaparilla). The dried root is used in herbal medicine and is also sometimes used to [...]

Continue Reading Herb Sarsaparilla (Smilax)

This is a herb not commonly used today, but has a history of use as far back as ancient Egypt and was also used in Arabian medicine. The seeds contain the key medicinal components. Medicinal Properties of Khella It contains a compound called khellin which appears to be able to stimulate repigmentation of the skin, [...]

Continue Reading Herb Khella (Amni visnaga)

Red Clover is a perennial herb with dark pink flowers and is native to Europe and Asia, but has become naturalised in Australia, New Zealand and North America. The flowers are used in herbal medicine. Medicinal Properties of Red Clover Red Clover contains high levels of Antioxidant isoflavones, particularly genistein, which has weak oestrogenic properties [...]

Continue Reading Herb Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)