Rheumatism

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)

Also known as toothache tree, it is native to Canada and America. northern prickly ash is Z. americanum and southern prickly ash is Z. clava-herculis. In both cases the bark is used in herbal medicine and berries are also of some use. Another species growing in Asia is called Chinese prickly ash, Z. bungeanum. Medicinal [...]

Continue Reading Herb Prickly Ash (Zanthoxylum clava-herculis, Zanthoxylum americanum)

White Willow is a tree grows in most parts of Europe and Britain and is also found in North America. The bark has medicinal use in herbal medicine. Medicinal Properties of White Willow In 1838 chemists identified salicylic acid in the bark of white Willow as the primary active compound which has anti-inflammatory and pain [...]

Continue Reading Herb White Willow (Salix alba)

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 [...]

Continue Reading Herb Primula (Primula officinalis)

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’. [...]

Continue Reading Herb Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanoides)

Cinnamon is a tree native to various tropical regions of the world, and has been used since the times of the ancient Chinese. It is a popular sweet spice used widely in cooking, and the inner bark (sticks) and leaves are used in herbal medicine.. Medicinal Properties of Cinnamon Cinnamon contains a variety of compounds [...]

Continue Reading Herb Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)

Chickweed is native to Europe and grows freely all over the United Kingdom. The leaves, stems and flowers are used in herbal medicine. Medicinal Properties of Chickweed Chickweed contains coumarins, saponins, Vitamin C and Bioflavanoids and has anti-inflammatory and anti-histamine properties. It has a cooling, soothing and anti-itching action. Chickweed Herbal Remedies Our herbalists recommend [...]

Continue Reading Herb Chickweed (Stellaria media)

There are three types of poplar tree. White poplar (P. alba), Black poplar (P. nigra) and American aspen (P. tremuloides), the latter being found in North America. In all cases the bark is used in herbal medicine. Medicinal Properties of Poplar The bark contains the phenolic glycosides, salicin and populin (salicin benzoate), which have anti-inflammatory [...]

Continue Reading Herb Poplar (Populus)

Turmeric is a member of the Ginger family and is native to India and China. It is cultivated for the medicinal value of its root, which is commonly used as a flavouring and yellow colourant in Chinese and other Far Eastern cooking, particularly curries. Medicinal Properties of Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin, which has [...]

Continue Reading Herb Turmeric (Curcuma longa)

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 [...]

Continue Reading Herb Lavender (Lavendula Officinalis – angustifolia)