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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 the root contains high levels of saponin glycosides. Both flower and contain phenolic glycosides, tannins and volatile oil. The flowers have potent anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and antioxidant action, due to the flavanoids. It is sedative, a mild diuretic and laxative, antipyretic (reduces fever), hypnotic, platelet anticoagulant, antitussive (reduces coughing) and an expectorant.

Primula Herbal Remedies

Historically Primula has been used to treat a number of conditions including:

Tags: Anxiety, Bronchitis, Cough, Fever, Headaches, Insomnia, Lactation, Lumbago, Nervous, Parasites, Rheumatism, Sleep, Stress, Varicose Veins

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 used in herbal medicine.

Medicinal Properties of Yohimbe

Yohimbe contains an alkaloid called yohimbine, which has various properties:

Firstly, it blocks alpha-2 adrenergic receptors in the nervous system, which increases levels of catecholamines, such as adrenaline (epinephrine). This directly stimulates, blood flow and metabolic rate, which mobilises fats out of their storage areas so they can be burned for fuel.

Tags: Anxiety, Circulation, Cough, Depression, Diabetes, Energy, Fever, Flu, Heart, Impotence, Kidney, Lactation, Liver, Nausea, Nervous, Panic, Sleep, Stress, Ulcers

Valerian is an attractive perennial with pretty pink flowers. It grows throughout Europe and is now established in North America. The root has been used medicinally as far back as the 1st century AD. Valerian was used to treat soldiers with ‘shell shock’ during World War II.

Medicinal Properties of Valerian

Valerian contains many active constituents, including volatile oils, irridoids and alkaloids. Valerian influences levels of GABA, an amino acid found in the brain, which helps combat stress. This herb taken in small doses is calming without causing drowsiness. Larger doses become mildly sedative and help restore regular sleep patterns. As a bonus Valerian is an effective antispasmodic and analgesic, which is of use in cramps of the digestive system.

Tags: Anxiety, Colic, Cramp, Flu, Heart, High Blood Pressure, Insomnia, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Neuralgia, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Pain, Panic, Sleep, Stomach, Stress, Tension

Siberian Ginseng is a shrub with erect spiny shoots and is native to the Soviet Far East, Korea, China and Japan north of latitude 38. Its distribution is actually much greater than its more popular distant relative, panax or Korean Ginseng. Siberian Ginseng was used by the ancient Chinese as far back as 2000 BC. The roots are used in herbal medicine.

Medicinal Properties of Siberian Ginseng

Siberian Ginseng contains eleutherosides which have powerful adaptogenic properties and immune boosting action. This herb also enhances mental function, increases physical energy levels, and helps the body eliminate toxins by boosting liver function.

Siberian Ginseng is supportive to the adrenal glands and is often used to help with stress and fatigue.

Tags: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Energy, Flu, High Blood Pressure, Influenza, Lactation, Liver, Sleep, Stress, Tired All The Time

Passiflora or passion flower is a popular climbing vine with gardeners as it is adorned with beautiful purple flowers. It is native to South, Central and North America, but varieties of this vigorous plant now grow almost everywhere. The plant acquired its name from the 16th-century Spanish missionaries, who believed the flower represented the crucifixion: the three styles for the nails through Christ’s hands and feet, and the five stamens for his wounds. The leaves, stems and flowers are used in herbal medicine.

Medicinal Properties of Passiflora

The most important constituents of Passiflora are flavonoids, especially apigenin and isovitexin and the glycosides, including gynocardin. Passiflora has relaxing and anti-Anxiety properties, as well as mild pain relieving and anti-spasmodic effects.

Tags: Anxiety, Colic, Cramp, High Blood Pressure, Insomnia, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Pain, Panic, Sleep, Stomach, Wound

The Hops plant is native to Europe, Asia and North America. This climbing plant is well known for its use in the brewing industry as the Hops are using for flavouring beer. The Hops are essentially the flowers of the plant, which are often termed ‘strobiles’ and are used in herbal medicine.

Medicinal Properties of Hops

Hops contain bitters, phytooestrogens, volatile oil and resin. The bitters, humulone and lupulone have stimulating action of the appetite and digestive sytem, whilst the oils have a sedative and nerve soothing action. Hops are also said to be mildly diuretic, antispasmodic and have aphrodisiac properties.

Hops Herbal Remedies

Our herbalists recommend Hops for the following disorders:

Tags: Anxiety, Appetite, Depression, Digestion, Insomnia, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Panic, Skin, Sleep, Stress

Guarana, an evergreen vine, is native to the Brazilian rain forest and has been used for thousands of years by the local Indian tribes. The seeds are used in herbal medicine.

Medicinal Properties of Guarana

Guarana contains xanthines (caffeine, theobromine and theophylline), saponins, tannins and choline. It has stimulant, tonic, adaptogenic and nerve soothing properties. Its actions are very different to tea, coffee and cola drinks, as the saponins in Guarana slow down the absorption and release of caffeine into body. Guarana contains around 22% caffeine, which is a mild appetite suppressant and is known to raise body temperature which is thought to encourage the release of energy from stored body fat.

Guarana Herbal Remedies

Our herbalists recommend Guarana for the following disorders:

Tags: Anxiety, Appetite, Depression, Energy, High Blood Pressure, Insomnia, Sleep, Stress

Citrus aurantium is also known as bitter orange, green orange or sour orange. In traditional Chinese Medicine it is known as zhi shi and in Aromatherapy the essential oil is called neroli. The fruit of Citrus aurantium contains the active compounds used in herbal medicine.

Medicinal Properties of Bitter orange

Citrus aurantium contains an alkaloid called synephrine, which is chemically very similar to caffeine and the ephedrine and pseudo-ephedrine found in many OTC cold/allergy medications. In the US, the herb ephedra (Ma Huang) is available which also contains ephedrine.

Synephrine is a stimulant, it is thought to have similar effects to caffeine and ephedrine in terms of providing an energy boost, suppressing appetite and increasing metabolic rate and caloric expenditure. Citrus aurantium also contains tyramine and octopamine. Octopamine is thought to be involved in appetite control.

Tags: Anxiety, Appetite, Cold, Depression, Diabetes, Energy, Flu, Heart, High Blood Pressure, Nervous, PMS, Skin, Sleep, Weight Loss

This is an upright, compact annual or tender perennial, native to California and the south-western United States. It is extremely drought tolerant and ideal for arid environments.

The brilliant orange cup shaped flower, is the state flower of California. It is a relative of the Opium poppy, but contains no opiate alkaloids, and is not addictive.

The whole plant is used in herbal medicine.

Medicinal Properties of California Poppy

This herb contains compounds called flavone glycosides.
It has mild hypnotic, analgesic, sedative and nerve relaxing properties.

California Poppy Herbal Remedies

Historically California Poppy has been used to treat a number of conditions including:

Anxiety
Depression
Insomnia
Migraine
Neuralgia
Nervous bowel
Pain
Stress

Tags: Anxiety, Depression, Insomnia, Lactation, Migraine, Nervous, Neuralgia, Pain, Sleep, Stress

Lemon balm, balm or Melissa is an aromatic plant that originates from southern Europe, but now grows freely all over the world. It is often found as a popular plant in domestic herb gardens due to its pleasant lemon fragrance and attractive white flowers. It is best grown in a pot due to its invasive habit. The whole plant is used in herbal medicine.

Action of Lemon Balm

This herb contains a lemon-smelling volatile oil which consists of terpenes that demonstrate sedative and carminative (wind relieving) effects. It also contains phenolic acids, bioflavanoids and other constituents that seem responsible for its thyroid-regulating actions. It has well known healing, anti-viral benefits for cold sores (herpes simplex) and it is said to be antibacterial, antispasmodic, antidepressant, antihistamine and a heart sedative and brain tonic when in shock or stress.

Tags: Anxiety, Cold, Colic, Depression, Digestion, Heart, Heartburn, Indigestion, Infections, Migraine, Nervous, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Pain, Panic, Sleep, Sore, Stress

Korean Ginseng is also referred to as Asian ginseng or Chinese ginseng. It is a small perennial plant that originally grew in the damp woodlands of northern China, Manchuria and Korea. It has been used for thousands of years and is now widely cultivated and is the most popular ginseng available. The mature root is used in herbal medicine.

Action of Korean Ginseng

Korean Ginseng contains many compounds including polysaccharides, panaxans, vitamins, gums, oils and resins, but it is ginsenosides that have the most potent and understood actions in the body. Korean Ginseng has numerous actions and is said to be both sedative and stimulant and therefore an excellent balancing or adaptogenic herb. It has balancing effects on blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, energy, stress, mood immune function and libido.

Tags: Cholesterol, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Energy, Flu, High Blood Pressure, Infertility, Sleep, Stress, Tired All The Time

Native to North America and Canada. It is related to Korean Ginseng and has similar actions. It is the root that is used in herbal medicine.

Action of American Ginseng

American Ginseng contains ginsenosides, which are supportive to the adrenal glands. It is adaptogenic, a digestive relaxant, hypoglycaemic, aphrodisiac and a tonic.

American Ginseng Uses

| American Ginseng is a general tonic for stress and fatigue. It may also be of use a regulating blood sugar levels, boosting immune system and for enhancing performance during exercise.
| Available as a tablet or tincture. Best taken in cycles of 3 weeks on, 3 weeks off. Sometimes if needed it can be taken in cycles of 6 weeks on, 4 weeks off.

Tags: Immune System, Sleep, Stress