Tension

Is native to the Molucca Islands and New Guinea, but is now also found in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. The large oval seed kernel is used as a culinary spice and in herbal medicine. The husk (known as mace) is also used as a spice. Medicinal Properties of Nutmeg It contains around 10% [...]

Continue Reading Herb Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans)

There are several varieties of vervain, but European vervain is the most commonly used in herbal medicine. It is a native plant to Europe, and other species include blue vervain (V. hastate) and V. macdougalii, they are all similar in action. The medicinal parts of the plant are the flowers and leaves. It is a [...]

Continue Reading Herb Vervain (Verbena officinalis)

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 [...]

Continue Reading Herb Valerian (Valerian officinalis)

Kava kava is a large climbing vine-like shrub, which is native to the Polynesian Islands in the Pacific region. It has been used since the earliest times to make a mind-altering liquid that played an essential part in both social and religious ceremonies. The root of the plant is used in herbal medicine. Medicinal Properties [...]

Continue Reading Herb Kava kava (Piper methysticum)

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)