Throat

Blackcurrants or quinsy berries are a common summer fruit, grown in the UK. They are nutritious and do have various medicinal properties. In addition, the leaves and seeds are sometimes used in herbalism. Action of Blackcurrant They contain approximately 4 times as much ascorbic acid as the equivalent weight of oranges, and so they provide [...]

Continue Reading Herb Blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum)

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)

Including sweet or knotted marjoram is a small shrubby plant native to the Mediterranean region, Egypt and North Africa. It is now cultivated throughout the world and is a popular herb garden plant. The aerial parts of the plant are used for cooking and occasionally in herbal medicine. It should not be confused with Spanish [...]

Continue Reading Herb Marjoram (Origanum majorana)

This is probably a native to eastern Europe and is thought to be cultivated from the Hungarian plant, Cochlearia macrocarpa. It is now common throughout Russia, Europe and Scandanavia and is cultivated all over the world. The root is used as medicine and a food, particularly as a condiment for roast beef (horseradish sauce). Medicinal [...]

Continue Reading Herb Horseradish (Cochlearia armorica – Armoracia rusticana)

Raspberry or red Raspberry is a plant native to North America, but it is now widely cultivated in most temperate parts of the world. It is a well-known plant because of the delicious berries that it yields, however it is the leaves of the plant that are used in herbal medicine. Medicinal Properties of Raspberry [...]

Continue Reading Herb Raspberry leaf (Rubus idaeus)

Hawthorn is a spiny tree or shrub that is native to Europe and Britain and is often seen as a hedge plant. The berries, leaves and flowers are used in herbal medicine. Medicinal Properties of Hawthorn Hawthorn contains flavonoids, phenolic acids, tannins and amines. The flavonoids comprise of proanthocyanidins and Quercetin, which are powerful Antioxidants [...]

Continue Reading Herb Hawthorn (Crataegus oxycantha)

Thyme or common thyme is a perennial, evergreen shrub and is native to Spain and the Mediterranean region, although it is now found throughout the world. It originates from wild thyme (T. serpyllum), which is native to Britain and Europe, and has been used since the time of the ancient Egyptians. The leaves and flowers [...]

Continue Reading Herb Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

Slippery elm is a tree, which naturally grows in North America and has been used by native Americans for a variety of conditions for centuries. The bark of the tree is commonly used in herbal medicine. Medicinal Properties of Slippery elm Slippery elm bark contains very high levels of mucilage, which is rich in polysaccharides. [...]

Continue Reading Herb Slippery elm (Ulmus rubra)

Elder or Black Elder is a tree which grows in Europe and North America and has much medicinal activity, mainly in the flowers and berries. Traditionally the bark was also used in Europe. Species with red berries are not medicinal. Medicinal Properties of Elderflower Elderflower and elderberry have similar active compounds such as Quercetin, anthocyanidins [...]

Continue Reading Herb Elderflower – Elderberry (Sambucus nigra)