Herb Prickly Ash (Zanthoxylum clava-herculis, Zanthoxylum americanum)
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 [...]
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Herb Lavender (Lavendula Officinalis – angustifolia)
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 [...]
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Herb Coriander (Coriandrum sativa)
This is a strongly aromatic annual herb that grows about a metre in height. It is native to Europe and Western Asia, but is now naturalised in North America and cultivated all around the world. The Persians grew this herb over 3,000 years ago and used it to add fragrance to the Hanging Gardens of [...]
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Herb Plantain (Plantago major)
Greater plantain is native to Asia and Europe, but now grows all over the world. In the UK it is classed as a weed. It should not be confused with the banana-like food, plantain. Another plantain called ribwort plantain (plantago lanceolata) is similar in action, but Plantago Major is preferred in herbal medicine. It is [...]
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Herb Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum)
Cloves are dried buds from the evergreen tree Syzygium aromaticum / Eugenia caryophyllus. It is native to Indonesia and cultivated world-wide, especially in the Philippines, the Molucca Islands and Madagascar. It is a well-known remedy for toothache. Medicinal Properties of Cloves The herb contains a heavy volatile oil that consists of camphor resin, flavanoids, sterols [...]
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