Ulcers

Is a plant native to Europe and classed as a weed. It is the root that is of value in herbal medicine.

Medicinal Properties of Yellow Dock

It contains anthraquinone glycosides, tannins, oxalates and rumicin. It is a bitter digestive tonic, cholagogue (increase bile flow) and laxative. It is also mineral rich in iron and sulphur.

Yellow Dock Herbal Remedies

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

Constipation
Food poisoning
Irritable bowel syndrome
Jaundice and liver problems
Mouth ulcers (mouth wash)
Poor digestion
Skin disorders – boils, rashes, shingles
Sluggish liver function

Other Yellow Dock Information

It is normally available as a herbal tea for internal use, although a qualified herbalist will be able to make other preparations including tinctures.

Tags: Boils, Constipation, Diarrhoea, Digestion, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Lactation, Liver, Poisoning, Rash, Skin, Ulcers

Yarrow, milfoil or nosebleed is a plant native to Europe and Asia. It is now naturalised in North America and there are several hybrids of yarrow. A. millefolium is the plant most known and has been used since the times of the ancient Chinese. It was once referred to as Englishman’s quinine. In herbal medicine the flowering tops are freshly collected and used.

Medicinal Properties of Yarrow

It contains a wide variety of compounds including volatile oil, sesquiterpene lactones, flavanoids, alkaloids, polyacetylenes, triterpenes, sterols, phenolic acids, coumarins and 3% to 4% tannins. The volatile oil contains chemicals called chamazeulines which are thought to be anti-inflammatory. The flavanoids, namely apigenin, appear to be antispasmodic in action. The alkaloids and sesquiterpene lactones give the herb digestive bitter properties, and the haemostatic effect (stops bleeding) is attributed to the alkaloid, achilleine, though the tannins may also be responsible. It is diaphoretic (reduces sweating), hypotensive, analgesic and an emmenagogue (stimulates menstruation).

Tags: Amenorrhoea, Appetite, Bleeding, Cold, Colic, Colitis, Diarrhoea, Digestion, Fever, Flu, Heart, Heartburn, High Blood Pressure, Indigestion, Inflammation, Influenza, Lactation, PMS, Rash, Skin, Ulcers, Vaginal, Varicose Veins, Wound

Tormentil or bloodroot is a creeping perennial plant which is a member of the rose family. It grows throughout Europe on moors and in grassy places. The herb and root are used in herbal medicine, and commonly used for irritable bowel syndrome.

Medicinal Properties of Tormentil

This herb contains high levels of tannins (10% to 30%) and other phenols, which gives it a potent astringent action, especially in the digestive tract. Tannins also bind to proteins in the mucous membranes and therefore protects tissues from irritation, pathogenic bacteria and toxins. Tormentil also contains a red compound called phlobaphene or tormentil red. It is said to be haemostatic (controls or stops bleeding) and may have mild positive actions on the immune system.

Tags: Bleeding, Colitis, Diarrhoea, Diverticulitis, Immune System, Infections, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Lactation, Skin, Sore, Ulcers, Vaginal

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. It also contains starch, a small amount of tannin and minerals. The mucilage has demulcent, emollient, soothing and healing properties particularly to the mucous membranes of the digestive system and the skin.

Slippery elm Herbal Remedies

Our herbalists recommend slippery elm for the following disorders:

Candidiasis (systemic)
Constipation
Crohn’s disease
Diarrhoea
E.coli
Gastritis
Gastroenteritis
Heartburn
IBS
Indigestion
Sore throat
Stomach ulcers

Tags: Candidiasis, Constipation, Cough, Crohn’s Disease, Diarrhoea, Digestion, Gastritis, Gastroenteritis, Heart, Heartburn, Indigestion, Lactation, Skin, Sore, Stomach, Throat, Ulcers, Wound

Sage or red Sage is a common herb used in cooking. It is native to the Mediterranean regions, but is now cultivated world-wide. The leaves of the plant are used medicinally.

Medicinal Properties of Sage

Sage contains volatile oils (thujone, camphor and cineole) diterpene bitters, rosmarinic acid flavonoids. These actives account for its antiseptic, astringent, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic and circulatory stimulating actions.

Sage Herbal Remedies

Main uses of Sage include:

Arresting breast milk production
Excessive sweating – night sweats etc
Menopausal flushing
Sore throats, laryngitis, pharyngitis, tonsilitis – as a gargle
Ulcers of mouth, gums and throat – as a gargle
Sage is available as tablets or tincture and as loose herb to be made into a tea.
Two teaspoons of fresh chopped leaves or one of dried to a cup of boiling water is the way to make a gargle.

Tags: Fever, Flu, Laryngitis, Sore, Throat, Ulcers

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 Properties of Prickly Ash

The bark contains alkaloids, in particular chlerythrine, which is antimicrobial. It also consists of the cinnamamide – herclavin, and some volatile oils, tannins and resins. Northern prickly ash contains coumarins, and southern prickly ash contains the lignan, asarinin and the amides, herculin and neoherculin, which are thought to be anaesthetic in action. The herb is anti-rheumatic, analgesic, circulatory, and digestive stimulant, diaphoretic (induces swelling), carminative (wind relieving), antipyretic (reduces fever) and antidiarrhoeal. Berries are richer in the volatile oil.

Tags: Arthritis, Chilblains, Circulation, Colitis, Diarrhoea, Digestion, Fever, Flu, Indigestion, Lactation, Lice, Parasites, Rheumatic, Rheumatism, Sore, Stomach, Throat, Toothache, Ulcers, Varicose Veins

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 mainly the leaves which are used medicinally, but sometimes the seeds can be of use as a laxative.

Medicinal Properties of Plantain

The leaf contains a variety of compounds including irridoids (mainly aucubin), tannins, flavanoids (particularly apigenin), mucilage and a variety of plant acids. Acubin is a mild laxative and diuretic, whereas apigenin and another flavanoid, baicalein are both anti-inflammatory, whilst baicalein is also anti-histamine. It is anti-haemorrhagic, antibacterial, haemostatic (reduces internal bleeding), astringent, blood tonic, expectorant, demulcent (soothing) and antacid .

Tags: Bleeding, Bronchitis, Burns, Cough, Cystitis, Eczema, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Lactation, Piles, Stomach, Thrush, Toothache, Ulcers, Vaginal

Is common wild plant in Britain, throughout Europe and parts of Asia. It is also found in North America. The flowers, leaves and finer stems are used in herbal medicine. It is often called the herbalists ‘bicarbonate of soda’ due to its antacid action.

Medicinal Properties of Meadowsweet

This herb contains a variety of compounds including flavanol glycosides (quercitin in particular), phenolic glycosides, 0.2% volatile oil and polyphenols (tannins). The volatile oil contains a range of salicylates which are broken down in the body to form salicylic acid, a compound very similar to the pain killer – aspirin. It has mild analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as antacid, diuretic, astringent and stomich (relieves stomach pain) benefits.

Tags: Arthritis, Cold, Cystitis, Digestion, Dyspepsia, Flatulence, Flu, Gastritis, Heart, Heartburn, Indigestion, Influenza, Pain, Rheumatism, Stomach, Ulcers, Water Retention

Is a bog-plant that is native to Britain and Europe, but is now naturalised in the United States. Used in Europe for over 2000 years as a medicine, especially for soothing digestive and respiratory tracts. The Marshmallow roots and leaves are used medicinally. The root extract is sometimes used to make confectionery.

Medicinal Properties of Marshmallow

The root contains a substance called mucilage which has demulcent (soothing) properties, up to 11% of this active constituent exists, and it protects, lubricates and heals inflamed or irritated tissue and mucous membranes. It also contains flavanoids, tannins, phenolic acids and 37% starch,11% pectin, 10% sucrose, 1.7% fat and up to 2% asparagine. It is thought that the mucilage in this herb may also have immune stimulating and blood sugar-lowering properties. Topically it acts as an emollient (skin softening and soothing).

Tags: Asthma, Boils, Chilblains, Cold, Colitis, Cough, Crohn’s Disease, Cystitis, Diarrhoea, Digestion, Dyspepsia, Eczema, Gastritis, Gastroenteritis, Hernia, Indigestion, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Skin, Sore, Stomach, Throat, Ulcers, Wound

Liquorice grows in southern Europe and south-western Asia and is a herb used frequently in Chinese medicine. The roots of three to four years old Liquorice plants are used medicinally and in the manufacture of confectionery due to its flavour and natural sweetness. The Liquorice plant is commercially cultivated in many places and was introduced to England by monks during the 16th century.

Medicinal Properties of Liquorice

Liquorice is one of the most biologically active herbs known.

It contains many compounds, but of prime importance are glycyrrhizin, flavonoids, coumarins and sterols.

Glycyrrhizin has anti-inflammatory actions and supports adrenal gland function.

The flavonoids have Antioxidant activity and have potent healing properties.

Tags: Arthritis, Constipation, Cystitis, Diarrhoea, Dysmenorrhoea, Fibroids, Flu, Gallstones, Gastritis, Hepatitis, Liver, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Rheumatic, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Stomach, Ulcers

Also known as lions foot, it is a common wild plant that readily grows in Britain and Europe. The whole aerial parts are used orally as a medicine, and the root is used in topical preparations. It gets its name from a Middle Ages dedication to the Virgin Mary as it was seen as a herb for women of all ages.

Medicinal Properties of Lady’s Mantle

This herb contains a 6%-8% tannins consisting of glycoside, ellagic acid. It also contains some salicylic acid. It is a powerful astringent and styptic (stops bleeding), as well as having haemostatic and regulating effects of female hormone health.

Lady’s Mantle Herbal Remedies

Historically Lady’s Mantle has been used to treat a number of conditions including:

Tags: Bleeding, Colitis, Diarrhoea, Gastritis, Menstrual, Nose Bleeds, Periods, Stomach, Thrush, Ulcers, Vaginal

Also known as colic root or Chinese ginger, this is a reed-like plant that is native to south east China, especially in the island of Hainan. It is now cultivated in China, Indonesia, Thailand and Japan. It is closely related to ginger (Zingiber officinale) and to the large Galanga (Galanga officinalis). The root and rhizome are used in herbal medicine, but also may be used as a spice in curries.

Medicinal Properties of Galangal

Galangal contains a volatile oil and a compound called galangol. This herb is carminative (wind relieving), stimulant, stomach tonic, anti-emetic (reduces nausea) diaphoretic, anti-fungal and antiseptic.

Galangal Herbal Remedies

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

Tags: Colic, Digestion, Flatulence, Indigestion, Infections, Lactation, Nausea, Stomach, Ulcers, Vomiting