Water Retention

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)

Parsley is a herb commonly known for its culinary use. Used by the Greek physician, Galen for disorders of the womb and bladder. Parsley tea was also used in the trenches of World War I for soldiers suffering kidney complications following dysentery. The root, leaves and seeds have medicinal properties in herbal medicine, but today [...]

Continue Reading Herb Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)

Uva ursi or bearberry is a small evergreen shrub found in northern United States and Europe. The flowers are pink or white, growing in sparse terminal clusters, and the fruit is a bright red or pink. However it is the leaf that is used in herbal medicine. Medicinal Properties of Uva ursi Uva ursi’s most [...]

Continue Reading Herb Uva ursi (Arctostaphylos Uva ursi)

Boldo is a shrubby plant native to Central Chile and its leaves are used in herbal medicine. Action of Boldo Boldo contains amongst many compounds a flavonoid called boldine, which has diuretic and bile stimulating effects. It is choloretic, a liver tonic, urinary antiseptic and anti-inflammatory. Boldo Uses Many herbalists recommend Boldo as a general [...]

Continue Reading Herb Boldo (Peumus boldus)

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)

Stinging nettle or Urtica, which comes from the Latin uro, meaning “I burn” is indicative of the painful stings caused by the tiny hairs on the nettle leaves. Ironically the leaves are also the main medicinal parts of the plant. The nettle root is also sometimes used by herbalists. Nettle grows everywhere in the northern [...]

Continue Reading Herb Nettle (Urtica dioica)

Birch, silver birch or European birch is a common tree that is native to Europe, Asia and Siberia. It is also a popular herbal remedy in Scandanavia. The bark and leaves are used in herbal medicine, although the leaves are more commonly used. Action of Birch Birch contains a variety of compounds including volatile oil, [...]

Continue Reading Herb Birch (Betula pendula/alba)

This evergreen conifer is native to the northern hemisphere growing mainly in Scandinavia, Siberia, Canada, northern Europe and northern Asia. The berries are used to make the alcoholic spirit – Gin. Juniper is of course also used in herbal medicine, especially for urinary problems. Medicinal Properties of Juniper Juniper contain volatile oil, tannins, resin, grape [...]

Continue Reading Herb Juniper (Juniperus communis)

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 [...]

Continue Reading Herb Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria)

Buchu or agathosma is a shrubby plant native to South Africa. The main species used in herbal medicine for commercial use is B. betulina and B. crenulata (oval Buchu), however there another form that has historically been used, B. serratifolia (long Buchu). It is the leaves that are used medicinally in all three forms. Action [...]

Continue Reading Herb Buchu (Barosmae folium)