The Herbal Resource

Comprehensive information regarding the plant’s constituents is, as of yet, lacking, but it is known that the plant contains the bitter substances iridoid glucosides such as catalpol (soluble in both water and alcohol) and resins. A Good Herb for Digestion Balmony has a long history as a medicinal herb in North American folk medicine, but the herb’s alleged medicinal properties have not … [Read More...] about What are the health benefits of Balmony?

If you’re at all familiar with the Nativity story, then you’ve undoubtedly heard of the three wise men bringing gifts of frankincense and myrrh to the Christ child’s manger. But chances are, you’re not entirely sure what frankincense and myrrh even are. And you probably didn’t know that both are still around today, celebrated not only for their magnificent fragrances but also for their medicinal … [Read More...] about What are the health benefits of Frankincense?

Cinnamon has been in use as a culinary spice and a medicinal herb, ever since the ancient times. It was used in cooking for its flavor and also to prevent food from going bad. Even today, the bark is a widely used cooking ingredient all over the world. It is used to add a hint of spice to desserts, teas, candies and also in many dishes in Middle Eastern and Asian cooking. The medicinal … [Read More...] about What are the health benefits of Cinnamon?

Today, trifid bur marigold has few applications in herbal medicine, but the herb was once highly regarded, especially during the Middle Ages. Still, the herb has a number of valuable properties and was previously used to treat urinary tract infections, kidney and respiratory ailment The English botanist and astrologer Nicholas Culpeper (1616 – 1654) praised the herb in one of his … [Read More...] about What are the health benefits of Trifid Bur Marigold?

Devil’s bit scabious contains tannins, saponins, glycosides, starch, caffeic acid and mineral salts. The plant was formerly known by the Latin name “scabiosa succisa” which refers to how the herb was used in the past to treat scabies (an itchy skin infection caused by mites). “Succisa” means bitten off or cut off and refers to the shape of the root. The name originates from folklore that … [Read More...] about What are the benefits of Devil’s Bit Scabious?

Cascara Sagrada was used traditionally as an herbal laxative by various Native American Indian tribes. These tribes passed their knowledge of this medicinal herb then on to the Spanish explorers. The active constituents in cascara sagrada are hydroxyanthraquinone glycosides called cascarosides. These cascarosides have a cathartic effect by inducing muscular contraction called peristalsis in … [Read More...] about What are the health benefits of Cascara Sagrada?

Both the [easyazon_link identifier=”B001A1VIUO” locale=”US” tag=”herbal-resource-20″]seeds[/easyazon_link] and leaves (cilantro) of coriander have been used in cooking for millennia, and coriander is considered one of the oldest spices in the world, probably dating as far back as 5000 b.c. Today, it is a major component in various traditional ethnic cooking. Traditionally, it is used to treat … [Read More...] about What are the health benefits of Coriander?

The leaves, roots and flowers of Adhatoda vasica also called vasa or vasaka were used extensively in traditional Indian medicine for thousands of years to treat respiratory disorders such as asthma. Adhatoda vasica is considered useful in treating bronchitis, tuberculosis and other lung and bronchiole disorders. A decoction of the leaves may be used as an herbal treatment … [Read More...] about What are the health benefits of Malabar Nut (Justicia Adhatoda)?

Dichroa is a bitter herb that is commonly used in Chinese herbal medicine where it is considered to have a cold energy that benefits the heart, liver, and lungs. The leaves have powerful laxative (purgative) proprieties and have been used traditionally to treat stomach cancer. In Nepal the juice extracted from the leaves has been used to treat coughs, colds … [Read More...] about What are the health benefits of Dichroa?

Elecampane constituents are inulin, mucilage, volatile oil (helenin, camphor, alantol), alantoic acid, a thymol derivative, sesquiterpene lactones (including alantolactone, isoalantolactone), triterpenoid saponins, sterols, and bitter principles (possibly including dammaradienol, stigmasterol, friedlin), resin, pectin, and possible alkaloid. Its actions are expectorant, antitussive, sedative, … [Read More...] about What are the health benefits of Elecampane?

Witch hazel is used to stop bleeding and is believed to be effective on both internal and external injuries. It is used to stop the bleeding on cuts, reduce bruising directly after an injury and as part of the treatment for stomach ulcers. It is believed that the tannins present in witch hazel (especially the bark), along with various oils, help speed coagulation. Because of its … [Read More...] about What is Witch Hazel used for?

This strongly bitter herb has been utilized for a long time as a folk medicine. An herbal tea made from the leaves has been used traditionally for irregular menstruation, to strengthen appetite, increase the secretion of digestive fluids, indigestion, and enhance nutrient absorption. Bogbean is closely related to yellow gentian (Gentiana lutea) and contains similar bitter … [Read More...] about What is Bogbean used for?