The Herbal Resource

Kava has been used in social gatherings to lower inhibitions and make everyone more relaxed and amiable. It is a popular herb to treat anxiety, stress and depression. The relaxing, euphoric state brought on by this herb make it useful in treating these conditions. This herb is often used in religious ceremonies to obtain an enlightened state.[adinserter block=”9″] Some … [Read More...] about What is Kava used for?

Pedanius Dioscorides (1st century AD) called this plant erysimon and recommended that is should be used together with honey as an antidote in case of poisoning. He also stated that it could be used as a treatment for a variety of diseases and ailments. One of the better known traditional use of the herb was to treat hoarseness or a complete loss of voice, and for this reason, the plant was … [Read More...] about What is Hedge Mustard used for?

Rupturewort contains coumarins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, triterpenoid saponins, tannins and essential oil. The first mention of the plant as a medicinal herb is from the 1500’s and it was used for centuries as a diuretic agent in the treatment of chronic cystitis and urethritis. It was also used traditionally as a treatment for ailments of the upper respiratory tract, arthritis, … [Read More...] about What is Rupturewort used for?

Although the leaves, bark, and flowers have been used in traditional herbal medicine, it is the big, shiny brown nut of the horse chestnut tree which is of greatest medicinal interest. From them, an extract is obtained which is used to strengthen the walls of the blood vessels so that blood flow from the veins in the legs back to the heart improves. The dried conkers contain 3-6% of a … [Read More...] about What is Horse Chestnut used for?

Turmeric has been a renowned medicinal herb in South Asia for centuries. The traditional Indian medicinal science called Ayurveda has long prescribed turmeric for a number of health benefits. It has been used traditionally as an antiseptic to treat cuts, bruises, and even burns.Turmeric is used as an anti-aging herb because of its excellent anti-oxidant properties, which can prevent … [Read More...] about What is Turmeric used for?

Henbane has been used as a medicine since ancient times and had a strong reputation as a magical herb that was for instance used in love potions and to induce hallucinations. In medieval times the herb was popular as a sleep aid and in larger doses used as a deadly poison, often an assassin’s favorite. The toxic alkaloids in henbane can easily be absorbed through the skin, and the herb was … [Read More...] about What is Henbane used for?

The tart, red berries are used in a variety of foods products and beverages and dietary supplements are available in the form of teas and extracts formulated into capsules or tablets. Beverages range from 100% unsweetened cranberry juice to cocktails with high sugar and low cranberry juice content. Cranberries contain many phytochemicals that are biologically active like proanthocyanidins, … [Read More...] about What is Cranberry used for?

Despite that henna has primarily be used as dye plant, it is also know for its medicinal properties. The leaves are used in traditional folk medicine in India, many Muslim countries and North Africa. The herb is used in Ayurvedic and Unani medicine as a gargle for bad throat and extracts or decoction have been used as herbal remedies for diarrhea, amoebic dysentery, ulcers, … [Read More...] about What is Henna used for?

The leaves contain tannins, flavone glycosides, organic acids and vitamin C. The berries contain 1.5-2% organic acids, fructose, pectin, gum, anthocyanins, iron and vitamin C. Raspberry has been cultivated for a long time and not only for its culinary uses but also for its medicinal properties. The fruit is rich in nutrients and may be helpful in preventing anemia. In Chinese herbal … [Read More...] about What is Raspberry used for?

The carob has been used for human consumption and as animal feed in the Mediterranean countries for centuries. It is said that the pods of the carob tree sustained the biblical figure John the Baptist while he was praying in the desert. Hence it is also known as St. John’s bread. Because of the high pectin and tannin content of the carob pods, it has been used as an herbal remedy for … [Read More...] about What is Carob used for?

Guarana’s use by South American native tribes predates the discovery of Brazil. These tribes recognized its stimulant effect and used it during times of fasting as well. Traditionally, the native tribes of Brazil and the surrounding countries have used the herb to treat many ailments. Included in this list are diarrhea, hypertension, fever, migraine, neuralgia, and … [Read More...] about What is Guarana used for?

Its actions are nervine, anti-spasmodic, cardiotonic, analgesic, diuretic, sedative and anodyne. The active constituents of Jamaican dogwood are isoflavones; lisetin; jamaicin; ichthyone; the rotenoids rotenone, milletone and isomilletone; b-sitosterol; and tannins. It contains the organic acids piscidic acid, its mono-and diethyl esters; fukiic acid and its 3-0-methyl ester. The … [Read More...] about What is Jamaican Dogwood used for?