The Herbal Resource

More than 125 chemical compounds have been identified in red clover plant. The most important substance are flavonoids, isoflavones, coumarins, resins, phenolic acids (such as salicylic acid), essential oil, sitosterol, starch, and fatty acids. The isoflavones (formonnectin, biochanin A, daidzin and genistein) found in leaves and flowers have an estrogen-like effect. In addition, the … [Read More...] about What is Red Clover used for?

Bearberry purportedly gets its name from the fact that the berries seem to be a favorite food of bears. Uva ursi acts as a natural diuretic. It has been used historically to treat cystitis, urolithiasis, and other urinary tract infections. (1) It is a traditional bladder treatment used in European folk medicine. In northern Europe and Eurasia, bearberry tea has been a traditional … [Read More...] about What is Bearberry used for?

The leaves are very rich in flavonoids. Most importantly kaempferol glycoside, quercetin glycoside, the bitter ginkgolides A, B, C, J and M, and bilobalide. The herb also contains tannins, phenols, bilobol and few potentially harmful substances like ginkgotoxin (4-O-methoxypyridoxine) and ginkgolic acids. Ginkgo reduces the platelet activity factor (PAF) in the blood, similar to the action … [Read More...] about What is Gingko Biloba used for?

Legend has it that the crown of thorns place on the head of Jesus before his crucifixion was made from twigs cut from holly and the red fruits symbolized his blood. Another legend declares that holly first emerged from the footsteps of Jesus Christ, and its thorny leaves and red fruits are symbolical of his sufferings. In Norway, Sweden, and Denmark the herb’s common name is“kristtorn” meaning … [Read More...] about What is Holly used for?

Stinging nettle contains amines, flavonoids, lignans, minerals ( calcium, potassium, iron, and silicon) and vitamins A, B2, C and K. It also contains organic acids, scopoletin (isolated from the flowers), plant sterols, polysaccharides, lectins, and tannins. Used for hundreds of years as an herbal remedy, the herb is best known for its ability to ease the pain in the muscles and joints … [Read More...] about What is Stinging Nettle used for?

Licorice is one of the most widely used medicinal plants, both in Western and Eastern herbal medicine and has at least 3000 years of history as a medicinal plant. The plant contains various substances with different mechanisms of action. The saponins found in the herb act both as mucus thinning and expectorant. The viral inhibitory action of licorice is due to the substance glycyrrhizin that … [Read More...] about What is Licorice Root used for?

Grindelia has a calming effect on the heart muscles, which makes it effective in the natural treatment of asthma and bronchial conditions, particularly when these are linked with an increase in the rate at which the heart beats and nervous response. It is also used an herbal remedy for whooping cough and respiratory catarrh. It is a potent expectorant, which helps clear … [Read More...] about What is Grindelia used for?

Filipendula ulmaria is believed to have various medicinal properties such as an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, diaphoretic diuretic, hemostatic, sanative, stomachic, and tonic. The fresh root is frequently utilized in a small amount in many homeopathic preparations for various ailments. The active ingredients present in this medicinal plant are essential oils, flavonoids, phenolic glycosides, … [Read More...] about What is Meadowsweet used for?

The health properties of fennel are warming, carminative, antispasmodic, antidepressant, stomachic, pectoral, diuretic, diaphoretic, aromatic, anti-microbial, pain reducing, fever reducing, and promotes milk-flow in nursing mothers. Fennel has a long history as a commonly used household remedy for a variety of complaints, especially digestive disorders and it has been used traditionally as … [Read More...] about What is Fennel used for?

The leaves of boxwood contain essential oil, tannins and the alkaloids, buxine (chiefly responsible for the bitter taste), parabuxine and parabuxonidine. The bark contains chlorophyll, wax, resin, lignin, and minerals such as potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, and silicium. Boxwood was previously used to treat persistent and recurring fever (malaria), gout, rheumatism, urinary tract … [Read More...] about What is Boxwood used for?