Herbs - General

The juice made from the agave plant contains estrogen-like isoflavonoid, alkaloids, coumarin and vitamins B1, B2, C, D and K, and provitamin A. Agave americana has antiseptic, wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties, which explains its uses externally as a medicinal herb to treat burns, bruises, minor cuts, injuries and skin irritation caused by insect bites. In Central […]

Hearing loss is a traumatic and life-changing experience that can significantly affect one’s social and personal well-being. The condition can be gradual, which makes it hard to detect until it’s almost too late. Fortunately, both conductive-caused and sensorineural hearing loss can be treated either naturally or artificially. Let’s look at some natural treatment options available […]

Borage contains mucous substances, tannins, saponins, resins, essential oil, potassium, calcium, vitamin C and other substances. The borage leaves contain small amounts of pyrrolizidine alkaloids found to be toxic to the liver. However, the levels of those toxic alkaloids are extremely low. The oil from the seeds is rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 […]

Some of the substances found in cranesbill are tannins, gallic acid, starch, pectin, and resin. The root can contain between 12 to 25 percent tannin, with the highest amount just before flowering. The American cranesbill is not the only plant of the genus Geranium that is used in herbal medicine. The European species wood cranesbill […]

The red poppy seeds can be eaten raw or cooked. They have pleasant nutty flavor and can be sprinkled on bread and cakes or added in soups and salads. The seeds are rather small but relatively easy to harvest from the large seed pods. They are completely safe to eat because they do not contain […]

Many of the Lady’s Mantle constituents, especially the tannins and the bitter substances, are thought to have a balancing and regulating effect on the female reproductive system. Although the herb is not recommended for use during the early stages of pregnancy due to its uterine stimulating effect, many herbalists regard it as an excellent remedy […]

Coleus is a not a particularly remarkable plant to look at, yet it has a 3000-year history in Ayurvedic medicine and is mentioned in ancient Sanskrit texts as a tonic for a healthy heart and lungs. Today, coleus is not just a herb for cardiovascular ailments but is increasingly used to assist weight loss by breaking down […]

Chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus) got its name from the anti-aphrodisiac quality purported since its early use. Monks used to chew the berries and leaves of this tree to reduce the urges of the flesh. This use is not scientifically proven, but it has deep roots traditionally. Syrup of the berries was even given at convents […]

Traditional ayurvedic medicine has used the gummy resin from the boswellia tree to treat arthritis, diarrhea, Crohn’s disease, dysentery, lung disease and worms. In herbal medicine, boswellia is best known for its use in treating arthritis. The active ingredient, boswellic acid, in the resin is a powerful anti-inflammatory. It has also been said to have pain relieving properties. These […]

Mistletoe was a sacred plant of the Celtic peoples; the Celts and Gauls called it “all-heal” or “cure-all”. Shakespeare called mistletoe ‘baleful Mistletoe’, a reference to the Nordic mythology when Baldur, the god of peace and beauty, was slain by an arrow made from mistletoe and then brought back to life by the other Nordic […]