The history of thyme as being in use as both a seasoning and a medicinal herb for goes back more than 3000 years. Archaeologists have found ancient writings in Egypt discussing the use of it and it has been identified as one of the ingredients used in mummification. Ancient Greeks considered it a symbol of […]
Herbs - General
What is Boldo used for?
The leaves contain numerous isoquinoline alkaloids and about 2% essential oil (with cymene, eucalyptol ascaridole, and linalool as the main ingredients). Native tribes of South America had been using the leaves of boldo for hundreds of years both as a culinary spice and herbal medicine to treat gout and ailments of the liver, bladder, and […]
What is Lily of the Valley used for?
During Medieval times, lily of the valley was used by herbalists instead of foxglove. Lily of the valley affects the heart rate, enabling it to function more regularly and efficiently, reducing excessive irritability of the myocardium without increasing the amount of oxygen required by the heart muscle. In the treatment of heart ailments, the leaves […]
Is CBD Oil Good for Women’s Health?
You probably wonder what CBD oil or Cannabidiol (CBD) has to do with women’s health. By the time you finish reading this article, your knowledge of CBD will be broadened, and you will see that it is an essential part of a healthy woman’s life. Most have heard about Marijuana and its relation to Cancer. […]
What is Oregon Grape used for?
Like the barberry Oregon grape contains the alkaloids berberine, berbamine, canadine, and hydrastine. It is believed that these alkaloids inhibit the ability of bacteria, such as E. coli, to attach to human cells and thus prevent the spread of infection. There is some evidence that as an ointment Oregon grape may alleviate the symptoms of psoriasis. […]
What is Blackberry used for medicinally?
The leaves contain triterpenes, flavonoids, saponins, vitamin C, organic acids, traces of essential oil, arbutin, hydroquinone and a high concentration of tannins. The fully ripe fruits contain organic acids, sugar compounds, anthocyanins, pectin, niacin, flavonoids, mucous substances, carotenoids, vitamin C and several B vitamins. The leaves, roots and root bark are used medicinally, while the […]
What is Red Clover used for?
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 plant […]
What is Bearberry 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 […]
What is Gingko Biloba 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 […]
What is Holly 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 […]