Herbs - General

The active ingredient against malaria, the alkaloid quinine, was isolated in the 1820s, prompting further cultivation of trees, especially C. ledgeriana and C. succirubra. In the 1940s, after the active alkaloid was isolated and identified drug companies were able to develop synthetic quinine. Some strains of malaria have become resistant to the synthetic quinine which has instigated renewed interest in […]

There are a number of medicinal herbs that have a long history of use as a natural treatment for fever, as well as traditional herbal combinations that are pleasant to the taste and provide a number of benefits when suffering from fever and chills. In holistic tradition, herbs are not used to reduce fever unless […]

This bitter shrub has shown immunity-boosting capabilities by stimulating the body’s natural immune systems. Researchers have reported that the plant is effective in preventing the multiplication of cancer cells. Andrographolides in the plant are thought to enhance immune function such as in the production of white blood cells, to support the release of interferon, and to promote […]

The native range of cinchona species are the lower to mid-elevations of the Andes in South America. Cinchona is the national tree of both Peru and Ecuador. Supposedly, the planting of cinchona trees outside of South America was initiated by the Jesuits, who had long collected the bark in Peru and promoted its use wherever […]

Rhodiola rosea has been shown to have similar properties as Panax ginseng and some believe that it surpasses ginseng in terms of efficiency. The plant belongs to a group of medicinal herbs called adaptogens. These herbs are believed to increase the body’s general adaptability and therefore its resistance to external stress factors like heat, cold, noise, and […]

Dandelion is traditionally used as a general tonic, for constipation, for inflammatory skin conditions such as acne, and eczema, and as an herbal remedy for diseases like psoriasis. [Read more about Dandelion here]

Around the world, there are hundreds of flowering plant species known as Hibiscus, many of which are purely ornamental rather than medicinal. The most common of these ornamental varieties is Hibiscus syriacus. Like the rest of its sister strains, syriacus is part of the mallow family.  The hibiscus plant is widely revered by a number […]

The medical applications of galangal are in many ways the same as its close relative ginger. It is a bitter herb that is used to promote digestion and stimulate appetite and production of digestive fluids. The herb is therefore used to treat anorexia, indigestion (dyspepsia), colic and stomach ache. It is also used traditionally for hiccups, nausea, […]