Herbs - General

Columbine has been regarded as a religious symbol of purity and it is often depicted in paintings together with the Virgin Mary. In traditional herbalism the plant was considered sacred to the goddess Venus. It is known that the plant has been used as herbal medicine since the Middle Ages and that it was used as […]

The key constituents of crataeva nurvala are alkaloids; triterpenes; tannins; saponins; flavonoids; plant sterols; and glucosilinates. The main health actions of crataeva nurvala are diuretic, antilithiatic, rubefacient (reddening the skin by producing hyperemia) and anti-inflammatory. The bark of varuna is believed to have antioxidant, contraceptive, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and urinary-renal supportive qualities, the root is laxative […]

Peppermint as a tea has become very popular and it is thought to have a number of health benefits for variety of ailments such as biliary disorders, dyspepsia, enteritis, flatulence, gastritis, intestinal colic, and spasms of the bile duct, gallbladder and gastrointestinal (GI) tract. When the steam from the tea is inhaled it can ease sinus […]

The main active ingredient found in greater celandine is the alkaloid chelidonin, a substance not unlike papaverine found in the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum). Chelidonin has an antispasmodic effect and seems to specifically target the bile duct and bronchi. Furthermore, the substance has mild tranquilizing properties. When greater celandine is used internally, its medicinal effect […]

Great mullein contains a demulcent, emollient and astringent properties making it useful to help resolve pectoral complaints and bleeding of the lungs and bowels. Its uses can be traced back to the Greek herbalist, Dioscorides, who was one of the first to recommend it for in curing a variety of lung diseases. Various Native American […]

Common figwort contains amino acids, flavonoids, phenolic acids (ferulic acid, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, cinnamic acid), saponins, cardiac glycoside, phytosterols, essential fatty acids, and asparagine. The scientific Genus name, Scrophularia, comes from the plant’s traditional use as a remedy for scrofula, a tuberculous infection of the lymph nodes in the neck. This use was due […]

The primary product from the Eucalyptus globulus is its essential oil, which has a diverse range of therapeutic uses. The oil contains eucalyptol (1,8-cineol). It is also a valuable source of kinos, a plant gum produced by various plants and trees, widely used in medicine and tanning lotions. The essential oil is a popular decongestant […]

Bayberry contains triterpenes (such as taraxerol, taraxeron and myrikadiol), flavonoids (myricitrin), tannins, phenols, resins and rubber substances. The European settlers who came to North America learned about the medicinal properties of bayberry from the Native Americans. A description from 1737 states that the plant “removes air and relieves all kinds of pain caused by cold, […]

Medicinally, buchu has a very long and well-defined history. It has been used for many ailments outside of its prescribed treatments, but there is little or no verification of those added benefits. It is well suited for use with children and for the elderly, owing primarily to its mild effects. It was used in the […]

Juniper has been used traditionally to treat arthritis, gout and rheumatism. Test tube studies have shown that the berries can inhibit prostaglandin synthesis which indicates that this traditional use has some merit. Juniper has diuretic and antiseptic properties which explain its uses as an herbal remedy for urinary tract infections such as cystitis and urethritis. Modern studies on […]