Botanical Name of Wild Yam Root: Dioscorea villosa. The genus name Dioscorea gets its name from the ancient Greek physician Pedanius Dioscorides. The common name “yam” comes from West African dialect and means “to eat”. Other Common Names: Colic root, aluka, China root devil’s bones, Mexican wild yam, rheumatism root, yuma, shan yao (Chinese), igname […]
Medicinal Herb Profiles
Wild Indigo Uses and Benefits as a Medicinal Herb
Botanical Name of Wild Indigo: Baptisia tinctoria. Other Common Names: Broom-clover, Baptisia, indigo-weed, horsefly-weed, indigo-broom, shoofly, yellow indigo, American indigo, yellow broom, cloverbroom, rattlebush. Habitat: Wild indigo grows mainly along the Eastern Side of the United States – from Maine to Minnesota and all the way south to Florida, but typically no further than southeast […]
White Willow Bark – Benefits and Side Effects
Botanical Name: Salix alba. Other Common Names: Willow bark, white willow, salix. Habitat: White willow bark, as its name implies is a member of the willow family. Predominantly grown in Central and Southern Europe and Northern America. Plant Description: This deciduous tree grows to a significant height of 20-30m. It has long branches that drape […]
White Horehound Herb – Side Effects and Health Benefits
Botanical Name: Marrubium vulgare. Other Common Names; Seed of horus, bull’s blood, eye of the star, adorn, houndsbane, haran haran, grand bonhomme, blanc rubi, mapiochin, Andorn (German), marrube vulgaire (French), marrubio (Spanish), kransborre(Swedish). Habitat: White horehound is probably native to the Mediterranean countries but can be found growing wild in many places in central and […]
Vervain – Side Effects and Health Benefits
Botanical Name: Verbena officinalis. Other Common Names of Vervain: Common or European vervain, enchanter’s plant, herb-of-the-cross, herb of grace, holy herb, ma bian cao, pigeon’s grass, pigeonweed, simpler’s joy, verbena. Habitat: Vervain was brought from Europe to North America and is now commonly found growing not only in North America, but also in North Africa, […]
Varuna – Health Benefits and Side Effects
Botanical Name: Crataeva nurvala. Other Common Names: Three leaved caper, barun, baruna, borun, crataeva, varun, bonna pithagola. Habitat: Varuna is found throughout India, especially in sub-Alpine zones along streams and rivers. It prefers a wet soil with a pH of 7, with abundant sunlight. It is found in abundance in Kerela, Madhya Pradesh, Bengal, and […]
Valerian Root – Health Benefits and Side Effects
Botanical Name: Valeriana officinalis. Other Common Names: Valerian root, garden valerian, tobacco root, garden heliotrope, all-heal, phu (Galen), great wild valerian, amantilla, setwall, setewale capon’s tail. Habitat: The plant is native to Europe, South Africa and parts of Asia. It has naturalized in North America. It prefers rich, heavy loam with adequate moisture. Most of […]
Turmeric Uses and Benefits as a Medicinal Herb
Botanical Name: Curcuma longa. Other Common Names: Indian saffron, haldi, kunyit. Habitat: Turmeric has its origins most likely in India but today it is common throughout Southeast Asia, China, and southern Australia but can be found in most tropical regions of the world. It is a widely cultivated plant throughout the tropics. Plant Description: Curcuma […]
Tribulus Terrestris – Side Effects and Health Benefits
Botanical Name: Tribulus terrestris. Other Common Names: Puncture vine, caltrop, yellow vine, and goathead, abrojo de tierra caliente (Spanish), gokshura (Sanskrit), ci ji li (Chinese), Burzeldorn (German), croix-de-malte (French). Habitat: Tribulus terrestris can be found in the moderate and tropical climates in Europe, America, Africa, Australia, and southern Asia. Its name comes from the extreme […]
Tongkat Ali Uses as a Medicinal Herb
Botanical Name: Eurycoma longifolia. Other Common Names: Longjack and pasak bumi. Habitat: Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand. Description: Tongkat ali (meaning ali’s walking stick) gets its name from the long twisted roots that are harvested for their medicinal value. The plant itself is a slow-growing tree, taking up to twenty-five years to mature. It has a slim […]