Botanical Name: Arnica montana. Arnica montanta is a beautiful plant that sadly has become endangered in many places. It has been used in folk medicine for ages, for its ability to speed the healing of tissues and as a remedy for various other ailments. Today the plant is widely known and in recent years it has become […]
Medicinal Herb Profiles
Anise Seeds – Uses, Health Benefits and Side Effects
Botanical Name: Pimpinella anisum. The anise seeds have been used since ancient times. The plant was grown, and its seeds were used as a spice in ancient Egypt, an application later adopted by the Greeks and Romans. It is primarily the seeds (botanically they are fruits) of the plant and the essential oil extracted from […]
Andrographis – Health Benefits and Side Effects
Botanical Name: Andrographis paniculata. Andrographis is an ancient medicinal herb with a long historical record. It has been used for centuries in traditional folk medicine in India, China, Thailand, and other Asian countries. It is an essential herb in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) where it is used on its own or in conjunction […]
Amur Cork Tree – Health Benefits and Side Effects
Botanical Name of Amur Cork Tree: Phellodendron amurense Rupr. The scientific family name Phellodendron, comes from the Greek words “phellos”, which means cork and “dendron”, meaning tree. Other Common Names: Siberian cork tree, huang bai (Chinese). Habitat: The Amur cork tree is found wild in China, Japan, and Korea but is otherwise cultivated for medical […]
American Ginseng – Uses, Health Benefits and Side Effects
Botanical Name: Panax quinquefolius The scientific name of American ginseng, Panax quinquefolius means “universal medicine with five blades,” which refers to the plant’s considerable reputation as a medicinal plant. The Native Americans have a long historical tradition using the herb both as herbal medicine and in spiritual and ceremonial practices. There are at least ten […]
Allspice – Benefits, Uses and Side Effects of the Berries
Botanical Name of Allspice: Pimenta dioica. The name “allspice” is due to the unique scent of its leaves and berries, a blend of the aromas of cloves, black pepper, cinnamon, and nutmeg. The name of the spice has caused some confusion leading many to believe it is a mixture of spices. The 15th-century Spanish explorers […]
Alfalfa – Health Benefits, Historical Uses and Side Effects
Botanical Name: Medicago sativa. Alfalfa common name either comes from the Arabic, al-fac-facah, meaning “father of all foods.” or from ancient Iranian “an aspo-asti” which means “the best feed” or “feed for horses.” Alfalfa is one of the oldest cultivated plants, and it is used as livestock forage, as a highly nutritious food for humans, […]
Agrimony Herb – Health Benefits and Side Effects
Botanical Name: Agrimonia eupatoria, A. gryposepala. Agrimonia belongs to a genus of 15 species of perennial herbaceous flowering plants in the rose family (Rosaceae). Its common English name agrimony derives from the Greek word “argemōnē,” meaning “healer of eyes.” The plant’s species name “eupatoria” refers to Mithridates Eupator (135–63 BC), a king of Pontus and […]