Botanical Name: Pueraria lobata. The plant genus Pueraria is named after the Swiss Professor M. N. Pueraria (1766-1845). It contains around 20 species of herbaceous or woody vines, all native to Asia. Other Common Names: Kudzu vine, Japanese arrowroot, ge gen (ge hua) (Chinese), bidari kand (Sanskrit). Habitat: Kudzu is native to India, China, and […]
Medicinal Herb Profiles
Shepherd’s Purse Herb Uses and Benefits
Botanical Name of Shepherd’s Purse: Capsella bursa-pastoris. Other Common Names: Lady’s purse, shepherd’s bag, mother’s heart, shovelweed, caseweed, borsa de pastor (Spanish), bouse de pasteur (French), Hirtentäschelkraut (German), hjartarfi (Icelandic), hyrdetaske (Danish). Habitat: The plant is probably native to Europe and parts of Asia, but now it can be found in temperate regions around the […]
Henna – Health Benefits, Uses and Side Effects
Botanical Name: Lawsonia inermis. Other Common Names: Jamaica mignonette, al-henna, Egyptian privet, henne, mehndi, smooth lawsonia, henné (French), hennabuske (Swedish), Henna-Strauch (German). Habitat: Henna is endemic to Southwest Asia, North Africa, and India, but has also become naturalized in warmer parts of South and North America, Australia and the West Indies, where it is often […]
Sunflower – Benefits and Uses of Its Seed, Leaves and Petals
Botanical Name of Sunflower: Helianthus annuus. The botanical name Helianthus originates from the Greek words helios (Sun) and andanthos (flower). Other Common Names: Common sunflower, wild sunflower, solsikke (Danish), Sonnenblume (German), girasol (Spanish), tournesol (French). Habitat: Common sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is native to North America. It has become naturalized in many European countries and today […]
Plantain Herb Uses and Health Benefits
Botanical Name: Plantago major. Other Common Names: Geater or common plantain, broadleaf plantain, rippleseed plantain, wagbread, white man’s foot, plantain majeur (French), groblad (Swedish), Wegerich (German), græðisúra (Icelandic), piharatamo (Finnish). Habitat: Plantain is originally native to Europe and temperate parts of Asia. The plant has now become naturalized in all temperate regions of the world. […]
Neem Uses, Benefits and Side Effects
Botanical Name: Azadirachta indica. The scientific or Latin family name derives from the Persian word “azaddhirak” which means precious wood. Azadirachta indica is sometimes confused with Melia azedarach (Chinaberry). The two species are closely related and have a similar medicinal effect. Other Common Names: Margosa, azadirachta, bead tree, holy tree, Indian lilac tree, nim tree, […]
Cloves Benefits, Uses and Side Effects
Botanical Name: Syzygium aromaticum. Other Common Names: Mother cloves, clovetree, Gewürznelken (German), lavanga (Sanskrit), Kryddernellike (Danish), clous de girofle (French), clavo (Spanish), chouji (Japanese), lang (Hindi). The English common name “cloves” derives from the Latin word Clavus, which means nail. Habitat: It is believed that the clove-tree is originally native to the Maluku Islands or […]
Lady’s Mantle Uses, Benefits and Side Effects
Botanical Name of Lady’s Mantle: Alchemilla vulgaris and Alchemilla mollis The family name Alchemilla stems from the word “alchemy”, and refers to the belief in medieval times that water droplets forming on the lady’s mantle leaves could turn base metals to gold. Alchemists believed that these drops had a mysterious and magical power that in […]
Motherwort Benefits, Uses and Side Effects
Botanical Name: Leonurus cardiaca. The Latin species name cardiaca comes from the plant’s reputation in the past as an effective medicine to treat heart diseases. Other Common Names: Common motherwort, throw-wort, lion’s ear, lion’s tail, hjertespand (Danish), Herzgespann (German), agripalma (Spanish), agripaume cardiaque (French). Habitat: Motherwort is found throughout northern Europe. The species is also […]
Cicely – Medicinal Uses and Benefits
Botanical Name: Myrrhis odorata. Other Common Names: Sweet chervil, great chervil, sweet cicely, smooth cicely, British myrrh, cow chervil, shepherd’s needle, sweet bracken, Spansk körvel (Swedish), Süssdolde (German), perifolo (Spanish), cerfeuil d’Espagne (French). Habitat: Cicely is originally native to the mountainous areas of Central and Southern Europe but has spread far beyond its native range […]