Botanical Name: Angelica archangelica. Angelica has for centuries been an important medicinal plant and food source, especially to the Sami or Lapps in northern Finland, Norway and Sweden and the Inuits in Greenland. The Vikings were aware of the medicinal properties of the plant, and it is mentioned in the Icelandic sagas. In Norway, the […]
Medicinal Herb Profiles
Daisy – Medicinal Uses and Benefits
Botanical Name: Bellis perennis. Other related plants are also known by the name daisy, but Bellis perennis is mostly regarded as the archetypal species. Other Common Names: Common daisy, garden daisy, English daisy, meadow daisy, bruisewort, tusindfryd (Danish), chiribita (Spanish), paquerette vivace (French), Gänseblümchen (German). Habitat: Daisy is native to Europe and western Asia, but […]
Madder Uses and Benefits
Botanical Name: Rubia tinctorum. Other Common Names: Dyer’s madder, ground-madder, robbia, wild madder, Indian madder, Krapp (Norwegian), rubia (Spanish), garance (French), Färberkrapp (German). Habitat: Madder is originally endemic to Southeastern Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa, but was early on introduced to the Central and Northwestern Europe where it became naturalized. The plant is cold-hardy […]
Hedge Hyssop Benefits and Uses
Botanical Name: Gratiola officinalis. Other Common Names: Gratiola, gratia dea, herb of grace, Gnadenkraut (German), graciola (Spansih), gratiole officinale (French), nådesurt (Dansih). Habitat: Hedge hyssop is found growing wild from Western and Central Europe to Western Asia. It has been introduced to North America and Australia. The plant prefers alkaline moist soil in full sun. […]
Asafetida – Uses and Health Benefits
Botanical Name: Ferula assa-foetida. The scientific species name assa-foetida is composed of the Persian word aza meaning “resin” and the Latin word foetidus meaning “smelly” referring to the plant’s rather strong and unpleasant odor. At the time of the Roman Empire asafetida was a popular seasoning and the Romans referred to it as “food of […]
Southernwood – Benefits and Uses
Botanical Name: Artemisia abrotanum. Other Common Names: Southern wormwood, lad’s love, old man, slovenwood, tangerine southernwood, Eberreis (German), aurone (French), abrótano macho (Spanish), åbrodd (Swedish). Habitat: Southernwood is thought to be native to southern Europe and Asia (Turkey, Middle East, and Iran). The species was introduced to North America by the European settlers and soon […]
Bog Myrtle Benefits and Uses
Botanical Name: Myrica gale. Other Common Names: Sweet gale, candle berry, Porsch (German), galè odorant (French), arrayán brabántico (Spanish), mjaðarlyng (Icelandic), pors (Danish). Habitat: The plant is endemic to northern and western Europe and can also be found in some parts of northern North America. Description: Bog myrtle is a small flowering shrub that can […]
Eucalyptus Globulus – Health Benefits and Side Effects
Scientific Name: Eucalyptus Globulus. Common Names: Tasmanian blue gum, blue gum, eucalyptus tree, ironbark, bloodwood and gum tree. Distribution and Habitat: Eucalyptus globulus is native to the state of Tasmania, Australia. It prefers gentle, sloping coastal hills or protected valleys, good quality coastal soils and plenty of sun. It is adverse to lower temperatures, once […]
Eleuthero (Siberian Ginseng) – Health Benefits and Side Effects
Scientific Name of Eleuthero: Eleutherococcus senticosus (also known as Acanthopanax senticosus). Common Names: Siberian Ginseng, Russian ginseng, chi wu cha, ciwujia, thorny Russian pepperbush, thorny ginseng, touch-me-not. Distribution and Habitat: Around the world, ginseng is one of the most popular herbal supplements and is widely used in folk and traditional medicines. Eleuthero or Siberian ginseng […]
Agave Americana – Benefits, Uses and Side Effects
Botanical Name: Agave americana L. Other Common Names: Century plant, American agave, American century plant, maguey, flowering aloe, American aloe, metl, spiked aloe. The name agave comes from the Greek word “agauos”, which means proud. It’s also known by the name American aloe but agave is not related to aloe vera, which is an entirely […]