St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum), also known as Klamath weed or goat weed, is a perennial shrubby plant with golden flowers from the botanical family Clusiaceae. Its name comes from the fact that it is traditionally harvested on St.John’s day, June 24. It is used as a herbal remedy for depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders. As it is natural, wholesome, inexpensive, and available over the counter, many people prefer it to taking antidepressiva which are known to have some severe side effects.
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Magnolia bark (Magnolia officinalis) has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine TCM for thousands of years. In Chinese it is known as hou pu and is mainly used for treating digestive problems and respiratory problems. It is a bitter and pungent herb and one of the best herbs in TCM for treating colics, digestive gas, bloating, and diarrhea. But it also resolves dampness and that makes it great for lung problems associated with excess mucus. Magnolia bark is often prescribed together with other herbs as part of a therapeutic formula. (more…)

Hawthorn (Crataegus), also known as Mayflower, Maytree, Maybush, Mayblossom, Haw, Halves, Hagthorn, Ladies’ meat, Bread and Cheese tree, Quickset, and Whitethorn, is a shrubby tree of the family Rosaceae. It is native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere in Asia, North America, and Europe. In Europe, Hawthorn is one of the oldest medicinal plants known and has been used since the Middle Ages for heart problems. But also the ancient Greeks and Native Americans were aware of the heart-healthy properties of Hawthorn. The parts used as medicine are the flowers, the leaves, and the berries. (more…)

Although often called root, Ginger is not a root but the underground stem or rhizome of the plant Zingiber officinale. It has a firm, striated texture and its flesh can be yellow, white, or red, depending upon the variety. It is covered with a brownish skin which is thin when the plant was harvested young, and thick when the plant was harvested mature. In Asian countries, Ginger has been used as a medicine and culinary spice since ancient times. As a medicine it was used to treat conditions like stomach upsets, diarrhea, nausea, arthritis, and heart conditions. Today, Ginger is most widely used to treat nausea and vomiting in pregnancy and motion sickness, but also as a digestive aid, to relieve colds, headaches and painful menstrual periods.
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Garlic (Allium sativum) is a perennial plant of the lily family, closely related to onions, leeks, chives, and shallots. Its edible bulb or „head“ grows underground and is made up of sections called cloves which have a strong distinctive flavor. Throughout all of recorded history, garlic has been used for medicinal and culinary purposes. The ancient Egyptians worshipped garlic, in Rome and Greece garlic was used to treat a wide variety of conditons, from bladder infections and dog bites to leprosy and asthma. Athletes used carlic to stimulate performance, and in the Middle Ages, garlic was believed to combat the plague. The most famous garlic folklore is that it can ward off vampires. In America and Great Britain, garlic was frowned upon for a long time and only recently its culinary and medicinal values have been recognized.
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Devil’s Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens), also known as Grapple plant and Wood spider, is native to South Africa. Its name comes from the characteristic large, hooked and claw-like fruit. In Africa, the root of Devil’s Claw has been used for thousands of years for rheumatoid arthritis, skin conditions, stomach and kidney diseases, fever, as well as to stimulate digestion. In the early 1900’s, European colonists brought Devil’s Claw to Europe where it was mainly used to treat arthritis.
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Comfrey (Symphytum officinale), also known as Common Comfrey, Blackwort, Bruisewort, Knitbone, Slippery root, and Gum plant (among others), is a perennial herb of the family Boraginaceae. It is native to Europe, growing in damp grassy places on the banks of rivers and ditches. In the Middle Ages, Comfrey was not only a well-known remedy for broken bones but was used to treat a wide variety of ailments, from arthritis and bronichial problems to gastric ulcers and wound-healing. One of the constituents in Comfrey is allantoin which stimulates cell proliferation and thereby accelerates wound-healing, both internally and externally.
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Cat’s Claw (Uncaria tomentosa), also known as hawk’s claw, is a tropical vine that grows in the rainforest areas of South America. In Peru, the plant is protected as it is considered a valuable medicinal resource. The natives of South America have been using Cat’s Claw for hundreds of years for a broad spectrum of conditions, including all types of infection, but also as a cure for cancer. Modern scientific studies suggest that Cat’s Claw may be beneficial in the treatment of arthritis, allergies, bursitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, diabetes, herpes, intestinal disorders, menstrual irregularities, organic depression, and as an adjunctive treatment for cancer and AIDS.
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Calendula (Calendula officinalis), also known as marigold or pot marigold, is an annual plant that is native to the Mediterranean countries but now grows throughout the world. It has many traditional culinary and herbal uses, as well as magical ones. The dye obtained from the flowers was used to flavor and color foods like rice, custards, butter, stews, and soups. An infusion made from the crushed petals was used for its cleansing and antiseptic properties, and extracts and ointments were used to treat jaundice, to induce menstruation, to produce sweat during fevers, and also as a remedy for digestive disorders.
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Buchu (Barosma betulina) is a small shrubby plant that is native to South Africa. The Hottentots call the plant bookoo and that is where its name comes from. The leaves which have a strong aromatic taste and a peppermint-like odor are mixed with oil and used as a perfume. Buchu is part of the cultural heritage of the Khoi and San people and has long been known at the Cape, where it is infused in Brandy and known as Buchu Brandy, as a stimulant tonic and remedy for stomach problems. Today, Buchu is mainly used to relieve complaints of the genito-urinary tract. It is often combined with Uva Ursi for treatment of water retention and urinary tract infections.
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Black cohosh (Cimicifua racemosa, Actaea racemosa), also known as Black snakeroot, Bugbane, Bugwort, Rattleweed, and Rattleroot, is a perennial plant that is a member of the buttercup family and is native to North America. Native Americans used it for a variety of conditions, such as gynecological and kidney disorders, rheumatism, malaria, fever, and even depression. Today, Black cohosh is mainly used as an alternative to hormonal therapy in the treatment of climacteric symptoms, such as hot flashes, mood disturbances, and vaginal dryness.
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Agnus Castus (Vitex Agnus Castus), also known as Chaste Tree or Monkspepper, is a member of the Verbenaceae family and is native to the Mediterranean. The name Agnus Castus is Greek and means chaste lamb. Agnus Castus has been used for gynecological conditions since the days of Hippokrates. It has a balancing effect on female hormones and has shown to be effective in a wide range of symptoms, such as PMS, breast tenderness, irregular cycle, anxiety and other psychological symptoms, as well as problems in connection with menopause.
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Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) also known as All-Heal, Garden Heliotrope, Amantilla, and Setwall, is native to Europe and Northern Asia. It is a perennial plant with sweetly scented pink or white flowers and grayish brown roots that have a pungent odor and that can be made into juice or powder to be used as a remedy for insomnia, anxiety, and nervous restlessness. Valerian brings also relief to menstrual and stomach cramps, migraine, irritable bowel syndrome, and restlessness that comes with the attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. It has also been recommended to treat epileptic convulsions, however, that has not been supported by modern research so far.
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