HERBS A-Z
Aniseed
Aniseed has a long history of use in digestive disorders. It posses antispasmodic and carminative actions meaning it is useful to ease griping, intestinal colic and wind. It's has also been used in bronchitis, persistent irritable coughing, and in whooping cough.
Caraway
Caraway has been used as a calming herb to ease numerous digestive upsets such as diarrhea, wind and colic, especially in children and is used to stimulate the appetite. Caraway has also been associated with increased milk flow in nursing mothers and is often used in breastfeeding.
Cardamom
This common Indian spice is used frequently in cooking and as a carminative herb it can help to relieve griping and flatulence. It also helps to stimulate the appetite and the flow of saliva, getting the digestive juices flowing.
Calendula
Calendula possesses anti-inflammatory, healing and anti-fungal properties amongst many others. It has a long history of use in wound healing and is considered by many herbalists to be one of the best herbs for treating external skin conditions such as inflammation of the skin, slow-healing wounds, ulcers, minor burns and scalds. Calendula acts internally on soothing inflamed or ulcerated digestive membranes and posses properties that stimulate the flow of bile, thus aiding gallbladder conditions. Calendula also has marked antifungal properties and can be used internally or externally for this purpose.
Chamomile
Chamomile is a wonderful herb that acts on the nervous and the digestive systems. It is used by herbalists to relax, ease anxiety and alleviate insomnia thus it's commonly used as a warm tea before bed. Chamomile is also invaluable for the digestive system, useful for easing colic, indigestion, inflammation and wind. It's also used to soothe irritated mucosa and can be used as a mouthwash for gum infections, a gargle for sore throats and as an eye bath for inflamed, sore eyes. Externally it can also be applied to soothe inflammation and speed wound healing.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is usually used as a carminative herb to relieve nausea and vomiting. It has mild astringent properties and is therefore helpful in diarrhea. Cinnamon is considered a warming herb. It's often included in formulas to balance the blend and for its pleasant taste.
Cloves
Cloves are a common spice used in cooking and is one of the traditional ingredients in chai. It possesses carminative actions that are useful in stimulating digestion and in alleviating nausea, vomiting and wind. Cloves have powerful local antiseptic actions and are mildly anesthetic therefore clove oil is commonly used topically for toothaches.
Dandelion Root
The root of the dandelion plant is a great liver tonic and is commonly used to help restore liver and gall bladder disturbances. Through its actions on the liver and mild laxative effects, Dandelion is often used to help to ease bloating, soothe upset stomach feelings and alleviate constipation. Via is liver action, dandelion is often employed by herbalists to work in skin conditions, hormonal imbalances and conditions of excess toxicity.
Fennel
Fennel is often used by herbalists for digestive symptoms such as wind, colic and to stimulate the appetite and digestion. It also has a calming effect on bronchitis and coughs and is often used as a flavouring agent in herbal formulas. Fennel is also used to increase the flow of breast milk in nursing mothers.
Ginger
Ginger is another widely used culinary herb that most people associate with eastern cooking. It stimulates the circulation helping with symptoms of poor circulation such as cold hands and feet and cramps. It's a warming herb and helps to promote perspiration, an excellent action in feverish conditions to help induce sweating and break the fever. It also helps stimulate digestive juices reliving dyspepsia, wind and colic.
Goat's Rue
Goat's rue is a powerful galactagogue, meaning it stimulates the production and flow of breast milk in nursing mothers. It is also used in blood sugar disorders such as diabetes to reduce blood sugar levels.
Green tea
Green tea is from the plant camellia sinensis, the same plant as black tea. Tea is rich in antioxidants and much research has been done into its health benefits. Tea has been shown to boost immunity, increase metabolism, prevent heart disease, aid in preventing some cancers, increasing mental alertness and reducing anxiety and stress. It is believed that green tea has more antioxidants than black tea due to it's differing manufacturing process.
Hibiscus
Hibiscus tea is well known for its pleasant taste and vibrant red colour. However it's use as a herbal tea extends beyond that. Studies have shown hibiscus tea to benefit in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as preventing the oxidation of LDL or the so-called “bad cholesterol”.
Lavender
Lavender is a herb most people are familiar with, but more for its fragrant properties. However it also possesses many therapeutic properties such as carminative, anti-spasmodic and antidepressant. It is a wonderful herb for headaches, especially when they are stress-related. It gently strengthens the nervous system, alleviating depression, stress and anxiety and helping to promote sleep.
Lemon balm
Lemon balm is a herb with reputed soothing effects on the stomach digestion, reducing gas and bloating. It has a calming affect and may benefit nervousness, anxiety and mild insomnia. Lemon balm may hold antiviral properties and laboratory studies have shown evidence of antibacterial and antifungal activity.
Lemongrass
Lemongrass is a wonderfully fresh, zesty tasting herb. It's believed to have antibacterial and antifungal activity and has been used as an aid to digestion, helping to alleviate stomach cramps, flatulence and colic. It makes an excellent iced tea garnished with mint and slices of fresh lime.
Lemon Verbena
Lemon verbena has antipyretic, antispasmodic, sedative and stomachic. Traditionally, lemon verbena has been used to treat asthma, fever, colds, fever, flatulence, stomach upset and diarrhea. Lemon verbena makes a pleasant tea that's often consumed for its relaxing effects.
Licorice
Licorice is often though of as a flavouring agent yet its usefulness extends much further. It has a soothing and healing effect on the digestive tract, helping to ease ulceration and colic. In the respiratory system it helps reduce mucus, bronchitis and cough through its soothing and antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory activity. It is also used widely as a tonic to the adrenal glands, helping to improve energy and revitalize tired, stressed bodies. Keep in mind the herb licorice is quite different to the lolly kind. You won't find these benefits from consuming the confectionary version.
Nettle
Nettle is a widely used herb by herbalists as it strengthens and supports the whole body. They are a highly nutritive herb, rich in chlorophyll, iron and vitamin C. Nettle also contains astringent qualities making it a useful herb for bleeding such as nose bleeds and heavy menstruation. Nettle can aid in skin disease such as eczema, especially when associated with poor circulation to the skin or anemia. Nettle is also diuretic, helping to eliminate excess fluids in the body. Nettle has also been used with other herbs to ease symptom of an enlarged prostate.
Nutmeg
Nutmeg is a wonderful warming herb, mostly renowned for it's flavour and is a common ingredient in Chai. Historically nutmeg has been used to alleviate diarrhea, gas, aiding digestion and improving the appetite. Nutmeg contains 10% of a volatile oil, known as nutmeg oil. This oil has been known to support the adrenal glands. Also, nutmeg oil has aided in the recovery of gout, arthritis, aches, pains, nausea and aid in sleep issues. * Nutmeg can produce severe toxicity at doses exceeding one teaspoon. However it is a very strong tasting herb and the small amount added to teas and to cooking is generally considered very safe.
Oats
Oats have along history of being used both as a food and as a herb. They are wonderfully nutritive and have a calming and tonifying effect on the nervous system and are anti-depressant. They are specific for feeding the nervous system when under stress and are often used by herbalists for debility and exhaustion. Oats are also high in silica and calcium leading to their use for promoting skin health.
Passionflower
Passionflower possesses sedative, hypnotic, anti-spasmodic and pain relieving qualities. It is often used in promoting sleep without any groggy feeling the next day. It is also beneficial in anxiety, restlessness and nervous stress. It's also used in nerve pain as it both a pain reliever as well as anti-spasmodic. Passionflower is helpful in cases of tension.
Pau D'Arco
Pau D'Arco tea is a powerful herb used commonly for gastrointestinal infestations. It is commonly used by herbalists for Candida and has shown strong in vitro activity against various bacteria, fungi and yeast. It has also shown antiviral and antiparastic actions.
Peppermint
Peppermint is one of the best carminatives available. It helps to relax visceral muscles, reduces flatulence and stimulates bile and digestive juices to aid digestion. It's helpful in alleviating nausea and the desire to vomit therefore is beneficial in pregnancy and travel sickness. It's a cooling herb and is therefore invaluable in fevers and cold and influenza, commonly used as in inhalant for nasal catarrh. It has also a reputed benefit for treating headache associated with digestion.
Raspberry leaf
Raspberry Leaf has a long traditional use in pregnancy to tone and strengthen the tissues of the womb, assisting contractions and checking any hemorrhage in labour. Therefore it is commonly thought of as easing and improving the efficiency of labor. The herb should be taken during the last few months of pregnancy to provide optimum results. Raspberry Leaf is also astringent in its action and can be used for conditions such as diarrhea and leucorrhoea. Raspberry Leaf works well as a mouth and throat mouthwash. It can be used as a gargle for a sore throat and mouth infections.
Red Clover
Red Clover is a major herb used in purifying the blood to ease skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, and psoriasis and is gentle enough to be used in children. Red Clover may help to ease menopausal hot flushes. Rosehips Rosehips are a pleasant tasting herb, rich in Vitamin C. They help protect against infections, especially colds. They aid debility and exhaustion and have been used to help constipation and mild gall-bladder problems, as well as conditions of the kidney and liver.
Sage
Sage is specifically indicated to help inflammation of the mouth, tongue or throat and is used as a gargle or a mouthwash. Sage reduces excessive mucous production within the body. The herb has been traditionally used to treat excessive perspiration, sinusitis and the early stages of colds and flu, making it an invaluable herb in reducing fevers.
Siberian Ginseng
An excellent herb for increasing stamina and endurance as well as building energy. It's used widely by those wanting improved physical performance such as athletes, body builders, laborers and anyone working long hours. It helps increase mental alertness and enhances immunity. An excellent adaptogen meaning it helps the body adapt to stress and is used for debility, exhaustion and depression.
Skullcap
Skullcap may be used as a relaxant to the nervous system. It relaxes nervous tension whilst at the same time renewing and reviving the central nervous system. It is a beneficial herb in exhausted or depressed conditions. It assists with neurological and neuromotor conditions including epilepsy, helping to reduce the severity and frequency of symptoms. Skullcap assists in states of nervous tension and debility and is often used as an antispasmodic and helps to regulate sleeping problems.
Spearmint
Spearmint is similar to peppermint in its actions. This cooling herb is antispasmodic and carminative leading to its use in alleviating nausea, heartburn, bloating and indigestion. It's also beneficial for reducing morning sickness in pregnancy.
St John's Wort
St John's has a gentle, calming effect when taken internally, making it ideal for anxiety states, tension, irritability and is well known for it's antidepressant activity. Its sedative and pain-relieving effects make it an effective herb for neuralgia. It also has potent anti-viral activity, stimulating and improving lymphatic function. Externally it is also used to speed the healing of wounds, bruises and burns.
Sweet Orange Peel
Orange peel is believed to be beneficial for the digestive system, alleviating flatulence, indigestion and boating. The peel is high in flavanoids, notably hesperidin. Hesperidin has been shown to lower high blood pressure as well as cholesterol in animal studies and to have strong anti-inflammatory properties. It also adds a beautiful, fragrant orange taste to herbal blends.
Yellow Dock
Yellow dock is used extensively in treating various skin conditions, such as psoriasis. It's a great detoxifying herb, with a strong action on the bowel, alleviating constipation. Traditionally it is described as a “blood cleanser” via its alterative action. It promotes the flow of bile and its action on the gall bladder explains its role in helping jaundice associated with congestion.
This information is intended as a guide only and should not replace adequate medical advice from your health professional. Please consult your health professional before commencing any herbal products, especially if you are on medications or other vitamin or herbal products.