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Herbs
While many herbs are used for their flavour and medicinal properties, like drugs, any plant with the potential for healing when used appropriately also has the potential for harm when used irresponsibly. Although the most popular medicinal herbs are reasonably safe for most people, most of the time, and when taken in their recommended amounts, many medicinal herbs contain pharmacologically active compounds that have drug effects on the body. All drugs have the potential to cause allergic reactions, side effects, and interactions with other herbs and drugs. Anyone who uses herbs should do so cautiously, responsibly and be well informed on the herb they choose.
Echinacea: this powerful immune system booster can stop a cold or the flu before it gets a foothold ...
Common Names: Purple Coneflower, Sampson Root
Botanical Names: Echinacea augustifolia
Family: Asteraceae
Plant Type: Hardy perennial
Parts Used: Roots, cone flower
Flowering: July - October
Fennel: excellent remedy for colic and flatulence. Helps increase milk flow in breastfeeding ...
Common Names: Fennel
Botanical Name: Foeniculum vulgare
Family: Apiaceae
Plant Type: Tender Perennial
Parts Used: Leaves and seeds
Flowering: July and August
Feverfew: modern herbalists favour feverfew in the management of migraines. Taken regularly every day, it reduces both the frequency and severity of attacks for about seven out of ten sufferers...
Common Names: Feverfew
Botanical Name: Tanacetum parthenium
Family: Asteraceae
Plant Type: Hardy, evergreen perennial
Parts Used: Leaves
Flowering: July
Garlic: this medicinal powerhouse is now being researched for its ability to deal with the antibiotic-resistant superbugs lurking in hospitals ...
Common Names: Garlic
Botanical Name: Allium sativum
Family: Alliaceae
Plant Type: Hardy perennial bulb
Parts Used: Bulbs
Flowering: Early Spring
Ginger: for anyone suffering from chilblains, Raynaud's disease, or other problems due to poor circulation, ginger is like an internal hot-water bottle ...
Common Names: Ginger
Botanical Name: Zingiber officinale
Family: Zingiberaceae
Plant Type: Creeping perennial
Parts Used: Roots
American Ginseng: combined with the juice of a good ripe pineapple, is superior as a treatment for indigestion. It stimulates the healthy secretion of pepsin, thereby ensuring good digestion ...
Common Names: Five finger root, Wonder of the World Root. Chinese: Xi yang shen
Botanical Name: Panax quinquefolius
Family: Araliaceae
Plant Type: Hardy perennial
Parts Used: Roots
Flowering: July and August
Asian Ginseng: Panax comes from the Greek word panacea, meaning cure-all. Ginseng will not cure everything, however it will increase your overall vitality and your physical and mental performance...
Common Names: Asian Ginseng, Korean Ginseng, ren shen ("man root")
Botanical Name: Panax ginseng
Family: Araliaceae
Plant Type: Hardy perennial
Parts Used: Roots
Siberian Ginseng: as an immune-stimulating agent, eleuthero appears to energize the body's defenses, particularly by stimulating specific types of immune cells called helper T-lymphotcytes and natural killer cells...
Common Names: Eleuthero, Siberian Ginseng, Russian Ginseng, Devil's Bush, Touch-me-not, ci wu jia
Botanical Name: Eleutherococcus senticosus
Family: Araliaceae
Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
Parts Used: Roots, stems, bark
Flowering: July
Goldenseal: has mild antiseptic, sedative, and muscle relaxant properties. It is primarily used as an anitibiotic and for digestive purposes ...
Common Names: Goldenseal, Eye Balm, Eye Root, Indian dye, Indian paint
Botanical Name: Hydrastis canadensis
Family: Ranunculaeae
Plant Type: Hardy perennial
Parts Used: Dried leaves and stems, rhizomes (underground stems), roots
Flowering: April
Hawthorn: helps to normalize heart function, bringing it to maximum efficiency. It is useful when there is heart failure or weakness, an irregular heartbeat or palpitations ...
Common Names: Hawthorn, May Bush, Thorn
Botanical Name: Crataegus monogyna
Family: Rosaceae
Plant Type: Hardy deciduous shrub
Parts Used: Ripe fruit (haws)
Flowering: Spring
Hops: mainly used as a mild sedative, hops can help to ease anxiety and tension, calm restlessness and bring peaceful sleep ...
Common Names: Hops, Common Hop, Beer Flower
Botanical Name: Humulus lupulus
Family: Cannabaceae
Plant Type: Perennial vine
Parts Used: The conelike female flower
Flowering: July and August
Hyssop: helps relieve coughs and colds. Also relaxant for anxiety and hysteria ...
Common Names: Hyssop
Botanical Name: Hyssopus officinalis
Family: Lamiaceae
Plant Type: Semi-evergreen dwarf shrub
Parts Used: Shoots, leaves, and flowers
Flowering: June - August