Category: HERBS

Alfalfa, also called lucerne, is a common forage crop in many countries and is used as silage and hay for livestock. It comes from the Arabic word al-fasfasa, meaning ‘fresh fodder.’ There have been reports that alfalfa leaf preparations were used in the relief of kidney and prostate disorders. It is also a commercial source…

Arnica, also called leopard’s bane, mountain snuff/tobacco, or arnica floss, is an herb that was beneficial to early north Americans as a tincture for the treatment of sore throats. Today, arnica gel is gaining popularity as a topical pain relief for people suffering from osteoarthritis. Arnica description and components Arnica belongs to the family Asteraceae.…

Angelica is a beneficial herb that has been used historically to make jams and in liqueurs, especially gin distillation. Its origin name, ‘angelica,’ in Latin means ‘angel’ and is a favorite among the spiritual community, as it is associated with a divine message or messenger, hence the common nickname ‘holy ghost plant.’ The stems could…

Anise spice, also called “anix,” “sweet cumin,” and “aniseed,” is a beneficial ingredient in natural cough remedies dating back to the time of Hippocrates. Its dried ripe fruit has also been used widely in the Mediterranean region as a component of candy, to flavor food, and in alcoholic drinks. Anise description and constituents Anise belongs…

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) benefits like stress and anxiety reduction have recently shot into the limelight, but its medicinal value goes way back to ancient India as Ayurvedic medicine. One of its traditional uses is as a poultice to manage swelling and boils. When ground, the leaves have a characteristic ‘horse’ smell stemming from the word…

Aloe vera benefits range from natural remedies like rubbing on inflamed skin to soothe the area to manufactured products like aloe soap. Aloe has been used in the past as herbal medicine in Sub-Saharan African households to alleviate stomach upsets and clear skin blemishes. Today, aloe vera has found widespread popularity in the beauty industry,…