Bacopa
Plant Part Used Leaf Introduction The leaf of bacopa, or water hyssop, has been used in the Indian medical system of Ayurveda since the 6th century A.D. to help improve mental performance. It is also considered the foremost tonic for the nervous system in Ayurvedic medicine. It has been used traditionally for epilepsy, mental illness, […]
Horsetail
Plant Part Used Shoots Introduction Horsetail is a plant found throughout the Northern Hemisphere in Asia, Europe, and North America. Horsetail’s therapeutic uses date back to the ancient Romans and Greeks, where it was used as a remedy to stop bleeding, and to treat ulcers, wounds, and inflammation of the skin. Horsetail contains silicon, silica […]
Ginkgo
Plant Part Used Leaf Introduction Ginkgo is among the oldest living plant species on earth and has been used extensively as a medicinal agent worldwide for centuries. Today, it is the most frequently prescribed medicinal herb in Europe. Ginkgo has been the subject of hundreds of scientific studies that have reported positive effects in a […]
Oregano
Plant Part Used Leaf oil/ leaf extract Introduction Oregano has been used as a cooking spice and also as a medicinal agent for centuries. The volatile oil of oregano has been used traditionally for respiratory disorders, indigestion, rheumatoid arthritis, and urinary tract disorders. Today, oregano oil is chiefly used as an antifungal and antibacterial agent. […]
Bladderwrack
Plant Part Used Thallus Introduction Bladderwrack is a type of marine algae that is dried and then made into a dietary supplement. Bladderwrack and other marine algae have been used for centuries in the medical traditions of Europe and Asia. The low incidence of goiter in maritime populations has been attributed to the iodine content […]
English Ivy
Plant Part Used Leaf Introduction Ivy has made a home for itself in many corners of the earth. In addition to flourishing in the United States, it grows across Europe and into northern and central Asia. Ivy is cultivated for use in gardens around the world to climb along trellises and as a ground cover. […]
Goldenseal
Plant Part Used Root/Rhizome. Introduction Goldenseal has a long history of use in the United States as a medicinal herb. It was initially used by Native Americans and gained popularity with the eclectic medical movement from the 1850s to the 1940s. It has been used for gastrointestinal disturbances, as an anti-infective, to stimulate the function […]
Passionflower
Plant Part Used Vine Introduction Passionflower, or maypop, is a common roadside vine in many areas of the United States. Several possible medical benefits make this common plant useful as a sedative, antispasmodic, and mild pain reliever. Interactions and Depletions Interactions Barbiturates Anti-anxiety medications Antidepressants OTC products causing drowsiness Alcoholic beverages Anticoagulant medications Dosage Info […]
Devil’s Claw
Plant Part Used Tubers Introduction Devil’s claw has a number of traditional uses, including the support of a healthy liver and kidneys. Most recent research has focused on its anti-inflammatory properties, which may have applications for arthritis sufferers. A standardized extract of devil’s claw is derived from the tubers of the plant. Interactions and Depletions […]
Gotu Kola
Plant Part Used Leaf/whole plant. Introduction Gotu kola is a tropical plant native to India and Indonesia. Gotu kola does not contain any caffeine and is not related to kola nut. Traditionally gotu kola is used to enhance wound healing, increase energy, and sexual potency. It is reported to have a positive effect on tissues, […]
