Shiitake Mushroom
Plant Part Used Fruiting body and mycelium. Introduction Shiitake has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years as a medicinal agent. Shiitake mushroom grows on the trunks or stumps of trees. The medicinal part used is the mycelia or immature growing stage of the mushroom. Recent attention has been placed on shiitake […]
Olive Leaf
Plant Part Used Leaf Introduction Olive trees are widely cultivated throughout Mediterranean countries as a source of olives and olive oil. The trees products have been traditionally used not only in foods, but in health conditions including malaria, infections, cardiovascular diseases, and for general well-being. Modern scientific studies may back up many of these traditional […]
Calendula
Plant Part Used Flowers Introduction Calendula has been used for centuries. It is mentioned in herbal medical texts that date back to 1373. The name, calendula refers to the plant’s tendency to bloom in accordance with the calendar – every month in some regions of the Mediterranean. Historically, calendula was used both as a culinary […]
Hops
Plant Part Used Strobiles Introduction Hops has been used since Roman times as a crucial ingredient in brewing and as a mild sedative. Today, hops is still used to brew beer and as an agent to calm one’s anxiety. Interactions and Depletions Interactions Anti-anxiety medications / Anti-depressants OTC products causing drowsiness Alcoholic beverages Barbiturates Drugs […]
Eleuthero, Siberian Ginseng
Plant Part Used Root Introduction Eleuthero is one of the top selling herbal products in the United States. It is a member of the ginseng family, but it is of a different genus than other popular ginsengs. The use of eleuthero root dates back 2,000 years in the records of Chinese medicine when it was […]
Picrorhiza
Plant Part Used Root/rhizome Introduction Picrorhiza is a perennial herb that grows high in the Himalayas. The root and rhizome of this plant have been used in Indian traditional medicine since ancient times to treat liver troubles, upper respiratory problems and more. Recently, researchers and clinicians have reported the value of picrorhiza as an immune-enhancing […]
Chamomile
Plant Part Used Flowers Introduction The soothing properties of the chamomile flower have been used medicinally for centuries. Today, it is still used as a mild sedative for individuals with minor anxiety or nervousness. (1) Chamomile has a variety of other health benefits, including mild insomnia and topically as an effective wound-healing agent. Interactions and […]
Chasteberry
Plant Part Used Berry Introduction The chasteberry tree finds its origins in the Mediterranean. Its fruit is harvested and dried for medicinal purposes. It has a long folk history of use in women’s health, especially for mild to moderate complaints associated with menstruation and menopause. Interactions and Depletions Interactions Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) Oral contraceptives […]
Coleus
Plant Part Used Root Introduction Coleus is a relatively new medicinal herb in the United States, although it has been extensively researched in India over the last twenty years. Scientists are currently looking into the plant’s possible function as an anti-hypertensive, or hypotensive agent for blood pressure control. Additionally, many of the components of the […]
Cordyceps
Plant Part Used Mycelium Introduction Cordyceps is a unique black mushroom that extracts nutrients from and grows on a caterpillar found in the high altitudes of Tibet and China. Even though it is difficult to find and harvest, cordyceps is one of the most valued medicinal agents in the Chinese medical tradition. Fortunately for consumers, […]
