Lavender Lamiaceae Actions: Sedative, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antimicrobial, nervine, emmenagogue, hypotensive...

Other names: Lime (blossom - no relation to the fruit), Linden Actions: Diaphoretic, antihypotensive, vasodilator, astringent,...

Taxaceae An Easter weekend stroll in the nearby Leigh Woods led me to cross paths with a very large and girthy yew tree. Although many...

Frankincense Burseraceae Actions: antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, astringent Qualities: Cooling, drying Affinities: Skin, immune system...

This is a branch (no pun intended) of phytotherapy that employs remedies made from the tissues of a plant that are involved in plant...

At spring, two different annual events occur, in terms of our internal biology. Firstly, we have the reduction of the levels of melatonin...

Garlic Amaryllidaceae Actions: Blood cholesterol normaliser, hypotensive, antimicrobial, anticatarrhal, expectorant Qualities: heating,...

A recent article in The Guardian summarizing some research conducted into the adverse effects of COVID vaccines states: "More than...

Pain is a curious thing - it's obviously unpleasant, but it's what stimulates people to seek remedies. Topical pain relief refers to...

One of the more recognisable skin conditions, characterised by red patches with a silvery, scaly overlay. The skin is typically dry and...

This herb, commonly known as yarrow, is one of the first to be studied, thanks to the alphabetical ordering if its scientific name. It is...

We all know how important sleep is, and how disruptive it is when we don't get enough restful sleep. Insomnia is variously characterised...

Sapindaceae Other names: horse chestnut Medicinal Actions: vasodilator, astringent, anti-oedema, anti-inflammatory Qualities: soothing,...

Asteraceae Other names: sunflower Medicinal Actions: hypotensive, immune stimulating, anti-inflammatory Qualities: nutritive, soothing,...

Rosaceae Other names: lion's foot Medicinal Actions: astringent/styptic, haemostatic, menstrual regulator, strong diuretic,...

Asteraceae Other names: Dandelion, piss-en-lit, clockflower Medicinal Actions: diuretic, cholagogue Qualities: cooling, drying...

Fabaceae Other names: Red Clover, Meadow Trefoil Medicinal Actions: lymphatic eliminative, alterative, hypnotic/nervine (mild) Qualities:...

Rubiaceae Other names: Cleavers, Clivers, Goose Grass, Sweetheart, Bed Straw Medicinal Actions: alterative, anti-inflammatory, lymphatic...

Apothecaries used to sell medicinal products and make up prescriptions in the days before modern pharmaceuticals.