Many medicinal plants, such as mullein and lobelia, have similar therapeutic uses and can be combined for a synergistic effect. Both mullein and lobelia support the health of the respiratory system and are used as folk remedies for coughs, colds and bronchitis. Herbal medicine is not intended to be a replacement for standard medical care, and you should consult with your physician and a registered medical herbalist before using mullein or lobelia products.
Schisandra, often spelled schizandra, is a fruit with a number of fairly well established benefits and many potential benefits that have not been verified by human studies. Claims for schisandra run the gamut from heart health ...
You can take supplements by mouth or ground the seeds up to make a paste to use topically, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Always consult your doctor before using herbal supplements ...
Natural health advocates promote the use of bee propolis as a dietary supplement to support immune function. It is also used in traditional medicine to counter inflammatory conditions such as allergies. As such, propolis may be...
The plant grows wild in most regions. Fine, stiff hairs cover the entire surface of the plant and release chemicals that cause a stinging or burning sensation when touched. The leaves and roots of nettle plants have been part o...
Also known as Azadirachta indica, neem is a tree commonly found in India. The fruit, seeds, tree sap, leaves and bark of the neem tree have medicinal properties and have been used for an estimated 4,000 years to help cure a var...
Sassafras was used by Native American Indians for centuries to treat a variety of ailments, but today it is associated with serious toxicity and is banned as a food or drug by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Despite this...
Chanca piedra, also referred to as stone breaker, is a small annual herb native to the Amazon rainforests and other tropical areas throughout the world. The indigenous peoples of the Amazon have a long history of using the enti...
Arjuna may also interfere with certain prescription medications; hence, it is very important to talk to a doctor before using arjuna herb for any of the following health benefits.
Planting and tending an herb garden can also have a variety of health benefits and may even improve you quality of life. Creating your herb garden takes several small pots or a plot land in your yard, herb seeds and plenty of w...
This hormone plays an important role in many biological and psychological processes. Aging and disease reduce circulating levels of melatonin, causing a hormone deficiency. This decline has an adverse effect on sleep and other ...
Fennel is a commonly used herbal remedy. It is used in both cooking and medicine and is known for its aroma, flavor and numerous beneficial health effects. Phyllis A. Balch, a certified nutritional consultant, nutrition researc...
The leaf, seed, and extract of this herb has been studied for its biological uses and medicinal benefits. You may consider taking ginkgo in order to help obtain a healthy benefit. Always consult a doctor before taking any herba...
Horehound has also been used to make lozenge candies that are believed to help heal sore throats, improve your appetite and relieve intestinal gas. Learn more about this herb by speaking with a health care provider who is knowl...
Una de gato or cat's claw is an herb native to the Peruvian Amazon. Although the herb has been used for centuries by various indigenous peoples to treat a number of health problems, it has become popular as an alternative remed...
Basil, a popular culinary herb in Italian and Asian cuisines, is a member of the mint family. Basil is native to tropical parts of Asia, and most varieties are grown as tender annuals. Some varieties of basil, such as holy basi...
Gymnema is a medicinal herb that has long been used in India to treat many health problems. The University of Michigan Health System reports that gymnema may help treat Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, constipation, liver disease, w...
Hawthorn is an herbal remedy that is commonly used to treat a wide variety of ailments. The University of Michigan Health System states that hawthorn is used to help treat numerous cardiovascular system problems, and that hawth...
Chickweed, or Stellaria media, is an herb that is rich in nutrients such as mucilage, saponins, coumarins, silica, flavonoids, copper, iron and vitamins A, B and C. Due to its superior nutrient constitution, chickweed has been ...
Pycnogenol, also known as pine bark extract, is derived from the bark of the French maritime tree which grows solely in a plantation in southeastern France. Pine bark extract is a powerful antioxidant that protects cells from t...
While some fermented alcoholic bitters are a bartender's secret weapon for tasty cocktails, others such as non-alcoholic Swedish bitters are marketed as handy digestive aids.
Ayurveda is an integrative healing art form that originated in India thousands of years ago. According to the Ayurvedic Institute, Ayurveda treats the mind, body and spirit by using herbs, nutrition, acupressure and a variety o...
Amazon herbs have been used for thousands of years by the indigenous people of the rainforest to treat numerous ailments. "They have passed the test of time," says neurophysiologist Christian Draper. Among their many benefits, ...
Dandelion not just a pesky weed -- it's a versatile and nutritious herb. Dandelion's botanical name is Taraxacum officinale, and it grows throughout the northern hemisphere. According to MedlinePlus, a division of the National ...
Smilax regelii, also known as Smilax officinalis, is the most commonly used species of sarsaparilla for commercial purposes, according to NutraSanus, although many other sarsaparilla species exist. Another plant called sarsapar...
However, the herb is also used for medicinal reasons and may provide some surprising health benefits. Learning about different herbal remedies and uses for basil may help promote optimal health and wellness for individuals. The...
Yes, it's a beautiful plant on the outside, but inside it is believed to contain medicinal elements that are used by herbalists from around the world. There has been little scientific research done showing its effectiveness; no...
According to the University of Michigan Health System, the herbal supplement vinca major is most commonly referred to as periwinkle, a flowering plant found in many parts of the world. Used for the treatment of many minor heal...
Pinus strobes, the Eastern white pine, remains a valuable source of medicine and nutrition. Once utilized by Native Americans for teas, foods and poultices, white pine bark still provides useful functions for commercial and hom...
Eyebright, or Euphrasia officinalis, is an annual herb that grows in meadows and pastures throughout the United States and Europe. It is a semiparisitic plant, taking nourishment from the roots of surrounding plants. A short pl...
Cleansing typically refers to an alternative health practice that uses water, herbs or enzymes to get rid of toxins in the colon and other parts of your digestive system. According to the American Cancer Society, there is no sc...
It is a weak-stemmed annual that can grow up to two feet tall and the leaves feel sticky, since they have prominent prickles. It blooms tiny white flowers during the spring and summer months and is usually found in thickets, ac...
It is a small shrub that has tiny aromatic blossoms during the months of June through October. According to David Hoffman in his book "The Complete Illustrated Holistic Herbal," damiana is considered a powerful aphrodisiac and ...
It is an annual plant that grows four to eight inches high and has tiny leaves with pink and purple flowers that bloom during the months of June through September, according to James Duke and Steven Foster in their book, "A Fie...
In China and Japan, the fresh roots of burdock are used as a staple food. It is a good source of nutrients such as chromium, magnesium, iron and zinc. It could be that nature intended this herb to be nutrient-rich to replace mi...
Though it has been touted as a revolutionary appetite suppressant by commercial herbal supplement marketers, clinical research into hoodia's effectiveness and safety has been minimal as of June 2010. And although its benefits r...
Alfalfa is most commonly used as a food source for livestock, and alfalfa sprouts are also widely available as food for people as well. You can also find herbal supplements made from alfalfa leaves and heat-treated seeds. Alfal...
The herb plantain, often considered a weed, holds powerful skin-healing properties in its broad, heavily veined leaves. Varieties included common plantain, Plantago major, and English plantain, Plantago lanceolata. Native Ameri...
The herb hyssop, or Hyssop officinalis, has been used for thousands of years as a medicinal remedy to treat intestinal gas and a variety of respiratory tract ailments. Hyssop's fragrant flowers and leaves are used in traditiona...
Parts of certain rhododendron species are toxic to both humans and animals; people have become ill just from eating honey made by bees feeding on the flowers. However, scientists are finding that extracts from other rhododendro...
Lobelia (Lobelia infata), also called Indian tobacco, is an herb that grows throughout North America and has been used medicinally for treating a range of respiratory ailments. Lobelia is useful as an herbal medicine in tiny am...
If you look closer, you'll see a plant highly valued in the natural healing community for its medicinal properties. According to Peace Health, calendula contains several active components that offer anti-viral, anti-inflammator...
These qualities make it effective in defending against various stresses that can overwhelm the body. Astralagus is easily found in nutritional supplement stores and has several significant benefits to your health.
Damiana, also known as Turnera diffusa, is a type of shrub that typically grows in the subtropical regions of Mexico, Central America and South America, according to Chinese-Herbs.org. It was used by the Aztecs and Mayans to im...
This can be especially helpful in cold climates where heating systems are excessively used to heat homes and offices. Sometimes people with colds or allergies find benefit in using a vaporizer. Others use vaporizers for aromath...
It shows promise for several uses, but the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) notes that more research is needed to confirm these benefits. As an herbal remedy, bromelain is available in tablets and capsules, and it also ...
Neem is an herb that comes from the mahogany tree family, native to India and other locations around Southeast Asia. Various parts of the Neem are used for medicinal purposes, including the bark, leaves, gum and seeds. Neem com...
There are numerous herbs that offer anti-aging benefits, but it is important to remember before using herbs that they can interact with other medications. Speak to your physician before adding any herbal product to your daily r...
While most people may think of dandelions as little more than weeds that make an unwanted appearance in the yard, health professionals have taken a more favorable opinion of dandelion. It is used by the alternative medicine cro...
They help your skin soak up more moisture and provide a protective layer of oil to keep it from drying out. Since they don't contain chemicals, natural emollients work well for babies. People with eczema or other skin condition...
