A-Z of Herbs

Bearberry   The berries are a favourite food of bears, hence the name.  Closely related to the cranberry and...

BEETROOT – powder Beetroot contains folate, potassium and manganese. It is believed the red pigmentation contains certain anti-cancer...

  Improves impaired peripheral blood flow, used to treat fluid retention and pain. As capillary function is improved, healing...

  One of the leading detoxifying herbs in both Western and Chinese herbal medicine. It is used to treat...

   The cultivar, calendula officinalis, should only be used, and not the common garden variety. The bright orange petals...

Red & Green Bell Peppers rich in Vitamin C, as well as containing large amounts of potassium and Vitamin...

Widely grown as a vegetable and salad plant, the seeds of this plant are used to treat urinary,...

  The small daisy-like flowers of chamomile – called “Ground Apple” by the ancient Greeks because of their smell...

  This herb is primarily used to balance hormonal irregularities in mares, but can inhibit the sex hormones of...

 The medicinal value of cinnamon is due to its volatile oil, which has stimulating and anti-viral properties. Traditionally used...

 Clivers has antiseptic qualities and is a general detoxifier. High in Silica, it assists in the management and...

  What a wonderful herb! Has been used for thousands of years as a herb with abilities to mend broken...

  Cornsilk (the silky fronds wrapped around the cob) has always been the part of the plant most used...

  The leaves of the Dandelion plant are generally fed to horses during spring as the herb assists with...

  Dandelion Root is helpful for horses recovering from an illness or a reaction to vaccination. Being a tonic,...

A native of South and Eastern Africa. Used for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, it is useful for...

Echinacea purpurea The leaves and flowers are used herbally, and this herb has a delightful aroma, which is also...

  The root of this plant has long been seen as a gently warming and tonic herb for the...

  The aerial (above ground) parts of the plant are used. As its name suggests, it helps eye problems...

  The seeds of the plant are used, and contain essential oil. The primary use of fennel is to...

  Strongly aromatic herb, and the seeds of the plant are used. It contains a volatile oil, flavonoids, mucilage,...

  Ground flaxseed has a number of nutritional benefits, the most notable being its high omega-3 content.  May also...

In Ayurvedic medicine (the traditional medicine of India) boswellia has been used for arthritis, rheumatism, bronchitis, asthma, dysentery,...

Garlic is one of the few herbs that are universally recognised and used. It has been used as...

  Well known as a spice and flavouring, ginger is also one of the world’s best medicines. Anti-emetic: Highly...

  the maidenhair tree – is often referred to as a “living fossil” because of it’s antiquity. It is...

  Not to be confused with the cola nut (part of the chocolate family) which imparts get-up-and-go via the...

If you are like most horse owners, you are probably doing everything you can to ensure that your equine...

(Crataegus oxycantha & C. monogyna)  From the time of the ancient Greeks to the present day hawthorn has been...

  The ancient Romans grew hops as a garden plant and ate the young spring shoots which are reminiscent...

  A popular garden shrub, renowned for its colour and aroma. The species Lavendula augustifolia only is used medicinally....

  This highly aromatic, sweet-smelling, bee-attracting herb was a favourite in medieval “elixirs of youth”. These days it is...

A deciduous shrub with strongly scented leaves which are used herbally. It contains a strong lemon-scented volatile oil...

  It is no surprise that licorice is most often thought of as an ingredient in confectionery – it...

  Deciduous tall tree with the pale yellow flowers used herbally. Lime contains flavonoids, acids, mucilage, tannins, volatile oil...

  There was a time when the confectionary known as a marshmallow truly did contain its namesake herb. These...

  Used to help reduce inflammation and for pain relief in case of arthritic conditions for example. Due to...

For centuries mugwort has been highly regarded as a medicinal herb in both the East and West. It...

  This plant has woolly, grey-green, oval leaves, and spikes of bright yellow five-petalled flowers. Both leaves and flowers...

  Nettle, so often snubbed as merely a weed, has an amazing array of talents. It can clothe you,...

Although most folk know parsley as a culinary herb and often-discarded garnish, the fresh leaves of this member...

  This herb derives its name from its beautiful white & pink/purple flowers which reminded Spanish explorers of The...

Peppermint has been cultivated commercially for a long time and has been used to flavour everything from laxatives...

   The husk of the psyllium seed is one of those plant remedies which demonstrates “the ingenuity of nature”...

Cucurbita moschata Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds: Contains fibre, protein, Omega 6s, vitamin K, phosphorous, manganese, magnesium, iron, zinc &...

  Raspberry leaves have a time-honoured reputation for assisting “female conditions” , most notably enhancing fertility and childbirth, as...

(Rosa canina) The hips (fruit) of the dog rose are a source of readily assimilated forms of vitamins, minerals and...

(Rosmarinus officinalis)  Recognised widely as a culinary herb, rosemary has also been used medicinally for centuries. It is an...

(Salvia officinalis) Sage has been in culinary and medicinal use for hundreds of years and has been tradtionally linked with...

This tall, perennial herb of the buckwheat family is, depending on one’s perspective, either a nuisance weed or...

The finely powdered inner bark of the Red Elm tree, native to North America, has been used by...

Also known as Milk Thistle, for its reputed ability to promote breast milk production, St. Mary’s Thistle (SMT)...

Thyme is another aromatic herb which is used not only for its culinary applications but also for its...

Known as the vibrant yellow ingredient used liberally in Indian curries, turmeric has a long history of use...

Valerian root has been used medicinally for at least 2,000 years. In medieval times it was used to...

Vervain is a herb which has been highly esteemed by healers for centuries. The Greek physician Hippocrates –...

Bitter, digestive herb, with the bark being the potent part. Famous for being the original source of salicylic...

A significant Anglo-Saxon herb, wood betony has been praised by classical and medieval physician-herbalists for its healing of...

What’s in a name…? In the case of yarrow, quite a lot… This native European herb’s folk name...