St. John’s Wort (Hypericum Perforatum, also known as Goat weed) is one of the most popular medicinal herbs, which has been known since the times of ancient Greece and used to treat various problems with cardiovascular and digestive systems, liver and bladder, as well as to relieve certain mental conditions and nerve pain. The herb received its name after St. John the Baptist as it blossoms in the middle of June, around the time for the feast of St. John the Baptist. In herbal medicine, flowered tops of St. John’s Wort are used for preparing tinctures, teas extracts, capsules, dietary supplements or other medicines. Read the rest of this entry »

Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) is a quite a popular herbal remedy in modern Europe and Asia which is used to suppress cough, relieve sore throat and other symptoms of bronchitis. The leaves and blossoms of this plant are used for various herbal teas, tinctures, syrups and infusions, which can be found in the pharmacies of the UK, Japan, Germany, France, Russia, China and many other countries of the world. At the same time, this small perennial plant from the family Asteraceae grows throughout the north, east and central regions of the United States and in the south of Canada. Therefore, those people, who frequently suffer from colds, throat irritations, chronic coughs and other related problems can gather the flowers and leaves of Coltsfoot, dry them and prepare therapeutic teas.

This herbal remedy has a great variety of therapeutic effects: anti-spacmotic, demulcent, soothing, antitussive, diuretic and so on. Active elements of Coltsfoot blossoms include mucilage, carotene and other flavonoids, tannin, arnidiol, taraxanthin, essential oils, etc., and the leaves contain zinc, glycosidal, sitosterol, inulin and so on. Before taking the products with Coltsfoot, it is essential to remember that the pyrrolizidine alkaloids containing in this plant can have negative and highly toxic effects on our liver. However, the majority of such alkaloids is destroyed when the parts of the plant are boiled.

Coltsfoot syrups and teas are very effective for relieving bronchitis attacks and the symptoms of asthma. You can use dry leaves of this plant for preparing a special tea: two table-spoons of the leaves steep in 300 ml of hot wanter and keep for 4 hours. Take 100 ml of the tea before having meal. Or, you can prepare a “fast herbal tea” using 1 teaspoon of the dried blossom and steeping it for 10-15 minutes in 250 ml of hot water. Such teas can help you strengthen your immunity and relieve the symptoms of cystitis. Coltsfoot tincture can be used for the treatment of wounds and various skin infections. Finally, some specialists recommend Coltfoot tea for improving the function of your digestive system and stimulating appetite. Do not forget to consult your health practitioner before taking Coltsfoot products on a regular basis, use this natural remedy for your benefit and be always healthy!

Sage (Salvia officinalis, Salvia grande or Garden Sage) is a perennial herb which is widely used both in cooking (in particular, to flavor various dishes with meat, omelets, soups, cheese, etc.) and in herbal medicine as an effective antiseptic and natural antibiotic. The herb received its name Salvia Officinalis from Latin Salvere - to heal, and such known ancient physicians as Hippocrates and Pedanius Dioscorides studied therapeutic properties of sage. In the Roman Empire, sage was considered to be a “sacred herb”, because it could create and save human life. A sage tea was believed to help women to conceive, as well as to be a perfect tonic for body and mind and a refreshing beverage associated with wisdom, clear thinking, being in good humor and good health. Read the rest of this entry »

Valerian extract is one of the most popular and safest herbal sleep aids, which has been used worldwide for many centuries. Valerian is the most valued for its sedative, relaxing and hypnotic effects, that is why it is considered an effective natural treatment for depression, stresses, insomnia, nervousness, anxiety disorders and other neurological problems. Traditionally, phytotherapistst used herbal preparations and mixtures of Valerian root with other sedative herbs (like Melissa offcicnalis, Anise seed, St. John’s wort or Chamomilla recucita) as herbal teas to promote sleep. Such teas used to be of a great aid in improving sleep patterns, decreasing the number of night wakings, reducing motor activity at night, and so on. Read the rest of this entry »

Ginkgo Biloba (Maidenhair tree) belongs to the oldest family of trees which appeared on our planet about 280 million years ago. The plant survived the Ice Age in the Far East and since those times it did not change a lot. In the middle of the 18th century this plant was brought to America and Europe as an ornamental tree. Later on, its therapeutic properties were discovered, and nowadays Ginkgo Biloba is in top 10 of the most selling herbs in the US. Read the rest of this entry »

Eucalyptus Globulus (known also as Blue Gum) is one of the most popular medicinal plants which is utilized in homeopathy as the mother tincture and widely used as an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory remedy to treat chronic cough, influenza and other illnesses. Eucalyptus is a giant tree which grows in tropical forests of Australia and the Caribbean region. It grows up to 200-300 feet and considered to be the tallest tree in the world. Balmy sap, essential oil and even the roots of this plant were used by Australian aborigines in their daily life. Read the rest of this entry »

Melissa is one of the most known savory and medicinal herbs, which has been used by people for many centuries. About two thousand years ago, the Ancient Romans were first to discover the properties of this herb. It was found on the territories from Eastern Mediterranean and Balkans to south-eastern Siberia. Today, Melissa is cultivated throughout Europe, Middle Asia and Northern America. In natural environment, Melissa can be easily found due to its smell. The whole plant and especially its leaves give off a smell of lemon, that is why this herb received the second name: Lemon balm. Read the rest of this entry »