Herb Glossary

If you are interested in learning more about natural health supplements, then you have come to the right place. Something that you might be keen to learn about is acerola, which is a type of fruit that is known to ... read more

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) also known as lucerne, is a complicated thing. Technically a legume, but regarded as an herb, it has been grown as feed for livestock for centuries – but is also eaten by humans in the form of ... read more

Amla, otherwise known as the Indian gooseberry, is widely used in its native India because of its many great health benefits. But what are these benefits? What can you use amla for? And what is there to learn about this ... read more

Have you heard about Andrographis and wondered, what on Earth is that? The Indian and Sri Lankan herb is becoming popular in all corners of the world, and it's no wonder why! It comes with claimed health benefits and has ... read more

You may have heard of ashwagandha as it has recently grown in popularity. Many coffee companies are adding the powder to their coffee for the touted health benefits. It is also referred to as Indian ginseng or Withania somnifera and ... read more

Astragalus is a perennial herb that is native to many parts of Asia as well as temperate climates within the Northern Hemisphere.  This herb has been incorporated into traditional Chinese medicinal treatments for centuries. As you might imagine, therefore, astragalus ... read more

The bitter orange tree is native to Asia and various parts of the tree have been used in medicine including the peel, flower, leak, fruit and fruit juice. The most common part of the bitter orange that has been used ... read more

There are lots of different herbs that are renowned for their uses, and black elderberry is just one of many. However, it does offer many different benefits, and it is super easy to use as long as you are careful ... read more

One of the best things about learning the potential uses of plants is that it opens your eyes to a world of potential health benefits and remedies right on your doorstep.  No matter where you live in the United States, ... read more

Many people are turning to more natural and traditional methods when it comes to healthcare, and bladderwrack is something that can be used in this way. It is naturally occurring, and it can provide many different health benefits. If you ... read more

Burdock (Arctium) is a plant related to the artichoke, and it has a very varied history. It’s been used as everything from a bittering agent for beers to a popular component of a soft drink, a sharp but tasty addition ... read more

Despite its unmistakable beauty, the Calendula is a plant that offers plenty more than summery cheer to your garden. Known for its medicinal properties, the healing ability of its petals has been used for centuries, while its distinctive yellow color ... read more

Cat’s Claw (Uncaria tomentosa) is a woody vine found in the tropical jungles of South and Central America. In fact, there are two species of Cat’s Claw commonly used in North America and Europe, Uncaria tomentosa and Uncaria guianensis, and ... read more

It isn’t difficult to guess what some assumptions surrounding the usage of chaste tree may have been. The name is a rather large clue as to how monks in the Middle Ages implemented the plant. Yes, the historical usage of ... read more

Chinese skullcap, also known as Baikal skullcap or by its scientific name, Scutellaria baicalensis, has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries.  As our knowledge of this beautiful and potent flowering plant increases through scientific study, we are discovering ... read more

If you’ve played the PlayStation game The Last of Us, watched the 2016 film The Girl With All The Gifts, or read the 2013 novel the film was adapted from, chances are you’ve already heard about the cordyceps fungus. Or ... read more

Herbs can be really helpful for a variety of different purposes, and damiana is no exception to this rule. It has lots of different uses that can be really helpful for managing certain symptoms, and it has a very interesting ... read more

These days many of us may recognize dandelions as pesky weeds – a predatory plant that bullies its way into our gardens, spoiling the earth with its seed. However, dandelions are also one of the most common weeds on the ... read more

Devil’s claw is a plant native to South Africa that belongs to the sesame family. The scientific name for the plant is harpagophytum procumbens. It is commonly found in the south and southeast of Namibia, southern Botswana, and the Kalahari ... read more

Dong quai, also known as “female ginseng”, is an indigenous Chinese herb used to ease menstrual cramps, balance hormones, increase sex drive, and more. The yellow or brown root of the flowering herb is harvested and has been used as ... read more

What It Is And Where It’s Found Echinacea purpurea, also known as purple coneflower, is a flowering plant in the sunflower family.  It is most commonly found in certain parts of Eastern North America, but is also present to a ... read more

We might all use garlic to season and flavor our food but it actually has some amazing health benefits. That’s not to say that a huge plate of garlic bread is equal to a salad, but adding garlic to your ... read more

When it comes to different types of herbs, ginger is one of the most versatile and popular options.It can be used for a wide variety of different purposes, from use in cooking, to assisting with nausea and aiding arthritis. It ... read more

Goldenseal is a herb that has been used for centuries due to its range of properties that can help with digestive problems, aid the immune system and support the body.  What is Goldenseal? Goldenseal is a perennial plant that is ... read more

Gotu Kola or else known by the scientific name Centella Asiatica is a herb that belongs to the parsley family and is a staple in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine and is native to the wetlands in Asia, however, it ... read more

The hawthorn plant belongs to the Crataegus genus and is a thorny, flowering tree or shrub commonly found in Europe, Asia, and North America. The leaves, berries and flowers of hawthorn can be used for a number of different purposes, ... read more

If you are a keen reader of our website, you will be aware of how downright confusing it can be when trying to get to grips with what herbs are good for you and what should be avoided. This can ... read more

As we have mentioned numerous times before, in many of our other herb articles, herbology can sometimes be a little overwhelming.  There are hundreds upon hundreds of different herbs out there, all with different uses and benefits. Of course, some ... read more

Seaweed has been used as a key nutritional food for thousands of years. Civilizations have depended on these different types of seaweed to cure ailments and serious illnesses. One example is Irish moss, also known as sea moss.  This was ... read more

Kava, also known as Kava Kava, is a herbal remedy that is native to the Pacific Islands. It is believed to have a euphoric effect that helps to relieve stress and ease feelings of anxiety. It can come in the ... read more

When it comes to herbology, it can be quite exciting and nerve-racking to learn about the benefits and uses of different herbs. Exciting because it can be amazing to learn all the amazing properties nature has, and nerve-racking because there ... read more

If you are looking into herbs that can help with certain issues, lion’s mane is definitely one that you should consider. It is able to provide a vast variety of different benefits, and it may even be helpful for managing ... read more

Maca is a popular herb used for a range of health benefits. It is known as a medicinal plant, native to Peru, that has the power to increase energy, stamina and enhance fertility.  What is Maca? Maca, also known as ... read more

For those of you hoping that eating marshmallow sweets has great medicinal benefits – I’m afraid I have to disappoint you… While marshmallow sweets do little more than give you a brief sugar rush, the medicinal form of marshmallow as ... read more

Looking to learn more about the natural world and herbal medicine? You’re in the right place because we like to talk about all things herbs and herbology here! As you may or may not already know, herbology is the study ... read more

Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) is a plant that has had longstanding medicinal uses in history, though many of those uses are poorly supported by any evidence in the modern day. Historically, it has been used to regulate menstrual periods and to ... read more

With so many different herbs on the market, it can be mind-boggling to try to learn and remember each of their properties and benefits. One of the most popular herbs at the moment (mostly thanks to viral videos on social ... read more

If you live in or have ever visited Europe or Asia, there’s a chance you might have spotted a velvety-looking flowering plant with yellow flowers.  Although the plant may not be particularly visually striking, meaning you might not have identified ... read more

Oregano is one of the most famous herbs in the world. It’s used regularly in Mediterranean cuisine, is easy to grow in your own garden, and is packed with vitamins and minerals.  But, while most people are familiar with the ... read more

Pau D’arco is one of the world’s lesser-known herbs. It is made from the inner bark of Tabebuia trees which can be found growing in Central and South America. It also goes by a few other names including “Purple Trumpet ... read more

Red clover is a dark pink herbaceous species of flowering plant that belongs to the same family as peas and beans. It’s regularly used in traditional medicine for a wide range of health conditions, and has a host of other ... read more

It’s hard not to be intrigued by something that’s known as the “mushroom of immortality”. That’s a fairly big boast from such a normal seeming fungus. But while it may not grant everlasting life, reishi, the purported mushroom of immortality, ... read more

Rhodiola is a flowering plant that naturally grows in colder regions of Europe, Asia, and North America. It is often referred to as arctic root, golden root, and king’s crown, although it’s Latin and scientific name is Rhodiola Rosea.  The ... read more

What is Sage? This green herb is available fresh, dried, or in oil form — and has numerous health benefits. The genus Salvia, sometimes known as sage, is the largest member of the Lamiaceae or mint family, with over 900 ... read more

Everything You Need to Know About Schisandra You could go a lifetime without ever even hearing about this rather obscure vine fruit, but once you learn about all the benefits it can bring to the table, you’ll be thankful that ... read more

Sea Buckthorn is a plant that comes in seven varieties, of which the two most popular are Common Sea Buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides) and Willow-Leaved Sea Buckthorn (Hippophaë salicifolia). The varieties with which we’re most likely to be familiar are thorny ... read more

Once found on the battlefields of North America, slippery elm can now be purchased over the counter in many pharmacies. However, its healing properties are hardly a new discovery. Native Americans had long known that slippery elm could make an ... read more

You may not have heard of Tongkat Ali before, but it has a bunch of benefits. This little shrubby tree from Southeast Asia can be used as an herbal supplement, giving you a lot of benefits to your health. But ... read more

Usnea or more commonly known as Old Man’s Beard is a type of lichen that has similar characteristics as fungus or algae. Usnea grows on various species of trees and even rocks and soil in humid climates across the world.  ... read more

Herb fans and readers of our website alike will be well aware of how passionate we are about sharing our knowledge of all things herb-related. It can be like a minefield trying to trudge your way through the world of ... read more

If you’re an avid watcher of The Vampire Diaries, chances are that you’ve heard of the herb vervain before. But this herb has become all but forgotten by herbalists around the world. And while it may not actually be used ... read more

Since ancient times, our ancestors have consumed wild lettuce for herbal remedies and numerous health benefits. This bitter cousin of the common garden lettuce is a biennial herb. It belongs to the Lactuca genus of flowering plants and the sunflower ... read more