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Medicinal Herbs & Teas: Botanical Profiles and Uses
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Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa): Properties and Benefits
Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa): traditional uses of the flowers and fruits, phytochemical profile, preparation methods and safety advice on the toxic stones.
Juniper (Juniperus communis): Properties and Benefits
Juniper (Juniperus communis): traditional uses of the berries, active compounds, preparation methods, safe-use limits and how to tell it apart from savin.
Manuka (Leptospermum scoparium): Properties and Benefits
Manuka (Leptospermum scoparium): learn about the traditional uses, essential oil, medical-grade honey, phytochemistry and safety precautions of this plant.
Rose Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens): Benefits and Uses
Rose geranium (Pelargonium graveolens): traditional uses, essential oil, phytochemistry, recipes, contraindications and safety precautions.
Spinach (Spinacia oleracea): Properties and Benefits
Spinach (Spinacia oleracea): nutrients, traditional uses, oxalate and warfarin precautions, and how it differs from New Zealand spinach.
Tamarind (Tamarindus indica): Properties and Benefits
Tamarind (Tamarindus indica): traditional uses of the pulp, active compounds, home recipes, interactions with ibuprofen and aspirin, and safe-use tips.
Gum Rockrose (Cistus ladanifer): Properties and Benefits
Gum rockrose (Cistus ladanifer): traditional uses, labdanum, active compounds, preparations, allergy precautions and how it differs from Cistus incanus.
Gumweed (Grindelia robusta): Properties and Benefits
Gumweed (Grindelia robusta): traditional respiratory uses, phytochemistry, preparation, synergies and cautions for kidneys, blood pressure and allergy.
Allspice (Pimenta dioica): Properties and Benefits
Allspice (Pimenta dioica): traditional uses, phytochemistry, recipes and essential oil safety for this Caribbean spice from the myrtle family.
Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera): Properties and Benefits
Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera): common names, parts used, traditional uses, phytochemicals, recipes, contraindications and how to tell it from the blue lotus.
Black Walnut (Juglans nigra): Properties and Benefits
Black walnut (Juglans nigra): traditional uses, compounds such as juglone, preparation methods, contraindications and how it differs from the common walnut.
Sesame (Sesamum indicum): Properties and Benefits
Sesame (Sesamum indicum): traditional uses, lignans such as sesamin, tahini and gomashio recipes, and a clear warning about severe allergy.
White Peony (Paeonia lactiflora): Properties and Benefits
White peony (Paeonia lactiflora): traditional uses of bai shao root, active compounds, preparation methods, recipes, precautions and contraindications.
Prickly Pear (Opuntia ficus-indica): Properties and Benefits
Prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica): learn about its traditional uses, studied properties, recipes, preparation and precautions in pregnancy and diabetes.
American Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora): Properties and Benefits
American skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora): traditional uses, active compounds, preparation, adulteration risks and how it differs from Chinese skullcap.
Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides): Properties and Benefits
Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides): discover the traditional uses, phytochemicals, recipes, interactions and safety precautions of this Eurasian shrub.
Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria): Properties and Benefits
Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria): names, traditional uses, tannins, how to make the tea and cautions on iron, pregnancy and drug interactions.
Grains of Paradise (Aframomum melegueta): Properties and Benefits
Grains of paradise (Aframomum melegueta): traditional uses, active compounds, preparation, pregnancy precautions and how it differs from Brazilian malagueta.
Harungana madagascariensis: Properties and Benefits
Harungana madagascariensis: traditional uses, parts used, compounds, preparation methods and cautions on its laxative effect and photosensitivity.
Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis): Properties and Benefits
Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis): learn about traditional uses, saponins, external-use recipes, precautions for internal use and the risk of the seeds.
Saffron (Crocus sativus): Properties and Benefits
Saffron (Crocus sativus): traditional uses, phytochemistry, recipes, safety limits and how to tell saffron apart from turmeric and meadow saffron.
Star Anise (Illicium verum): Properties and Benefits
Star anise (Illicium verum): names, traditional uses, phytochemistry, preparation, recipes and safety with children and the toxic Japanese species.
Sandalwood (Santalum album): Properties and Benefits
Sandalwood (Santalum album): traditional uses, santalols in the essential oil, diluted topical use, contraindications and how to choose cultivated oil.
Dog Rose (Rosa canina): Properties and Benefits
Dog rose (Rosa canina): traditional uses, compounds, how to make the tea, recipes, synergies and precautions for pregnancy, kidneys and drug interactions.
Henna (Lawsonia inermis): Properties and Benefits
Henna (Lawsonia inermis): traditional uses on hair and skin, phytochemistry, preparation methods and why to avoid black henna and use on babies or with G6PD.
Littleleaf Linden (Tilia cordata): Properties and Benefits
Littleleaf linden (Tilia cordata): traditional uses of linden, key compounds, how to prepare the tea, recipes, contraindications, and drug interactions.
Hairy Beggarticks (Bidens pilosa): Properties and Benefits
Hairy beggarticks (Bidens pilosa): traditional uses, phytochemical profile, preparation methods and key precautions on phototoxicity and drug interactions.
Dittany of Crete (Origanum dictamnus): Properties and Benefits
Dittany of Crete (Origanum dictamnus): traditional uses, active compounds, preparation methods, recipes and safety precautions for this herb endemic to Crete.
Water Pepper (Persicaria hydropiper): Properties and Benefits
Water pepper (Persicaria hydropiper): learn about its traditional uses, compounds such as polygodial, preparation methods and key safety precautions.
Bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus): Properties and Benefits
Bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus): traditional uses, seaweed compounds, preparation, contraindications, iodine precautions and drug interactions.
Early-Purple Orchid (Orchis mascula): Properties and Benefits
Early-purple orchid (Orchis mascula): traditional uses of salep, key compounds, safety precautions and why wild-harvested tubers should be avoided.
Onion (Allium cepa): Properties, Benefits and Uses
Onion (Allium cepa): traditional uses, quercetin and sulfur compounds, studies, home recipes, contraindications and why it is toxic to dogs and cats.
Kutki (Picrorhiza kurroa): Properties and Benefits
Kutki (Picrorhiza kurroa): traditional uses, active compounds, preparation and safety notes for picrorhiza, with a focus on cultivated, certified material.
Purslane (Portulaca oleracea): Properties and Benefits
Purslane (Portulaca oleracea): common names, traditional uses, omega-3-rich profile, culinary recipes and cautions about oxalates and pregnancy.
Glasswort (Salicornia europaea): Properties and Benefits
Glasswort (Salicornia europaea): learn about its traditional uses, bioactive compounds, culinary recipes and precautions on sodium and the plant’s origin.
Polypody (Polypodium vulgare): Properties and Benefits
Polypody (Polypodium vulgare): learn about the traditional uses of this fern, its phytochemicals, preparation methods, recipes and safety precautions.
Mastic Tree (Pistacia lentiscus): Properties and Benefits
Mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus): traditional uses of mastic resin, active compounds, digestion studies, preparation methods and safety precautions.
Gurmar (Gymnema sylvestre): Properties and Benefits
Gurmar (Gymnema sylvestre): names, traditional uses, phytochemistry, blood sugar studies, preparation and precautions with insulin and oral diabetes drugs.
Persimmon (Diospyros kaki): Properties and Benefits
Persimmon (Diospyros kaki): traditional uses, bioactive compounds, recipes, risks such as phytobezoar and what science has studied about the fruit and leaves.
Perilla (Perilla frutescens): Properties and Benefits
Perilla (Perilla frutescens): a guide to traditional uses, compounds, preparation methods, recipes and precautions about perilla ketone and the essential oil.
Lemon (Citrus × limon): Properties and Benefits
Lemon (Citrus × limon): names, phytochemistry, traditional uses, recipes and precautions for tooth enamel, reflux and peel phototoxicity.
Ground-Ivy (Glechoma hederacea): Properties and Benefits
Ground-ivy (Glechoma hederacea): traditional uses, active compounds, preparation methods, recipes and the safety precautions to know before using the plant.
Psyllium (Plantago ovata): Properties and Benefits
Psyllium (Plantago ovata): traditional uses, composition, preparation forms, recipes, drug interactions and safety precautions for this soluble fiber.
Black Mustard (Brassica nigra): Properties and Benefits
Black mustard (Brassica nigra): traditional uses, sinigrin phytochemistry, preparation methods and safety precautions for mustard poultices on the skin.
Quince (Cydonia oblonga): Properties and Benefits
Quince (Cydonia oblonga): traditional uses of the fruit and leaves, active compounds, tea and quince paste recipes, and safety notes on the seeds.
Key Lime (Citrus × aurantiifolia): Properties and Benefits
Key lime (Citrus × aurantiifolia): popular names, traditional uses, phytochemistry, recipes and precautions for sun exposure, skin and tooth enamel.
Houpu Magnolia (Magnolia officinalis): Properties and Benefits
Houpu magnolia (Magnolia officinalis): traditional uses of magnolia bark, active compounds, preparation forms, contraindications and drug interactions.
Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha): Properties and Benefits
Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha): learn about the traditional uses of the resin, its compounds, preparation methods, drug interactions and pregnancy precautions.
Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia): Properties and Benefits
Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia): traditional uses, compounds, recipes with cooked berries, contraindications and precautions with the raw berries.
Deadly Nightshade (Atropa belladonna): Toxicity and Risks
Deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna) is a toxic plant: its compounds, poisoning symptoms, risk groups and what to do after ingestion.
Codonopsis pilosula: Properties, Benefits and Uses
Codonopsis pilosula, a Chinese medicine root sold as “dang shen”: traditional uses, phytochemistry, preparation, contraindications and diabetes precautions.
Noni (Morinda citrifolia): Properties and Benefits
Noni (Morinda citrifolia): traditional uses, compounds, preparation, potassium and liver warnings, drug interactions and the sales ban in Brazil.
Chamaelirium luteum: Properties and Benefits
Chamaelirium luteum: historical gynecological uses, steroidal saponins, pregnancy contraindication, emetic effect and conservation of this North American root.
Camphor (Cinnamomum camphora): Properties and Benefits
Camphor (Cinnamomum camphora): traditional external uses, chemotypes, phytochemical profile, contraindications and toxicity warnings, especially for children.
Madder (Rubia tinctorum): Properties and Benefits
Madder (Rubia tinctorum): its history as a dye plant, traditional uses, root phytochemistry and the genotoxicity warnings that accompany the plant.
Black Cherry (Prunus serotina): Properties and Benefits
Black cherry (Prunus serotina): traditional use of the bark for cough, preparation methods, toxicity of leaves and pits, and contraindications.
Eupatorium perfoliatum: Properties and Benefits
Eupatorium perfoliatum (boneset): traditional uses, compounds, preparation forms, and the pyrrolizidine alkaloids that limit it to short-term, guided use.
Maitake (Grifola frondosa): Properties and Benefits
Maitake (Grifola frondosa): discover this medicinal mushroom, its traditional uses, bioactive compounds, recipes, contraindications and drug interactions.
Coptis chinensis: Properties, Benefits and Precautions
Coptis chinensis, a bitter berberine-rich root from Chinese medicine: traditional uses, phytochemistry, preparation, interactions and contraindications.
Kola Nut (Cola nitida): Properties, Benefits and Uses
Kola nut (Cola nitida): traditional uses, caffeine and other phytochemicals, preparation forms, recipes, contraindications and safety precautions explained.
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