Annies Aromatherapy	Medicinal Herbs	Herbal Remedies	Health Conditions

European Herbal Medicine

Europe's Ancient Traditions

Arnica montana Koehler's Medicinal-Plants (1887)

The European continent stretches from the Artic Nordic region south to the hot, dry Mediterranean. The topography ranges from mountainous to the the lowlands of the Netherlands. The herbal traditions of Europe are derirved largely from ancient Greek and Romans, who in turn, learned the healing arts from the Egyptians, and so on into the dawn of history.

Buy organic bulk herbs, spices, oils and teas at Mountain Rose Herbs

Detail	Anise Seed	Pimpinella anisum
	Anise's phytochemicals, including creosol and alpapinene, are apparent and well-established in preparations to break up congestion, ease coughing, and relieve gas.

Detail	Arnica	Arnica montana
	One of the best known herbal sports medicines, arnica has dramatic results if used immediately after an injury.

Detail	Bay Laurel	Laurus nobilis
	It is the source of the ancients' crowns and wreaths for heroes

Detail	Belladonna	Atropa belladonna
	Its leaves, roots and black berries are dangerous. Even small doses can send you into a coma.

Detail	Borage	Borago officinalis
	Borage oil should not be heated, and must be used cold to take full advantage of its health benefits. For topical applications, either apply directly, or mix with other oils and ingredients after all heating has taken place.

Detail	Calendula	Calendula officinalis
	Calendula flower oil is one of the first herbs to consider in minor first aid applications. Particularly good treatment for cuts, scrapes, bruises, and minor wounds.

Detail	Catnip	Nepeta cataria
	A hot cup of catnip tea soothes the nervous system and is excellent for colds, flu, and children's upset stomach.

Detail	Celandine	Chelidonium majus
	Celandine grows all over Germany and France, in waste places, on old walls, along roadways, and about dwellings

Detail	Chamomile	Matricaria recutita
	The seemingly endless list of problems chamomile is said to help can all be traced to its effects of the nervous system and digestive system, as well as its anti-inflammatory action.

Detail	Cornflowers	Centaurea cyanus
	The petals of cornflowers are the part used in herbal folklore. According to M. Grieve “ cornflowers are considered to have tonic, stimulant and emmenagogue properties, with action similar to that of Blessed Thistle.” An infusion of the flower petals was used as an eyewash and as an astringent mouthwash. ¹

Detail	Evening Primrose	Oenothera biennis
	Both the leaves and the roots of the evening primrose contain a fragrant oil that plays an important part natural health.

Detail	Eyebright	Euphrasia, various species
	Eyebright is often used as an eyewash or in a compress to treat sore, itchy eyes. Eyebright is also a traditional remedy for nasal congestion and catarrh and may be taken as a tea

Detail	Fennel	Foeniculum vulgare
	The uses for fennel go far beyond the kitchen however, fennel has been used as a medicinal herb by the early Romans and Greeks.

Detail	Feverfew	Tanacetum parthenium
	Feverfew inhibits platelet aggregating in the bloodstream, thus preventing blockage of small capillaries, one of the reasons behind feverfew's popularity in treatment of migraines.

Detail	Figwort	Scrophularia nodosa
	Figwort is used in salves and poultices to soothe inflamed skin in cases of psorisos and eczema, and to heal burns. ¹ Herbalists today consider figwort as a cleansing herb that supports the detoxification of the body. ²

Detail	Gentian	Gentiana lutea
	The herb has been used in European herbal medicine throughout the 3,000 years since its discovery as a bitter tonic.

Detail	Hawthorn	Crataegus monogyna
	Hawthorn berries have been used as a heart tonics for thousands of years, and remain one of our most valued herbal heart tonics.

Detail	Hops	Humulus Lupulus
	The Hop was first mentioned by Pliny who speaks of it as a garden plant among the Romans, who ate the young shoots in spring

Detail	Horse Chestnut	Aesculus hippocastanum
	The plant is called "horse" chestnut because its seeds are edible for horses, but not humans, not related to the edible

Detail	Juniper	Juniperus communis
	The action of juniper closely resembles cypress, to which it is botanically related.

Detail	Lady's Mantle	Alchemilla vulgaris
	The root, when employed may be fresh. Mantle has astringent and styptic properties, on account of the tannin it contains

Detail	Lavender	Lavandula officinalis
	Fresh lavender makes a wonderful, aromatic bouquet, and discourages insects from invading your home

Detail	Meadowsweet	Spriea Ulmaria
	The meadowsweet is one of the best know wildflowers, its virtues have been known since the time of Dioscorides

Detail	Milk Thistle	Silybum marianum L.
	Whole seeds of milk thistle or a tincture made from them are now used in the United States as well as Europe, for both protection and regeneration of the liver.

Detail	Oregano	Origanum vulgare
	Oregano has a very ancient reputation and has been used in both the kitchen and the sickroom since the time of the ancients.

Detail	Orris Root	Iris germanica
	Dried orris root is used in perfumes and potpourris and sachets as a fixative that enhances other aromas, and in natural products as a base in tootepastes, and cosmetics.

Detail	Parsley	Petroselinum crispum
	Of the variety crispum, or curled-leaved there are thirty-seven variations, the most valuable are those of compact habit

Detail	Periwinkle	Vinca minor
	The leaves, and seeds of the perwinkle contain vincamine, a precursor to the chemical vinpocetine, which is used medicinally to enhance memory natural treatment for aging minds.

Detail	Saffron	Crocus sativus
	Saffron contains more than 150 volatile and aroma-yielding compounds

Detail	Sage	Salvia officinalis
	Sage is an excellent and safe natural disinfectant. The antimicrobial action of thujone, a compound found in the volatile oil, works against bacterial or fungus infections.

Detail	Sea Buckthorn Oil	Hippophae rhamnoides
	Sea Buckthorn oil is used superficially to assist in healing skin injuries, burns, wounds, eczema, lesions, sun damaged skin, and abrasions.

Detail	Spearmint	Mentha spicata
	Spearmint has much the same properties as peppermint, but is milder and good for use with children's complaints

Detail	Speedwell	Veronica officinalis
	Modern herbalists still consider that an infusion of the dried plant is useful in coughs, and in ointments to treat skin irritations.

Detail	Thyme	Thymus vulgaris
	Thyme has primarily been used respiratory ailments for its infection-fighting and cough suppressive qualities. Thyme tea is an old time favorite cough, cold and hangover remedy

Detail	Valerian	Valeriana officinalis
	The Greeks used valerian roots to help them fall asleep, and that use holds up under scientifc scrunity today.

Detail	Witch Hazel	Hamamelis virginiana
	A general and all purpose remedy for abrasions, burns, scalds, insect bites and other inflammatory conditions of the skin.

Detail	Wormwood	Artemisia absinthium L.
	Wormwood is used today mainly as a bitter tonic, and in natural pest control.

Medicinal Healing Herbs : Properties and Uses

Herbs Alphabetical by Common Name

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
List Herbs by Botanical Name