Medicinal Healing Herbs : Properties and Uses

Cayenne Pepper

Pain relieving herbs: Herbs are used for relieving the pain of headaches, backaches, sore muscles and tough arthritis pain. Herbs can be applied topically as creams and oils, or taken as capsules,teas and tinctures for pain.

Common Name

Botanical Name

Other Names

Detail	AllSpice	Pimenta officinalis	Pimento,Jamaica Pepper
	: Ripe and unripe fruits, essential oil extracted from leaves : West Indian Islands : familiarly called Allspice because it tastes like a combination of cloves, juniper berries, cinnamon and pepper ...

Detail	Aloe	Aloe vera
	: Juice of the inner leaf : Greek : Aloes was employed by the ancients and was known to the Greeks as early as the forth century B.C. Uses by Dioscorides, Celsus ...

Detail	Andrographis	Andrographis paniculata	Creat, chuan xin lian, Kan jang, Kalmegha
	: leaves and roots : a : Andrographis paniculata is an herb native to the Indian subcontinent and is used in Ayurveda,the ancient (before 2500 b.c.) I ...

Detail	Arnica	Arnica montana	leopard's bane,mountain tobacco
	: roots,flowers : : One of the best known herbal sports medicines, arnica has dramatic results if used immediately after an injury. ...

Detail	Balm of Gilead	Populus spp	Popular buds
	: Leaf buds : : The dried, unopened buds of the poplar tree are used in ointments and skin treatments to reduce pain and inflammation ...

Detail	Bay Laurel	Laurus nobilis	Sweet Bay, True Laurel
	: Leaves, fruit, oil : : It is the source of the ancients' crowns and wreaths for heroes ...

Detail	Bay Rum	Pimenta racemosa	Bay Rum Tree
	: : : also known as the Bay Rum Tree, and is not to be confused with Bay Laurel ...

Detail	Bee Balm	Mondara didyma	Scarlet Mondarda, Oswego Tea, Bergamot, Horsebalm
	: leaves, aerial plant : American : This species of mint has an aromatic order similar to the citrus Orange Bergamot, but the two are not related. ...

Detail	Bergamot	Citrus begamia
	: Essence expressed from peel : Asia : The fresh, uplifting scent of bergamot essential oil is used to stabilize the emotions, calm and tone the nervous system, relieve tension and insomnia ...

Detail	Birch	Betula alba	White Birch, Sweet Birch, Cherry Birch
	: Bark, leaves : : Teas of the birch bark contain salicylate, the compound found in aspirin. Salicylate relieves inflammation and pain associated with osteoarthritis, rh ...

Detail	Bladderwrack	Fucus vesiculosis	Fucus, Seaweed,kelp
	: Whole plant : : As a source of iodine, it assists in the production of of thyroid hormones ...

Detail	Bois de Rose	Aniba rosaeodora	Rosewood
	: : South America : Rosewood, or bois de rose, is a tropical tree growing wild in the Amazon basin , mainly in Brazil and in Guyana. Unfortunatel ...

Detail	Boneset	Eupatorium perfoliatum	Common Thorough wort, Agueweed, Indian Sage
	: Aerial parts : American : Only the advent of aspirin displaced boneset as the popular choice for colds and fever. ...

Detail	Boswellia	Boswellia thurifera	Olibanum, Indian Frankincense, Arabic Frankincense, and Salai guggal
	: gum resion : Middle East : Boswellia or Indian frankincense is one of the Ayurvedic gum resins which are referred to collectively as guggals. ...

Detail	Camphor	Cinnamomum camphora
	: Essential oil steam distilled from wood : : Camphor is present in every part of the tree, but is usually taken from the wood of mature trees by steam distillation ...

Detail	Caraway	Carum carvi
	: Seeds, Essential Oil : : The familiar seed that adorn dark rye bread is a member of the carrot family, and all parts are edible, roots, leaves and see ...

Detail	Cardamom	Elettaria cardamonuum
	: seed pods, essential oil : : Cardamom in known primarily a tonic to the digestive system, kills the bacteria responsible for bad breath, and is well know for relief of nausea. As ...

Detail	Cat's Claw	Uncaria tomentosa	una de gato
	: bark : South American : Cat's claw bark is traditionally used for inflammatory arthritis and intestinal complaints such as stomach ulcers ...

Detail	Chamomile	Matricaria recutita	Camomile
	: Flowers : : 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 ...

Detail	Cinnamon	Cinnamomum zeylanicum, C. aromaticum	Cassia Bark
	: Dried bark : : The distinct, spicy aroma of cinnamon bark, Cassia, or Chinese cinnamon, is the spice sold as cinnamon in the United States. ...

Detail	Clove	Eugenia caryophyllata
	: Essential oil extracted from flower buds : : Clove oil is virtually pure eugenol, a powerful, multifaceted phytochemical that numbs pain and kills bacteria and fungi. ...

Detail	Coriander	Corlandrum sativum	Chinese parsley, cilantro
	: seeds, essential oil : : As an aromatic stimulant and spice, it has been cultivated and used since very ancient times. It was employed by Hippocrates ...

Detail	Corydalis	Corydalis bulbosa	fumewort, Yan Hu So
	: Tuber and bulb : Chinese : Corydalis contains the alkaloid bulbocapnine, which is occasionally used in medicine to treat convulsions, Parkinson's diseas ...

Detail	Devil's Claw	Harpagophytum procumbens	grapple plant, wood spider
	: tuberous root : Africa : This herb has an extensive history of use as an anti-inflammatory, pain reliever, and digestive stimulant ...

Detail	Eucalyptus	Eucalyptus globulus	Eucalyptus
	: Leaves, oil : Australian : Eucalyptus is best known for it's ability to relieve congestion and ease breathing in colds. The essential oil of eucalyptus contains cineole, a pote ...

Detail	Fennel	Foeniculum vulgare	Sweet Fennel, Fenkel
	: Seeds, leaves, roots, oil - the whole plant : Greek : 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
	: arial parts : Europe : Feverfew inhibits platelet aggregating in the bloodstream, thus preventing blockage of small capillaries, one of the reasons behind feverfew's popular ...

Detail	Fo-Ti Root	Polygonum multiflorum	He-shou-wu
	: root : Chinese : With a distinctive sweet yet bitter taste, fo-ti is thought to unblock the channels of energy through the body, allowing the escape of the pathogenic ...

Detail	Geranium	Pelargonium graveolens
	: Leaves : Africa : Many people still call pelargoniums by their common name, scented geraniums ...

Detail	Ginger	Zingiber officinale
	: Root : : Perhaps no other herb, except garlic, crosses all barriers, foods versus medicine, Western versus Oriental, scientific versus folk tradition. Ginger i ...

Detail	Hemp/Cannabis	Cannabis sativa	marijuana, pot, gunja, weed
	: flowers, leaves, seeds : : Perhaps the most valued property of hemp is its percentage of essential fatty acids, which is higher than any other plant in the world. It contains bo ...

Detail	Hops	Humulus Lupulus	Hops
	: flowers : Europe : 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	Buckeye
	: Bark, seed, leaf : : The plant is called "horse" chestnut because its seeds are edible for horses, but not humans, not related to the edible ...

Detail	Immortelle	Helichrysum angustifolium	Everlasting, Strawflower
	: flowers : : Helichrysum is known for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic and regenerative properties. ...

Detail	Jamaican Dogwood	Piscidia piscipula	Florida Fishposion Tree
	: bark : Central America : The bark of this Central American tree works similarly to aspirin. ...

Detail	Kava-Kava	Piper methysticum	Ava. Intoxicating Peper
	: rhizome : : Kava kava can be used as a mild sedative for nervous tension and stress. The active constituents in the roots, kava lactones, have relaxing and intoxi ...

Detail	Lavender	Lavandula officinalis
	: Flowers, leaves and stems : : Lavender is arguably the most versatile of the essential oils, indispensable for healing burns, scalds and as a sleep aid. ...

Detail	Lemongrass	Cymopogon citratus, C.flexuosus	lemongrass
	: stalk, essential oil : : Lemon grass herb is commonly used in teas, soups, and curries. It is also suitable for poultry, fish, and seafood. The essential oil can be used in ma ...

Detail	Marjoram,Sweet	Origanum marjorana
	: Flowering tops : : Sweet majoram is a fragrant culinary herb used in soups,stews, egg and cheese dishes. . ...

Detail	Nettle	Urtica dioica	Stinging Nettle, Common Nettle
	: Leaves, stems, and to a lesser extent root : Europe, N. America : The stinging comes from the presence on the bristles of histamine. Nettles are a potent herb with a long history of use. ...

Detail	Niaouli	Melaleuca quinquenervia
	: leaves : Australia : Much like tea tree in its antiseptic properties, but with a much milder, fruity aroma. ...

Detail	Nutmeg	Myristica fragrans	Mace
	: essential oil, spice : : Nutmeg provides a warming, activating action, without the potentially irritating effects of other spice oils. ...

Detail	Passion Flower	Passiflora incarnata
	: Dried leaves and stems. : S. Amercia, Southwest, Mexico : Herbalists have a high regard for the soothing properties of passionflower and recommend it as a general nerve tonic. ...

Detail	Peppermint	Mentha piperita
	: whole herb : : Of all the mints, peppermint is now probably the most widely used of all, due to its high content of menthol. ...

Detail	Peruvian Bark	Cinchona spp	Red Bark. Jesuits' Powder. Cinchona Bark
	: bark : : Peruvian Bark, is the historical name of the main active principle, quinine. ...

Detail	Pine	Pinus sylvestris	Scots Pine
	: Needles : : The key uses of pine oil are as an anti-infectious, antimicrobial agent in colds, flu, urinary and viral infections and as a pain reliever ...

Detail	Rehmannia	Rehmannia glutinosa	Chinese Foxglove, Shu Di Huang
	: dried root, fresh root, prepared root : China : Rehmannia is a very commonly used herb in traditional Chinese medicine. Know as or Di-huang, (earth yellow), prepared rehmannia is used for loss of bl ...

Detail	Rosemary	Rosmarinus officinalis
	: Leaves, stems and flowers : : Rosemary is an extremely useful herb, with many culinary, medicinal and aromatherapy attributes. The essential oil is distilled from the fresh flower ...

Detail	Rue	Ruta graveolens L.	Herb of Grace
	: Whole Herb : : One of the oldest and garden plants cultivated for medicinal use Rue was valued as a country simple for its ability to ward off toxins and pests ...

Detail	Sage	Salvia officinalis
	: Leaves, small stems and flowers : : Sage is an excellent and safe natural disinfectant. The antimicrobial action of thujone, a compound found in the volatile oil, works against bacterial ...

Detail	sassafrass	Sassafras albidum	Saloop, ague tree, root beer tree,
	: Root Bark, Bark and essential oil : north amercian : A cup of sassafras root tea is a traditional spring tonic in the South for hundreds of years, and was part of the home medicine of the early American ...

Detail	Spearmint	Mentha spicata	Spear mint
	: Leaves, essential oil : : Spearmint has much the same properties as peppermint, but is milder and good for use with children's complaints ...

Detail	Tea Tree	Melaleuca alternifolia	ti tree
	: essential oil distilled from leaves : Australia : Tea tree's major contribution to the herbal pharmacy is its broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity. ...

Detail	Thyme	Thymus vulgaris	Common Thyme, Wild Thyme
	: Leaves, stems and flowers : : Thyme has primarily been used respiratory ailments for its infection-fighting and cough suppressive qualities. Thyme tea is an old time favorite coug ...

Detail	Turmeric	Curcuma longa L.	Curcuma, Indian saffron
	: rhizome : Ayurvedic : Turmeric is a mild aromatic stimulant used in the manufacture of curry powders and mustards.The curcumin in turmeric has recently been shown effective ...

Detail	Vetiver	Vetiveria zizanoides	khus khus
	: : Ayurvedic : Healing to skin, this oil repels insects and reduces stress and tension. The aroma is rich, woody, earthy and sweet. ...

Detail	White Willow	Salix Alba
	: Bark : : White willow has been used to combat fevers and pain for thousands of years, it may be the oldest herb known to treat pain an ...

Detail	Wild lettuce	Lactuca virosa	Bitter lettuce, Opium Lettuce
	: Dried leaves : : Wild lettuce contains a sedative milky latex that can induce opium like sensations. ...

Detail	Wintergreen	Gaultheria procumbens	Teaberry, Mountain Tea, Spice Berry, Checker-berry, Partridge-berry
	: Leaves : : The volatile oil obtained by distillation and to which all the medicinal ...

Detail	Witch Hazel	Hamamelis virginiana	Spotted Alder, Winterbloom, Snapping Hazelnut
	: Bark, leaves : Europe,N.America, S.Amercia : A general and all purpose remedy for abrasions, burns, scalds, insect bites and other inflammatory conditions of the skin. ...