Herbs & Alternative Medicine

Burdock is a widespread, biennial plant, considered an Eurasian weed in the United States. It is generally found in waste areas or disturbed habitat. Burdock has a long history of medicinal and...

Aloe vera is a cactus-like plant used in herbal medicine to treat hair loss. Although you can buy bottled aloe vera gel and other derived products, the best to use for your hair is gel straight...

Passiflora incarnata, also known as passion flower, is a perennial vine which can be used to decorate natural settings including walls, fences and trellises. Besides being used for landscaping...

Sinus infections can cause headaches, congestion, thick and discolored mucus and fatigue. Different plant derivatives may play a role in alleviating symptoms of and treating sinus infections. The...

Ahitaba (scientifica name: Angelica keiskei), was discovered in Japan in the Longevity Islands. This Asian herb is a type of Angelica and belongs to the celery family. It is also known as...

Though unsightly and highly contagious, warts take time to heal. Several over-the-counter remedies exist; however, natural plant enzymes may also be effective in treating warts. Knowing which...

Hydrangea (scientific name Hydrangea arborescens hydrangeaceae) is a shrub that can grow up to 10 feet tall. Herbologists use many parts of this plant, especially the root, for treating a variety...

Even as the multinational pharmaceutical giants spend billions in the search for new drugs, nature continues to offer a multitude of plant substances with amazing medicinal properties. Among these...

Black licorice is a type of chewy candy flavored with licorice root extract. Licorice can be used as alternative or complementary treatments for a variety of conditions, although little evidence...

The juice from an aloe plant has major health benefits. Aloe extract can be used to treat burns, minor cuts, rashes and irritated skin. Most often, your lotions, after-sun care and facial products...

The Banaba bush is a woody leafed plant with origins in the South Pacific and India. The plant has many uses, including as an effective treatment for urinary tract infections. Banaba has also been...

Essential oil distillers extract concentrated oils from plant material. Unlike infused oils, essential oils are pure and contain oil only from the plant being distilled. Essential oil distillers...

The aloe vera plant has been used for medicinal remedies for thousands of years. There are many benefits of using an aloe vera plant that you can obtain by just snipping off a leaf of your plant.

Tinctures are made to preserve plant material for use during the winter. Many herbs are preserved as tinctures, extracts, and essential oils. Bee Balm is considered a natural mild tranquilizer...

Plant based enzymes are essential to help break down foods and transport nutrients for optimum benefit. Plant based enzymes have the highest active enzymes found to break down more fat, protein...

Huperzine A is a compound found in a plant called the huperzia. Huperzine A is an alkaloid, which means it is a natural occurring chemical compound made up of basic nitrogen atoms. Alkaloids like...

The kava plant is native to the numerous islands of Oceania and has been used there for various purposes for thousands of years. It thrives in damp, shady and humid locations with abundant rainfall.

Clivia miniata, a lily native to South Africa, is commonly known as the Kaffir lily, orange lily or Bush lily. It has beautiful flowers, but the plant is poisonous and is used for various...

The healing effects of aloe vera has been known for centuries. "The first known document to mention Aloe Vera as a healing plant was found near the Mesopotamian city of Nippu. A Sumerian clay...

Aloe vera plants have been used for thousands of years to treat various afflictions. Aloe vera plants are succulent tropical plants that are believed to have many health benefits. The gel from...

Yellow yarrow is a common plant indigenous to Europe, but it's cultivated all over the world. In most places, yarrow is in bloom from June to September. It's popular in landscaping, but it also...

Borage is an annual plant indigenous to Europe, but cultivated in the United States and other countries. It is a hardy plant and easy to grow. Borage has several beneficial effects on health.

Burdock (or Arctium lappa) belongs to the daisy family and has been in use for hundreds of years as a diuretic, as a topical cure for skin problems (like acne or eczema) and to treat ailments...

Though found almost anywhere in the United States, yucca plants prefer the Southwestern climates. The leaves of this spiky plant grow up from the ground and resemble needles. Many flowering stalks...

Holy basil is a plant grown in India, where it is revered for its medicinal properties. It has been used to treat medical problems ranging from heart disease to arthritis. Not to be confused with...

An economical, effective healing resource is the aloe vera plant, which you can grow in your garden or window sill. Explore some of the numerous health properties of this versatile plant which...

Marshmallow, or Althaea officinalis, is a perennial herb indigenous to Asia, from where it has spread to Southeast Europe and North Africa. The marshmallow thrives in soils that are uncultivated...

Sterols are healthy fats found in plants. Regular consumption of 2-3 g of plant sterols a day may help to prevent heart disease and strengthen the immune system. The average American diet includes...

With its pastel pink and purple flowers, the marshmallow plant is often used as for decoration. However, the root, leaves and flowers have been used for health benefits for centuries.

The use of herbs and plants for medicinal purposes dates back thousands of years. Many ancient herbs and plants are used in modern day to relieve common ailments and diseases. One such plant is...

Astragalus membranaceus is a native herb of China, Mongolia and Korea. When dried, the root of the astragalus plant is used in teas, capsules and tinctures. Astragalus is usually combined with...

Every fruit and vegetable we see in the produce section of a modern supermarket was once a wild plant, and many have a number of uses beyond being part of someone's dinner or salad. The exotic...

Medicinal plants and traditional medicine have been used by tribal communities and ancient civilizations for thousands of years. Recently, modern medicine has taken a look back at medicinal plants...

White bryony, scientifically known as bryonia alba, is a perennial vine from the same family as the cucumber. Indigenous from Europe and Iran and introduced in the US in the 1970s, it is...

According to the Mayo Clinic, heart disease is the world's No. 1 killer of adults. Many forms can be treated with changes in lifestyle, diet and exercise. Other supplements, such as aloe vera...

Plantain is commonly considered a weed. Unless you live in the desert or the tundra, you have probably battled it to try and prevent the takeover of your yard or garden. However, since as early as...

Throughout history, aloe vera has been used as a topical treatment of skin ailments. Scientific evidence points to aloe as a laxative and a treatment for skin conditions, while other uses are...

Aloe vera comes from a plant species often used in alternative medicine. Aloe is regularly used for everything from cuts to burns and can be found in yogurts, beverages, lotions, makeup, razors,...

A tincture is a homeopathic remedy that contains the extract of a plant or herb. Tinctures were common in natural medicine prior to, and during, the Renaissance Period. It is important to note...

Clove oil has been used medicinally for centuries by many different cultures, such as the Greeks, Egyptians and Romans. Additionally, traditional Chinese medicine has always included clove oil for...

Saw Palmetto, although a member of the palm family of plants, is considered an herb and has been used widely for hundreds of years as a medicinal plant. Today, its main benefits are used for men's...

Panax ginseng has been a highly valued plant for thousands of years. In Asia, it has long been used to strengthen the body and help it adapt to stress. In the latter half of the 20th century,...

Since the beginning of time, people have used plants and minerals to create natural tonics for diseases, disorders and to promote good general health. With so many commercial medicines causing...

Every day it seems as if a new "superfood" is discovered. These superfoods promise cures for chronic diseases and secrets to living a long, healthy life. With so many roots, teas, berries and...

Goldenseal is arguably the most sought after natural remedy. This plant has been used by the Cherokee Indians for centuries to cure indigestion, improve appetites, fight fevers, and as treatments...

Yacon is the common name of the plant Smallanthus sonchifolius that was domesticated during the Incan empire in South America as an important food crop. Recently, yacon has become popular in the...

The ancient Hawaiians believed that life and health were one and the same, with the word "ola" reflecting this concept. The body, mind and spirit were equally important to a person's health, with...

Milk thistle is a plant that originated in the Mediterranean but now grows worldwide. In some places its growth is so prolific it is considered to be a pesky weed. The milk thistle plant grows up...

In homeopathy, a type of complementary or alternative medicine, practitioners evaluate your symptoms, then treat them with very highly diluted amounts of a homeopathic medicine. They choose a...

Herbal tea can be made from any plant that is edible. Another way herbalists refer to tea is infusion or decoction. An herbal infusion is herbal tea made from the leaves, stems or other parts of...