Herbs

The mayapple plant or American mandrake is unrelated to the European mandrake, part of the Solanaceae family. European mandrake is a toxic plant with properties similar to belladonna and currently …

The purslane plant was cultivated in ancient times as a vegetable for salads, though peasants regard it as a weed today. Its medicinal applications are still used. Healing Properties The …

Since the Middle Ages, the tormentil plant has been used to ease what was known as “torments” (intestinal colic). Its name comes from that fact. Due to its intense effects, …

The effects of the common buckthorn plant on the intestine have been known from the 11th century onwards, and it is also used in veterinary medicine to purge animals. Healing …

The guava tree is an aromatic tree that native Mexicans cultivated before the Spaniards arrived. Guava is one of the richest fruits in vitamin C; some varieties have five times …

Rowan grows isolated among other mountain trees and does not form bushes. Its flamboyant fruits are delicious for birds. In some cities, rowan trees are grown as ornamental plants. These …

Dioscorides already knew the purgative properties of castor bean oil in the 1st century A.D.; however, the castor bean plant was not used in Europe until the 18th century. Castor …

Patience dock is a plant in the same botanical genus as bugloss, which has similar properties, and sorrel, which differs in having a bitter, not acid, flavor. All these plants …

In spring, the young buds of the burnet plant are used in salad dishes because of their tasty, refreshing flavor. Like greater burnet, this plant was not known by great …

The greater burnet plant was discovered and used from the Renaissance onwards. Since its flower spikes look like blood clots, it was supposed to be helpful in hemorrhage treatment, and …