Herbs

If you’ve come across rauwolfia while researching natural options for blood pressure or anxiety, here’s the short version: it’s not a fringe herbal claim. The rauwolfia plant produced reserpine, one …

Mistletoe plant seeds are spread all over the forest by thrushes, doves, and other birds. After consuming its white berries, they carry them to the branches of different trees, to …

The evening primrose plant, whose flowers open at night, was introduced to Europe in the early 17th century and used as an ornamental plant. Soon, people noticed that its fleshy …

The olive tree is an essential part of Mediterranean culture. The Phoenicians and Romans spread it all over the Mediterranean coast. Olive oil is still the most popular edible fat …

Let’s be straight with you from the first line: no herb scrubs plaque out of your arteries. Not garlic, not ginkgo, not any tea or tincture. Once fatty plaque has …

The buckbean plant has been used in phytotherapy since the 16th century. As it was not a Mediterranean plant, it was not known to classical Greek physicians. Today, it is …

Wild marjoram is very similar to marjoram, though, unlike the latter, it grows wild, as its name points out. Wild marjoram is native to the Middle East and was introduced …

If you’re here for the short version: quassia (Quassia amara) is one of the most intensely bitter plants on earth, and that bitterness is the whole story. Its strongest modern …

The red currant plant is a beautiful shrub that resembles a grapevine at first sight because of its palm-shaped leaves and its hanging berries, which are red in color and …

The false acacia plant was introduced to Europe in 1601 by Jean Robin, Gardner of the King of France. However, its scientific name (Robinia) and its common names, too. Though …