by Nick Boswell | Jan 12, 2018
Marshmallow leaf The leaves, flowers and the root of A. officinalis (marshmallow) have been used in traditional herbal medicine. This use is reflected in the name of the genus, which comes from the Greek ἄλθειν (althein), meaning “to heal.” In traditional Chinese...
by Nick Boswell | Jan 12, 2018
Lobelia Lobelia contains an alkaloid called lobeline. Because of lobeline’s similarity to nicotine, the herb is comonly used as an aid in quitting cigarettes. Lobeline binds to nicotine receptors in the brain, thus soothing tough smoking cravings. The use of lobelia...
by Nick Boswell | Jan 12, 2018
Wormwood Wormwood is known for the medicinal use of its above-ground plant parts and oil. Wormwood is used for various digestion problems such as loss of appetite, upset stomach, gall bladder disease, and intestinal spasms. Wormwood is also used to treat...
by Nick Boswell | Jan 12, 2018
Vanilla Beans According to popular belief, the Totonac people, who inhabit the east coast of Mexico in the present-day state of Veracruz, were the first to cultivate vanilla. According to Totonac mythology, the tropical orchid was born when Princess Xanat, forbidden...
by Nick Boswell | Jan 12, 2018
Valerian Valerian has been used as a medicinal herb since at least the time of ancient Greece and Rome. Hippocrates described its properties, and Galen later prescribed it as a remedy for insomnia. In medieval Sweden, it was sometimes placed in the wedding clothes of...