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The Complete Herbal
Guide to Herbal Remedies
A-Z of Herbs


A
Aconitea
(Aconitum Napellus) aka: monkshood, wolfsbane, friar's cap, blue rocket, auld wife's huid
A hardy perennial with dark blue flowers on tall stems aconitea is found in the mountainous areas of Europe and Asia.

Regarded as highly poisonous aconitea is said to have diuretic and diaphoretic properties. It is said to reduce the force of the pulse during fever and inflammation, as well as alleviating conditions with catarrh, tonsillitis, the early stages of pneumonia, erysipelas, neuralgia, pleurisy and heart spasm. Used externally it is said to reduce the pain of neuralgia, rheumatism and lumbago.

Adder's Tongue
(Ophioglossum vulgatum) aka: adder's mouth, dog's tooth violet, serpent's tongue, trout lily, yellow snowdrop.
Found in damp grassy areas in Britain. It develops only one leaf each year, and grows to a height of 5–20 cm/2–8 in. Reproductive organs are borne in two rows on an unbranched spike attached to the stalk near the base of the leaf blade.

It is said to have contraceptive, diuretic, emetic, emollient, febrifuge and stimulant properties. Plant constituents include alph-methylene-butyrolactone which has antimutagenic activity. This chemical prevents cell mutation and may prove to be a valuable weapon in fighting all forms of cancer. The leaves and bulb are crushed and used to dress wounds and reduce swellings, for scrofula and other skin problems. A medicinal tea made from the root and leaf is said to reduce fever and fainting, the tea is also taken for ulcers, tumors and swollen glands. Use with caution Adder's Tongue can be strongly emetic in some people. Because of its resemblance to a snake's tongue, the plant was traditionally believed to cure snake bites.

Culpeper

Agrimony
(Agrimonia Eupatoria) aka: Aaron's rod, church steeples, money in both pockets, cockeburr, sticklewort, philanthropos
Agrimony's Latin name is thought to have been derived through Argemone, the Greek word meaning cataract, and also after Mithridates Eupator, king of Pontus, who was a famous herbalist.

Native to Britain, this perennial grows to between 1-3ft high and has slender spikes of yellow flowers.

It is said to have astringent, tonic and diuretic properties. It is purported to be a digestive tonic and has been used in the treatment of irritation and infection of the digestive tract in children. Today in Germany it has been used to treat gallstones and cirrhosis of the liver, whilst in Chinese medicine it is a treatment for excessive bleeding.

Another application of Agrimony is as an anti-inflammatory- relieving skin, mouth & throat inflammation. Known for its throat-soothing action, it can be used as a gargle.

Culpeper

Aloes
(Aloe Perryi, Aloe Vera) aka: Barbados, Cape, Natal, Zanzibar aloes
Many traditional systems of medicine have a history of use covering 18 centuries. Aloe vera gel has been used to treat inflammation for more than 2,500 years.

Aloes are perennial succulent plants with fleshy leaves and flower spikes. Aloe Vera looks like a catus with yellow flowers because of its stiff, spearlike leaves that grows in rosettes. It is a succulent perennial of the lily family native to parts of Africa, found in the West Indies and other tropical areas and commercially grown in southern Texas and Mexico.  

Aloe vera gel is derived from the "mucilaginous cells" contained inside the leaves. The fresh gel is widely used as a folk medicine for scar-free healing of cuts and for soothing minor burns and sunburn, as well as minor cuts and scrapes and skin irritations.  Aloe gel is also used in beverages commonly sold as "aloe juice". Aloe gel, mixed with water, citric acid, fruit juices, and preservatives is also marketed as "aloe juice", touted as a digestive aid or folk remedy for arthritis, stomach ulcers, diabetes, and other conditions.  Aloe gel is also used in many commercial products such as sunburn lotions, moisturizers, first aid creams, and shampoos.

Culpeper

Alfalfa
(Medicago sativa)
Alfalfa is a perennial herb. It can reach 24 to 35 inches (60-90 cm) in height, with 5 to 25 or more erect stems per plant, which arise from a narrow, woody crown. It is a well-known herb to health-conscious consumers. It is high in nutrients, which are drawn into the plant from deep in the soil. The richest land source of trace minerals, the roots of Alfalfa plants have been known to reach as much as thirty feet deep! The leaves of the alfalfa plant are rich in minerals and nutrients, including calcium, magnesium, potassium, and carotene. They are also a source of protein, vitamin E and vitamin K. Alfalfa has been used by the Chinese since the sixth century to treat kidney stones, and to relieve fluid retention and swelling. Alfalfa nourishes the digestive, skeletal, glandular, and urinary systems. Alfalfa contains chlorophyll, which is renowned for its cleansing qualities.

Ancient Chinese doctors used Alfalfa to increase appetite and to help poor digestion. Ayurvedic doctors believed it could help relieve certain types of ulcers and reduce the inflammation due to arthritis and rheumatism.

Anise
(Pimpinella anisum) aka: sweet cumin, aniseed, anis, Yan kok (Chinese)
Romans used anise at the end of a rich meal, to prevent indigestion. In England anise has been in use since the fourteenth century, and has been cultivated in English gardens from the middle of the sixteenth century, but the seeds only ripen in very warm summers. Interestingly it is one of the herbs that is said to avert the 'Evil Eye'. In cooking or infused as a tea, the seeds can aid digestion, quell nausea, and ease flatulence and colic. Anise is expectorant and can soothe spasms of irritant coughs and bronchial problems. It promotes estrogen production and is used to encourage breast milk, ease childbirth, and stimulate libido. Commercially anise is used in cough mixtures, and small amounts of the essential oil, produced from the seeds, are added to toothpaste, perfumes and mouthwashes, it is also used to mask bitter medicines. In large amounts Anise is highly toxic. The seeds are carminative. Used in tea or as lozenges, they can soothe a hard cough.

More Details about Anise

Apple
(Pyrus malus)
My granny always used to say "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" maybe she was on to something. Apples can be eaten raw as a fruit they contain boron in their skins.  They can be used as an astringent or to aid digestion. For maximum benefit you should eat 1 to 2 medium-sized apples every day.

In addition apple cider vinegar is thought have healing and cleansing properties, it can be used as a natural antibiotic and can improve digestion and may help with weight loss.

Read more here

http://www.complete-herbal.com/atoz/atozofherbs.htm