Southernwood, or Artemesia abrotanum, is a perennial woody shrub native to Southern Europe and we find much mention of it in Spain and Italy. It is known by many other names including Lad’s Love, Boy’s Love, Old Man, Southern Wormwood, Oldman Wormwood, Lover’s Plant, Appleringie, Garderobe, Our Lord’s Wood, Maid’s Ruin, Garden Sagebrush, European Sage, Sitherwood, Cola plant, Lemon Plant, maid’s love, maid’s passion, Sabbath day posy, slovenwood and sweet Benjamin. It belongs to the daisy (Asteraceae) family. The name ‘Southernwood’ has Old English roots and means “woody plant that comes from the south.” The genus name, Artemisia, is derived…
Author: Sylvia
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi also known as Bearberry, Arberry, Arbutus, Bear’s Berry, Bear’s Grape, Carillo, Chipmunk’s Apples, Coralillo, Crowberry, Foxberry, Hogberry, Kinnikinnick, Manzanita, Mealberry, Mountain Box, Mountain Cranberry, Mountain Tobacco, Pinemat Manzanita, Red Bearberry, Rockberry, Sandberry, Sagackhomi, Sagakomi, Upland Cranberry, Uva-Ursi, Whortleberry, is an extremely winter hardy, creeping, slow-growing, prostrate, woody evergreen shrub that typically grows to 2 to 8 inches in height and few meters in length. It is a circumpolar ground-hugger native to the northern part of North America, Europe and Asia. In North America, it is typically found in a variety of locations from Alaska to Newfoundland south through…
Dong Quai (Female Ginseng) scientifically known as Angelica sinensis is a well-known Chinese herb from Umbelliferae (Apiaceae) family, a botanical group which also includes carrots, parsley, dill and celery. The plant is native to China. Apart from Dong Quai it is also known as Female Ginseng, Dongquai, Chinese Angelica, Women’s Ginseng, Danggui, Danngui, Tang Kuei, Tang Kwei, Doong Quai, Qingui, Yungui, Kara Toki, Min-gui, Tan Kue Bai zhi. It is one of the most famous herbs in traditional Chinese medicine used in the treatment of female ailments for thousands of years. Its reputation is perhaps second only to ginseng (Panax…
Technically speaking, capers are flower buds that are harvested from a bush called Capparis spinosa. The plant also known as Capers, Cabra, caper Bush, Capparis rupestris, caper, Cappero, Caprier, Caprier Épineux, Capre, Caprés, Fabagelle, Himsra is a perennial plant that bears rounded, fleshy leaves and large white to pinkish-white flowers. The plant is thrives across Mediterranean rim mainly from Spain to Israel. The salt water tolerant plant can survive and even flourish in extreme drought. Normally it prefers warm, humid climate and grows in abundance all over the Cyprus, Italy, Greece, North African and some Asia Minor regions. Capers are…
Aletris farinosa, commonly known as Unicorn root , stargrass , whitetube stargrass , crow corn , Ague grass , Aloerot , Devil’s-bit , colic root , ague root , starwort , blazing star , mealy starwort , huskwort is a plant species native to North America and is distributed widely throughout the continent. Three other species of aletris, Aletris aurea Walt, A. lutea Small, and A. obovata Nash, bear much resemblance to A. farinosa and are frequently collected with the latter. It is a perennial herb spreading by means of underground rhizomes and forming rosettes of leaves. Plant Description Aletris…
Aframomum melegueta is commonly known as Guinea pepper, Melegueta pepper, alligator pepper, Ginny Grains, Ginny Papper, Graines, Greater Cardamom, Grenes, Guinea Grains, Guinea Seeds, Maniguetta, Maniguette, Melaguata, Meligetta Pepper, Paradise Grains and Paradise Nuts. It is a tropical plant of genus Aframomum and belongs to the family Zingiberaceae (ginger family) of the angiosperms in the Kingdom Plantae. Although it is native to West Africa, it is also an important cash crop in the Basketo district of southern Ethiopia. The Pepper Coast (or Grain Coast) is a historical coastal region named after this commodity. It is a spicy edible fruit which…
Chervil scientifically known as Anthriscus cerefolium sometimes called French Parsley, Sweet Cicely, cicily, garden chervil, gourmet’s parsley, Rich Man’s Parsley, Beaked Parsley and Salad Chervil is a delicate annual herb related to parsley. It belongs to the botanical family Apiacea, and it is native to Europe. Chervil comes from the carrot family along with dill, parsley, and fennel. It looks extremely alike to parsley, except the leaves are smaller, lacier, and paler in color. Chervil also shares one of the same aromatic compounds as tarragon, which gives it a very delicate anise aroma and flavor. It is commonly used to…
Horse Chestnut botanically known as Aesculus hippocastanum is a medium to large deciduous tree. Other common names by which this herbal tree is known are European Horse chestnut, Conker Tree, Common Horse chestnut, Chestnut, marron europeen, escine, escin, aescin Cellu-Var, Marronnier Commun, Variclear, VeinAway, Châtaignier des Chevaux etc. It is a species of flowering plant in the soapberry and lychee family Sapindaceae. The tree is named Horse Chestnut because many believe it has horseshoe marks on its branches. Horse Chestnut is a deciduous tree seen mostly in mountainous forest areas. It is a native of northern and central parts of…
Pandanus Conoideus commonly known as Red Fruit, Kuansu, Buah Merah, Screwpine, Pandanus ‘Cokelat’, Marita, Oil Pandan and Red Pandanus is a plant that grows in the mountain regions of Papua, Indonesia especially in Jayawijaya mountain area (Wamena and Tolikara), Jayapura, Manokwari, Nabire, Timika, and Ayamaru Sorong. Pandanus conoideus is a plant in the pandan family. Buah Merah comes from the Indonesian term Buah (meaning Fruit) and Merah (meaning Red). It simply means Red Fruit and looks like a giant carrot. Buah Merah can only be found in the mountainous parts of Papua, Indonesia. It can grow in huge sizes around…
Melicoccus bijugatus, commonly called Spanish lime, genip, guinep, genipe, ginepa, quenepa, quenepe, chenet, canepa, mamón, limoncillo, skinip, kinnip is a fruit-bearing tree of soapberry family Sapindaceae means it is closed relative of lychee and longan and is native or naturalized across the New World tropics including South and Central America, and parts of the Caribbean. It can be found both cultivated and naturally grown in the coastal area and dry forests. It got its name because it looks like small, unripe limes. It has 2 varieties: the sweet one and sour one. The sour one is usually eaten with chili…
Trichosanthes dioica, also known as parwal, parval, pointed gourd, Wild snake gourd, patola, green potato is a vine plant in the Cucurbitaceae family, similar to cucumber and squash, though unlike those it is perennial. It is a dioecious vine plant with heart-shaped leaves and is grown on a trellis. The plant is native to Indian subcontinent and is one of the important vegetables of this region. The fruit is the edible part of the plant which is cooked in various ways either alone or in combination with other vegetables or meats. They have been mainly used to prepare gravy kind dishes…
Lingzhi mushroom or reishi mushroom is a purplish-brown fungus with a long stalk, brown spores, and a fan-shaped cap with a shiny, varnish-coated appearance. It belongs to the Ganodermataceae family of mushroom, which is a branch of the Mycetes Kingdom. Many medicinal mushrooms come from the Ganodermataceae family. Reishi is the Japanese word meaning “ancient goddess of health, life and eternal youth,” a rare mushroom with amazing healing qualities. It is native to China, Japan and North America but now is cultivated throughout the Asian countries. It grows on decaying woods or tree stumps, preferring the Japanese plum tree but…
Ginseng scientifically known as Panax ginseng is actually a broad term that incorporates nearly a dozen different species of plants that fall within the Panax genus. Apart from ginseng it is also known as American Ginseng, Red Ginseng, radix ginseng, Asian ginseng, Chinese ginseng, Korean ginseng, or Oriental ginseng and ren shen. This highly appreciated plant, which has large fleshy roots (their main source of nutrients), is typically found in North America and certain cooler climates in some parts of Asia. Due to the global demand for this beneficial plant, it has been exported throughout the world. Root is the…
Vaccinium myrtillus (bilberry) is a member of the Ericaceae family, and is also known as European blueberry, huckleberry, whortleberry, blueberry and bearberry. It is a European berry shrub that is native to Northern and Central Europe. The name bilberry is actually derived from the Danish ‘bollebar,’ which means dark berry in reference to the typically dark-blue fruit. It is a small, wild perennial shrub that grows throughout Europe and now is cultivated from the Far East to the United States. The plant yield huge amount of small darkish blue berries that have wonderful medicinal uses. They are often consumed fresh…
Ophiocordyceps sinensis (formerly known as Cordyceps sinensis) is an entomopathogenic fungus. It is also known as Cordyceps, caterpillar fungus, yarsha gumba, vegetable caterpillar, dong chong xia cao, Vegetable caterpillar and is commonly mistaken as a mushroom but is actually a parasitic fungus, native to China, Tibet, India, Bhutan, and Nepal. Cordyceps is the composite of a genus of fungus that grows on the larva of insects. To date, more than 350 Cordyceps-related species have been found worldwide based on fungus and/or insect host. Cordyceps sinensis is formed when the fungus attacks moth caterpillars infecting it with spores during fall then…
Bryophyllum pinnatum commonly known as Miracle Leaf, air plant, cathedral bells, life plant and Goethe plant native to Madagascar which is a popular houseplant and has become naturalized in tropical and subtropical areas. It belongs to the Crassulaceae family. The plant parts are thick and fleshy which tends to preserve water in dry climates or soil conditions. The plant has antibacterial, antiviral, antimicrobial, antifungal, antihistamine and anaphylactic properties. It is good for almost any ailments like high blood pressure, headaches, abscess, and swellings. Tea made from stem and leaves is used for menstrual cramps, asthma and helps with sinus issues…
Common Bur Flower or Kadamba scientifically known as Neolamarckia cadamba is a large, evergreen tree with beautiful & unique flowers. It is a fast growing tree with a broad crown and is even planted sacredly near temples. It is one of the important medicinal plants belonging to the Rubiaceae family and is native to South and Southeast Asia and is widely found in different parts of India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Australia. May is the month when the kadamba tree yields fruit so the tree is also called May tree. Apart from…
Zante Currants are made from Zante (aka Black Corinth) Grapes. These grapes are small about one-quarter the size of raisins. They are seedless, like the grape, very dark, and have a tangy tartness to them. They are not actually currants; they are raisins. Black Corinth is also called “Champagne Grape” by epicureans (lovers of good food). Although not a true currant, when dried they are referred to as Zante Currants. Zante are used extensively in baking. The grape is dark red to black, firm skinned, juicy and crunchy with a very sweet spicy flavor when ripe. It is seedless. They…
Vitex negundo, commonly known as the Vitex, Chinese chaste tree, five-leaved chaste tree, Huang Ping, horseshoe Vitex, is an erect shrub or small tree with quadrangular, densely whitish, tomentose branchlets and smooth, thin, reddish brown bark. It is widely used in folk medicine, particularly in South and Southeast Asia. Native to tropical Eastern and Southern Africa and Asia, but it can be found in areas with temperate and subtropical climate around the world today. Chaste tree quickly grows into a multi-trunked tree about 2 to 8 m (6.6 to 26.2 ft.) tall and wide with a broad, spreading habit. Despite…
Honey is a natural organic sugary food substance that is produced from the nectar of flowers by Apis mellifera and is a sweet, flavorful liquid. It consists of sugars, small quantities of proteins, enzymes, amino acids, minerals, trace elements, vitamins, aroma compounds, and polyphones. It is extensively accepted as food and medicine by all generations, traditions and civilizations, both ancient and modern. Honey is greatly used by Asian countries such as Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, and Pakistan in their traditional medicinal systems. It is widely used as a remedy for burns, cataracts, ulcers, diabetes, wound healing, etc. Many researchers have…
Redcurrant scientifically known as Ribes rubrum is a small, deciduous low-growing shrub in the Grossulariaceae (currant and gooseberry genus, although in many classifications formerly included in Saxifragaceae), native to northern Europe and northern Asia, which is widely cultivated for its fruit both commercially and in home gardens. Other red-fruited wild and cultivated currant species that may be known as red currants include R. sativum, sometimes called the cherry currant, as well as R. petraeum, R. longeracemosum, and R. multiflorum. Apart from red currants it is also known as Cultivated Currant, Common Currant, Garden Currant, Reps, Ribs, Risp, White Currant. Plant…
Sweet, pulpy, and fragrant rich cherimoya is one of the most delicious tropical fruits of Andean valley origin. These greenish-yellow, conical fruits are from the evergreen trees belonging to the family Annonaceae, in the genus of Annona. The plant has been thought to be native to Loja region of Ecuador, bordering Peru, the low rising tropical forests of Central Andean Mountains. The name originates from the Quechua word chirimuya, which means “cold seeds”, because the plant grows at high altitudes and the seeds will germinate at higher altitudes. The cherimoya (Annona cherimola), also spelled chirimoya and called Chirimuya by the…
Also referred as European black currant, Blackcurrant, Black currant , Siyah Frenkuzumu , Quincy berries, Gichtbeerblaetter , Grosella Negra, Groseille Noir, Nabar, Huile de Pépins de Cassis, Paper, Ribes Nero, Ribes Nigri Folium and Ribes nigrum, it is a deciduous and branched shrub which requires damp, fertile and well-drained soil. The plant grows up to the height of 1-2 m (3-6.5 ft). It possesses alternate, simple leaves having toothed edged which measures about 2.5-10.5 cm long and 2.5-12 cm broad. The buds are brown, yellowish, oblong to ovoid to ellipsoid about (3-)4-7 mm in size. It has bisexual flowers and…
Scientifically called Areca catechu, is a medium sized, single trunked, evergreen and monoecious tree that does well in tropical as well as sub-tropical climates with well drained soil. The plant grows up to the height of 20 m and 20-30 cm in diameter. It has pinnate leaves measuring 1.5-2 cm long. It bears creamy to white flowers. Fruit is a ovoid drupe which is about 4-5 cm long and is yellowish to red or orange. The seeds inside the fruit is ovoid, ellipsoidal, globose measuring 3-4*2-4 cm. It contains isoguvocine, choline and alkaloids arecaine, arecoline, arecaidine and Guvacine. Nut contains…
Olive oil is extracted from the ripe olive fruits. The oil is pale yellow in color having a greenish tint that depends on the ratio of chlorophyll to carotene. It has high esters of oleic acid that forms about 80% of total fatty acid content. Saturated palmitic acid and linoleic acid forms the balance of fatty acid content. This oil has 200 chemical compounds including beta carotene, tocopherols, pigments, phytosterols, flavonoids, terpenic acids and phenolic compounds. This oil is used for cooking purposes in salad dressing and frying. It is used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and soaps. Spain is considered to…
Agarwood scientifically known as Agallochum malaccense referred to as fragrance wood that’s utilized for producing perfumes, oil, incense or costly herbal medicine. It is also known as Agar Wood, Eaglewood, Ales Wood, Oodh or Agar, Gaharu, Aloeswood, Oud, Chen Xiang, Kalamabak and Jinkoh. The Agarwood Plant is extensively available in Malaysia, Thailand as well as other country in South East Asia. Lately, more Agar wood is cultivated to meet international demands. From the historical viewpoint, more than 10 countries and regions are still growing or ever grew some certain species of Aquilaria tree. These countries are India, Vietnam, Thailand, Laos,…
Gmelina arborea, commonly known as beechwood, gmelina, goomar teak, Kashmir tree, Malay beechwood, white teak, yemane and locally known as gamhar, is actually a fast-growing deciduous tree, growing naturally throughout greater part of India at altitudes up to 1,500 meters. Apart from that it also occurs naturally in Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and in southern provinces of China, and has been grown extensively in Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Malaysia, and on experimental basis in other countries as well. It is normally planted in gardens and roads. Since it is a medicinal tree and its roots, stem, stem bark, fruits, leaves,…
Peanut oil is the mild tasting vegetable oil that is derived from peanuts and is also known as arachis oil or groundnut oil. It has strong aroma and peanut flavor. The light yellow or transparent oil has good taste and pleasant fragrance.It is especially used in South Asian, Chinese and Southeast Asian cuisines. This oil has high smoke point so used to fry foods. The major component of fatty acids found in Peanut oil is oleic acid, palmitic acid and linoleic acid. It also possess arachidic acid, stearic acid, lignoceric acid as well as other fatty acids. It has sterol,…
Nut grass(Cyperus rotundus) commonly known as Coco grass, java grass, red nut sedge and purple nut sedge is a perennial plant native to Africa, Southern and Central Europe, and Southern Asia. The grass is a member of the sedge family or the Cyperaceae family of plants so is a close relative of Cyperus esculentus, the tiger nut or chufa. Known to be one of the most invasive plants in the world, nut grass infests over fifty crops worldwide, and this feature has earned it the nickname “the world’s worst weed.” The tubers of the plant are bitter, but they have…
This oil is extracted from the coconut. The oil has waxy and soft consistency and is malleable. It has components such as capric acid, lauric acid, antimicrobial lipids, caprylic acid and saturated fat. Coconut oil is used as an ingredient in vegan beauty products and all natural beauty products such as lip balms, lotions, shaving creams and makeup remover. It has high content of saturated fat and medium chain fatty acids that helps to bypass and metabolize the normal fat. Coconut oil has fatty acids maintains coagulation factors and prevents the chances of heart ailments by lowering the level of…