{"id":952,"date":"2019-02-07T16:43:58","date_gmt":"2019-02-07T16:43:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.woodlandherbs.co.uk\/blog\/?page_id=952"},"modified":"2019-03-14T09:25:52","modified_gmt":"2019-03-14T09:25:52","slug":"herbs-e-l","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.woodlandherbs.co.uk\/blog\/herbs\/a-to-z-of-herbs\/herbs-e-l\/","title":{"rendered":"Herbs E-L"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Shop for herbs (opens in new tab)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A-D<\/a>M-O<\/a>P-Z<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Herb Name<\/strong>  Latin<\/strong><\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elderflower <\/strong>
Sambuccus nigra<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Origins\/Description<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe black elder bush\/tree is common all over the\nUK.\nIt has clusters of small white flowers in the spring and black berries in the\nautumn.\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Traditional Uses<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is one third of the\ntraditional \u2018flu mix.\n\n(Elderflower, peppermint and yarrow). Elderflower was\nconsidered the part that worked on the upper respiratory tract.\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Eyebright <\/strong>
Euphrasia officinalis<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nA small bushy herb, with small toothed leaves\nand colourful flowers at the top of the plant.\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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As its name implies\neyebright has an affinity to the eyes and was commonly used for eye problems. \n\nN.B. Do not use with dry eyes.\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fennel seed<\/strong>
Foeniculum vulgare<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis green feathery plant has large \u2018umbels\u2019 of\nflowers at the top of the plant.\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nUsed to alleviate wind problems (both up and\ndown)!\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fenugreek seed <\/strong>
Trig. foenum-grecum<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nA native North African plant that grows to about\n80cm. It has trifoliate leaves and yellow pea-like flowers. The pods contain\n5-20 seeds.\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nA herb used to sooth the digestive tract. It is\nhelpful when digestion & nutrition are poor.\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Feverfew <\/strong>
Tanacetum parthenium<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOriginally from south Europe,\nfeverfew is now prevalent all over the UK. It has large daisy like flowers\nand yellowy-green leaves.\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIn the 1970\u2019s and 80\u2019s feverfew leaves became\npopular as a prophylactic herb for migraines.\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Ginger <\/strong>
Zingiber officinale<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNative to Asia,\nthe rhizome of the plant is used.\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMany of us have experienced the heat from\nginger. Dried ginger is hotter then fresh ginger which is sweeter. Was added to\na tea during winter to combat colds & chills.\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Ginkgo <\/strong>
Ginkgo biloba<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGinkgo is believed to have been growing about\n190 million years ago. The fan-shaped leaves appear to grow directly off the\ntrunk and branches.\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Despite being the most ancient tree still in\nexistence its use as a medical herb was discovered fairly recently. In the mid\n20th<\/sup> Century it was shown to improve peripheral circulation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Goldenrod <\/strong>
Solidago virgaurea<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGoldenrod grows up to 60cm, with spikes of\nyellow flowers and narrow toothed leaves.\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGerrards Herbal in 1597 noted that having been\nrare, it was considered valuable and was commonly used. It lost popularity when\nit was found growing in Hampstead Wood (London)!\nIt never really recovered its popularity!\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Hawthorn flowers <\/strong>
Crataegus oxycantha<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nA deciduous tree with large thorns over the\nbranches and bunches of pink or white flowers, followed by bright red berries.\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Rich in bioflavonoids,\nit is considered a \u201cfood for the heart\u201d.\n\nN.B. Do not use with existing heart conditions without\nconsulting a medical professional.\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Heartsease<\/strong>
Viola tricolor<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAlso known as wild pansy, the plant is small and\ndelicate with 3 coloured petals (yellow, purple and white).\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe name refers to its colour not its medical\nuse. It was used for skin conditions.\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Hops <\/strong>
Humulus lupus<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nA large climber, which can grow up to 6 m high.\nThe flowers are either male or female, and it is the female \u2018strobiles\u2019 that\nare used by herbalists and brewers.\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe hops in beer are the part that helps us fall\nasleep, due to its sedative qualities.\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Horsetail <\/strong>
Equisetum arvense<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis primitive green plant resembles a brush in\nthe summer, thus its common names of horsetail and bottlebrush.\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRich in silica, a mineral that is an important constituent\nof connective tissues i.e. hair, skin and nails.\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Hyssop <\/strong>
Hyssopus officianalis<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nA small bushy herb with narrow leaves and small\nblue and violet flowers.\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAs far back as the first century Dioscorides\nrecommended Hyssop for respiratory problems and coughs.\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Lady\u2019s Mantle<\/strong>
Alchemilla vulgaris<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFound in meadows all over Britain, lady\u2019s\nmantle has large kidney shaped leaves and small green flowers on top of long\nstalks.\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAlchemilla is from the Latin word for alchemy,\nwhich translates as \u201ccure all\u201d. As the common name suggests it was used for\nfemale conditions.\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Lavender <\/strong>
Lavandula angustifolia<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMany people recognise lavender, the\nsilvery\/green coloured plant is topped with whorls of purple flowers. The\nstrong scent is well recognised.\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Infused as a tea or used as the essential oil to relax, soothe headaches and to calm nerves.                     <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Lemon Balm <\/strong>
Melissa officinalis<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe plant looks similar to the mint plant (it is\nfrom the same family), with tiny white flowers and an unmistakable lemony\nscent.\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Lemon balm was traditionally used to uplift the spirits. Luckily it also tastes good. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Lemon Verbena<\/strong>
Lippia citriodora<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNative to South America,\nlemon verbena is a bush which can grow up to 2m. The leaves are long and lemon\nscented, with pale green to mauve flowers.\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Similar qualities to lemon balm. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Limeflower<\/strong>
Tilia europea<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Limeflower does not taste of limes. It is the flowers of the Linden tree, often found lining avenues. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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It has many uses and is one of the best herbs in herbalists armoury, <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Linseed<\/strong>
Linum usitatissimum<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Also known as flaxseed, the plant is a tall annual, with narrow leaves and topped with blue flowers. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Linseed is commonly\nused as a laxative, as well as being an important source of omega-3 essential\nfatty acid.\n\nN.B. Laxatives are to only be used for occasional<\/strong> constipation.\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Liquorice<\/strong>
Glycyrrhiza glabra<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Native to south-east Europe and Asia, liquorice is a tall perennial plant with narrow leaves and bluish to white flowers. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Often used as flavouring, it also has many powerful qualities. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Shop for herbs (opens in new tab) A-DM-OP-Z Herb Name  Latin Elderflower Sambuccus nigra Origins\/Description The black elder bush\/tree is common all over the UK. It has clusters of small white flowers in the spring and black berries in the autumn. Traditional Uses It is one third of the traditional \u2018flu mix. (Elderflower, peppermint and yarrow). Elderflower was considered the part that worked on the upper respiratory tract. Eyebright Euphrasia officinalis A small bushy herb, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":516,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.woodlandherbs.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/952"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.woodlandherbs.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.woodlandherbs.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.woodlandherbs.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.woodlandherbs.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=952"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.woodlandherbs.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/952\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1185,"href":"https:\/\/www.woodlandherbs.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/952\/revisions\/1185"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.woodlandherbs.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/516"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.woodlandherbs.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=952"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}