Piper nigrum, also called black pepper and “The King of Spices,” has been used for thousands of years, and modern science now supports many benefits of this plant. Native to southern and southeast Asia, it is common in Ayurveda as well as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Piper nigrum is a...
If you were to poll a large audience of people today and ask about safety of drugs versus natural herbal remedies, you would most likely get a larger amount of people who feel that natural also means harmless. For the most part, natural remedies are commonly very safe. That said,...
A beautiful red-hued berry brew, consumed hot or cold, that is healthy and beneficial for my good health—I am in! Hibiscus tea has a cranberry-like, tart flavor, and is consumed around the world, in places such as Central America, India, Mexico, Persia, Cambodia, and even in the Caribbean. It is...
Coriandrum sativum L, Coriander, from the Apiaceae family of plants, is a strong aromatic herb used commonly around the globe. Coriander has a long history of use, and has broad antimicrobial activity benefits. The ancient Egyptians cultivated coriander around 3,100 B.C for its fragrant and medicinal properties. Evidence was found...
Echinacea is truly the most-inquired about herb ever, and for good reason. Although many herbs have hit the media with blazing fire, and many do amazingly well, echinacea has consistently stayed in the eye of consumers. Echinacea is a genus of flowering plants in the daisy family and a common ingredient in natural cold...
Throughout history, humans have gravitated to, celebrated, and consumed berries as a delicious food source, and of course for their medicinal health benefits. Many of these berries have become very familiar to the Natural Products industry, and to the consumers around the world that enjoy their benefits. One of those...
A great variety of medicinal plants—and their leaves, bark, roots, and flowers—have been used for centuries, but here we are learning more about some of them today. Are we behind the times, or has our industry just seriously amped up its search for new alternatives and new frontiers? Honestly, I...
Hypericum perforatum, or St. John’s Wort, is a flowering plant native to Europe, western Asia and North Africa. It is named after St. John the Baptist, because its signature yellow flower appears at the time of the summer solstice near the day of the feast. Today, St. John’s Wort is...
Cinnamon, also called Ceylon cinnamon, is an evergreen tree of the laurel family. Native to Sri Lanka, it is also cultivated in the West Indies and in South America. The pungent spice with its sweet and savory aroma comes from the dried inner bark, and it was once more valuable...
Licorice root is one of the world’s oldest herbal remedies. Its botanical name comes from the Greek words meaning sweet root. Greeks, Chinese, Hindus, and Egyptians recognized the medicinal qualities of the plant. Native to southern Europe and Western Asia, licorice is part of the Leguminosae family. Traditionally licorice has...
