Hawthorn (Crataegus species)

Hawthorns belong to Crataegus, a large genus of the Northern Hemisphere and are found in the eastern United States, Mexico, Europe and Asia.

Hawthorn is used for diseases of the heart and blood vessels such as congestive heart failure (CHF), chest pain, and irregular heartbeat. It is also used to treat both low blood pressure and high blood pressure, “hardening of the arteries” (atherosclerosis), and high cholesterol.

Hawthorn fruit has been widely consumed as food, prepared a syrups and jams, and eaten fresh and is considered to have a safety profile similar to commonly consumed fruits.

In Chinese tradition the hawthorn fruit are used to improve digestion, eliminate stagnated food and blood stasis, in the treatment of dyspepsia, lack of milk secretion, fullness in the stomach, abdominal distention, menorrhagia, post-partum abdominal pain due to blood stasis and hyperlipaemia.

A Mediterranean hawthorn (C. azarolus), is mentioned by Al-Samarqandi (1210) as being ‘useful for the stomach and yellow gall’.
Hawthorn (Crataegus species)

Horseradish

Horseradish is a perennial species, the edible part consisting of true roots, very massive and well developed. Under cultivation the main root is long, cylindrical, covered with whitish rough skin.

Horseradish is high in glucosinolates which have strong antioxidant properties. It is a relative of the mustard family that acts as a digestive stimulant. Horseradish is powerful circulatory stimulant with antibiotic properties due to the mustard oil it contains.

It is effective for use to treat bronchial conditions and urinary tract infections.

The roots of horseradish are also used as a digestive stimulant, diuretic, to increase blood flow and also in rheumatism.

It diuretic effect is due to asparagine. It is taken internally for gout and rheumatism.

Cooked in milk and honey, it is used folklorically for hoarseness. The juice in vinegar diluted with water and sweetened with glycerin, was once given to children with whooping cough.
Horseradish

Chrysanthemum herb benefits

The flower of Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat, owing to its broad pharmacological effects as well as its fragrance, is also used as a beverage – chrysanthemum tea. Chrysanthemum relieved thirst and benefits the brain, liver heart and eyes.

Based on traditional usage, in addition to use as a tea, C. morifolium Ramat is used for the common cold, fever, migraines, conjunctivitis, eye irritation, hypertension, ulcerative colitis, vertigo, ophthalmia with swelling and pain, etc.

Chrysanthemum use for the treatment of hypertension is based on it ability to stabilize the central nervous system and dilate blood vessels, thus increasing blood flow.

As a mixture with other herbs, it has been claimed to able to relive migraine and eye irritation, improve vision and cure keratitis.

It is also said to cure headaches and sore throat and to calm mind.
Chrysanthemum herb benefits

Ginger health benefits

Ginger speeds metabolic rate, plus it inhibits nausea and vomiting often caused by morning sickness or motion sickness.

Ginger is very good for asthma. Ginger powder negates the effects of Platelet-Activating Factors. This means the ginger powder stops inflammation. It has the power to stop migraines in their tracks and to ease the aches of arthritis and joint pain.

In the Ayurvedic healing tradition of India, ginger is considered a digestive stimulant and also issued as a ‘body cleansing’ or detoxifying agent.

In many traditions, ginger has acknowledged health benefits such as improving digestion and it is a home remedy for indigestion.

Ginger also fights ovarian cancer. It seems that ginger has the ability to eliminate the dangerous cancerous ovarian cells. Ginger also seems to slow the progress of bowel cancer.

When mixed with certain other ingredients, it also acts as an expectorant. The effectiveness of honey and ginger as an asthma home remedy has been proven over and over.

Further benefits of this herb include antiemetic/anti-nausea, anti-clotting agent, antispasmodic, antifungal, antiseptic, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-tussive, analgesic carminative, hypotensive, increased blood flow, promotes sweating and relaxes peripheral blood vessels.
Ginger health benefits

Ginger in herbal medicine

Ginger is well known across several cultures. The plant is indigenous to the Southeast Asian region. The rhizome is used in medicine. It has been used medicinally for more than 2500 years in China and India for condition such as headache, rheumatism and colds.

Ginger speeds metabolic rate, plus it inhibits nausea and vomiting often caused by morning sickness or motion sickness.

Ginger has antiemetic action, stimulates the flow of saliva and gastric juices, and increases intestinal peristalsis. It also has known antibacterial, antifungal, molluscacidal, nematocidal and antiplatelet effects.

Clinical studies support the use of ginger for nausea. Ginger acts directly on the gastrointestinal tract by increasing motility and promoting adsorption of toxins and acids.

Studies in Denmark, Italy, and elsewhere have revealed that ginger is an effective as Dramamine, or more so, in the prevention of motion sickness. Furthermore, ginger users have been found to experience fewer side effects, notably sleepiness.
Ginger in herbal medicine