A voice for
herbal medicine

We share traditional, scientific and practical insights written by experienced herbalists and health experts from the world of herbal medicine and natural health

Immunity

The immune system is broadly our defence against infections. It is a vast array of interlinked mechanisms designed to distinguish substances that are normally found in the body from those that should not be there, and then to set these up for removal, ultimately protecting us from disease and harms way.

“Fortunately, our immune system can be improved and empowered to such a point that not only can the harmful microbes be halted and the chemicals detoxified, but also a “stress defense shield” may be built up, which can even drive off the effects of daily stress.” – David Wolfe

Immunity

Medicinal mushrooms and immune function

Medicinal mushrooms and immune function

The immunomodulatory virtues of medicinal mushrooms offer therapeutic value in the treatment of immune conditions, such as MS, rheumatoid arthritis and thyroid conditions. For centuries,...

How herbs can help reduce antibiotic overprescribing

Supporting doctors: How herbs can help reduce antibiotic overprescribing

The overuse of antibiotics leads to antibiotic resistance and higher risk of major health issues. We share how herbalism can help.

The sustainability of echinacea within herbal medicine

The sustainability of echinacea within herbal medicine

Echinacea is one of the most popular herbal medicines, but its popularity has come at a cost. We share sustainability issues around the precious medicinal...

5 herbs instead of antibiotics

Save our antibiotics: 5 antibacterial herbs to fight infection

The overuse of antibiotics has meant that our pharmaceutical antibiotics do not work as well as they used to. However herbs can work fantastically, and...

Inflammation: The global epidemic we should be worried about

Inflammation: The global epidemic we should be worried about

In herb book Inflammation, Christine Herbert discusses the complex networks which create chronic inflammation and the use of herbs and natural healing to strengthen them

Chaga (Inonotus obliquus): A mushroom with many medicinal properties

Chaga (Inonotus obliquus): A mushroom with many medicinal properties

Medicinal fungi like chaga have boomed in popularity in recent years. Matthew Clark shares some of the potential ways it can support our health.

Pollutants, pesticides and our microbiome: How they all affect allergies

Pollutants, pesticides and our microbiome: How they all affect allergies

The onslaught of synthetic chemicals has affected people’s immune systems, and microbiomes. We explain how.

The 3 types of Echinacea: A comparison of medicinal actions

The 3 types of echinacea: A comparison of medicinal actions

Ruth Weaver explores the 3 types of echinacea and their different medicinal actions.

Essential oils for treating inflammation: An aromatherapist’s perspective

Essential oils for treating inflammation: An aromatherapist’s perspective

Aromatherapist Ellen Rowland takes a look at treatment strategies of inflammation with essential oils.

Cannabis (Cannabis sativa)

Pain and CBD: How it works and how to use it

Use of CBD is from the cannabis and hemp plants has boomed in recent years, but is its use for pain really valid?

5 herbs instead of anti-inflammatories

5 herbs instead of anti-inflammatories

Modern approach to most inﬂammatory disturbances is to suppress them with anti-inﬂammatory drugs, but there is a great demand for other approaches. Simon Mills explores...

Inflammation in acute hypersensitivities

Inflammation in acute hypersensitivities

Kevin Spelman looks at three cases of acute inflammation in hypersensitivities and their clinical resolution.

Turmeric latte (Curcuma longa)

The Chinese herbal medicine approach to inflammation: Solving the “Turmeric Paradox”

Inflammation is the healing response of the body to tissue damage, and Chinese Herbal Medicine has a long tradition of treating these four symptoms of...

Botanical drugs and supplements that may be safe and useful in COVID-19

Botanical drugs and supplements that may be safe and useful in COVID-19

Mark Blumenthal explores the misapprehensions surrounding the safety and efficacy of herbal ingredients to help guide clinical use.

Why there is such an increase in allergies and what herbalism can do about it

Why there is such an increase in allergies and what herbalism can do about it

People are having stronger symptoms and more hypersensitivity allergic reactions. Vilma Matuleviciute explores why there is such an increase in allergies and how herbal medicine...

The relevance of complementary and integrative medicine in the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative review of the literature

The relevance of complementary and integrative medicine in the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative review of the literature

In light of the adverse health risks faced both at the population and individual levels, Dr Vijay Murthy and his colleagues conducted a review of...

Botanical drugs and supplements affecting the immune response

Botanical drugs and supplements affecting the immune response

In times of health crisis, including the current COVID-19 pandemic, the potential benefit of botanical drugs and supplements emerges as a focus of attention, although...

Skin inflammations in Ayurveda

Skin inflammations in Ayurveda

Skin inflammations are becoming increasingly common, with atopic dermatitis or eczema affecting 1–3% of adults.