Guide on Herbs as Medicine
                     HERBS AS MEDICINE
Echinacea
• Echinacea, or coneflower, is a flowering plant and popular herbal remedy.
• Originally from North America, it has long been used in Native American practices to treat a 
variety of ailments, including wounds, burns, toothaches, sore throat, and upset stomach.
Source: www.healthline.com
Ginseng
• Ginseng is a medicinal plant whose roots are usually steeped to make a tea or dried to make a 
powder.
• It’s frequently utilized in traditional Chinese medicine to reduce inflammation and boost 
immunity, brain function, and energy levels.
Source: www.healthline.com
Ginkgo biloba
• Ginkgo biloba, also known simply as ginkgo, is an herbal medicine derived from the maidenhair 
tree.
• Native to China, ginkgo has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years and 
remains a top-selling herbal supplement today. It contains a variety of potent antioxidants that 
are thought to provide several benefits
Source: www.healthline.com
Elderberry
• Elderberry is an ancient herbal medicine typically made from the cooked fruit of the Sambucus 
nigra plant. It has long been used to relieve headaches, nerve pain, toothaches, colds, viral 
infections, and constipation.
Source: www.healthline.com
St. John’s wort
• St. John’s wort (SJW) is an herbal medicine derived from the flowering plant Hypericum 
perforatum. Its small, yellow flowers are commonly used to make teas, capsules, or extracts.
• Its use can be traced back to ancient Greece, and SJW is still frequently prescribed by medical 
professionals in parts of Europe.
Source: www.healthline.com
Turmeric
• Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is an herb that belongs to the ginger family. Used for thousands of 
years in cooking and medicine alike, it has recently garnered attention for its potent anti-
inflammatory properties.
Source: www.healthline.com
Ginger
• Ginger is a commonplace ingredient and herbal medicine. You can eat it fresh or dried, though its 
main medicinal forms are as a tea or capsule.
• Much like turmeric, ginger is a rhizome, or stem that grows underground. It contains a variety of 
beneficial compounds and has long been used in traditional and folk practices to treat colds, 
nausea, migraines, and high blood pressure.
Source: www.healthline.com
Valerian
• Sometimes referred to as “nature’s Valium,” valerian is a flowering plant whose roots are thought 
to induce tranquility and a sense of calm.
• Valerian root may be dried and consumed in capsule form or steeped to make tea.
Source: www.healthline.com
Chamomile
• Chamomile is a flowering plant that also happens to be one of the most popular herbal medicines 
in the world.
• The flowers are most often used to make tea, but the leaves may also be dried and used for 
making tea, medicinal extracts, or topical compresses.
Source: www.healthline.com
Precautions for using herbal medicines
• If you’re considering taking herbal supplements, it’s best to consult a health professional to 
ensure proper dosage, understand potential side effects, and watch out for reactions with other 
medications.
Source: www.healthline.com