Acacia is a small, spiny, leguminous tree or shrub which grows in sandy soil, mostly in tropical Africa. After the rainy season ends, the stem begins to exude gum, which is collected for marketing as gum arabic. The acacia has alternate, bipinnate leaves and axillary racemes of yellow flowers arranged in globose heads. The fruit is an oblong pod.

Gum arabic's main effect is to form a protective, soothing coating over inflammations in the respiratory, alimentary, and urinary tracts. In conjunction with various astringents, it is helpful for coughs, sore throats, and catarrh, as well as in some cases diarrhea, and dysentery.

Native to the Mediteranean region, cultivatedAgrimony originates from the United States, Southern Canada and Northern Hemisphere - Abundant throughout England, but in scotland it is more localized.

Agromony is used as an anti-inflammatory, mild astringent, deobstruant, diuretic, tonic, and vulnerary. It is also used for skin eruptions and diseases of the blood such as blotches, pimples, and scrofulous sores.

Can also help with diarrhea, especially mild,acute diarrhea, digestive trouble, sluggish stomach conditions, stimulates the appetite, helps with kidney and bladder disorders and liver conditions.

Alfalfa came from Europe, but it's been naturalized all over North America, Alfalfa contains plant world equivalents of humon estrogens so a woman, whether going through the menopause or breast feeding, may derive some benefit from it.

Chemicals called saponins can help lower blood cholesterol, it can also help towards diabetes, high cholestrol, yeast infections, arthritis, cancer, inflammation, peptic ulcers, and rheumatism.

Native of the West Indies, cultivated in South and Central America; mainly imported from Jamaica and Cuba. Flowers in June to August, with berries appearing soon after.

Allspice is often used as an adjunct in the treatment of flatulence, dysepepsia and diarrhoea. Eugenol has local anaesthetic and antiseptic properties.

This African-based member of the lily family is arguably one of the best known of all herbal remedies. It is useful for cuts, scrapes, burns, and other minor skin injuries.

Do not confuse aloe vera gel with products made from the juice of the dried inner leaves. A tonic and other supplements made from the gel are said to aid digestion. Can also be used for arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, dermatitis,ulcers, peptic ulcers, ringworm, and also blindness, diabetes,glaucoma, hemorrhoids, syphilis, and vaginitis.

Angelica is a biennial or perennial plant that is found in well-watered mountain ravines, on riverbanks, in damp meadows, and in coastal areas of northern Europe and Asia.

Angelica can also help with, loss of appitite, a stimmulant, and a tonic. The seeds are also said to be diaphoretic and diuretic. Take angelic tea or tincture to stimulate appetite, to relieve flatulence and muscle spasms, and to stimulate kidney action. It is useful for all sorts of stomach and intestinal difficulties, including ulcers and vomiting with stomach cramps.

It can also be used for intermittent fever, headaches, colic, and general weakness.

Angelica is a biennial or perennial plant that is found in well-watered mountain ravines, on riverbanks, in damp meadows, and in coastal areas of northern Europe and Asia.

Angelica can also help with, loss of appitite, a stimmulant, and a tonic. The seeds are also said to be diaphoretic and diuretic. Take angelic tea or tincture to stimulate appetite, to relieve flatulence and muscle spasms, and to stimulate kidney action. It is useful for all sorts of stomach and intestinal difficulties, including ulcers and vomiting with stomach cramps.

It can also be used for intermittent fever, headaches, colic, and general weakness.

Annatto comes from Tropical america ad i also cultivated elsewhere.

Annatto is a traditioanl remedy for diabetes, especially in the West Indies, but the carotenoids are orange-yellow pigments mainly used as natural colourings for foods, including fish fingers, medicines, fabrics and-reputedly-to dye maggots for fishing, to make them more tempting.

The bixins do not possess vitamine A activity, despite being carotenoids. The hypoglycaemic activity has been confirmed experimentally and attributed to trans-bixin

Arnica also known as Leopard's bane This poisonous plant is primarily used externally made up as a cream rubbing oil or liniment for injuries or bruises where the skin is not broken.

An oil can be made by macerating fresh or dried leaves & flowers in sesame or olive oil for 3-4 days then squeeze and strain through a cloth. Bottle and only use externally.

Arnica can also help with, coughs (under supervision), relieves pain due to muscle spasms, joint inflammation.

One of the oldest and most commonly cultivated vegetables, this herbaceous plant is known for its large, edible, thistle-like flower head. Artichoke can help with Gallbladder problems, poor appetite, arsenic poisoning, atherosclerosis, blood clotting, liver problems, tumor growth, insufficient urination, low libido, and rheumatism.

Cynarin and other compounds can stimulate bile secretion from the gallbladder, thus aiding digestion. Artichoke phytochemicals also help detoxify and regenerate the liver.

Native to the Mediterranean region, the Middle East, Africa and all parts of Asia, growing in stoney and semi-arid regions: cultivated widely. It flowers all year round.

Ashwagandha is used to enhance fertility in both men and women and as a aphrodisiac. It is also widely used for inflammation, colds, asthma, and many other disorders, and is considered to be an adaptogen. Many of the effects have been substantiated, both pharmacologically and clinically.

Numerous other actions, including antioxidant effects, have been documented

Asparagus shoots are well-known as a delicious spingtime vegetable, the root is considered one of the finest "Yin tonics" in Chinese traditional medicine. In India, "shatavari" as it is called, is used as a hormonal tonic for the female reproductive system.

Where it is prescibed to promote fertility,relieve menstrual pains,increase breast milk and generally nourish and strengthen the female reproductive system. Asparagus root makes an excellent tonic for chronic exhaustive syndrome.

Native to northeasern China, where is's known as huang qi (yellow leader), this perennial is a member of the pea family. Medicinally, it's long, fibrous roots are the Asian equivalent of echinacea.

Can be used to help Colds, kidney problems,cancer, cervical inflammation, diabetes, heart problems, high blood pressure, HIV, side effects of chemotherapy.

An antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory, astragalus fortifies the immune system on several levels, including, perhaps, by increasing the body's production of interferon.

Hedgerow plant growing wild in most parts of Europe, including Great Britain, flowering in May and June.

Astringent, styptic, tonic, febrifuge, stomachic. It has also been used for diarrhoea, and leucorrhoea, taken as an infusion, as a gargle for sore throats, and as a bath additive for haemorrhoids.

Anti-inflammatory activity has been shown by inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis via cyclooxygenase, and platelet activating factor induced exocytosis in vitro.