Native to India, where it's commonly found in the nation's western forests. People include the dried rind in chutney and curry dishes. It's also quite good for preserving fish, polishing gold and silver. It is hugely hyped as a weight loss aid, promoted far and beyond any proven therapeutic ability. The hydroxycitric acid in the fruit, supposedly curbs appetite, speeds the burning of fat, and slows adipose accumulation around the waist.

Malabar Tamarind can also help with High triglycerides, arthritis, indigestion, and oral disease.

Real marshmallow, native to Europe and also found in various parts of the United States, is so named because it's a member of the mallow family and tends to favor a marshy habitat. Marshmallow contains some germ-fighting and inflammation-relieving phytochemicals, as well as compounds that slightly stimulate the immune system.

Marshmallow can also help with Bronchitis, gastritis, intestinal inflammation, chafing, chilblains, colitis, crohn's disease, cystitis, irritable bowel syndrome, diabetes, gallbladder problems, stones, constipation, ulcers, varicose veins and arthritis.

Meadowsweet grows in northeastern North America. The plant is a member of the rose family and looks like a low, thorn-free rose. All plants contain some trace of salicylates, the natural form of asprin, but several are especially good source of these compounds. Medowsweet is one of the better ones. Thats why it has long been used to fight colds, flu, fever, arthritis,, and achy muscles.

Medowsweet can also help with Colds, arthritis, cervical dysplasia, fever, gout, heart disease, intestinal disease, kidney and liver disease, diarrhea, labor, and menstrual excess.

Native to Europe but now growing along both coasts of North America, milk thistle is an attractive, edible plant with fuzzy, reddish purple flowers. The silymarin in milk thistle regenerates liver cells and guards the organ from damage by pollutants, other toxins, and viral invaders. It also guards against free radical oxidation, boosts the bodys synthesis of major antioxidant called glutathione, and lowers fat buildup in the organ.

Milk Thistle can also help with Cirrhosis, colic, gallbladder problems, hepatitis, jaundice, mushroom poisoning, breast cancer, diabetes, diabetic neuropathy, high cholestrol, ovarian cancer, malaria, spleen disease, and stomach disease.

Mistletoe is hung above the door at christmas time, you would do well to keep this poisonous plant there; ingesting it can be the kiss of death. Mistletoe has been studied in Europe, because of a patented drug made from the plant's fermented juices. The injectable serum, called Iscador, accelerates immune system activity and speeds white blood cells to attack and cordon off tumors.

Mistletoe can also help with Arthritis, inflammation, neuroses, abscesses, anxiety, asthma, cancer, diarrhea, epilepsy, gout, hardening of the arteries, hemorrhage, high blood pressure, hysteria, and rapid heart rate.

Motherwort has been used for hundreds of years in Europe and China for all manner of heart problems and circulatory disorders. It is native to Europe and naturalized across much of North America. Chinese research shows that it promotes a better volume of blood throughout the body and can slow a rapid heart rate. Some of it's phytochemicals can help relax you and relieve stress, which also may contribute to its cardiac qualities.

Motherwort can also help with Heart disease, cramps, high blood pressure, insomnia, neuroses, stroke, anxiety, asthma, fever, labor, neuragia, palpittations, and stomachache.

Muira puama enjoys little recognition outside the Amazonian rain forest. North Americans might know it by another name, potency wood. In South America it has a long reputation as an aphrodisiac and nerve stimulant. One clinical study endorsed its use for rekindling desire and restoring erectile ability.

Muira puama can also help with Arthritis, diarrhea, hookworm, indigestion, lack of appitite, lack of menstruation, low libido, pain, and poliomyelitis.

Indigenous to Europe but naturalized in various parts of North America, mullein also is said to prevent colds and breathing ailments of all kinds. The silky, milky mucilage in mullein leaves underlies its ability to soothe inflamed mucous membranes, although little scientific study backs this up. Saponins in the plant may account for its folk reputation as an expectorant that breaks up congestion.

Mullein can also help with Dermatitis, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, intestinal disease, respiratory disease, tuberculosis, earache, fever, kidney disease, migraine, and tumors.

The gummy resin that flows from this almost leafless Middle Eastern shrub is an ancient remedy for mouth sores, as well as a very pleasant incence.

Myrrh can also help with Oral inflammation, asthma, athlete's foot, bronchial disease, canker sores, dandruff and other scaly skin conditions, diabetes, cancer, leprosy, nasal disease, and stomach disease.

The gums from some Commiphora species, like many other gums, have displayed an ability to keep blood running freely, lower cholesterol and protect the heart.