Medicinal plants

Plants have been used for healing during all times. They have eased colds and sleeping problems, helped with stomach problems and joint pain, been invigorating or calming. Many medicines for cancer and malaria also come from the plant kingdom.

Here is a little information about some healing plants:

• colds and aches – willows, coneflowers, licorice, ginkgo
• stomach and liver – bogbean, chamomile, mayapple, thistles
• sleep – valerian, chamomile
• invigorating and calming beverages – coffee, tea and beer (hops)
• tumours and cancer – yew tree, mayapple
• malaria – cinchona bark, wormwood
• penicillin
• toxic but good – opium, foxgloves, deadly nightshade