Black horehound is a perennial plant which belongs to Lamiaceae family. Native to Mediterranean region and Central Asia, this plant grows to 3 feet high. It could be found all over Europe and Eastern regions of United States. Black Horehound is also known as Black (Stinking) Horehound, Black Archangel, Black Hoarhound, Fetid Horehound, Stinking Roger, Ballota, Ballote fétide, Ballota nigra, Ballote Noire, Ballote vulgaire, Ballote puante, Black stinking horehound, Marrube Noir, Marrube fétide and Horehound Black. The herb blooms from May to August. It has fibroid and wood like root. Leaves are stalked, pale green with coarsely serrated margins which…

Holy thistle is highly reputed as cure all. Other names of Holy Thistle include St. Benedicts Thistle, Holy Thistle, Cardin, Spotted Thistle, Blessed thistle, Holy Ghost Herb and Cardo Santo. It got its latin name Cnicus Benedictus due to its ability to cure. This medicinal herb has been used for more than 2000 years for its medicinal uses. It belongs to Asteraceae family and is native to Mediterranean region, Europe, Western Asia and Eastern United States. It has constituents like iron, lignanas, manganese, potassium, magnesium, mucilage, cnicin, tannins and essential oil. It has medicinal properties such as tonic, digestive, febrifuge,…

Commonly known as Roughbark Lignum-vitae, Gaïacwood, Guaiacwood, Guayacan, Pockholz, Lignum Vitae and Tree of Life, Guaiacum is a small, slow growing and evergreen tree native to Caribbean and Northern coast of South America. It was introduced to Asian subcontinent from the West Indies. The tree belongs to the Zygophyllaceae family and measures about 3 to 12 m tall with trunk diameter of 60 cm. It has crooked bole and dense crown. The plant has broadly oval leaves with rounded tip. Flowers usually have five petals of blue color. Flower gives way to the heart shaped fruits of yellow to orange…

Fumitory is an annual growing plant that grows as a low and trailing shrub with gray and pointed leaves. The plant beans pink to purple flowers in spring. This plant has got various common names such as Earth Smoke, Beggary, Hedge Fumitory, Fumus, Wax Dolls, Vapor, Common fumitory, Drug fumitory, Earth smoke and Earth-smoke. Fumitory is inherent to Mediterranean region, Northern Africa, Siberia and Europe. It is also introduced to South and North America. It has got naturalized in China, Canada, South Africa, the United States, Australia and South Africa. Fumitory is occurred as a weed in waste places and…

Scientifically known as Scrophularia nodosa, figwort is inherent to open woodlands of Northern Hemisphere. The name refers to the use of plants for the treatment of hemorrhoids. The plant is closely related to Scrophularia californica and Scrophularia and is found in thickets, rocky woodlands and roadsides. It is available in open woodlands such as waterside forests, broad leaved forestes, hedgerows, forest margins, ditch banks, meadows, hedgerows, gardens and waste grounds. The plant prefers rich, moist to wet soil with full sun or partial shade. It has knobby rootstock, serrate leaves and dark purple flowers in an erect stem. The flower…

Cloudberry is a slow growing Rubus species that produces edible fruit. Botanically it is called Rubus chamaemorus which is derived from the Greek word chamai and morus which means dwarf and mulberry respectively. It belongs to rose family and is a close relative of raspberry, strawberry, apple and cherry. It is grown in alpine or arctic environment or boreal forest in Northern hemisphere. This plant is common in Northern Europe, Russia and Scandinavia. It is a perennial and low growing plant which grows in open tundra or boggy areas. The berry has six to eight drupelets that form a small…

Chamaesyce hirta is a strange and herbaceous plant which is considered to be inherent in India and has become pantropical species. This herb is hairy and measures 2′ long which bears flowers and oblong leaves that appears on side of the stem. The plant bears yellow fruits that resemble capsules along with reddish seeds. Being an annual plant, it blooms and produce fruits during the year. Every part of the plant possess a milky latex. It has the chemical composition of sterols, tannins, alkenes, glycosides, triterpenoids, alkaloids, quercetin, choline and shikimic acid. It donot prefer winters. The flowers are monoecious…

Ephedra is also called Chinese ephedra, Ma Huang and herbal ecstasy. Botanically known as Ephedra sinica, it is a perennial shrub that measures 4 feet high. It could be found in Rocky Mountains and deserts but thrives well in arid and semi-arid climates. Ephedra is inherent to China, Pakistan and Northwestern India. This herb is strongly stimulant acrid and used widely for treating catarrh and asthma. It lowers swellings of mucous membranes and possesses antispasmodic properties which are helpful in treating asthma. The plant as a whole is used at low amounts which show side effects rarely. Stems are bitter…

Drosera also known as Round-leaved sundew and common sundew has got its scientific name Drosera rotundifolia. Drosera could be found from Greenland, Newfoundland west to Alaska. It could be found in Pacific coast, Western Montana, California and Western Colorado. It is also available in Georgia, Nova Scotia, Alabama, Florida, Lowa, Mississippi River and Minnesota. Drosera also occurs in Asia as well as Europe. Drosera does well in open, partly sunny or sunny habitat. This plant has been using for its aphrodisiac and fortifying effects since long time ago. It is used to treat chest problems, wheezing, ease breathing and respiratory…

Devil’s Claw also called Devil’s Claw Root Tuber, Devil’s Claw Secondary Root, Kalahari devil’s claw, Grapple plant, Harpago, Wood Spider, Grapple vine, xwate and Radix Harpagophyti, is a plant belonging to Pedaliaceae family and is inherent to Southern Africa. The name was derived due to hooked fruit’s peculiar appearace. This plant is perennial and tuberous that produces creeping stems. It prefers deep and sandy soils having low annual rainfall. It grows in an arid climate and could be found in Madagascar, Namibia, African continent and Kalahari Desert. It could be found in disturbed and dry places that are below 1000…

Also referred as Damiana Leaves, Wild Countryside Damiana Leaves, herba de la pastora, old woman’s broom, Mexican damiana, oreganello and the bourrique, this plant is commonly found in the Caribbean region, Gulf of Mexico and Southern Africa. Damiana is native to Southwestern Texas in United States, Mexico, Central America, Caribbean and South America. Scientifically, it is also known as Turnera diffusa. Damiana is a low growing plant that has been used for the centuries as a bladder tonic and aphrodisiac by indigenous cultures. Historically, it was used to promote sexual desire. It is used for increasing energy, depression, asthma, menstrual…

Zea mays also known as corn is an annual grass which was originated in Central America and belongs to the grass family Poaceae. It is one of the top three cereals in the world following rice and wheat. Corn silk is the long and shiny fibers found at the top of ear of a corn. The silky threads are single, whitish to green that grows from eyes of seeds that hang outside a husk in order to catch pollen. It has various medicinal uses. It is useful for prostate inflammation, urinary inflammation, bladder infections, bed wetting and kidney stones. Corn…

Comfrey with its scientific name as Symphytum officinale, is a plant which is mostly grown for an ornamental purposes due to the presence of attractive flowers. Other names for Comfrey are Ass Ear, Blackwort, Black Root, Boneset, Consound, Bruisewort, Gum Plant, Knitback, Healing Herb, Knitbone, Slippery Root, Salsify, Wallwort, Boneset, Consolida and Common comfrey. The plant measures 30 to 120 cm high. Leaves are hairy, pointed, large, dark green, 8″ long and ovate to lanceolate in shape. In comparison to the basal leaves, it has got decurrent upper leaves. Stems are winged when matured. The bluebell shape flowers are white…

Coltsfoot commonly known as Tussilago farfara is a low growing perennial herb that has fleshy and woolly leaves. British Tobacco, Butterbur, Bullsfoot, Coughwort, Foal’s-Foot, Rower Velure, Horse-Foot, Hallfoot, Horsehoof, Ass’s Foot, Fieldhove, Foalswort and Donnhove are its further common names. It is commonly found in England in the sides of railway banks, in wet ground, on poor stiff soils and in waste places. This plant is inherent to Europe but also could be found in Canada and United States in sandy places. Coltsfoot has become an inherent part of folk medicine in China for the centuries. Coltsfoot belongs to the…

The flowering plant Blue Cohosh belongs to the family Berberidaceae and species Caulophyllum. Other common names for Blue Cohosh are Caulophylle faux-pigamon, papoose-root, squaw-root, blue ginseng and yellow ginseng. This herb contains a stalk that possesses three branched leaves with various fruiting stalks. The base of leaflets resembles tulips and has distinct serrate flower tip. It bears fruits as berries that resemble blueberries due to the presence of bluish green foliage. The blossoms start to begin in early spring. It is commonly found in northern Illinois, central Illinois and Shawnee Hills of southern Illinois. It is uncommon in other areas…

Matricaria recutita (Wild Chamomile, False chamomile, German Mayweed, Sweet Feverfew, True chamomile, Hungarian Chamomile or Single Chamomile) is the plant which is about 2.3 to 23.5 inches tall that has got furrowed and heavily branched stems, belonging to the family Asteraceae and genus Matricaria L. Probably German Chamomile is native to Europe and Northwest Asia. This plant possesses thin and long stems with tiny flowers that resembles daisy. It is widely naturalized in North America, Australia and South America. This plant is used to extract oil by steam distillation or solvent extraction of golden to yellow flowers alike Roman chamomile.…

Artocarpus heterophyllus is also referred with various common names such as Jackfruit tree, Jackfruit, jack, jak, Banun, Ekifenensi, Kaihal, Kanthal, Kathal ke beej, Katahal, Kathal, Katthar, Khanun, Khanum, Khnaor, Kothal, Kifenensi, Kos, Kulu jaka, etc. It belongs to the family Moraceae. The tree is medium sized which grows from 28 to 80 ft in height. The leaves are dark green, elliptical, 3-12 cm broad and 5-25 cm long. The fruit is produced on side branches as well as main branches. It produces slightly oval fruit which has spiky light green skin. The fruit weighs about 3.5 to 10 kg. The…

Annatto is a natural color and spice which is derived from achiote shrub which is evergreen and tall and is originated from Tropical region of America. This plant does well in sub-tropical to tropical climates with moderately fertile soil. The plant grows upto 6-10 m (20-33 ft) in height. It has trunk of diameter 20-30 cm with dark gray bark. It has ovate leaves of round with heart shaped base and pointed tip which is 10-20 cm long and 5-10 cm wide. It has bright flowers which range from white to pink in color. The flowers turn to red and…

Fingerroot, also known as Chinese ginger, Chinese key, Chinese-keys is the low herb which creeps in soil. It has rhizomes which is thick, aromatic and yellow brown of size 5-30 x 0.5-2 cm in size. The petiole of the plant is hairless, grooved and 7-16 cm long. Leaves are lanceolate and erect in shape with pointed tip and smooth surface. The leaves have light green color of 5-11 cm wide. The flowers are pink to yellow to white which is tubular and 50-52 mm. It grows in lowland tropical regions. The flowering time occurs in January to February and April…

Also referred as Chinese corktree, phellodendron, phellodendron-bark, phellodendron, Amur corktree, Huang Bai, cortex Phellodendri, nark of Chinese corktree, phellodendron bark, cortex phellodendri Chinensis, Amur corktree bark, Amur cork bark, Japanese corktree, this tree species belongs to the family Rutaceae. The tree typically grows up to the height of 30-60′. The trunk is 1-3′ across with gray outer bark that is furrowed and has rough texture and inner bark is bright yellow, soft and corky. The green leaves are 10-15 inches in length that is pinnately compound and opposite. The leaflets are 2½-5″ long, 1-1¾” in across, lanceolate to ovate, broadly…

Soyabean’s oil is used to promote the flavor of prepared foods. It is used to for making sauces, salad dressings and baked goods. The oil is extracted from the Soybeans that provide a healthy lifestyle with low content of saturated fat. It does not have cholesterol. It has high smoking point at which the oil smokes and provides a burnt smell to food being cooked. The oil is dark yellow to faint in color. It is a great source of healthy fats such as polyunsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids. Soybean oil has four phytosterols such as sitosterol, stigmasterol, brassicasterol…

It is the seed oil which is extracted from Crambe abyssinica seeds and is inedible. This annual plant is native to Mediterranean. The oil color ranges from light golden to yellow in color. It consists of about 55 to 60% of erucic acid. It includes amines, erucamides, erycyl alcohol, behenic acid, wax esters, behenyl alcohol, perlargonic acid, fatty acids and brassylic acids. It is used for the production of industrial consumer items such as heat transfer fluids, lubricants, coatings, surfactants, plastics, polyesters, nylons and cosmetics. It has silky and light texture and is a natural lubricant. It is used to…

Buriti oil is derived from the fruits of Mauritia flexuosa which is considered as “tree of life” by Amazonian Indians. The oil is cold pressed from the pulp of the fruit. The extracted oil possesses various nutrients such as vitamins and essential fatty acids. The orange to golden colored oil has high content of beta carotene in comparison to carrot seed oil. It also contains linoleic acid, tocopherols and palmitic acid. It is used to counteract aging of skin, prevent from sunlight and strengthen hair. It provides reviving, soothing and calming properties. It is used for hot oil treatments as…

Radish, scientifically Raphanus raphanistrum is an edible root vegetable that belongs to the family Brassicaceae which have been domesticated in pre-Roman times in Europe. The oil is obtained by cold pressing the seeds of Radish. The seeds could be obtained by drying fruits and rubbing and cleaning all the impurities. The seeds are again dried and could be used to extract oil which is used to assist the functions of body. This oil has unique fatty acid composition that is similar to the silicone which is found in shampoos. It has emollient properties that make it easily penetrable to the…

Tigernut oil is derived with cold and virgin process which is golden brown in color having rich and nutty taste. It is also used as a component for beauty products. It has high content of oleic acid and has low acidity that makes it useful to maintain skin health. The oil is extracted with the use of cold press method. It has high smoking point. It comes from Europe, California, Florida and Northern African. It is used medicinally as enemas and oral medications. Spain is the largest producer of tiger nuts. It was introduced in Valencia region by an Arab…

Sapote oil is extracted by mechanical pressing the dry kernel of the fruit Sapote which belongs to the same family of Argan. . This fruit does well in Southern Mexico, Central America and Guatemala of tropical America. Other common names for Sapote fruit are mammee, mamee sapote, lavazapote, mamey colorado, mamee zapote, mamey rojo, mamey sapote, mammee apple, marmalade plum, sapota, red sapote, marmalade fruit, zapote, zapote mamey, zapote colorado, chicle, chiku, naseberry and sapodilla. It comprises of sterol such as 7 stigmasterol and ß-sitosterol. It has disinfectant properties that protect the wound from infection. This oil is rich in…

Pili nut oil is extracted from the Pili nuts also called Canarium Ovatum that is native to Ocean regions of Southeast Asia. Pili nuts have high content of nutrient and protein. The fruits have hard shell which colors dark and have thick skin. Kernel consists of high content of phosphorus, calcium, manganese, protein, fats and potassium. It has high content of antioxidants that enhance the lipid profile. The extracted oil is light yellow having 44.4-59.6% of glycerides of oleic and 32.6-38.2% of palmitic acids. This oil possess anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, therapeutic and soothing properties. It is helpful for the…

Perilla also known as Perilla frutescens is an aromatic perennial plant that is inherent to Asia. It belongs to the mint family. Perilla oil is an excellent source of Omega-3 essential fatty acids that provides various skin and health benefits. It has high content of n-3 linolenic acid which is an essential fatty acid that has vital role to regulate inflammation of the skin and body. It has flavones that provide antioxidant activity that assist in prevention of damage caused by free radicals. The oil is extracted by cold pressing the seeds which possess oil from 35% to 45%. This…

Pequi, Caryocar brasiliense Camb, is native to Brazil but could be found on Caatinga, Amazon, Atlantic Forest and Cerrado. The oil is extracted from seeds of plant Caryocar brasiliense which could also be used as a cooking oil. This oil contains 51.7% of oleic acid and 44.2% of palmitic acid. It has copper, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium. It has 17% linoleic acid, 54% unsaturated oleic acid, 25% of stearic acid and 27% of palmitic acid. It has high content of carotene level about 274.9 μg/g. It has high content of phenols as well as phytochemicals such as quinic acid,…

Okra is a flowering plant that has been originated in India and various English speaking countries. It is also known as bhindi, lady’s fingers and bhendi. Botanically, it is called Abelmoschus esculentus and belongs to the family Malvaceae. It is mostly prized for the seed pods it produces. Okra has high content of Vitamin C, A, iron and calcium. The seeds of Okra are striated; hairy and round that could be used for oil extraction. In 1920, Baughman and Jamaienson analyzed that the seeds have 20% of oil so Solvent extraction method is suitable to extract oil instead of expelling.…