(Natural News) Aloe vera is a popular plant with many uses. A common ingredient in modern cosmetic products, aloe vera is well-known for its many skin benefits. But this versatile plant, whose leaves and gel also have culinary uses, has been used for medicinal purposes since ancient times. While the Ancient Greeks considered it a universal panacea, […]

(Natural News) The large flowering shrub known as crown flower or giant milkweed (Calotropis gigantea) is a medicinal plant native to Southeast Asia. It was later introduced to other regions, such as Australia, Central and South America, and Africa as an ornamental plant and as a weed. A drought-tolerant plant that can thrive in dry sands, giant milkweed […]

(Natural News) Pourthiaea villosa, commonly known as oriental photinia or Christmas berry, is a flowering shrub that belongs to the rose (Rosaceae) family. It is native to East Asia, particularly to Japan, Korea and China. Oriental photinia has edible leaves and fruits, as well a hard and heavy wood that’s suitable for making furniture. Although not […]

(Natural News) Hottentot fig, scientifically known as Carpobrotus edulis, is an edible ground cover plant native to South Africa. Cultivated as an ornamental and a soil-stabilizing plant, Hottentot fig is also harvested from the wild for its edible fruit and medicinal uses. In fact, this flowering plant is one of the most common plants used in […]

(Natural News) Ziziphus lotus, known by its common name jujube, is a shrub from the buckthorn (Rhamnaceae) family. It is native to the Mediterranean region but can also be found in the Moroccan Sahara and in Somalia. A close relative of the Chinese date (Z. jujuba) — an herb used in Traditional Chinese medicine — […]

(Natural News) Researchers at the Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine investigated the antiviral activities of the bioactive components of Aloe vera. They reported their findings in an article published in The American Journal of Chinese Medicine. Previous studies have found that the ethanolic extract of Aloe vera (AVE) has significant anti-influenza activity, but the mechanisms underlying this activity […]

(Natural News) In this study, South Korean researchers investigated the neuroprotective effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) against hypoxic injury to retinal ganglion cells (RGC) both in vitro and in vivo. Their findings were published in the Journal of Medicinal Food. Hypoxia-induced oxidative stress and disturbed microvascular circulation are both implicated in the pathogenesis of glaucoma. […]

(Natural News) Stachytarpheta urticifolia, also known as nettleleaf velvetberry or rattail, is a semi-woody, perennial herb that belongs to the verbena (Verbenaceae) family. It is distributed mainly in certain regions of Asia and Africa. Known for its attractive blue flowers, the nettleleaf velvetberry has been grown in gardens for over 200 years. According to studies, nettleleaf velvetberry […]

(Natural News) In this study, researchers at GITAM deemed to be University in India investigated the antidiarrheal and anti-ulcer activities of Stachytarpheta urticifolia, also known as nettleleaf velvetberry. Their results were published in the International Journal of Green Pharmacy. Every year, millions of people die in third world countries due to diarrhea and in non-industrial countries due to […]

(Natural News) Cannabis has a long and colorful relationship with humankind. Endemic to the steppes of Central Asia, cannabis (Cannabis sativa) – also known as ganja, weed and marijuana – was first cultivated by the ancient Chinese, according to researcher Barney Warf, adding that the history of cannabis use goes back as far as 12,000 […]