Medicinal Plants & Herbs are powerful plants that have both nutritional and health benefits. They have phytochemicals with amazing health benefits, and nutritional value
West African black pepper or uziza (Piper guineense) is both a culinary spice and a medicinal herb. Piper guineense is a plant from the Piper genus, and Piperaceae (or Sapotaceae) family. The leaves, stems and the seeds are utilized in cooking, and they add “heat” and a spicy pungent aroma to food. The fruit is the … Read more
Grains of Selim are the seeds of an African shrubby tree, Xylopia aethiopica. Xylopia aethiopica seeds also called Uda by the Igbos of Nigeria, Hwentia or Etso in Ghana, Erunje or Erinje in Yoruba language, Kimba in the Hausa language, diarr in the Wolof language. Other names include Ethiopian Pepper, Negro pepper, Senegal pepper, Kani … Read more
Pterocarpus santalinoides is an evergreen small plant from the Papilionaceae family (Leguminosae – Papilionoideae, Fabaceae). The young, tender leaf of the vegetable is edible, and are used for cooking soup. Roasted seeds are also edible, and taste slightly like groundnut. However, the raw seed is toxic. Pterocarpus santalinoides is called mutititi, Nturukpa in Igbo, Gbengbe … Read more
Pterocarpus mildbraedii popularly called ora or oha leaf, is a leafy green vegetable from the Papilionaceae family (Leguminosae – Papilionoideae, Fabaceae). The vegetable is packed with various minerals and vitamins. It has been utilized in different soups, and cuisines. The plant is an evergreen or semi deciduous tree with a small, rounded crown. The bark … Read more
Lavender plant is a drought resistant, evergreen perennial flowering plant of the genus Lavandula of the mint family (Lamiaceae). It can grow up to 1.2 m height. It has aromatic leaves and flowers with interrupted spikes and sweet fragrance. The word “lavender” comes from the Latin verb lavare “to wash” or “to bathe”. There are … Read more
Calendula officinalis, or Marigolds, is an annual edible herb belonging to the Asteraceae family, alongside asters, chrysanthemums, sunflowers. It is notable for the colorful flowers. Pot marigold is native to Eurasia, and is used for horticulture and in traditional medicine. In the spice trade, pot marigold is used as an inexpensive substitute to saffron. Calendula … Read more
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) also called “father of all foods”, is a herbaceous, perennial legume from the pea family (Leguminosae). It is a dicot and a flowering plant. Alfalfa is from the Middle East, most likely Iran. US (especially states like California, South Dakota, and Wisconsin) are the world’s largest producers worldwide, followed by Argentina, Australia, … Read more
Chinese onion (A. Chinense), also called oriental onion, Chinese jiaotou, is a hardy which grows as a dense evergreen clumps with small, pretty, deep rose pink flowers. It is a medicinal and aromatic herbal plant from the Amaryllidaceae family. It is a close relative of onion, shallot, leek, chives, and garlic. Allium chinense can grow … Read more
Shallot, or echalote, is a herbaceous plant from the Amaryllidaceae family. It was classified as a separate species, but it is a cultivar of onion (Allium cepa var. aggregatum, Allium cepa var. ascalonicum). Other close relatives include garlic, scallions, leeks, chives, and the Chinese onion. The word “shallot” comes from the Old French “escalogne,” from … Read more
Garlic chives, also called Allium tuberosum, Oriental garlic, Asian chives, Chinese chives or Chinese leek, is a late-season bloomer of the onion family (Amaryllidaceae). It is native to Southeast Asia, but mainly used as an ornamental plant in North America. It is mostly grown and consumed as a vegetable in Asian countries like China, India, … Read more