Sharing the health benefits of plants 

Taxus sp. Classifying plants as either medicinal or toxic is not always a clearcut task. For example, the Yew tree (Taxus sp.) is generally considered to be toxic, yet Paclitaxel® (Taxol®), a widely used drug for cancer treatment, is derived from the Yew tree. Deadly Nightshade (Atropia belladona) is also a toxic but pretty plant, which provides the homeopathic remedy, Belladonna. With an estimated 374,000 species of plant worldwide [1], who then decides whether a plant is me

Following a shock, injury or disease, we are tired, demineralised and our immune system is weakened. Convalescence is a crucial period of physical and mental rest required to recover from illness, surgery or an emotional trauma. Depending on the condition, this can take from several weeks to several months. Like most people, I’m impatient to return to my normal activities, however, if this period is not respected, recovery takes longer and there is an increased risk of relaps

Elderflower champagne is a wonderful summertime drink, yet for a long time I didn’t make it myself as I wasn't sure I could correctly identify the plant. This post will help you to be able to do that and also give a recipe for this delicious beverage. The Elder ( Sambucus nigra) is a shrub or a small tree so the flowers grow from the tree and not from the ground. This may sound fairly obvious but Cow Bane ( Oxypolis rigidior) is a toxic plant which has similar looking flowe