Globe artichoke / Cynara scolymus

The flower heads of globe artichoke make a tasty vegetable dish and, like the leaves, have a tonic action on the liver and digestion, stimulating appetite and detoxification. However, the leaves alone are used in medicine, with substantial evidence to prove that they lower cholesterol levels.

Gotu kola / Centella asiatica syn.

Hydrocotyle asiatica An ancient medicine, gotu kola has been in continuous use in India for at least 2,000 years. Traditionally thought to strengthen memory and concentration, in the West it is mostly used to treat chronic skin disorders and support wound healing.

Ginseng / Panax ginseng

Ginseng has a mystique of its own, its documented use in the Far East extending back to pre-history. Taken over the centuries by kings, emperors, and popes, it has an unrivaled reputation for improving overall vitality and acting as a male tonic.

German Chamomile

Chamomilla recutita syn. Matricaria recutita
Known more as a pleasant-tasting tea than as a medicine, chamomile provides effective treatment for health problems as diverse as indigestion and acidity, travel sickness, cramps, inflamed skin, and poor sleep. Make sure to use good-quality chamomile to achieve the best results.

Grape vine / Vitis vinifera

Grapes have astringent, laxative, and tonic qualities, and are almost universally recommended for convalescence—flowers and grapes are the gifts onebrings to the ill and infirm. Traditionally, grapes are used to cool fevers and, as part of a grape fast, promote tissue cleansing.

Garlic / Allium sativum

One of the world’s most important medicinal plants, garlic is also one of the most researched, with over 1,000 published papers investigating its therapeutic activity. Folklore has it that garlic protects against the devil and vampires, beliefs that attest to its power as a medicine, particularly in countering infection.

Ginger / Zingiber officinalis

The warm taste of ginger, one of the most versatile of all spices, adds zest to any herbal infusion. Taken on its own, it stimulates circulation to the skin, promotes sweating and relieves nausea. Combine fresh root with garlic and honey to bring quick
relief to colds and flu and settle stomach upset.