Herb of the Week — fungal infections RSS

       Allspice, used as a spice and medicinal herb, is the dried, unripe berry or fruit of the evergreen pimento tree. Other common names include: Jamaican pepper, pimento, pimenta, clove pepper, myrtle pepper, and newspice.The tree grows 22 to 43 feet high on average, but is slow growing. Its leaves are leathery, glossy, and elliptical-shaped. The tree blooms with small white flowers in the spring and fall, turning to clusters of brownish-green berries in the fall. The tree is cultivated in tropical regions, and is native to southern Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.  Allspice contains a chemical compound called eugenol that is known to be antiseptic and anesthetic. Allspice is also carminative, antidiarrheal, aromatic, a...

Licorice, whichever variety it is derived from, is used in the same medicinal ways; the Latin names will be used when noting any differences.Its other names include: licorice root, liquorice, sweet root, and Gan Zao. It is important to note the difference between licorice and licorice flavoring; the latter is most often flavored with anise, which has the characteristic licorice flavor, and is not to be confused with licorice herb for medicinal use.