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Roots

Burdock

Arctium lappa

Areas of origin: Europe and Asia

Certification:

Organic EU; Organic NOP/COR; SAGAP; HACCP

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Description

Burdock is a genus of biennial plants from the Asteraceae plant family. Once native to Europe and Asia, burdock is now found worldwide and is cultivated for a variety of uses. Burdock is most commonly cultivated for its taproot which can be eaten as a root vegetable, and is a popular ingredient in East Asian cuisine. Burdock root is a popular flavouring agent for a variety of dishes and is used in herbal teas,  alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages due to its crisp, sweet, earthy and pungent flavour. 

Medical Benefits

Burdock was used in the traditional medicines of various European and Asian societies, and was believed to a diuretic, diaphoretic and blood purifying agent. In recent studies, the properties of burdock roots have been shown to potentially have the following medical benefits:

  • Chemopreventative and anti-carcinogenic properties.

  • Blood pressure lowering properties.

  • Improves liver health.

  • Anti-inflammatory properties.

 

Devil's Claw

Harpagophytum zeyheri / procumbens

Area of origin: Southern Africa

Certification:

Organic EU; Organic NOP/COR; SAGAP; HACCP

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Description

Devil's claw is the name given to Harpagophytum procumbens of the Pedaliaceae family. It is a tuberous plant with mauve-pink flowers and blue-green leaves. It thrives in the low rainfall area of the Kalahari desert, where it was first wild harvested by the San and the Khoi people. The root is now harvested on a 4 year rotational period to ensure the plant is left undisturbed and undamaged. Harvesting Devil's claw is a laborious and time consuming practice with a comparatively low monetary renumeration. Devil's claw is commonly harvested for its use in herbal teas, powders, extracts and traditional medicine.

Medical Benefits

Research conducted on harpagoside, the active ingredient of Devil's claw, has found that Devil's claw may have the following medical benefits:

  • Chemopreventative and anti-carcinogenic properties.

  • Anti-inflammatory properties.

  • Antimicrobial properties.

  • Anti-diabetic properties.

 

Liquorice

Glycyrrhiza glabra

Areas of origin: Mediterranean Europe, Northern Africa, South Western Asia and South Africa

Certification:

Organic EU; Organic NOP/COR; SAGAP; HACCP

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Description

Glycyrrhiza glabra and Glycyrrhiza uralensis are the European and Asian species of the leguminaceae family used to make liquorice. Glycyrrhiza glabra is now cultivated around the world and is grown in Dysselsdorp in South Africa as part of a community project. It is produced for the sweet flavour of its roots which can be dried, peeled, whole or cut. The roots can be boiled to produce the sweet black substance which is used as a popular flavour for candy. Liquorice extracts are also used for herbal tea, tobacco, beer, soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, baking and in the cosmetic and perfume industries.

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Medical Benefits

Liquorice is used in the traditional medicines of many European and Asian societies. Studies conduct on the primary compound of liquorice, glycyrrhizin, have found that liquorice is an antioxidant with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties which could give it the following medical benefits:

  • Treatment for peptic ulcers.

  • Indigestion reducing properties.

  • Treatment for upper respiratory conditions.

  • Cavity preventing properties. 

Pelargonium

Pelargonium sidoides

Area of origin: South Africa

Certification:

Organic EU; Organic NOP/COR; SAGAP; HACCP

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Description

Pelargonium roots are the bright, fleshy, aromatic roots of the pelargonium sidoides plant of the geranium family. It is native to South Africa and is able to tolerate the wide range of soil types of the environments it grows in. The plant is grown wild and its roots are harvested from its natural environment for use in the production of traditional medicines, herbal teas and, recently, pharmaceuticals.

Medical Benefits

Pelargoniums may be used in the pharmaceutical industry due to a number of studies confirming the that pelargoniums may have the following medical benefits:

  • antimicrobial properties.

  • Immunomodilatory properties.

  • Protection against upper respiratory tract infections.

  • Bronchitis preventing properties.

  • Tuberculosis preventing properties.

 
 

Valerian

Valerian officinalis

Areas of origin: Europe and Asia

Certification:

Organic EU; Organic NOP/COR; SAGAP; HACCP

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Description

Valerian is a flowering perennial plant with a long history of use a medical herb. Its use in traditional medicine dates back to Ancient Greece where it was used as a treatment for insomnia. Throughout the ages it has been used in a variety of European and Asian cultures as a treatment for colds and flus, and was believed to prevent the black plague in the 13th century. Today, Valerian root extract is produced for uses in the modern medicinal industry, traditional medicine and herbal teas. 

Medical Benefits

Numerous studies have been conduct on Valerian to confirm its potential effectiveness as a medicine. These studies have found that it may possess the following medical benefits:

  • Anxiolytic properties.

  • Treatment for insomnia.

  • Treatment for digestive problems.

  • Reducing menopausal symptoms.