Les Bones Herbes
The Herbal Guide
Thirty years behind the counter teaches you a lot about plants. Search by name or by ailment ('insomnia', 'bloating', 'cough'...) and discover what has always been used for what.
41 plants found
Digestive & liver
Chamomile
Matricaria chamomilla
The classic digestive infusion — gentle and suitable for the whole family.
Peppermint
Mentha piperita
Refreshing and digestive — ideal after meals.
Fennel
Foeniculum vulgare
Aromatic seeds for wind and abdominal bloating.
Anise
Pimpinella anisum
A sweet, carminative seed — the classic partner of fennel and caraway.
Boldo
Peumus boldus
Traditional South American leaf for the gallbladder and fatty digestion.
Milk thistle
Silybum marianum
Seeds rich in silymarin — the great classic for liver care.
Artichoke leaf
Cynara scolymus
A bitter leaf that stimulates bile and supports weight-management diets.
Sage
Salvia officinalis
Digestive, and traditionally used through menopause.
Licorice
Glycyrrhiza glabra
A sweet, balsamic root for a delicate stomach and the throat.
Lemon verbena
Aloysia citrodora
The aromatic queen of the kitchen garden: digestive and delicious.
Senna
Senna alexandrina
The best-known plant laxative — effective and fast-acting.
Flaxseed
Linum usitatissimum
Omega-3 and mucilage-rich seeds for gentle intestinal transit.
Calming & sleep
Valerian
Valeriana officinalis
The best-known root for supporting rest and calming nervousness.
Linden
Tilia platyphyllos
The classic flower for calming nerves, with a pleasant, mild taste.
Lemon balm
Melissa officinalis
A lemon-scented herb that calms the mind and settles the stomach.
Passionflower
Passiflora incarnata
Traditional plant for restlessness and night-time waking.
St John's wort
Hypericum perforatum
St John's wort — traditional for low mood and, as an oil, for the skin.
Lavender
Lavandula angustifolia
The blue flower of calm: it relaxes, perfumes and helps you sleep.
Respiratory
Thyme
Thymus vulgaris
The natural antiseptic of the Mediterranean kitchen and medicine chest.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus globulus
Balsamic leaves to breathe easier when the cold arrives.
Mallow
Malva sylvestris
An emollient flower that soothes throat, bronchi and irritated mucosa.
Elderflower
Sambucus nigra
Traditional sweat-inducing flowers for the first signs of a cold.
Ribwort plantain
Plantago lanceolata
The wayside herb that soothes coughs and mucous membranes.
Circulation & heart
Hawthorn
Crataegus monogyna
Traditional flowers and leaves for a nervous heart and emotional tension.
Ginkgo
Ginkgo biloba
The ancient tree associated with memory and microcirculation.
Rosemary
Rosmarinus officinalis
A Mediterranean stimulant for vitality, circulation and memory.
Hibiscus
Hibiscus sabdariffa
A tart red flower — refreshing and a cardiovascular ally.
Depurative & urinary
Dandelion
Taraxacum officinale
The time-honoured depurative and diuretic for spring cleansing.
Horsetail
Equisetum arvense
Rich in silica: diuretic and remineralising for hair, nails and bones.
Nettle
Urtica dioica
Remineralising and cleansing — far friendlier in a cup than in the field.
Bearberry
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
The classic leaf for urinary comfort during occasional episodes.
Defences & vitality
Echinacea
Echinacea purpurea
The reference plant for strengthening winter defences.
Ginger
Zingiber officinale
A warming root that fires up digestion and eases travel queasiness.
Turmeric
Curcuma longa
The golden spice associated with joint and digestive comfort.
Rooibos
Aspalathus linearis
The caffeine-free South African red bush, rich in antioxidants.
Green tea
Camellia sinensis
The classic antioxidant — gently stimulating, a dieter's companion.
Ginseng
Panax ginseng
Chinese medicine's adaptogenic root for energy and resilience.
Maca
Lepidium meyenii
The energising Andean root, traditional for vitality and libido.
Skin & topical
Calendula
Calendula officinalis
The quintessential repairing flower for sensitive, irritated skin.
Aloe vera
Aloe barbadensis
The plant gel that calms, hydrates and cools stressed skin.
Arnica
Arnica montana
The quintessential bruise flower — always for external use.
This information reflects traditional uses of plants for general guidance and does not replace advice from a health professional. If you take medication, are pregnant or have a medical condition, ask before using them.