Aloes. Aloe
vera. The common names are Barbados aloes, Curacao aloes. Found in South Africa and also
in the Zapata area of Texas. There are several other species of aloe found in South Africa including Aloe Latifolia, Aloe
Saponaria, and Aloe Tenuior. Aloe Perryi is found on the island of Socotra and is thought to be less powerful.
Properties and Uses. Leaves. Aloe is
a well known healing plant and is used widely to cleanse the colon. Used internally it will also expel pinworms and
help promote menstration. It is great as a laxative and is very soothing to the stomach. Ancient armies used it
to treat battle wounds. Today, it is used to treat burns caused by cancer radiation treatments. It is
commonly used alone for external sores on the body such as minor burns, poison ivy, scrapes and cuts, sunburn, insect
bites and even hemorrhoids. It is also said to help acne, oily skin and dandruff problems.
Balm. Melissa officinalis. The
common names are lemon balm, balm mint, bee balm (not Monarda spp.), blue balm, garden balm, sweet balm, melissa,
dropsy plant, cure-all. Common in the Mediterranean and Near East but found naturalized in places in the U.S.
Flowers in July and August. The entire plant smells like lemon when crushed or bruised.
Properties and Uses: Herbs and flowers. A remedy for a variety
of female complaints, nervous conditions, insomnia and depression. The warm tea will produce perspiration, relieve
cramps, ease some forms of asthma, chronic bronchial catarrh, colic, toothache, nausea, vomiting and migraines. It may
also relieve headache and dizziness during pregnancy. Add the leaves to a warm bath to help the onset of menstruation.
Use the crushed leaves in a poultice for insect bites, sores and tumors and also take internally as a tea for relief
of the same. It is frequently used in herb pillows because of it's pleasant fragrance is thought to sharpen the
memory and clear the mind. An infusion of the leaves and flowers makes a gentle cleanser and astringent for
the face. Balm also is wonderful by itself as a hot or cold tea or added to other herbs for a touch
of lemon flavoring.
Basil. Ocimum basilicum.
Common names are Common basil, Sweet basil and St. Josephwort. Native of Africa and Asia. It is said that Basil
was found growing around Christ's tomb after the resurrection.
Properties and Uses: Leaves. Generally associated with
the stomach and it's related organs. Basil helps with constipation complaints, stomache cramps and promotes suppressed menstration.
It can allay excessive vomiting. Sometimes it is used to treat whooping cough or to help relieve headaches.
Effective when applied to snake bites and insect stings. Today, many people value Basil as a culinary
herb to flavor a variety of cuisines.
Bearberry. Arctostaphylos uva-ursi.
Common names are Arberry, bear' grape, kinnikinnick, mealberry, mountain box, mountain cranberry, red bearberry, sandberry,
upland cranberry, uva-ursi, sagackhomi, Universe vine.
Properties and Uses: Leaves. Fall is the best time to harvest
the leaves of bearberry. Astringent, diuretic, and tonic. Helps to reduce the build up of uric acid and relieves
the pain of bladder stones. The tea also is said to help with kidney stones, bronchitis and bed wetting.
Useful in diabetes, gonorrhea and female troubles. Can be used as a douche. Caution: Excessive use over
long periods of time can cause poisoning.
Bedstraw. Galeium aparine. Cleavers, catchweed, coachweed,
clabber grass, cleaverwort, goose grass, goose hair, grip grass, gravel grass, gosling weed, hedge-burs, loveman, stick-a-back,
catchweed, milk sweet, scratchweed, poor robin, sweethearts.
Properties and Uses: The whole herb. Antispasmodic, diaphoretic,
diuretic, vulnerary, refrigerant. Mostly used externally for skin problems and has been popular in Europe for healing
wounds and sores. Good in treating skin diseases such as cancer and treating eczema. Also makes an excellent wash
for the face to clear the complexion. Excellent in cases of fever, scarlet fever, measles, and all acute diseases because
of the refrigerant properties. Can be used to treat jaundice. Applying the crushed fresh leaves directly to wounds
has been known to stop bleeding. The tea has been used for treating stomach troubles and urinary tract irritations.
Use the fresh juice from the plant as a poultice or dry the leaves to use as a tea. This plant may be used
freely. Excellent to cleanse the blood and strengthen the liver. Can be used as spinach.
Calendula. Calendula officinalis. Common names
are Garden marigold, holigold, pot marigold, Mary bud.
Properties and Uses: Leaves and Flowers. Antibacterial,
antifungal, antiseptic. An infusion of the flowers can be used to treat ulcers, stomach cramps, colitis and
diarrhea. Taken internally to prevent excessive vomitting. Use the fresh juice from the flowers or the dried
flowers and leaves to treat wounds and get rid or warts by applying the juice directly to the skin. Great
for treating skin problems. Flowers are also edible.
Carrot. Daucus carota. Common names are Garden carrot,
wild carrot, Queen Anne's lace, Bee's nest plant and bird's nest root.
Properties and Uses: Root (cultivated). Seed (wild).
The carotene content helps the body produce vitamin A which of course is excellent for night vision.
Eat 2-3 raw carrots a day for several days to relieve stomach acidity and heartburn. Carrot soup is an
effective remedy for diarrhea. Grated carrots make an excellent poultice for absesses, cancerous sores and wounds.
A tea made from carrot relieves colic and increases urine flow. Useful in increasing menstrual flow, expelling worms,
and treating painful urination. Harvest roots in early fall.
Catnip. Nepeta cataria.
Chamomile. Matricaria chamomilla.
Chive. Allium schoenoprasum.
Columbine. Aquilegia vulgaris.
Comfrey. Symphytum officinale.
Cucumber. Cucumi sativus.
Dill. Anethum graveolens.
Dogwood.
Echinacea. Echinacea angustifolia.
Elder. Sambucus canadensis.
Eucalyptus. Eucalyptus globulus.
Fennel. Foenicululm vulgare.
Feverfew. Chrysanthemum parthenium.
Flax. Linum usitatissimum.
Foxglove. Digitalis purpurea.
Garden Violet. Viola odorata.
Hollyhock. Althaea rosea.
Hops. Humulus lupulus.
Hyssop. Hyssopus officinalis.
Joe Pye Weed. Eupatorium purpureaum.
Juniper. Juniperus communis.
Lady's Mantle. Alchemilla vulgaris.
Lavender. Lavendula officinalis.
Lemon Verbena. Aloysia triphylla.
Lemongrass. Cymbopogon citratus.
Marjoram. Origanum vulgara.
Milfoil. Achillea millefolium.
Mint. Mentha piperita.
Mint. Mentha spicata.
Monarda spp.
Nasturtium. Tropaeolum majus.
Nettle. Urtica dioica.
Parsley. Petroselinum sativum.
Peony. Paeonia officinalis.
Rasberry.
Red Valerian. Centranthus ruber.
Rose. Rosa spp.
Rosemary. Rosmarinus officinalis.
Sage. Salvia officinalis.
Santolina. Santolina chamaecyparissus.
Soapwort. Saponaria officinalis.
Solomon's Seal. Polygonatum multiflorum.
Speedwell. Veronica officinalis.
Strawberry. Fragaria ssp.
Sweet Cicely. Myrrhis odorata.
Wild Oregon Grape. Mahonia aquifolium.
Wild Strawberry. Fragaria vesca.
Woodruff. Asperula odorata.
Wormwood. Artemisia absenthium.
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