Green Tea

Latin Name: camellia sinensis
Forms Available: tea bag

Green Tea – camellia sinensis – Green tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world, water being the first, and has been used medicinally for centuries in China and Japan. That is because a number of beneficial health effects in green tea are attributed to regular consumption of green tea and dried/powdered extracts of green tea.

Green tea comes from the leaves of the white-flowered tea plant, Camellia sinensis, a bush native to Asia. These tea leaves are less processed than black tea and contain rich sources of antioxidants which protect the body’s cells from damage and fight diseases. The antioxidants, which are the beneficial particles in green tea, have been linked to cancer prevention, decreased risk of stroke, heart diseases, and lowered blood cholesterol.

Catechin, a tanin derivative found in tea, is the main component which provides benefits in green tea and is present in higher amounts than in grape juice and red wine, which are also believed to reduce the rate of heart disease. In toiletries, green tea powder is a wonderful addition to provide skin soothing properties to toiletries along with possible antioxidant benefits.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: The antioxidants, which are the beneficial particles in green tea, have been linked to cancer prevention, decreased risk of stroke, heart diseases, and lowered blood cholesterol.

Ground Cherry

Latin Name: physalis heterophylla
Alternative Name: clammy ground cherry
Forms Available: seed, berry, leaf

Ground Cherry – physalis heterophylla – The seed/berry of this plant has been beneficial in treating difficult urination. Also, a tea made from the leaves has been used to treat headaches and poultices have relieved burns and scalds

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Tonic, laxative, diuretic. Relieves difficult urination, headaches, burns, scalds and wounds.

Latin Name: glechoma, glechoma hederacea

Forms Available: leaves

Ground Ivy – glechoma – This herb has been used throughout history. It has been used to reduce fevers, clear phlegm, relieve headaches, and heal bruises amongst a miscellany of other benefits. The liquid from the pressed leaves, when smelt, supposedly cures headaches. The leaves, ground are decongestant, diuretic and tonic. Added to the bath water, ivy relieves, aches, pains, rheumatism and gout.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Clears congestion, relieves headaches, soothes aches, heals bruises.

Ground Nut

Latin Name: apios americana

Ground Nut – apios americana – This plant is edible, it is one of the most nourishing foods available in the world. The goundnut is little used for health benefits but these benefits include: relief of excessive bleeding and relief of diarrhea.

Ground Pine

Latin Name: lycopodium clavatum
Alternative Name: club moss, foxtail, vegetable sulfur, staghorn, wolf’s claw, selago, lycopod, stag’s horn moss
Forms Available: root, leaf,stem, spores

Ground Pine – lycopodium clavatum – An evergreen plant with leaves, stem and roots but no flowers or seeds. In the middle ages, this herb was used as a diuretic for treating urinary and kidney problems – flushing calculus and stones from the kidneys. The spores are applied as a powder to wounds and skin diseases such as eczema. This herb is widely used in homepathic remedies. For full description, see club moss.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Has been used to flush calculas and kidney stones. The spores, applied externally as a powder, are used to treat wounds and skin diseases.

Other Uses: When properly gathered, the herb becomes a charm of power and protection. Wear it, add it to incense, and use it to commune with the Gods and Goddesses.

Gymnema Sylvestris

Latin Name: gymnema sylvestre
Forms Available: powder

Gymnema Sylvestris – Its known uses are as diuretic, astringent, hypoglycemic, refrigerant, stomachic. There is however currently no good evidence to show that G. sylvestre powder or extract has any effect on the serum or urine glucose concentrations of humans suffering from diabetes mellitus. Gymnema sylvestre is said to be effective at blocking the taste of sugar from the system. The Hindu name for this herb is Gurmar, meaning, “sugar destroyer”. The active ingredient in Gymnema is gymnemic acid, which is composed of molecules with a similar atomic arrangement to glucose molecules. Gymnemic acid suppresses the desire for sweets. In addition, Gymnema is said to help reduce blood sugar levels after sugar consumption.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: A diuretic, astringent, hypoglycemic, refrigerant, stomachic.

Hawthorn

Latin Name: cratageus spp.
Alternative Name: may tree, may blossom, white thorn, bread and cheese tree, gaxels, hagthorn, halves, haw, hazels, huath, ladies meat, may, may bush, mayflower, quick, thorn, tree of chastity.
Forms Available: berry, flower

Hawthorn – cratageus spp. – Also known as May Tree, May Blossom, or White Thorn. A Druid sacred tree, this deciduous, thorny shrub has serrated, lobed leaves, dense white flower clusters in late spring, and red false fruits (haws). The flowers consist of five white petals, sacred to the Goddess. During World War I, young Hawthorn leaves were used as substitutes for tea and tobacco, and the seeds were ground in place of coffee.
The berry is a superior heart tonic, useful for almost any heart condition. Cholesterol problems and valvular diseases are benefited. The berries also strengthen the appetite and digestion. Extended use lowers blood pressure. Hawthorn berry is a good remedy for the nerves and for insomnia. The berries are simmered or tinctured. Simmer two teaspoons of berries per cup of water for twenty minutes. The dose is a quarter cup four times a day. Take ten to twenty drops of tincture four times a day. The flowers are taken as a tea to benefit the heart. Steep two teaspoons of flowers per cup of water for twenty minutes; the dose is a quarter cup four times a day.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Benefits heart and circulation. A vasodilatory, improving blood supply and lowering blood pressure.

Other Uses: Hawthorn is the classic flower to decorate a maypole. An herb of fertility, it finds its place in weddings, May Day celebrations, and ritual groves. Beltaine was once reckoned as the day the hawthorn first bloomed. Wands of hawthorn have great power.

Hazel

Latin Name: corylus avellana
Alternative Name: european filbert, coll.
Forms Available: oil, nut

Hazel – Corylus avellana – Also called European Filbert. A Druid sacred tree, Hazel is a deciduous, suckering shrub with pendulous male catkins in spring and clusters of nuts in autumn. The leaves have served as a tobacco substitute.
Hazel nuts are rich in phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, and copper. Culpeper says that hazel nuts with mead or honey will cure a chronic cough. These are made into an “electuary”. Grind the nuts in an electric blender, then add mead or honey or form a past, which is eaten several times a day in tablespoon doses. Add pepper to discharge phlegm.

Other Uses: Hazel is an ancient Celtic tree of wisdom, inspiration, and poetry. Hazel nuts are eaten before divination. Wands of Hazel symbolize white magic and healing. Forked sticks are used to find water or buried treasure.

Hearts a Bustin

Latin Name: euonymus americanus
Alternative Name: strawberry bush, american strawberry bush
Forms Available: root, bark, leaf

Hearts a Bustin – euonymus americanus – A deciduous american shrub that grows on the eastern side of North America. This herb is also known as strawberry bush or american strawberry bush. The bark is laxative, diuretic, expectorant and tonic and has been used to treat constipation and malaria amongst other things. The seeds are laxative, emetic and carthartic. The root tea is used to treat prolapse of the uterus, stomach aches, vomiting of blood and painful urination.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: The bark is laxative, diuretic, expectorant and tonic. The seeds are laxative, emetic and carthartic. The root tea is used to treat prolapse of the uterus, stomach aches, vomiting of blood and painful urination.

Heartsease

Latin Name: viola tricolor
Alternative Name: johnny jump-ups, ladies’ delight, field pansy, pansy, wild pansy, banewort, bullweed
Forms Available: root, flower, leaf

Heartsease – viola tricolor – This plant is an annual with both the flowers and leaves being edible. Heartease is demulcent, anti-inflammatory and expectorant making it an effective remedy for bronchitis, asthma, and respiratory infections. It is also a diuretic so, when taken internally, it flushes the body of toxins and waste. A diaphoretic – promoting sweat, cooling the body, reducing fevers and further cleansing the body of toxins. Applied externally, in a poultice or lotion, heartease treats eczema, boild, scabies, wounds and other skin ailments.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Eases respiratory problems such as bronchitis and asthma. Cleanses the body of toxins. Stimulates circulation. Sedative and anodyne, calming and pain relieving.