Heather

Alternative Name: heath, scottish heather, common heather, ling.
Forms Available: flowering shoot

Heather – Calluna vulgaris – A Druid Sacred Herb, there are more than a thousand cultivars from this low-growing, evergreen species, which has scale like leaves and crowded racemes of flowers. Heather provides a support system for rural farmers, who use it for fuel, thatch, fodder, tea, and as a dye. Growing the plants increases the soils fertility.
The flowering shoots of heather are used for insomnia, stomach pains, coughs, and skin problems. Heather, used fresh or dry, strengthens the heart and slightly raises the blood pressure. Heather is slightly diuretic. Fresh or dried heather shoots are simmered, four teaspoons to a cup of water; the dose is one-half cup a day.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Used as a cleanser and detoxifyer. A diuretic.

Other Uses: Heather is a Goddess herb associated with the planet Venus and sacred to Isis. It is carried as a guard against rape and other violent crimes, or just to bring good luck. White heather is the best for this purpose.

Hedge Apple

Latin Name: maclura pomifera
Alternative Name: osage orange
Forms Available: root, fruit

Hedge Apple – maclura pomifera – this deciduous tree has been little used for health benefits. It has antioxidant and fungicidal properties. The root tea, as a wash, relieves sore eyes.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: This plant’s fruit has fungicidal and antioxidant properties. The root tea has been used as an eyewash.

Helichrysum

Latin Name: helichrysum spp.
Alternative Name: everlasting, immortelle
Forms Available: essential oil

Helichrysum -An intense rich scent, some may say strong honey/hay odor with herbaceous note. Among its properties are anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antitussive, astringent, diuretic, expectorant, fungicidal and cicatrisant.

The French used this oil primarily as an anti-inflammatory to regulate cholesterol, stimulate the cells of the liver, and as an antispasmodic. This particular variety has powerful antibruise properties. It’s ideal to use in lymphatic drainage massage, acts as a stimulant for the liver, gall bladder, kidneys and spleen–the organs responsible for detoxifying the body.

Italidone, one of its chemical components, has been found to have strong mucous thinning, expectorant and cicatrisant properties. It is a rejuvenating oil which promotes cell growth, helping to rebuild tissues. Clears the body of candida apparently, which often thrives when vitality is low.

Blend with rosehip seed oil for scar formula or with lemon and geranium for kick-smoking blend. Assists in healing scars, acne, dermatitis, boils and abscesses. Blends well with bergamot, chamomile, geranium, orange and frankincense.  Avoid use during pregnancy.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Useful for the treatment of rheumatism, herpes, hematoma, varicose ulcers, dermatitis, gingivitis, gout, herpes, bronchitis and goiter. Among its properties are aphrodisiac, stimulating and antiseptic.  Avoid during pregnancy.

Thought for the day:

Flowers are the sweetest things God ever made and forgot to put a soul into. -Henry Ward Beecher

Suggested Reading:

1. The Healing Intelligence of Essential Oils: The Science of Advanced Aromatherapy by Kurt Schnaubelt
2. The Fragrant Mind: Aromatherapy for Personality, Mind, Mood and Emotion by Valerie Ann Worwood
3. Natural Medicine First Aid Remedies: Self-Care Treatments for 100+ Common Conditions by Stephanie Marohn
4. The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils: The Complete Guide to the Use of Aromatic Oils In Aromatherapy, Herbalism, Health, and Well Being by Julia Lawless

Reference Links:

1. Helichrysum italicum by Wikipedia
2. Helichrysum italicum by The East-West School For Herbal & Aromatic Studies
3. Helichrysum italicum by Dr. Christoph Streicher and Sheryll Ryan
4. Use the healing properties of Helichrysum essential oil by Natural News.com
5. How Helichrysum italicum Essential Oil Can Bring Healing to Your Life by ArticlesFactory.com

Hemp Seed Oil

Latin name:  cannabis sativa
Forms Available: oil

Hemp Seed Oil – cannabis sativa – Hemp seeds produce a vegetable oil that is high in protein and can be used within a variety of foods and cosmetics. Hemp seed oil’s high linoleic and linolenic acid contents make it vulnerable to spoilage.  Alpha linolenic, linoleic and oleic acids, and the essential fatty acids known as the omegas make up 88% of the total fatty-acid content.  It is particularly moisturizing for dry, damaged skin and for eczema and psoriasis.  Hemp seed oil penetrates the skin quickly and some describe it as a dry oil.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Hemp seed oil is particularly moisturizing for dry, damaged skin and for eczema and psoriasis.

Henbit

Latin Name: lamium amplexicaule
Alternative Name: giraffehead, dead-nettle
Forms Available: flowering plant

Henbit – lamium amplexicaule – A little used herb. The leaves are edible. The plant itself has laxative, stimulant, febrifuge, antirheumatic and diaphoretic properties.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: plant has laxative, stimulant, febrifuge, antirheumatic and diaphoretic properties.

Hepatica

Latin Name: hepatica nobilis
Alternative Name: liverwort, american liverwort
Forms Available: leaf, flower

Hepatica – hepatica nobilis – This plant has laxative, astringent and diuretic properties. If applied externally, in a poultice, its astringent properties benefit wounds and skin problems. Hepatica also stimulates the gall bladder.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Laxative, astringent, diuretic, tonic. Treats liver and gall bladder issues. Slows bleeding.

Herb Robert

Latin Name: geranium robertianum
Alternative Name: bloodwort, red robin, fox geranium
Forms Available: flower, leaf, stem, root

Herb Robert – geranium robertianum – An astringent plant with similar properties to american cranesbill. This herb has been used to slow the bleeding of both external wounds and internal bleeding such as stomach ulcers.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: An astringent, slowing bleeding. Used, also, to treat the bleeding of stomach ulcers.

Hibiscus

Latin Name: hibiscus rosa-sinensis
Alternative Name: garden hibiscus, chinese hibiscus
Forms Available: flower, root, leaf

Hibiscus – hibiscus rosa-sinensis, hibiscus sabdariffa

High in vitamin C and bioflavonoids, hibiscus has slightly astringent properties. It is useful for treating mild colds, flus, bruising and swelling.

This is the plant that made Celestial Seasonings famous. The large tropical hibiscus flowers make a beautiful ruby red tea. The flavor is somewhat tart, with a sweet aftertaste.

There are more than 200 species of the Hibiscus and most of them are believed to have some medicinal properties. Different species are used in Ayurvedic, Chinese, and Western herbal medicines. Hibiscus sabdariffa is prized for its mild laxative properties and for its ability to promote urination.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses:  Constipation, mild bladder infections, mild nausea. Apply the herb or extract externally for sunburn.  The flowers are used for loss of appetite.  Hibiscus tea has a gentle laxative effect on the body.  It is also used for colds that affect the respiratory tract and the stomach to dissolve phlegm. Hibiscus flowers also are used as a diuretic and for disorders of circulation.   Aqueous extracts of hibiscus leaves have a relaxing effect on the uterus.  In Chinese medicine, preparations of the plant are used to treat carbuncles, swelling and inflammation of the skin scalding, conjunctivitis, and herpes zoster. To make a tea, pour boiling water over 1-2 tablespoons of the dry flowers and strain after 5-10 minutes.  For flavor you can add lemon and orange peel. Caution: Some species may not be recommended for pregnant women.

Used to relieve menstrual pain and cramping, reduce phlegm and coughing, cleanse blood, improving complexion and hair growth.

Holly

Latin Name: Ilex aquifolium, Ilex opaca is USA variety
Alternative Name: aquifolius, bat’s wings, christ’s thorn, holy tree, holm chaste, hulm, hulver bush, tinne
Forms Available: leaf

Holly – ilex aquifolium – The American variety is Ilex opaca.  A Druid sacred tree.  Sacred to the Winter Solstice, when it is used for decorating.  The leaf is dried and used as tea for fevers, bronchitis, bladder problems, and gout.  Steep a half ounce of the chopped leaf in boiled water for twenty minutes; take up to one cup a day.  The juice of the fresh leaf is helpful in jaundice; take one tablespoon per day.
CAUTION: the berries are poisonous!

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: The leaves of the holly are fever-reducing and a diuretic.

Other Uses: Holly, with it’s warrior-like bristles, is known as an herb of protection. Cast it about to repel unwanted animals and spirits. Sprinkle newborn babies with “holly water” to keep them happy and safe. Carry to promote good luck.