Ash Tree

Ash Tree – Fraxinus americana or excelsior – A Druid sacred tree. This spring-flowering deciduous tree has smooth gray bark and showy, scented flowers, although the scent is unpleasant to some. The bark of the ash can be used as a substitute for quinine in intermittent fevers. It is reputed to clear obstructions from the spleen and liver. Simmer two tablespoons of bark for twenty minutes in one cup water; take a quarter-cup four times a day. The leaves are laxative and can be used as a substitute for senna. Steep two tablespoons of the leaf in one cup of water for twenty minutes; take one quarter cup four times a day.

Other Uses: Ash is the sacred world tree of the Teutons, known as Yggdrasil. Ash wood makes a traditional Yule log. Druid wands were often made of ash and carved with decorations. Ash wands are good for healing, general and solar magic.

Asiatic Dayflower

Asiatic Dayflower – commelina communis – This plant is antibacterial, astringent, depurative, diuretic, and febrifuge. Used to make a throat gargle that relieves sore throats. The dried plant can be used in treating bleeding, diarrhoea and fevers.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: antibacterial, astringent, depurative, diuretic, and febrifuge. A throat gargle can be made that relieves sore throats. The dried plant can be used in treating bleeding, diarrhoea and fevers.

Asparagus Fern

Asparagus Fern – asparagus officinalis, asparagus racemosus, asparagus cochinchinensis – The roots and shoots of the asparagus are healing and cleansing to the liver, bowels and kidneys. Asparagus causes increased cellular activity in the kidneys, hence increasing urine production. Asparagus roots are diuretic and laxative. The roots are also reported to lower blood pressure. Asparagus is considered antibiotic, antispasmodic, cancer, cardiac, demulcent, diaphoretic, diuretic, laxative, sedative, and tonic.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Aspargus is considered antibiotic, antispasmodic, aperient, cancer, cardiac, demulcent, diaphoretic, diuretic, laxative, sedative, and tonic.

Babassu Oil

Babassu Oil – Orbignya martiana, O. oleifera, or O. speciosa – Babassu is a big palm tree about 20 meters high native to Brazil. It is extensively cultivated and presents a very important industrial and economical resource for Brazil. Its principal product is a rather stable, light yellow, clear oil which is employed in food, soap and detergency industries. This oil is similar in properties and uses to coconut oil and is used increasingly as a substitute for it. Babassu oil is cold pressed from the kernel. Flour, animal feed, medicines and beverages can all be produced from the fruit, while the seeds contain oil useful for cooking and soap-making. Even the leaves provide thatch for houses and can be woven into mats for constructing house walls, while stems are used for timbers. Babassu oil does not readily become rancid.

Baneberry

Baneberry – actaea pachypoda – a highly toxic plant, the berries should NEVER be eaten. The plant is, amongst other things, anticonvulsive, antirheumatic, and emmenagogue. Decoctions of the roots are used to treat coughs and colds. Baneberry has been used to revive patients near death and to ease childbirth pain. Also, infusion of the leaves has been used to stimulate lactation and as a gargle to relieve sore throats.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: The plant is, amongst other things, anticonvulsive, antirheumatic, and emmenagogue. Decoctions of the roots are used to treat coughs and colds. It has been used to revive patients near death. It has been used to ease childbirth pain.

Bay Rum

Forms Available: essential oil, leaf

Bay Rum – Pimenta racemosa – steam distilled leaf, Jamaica. Light, spicy, sweet aroma, the aroma of Old Spice cologne. May act as an appetite stimulant and to settle stomach pains. General aches and pains, as well as rheumatic pains may be alleviated. Used to treat scalp conditions, dandruff and greasy hair. Blends well with rose, cedarwood, and eucalyptus. Should be used with caution due to its eugenol content.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: May act as an appetite stimulant and to settle stomach pains. General aches and pains, as well as rheumatic pains may be alleviated. Used to treat scalp conditions, dandruff and greasy hair. Blends well with rose, cedarwood, and eucalyptus.

Beauty Bush

Beauty Bush – callicarpa americana – The roots of this plant make a tea that treats colic, dysentery and stomach aches. The leaves are used to treat dropsy and the root bark has been used as a diuretic.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: The root bark is diuretic, Tea made from the root is a treatment for dysentery, stomach ache and colic.