Wild Quinine

Wild quinine – parthenium integrifolium – The flowers have been used to treat fevers – in the place of quinine. The root, applied externally as a poultice, to relieve burns. The root has been used as a kidney and bladder tonic, reducing inflammation.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: The flowers have been used to treat fevers. The root, applied externally as a poultice, to relieve burns. The root has been used as a kidney and bladder tonic, reducing inflammation.

Wild Rose

Wild Rose – rosa sp. –

Wild Spikenard

Wild Spikenard – smilacina racemosa – A contaceptive and haemostatic plant used in past by North American Indians. A tea made from the leaves was a contraceptive and a poultice from the leaves, applied externally, was applied to cuts. The root can be used to regulate the mentrual cycle, relieve rheumatism, and even treat cancer.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Contraceptive, menstrual regulating, haemostatic.

Wild Yam

Wild Yam – dioscorea villosa – Wild Yam has been used for centuries as a medicinal herb by the Aztec and Mayan peoples for a wide range of ailments including many female problems and to relieve the pain of childbirth. Research indicates that this is a powerful alternative medicine containing many steroidal saponins, mainly Dioscin, which is widely used to manufacture progesterone and other steroid drugs used as contraceptives and in the treatment of various disorders of the genital organs as well as in other diseases such as asthma and arthritis. A decoction of the root is used to alleviate many of the symptoms of menopause and PMS such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, and vaginal dryness. It is also used to treat irritable bowel syndrome, gastritis, gall bladder complaints, spasmodic cramps, painful menstruation, and in small doses is especially helpful in treating the nausea of pregnant women.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Amongst other things it is used to treat irritable bowel syndrome, gastritis, gall bladder complaints, spasmodic cramps, painful menstruation, and in small doses is especially helpful in treating the nausea of pregnant women.

Willow

Willow – salix alba – Also known as White Willow, European Willow, Tree of Enchantment, and Witches Aspirin. One of the Seven Sacred Trees of the Irish. A Druid sacred tree, the willow is a Moon tree sacred to the White Lady. It’s groves were considered so magical that priests, priestesses and all types of artisans sat among these trees to gain eloquence, inspiration, skills, and prophecies. The stem bark is a painkiller, a fever-reducer, and an original source for salicylic acid for aspirin. The infused leaves make a tea for nervous insomnia and are added to baths to ease rheumatism. The Salix species provide the best-quality artists’ charcoal, branches are used for weaving, and the White Willow var. caerulea is the source of wood for cricket bats. The genus name Salix comes from the Celtic sal-lis, “near water”.
Black willow -S. nigra- bark is used to treat gonorrhea and ovarian pain. The white willow contains salicin, the active constituent from which Aspirin was first synthesized. White willow bark is used for rhematic complaints, arthirtis and headaches as well as diarrhea and dysentary. Fevers, edema, and the aftereffects of worms are treated with willow bark. To make the tea, steep three teaspoons of the bark in one cup of cold water for two to five hours, boil for one minute, and strain. Willow is also available as a powder. The dose is one teaspoon, three times a day in tea or capsules. The tincture can be taken in 10-20 drop doses four times a day.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: The stem bark is a painkiller, a fever-reducer, and an original source for salicylic acid for aspirin. The infused leaves make a tea for nervous insomnia and are added to baths to ease rheumatism.

Other Uses: The willow is a guardian tree, said to protect from evil influences. The willow tree has a healing aura that blesses all it touches. All parts of the willow guard against evil and can be carried or placed in the home for this purpose.

Wintercress

Wintercress – barbaria verna – This is an edible cress. The seed is sprouted for salads or can be used to obtain an edible oil. The leaves can be eaten both raw and cooked.

Witch Hazel

Witch Hazel – hammamelis virginian – Also called Spotted Alder, and Winter Bloom, Witch Hazel, a distillation from the leaves and flower-bearing twigs, is included in skin products for its disinfectant and astringent properties. It is used on chapped and sunburned skin, bruises, swellings, and rashes; to stop bleeding; and to reduce varicose veins and hemorrhoids. The seeds are edible and the leaves can be brewed for a warming tea. Commercially distilled witch hazel contains 14 percent alcohol. It must not be confused with tincture of Witch Hazel, which may be much more astringent and could disfigure skin.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Distilled witch hazel is one of the basics in any home first aid kit. It is useful for stings, bruises, cuts, scrapes, sprains, tissue swelling, and many other minor conditions. It is also useful in skin care regimes.

Other Uses: Witch hazel has long been used to fashion divining rods, hence the common name. The bark and twigs are also used to protect against evil influences. If carried, witch hazel helps to mend a broken heart and cool the passions.

Wood Aloe

Wood Aloe – aquilaria agallocha – The prized elusive scent of Wood Aloe exists only in resin-saturated diseased wood.

Other Uses: Wood Aloe possesses high spiritual vibrations. Will bring love if worn. Use in incense for Love, Protection, Money and Riches, and Spirituality.

Wood Mint

Wood Mint – blephilia sp., blephilia cilata -A tea, from the leaves, has been used to treat colic, fevers, colds and indigestion – they are analgesic, diaphoretic and calming. A poultice of the leaves can be used to relieve sinus headache.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: A tea, from the leaves, has been used to treat colic, fevers, colds and indigestion – they are analgesic, diaphoretic and calming. A poultice of the leaves can be used to relieve sinus headache.