Pitcher Plant

Pitcher Plant – sarracenia sp. – This herb is used for many female issues: infusions of the leaves eased childbirth and decoctions of the root aided both the expulsion of afterbirth and the prevention of sickness after giving birth. The root and leaf have been used to treat liver and kidney complaints, constipation and dyspepsia. Decoctions of the root have also been used to treat the spitting up of blood and lung complaints.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: An infusion of leaf can treat fevers, ease childbirth. Decoction of root has been used after childbirth to aid in expulsion or afterbirth and to prevent sickness. This herb also used to treat liver and kidney complaints, constipation and dyspepsia.

Plantain, English

Plantain, English – plantago lanceolata – A herb that is antiseptic, astringent, demulcent, haemostatic, laxative, expectorant and an antidote. Preparations made with this plant staunch blood flow and aid healing of damaged tissue. The leaves are used, internally to treat many digestive and lung conditions such as: diarrhoea, irritable bowel syndrome, gastritis, stomach ulcers, haemorrhage, catarrh, sinusitis, asthma, and bronchitis and externally to treat: cuts, stings, inflammations etc. The root has been used in rattlesnake bite remedies.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: A herb that is antiseptic, astringent, demulcent, haemostatic, laxative, expectorant and an antidote. Preparations made with this herb staunch blood flow and aid the healing of damaged tissue, treat gastritis, diarrhoea, stomach ulcers….

Plantain

Plantain – plantago major – Has been used in inflammation of the skin, ulcers, intermittent fever, etc. Applied to a bleeding surface, the leaves are of some value in arresting hemorrhage, but they are useless in internal hemorrhage, although they were formerly used for bleeding of the lungs and stomach, consumption and dysentery. The fresh leaves are applied whole or bruised in the form of a poultice. Rubbed on parts of the body stung by insects, nettles, etc., or as an application to burns and scalds, the leaves will afford relief and will stop the bleeding of minor wounds. Some of the recipes for ointments in which Plantain is an ingredient have lingered to the present day. Lady Northcote, in The Book of Herbs in 1903, mentions an ointment made by an old woman in Exeter that was in much request. It was made from Southernwood, Plantain leaves, Black Currant leaves, Elder buds, Angelica and Parsley, chopped, pounded and simmered with clarified butter and was considered most useful for burns or raw surfaces. Decoctions of Plantain entered into almost every old remedy, and it was boiled with Docks, Comfrey and a variety of flowers. To prepare a plain infusion, still recommended in herbal medicine for diarrhea and hemorrhoids, pour 1 pint of boiling water on 1 oz. of the herb, stand in a warm place for 20 minutes, afterwards strain and let cool. Take a wineglassful to half a teacupful three or four times a day.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: The fresh leaves are applied whole or bruised in the form of a poultice. Rubbed on parts of the body stung by insects, nettles, etc., or as an application to burns and scalds, the leaves will afford relief and will stop the bleeding of minor wounds.

Poison Hemlock

Poison Hemlock – conium maculatum – Part of this herb’s latin name – conium – is from the greek verb meaning ‘to whirl around” which refers to the vertigo experienced as a symptom of hemlock poisoning. Hemlock is a VERY POISONOUS plant. Hemlock has been used in pain relief and is a folk remedy for cancer. It is used externally in creams, ointments, and lotions to treat tumours, mastitis, and hemorrhoids.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: A poisonous plant . Relieves pain and is a folk remedy for cancer. Used externally in creams, ointments, and lotions to treat tumours, mastitis, and hemorrhoids.

Poison Ivy

Poison Ivy – toxicodendron pubescens, rhus toxicodendron -An irritant poison. This herb is only used under medical supervision, depending on the dose it can be stimulating or sedating, it can control circulation and affect the nervous system. Used in homeopathic remedies.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: This herb is only used under medical supervision, depending on the dose it can be stimulating or sedating, it can control circulation and affect the nervous system. Used in homeopathic remedies.

Poison Oak

Poison Oak – toxicodendron radicans – An irritant poison. This herb is only used under medical supervision, depending on the dose it can be stimulating or sedating, it can control circulation and affect the nervous system. Used in homeopathic remedies.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: This herb is only used under medical supervision, depending on the dose it can be stimulating or sedating, it can control circulation and affect the nervous system. Used in homeopathic remedies.

Pokeweed

Pokeweed – phytolacca americana – Pokeroot is a cure all! It has been used in remedies for upper respiratory tract infections, lyphatic infections, rheumatism, ulcers, arthritis and scabies. It is a well used holistic treatment. For infections of the upper respiratory tract it shifts and removes phlegm and cleanses the lymph glands, aiding the removal of excess fluid and toxins from the body. It is also used, externally in a poultice, to relieve inflammations, bruising, rheumatic pain, scabies, arthritis and mastitis. In large doses, this herb is emetic and purgative.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Treats upper respiratory tract infections and lymphatic infections. Applied, externally, as a poultice to remove inflammation, relieve rheumatic pains and treat bruises.

Poppy

Forms Available: seed

Poppy – papaver somniferum – Seeds from the poppy flower provide an exfoliating action when added to soap and scrubs. Poppy seeds are also used in baking and salads. Since the seeds contain a high percentage of oil, refrigeration is recommended to prevent rancidity.

Princess Tree

Princess Tree – paulownia tomentosa – This plant is both astringent and vermifuge – the bark has been used, in a tincture, to treat fevers. Decoctions of the leaves have been used to wash external ulcers and applied, in a poultice, to treat bruising. Also, the juice of the leaf has been used to treat warts.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Leaves, in a poultice, applied to bruises. Externally, the leaf juice has been used to treat warts.