Hibiscus

Hibiscus – 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. Medicinal 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 flavour you can add lemon and orange peel. Caution: Some species may not be recommended for pregnant women.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Hibuscus relieves 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.

Hollyhock

Hollyhock – althaea rosea – this plant is related to marshmallow. The root is emollient and demulcent.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: The root has been used as an emollient and demulcent.

Holy Basil

Holy Basil – ocimum sanctum – The leaves of this plant contain an essential oil that seems to work against some bacteria and fungi. The leaves make a tea that is used to relieve coughs, colds, indigestion, and diminished appetite. This herb acts as an antioxidant, an anti-inflammatory and reducer of stress hormones. It has also been found to decrease cholesterol.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: An antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and reducer of stress hormones.

Honeysuckle

Honeysuckle – lonicera japonica – This evergreen or semi-evergreen vine has hairy leaves and fragrant spring to summer flowers that open white and turn yellow, followed by poisonous black berries.
Properties cited are for the common flower that grows wild, rather that the ornamental varieties. The flowers have a broad spectrum antimicrobial effect against salmonella, staphyloccus, and streptococcus. Chinese herbalists have long recognized honesuckle as an antibiotic herb for colds, flus, and fevers. Sore throats, conjuctivitis, and inflammations of the bowel, urinary tract, and reproductive organs have been treated with it. It is said to be useful in treating cancer. Combine it with seeds of Forsythia suspensii, the well-known yellow flowering shrub, or Echinacea augustifolia or E. purpurea for maximum antivirul and antibacterial effect. Steep two teaspoons per cup for twenty minutes. The dose is a quarter cup, four times a day.

Other Uses: Health-Healing; Love; Luck; Creativity; Prophetic Dreams; Protection; Psychic Awareness; Divination; Clairvoyance; Anointing; Balance. Lightly crush the fresh flowers and then rub on the forehead to heighten psychic powers.

Hops

Hops – humulus lupulus – Also known as Beer Flavor. A Druid sacred herb, this herbaceous twining herb has large toothed leaves and flowers with a distinctive scent of beer. The young shoots are eaten as a vegetable and the leaves blanched for soups, but Hops are cultivated mainly for the brewing industry. The ripe, female flowers, called “strobiles,” are added to beer to flavor, clarify, and preserve it. A pillow stuffed with dried hops aids sleep and healing.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: The smell of the herb acts as a sedative.

Other Uses: Use in exorcism incenses and mixtures, as well as healing sachets.

Horehound

Horehound – Marrubium vulgar – Horehound is a woolly herb with a faint scent of wormwood, crinkled hairy leaves, and flowering stems with whorls of small white blossoms. Navajo mothers were given a root decoction before and after childbirth. Horehound’s woolly leaves were once used to clean milk pails, and the dried flower remains were floated on oil as candle wicks. The leaves are used in tonics, liqueurs, and ales, and are made into expectorant and antiseptic cough drops. An infusion relaxes muscles, and helps expel mucus, treating bronchitis, croup, and asthma. It destroys intestinal worms, and acts as a digestive and liver tonic and a laxative. The tea is used internally and externally to treat eczema and shingles.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: The leaves are used in tonics, liqueurs, and ales, and are made into expectorant and antiseptic cough drops. An infusion relaxes muscles, and helps expel mucus, treating bronchitis, croup, and asthma.

Other Uses: Use in protective sachets and carry to guard against sorcery and fascination. Also scattered as an exorcism herb. Drink an infusion of the herb and it will clear your mind and promote quick thinking as well as strengthen the mental powers.

Horse Balm

Horse Balm – collinsonia canadensis – This herb has many properties. It is a diuretic and tonic, used to treat kidney stones. It also removes excess fluid and toxins from the body, aiding kidney complaints, diarrhoea and urinary system problems. Horse balm also improves the function of mucous membranes. It has helped relieve irritable bowel syndrome, varicose veins and mucous colitis.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: The root tea is diuretic, a vasodilator, antispasmodic and tonic – treats urinary tract issues, diarrhoea, kidney complaints, varicose veins, irritable bowel syndrome.

Horse Chestnut

Horse Chestnut – aesculus hippocastanum – This herb helps varicose veins and hemorrhoids – it is anti-inflammatory and astringent, toning distended vein walls. Horse chestnut is a vasodilator, increasing the circulation of blood and possibly aiding in the prevetion of heart problems. It’s anti-inflammatory properties also relieve arthritis and rheumatism. Finally, horse chestnut has expectorant properties, loosening phlegm and relieving respiratory problems.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: This herb helps varicose veins and hemorrhoids – it is anti-inflammatory and astringent, toning distended vein walls. Also reduces fluid retention, is a vasodilator, and expectorant.

Horsetail

Horsetail – equisetum arvense, equisetaceae – Over the centuries the herb gained a reputation as a wound healer. As time passed, it shed this reputation and gained one as a diuretic to treat water retention and as a urinary remedy. Contemporary herbalists recommend it externally for wounds and internally for urinary and prostrate problems. Horsetail is considered nutritive and high in calcium and a good source of iron. For an infusion, use 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried herb per cup of water. Steep 10 minutes. Drink up to 2 cups a day. Horsetail has little taste. Horsetail should not be given in medicinal quantities to children under age 2. For persons over 65 start with low-strength preparations and increase strength if necessary.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: A coagulent, diuretic and astringent. Rich in silicon therefore helps in healing of bones, improving hair, skin, nails, bones and teeth.