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.

Wood Sorrel, Yellow

Wood Sorrel,Yellow – oxalis stricta – This plant is little used in herbal medicine. It has been used to relieve nausea and stomach cramps and also to treat fevers. Has been applied to inflammations externally, in a poultice.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: A tonic for the stomach, relieving cramps and nausea. It has been used to treat fevers also.

Yam, Wild

Yam, Wild – dioscorea – 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.

Yarrow

Yarrow – achillea millefolium – Also known as Seven Year’s Love, Milfoil, and Woundwort. The flowering tops are a digestive and cleaning tonic and a diuretic and are used to reduce high blood pressure. Fresh leaves arrest bleeding and are applied as a poultice to wounds or are placed on shaving cuts. One of the true treasures of the earth, Yarrow essential oil is naturally blue and possesses an incredible scent. The oil treats colds , flu, and inflamed joints.
This is a classic herb for flu, especially the intestinal variety. Try a mixture of elderflower, peppermint, and yarrow to bring down a fever and induce perspiration. The tea benefits the kidneys. Yarrow is used in salves for hemorrhoids and in poultices to stop bleeding and help heal wounds. Cramps and rheumatism are treated with the tea, as are intestinal gas, diarrhea, anorexia, and hyperacidity.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Acne; Burns; Cuts; Eczema; Hair Rinse; Inflammation; Rashes; Scars; Wounds; Arteriosclerosis, High Blood Pressure; Rheumatoid Arthritis. Key Qualities: Balancing; Restorative; Tonic; Strengthening; Opening; Grounding; Revitalizing; Mildly Stimulating.

Other Uses: Use in spells for: Divination; Love; Happy Marriage; Wards Negativity; Defense; Protection; Gather at Litha; Psychic Awareness; Banishing; Releasing; Clairvoyance.

Yellow Poplar

Yellow Poplar – liriodendron tulipifera – The bark is diuretic, stimulant and tonic. Internally, a tea from the bark treats dysentery, indigestion, arthritis, rheumatism, fevers, and coughs. Externally, the tea has been used in a wash, to treat wounds, sores and boils. This bark has also been used to aid the expulsion of worms from the body.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: The bark is diuretic, stimulant and tonic. Internally, a tea from the bark treats dysentery, indigestion, arthritis, rheumatism, fevers, and coughs. Externally, the tea treats wounds, sores and boils.

Yellow Sweet Clover

Yellow Sweet Clover – melilotus officinalis – has anticoagulent properties so the use of this plant lowers the risk of phlebitis and thrombosis. Also used to treat stress, neuralgia, insomnia and flatulence. Externally, as a poultice or wash, used to relieve bruising, inflammations, rheumatic pain.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Has anticoagulent properties so the use of this plant lowers the risk of phlebitis and thrombosis. Also used to treat stress, neuralgia, insomnia and flatulence. Externally, as a poultice or wash, used to relieve bruising, inflammations, rheumatic pain.