Latin Name: phytolacca americana Alternative Name: pokeroot, american poke, american pokeweed, cancer-root, inkberry, pigeon berry Forms Available: root
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 – 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.
Latin Name: paulownia tomentosa Alternative Name: foxglove tree, empress tree, kiri, huang t’ung Forms Available: leaf, flower, bark
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.
Latin Name: prunella vulgaris Alternative Name: all heal, woundwort, blue curis, brownwort, heal-all, self-heal, panay, heart of the earth Forms Available: whole plant
Prunella – prunella vulgaris – also known as all-heal. This plant has very astringent properties and is used, mostly, to stop bleeding. Internally, prunella is used to reduce bleeding, abate fevers, calm sore throats and treat diarrhea. In chinese medicine it is used as an antibiotic. Externally, in a wash or poultice, prunella stops bleeding and aids in the healing of wounds. Also, externally, it can be applied topically to treat hemorrhoids.
Aromatherapy & Health Uses: This plant stops bleeding and aids in the healing of wounds. Internally, it reduces bleeding, calms sore throats, abates fevers.
Pumpkin Seed Oil – cucurbita pepo L. – is a dark yellow-green oil pressed from pumpkin seeds, high in Omega-3 and Omega-6 which also contains high levels of vitamins E, A and C as well as zinc. This oil is said to alleviate prostate and bladder medical problems as well as lowering cholesterol.
Aromatherapy & Health Uses: This oil is said to alleviate prostate and bladder medical problems as well as lowering cholesterol.
Latin Name: lespedeza sp. trifolium pratense Alternative Name: red clover Forms Available: leaf, root, seed, flower, tea
Purple Clover – lespedeza sp., trifolium pratense – All parts of this plant are edible: the leaves, seeds, flowers, and root. The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. The seeds, sprouted,can be eaten in salads. The flower can be eaten and the root, eaten after it is cooked. Purple clover is a well used herb medicinally – internally it is expectorant, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, diuretic, cleansing and used to treat skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. It is one of the best phlegm reducing natural products of nature. As a diuretic, this herb cleanses the body and as such, removes the toxic build up that creates so many disorders.
Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Internally expectorant, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, diuretic, cleansing and used to treat skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
Latin Name: daucus carota Alternative Name: wild carrot, carrot, devil’s plague, bird’s nest, bee’s nest Forms Available: root, leaf, seed
Queen Anne’s Lace – daucus carota – wild carrot, a much eaten food. The wild carrot is a cleanser, diuretic, and tonic for the liver, stimulating urine and the extraction of waste by the kidneys. Used in an infusion, it treats many digestive complaints and kidney and bladder diseases. The root can also induce uterine contractions and bring on menstruation.
Aromatherapy & Health Uses: A cleanser and tonic for the liver, stimulates urine and extraction of waste by the kidneys. The leaves are diuretic and have been used to diminish kidney stones and prevent the formation of new ones.
Latin Name: ambrosia trifada Alternative Name: tall ragweed, giant ragweed, great ragweed Forms Available: oil, leaf, root
Ragweed – ambrosia trifada – This herb is used internally, in a tea, to treat fevers, stomach cramps, menstrual disorders, diarrhea.
Externally, the leaves are applied, in a poultice, to treat skin complaints, insect bites, and poison sumac. A tea can also be made from the root of the plant. An oil can be obtained from the ragweed seed. Ragweed pollen causes allergic reactions in many people and so, therefore, the pollen is used in preparations to treat the allergic.
Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Externally, in poultice, relieves skin complaints, poison sumac, insect bites. Internally, to relieve fevers, stomach cramps, menstrual disorders, diarrhea.
Latin Name: senecio jacobaea Alternative Name: common ragwort, stinking willie, tansy ragwort, yakubun Forms Available: leaf, root
Ragwort – senecio jacobaea – A highly toxic plant, a reaction can be caused just by touching it and it is particularly toxic to the liver. This plant is used in homeopathic remedies to treat female complaints. Externally, the juice can be used as a wash for burns, sores, and ulcers. As an infusion, ragwort relieves gout, rheumatic pain, and respiratory infections. It can also be applied externally, in a poultice, to relieve rheumatic aches.
Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Used to relieve gout, theumatic pain, respiratory infections, burns, sores, ulcers.
Latin Name: rubus idaeus Alternative Name: red rasberry Forms Available: leaf, root, stem, tea, coffee
Raspberry – rubus idaeus – The raspberry plant is extremely edible – the fruit is eaten raw or cooked, the root cooked, the shoots raw or cooked and the leaves make both an herb tea or a coffee substitute. Medicinally, the leaves are the most used part particularly for female issues. A tea, made from the leaves, is a tonic for the uterus both strengthening and toning the muscles, treating irregular or excessive menstruation, and relieving menstrual cramps. The leaves are also a remedy for diarrhea. Externally, in a wash or poultice, the leaves and root treat sores, wounds, varicose ulcers and burns. They can also be used in a gargle to relieve oral inflammations.
Aromatherapy & Health Uses: The leaf is the most used part – used to strengthen and tone the muscles of the uterus, relieves diarrhea, treats irregular or excessive menstruation, relieves menstrual cramping, treats burns and minor wounds.
