Passionflower

Passionflower – passiflora incarnata – This herb is a very well used sedating and tranquillising plant. It has even been added to many pharmaceutical medications that treat disorders that manifest from nervous conditions such as: heart palpitations, high blood pressure, anxiety and convulsions. In homeopathic medicine, it is used to treat insomnia, pms, nervous disorders and pain. Passion flower is a tonic to the nervous system, it improves the ciruculation and, therefore, the nutrients to the nerves. In a poultice, the roots can be applied to inflammations, boils, wounds and earaches.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: A calming herb, both sedative and tranquillising. Treats nervous disorders and provides pain relief. Externally, applied in poultice, treats inflammation, boils, wounds and earaches

Paw Paw Tree

Paw Paw Tree – asimina triloba – The fruit of the paw paw tree is edible and is used in desserts. Medicinally, the paw paw is laxative, diuretic, emetic and narcotic. The fruit itself is laxative. The seeds are emetic and narcotic – they have been used to kill headlice. The leaves, diuretic, can be externally applied to abscesses, boils and ulcers.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Seed is emetic and has been used to kill head lice. The fruit is laxative and the leaves diuretic.

Peach Leaves

Peach Leaves – prunus persica – The leaves are demulcent, diuretic, astringent, expectorant and sedative. Internally, they are used in the treatment of coughs, bronchitis, and gastritis. Also can be used to relieve vomiting although, due to the diuretic properties of these leaves, the use for morning sickness should be under medical supervision. Externally, in a poultice or wash, the leaves can be used to treat wounds and sores.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: The leaves are demulcent, diuretic, astringent, expectorant and sedative. Internally, they are used in the treatment of coughs, bronchitis, and gastritis. Also can be used to relieve vomiting. Externally, used to treat wounds and sores.

Pecan Nut Oil

Forms Available: oil

Pecan Nut Oil

Pennsylvania Smartweed

Pennsylvania Smartweed – polygonum pensylvanicum – smartweed is used to treat wounds, diarrhoea, and inflammations. The leaves are astringent, and can be applied, in a wash or poultice to wounds, sores and inflammations. The seed is diuretic, carminative and stimulant. This herb is used in homeopathic rememdies to treat excessive menstrual bleeding and hemorrhoids.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Used to treat wounds, diarrhoea, and inflammations. Homepathically used to treat menstrual problems and piles.

Pennyroyal

Forms Available: essential oil

Pennyroyal – mentha pulegium – The essentiao oil should be used with extreme caution. Its scent is herbaceous and minty. It is a well known emmenagogue; do not use during pregnancy. Has some use in menstrual difficulties, often used to bring on menstruation. It’s valuable in repelling insects on animals. Can be diluted either in alcohol or vinegar as a rub to kill fleas. Many aromatherapists will not use this oil. It blends well with cedarwood and peppermint.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: It is a well known emmenagogue; do not use during pregnancy. Has some use in menstrual difficulties, often used to bring on menstruation. It’s valuable in repelling insects on animals. Can be diluted either in alcohol or vinegar as a rub to kill fleas.

Peony

Peony – paeonia offinalis – The peony flower is used to scent tea and lotions, creams and perfumes. The root is antispasmodic, sedative, and diuretic. The peony root is a wonderful muscle relaxant, it relieves many types of cramps such as: abdominal, limb muscles, menstrual, and the spasms of epilepsy. It also reduces blood pressure and has been used as an analgesic. This herb induces menstruation and has been used to relieve childbirth pains.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Relieves cramps of many kinds – abdominal, limb muscles, menstrual, and others. Reduces blood pressure, relieves hemorrhoids, induces menstruation.

Pepper, Black

Forms Available: essential oil, ground, peppercorn/berry

Pepper, Black – piper nigrum – fresh, dry-woody, warm and spicy scent. It’s analgesic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, diuretic, laxative and stomachic. There’s the possibility of skin irritation. Black pepper is very stimulating to the mind, gives stamina where there’s frustration. Its rubefacient and analgesic properties make it useful for muscular aches and pains and muscular stiffness as it assists with dilation of local blood vessels. Assists with rheumatoid arthritis and temporary limb paralysis. Warming in event of cold and flu. Stimulates appetite. Expels wind, calms vomiting. Its stomachic effect increases flow of saliva and stimulates appetite, expels wind, encourages peristalsis and is useful in bowel problems; restores tone to colon muscles. Blends well with basil, bergamot, cypress, grapefruit, lemon, and sandalwood.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Antiseptic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, diuretic, laxative and stomachic. There’s the possibility of skin irritation. Black pepper is very stimulating to the mind, gives stamina where there’s frustration.