Hawthorn

Latin Name: cratageus spp.
Alternative Name: may tree, may blossom, white thorn, bread and cheese tree, gaxels, hagthorn, halves, haw, hazels, huath, ladies meat, may, may bush, mayflower, quick, thorn, tree of chastity.
Forms Available: berry, flower

Hawthorn – cratageus spp. – Also known as May Tree, May Blossom, or White Thorn. A Druid sacred tree, this deciduous, thorny shrub has serrated, lobed leaves, dense white flower clusters in late spring, and red false fruits (haws). The flowers consist of five white petals, sacred to the Goddess. During World War I, young Hawthorn leaves were used as substitutes for tea and tobacco, and the seeds were ground in place of coffee.
The berry is a superior heart tonic, useful for almost any heart condition. Cholesterol problems and valvular diseases are benefited. The berries also strengthen the appetite and digestion. Extended use lowers blood pressure. Hawthorn berry is a good remedy for the nerves and for insomnia. The berries are simmered or tinctured. Simmer two teaspoons of berries per cup of water for twenty minutes. The dose is a quarter cup four times a day. Take ten to twenty drops of tincture four times a day. The flowers are taken as a tea to benefit the heart. Steep two teaspoons of flowers per cup of water for twenty minutes; the dose is a quarter cup four times a day.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Benefits heart and circulation. A vasodilatory, improving blood supply and lowering blood pressure.

Other Uses: Hawthorn is the classic flower to decorate a maypole. An herb of fertility, it finds its place in weddings, May Day celebrations, and ritual groves. Beltaine was once reckoned as the day the hawthorn first bloomed. Wands of hawthorn have great power.

Hazel

Latin Name: corylus avellana
Alternative Name: european filbert, coll.
Forms Available: oil, nut

Hazel – Corylus avellana – Also called European Filbert. A Druid sacred tree, Hazel is a deciduous, suckering shrub with pendulous male catkins in spring and clusters of nuts in autumn. The leaves have served as a tobacco substitute.
Hazel nuts are rich in phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, and copper. Culpeper says that hazel nuts with mead or honey will cure a chronic cough. These are made into an “electuary”. Grind the nuts in an electric blender, then add mead or honey or form a past, which is eaten several times a day in tablespoon doses. Add pepper to discharge phlegm.

Other Uses: Hazel is an ancient Celtic tree of wisdom, inspiration, and poetry. Hazel nuts are eaten before divination. Wands of Hazel symbolize white magic and healing. Forked sticks are used to find water or buried treasure.

Hearts a Bustin

Latin Name: euonymus americanus
Alternative Name: strawberry bush, american strawberry bush
Forms Available: root, bark, leaf

Hearts a Bustin – euonymus americanus – A deciduous american shrub that grows on the eastern side of North America. This herb is also known as strawberry bush or american strawberry bush. The bark is laxative, diuretic, expectorant and tonic and has been used to treat constipation and malaria amongst other things. The seeds are laxative, emetic and carthartic. The root tea is used to treat prolapse of the uterus, stomach aches, vomiting of blood and painful urination.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: The bark is laxative, diuretic, expectorant and tonic. The seeds are laxative, emetic and carthartic. The root tea is used to treat prolapse of the uterus, stomach aches, vomiting of blood and painful urination.

Heartsease

Latin Name: viola tricolor
Alternative Name: johnny jump-ups, ladies’ delight, field pansy, pansy, wild pansy, banewort, bullweed
Forms Available: root, flower, leaf

Heartsease – viola tricolor – This plant is an annual with both the flowers and leaves being edible. Heartease is demulcent, anti-inflammatory and expectorant making it an effective remedy for bronchitis, asthma, and respiratory infections. It is also a diuretic so, when taken internally, it flushes the body of toxins and waste. A diaphoretic – promoting sweat, cooling the body, reducing fevers and further cleansing the body of toxins. Applied externally, in a poultice or lotion, heartease treats eczema, boild, scabies, wounds and other skin ailments.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Eases respiratory problems such as bronchitis and asthma. Cleanses the body of toxins. Stimulates circulation. Sedative and anodyne, calming and pain relieving.

Heather

Alternative Name: heath, scottish heather, common heather, ling.
Forms Available: flowering shoot

Heather – Calluna vulgaris – A Druid Sacred Herb, there are more than a thousand cultivars from this low-growing, evergreen species, which has scale like leaves and crowded racemes of flowers. Heather provides a support system for rural farmers, who use it for fuel, thatch, fodder, tea, and as a dye. Growing the plants increases the soils fertility.
The flowering shoots of heather are used for insomnia, stomach pains, coughs, and skin problems. Heather, used fresh or dry, strengthens the heart and slightly raises the blood pressure. Heather is slightly diuretic. Fresh or dried heather shoots are simmered, four teaspoons to a cup of water; the dose is one-half cup a day.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Used as a cleanser and detoxifyer. A diuretic.

Other Uses: Heather is a Goddess herb associated with the planet Venus and sacred to Isis. It is carried as a guard against rape and other violent crimes, or just to bring good luck. White heather is the best for this purpose.

Hedge Apple

Latin Name: maclura pomifera
Alternative Name: osage orange
Forms Available: root, fruit

Hedge Apple – maclura pomifera – this deciduous tree has been little used for health benefits. It has antioxidant and fungicidal properties. The root tea, as a wash, relieves sore eyes.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: This plant’s fruit has fungicidal and antioxidant properties. The root tea has been used as an eyewash.

Helichrysum

Latin Name: helichrysum spp.
Alternative Name: everlasting, immortelle
Forms Available: essential oil

Helichrysum -An intense rich scent, some may say strong honey/hay odor with herbaceous note. Among its properties are anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antitussive, astringent, diuretic, expectorant, fungicidal and cicatrisant.

The French used this oil primarily as an anti-inflammatory to regulate cholesterol, stimulate the cells of the liver, and as an antispasmodic. This particular variety has powerful antibruise properties. It’s ideal to use in lymphatic drainage massage, acts as a stimulant for the liver, gall bladder, kidneys and spleen–the organs responsible for detoxifying the body.

Italidone, one of its chemical components, has been found to have strong mucous thinning, expectorant and cicatrisant properties. It is a rejuvenating oil which promotes cell growth, helping to rebuild tissues. Clears the body of candida apparently, which often thrives when vitality is low.

Blend with rosehip seed oil for scar formula or with lemon and geranium for kick-smoking blend. Assists in healing scars, acne, dermatitis, boils and abscesses. Blends well with bergamot, chamomile, geranium, orange and frankincense.  Avoid use during pregnancy.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Useful for the treatment of rheumatism, herpes, hematoma, varicose ulcers, dermatitis, gingivitis, gout, herpes, bronchitis and goiter. Among its properties are aphrodisiac, stimulating and antiseptic.  Avoid during pregnancy.

Thought for the day:

Flowers are the sweetest things God ever made and forgot to put a soul into. -Henry Ward Beecher

Suggested Reading:

1. The Healing Intelligence of Essential Oils: The Science of Advanced Aromatherapy by Kurt Schnaubelt
2. The Fragrant Mind: Aromatherapy for Personality, Mind, Mood and Emotion by Valerie Ann Worwood
3. Natural Medicine First Aid Remedies: Self-Care Treatments for 100+ Common Conditions by Stephanie Marohn
4. The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils: The Complete Guide to the Use of Aromatic Oils In Aromatherapy, Herbalism, Health, and Well Being by Julia Lawless

Reference Links:

1. Helichrysum italicum by Wikipedia
2. Helichrysum italicum by The East-West School For Herbal & Aromatic Studies
3. Helichrysum italicum by Dr. Christoph Streicher and Sheryll Ryan
4. Use the healing properties of Helichrysum essential oil by Natural News.com
5. How Helichrysum italicum Essential Oil Can Bring Healing to Your Life by ArticlesFactory.com

Hemp Seed Oil

Latin name:  cannabis sativa
Forms Available: oil

Hemp Seed Oil – cannabis sativa – Hemp seeds produce a vegetable oil that is high in protein and can be used within a variety of foods and cosmetics. Hemp seed oil’s high linoleic and linolenic acid contents make it vulnerable to spoilage.  Alpha linolenic, linoleic and oleic acids, and the essential fatty acids known as the omegas make up 88% of the total fatty-acid content.  It is particularly moisturizing for dry, damaged skin and for eczema and psoriasis.  Hemp seed oil penetrates the skin quickly and some describe it as a dry oil.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Hemp seed oil is particularly moisturizing for dry, damaged skin and for eczema and psoriasis.

Henbit

Latin Name: lamium amplexicaule
Alternative Name: giraffehead, dead-nettle
Forms Available: flowering plant

Henbit – lamium amplexicaule – A little used herb. The leaves are edible. The plant itself has laxative, stimulant, febrifuge, antirheumatic and diaphoretic properties.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: plant has laxative, stimulant, febrifuge, antirheumatic and diaphoretic properties.

Hepatica

Latin Name: hepatica nobilis
Alternative Name: liverwort, american liverwort
Forms Available: leaf, flower

Hepatica – hepatica nobilis – This plant has laxative, astringent and diuretic properties. If applied externally, in a poultice, its astringent properties benefit wounds and skin problems. Hepatica also stimulates the gall bladder.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Laxative, astringent, diuretic, tonic. Treats liver and gall bladder issues. Slows bleeding.