American Ipecac – gillenia stipulata – The root of the ipecac is emetic, cathartic, diaphoretic, odontalgic and expectorant. Ipecac is a well used emetic, small doses induce vomitting. Ipecac is also put, in minute doses, in medications for the treatment of colds, constipation, asthma, chronic diarrhoea, and bronchial complaints. A poultice of tea made from the whole plant is used externally to treat bee stings, swellings, and rheumatism. Ipecac has also been used to treat toothaches.
Aromatherapy & Health Uses: The root of the ipecac is emetic, cathartic, diaphoretic, odontalgic and expectorant.
Latin Name: hedera helix Alternative Name: common ivy, gort, hedera Forms Available: leaf, twig
Ivy – Hedera helix – A Druid Sacred Herb. An ancient plant, believed by the Greeks to treat intoxication, its toxic leaves are used as a poultice to soothe neuralgia, rheumatism, and sciatica, and in a tincture for toothache and whooping cough. They reduce fevers, expel worms and in a compress, reduce cellulite. They contain saponins and in solution, darken hair, blacken silk and taffeta. Ivy leaves kill some amoebas, fungi and mollusks.
Tender ivy twigs are simmered in salves to heal sunburn; follow the standard instruction for salves. The leaves are used as a douche for vaginal infections. Externally, ivy is used in poultices to heal nerves, sinews, ulcers, enlarged glands, boils and abscesses.
Other Uses: Connected with the Winter Solstice when it is used for decorating. Ivy provides protection when growing on or near a house. Ivy is equated with fidelity and is woven into marriage wreaths. Use in charms to bind luck, love, and fidelity to your person.
Latin Name: polygonelia cuspidatum Alternative Name: hu zhang Forms Available: root
Japanese Knotweed – polygonelia cuspidatum – This root is mainly used int the prevention of thrombosis, it is a powerful antioxidant. It is also used in phytoestrogen medications.
Aromatherapy & Health Uses: This root is mainly used int the prevention of thrombosis. It is also used in phytoestrogen medications.
Latin Name: jasminum officinale Alternative Name: jessamine, yasmin, moonlight on the grove Forms Available: absolute, flower, whole
Jasmine – Jasminum officionale – Common Jasmine is a deciduous shrub with strongly scented, white summer flowers.
The flowers make a tea that calms the nerves and increases erotic feelings. Steep two teaspoons of flowers per cup of water for twenty minutes. The dose is a quarter cup,, four times a day. The oil of the leaf is rubbed on the head to heal the eyes. A syrup of jasmine flowers and honey will help with coughs and lung complaints. The essential oil of jasmine is said to help menstrual pain and lung problems.
Other Uses: Symbolic of the moon and of the mysteries of the night. Jasmine essential oil is useful for sexuality. The flowers will also draw wealth and money if carried, burned or worn. Jasmine will also cause prophetic dreams if burned in the bedroom.
Latin Name: impatiens capensis, impatiens biflora Alternative Name: jewel weed, wild touch-me-not, spotted jewelweed Forms Available: leaf
Jewelweed – impatiens capensis – The juice from the leaves of this herb have been applied externally to treat poison ivy, poison oak, nettle burns, and burns. It also relieves insect bites and stings. In an infusion, jewelweed has been used to treat fevers, stomach cramps, and measles. The sap has been used to remove warts and corns.
Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Externally treats burns, bites, stings, poison ivy, poison oak, measles. Leaf poultice applied also to bruises and cuts.
Latin Name: datura stramonium Alternative Name: thornapple, angel’s trumpet, apple of peru, mad apple, stinkweed, jamestown weed Forms Available: leaf, flower, seed, root
Jimson Weed – datura stramonium – This is a narcotic plant, anti-asthmatic and anitspasmodic. It is a remedy for asthma, muscle spasms, whooping cough. Externally, it can be used in a poultice to relieve swellings, rheumatism, neuralgia and aid the healing of wounds. This herbs narcotic properties contribute to it’s use as a pain reliever.
Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Antispasmodic and anti-asthmatic. Used to treat muscle spasms, whooping couch, asthma. Also, applied in poultice to treat wounds, swellings, rheumatic pain.
Latin Name: eupatorium fistulosum, eupatorium purpureum Alternative Name: gravel root, queen of the meadow, trumpet-weed Forms Available: root, rhizome, leaf
Joe Pye Weed – eupatorium fistulosum – A genito-urinary tract herb – prevents and relieves kidney stones, relieves cystitis, prostrate enlargement, and urethritis. A diuretic and cleanser, relieving gout and rheumatism by improving the kidney function.
Aromatherapy & Health Uses: A genito-urinary tract herb – prevents kidney stones, relieves cystitis, prostrate enlargement, urethritis. A diuretic and cleanser, relieving gout and rheumatism.
