Licorice

Forms Available: powder, root powder

Licorice – glycyrrhiza glabra – Licorice is a wonderful tonic herb for winter illnesses and immune, digestive tract, respiratory tract, and adrenal gland support. It is also excellent for children’s health. Sweet-tasting licorice root is an outstanding tonic for the endocrine system and is specific for the reproductive system. It is particularly effective for relieving adrenal exhaustion, which is so prevalent in those who suffer from depression. Licorice will revitalize the adrenals if used over a period of weeks or months. It has constituents that are similar in function to the natural steroids in the human body. Licorice is also highly regarded as a remedy for the respiratory system and it is used as a soothing demulcent and anti-inflammatory remedy for respiratory problems. The effective yet delicious qualities of this herb help make it one of the most important herbal remedies for children. Because of its extremely sweet flavor, licorice is best used with other herbs. For adrenal exhaustion, lethargy and fatigue, drink 2-3 cups of tea made from licorice blended with astragalus, sarsaparilla, burdock root and dandelion or with wild yam, sarsaparilla, burdock root, and sassafras. Caution: There have been studies indicating licorice’s ability to induce water retention and thus raise blood pressure levels, but most of the studies were done on licorice extracts, licorice candy and allopathic medication–not on the whole plant. However, licorice is not recommended for individuals who have high blood pressure due to water retention. And those on heart medication should check with their health care provider before using licorice. Licorice is generally safe for children and the elderly, which usually means it’s safe for everyone in between. Licorice is used in Ayurvedic medicine for inflmmation, abscesses and skin problems. Make a paste and apply to the skin.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Hhighly regarded as a remedy for the respiratory system and it is used as a soothing demulcent and anti-inflammatory remedy for respiratory problems. Revitalizes the adrenals if taken over a period of weeks or months.

Lilac

Lilac – syringia vulgaris – Lilac is a deciduous, twiggy shrub or small tree with a mass of heart-shaped leaves and showy panicles of small, waxy, spring flowers. The perfume is extracted from the flowers and used commercially. The flowers were once used to treat fever. In the language of flowers, Lilac symbolizes the first emotions of love. If inhaled too deeply, however, the strong flower fragrance can cause nausea.

Other Uses: Lilac drives away evil where it is planted or strewn. It was originally planted in New England to keep evil from the property. The fresh flowers can be placed in a haunted house to clear it. Peace; Clairvoyance; Divination; Creativity; Happiness; Harmony

Lily of the Valley

Lily of the Valley – convallaria majalis – grows in the United Kingdom, a perennial. A herb used in heart medecines to slow the heart rate and chronic lung problem medications. A diuretic, reducing blood pressure. This herb is used in the same way as foxglove is used but a less toxic build up within the body.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Used in heart medicine, slows the heart beat. This herb is also a diuretic so lowers the blood pressure. Used as foxglove is used but this is less toxic.

Linden

Linden – tilia spp. – Linden have small highly fragrant flowers, and can be hard to identify, since they hybridize freely. The flowers are brewed to make a tea, the classic digestive end to a continental meal, and a treatment for insomnia, nervous tension, and overwrought children. The world’s most valued honey is made from Linden blossoms and is used in liqueurs and medicines. The inner bark treats kidney stones, gout and coronary disease.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Relieves stress and tension. Eases headaches, menstural pains, colic. Reduces high blood pressure.

Other Uses: Bark used for protection, leaves and flowers or immortality. Good Fortune, Sleep and Love. Hang branches over the door for protection or grow in the garden.

Lobelia

Lobelia – lobelia inflata – annual or biennial. One to two foot high. Native American Indians used this herb for smoking, hence another name for it, indian tobacco. It was smoked to relieve lung problems such as asthma, pleurisy, whooping cough and bronchitis. It has expectorant properties, loosening phlegm. Chemical properties similar to nicotine so is a herb used to help escape addiction to nicotine. A poultice of lobelia can be used to relieve sprains, bites, stings, muscle spasm, rheumatism, boils. etc. Large doses of this herb can be emetic and induce vomiting.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Relieves lung problems such as asthma, pleurisy, bronchitis. Nicotine substitute for people attempting to quit smoking. Emetic in larger doses. Can be used in a poultice for various external skin problems.

Loosestrife

Loosetrife – lythrum salicaria – Purple Loosestrife has a creeping rootstock, angled stems with lance-shaped leaves, and spikes of purple-red flowers. The leaves are eaten as an emergency vegetable and fermented into a mild alcohol. The flowering plant is an intestinal disinfectant, treating diarrhea and food poisoning. It acts as a typhus antibiotic, a sore throat gargle, and is given for fever and liver problems.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: The flowering plant is an intestinal disinfectant, treating diarrhea and food poisoning. It acts as a typhus antibiotic, a sore throat gargle, and is given for fever and liver problems.

Other Uses: Placed in the corners of each room, this herb restores harmony and brings peace. Give as a gift to bring about an accord.

Lotus

Lotus – nelumbo nucifera, nymphaea lotus – This aquatic herb’s waxy leaves rise high above the water its long-stalked fragrant flowers open at dawn and close at sunset. Lotus stalks, leaves, petals, seeds and rhizome are all eaten. The flowers are a religious offering in many cultures and are planted for devotional reasons.
The leaf of nelumbo nucifera is used for fever, sweating, irritability, dysentery, diarrhea, and scanty urine. It is a styptic -stops bleeding- and has been used to antidote alcohol and mushroom poisoning. It affects the liver, heart, and spleen energies. The nodes of the root are used to stop bleeding and to break down blood clots. All types of internal bleeding are affected. The plumule -bud- affects the heart, kidney, and spleen. It is used to calm mental agitation and worry, relieve insomnia, and lower fevers. The seed affects the kidney, heart, and spleen. It is used for agitation, insomnia, palpitations, dry mouth, dark urine, and chronic diarrhea. It strengthens the heart and kidneys.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: The leaf of Nelumbo nucifera is used for fever, sweating, irritability, dysentery, diarrhea, and scanty urine. The nodes of the root are used to stop bleeding and to break down blood clots.

Other Uses: Lotus is an all-purpose spiritual elixer. Burned as incense, it encourages the dead to seek their highest possible reincarnation. It reminds the living of their inner sanctity and divinity. Anyone who breathes the scent will receive its protection.