New Jersey Tea

New Jersey Tea – ceanothus americanus – This herb does make a refreshing tea, it is a stimulating replacement for black tea although it contains no caffeine. The herb is astringent, expectorant, haemostatic, antispasmodic and sedative. It is used to treat chest problems such as bronchitis, asthma, and whooping cough. It stimulates the lymphatic system to remove excess fluid build up, loosens phlegm, soothes sore throats. It has been used in preparations to aid the prevention of hemorrhage after surgery.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: The root is astringent, antispasmodic and expectorant. It is used to treat asthma, whooping cough, sore throat, and tonsillitis. It also stimulates the lymphatic system, aiding in the removal of fluids built up in the tissue.

Nigella

Nigella – nigella sativa – Used both as a culinary herb and medicinal herb. Nigella is beneficial to the digestive system: calming, easing stomach pains and flatulence. The seeds are also used to promote lactation. Externally, this herb is used to relieve eczema, wounds, bites, stings, abscesses, and hemorrhoids.
The oil in the seeds is a natural insect repellent.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: A digestive herb – easing stomach pain and flatulence. Also used to increase lacation. Antiseptic – used on external abscesses, wounds, hemorrhoids, eczema.

Nightshade, Black

Nightshade, Black – solanum nigrum – This plant has many properties but is mostly used externally. Poultices or washes are used to treat boils, sores, and wounds. Also, the plant is antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic making it an ingredient used in analgesic ointments and creams.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Can be applied, externally, in a poultice to relieve boils, wounds, sores. An ingredient in analgesic ointments.

Oak

Oak – quercus alba or spp. – Also known as Tanner’s Bark, White Oak, and Common Oak. A Druid Holy tree, the oak was the King of trees in a grove. Oak bark and galls are astringent and antiseptic. Oak bark provides tannin and as leather tanners seemed immune to tuberculosis, the bark was used for treatment of the disease.
The white oak, Q. alba, is the best for internal use. Infuse the inner bark or young leaf, before Midsummer, for douches and enemas. Internal rectal problems, hemorrhoids, leukorrhea, menstrual irregularities, and bloody urine are also benefitted. Take internally as a tea. The tea brings down fevers, treats diarrhea, and makes a wash for sores. Up to three cups a day may be safely taken. As a gargle, it treats mouth sores and sore throats. Being an astringent, it stops internal bleeding. Black oak -Q. tinctoria- and red oak -Q. rubra- can be used externally. English oak -Q. robur- can be used both externally and internally.
Oak leaves are prepared in infusion for douches to treat vaginal infections; gather them before Midsummer. To prepare, steep one tablespoon per quart of water for thirty minutes. A tea of the buds is a valuable tonic for the liver; steep two teaspoons per cup of water for twenty minutes. Simmer the bark in salves to make a remedy for hemorrhoids.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: The tea brings down fevers, treats diarrhea, and makes a wash for sores. Up to three cups a day may be safely taken. As a gargle, it treats mouth sores and sore throats.

Other Uses: Symbolizes abundance, fertility, longevity, protection, and the ability to withstand the lightening blasts of spiritual awareness while remaning firmly rooted in the material. All oak tree parts are powerful protective charms, which bring healing.

Oakmoss

Forms Available: essential oil, absolute

Oakmoss – pseudevernia prunastri – Oak Moss is a whitish blue to green, shrubby lichen. A lichen is an alga,which photosynthesizes, and a fungus operating together in a symbiotic relationship. The Arabs use ground Oak Moss to leaven bread. It is collected as a violet-scented fixative and an oleo-resin, extracted for perfumes and soap. Native Americans used it when binding wounds; it is a stomach tonic and an expectorant, and soothes coughs. Oak Moss yields a purple wool dye, but air pollution has made it scarce.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Native Americans used it when binding wounds; it is a stomach tonic and an expectorant, and soothes coughs.

Other Uses: Use to attract money.

Okra

Okra – hibiscus esculentus – This plant has demulcent and emollient properties. Also said to stimulate blood flow and aid the control of blood pressure. The fruit is rich in vitamins A,B,C and G.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: A soothing plant, dumulcent and emollient properties.

Olive Oil

Forms Available: oil

Olive Oil – olea europaea – Olive oil has the properties of being calming, demulcent and emollient and can be used pure or in blends for burns, sprains, bruises, insect bites, to relieve itchy skin, and to massage the gums of those suffering from pyorrhoea -periodontal disease.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Calming, demulcent and emollient and can be used pure or in blends for burns, sprains, bruises, insect bites, to relieve itchy skin, and to massage the gums of those suffering from pyorrhoea.

Opoponax

Forms Available: essential oil, resin

Opoponax – commiphora guidotti – steam distilled wildcrafted resin, Ethiopia. Opoponax is a resin from the Myrrh family native to eastern Africa and the Middle East. Opoponax, along with Myrrh, has been a component of incenses, perfumes, insect repellents, and herbal remedies since biblical times. The Egyptians also used myrrh to help preserve their mummies. May cause sensitization. Opoponax is known as “scented myrrh”. Its scent is sweet, spicy, balsamic and warm. It’s an excellet fixative for blends or perfumes which use Neroli in the mix. Opoponax has muscle relaxing properties. Due to its drying action is effective against excessive mucous in the lungs. Recommended in cases of bronchitis, colds, sore throats, and coughs. Blends well with patchouli, orange, lemon, frankincense and sandalwood.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Due to its drying action is effective against excessive mucous in the lungs. Recommended in cases of bronchitis, colds, sore throats, and coughs. Blends well with patchouli, orange, lemon, frankincense and sandalwood.