Latin Name: viburnum opulus Alternative Name: high cranberry, crampbark, cranberry tree, whitten tree, guelder rose Forms Available: leaf, bark, fruit
Viburnum – viburnum opulus – the fruit from this plant can be eaten raw or cooked as a cranberry substitute. It was used by some Native American Indians for general body cramps. This plant is highly antispasmodic. It relieves cramps of all kinds: menstrual cramps, asthma, colic, spasms after childbirth and general body cramping. It is also used to treat high blood pressure.
Aromatherapy & Health Uses: An antispasmodic herb – treats cramps of all kinds. A muscle relaxant. Relieves: menstrual cramps, colic, asthma, general muscle spasms.
Latin Name: viola odorata, viola sp. Alternative Name: heartsease, little faces, sweet violet, blue violet, viola. Forms Available: Whole Plant, absolute oil
Violet – viola odorata – Also called Heartsease, Little Faces, and Viola. This stemless perennial has scalloped, heart-shaped leaves and violet or white, sweetly scented flowers from winter to spring. The crystallized flowers flavor sweets and liqueurs and are tossed in salads with the leaves. The root treats bronchitis. The leaves are a folk remedy for breast and lung cancer. The flower syrup is antiseptic and a mild laxative, and with the leaves treats coughs, headaches, and insomnia. Ancient Greeks wore the violet to calm tempers and to induce sleep
The whole plant is used, fresh or dry. The leaves can be eaten as a type of wild spinach, and the flowers are used in salads and desserts. High in iron, the fresh leaf is used internally and externally for cancer, especially of the colon, throat, and tongue. For this purpose, the fresh laves should be infused daily and taken as tea; using one teaspoon of plant parts to a half cup of water, steep and take a quarter cup four times a day. The tea can be applied externally as a fomentation. The flowers are laxative; the roots and stems are emetic and purgative. The fresh leaves are used in salves and poultices for wounds.
Aromatherapy & Health Uses: The flowers are laxative; the roots and stems are emetic and purgative. The fresh leaves are used in salves and poultices for wounds.
Other Uses: Violet crowns are said to cure headache, bring sleep, and calm anger. Violets are mixed with lavender, apple blossoms, yarrow, and roses in love potions. The leaf is a protecion from all evil. Use for: Protection; Luck; Love; Lust; Wishes; Peace; Healing
Latin Name: clematis virgiana Alternative Name: ladies’ bower, traveler’s ivy, Forms Available: leaf
Virgin’s Bower – clematis virgiana – This is a very corrosive plant if used, either internally or externally, in it’s raw state. It should be boiled and dried before use. Has been used, externally, to relieve eczema and itching skin conditions and internally, to relieve headache, toothache, and the pain associated with uterine diseases, cystitis, urethritis and gonorrhea.
Aromatherapy & Health Uses: This herb must be dried and boiled before use. Has been used, externally, to relieve eczema and itching skin conditions and internally, to relieve headache, toothache, and the pain associated with uterine diseases.
Latin Name: parthenocissus quinquefolia Alternative Name: woodbind, boodbine Forms Available: root, stem, fruit
Virginia Creeper – parthenocissus quinquefolia – This plant is astringent, diuretic, expectorant and tonic. Poultices and washes can be applied, externally, to reduce inflammation and relieve itchy skin rashes such as poison ivy. A tea, made from the roots, has been used to treat diarrhea and gonorrhea.
The tea has also been used to treat jaundice.
Aromatherapy & Health Uses: The leaves make a wash that can be used on poison ivy rash and inflammations. A tea, made from the roots, has been used to treat diarrhea and gonorrhea.
Latin Name: vitex agnus-castus Alternative Name: chaste berry, chasteberry, monk’s pepper, chaste tree, cloister pepper, indian spice, agno casto, hemp tree Forms Available: seed, fruit, berry
Vitex – vitex agnus-castus – This herb is “a women’s herb”. Vitex regulates the female reproductive system: restores menstruation, relieves premenstrual syndrome, relieves the symptoms of menopause, restores hormonal balance, and stimulates the growth of the lining of the uterus.
Aromatherapy & Health Uses: “A women’s herb”. Regulates the female reproductive system, relieves premenstrual syndrome, stimulates the growth of the lining of the uterus.
Walnut Oil – juglans regia – Very unsaturated, walnut oil presents good moisturizing, anti-aging, regenerative, emollient and toning properties. This oil is obtained from walnut kernels by cold expression and subsequent refining. Walnuts are unique among nuts because the essential fat they contain is primarily polyunsaturated -the source of omega-3 fatty acid. Walnuts contain a host of other important vitamins and minerals. Walnut oil is a clear, grease less, penetrating oil, that is a rich source of fatty acids essential to maintaining the skin’s cellular integrity. Walnut oil is not a cooking oil; high heat destroys its delicate flavor. Where it does shine is as an ingredient in a salad dressing or a fresh pasta sauce. It can be used in any cosmetic product as an active principal or as a carrier in the oily phase, without any proportion limit.
Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Very unsaturated, walnut oil presents good moisturizing, anti-aging, regenerative, emollient and toning properties.
Latin Name: nasturtium officinale Alternative Name: berro, brown cress, cress, nasturtium Forms Available: leaf, seed
Watercress – nasturtium officinale – Watercress leaves are eaten either raw or cooked. The flavor is strong and hot. The seed can be ground and used as a mustard. This plant is a well known medicinal plant, it has a high level of vitamins and minerals and is a cleansing herb. It’s main quality is that of a diuretic and detoxifier – it’s use flushes the body of excess fluid and toxins and cleans the blood resulting in the breaking and shifting of kidney stones and the clearing up of skin problems such as eczema, acne, and psoriasis. It is a liver tonic, promoting the production and flow of bile. It prevents the build up of flatulence and relieves indigestion. Externally, in a poultice, the leaves are crushed and applied to relieve rheumatism and gout.
Aromatherapy & Health Uses: A diuretic plant, cleansing and purifying the body of toxins and excess fluid. A tonic for the kidneys and bladder. Expectorant, loosening and shifting phlegm so relieving coughs and lung congestion.
Wheat Germ Oil – triticum spp. – This oil is thick, sticky and antioxidant. It’s also very rich in vitamin E, a natural antioxidant. Based on this, it can be added to other carrier oil sot act as a preservative. Wheat germ oil can be used to nourish dry or cracked skin and soothes skin problems such as eczema and psoriasis; also helps to prevent and reduce scarring and may prevent stretch marks. Mature skin, in particular, will benefit from wheat germ oil. It’s also known to be beneficial for tired muscles, making a good base for after sport massage. Some people use it as a preservative in vegetable oils, soaps and toiletries, and others totally disagree as to its preservative powers. People allergic to wheat flour may have reactions to wheat germ oil.
Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Wheat germ oil can be used to nourish dry or cracked skin and soothes skin problems such as eczema and psoriasis; also helps to prevent and reduce scarring and may prevent stretch marks. Mature skin, in particular, will benefit from wheat germ oil.
White Clover – trifolium repens – The flowers, leaves and root of this plant can be eaten. The flowers make a tea, the leaves are a potherb and the root is simply cooked. Medicinally, an infusion of the plant has been used to treat coughs, colds and fevers. The leaves have been used, in an ointment, for relief of gout.
Aromatherapy & Health Uses: An ointment for gout or an infusion for treating coughs, colds, fevers.
Latin Name: meliltus alba, melilotus albus Alternative Name: white melilot, common melilot Forms Available: leaf, flower, seed
White Sweet Clover – meliltus alba – An edible plant. The seeds are like peas and can be used as seasoning for soup. The fresh shoots can be eaten raw or cooked. The flowers have a vanilla flavor and can be eaten raw or cooked. The dried leaves and flowers should not be eaten but they have been used for medicinal purposes – they contain coumarin, an anticlotting agent.
Aromatherapy & Health Uses: The leaves of this plant have been used, dried, as an anticlotting agent. The flowers, dried, have been used externally to treat ulcers.
