Arnica

Arnica – arnica montana – Oral administration of arnica is often accompanied by severe side effects!! For external use in injury and for consequences of accidents, e.g., hematoma, dislocations, contusions, edema due to fracture, rheumatic muscle and joint problems. Especially when applied topically, arnica preparations have antiphlogistic activity. In cases of inflammation, arnica preparations also show analgesic and antiseptic activity. One of the best ways to use Arnica is to make an oil infusion and then apply it to the affected area. Should not to be applied to broken skin.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: In cases of inflammation, arnica preparations also show analgesic and antiseptic activity. One of the best ways to use Arnica is to make an oil infusion and then apply it to the affected area.

Arrowhead

Arrowhead – sagittaria latifolia – This root can be eaten either raw or cooked. A tea can be made from the roots. A poultice, made from the leaves, has been helpful in stopping lactation and a poultice made from the roots helps heal wounds.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: A poultice made from the leaves to stop lactation,and a poultice made from the root to heal wounds.

Arrowroot

Arrowroot – maranta arundinaceae – Produced from the fecula or starch of the rhizome. Arrowroot is the edible starch of several tropical plant roots. The root is peeled and grated into water, and the fine-textured starch is extracted. It can be useful as a thickener in healthcare diets where blandness and digestibility are of particular importance. It looks and feels like cornstarch and is very white. Arrowroot is used as a thickening agent for sauces, fruit pie fillings and glazes, and puddings and has no flavor. Arrowroot mixtures thicken at a lower temperature than mixtures made with flour or cornstarch. Mix Arrowroot with cool liquids before adding hot liquids, then cook until mixture thickens. Remove immediately to prevent mixture from thinning. Arrowroot is used in toiletries primarily for making body powder and baby powder, along with other ingredients.

Asafetida

Asafetida – Ferula asafoetida – Also called Stinking Gum. The pungent gum is extracted from the living rootstock by notching the plant at soil level. It was a popular Roman condiment. Research suggests the plant is anticoagulant and lowers blood pressure. Used to treat stomach ailments such as intestinal flu, gas, and bloating. Add a pinch to beans as they cook.
The herb is good in cases of Candida albicans. Has been used for asthma, bronchitis, and whooping cough because of it’s antispasmodic properties and is a good herb for croup and colic in babies. Another method is to give it to infants via the rectum – make an emulsion with four parts asafetida to one hundred parts water and insert. It has been used as a sedative for hysteria and convulsion.
Please Note: This herb tastes awful and is perhaps best taken in capsule form, one hundred milligrams to one gram being the dose.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Ayurvedic practice – this botanical is regarded as a remedy for nervous disorders and gastric spasms. It is also used for colic and coughing relief.

Other Uses: Use for prophetic dreams, exorcism, and protection. Worn in a bag around the neck, asafetida dispels diseases and evils of all kinds. It literally repels evil spirits! Add a clove of garlic to enhance the effect. Asafetida is a classic for exorcism.

Ash Tree

Ash Tree – Fraxinus americana or excelsior – A Druid sacred tree. This spring-flowering deciduous tree has smooth gray bark and showy, scented flowers, although the scent is unpleasant to some. The bark of the ash can be used as a substitute for quinine in intermittent fevers. It is reputed to clear obstructions from the spleen and liver. Simmer two tablespoons of bark for twenty minutes in one cup water; take a quarter-cup four times a day. The leaves are laxative and can be used as a substitute for senna. Steep two tablespoons of the leaf in one cup of water for twenty minutes; take one quarter cup four times a day.

Other Uses: Ash is the sacred world tree of the Teutons, known as Yggdrasil. Ash wood makes a traditional Yule log. Druid wands were often made of ash and carved with decorations. Ash wands are good for healing, general and solar magic.

Asiatic Dayflower

Asiatic Dayflower – commelina communis – This plant is antibacterial, astringent, depurative, diuretic, and febrifuge. Used to make a throat gargle that relieves sore throats. The dried plant can be used in treating bleeding, diarrhoea and fevers.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: antibacterial, astringent, depurative, diuretic, and febrifuge. A throat gargle can be made that relieves sore throats. The dried plant can be used in treating bleeding, diarrhoea and fevers.

Asparagus Fern

Asparagus Fern – asparagus officinalis, asparagus racemosus, asparagus cochinchinensis – The roots and shoots of the asparagus are healing and cleansing to the liver, bowels and kidneys. Asparagus causes increased cellular activity in the kidneys, hence increasing urine production. Asparagus roots are diuretic and laxative. The roots are also reported to lower blood pressure. Asparagus is considered antibiotic, antispasmodic, cancer, cardiac, demulcent, diaphoretic, diuretic, laxative, sedative, and tonic.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Aspargus is considered antibiotic, antispasmodic, aperient, cancer, cardiac, demulcent, diaphoretic, diuretic, laxative, sedative, and tonic.

Babassu Oil

Babassu Oil – Orbignya martiana, O. oleifera, or O. speciosa – Babassu is a big palm tree about 20 meters high native to Brazil. It is extensively cultivated and presents a very important industrial and economical resource for Brazil. Its principal product is a rather stable, light yellow, clear oil which is employed in food, soap and detergency industries. This oil is similar in properties and uses to coconut oil and is used increasingly as a substitute for it. Babassu oil is cold pressed from the kernel. Flour, animal feed, medicines and beverages can all be produced from the fruit, while the seeds contain oil useful for cooking and soap-making. Even the leaves provide thatch for houses and can be woven into mats for constructing house walls, while stems are used for timbers. Babassu oil does not readily become rancid.