DESCRIPTION Ginger has been used since ancient times in cooking and in medicine. It is found in the Caribbean, West Africa, and the Far East. It is a warming and comforting herb with many medicinal uses. Tire root is used fresh or dried. Ginger essential oil is produced from the root by steam distillation. It is a pale greenish-yellow color and has an exotic, hot aroma. HERBALISM USES Ginger is [ Read More ]
DESCRIPTION The grape vine is a deciduous climber reputed to live for hundreds of years. It climbs by means of long curling tendrils. Hie large, palm size leaves are used to wrap food and cheeses. Tlic fruit is eaten fresh, dried as raisins, pulped to make juice and fermented to make wine. The grape seed is crushed to extract an oil. FLOWER ESSENCE USES Vine is one of the remedies [ Read More ]
DESCRIPTION The berries of this pretty Mediterranean shrub, also known as the chaste tree, are used in herlialism. HERBALISM USES The decoction or tincture is useful for PMS, especially with irritability, mood swings, breast pain, and water retention. Use it for menopausal symptoms especially with mood swings and depression. Use it with sage for hot flushes. It is also good for early menopause and prolonged menstrual bleeding. It also helps [ Read More ]
DESCRIPTION Cramp bark is taken from the wild form of the guelder rose, which is a small tree with creamy flowers that grows on chalky soils. HERBALISM USES A decoction, tincture, or capsules are useful for any sort of cramping pains including leg cramps, colic, period pains, muscle spasm, and shoulder and neck tension. Back pain usually involves an element of muscle spasm and it often improves dramatically. The cream [ Read More ]
DESCRIPTION Vetiivrt essential oil is extracted by steam distillation from the rootlets of wild grass that originated in India; it is a cousin of lemongrass, citronella, and palmarosa. Vetivert is grown in South America, Indonesia, and the Caribbean. The oil is a rich dark brown or amber or a dark olive green color, and it has a distitictive earthy, woody, sweet aroma. AROMATHERAPY USES The soothing properties of vetivert oil [ Read More ]
DESCRIPTION Vervain is a common wayside perennial growing 1—2f!.(30—60cni.) high in dry, sunny places. Tlie leatvs are deep and irregularly cut and covered with short hairs. The stem is square. It has an unprepossessing wild flower that is often missed. The whole plant is used in herbalism. Pick in full flower. HERBALISM USES Vervain is one of the most useful general tonics. The tea or tincture is helpful for weariness [ Read More ]
DESCRIPTION Mullein is a beautiful wildflower with a tall, thick spike of yellow flowers. Both the leaves and flowers are used in herbalism. HERBALISM USES A tea, tincture, and syrup of leaves or flowering spikes is helpful for deep and ticklish coughs and bronchitis. It is helpful in asthma, by clearing sticky mucus. To make mullein tobacco, rub honey water into the dried leaves, spread on a tray and allow [ Read More ]
DESCRIPTION Valerian it a wild plant with pink or white flowers that grows in damp places. The valerian root is used in herbalism. HERBALISM USES The decoction or tincture is helpful for anxiety, confusion, headaches due to tension, migraines, depression with anxiety. It is useful on plane journeys. Valerian helps withdrawal from tranquilizers. Use with motherwort or hawthorn for palpitations; with thyme for irritable coughs and smoker’s cough; with linden [ Read More ]
DESCRIPTION The elm is a majestic deciduous tree, 150ft. (45-50m.) tall with a strong and massive trunk. It was once a common and powerful presence in the English countryside. Since 1970, Dutch elm disease has killed millions of trees in Europe and North America. FLOWER ESSENCE USES Elm is one of the remedies for those wh suffer despondency and despair. It is used for temporary feelings of inadequacy. Elm types [ Read More ]
DESCRIPTION The bark of this small American tree is usually sold powdered to use in herbalism. HERBALISM USES Use a decoction, powder, or tablets for any sort of inflammation or irritation in the digestive tract; nausea, indigestion, wind, food allergies, stomach ulcers, acidity, heartburn, hiatus hernia, abdominal distension, colitis, diverticulitis, and diarrhea. This is one of the most useful herbal medicines in this area. Slippery elm bark is often used [ Read More ]
