Name: Mouse-eared Hawkbit
Latin: Hieracium pilosella
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Used for: This plant has antibiotic properties.
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Name: Peppermint
Latin: Mentha piperita
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Family: Mint
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Vitamins/Minerals: Calcium
Used for: Fights inflammation, is a bronchiodilator, has some effect against headaches, can be a coffee substitute, and is an effective element in cold and flu preparations. It is also good for most digestive issues. It can ease pain, and supports proper liver and nerve function. One of the reasons it makes a good coffee substitute is that the stimulation it gives comes from a healthier angle. Peppermint stimulates because of the nutritive value and by increasing circulation. It wakes the system up, rather than agitating it. Because it is kind of a catchall, I often use it to make medicinal teas more palatable, as it assists in mitigating unpleasant flavours.
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Edibility: So many different ways. In water, in tea, in cocoa, in lemonade, in cookies, in cakes, in frosting, in….. I also saw a suggestion for mixing sprigs of it in with peas, which I will have to try.
Other Uses for: Bugs don’t like it when fresh and growing, so it can be used as a barrier along a house, or as an assist for more delicate plants.
Growing: Mint likes shade, so if you have a darker area that you aren’t sure what to plant, mint is a good fill-in. A bit literally, actually, because it really likes space, and will propagate itself in a number of ways all over the place.
Name: Bayberry
Latin: Myrica cerifera)
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Parts Used: Roots and Bark
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Used for: Used as a poultice on sores. It is an astringent. Can be used to slow or stop bleeding. Tea can be used as a gargle for sore throat. It also improves circulation.
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Directions & Warnings: Be careful with dosage, as too much can cause nausea and vomiting.
Name: Black Cohosh
Latin: Cimicifuga racemosa
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Parts Used: Root
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Used for: As a natural supplier of estrogen, black cohosh is an herb that is useful for a wide variety of female issues. The research studies have focused primarily on its use for menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, vaginal discomfort, and osteoporosis. It also assists with incidences of menstrual migraines. It is also useful for pms, assisting with a wide range of symptoms, and helping to ease painful menstruation. It is useful during labour, facilitating effective contractions. Also assists with the recovery after the child is born. It is said to ease false labour pains, but overall I do not suggest using at all during pregnancy until labour has begun.
Use in tandem with: Red Clover
Directions & Warnings: Do not take this herb if you are pregnant or planning on becoming so. Do not give this herb to children. Also, if you begin having headaches after taking black cohosh, it is likely a sign that your estrogen levels are fine and you should use something else. Sarsaparilla and Ginseng are decent substitutes. Over 50 years of studied use in Germany have yielded no sign of toxicity, side effects, or drug interactions.
Name: Nasturtium
Latin: Tropaeolium majus
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Used for: This plant has antibiotic properties. Tasty in salads.
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Name: White Willow
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Used for: The herb, mixed with vinegar, is said to be effective against warts and corns. During menopause, willowbark has been found to lower incidences of night sweats and hot flashes. Willowbark can also be used to lower fevers. However, the primary usage for willowbark is as a pain reliever. Aspirin was created from a compound found within willowbark, and they have similar actions and effects. There are benefits to using the herb rather than the pill. For one, the other constituents of willowbark make it far gentler on the stomach, and though it takes a bit longer to act than aspirin, the effects are longer lasting, and generally more effective.
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Directions & Warnings: Same as aspirin, although to a far lesser extent.
Name: Feverfew
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Used for: Used for headaches, particularly migraines.
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Directions & Warnings: Not for use during pregnancy, or if wishing to become pregnant. Feverfew is a potent emmenagogue.
Name: Comfrey
Latin: Symphytum officinale
Other Common Names: Knitbone
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Vitamins/Minerals: Potassium, Calcium, Vitamin A
Used for: Used as a poultice for burns, sprains, bruises, and wounds. Can make the pain lessen, as well as speed healing. Taken internally it will assist with the speed of knitting broken bones. It can also act as a mild laxative. It contains high amounts of a compound called allantoin, which encourages cell regeneration.
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Directions & Warnings: The FDA is really worried about comfrey, and while I argue most of the ways they approach dealing with herbs (especially when compared to how they deal with Big Pharma), comfrey they are pursuing to an extent that I only suggest it for external use.
Name: Purslane
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Vitamins/Minerals: Omega 3’s, calcium, magnesium, potassium, phenylalanine, tryptophan, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Vitamin A
Used for: Due to the nutrients contained within purslane, it is one of the best herbs for fighting depression. It is also a potent nutritive, a one cup serving giving you all of your vitamin E, magnesium, calcium, and potassium. The same nutritive qualities make this excellent for strengthening bones, maintaining healthy nerves, and balancing electrolytes.
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Name: Alfalfa
Latin: Medicago Sativa
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Used for: Alfalfa is a fairly deep rooted plant, and thus picks up trace minerals from the soil. Because of this action, it can be used as a cover crop, and then some of it plowed under to doubly enrich the soil. It contains essential digestive enzymes and amino acids. It is quite rich in vitamins, and can be used as a tonic infusion for regular use, although the taste may be a little “green” for many. It can be used as a blood thinner, and a detox herb. Some athletes use it for increasing endurance and energy. As alfalfa is one of the vitamin rich tonic herbs, it can be used to assist in a variety of conditions, as malnutrition or lacking in specific nutrients can make just about any condition worse. Alfalfa is also a galactagogue, which means that it assists in increasing the production of milk while nursing. It can also be used as a gentle substitute for estrogen after menopause. There are also signs that it helps to maintain normal cholesterol levels.
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Uses for Pets: Arthritis, blood disorders
Directions & Warnings: None known