Name: Basil
Latin:
Other Common Names:
Family: Mint
Parts Used:
Vitamins/Minerals:
Used for: Improves concentration, assists with headaches, relieves depression, and can calm anxiety and stress. Some of the strains are anti-inflammatory.
Use in tandem with:
Directions & Warnings:
Name: Passionflower
Latin: Passiflora incarnata
Other Common Names:
Family:
Parts Used:
Vitamins/Minerals:
Used for: Is a good herb to use to ease the effects of stress. Can help to calm anxiety and ease nervous tension. Good herb to include in preparations for headaches, if stress is a factor, and can also assist with asthma. Used as an alternative to sedatives for both people and animals. Passionflower is one of the herbal pain-killers, although not in the pharmaceutical drug sense. Rather than deaden nerve endings, it soothes and nourishes the nerves and muscle tissue. Can also be used as an antispasmodic.
Use in tandem with:
Directions & Warnings: Preparations involving passionflower should be tested for the first time at a point when tiredness will not be an issue. For some people it is a fairly potent sedative.
Name: Motherwort
Latin: Leonurus cardiaca
Other Common Names: Herzgespan, Agripaume cardiaque, Yi mu cao
Family: Compositae (Sunflower)
Parts Used:
Vitamins/Minerals: Calcium
Used for: Good for moderating hot flashes and regulating mood. Also a very potent aid if you suffer from anxiety. Motherwort is particularly useful as while it is calming, while not being sedating. It also regulates and tones the thyroid, blood vessels, liver, heart, and uterus. It also can ease uterine cramping.
Use in tandem with:
Directions & Warnings: Unfortunately, motherwort has a distinctly unpleasant flavour, and is hard to utilize in teas or as a fresh green in salads. The best methods for utilizing this herb are tinctures and syrups.
Name: Thyme
Latin:
Other Common Names:
Family: Mint
Parts Used:
Vitamins/Minerals:
Used for: Thyme has been used to calm anxiety and panic, while increasing motivation.
Use in tandem with:
Directions & Warnings:
Name: Oatstraw
Latin: Avena Sativa
Other Common Names:
Parts Used:
Vitamins & Minerals: Silica, B Vitamins, Calcium
Used for: This is a nutrient rich herb that is quite good used as either a tonic infusion, or as a solid foundation for herbal teas. It is particularly high in silica, and assists in the assimilation of calcium. I have found it to have a synergistic effect with other herbs, strengthening their effects. Due to the action it has on calcium absorption and the amount of silica it contains, it helps to build stronger nails and bones, and makes hair healthier. Due to the sorts of vitamins it contains, it also has mild anti-depressant effects, and helps to calm anxiety. As it is also high in calcium, it can assist in relaxing the muscles and nerves. The combination of nutrients and effects make this herb a nerve tonic, toning and rehabilitating the nervous system over time. They also have enough mucilage that they function as a nerve cushioner, soothing and healing inflamed nerve endings. Oats are also a good basis for foods for convalescing. They are easy to digest, easy to flavor, and are gentle enough that they can usually be eaten following a high fever, a bout of food poisoning, or nasty flus. Oats are also good for the skin, and a wonderful choice for toiletries.