Botanical name: Sambucus spp.
Description: A perennial bush that is almost a tree. It stands from six to 12 feet high with compound leaves divided into opposing, serrate-edged leaflets. In bloom in the early summer, it displays flat-topped clusters of tiny whitish blossoms with an intense bittersweet scent; and smooth dark colored berries that appear in [...]
Herbs
Herb of the month: Elderberry
Herb of the month: Mullein
Botanical name: Verbascum thapus
Description: A dicotyledonous plant growing up to 2 meters tall without branches. The tall pole-like stem is covered with filaments, and boasts a dense spike of bright yellow flowers. They become smaller higher up the stem, and less strongly decurrent toward the bottom. Flowers start at the bottom of the spike and [...]
Hawthorn: Blood-Control HQ
Botanical name:
Crataegus oxycantha
Description:
Thorny bush or tree of the rose family standing up to 15 feet tall. Blooms in the spring, mostly in the month of May with clusters of white, cream, or pink or red flowers which the ship Mayflower was named after. Leaves are alternate, lobed or toothed. Fruits are blood-red spherical berries.
Properties:
Alterative, Anti-Spasmodic, [...]
Milk Thistle: Liver cleanser
Botanical name: Silybum marianum
Description: An erect, tall branched biennial plant. Its large, alternate leaves are waxy-lobed, toothed and thorny. The lower leaves attach to the stem without a leafstalk, while the upper leaves are clasping at the base. Leaves are mottled with splashes of white containing a milky sap; where it gets its name. in bloom, [...]
30 Medicinal Culinary Herbs
Allspice
A common herb among bakers. It is mainly a catalyst herb, enhancing other herb flavors and treats. However, drinking Allspice tea is known to eliminate indigestion, gas, and griping. It is helpful as a fever-breaker in colds also. It is a versatile herb that can be added to sauces, puddings, pies, cakes, cookies, raisins, pumpkin, [...]
Culinary herbs continued.
Nutmeg
An herb with a strong aroma, strong enough to soothe a headache. It stimulates digestion; relieves gas and nausea. One-half Nutmeg crushed and steeped in one cup of hot water, sweetened with honey, alleviates insomnia. Nutmeg makes great addition to baked foods, enhances the flavor of dairy foods and fruit. Try it grated over applesauce [...]
More Culinary herbs
Coriander
Coriander leaves are commonly known as Cilantro, a favorite in Mexican dishes and in Middle and Far Eastern dishes. A tea of Coriander seeds will stop griping caused by laxatives. Chew on seeds to soothe upset stomachs or aid digestion. A poultice of crushed seeds alleviates rheumatic pains. Leaves make a delectable addition to soups, [...]
Pau d’Arco
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Botanical name:
Tabebuia avellanedae
Description:
A majestic flowering Amazonian tree that starts out as a vine, and grows up to 30 meters high with base spanning three meters in diameter. It is a tropical tree with beautiful yellow blossoms. However, the T. heptaphylla species is violet-flowered.
Properties:
Adaptogen, alterative, analgesic, antifungal, antimicrobial, antiviral, astringent, blood purifier.
Origin:
The Amazon. The ancient Incas, of Peru realized its therapeutic [...]
Licorice Root
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Botanical name: Glycyrrhiza glabra
Description: A hardy perennial plant ranging up to two meters tall. It stands erect with light, gracefully-spreading pinnate foliage and dark green oblong leaflets. It displays violet to lavender colored flowers in mid-summer bloom. The taproots (brown exterior and yellow interior) grow up to four feet branching out and tangling each other. [...]
Burdock
Botanical name:
Arctium lappa
Description:
A stout and largely branched biennial plant with flower-topped branches. The flowers are rough-edged which allows them to cling to almost any object that brushes by the plant. It has a solid tap root system that is somewhat tough on harvesters.
Properties:
Alterative, Anti-allergic, Anti-cancer, Antimutagenic, Antipruritic, Aperient, Bitter, Cholagogue, Detoxifying, Hepatic, Hypoglycemic, Mast Cell Stabilizer, Stomachic.
Origin:
Unknown. Mentions of the [...]