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, [...]
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, [...]
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, [...]
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 [...]
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, [...]
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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 [...]
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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. [...]
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 [...]
Botanical name:
Equisetum arvense
Description:
A ferny little perennial with a rhizome that resembles a string of beads. It appears in two stages: a fertile first stage, and a sterile second stage. The first stage flowers spike atop stalk, with sharp-toothed, ringed leaf sheathes. Leaves occur at one inch intervals along length of yellowish, bamboo-like stalk that easily snap apart at the [...]
Botanical name: Astragalus membranaceus
Description: A bushy perennial legume usually about 16 – 36 inches tall with hairy stems and six to eight inch long fern-like fronds of leaves. It has an eight inch long, flat yellow-colored root, and seed pods like one inch miniature soy beans.
Properties: Adaptogen, alterative, antibacterial, anti-hydrotic, anti- inflammatory, antiviral, aphrodisiac, cardio [...]