Herbal Remedies
More natural medication for those who don't want to use prescription drugs. WARNING: Many are not purity tested.
Slippery Elm
As its name im[lies, this is a member of the elm family. It's found throughout North America. The part used in remedies is the bark.
As its name im[lies, this is a member of the elm family. It's found throughout North America. The part used in remedies is the bark.
Penny Royal
Another herbal remedy from ancient times used for multiple purposes, including headaches and abortion. It's also useful as an insect repellent and has an odor reminiscent of citronella. Pennyroyal belongs to the mint family.
Another herbal remedy from ancient times used for multiple purposes, including headaches and abortion. It's also useful as an insect repellent and has an odor reminiscent of citronella. Pennyroyal belongs to the mint family.
Nettle
Nettle is a herb of many uses, used to treat such varied ailments as gout, urinary infection and hay fever. It has even been used aa a hair restorer. It grows freely in most countries.
Nettle is a herb of many uses, used to treat such varied ailments as gout, urinary infection and hay fever. It has even been used aa a hair restorer. It grows freely in most countries.
Mullein
In the past, Native Americans smoked mullein leaves like tobacco to treat respiratory illness. Also known as caldlewich plant because of its shape and yellow flowers, it seems to grow almost everywhere.
In the past, Native Americans smoked mullein leaves like tobacco to treat respiratory illness. Also known as caldlewich plant because of its shape and yellow flowers, it seems to grow almost everywhere.
Mallow or Marshmallow
Mallow coes from a plant related to the hibiscus and has been known as a herbal remedy for many years. It has been used since Biblical times, not only medicinally, but also as a food to stave off famine.
Mallow coes from a plant related to the hibiscus and has been known as a herbal remedy for many years. It has been used since Biblical times, not only medicinally, but also as a food to stave off famine.
Licorice
Used as a medicine since Roman times. Also used in Chinese herbal remedies. Licorince is a small shrub belonging to the pea family. Originally grown in the meditteranean regions, but mow widespread.
Used as a medicine since Roman times. Also used in Chinese herbal remedies. Licorince is a small shrub belonging to the pea family. Originally grown in the meditteranean regions, but mow widespread.
Hyssop
Hyssop is a plant that comes from the same family as mint. The parts used are the aromatic leaves and blue flowers. It's used in some wines and also in perfumes.
Hyssop is a plant that comes from the same family as mint. The parts used are the aromatic leaves and blue flowers. It's used in some wines and also in perfumes.
Horehound
Horehound comes from a plant native to Europe and Asia, and which has been transplanted to North America. Some varieties are used as flavoring in foods and candy.
Horehound comes from a plant native to Europe and Asia, and which has been transplanted to North America. Some varieties are used as flavoring in foods and candy.
Ginkgo or Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba has been used in Chinese medicine for jundreds of years. It comes from the leaves of the ginkgo biloba tree (also known as the maidenhair tree.) It is recognized as a treatment for memory loss.
Ginkgo biloba has been used in Chinese medicine for jundreds of years. It comes from the leaves of the ginkgo biloba tree (also known as the maidenhair tree.) It is recognized as a treatment for memory loss.
Garlic
Garlic grows world-wide. The bulb, crushed or ground into powder, is used as a seasoning. An old tale says wearing a bag of garlic will ward off colds, not to mention vampires and just about everyone else.
Garlic grows world-wide. The bulb, crushed or ground into powder, is used as a seasoning. An old tale says wearing a bag of garlic will ward off colds, not to mention vampires and just about everyone else.
Eucalyptus
The eucalyptus tree grows in Aistralia and the leaves provide food for koala bears. Parts of the plant have been used for over 100 years to treat colds.
The eucalyptus tree grows in Aistralia and the leaves provide food for koala bears. Parts of the plant have been used for over 100 years to treat colds.
Echinacea
Also called purple coneflower, echinacea is native to North America. Flowers from May to October and belongs to the same plant family as dandelions, daisies and marigolds.
Also called purple coneflower, echinacea is native to North America. Flowers from May to October and belongs to the same plant family as dandelions, daisies and marigolds.
Coltsfoot
Coltsfoot has been used for over 2000 years in Europe and Asia to treat respiratory ailments. It;s a creeping plant that also grows in Canada and the northern States.
Coltsfoot has been used for over 2000 years in Europe and Asia to treat respiratory ailments. It;s a creeping plant that also grows in Canada and the northern States.
Boneset
Boneset is derived from a herbaceous plant that grows in the United States and parts of Canada. It was used by Native Americans, and, later, by early colonists to treat colds and influenza.
Boneset is derived from a herbaceous plant that grows in the United States and parts of Canada. It was used by Native Americans, and, later, by early colonists to treat colds and influenza.
Barberry
Barberry comes from the wood, bark and roots of an ornamental shrub common to Europe and parts of North America.
Barberry comes from the wood, bark and roots of an ornamental shrub common to Europe and parts of North America.
Angelica
A perennial plant belonging to the parsley family bearing white umbrella shaped flowers.
A perennial plant belonging to the parsley family bearing white umbrella shaped flowers.
Chamomile
Chamomile is a european plant related to the sunflower and used medicinally as a relaxant.
Chamomile is a european plant related to the sunflower and used medicinally as a relaxant.
Avena Sativa (Oats)
Avena Sativa (Oats) is a harmless, natural sleep-inducing preparation made from common oats.
Avena Sativa (Oats) is a harmless, natural sleep-inducing preparation made from common oats.
Celery Seed
Celery seed is used as a herbal remedy to treat nervousness, insomnia and aniety.
Celery seed is used as a herbal remedy to treat nervousness, insomnia and aniety.
California Poppy
California poppy is a herbal remedy with mild sedative properties.
California poppy is a herbal remedy with mild sedative properties.
Hops
Hops is the herb that gives the bitter taste to beer.
Hops is the herb that gives the bitter taste to beer.
Kava or kava-kava
Used to make a ceremonial drink in the South Pacific Islands, Kava is a herb that brings about relaxation.
Used to make a ceremonial drink in the South Pacific Islands, Kava is a herb that brings about relaxation.
Balm or lemon balm
Balm or lemon balm is a herbal remedy often used as a relaxing tea.
Balm or lemon balm is a herbal remedy often used as a relaxing tea.
Motherwort
Old world plant useful in the treatment of anxiety.
Old world plant useful in the treatment of anxiety.
Passion Flower or Passiflora
Passion flowers are perennials from tropical America grown for their showy, fragrant flowers.
Passion flowers are perennials from tropical America grown for their showy, fragrant flowers.
St. John's Wort
St John's wort is a perennial herb that used to be gathered on St. John's Eve (June 23) to ward off evil, and is useful in the treatment of depression.
St John's wort is a perennial herb that used to be gathered on St. John's Eve (June 23) to ward off evil, and is useful in the treatment of depression.
Skullcap
Skullcap or Marsh Skullcap - a member of the mint family used as a tranquilizer and swdative.
Skullcap or Marsh Skullcap - a member of the mint family used as a tranquilizer and swdative.
Valerian
Valerian is a perennial herb used to treat insomnia and stress for thousands of years.
Valerian is a perennial herb used to treat insomnia and stress for thousands of years.
Wild Cherry
Wild cherry is a tree that grows in North America. the bark is useful in the treatment of coughs and also has a mild sedative effect.
Wild cherry is a tree that grows in North America. the bark is useful in the treatment of coughs and also has a mild sedative effect.
Yarrow
Yarrow grows literally wverywhere and can become a troublesome weed int he garden or lawn. It's useful in the treatment of colds and is also a mild tranquilizer and digestive aid.
Yarrow grows literally wverywhere and can become a troublesome weed int he garden or lawn. It's useful in the treatment of colds and is also a mild tranquilizer and digestive aid.
Cocoa
Cocoa, the popular bedtime drink, although soothing, does contain caffeine. All chocolate products contain caffeine and are, therefore, classed as stimulants.
Cocoa, the popular bedtime drink, although soothing, does contain caffeine. All chocolate products contain caffeine and are, therefore, classed as stimulants.
Coffee
Coffee is a stimulant we're all familiar with. First thing in the mroning, nothing beats a steaming hot cup of coffee.
Coffee is a stimulant we're all familiar with. First thing in the mroning, nothing beats a steaming hot cup of coffee.
Ephedra
Ephedra is also known as Ma huang or Chinese Ephedra and is siad to be the worlds oldest medicineand has been in use for over 5000 years. Ephedra is an evergreen perennial herb that grows in the desert regions of America and China.
Ephedra is also known as Ma huang or Chinese Ephedra and is siad to be the worlds oldest medicineand has been in use for over 5000 years. Ephedra is an evergreen perennial herb that grows in the desert regions of America and China.
Ginseng
Gnseng is a slow growing perennial plant with fleshy roots. There are several varieties, and it's grown in easten Asia and North America. It's a sedative but can also be used as a stimulant because of the feeling of well-being it promotes.
Gnseng is a slow growing perennial plant with fleshy roots. There are several varieties, and it's grown in easten Asia and North America. It's a sedative but can also be used as a stimulant because of the feeling of well-being it promotes.
Kola
Kola is a tree that grows about 40 feet high and has yellow flowers, spotted with purple. The seeds are used as a condiment by the natives of Western and Central tropical Africa. Kola contains the stimulant caffeine.
Kola is a tree that grows about 40 feet high and has yellow flowers, spotted with purple. The seeds are used as a condiment by the natives of Western and Central tropical Africa. Kola contains the stimulant caffeine.
Books About Medicinal Herbs
There are dozens of books available about herbs and their healing or medicinal powers. Here are some I consider top of the line.
There are dozens of books available about herbs and their healing or medicinal powers. Here are some I consider top of the line.
Yerba Maté
A popular drink in South American countries, yerba maté is made from the dried leaves of an evergreen tree.
A popular drink in South American countries, yerba maté is made from the dried leaves of an evergreen tree.
Green Tea
Green tea has been used for medicinal purposes in China for thousands of years. It's made from the withered leaves of a large evergreen shrub - camellia sinensis. Although black tea is also a stiumlant, green tea is stronger and has other healing properties.
Green tea has been used for medicinal purposes in China for thousands of years. It's made from the withered leaves of a large evergreen shrub - camellia sinensis. Although black tea is also a stiumlant, green tea is stronger and has other healing properties.
Bay or Bay Leaf
Bay comes from the leaves of a small tree native to the Meditteranean regions. A more bitter variety grows in California. Good for stress management and in preventing headaches. Also known as laurel leaf.
Bay comes from the leaves of a small tree native to the Meditteranean regions. A more bitter variety grows in California. Good for stress management and in preventing headaches. Also known as laurel leaf.
Catnip
Catnip is a minty perennial that cats love. Very easy to grow and even considered a weed in some part of the US.
Catnip is a minty perennial that cats love. Very easy to grow and even considered a weed in some part of the US.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a spiny succulent often grown as a houseplant. Ot's a member of the lily family and has been used for its healing properties for centuries. It's even mentioned in writings from Egyups dating back to 1500 B.C. Commonly used to treat burns, but also useful in the treatment of colitis and constipation.
Aloe vera is a spiny succulent often grown as a houseplant. Ot's a member of the lily family and has been used for its healing properties for centuries. It's even mentioned in writings from Egyups dating back to 1500 B.C. Commonly used to treat burns, but also useful in the treatment of colitis and constipation.
Cascara Sagrada
Dried bark of a large shrub found in the Pacific Northwest. Used by Native Americans as a laxative.
Dried bark of a large shrub found in the Pacific Northwest. Used by Native Americans as a laxative.
Dill
Good old garden variety dill, the same one you use to make delicious pickles. It's a member of the carrot family and is excellent in treating indigestion, heartburn and flatulence. It also has sedative properties.
Good old garden variety dill, the same one you use to make delicious pickles. It's a member of the carrot family and is excellent in treating indigestion, heartburn and flatulence. It also has sedative properties.
The Mint Family
Mint or Peppermint or Spearmint are all members of the mint family. Although native to Europe, mint also grows in the United States and Canada. Most mint plants are useful in treating indigestion.
Mint or Peppermint or Spearmint are all members of the mint family. Although native to Europe, mint also grows in the United States and Canada. Most mint plants are useful in treating indigestion.