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Herbs
While many herbs are used for their flavour and medicinal properties, like drugs, any plant with the potential for healing when used appropriately also has the potential for harm when used irresponsibly. Although the most popular medicinal herbs are reasonably safe for most people, most of the time, and when taken in their recommended amounts, many medicinal herbs contain pharmacologically active compounds that have drug effects on the body. All drugs have the potential to cause allergic reactions, side effects, and interactions with other herbs and drugs. Anyone who uses herbs should do so cautiously, responsibly and be well informed on the herb they choose.
Myrrh: strong anti-microbial action used for the treatment of infections, particularly as mouthwash ...
Common Names: Myrrh
Botanical Name: Commiphora myrrha
Family: Burseraceae
Plant Type: Desert tree
Parts Used: Resin
Nasturtium: is said to help to clear skin problems like acne, and also to ease depression ...
Common Names: Nasturtium, Indian Cress, Monks Cress
Botanical Name: Tropaelum majus
Family: Tropaeolaceae
Plant Type: Herbaceous annual vine
Parts Used: Aerial parts
Flowering: May to September
Nettle: taken therapeutically, nettle's energizing leaves stimulate the bladder and kidneys to ensure rapid removal of accumulated toxins ...
Common Names: Nettle, Stinging Nettle
Botanical Name: Urtica dioica
Family: Urticaceae
Plant Type: Hardy perennial
Parts Used: Flowers, leaves, stems, roots, fruit, seeds
Flowering: June
Nutmeg: flavors food, makes it more digestible, and helps to sterilize food by killing or deterring potentially harmful microorganisms ...
Common Names: Nutmeg
Botanical Name: Myristca fragrans
Family: Myristicaceae
Plant Type: Evergreen tree
Parts Used: Seeds
Wild Oats: rich in vitamin E, minerals and protein, wild oats are a food tonic for the heart, nerves and thymus gland ...
Common Names: Oats, Groats, Avoine (French), Hafer (German), Avena (Italian and Spanish)
Botanical Name: Avena sativa
Botanical: Graminaceae
Plant Type: Annual
Parts Used: Seeds and stems
Onion: a syrup made by steeping a chopped onion in honey is a good cough and cold medicine for children ...
Common Names: Onion
Botanical Name: Allium cepa
Family: Alliaceae
Plant Type: Annual
Parts Used: Bulb, leaves
Flowering: April to June
Oregano: Polish research indicates that oregano has the strongest immune-boosting power of 70 tested herbs, including goldenseal ...
Common Names: Oregano, Joy of the Mountain
Botanical Name: Origanum vulgare
Family: Labiate
Plant Type: Hardy perennial
Parts Used: Leaves, flowers, essential oil
Flowering: June to August
Oregon-Grape: the berry contains berberine, like goldenseal. This makes it a good substitute for the endangered goldenseal...
Common Names: Oregon Grape, Mountain Grape, Mahonia, California Barberry
Botanical Name: Berberis acquifolium, Mahonia acquifolium
Family: Berberidaceae
Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
Parts Used: Rhizome and root
Flowering: June
Parsley: is a strong and friendly herb whose virtues go much farther than simply adding flavor to food ...
Common Names: Parsley, Persil, Devil's Oatmeal, Perceley
Botanical Name: Petroselinum crispum
Family: Apiaceae (formerly Umbelliferae)
Plant Type: Hardy biennial
Parts Used: Leaves, roots, and seeds
Passionflower: the leaves and stems provide a non-drowsy sedative for insomnia and anxiety, and can prevent a rapid heartbeat, reduce high blood pressure and relieve muscle tension...
Common Names: Passionflower, Passionvine, Maypop
Botanical Name: Passiflora incarnata
Family: Passifloraceae
Plant Type: Climbing vine
Parts Used: Flowers, fruit, leaves, stems
Flowering: May and July
Pepper: one of the world's oldest traded spices, black pepper has a sharp, invigorating taste and a scent that promotes mental clarity ...
Common Names: Pepper
Botanical Name: Piper nigrum
Family: Piperaceae
Plant Type: Flowering vine
Parts Used: Dried peppercorns
Peppermint: a native of Europe, the medicinal variety is a hybrid - a naturally occurring combination of watermint and spearmint...
Common Names: Peppermint
Botanical Name: Mentha piperita
Family: Labiatae
Plant Type: Hardy creeping perennial
Parts Used: Leaves and flowers
Flowering: July to September