Common Name | | Botanical Name | Parts Used | Historic use / Precautions | |
Alfafa | | | leaves | Digestive aid and cleanser. Reduce fluid retention and relieve arthritis. | |
Apple | | | fruit | Diarrhea and constipation, rheumatism, bowel irregularities | |
Basil | | | leaves | Calming, cooling, nerve calming, good for stopping nausea | |
Birch | | | leaves | Diuretic, relief for rheumatism | |
Burdock | | | root | High in iron. Liver and digestive system cleanser. A main ingredient in Essiac tea. | |
Calendula / Marigold | | | leaves, flowers | Local skin problem, sunburn, menstrual pains and irregularities, inflammation, gastritis, gum problem, dry eczema | |
Catnip | | | leaves | Disorders of the digestive system and in reducing fevers, by bringing out a good sweat | |
Celery | | | seeds | Water retention, arthritis, muscle spasm, poor digestion | |
Chamomile | | | flowers | Insomnia, anxiety, stress, insect bites, strained eyes, mouth inflammations | |
Chaste Berry | | | berries | Painful and irregular menstruation, infertility, PMS, menopausal problems, and other hormonal imbalances. | |
Cinnamon | | | bark | Urinary-tract infections, upset stomach, tooth decay, body warming. Pregnant woman should take with caution | |
Clove | | | leaves, roots | Digestive complaints such as colic, bloating and wind. Also makes a warming and tasty tonic tea. | |
Cornflower | | | flowers, leaves | Stomach problems, kidney and bladder ailments | |
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Dandelion | | | leaves, roots | Cleanser, warts. Allergy and bladder complaints | |
Echinacea | | | roots | Infection, inflammation, common colds, sore throats | |
Elder | | | berries, flowers | Elderberries: cold, cough and flu. Elderflower: fever reducing, blood purifying and cell cleansing actions. | |
Fennel | | | seeds, roots | Digestive aid, sore throat, nervous stomach Avoid using this herb during pregnancy | |
Ginkgo Biloba | | | leaves | Respiratory tract ailments as well as memory loss | |
Ginger | | | roots | Motion sickness, nausea, morning sickness, colds, digestive aid, detoxing | |
Ginseng (Panax) | | | roots, flowers | Fatigue, poor blood circulation (Panax/Korean Ginseng is better for men/Yang strength while Siberian Ginseng is better for women and tastes a little better). Canadian/American Ginseng is good for general wellbeing. Pregnant woman should take with caution | |
Globe Amaranth | | | flowers | Flower resembles red clover, also called Thousand Day Red. Diuretic, good for after many late nights to reduce internal heat | |
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Haw | | | fruit | Poor appeitite, high cholesterol | |
Hibiscus | | | flowers | Not to be confused with the common hibiscus in gardens. Fatigue, sore throat cold, flu. Rich in Vitamin C | |
Jasmine | | | flowers | Nervous indigestion, euphoric, uterine pain, menstrual cramps, respiratory problems, expectorant, fever-reducing Some regard jasmine as an aphrodisiac! | |
Juniper Berries | | | berries | Kidney, prostrate, and bladder complaints. Relieve arthritis | |
Lavender | | | flowers | Poor appetite, toothache, sprains, flatulence, oral health | |
Lemon Balm / Bee Balm / Melissa | | | leaves | Depression, insect bite, indigestion, gas, short attention span, weak memory, menstrual cramp | |
Lemongrass | | | leaves | Diarrhea, vomiting, spasmodic bowels, fever, acne, oily skin | |
Lemon / Lime | | | leaves, peel | Inflammation, damaged tissues. Rich in Vit C and anti-oxidants, it can help to reduce the risk of forming a number of cancers, particularly skin cancer | |
Linden / Lime Blossom | | | bark, leaves and flowers | Cold, boils and swelling. An age-old herb for promoting perspiration and cleanses the kidneys, bladder, and stomach. People with low blood pressure should take with caution. | |
Liquorice | | | root | Coughs, congestion. Excellent herb for the liver both as a tonic and a detoxifier | |
Common Name in alphabetical order: A-C, D-G, H-M, N-S, T-Z |
Marshmallow | | | roots, leaves and flowers | Cuts and wounds, cuts, burns, respiratory system, whooping cough | |
Meadowsweet | | | flowers and other parts above ground | rheumatic and arthritic pains, feverish common colds, heartburn | |
Mint | | | leaves | Digestive aid, decongestant, itching, nausea, travel sickness. Also see peptpermint. | |
Mullein | | | leaves, flowers and roots | Swollen joints, a demulcent for lung and chest problems | |
Nettle | | | leaves | Digestive aid and hair replentisher, it can also ease leg cramps and backache. Can also relieve hayfever. | |
Nutmeg | | | seed (nut) | Stimulant, digestive aid, helps to reduce flatulence | |
Osmanthus | | | flowers | Sore or scratchy throat, good for the kidney | |
Passionflower | | | leaves | Anxiety, insomnia, nervous disorders, spasms | |
Peppermint | | | leaves | Cleanse and strengthen bowels. Fights bad breathe and indigestion. | |
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Raspberry | | | leaves | Great companion for pregnant women but don’t overuse (or it may cause rashes). Great for replentishing iron, folic acid and helps to relieve morning sickness. It can also help strengthening pelvic muscles. | |
Red Clover | | | flowers | Skin complaints, use as a blood purifier during prenancy and child birth by Native Americans. It is believed it can help balance blood sugar level. Menopausal discomfort and respiratory complaints. | |
Rooibos | | | leaves and bark | Diarrhea, insomnia, anxiety, common colds, colic | |
Rose | | | flowers | Anxiety, depression, menopausal and gynaecological problems Common Cold. Great for weight management and skin toning | |
Rosehips | | | hips (berries) | Colds, infections and bladder problems. Rosehips taste the best when boiled in hot water instead of just steeping them. Rich in vitamin A and C | |
Rosemary | | | leaves | Indigestion, dandruff, colds, fatigue | |
Safflower | | | leaves | Unsettled stomach, warming body, enhance circulation, menstrual problems Avoid using this herb during pregnancy or breastfeeding | |
Sage | | | leaves | Memory aid, panacea, digestive aid for fatty foods | |
Strawberry (and Wild Strawberry) | | | leaves andfruit | Strengthening and toning pelvic muscles for female and male alike. Note that if cultivated variety is used, most nourishment transfers to the fruit. | |
St John’s Wort | | | | Depression, bladder problems, indigestion, phlem | |
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Thyme | | | leaves | Sore throat, chest infection, insect bites, unsettled stomach | |
Valerian | | | roots | Tranquillizer, muscle cramp, anxiety Large dosage or ongoing usage can cause headache and blurred vision | |
Wild Chrysanthemum / Ye Ju Hua | | | flowers | Wild Chrysanthemum has similar effacacies to Chrysanthemum, but more medical and effective in lowering cholesterol and blood pressure and inhibiting infection. Sore throat, tired eyes, dizziness. | |
Wintersweet flower / La Mei Hua | | | flowers | Bad breathe, red eyes due to late nights. Ezcema and topical skinn allergy. Baby skin rash. | |
Wolfberry / Goji Berry | | | fruit | (Lycium Barbarum / Gou Qi Zi) Fatigue, poor vision Tonifies and nourishes the liver and kidney. The dried berries can be eaten like other dried fruit. | |
Wu Wei Zi / schisandra fruit | | | berries | Relieve asthmatic cough, hypertension and anxiety. Over-palpitation | |
Yarrow | | | flowers | Common cold and fevers, hypertension, amenorrhoea, dysentery and diarrhoea. Yarrow may help to regulate the menstrual cycle, reduces heavy bleeding and eases menstrual pain. | |
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