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| Dandelion Taraxacum officinale Considered a weed in Britain, this herb has many wonderful properties and uses. Make tea by boiling 2 oz of Dandelion root, or leaves, in 1 quart of water until it is reduced to 1 pint. This infusion may be taken no more than a cupful every 3 hours. Effective as a wash for eczema. Those with Anaemia will find Dandelion leaves, bruised and added to the usual herb tea will be useful. Dandelion is most effective when mixed with other herbs, but can be made into a substitute for coffee and drank alone. This drink before bedtime does not contain the caffeine content of coffee, and so will help aid a restful sleep. To make Dandelion coffee: Dig up the roots of a 2 year old plant in Autumn (this is the time when the roots are well stocked with food reserves), cut off the crowns, wash away the soil, and dry them with a cloth. They can be dried fully in a cool oven, and then may be stored for a few months in an airtight container in a dry place. When required, roast the roots until a light brown colour and grind them to use as Dandelion Coffee. |
| Comfrey Symphytum officinale More had to be added to the information of this wonderful herb: It has astringency and soothing properties, and supplies gentle relief for diarrhoea, and in some cases has been known to banish the pain of arthritis. To make a decoction: boil 1 oz of crushed root, fresh or dried, in 1 quart of water or milk, until the liquid is reduced to a pint and a half. This may be taken frequently by the cupful. Comfrey tea is made by pouring 1 pint of boiling water on 1 oz leaves- dried or fresh (if fresh, the leaves should be stripped from midrib), and the mixture must be covered to preserve the steam. This tea is a blood-purifier, and used as a general tonic. The fresh leaves when stripped midrib, also make effective poultices. Chop the leaves and mix with boiling water, sandwich the mass between two pieces of gauze and apply to sparains, swelling, etc. Comfrey Tisane (a form of tea) can also be made from the root of the plant. Clean the root and remove the 'whiskers'. Cut into short pieces and infuse with 1 pint of boiling water. The infusion is sweet, but other than this, quite tasteless- adding clover honey and lemon juice is nice, or if you prefer, try adding parsley or fennel instead. This is a cure for cystitus, and a glassful may be drunk several times daily as a course of treatment. |
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| Dill Anethum graveolens Dill has many properties the same as Caraway, and is used as an aid to digestion, to soothe stomach upsets, and it has a reputation among some herbalists as a stimulant for the brain. Tea infused with dill seeds (a teaspoon of seeds to half a pint of boiling water) will relieve flatulence and a stomach upset. For regular drinking, a tea may be made from either half a teaspoon of Dill seeds, or a few fresh leaves, mixed with the herbs you have chosen for your regular herbal tea. |
| Elder (Elderberry tree) Sambucus nigra The Elder is well known, with its bright green leaves and flat masses of tiny cream coloured flowers of early summer, and the drooping bunches of small blackish purple berries later in the year. Every part of this common little tree has uses. As a domestic medicine, make an infusion with 1 oz Elder flowers (fresh or dried) and add one pint of boiling water- this must be kept covered to keep in the steam. Take a glassful twice daily to relieve pleurisy and bronchial infections- also as an ease for the symptoms of measles and scarlet fever. Take this infusion every morning before breakfast as a pick-me-up. To make a stronger infusion, used for the treatment of influenza, use a handful of Elder flowers with dried peppermint with one and a half pints of boiling water. Place the pan you have made this in, into a bowl of hot water for half an hour (the pan with the herbs in must be left covered). Strain the mixture, add honey, and drink the liquid as hot as you can bear it. This ensures a heavy perspiration, and will induce a sleep. The weaker infusion may be used to bathe eyes when they are inflamed, and is useful as a rinse on the face to improve complexion, and will ease the sore feeling from sunburn. Place dried flowers in a muslin bag, and place in the bath to relieve sciatica, rheumatism and skin problems. Some use the fresh leaves of the Elder, crushed to extract the juice, and then applied to the skin when eczema sores are apparent may soothe and help give relief from the itching and soreness. |
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| Fennel Feoniculum vulgare This plant can grow over 6 feet high, and is noted for its likeness to a fountain of green. Mainly used today as an ingredient in 'gripe water' for the relief of infant colic, it is also used as a flavouring for food. Herbalists of old accredited this plant with many properties, and used the root of the plant as well as the leaves and seeds- though the roots are rarely used these days. It was said that the Fennel could rid unwanted fat from the body, and having the plant in your diet would help your eyes too. For mild stomach pains- much like colic, use fennel tea- made by first bruising half a teaspoon of fennel seeds and then pouring over them half a pint of boiling water. Using a small handful of fresh leaves and half a pint of water also makes a tea that helps in dieting- as fennel helps the digestion cope with fatty foods. This preparation also makes a good skin tonic. |
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| Garlic Allium sativum My favourite! Everybody's diet should contain garlic- though I know some people cannot abide the smell. Garlic in the diet will increase your immunity to colds, as it helps to resist infectious diseases. It has been known to reduce high blood pressure, and is a stimulant to the digestion. Nowadays garlic capsules are readily bought, and this helps eliminate the odour. Try this: Wrap whole, scraped garlic bulbs in foil, and bake them in the oven until tender- they will taste slightly nutty, and don't have the pungent aroma. Garlic poultice uses the antiseptic properties of the herb- if you can abide the odour. |
| Groundsel Senecio vulgaris My daughter told me that Groundsel is the baby that happens when a dandelion falls in love with a daisy. Considered a common weed in the garden it does have useful herbal properties. I would not advise taking this internally- one leaf in a pint of boiling water may induce vomiting. However, Groundsel makes a good soothing and healing lotion for the hands. Infuse a few leaves with boiling water, cover and leave to cool. Swab or bathe roughened or sunburned hands with this liquid- but please do not put hands near mouth afterwards- Groundsel has emetic properties (induces vomiting). |
| Kelp (Seaweed, Bladderwrack) Kelp is dried seaweed, and the fresh must always be collected from the sea bed, as by the time it washed upon the shore, it is only good for compost in the garden. So, of course, I do not harvest this myself! I do use Kelp a lot in my diet though- it has so many properties- it contains iodine, calcium, iron, and many more minerals. Kelp is wonderful to add to the diet of those trying to lose weight, as it stimulats the thyroid gland. It also has properties that help heal tissues, strengthen nails, and is beneficiary to those of us who suffer with anaemia. |
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| Lavender Lavandula officinalis One of the best known herbs, everybody knows of lavender and some of its properties. The essential oil of lavender is widely used in many herbal medications. A drop on a lump of sugar or in a glass of milk will aid digestion, faintness, and colic- but this concentrated essence can be dangerous if taken too often or in larger doses. Insects hate lavender, so the dried flower in poppets is useful to be kept in drawers to deter moths, and for hanging on door and window frames in the summer. Lavender flowers in your bath will help relax, clear the mind, and sooth the body- it may also help ease the aches of bruises. For a footbath, drop a handful or more of lavender flowers (fresh or dried) in a bowl of water (as warm as you can bear) and soak your feet. Lavender tea may be made by infusing a teaspoon of fresh or dried flowers with one pint of boiling water- covered to trap the steam. A few sips occasionnally will help clear a headache caused by exhaustion or stress. |
| Lovage Levisticum officinale Not so well known these moderntimes, Lovage was once a widely used culinary and medicinal herb. It has thick hollow stems that grow to be 4 feet tall, lush dark green foilage, and umbels of yellow flowers that are followed by the seeds.For insect bites, rub a piece of the Lovage leaf over the bite or blister, and it's mild antiseptic qualities will help.The leaves and stalk of Lovage has a taste reminiscent of celery and parsley combined, so is not distasteful. Tear up three leaves and stalks (or a teaspoon of dried) and infuse with one pint of boiling water to make Lovage tea (some herbalists prefer the root for stomach complaints), this leaf tea works well to relieve stomach upsets and is a general helth-giving tisane. |
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| Marsh Mallow Althaea officinalis The Mallow plants are handy to have in the summer garden- a crushed leaf applied to the skin will bring instant relief to an insect bite (also the Common Mallow Malva sylvestris) Long ago, Marshmallow sold by confectioners really was made from the root of this plant, unlike today. Mallow leaves may help to ease a mild burn when placed on the skin. An infusion of 1 oz of the leaf (fresh or dried) to one pint of boiling water may help remedy cystitis. The roots ot the mallow, crushed, mixed with Slippery Elm (difficult to obtain in England- but dried is becoming more accessible) will make a poultice that will ease bruises, sprains and inflammations. |
| Marjoram Oliganum The curative properties of this plant makes adding it to your food a way of improving digestion. Place a handful of the leaves into a muslim bag, and add it to your bathwater- this will help to ease stiffness due to over exertion or rheumatism. Marjoram tea is made by infusing a handful of the fresh plant (or a teaspoon of dried) with a pint of boiling water. This tea helps in the relief of coughs and asthma, and also eases colic pains, headaches, and stiffness. |
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| Mints Mentha Many of us have mint growing in the garden- and all have eaten mint at some time- as it is a very popular herb in culinary and medicinal uses. To make mint tea, infuse a few leaves with a pint of boiling water, cover and leave to cool. This may be sipped to help relieve nausea, and may also help recovery from diarrhoea. Peppermint Mentha piperita, when infused and made into tea may also help stave off a cold, and also helps to relieve stomach cramps.Peppermint tea will reduce the appetite, and may also raise body temperature and induce perspiration. |
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| Marigold Calendula officinalis An infusion of two flower heads in one pint of boiling water, covered and left to cool, is said to help relieve varicose veins, and aids in the relief of ulcers. A freshly picked flower head rubbed directly onto a bee sting will help reduce swelling and will also help to ease the pain of the sting. An 'Old Wives Tale' suggests that the juice from the crushed plant will help get rid of warts, and the scent of the flower is suppposed to help clear a headache. |
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| Nettle (stinging nettle) Urtica dioica For as long as this plant has grown near where man has settled, it has been used for eating and drinkingThe plant should not be used after July, as there are crystals growing on the leaves and stems that are harmful after this time.The plant contains high levels of vitamin C which helps stave off colds. The leaves used to make tea should be picked no later than mid July, and should be about 4 inches long. Use three fresh leaves (or one flat teaspoon of dreied nettle) to one pint of boiling water.. This tea helps with the circulation, cures nettlerash, may help in weightloss, relieves asthma and also bronchial coughs. Nettle tea must not be made too strong, nor taken too frequently. It may not be recommended for those with weak hearts or problems with the kidneys. Nettle is said to lower the blood sugar, improve digestion, and when mixed with yarrow and peppermint is an aid for those suffering with the symptoms of anaemia. (yarrow, peppermint and nettle all of equal parts- about half an ounce each, to one pint of boiling water, infused, strained after ten minutes, and sipped occasionnally.) |
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| Garlic is classed as an irritant- to both the skin and the digestive tract |
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