Name:

What it does:

Absinthe

Artemisia absinthum

Internally, this plant is used to treat problems (including gastritis), stomachaches, liver disorders, bloating, anemia, irregular intermittent fever, loss of appetite, and worm infestations. Externally, it is used to heal open wounds, skin blotches, and insect bites.

Acorus

Acorus calamus

Make a tea for dyspeptic disorders, gastritis, and ulcers. Use externally for rheumatism, gum disease, and angina.

Agrimony

Agrimonia eupatoria

Infusion effective against coughs and chest colds, infusion bath for athlete's foot, sprains. Those who suffer from constipation should not take this.

Ague Grass

Aletris farinosa

This plant is used to treat gynecological disorders, such as dysmenorrhea and amenorrhea sluggish digestion, and anorexia. It is also good treating colic and is said to help treat threatened pregnancies.

Aloe

Aloe vera

Soothing and healing gel, disinfectant and astringent when used externally. The cosmetic use is in how it gives the skin a fresher, youthful appearance by removing dead skin cells, improving circulation to the skin and clearing away blemishes, also protecting the skin from infection. Shampoos made from this can improve dry, brittle hair. The green parts or skins of the leaves are not to be used for they are irritable. The jelly-like juice inside can be instantly used for minor cuts and burns, insect bites and sunburn.

Anemone

Anemone pulsatilla

Effective against disorders of the mucous membranes, indigestion, catarrh affections of the eye, catarrhs diarrhea, difficulties, swollen testicles, bladder difficulties relating to age, spasmodic and whooping cough, bronchitis, headache, indolent ulcers, and incipient catarrh.

Angelica

Angelica archangelica

Tea is remedy for indigestion and flatulence. Stimulates the appetite, helps fight against feverish colds. A syrup good for coughs, sore throats, and an infusion will sweeten the breath. A cold compress made from fresh leaves or an ointment from the roots stops itchy skin.

Arnica

Arnica montana

Use externally to treat bruises, sprains, rheumatism, joint injuries, hematoma, dislocations, insect bites, phlebitis, and inflammation. It's also a folk treatment for hair loss due to stress. It is also used externally to treat colds.

Anise

Pimpiella anisum

The tea is a remedy for hard, dry coughs, chest infections, gives relief from catarrh, indigestion, upset stomachs and flatulence.

Apple

Pyrus malus

Thought to restore the powers of mind and body. Used specifically as a purgative of toxins (esp. of the liver), to quicken sedentary folk, for jaundice, skin eruptions, gout, burning and running eyes, weak or rheumatic eyes, constipation, dry and rough skin, stomach acidity, warts. Cider was believed to promote longevity.

Arnica

Arnica montana

For external use only. A tincture heals wounds and irritations, a compress helps phlebitis, bruises and contusions, and a footbath is good for tired and achy feet. Will also help make hair grow, such as after an illness. Use a weak mixture of tincture and water (1 tbsp. arnica tincture to 2 cups water) and apply to scalp once a day. Not good for people with sensitive skin, as redness or soreness may appear.

Barberry

Berberis vulgaris

Do not use the bark. For mild disorders of the liver and digestion: Soak a handful of the berries in 2 cups of water for an hour. Bring the mixture to a boil, then removes from heat. Leave until it is just warm then strain. Sweeten with a little honey and take a small glassful 3 times daily. Barberries are filled with Vitamin C. A syrup or jelly made form the berries is a remedy for coughs, colds and sore throats, as well as tonsillitis.

Bardana

Arctium lappa

This plant is used to treat ailments, aid digestion, aid the kidney, and blood purification. Externally, it is used to treat dry and scaly skin, dandruff, rheumatism, wounds, and ulcers.

Bergamot

Monarda didyma

Good tea for relaxation and calming of the nerves. Milk, taken at night, is a good sedative. To make this, put a small handful of chopped fresh or dried leaves into boiling milk. Leave to infuse for 5 minutes, then strain.

Blackthorn

Prunus spinosa

An astringent medicine, also used for nosebleeds, constipation, eye pain and inflammation neuralgia. Thought to improve vision.

Blessed Thistle

Cnicus benedictus

Used as a tonic and is take as a cold infusion. Stimulates appetite, good for indigestion and for settling mild liver disorders. A warm infusion is good for nursing mothers to stimulate flow of milk. A small glasfull of hot infusion taken at night will help avoid fevers by increasing perspiration. The juice of the leaves rubbed on to the forehead eases headaches, and sips of a cold infusion prevents feelings of nausea. A compress is good for irritated skin.. Do not use as a strong infusion and avoid during pregnancy. Do not use in large doses. Avoid contact with eyes.

Blindweed

Capsella bursa-pastoris

This plant is used to treat hypertension, hypotension, nose bleeds, nervous heart conditions, wounds, burns, diarrhea, PMS, and stabilize menstruation.

Borage

Borago officinalis

Tea, using either the flowers or the leaves for mild depression after illness or fever. A hot poultice from the fresh leaves relieves pain of gout and inflamed swellings. Lotions are good for the skin, clearing blemishes and troublesome spots.

Buchu

Agathosma betulina

Infusion or tincture used to treat the urinary tract system.

Burdock

Arctium lappa

Tea for purifying the blood, and a decoction of the root for stomach ailments. Poultices of fresh leaves applied to painful joints work well, and a decoction of the fresh root mixed with milk and honey will help. For bruises and contusions, a poultice of fresh leaves boiled in salted water reduces the inflammation. For acne; make a decoction made by boiling a small handful of fresh or dried root in 3 cups of water until there is only two cups of water left. Strain and leave to cool. Store the lotion in the refrigerator. A small glassful of decoction can be taken internally to assist clearing the skin. For dandruff and falling hair, apply the lotion daily to scalp.

Calamint

Calamintha officinalis

Make calamint cordial for colds, influenza, flatulence and upset stomach by boiling fresh or dried calamint leaves with 2 tablespoons honey and a teaspoon of lemon juice. Bring to boil, then let simmer for 5 minutes, remove from heat and let cool. Strain and store in a screwtop bottle, dilute to taste with hot water. For muscles, place fresh crush leaves on the affected part and secure with a bandage, leave until muscle returns to normal. Crushed leaves are used as smelling salts. Used in the past to calm hysterical outbursts and is a treatment for nervous disorders.

Caraway

Carum carvi

For indigestion and flatulence, a quick relief of chewing caraway seeds can be used, or a tea using the seeds of caraway, aniseed and fennel. Caraway water good for children with upset stomachs, and a decoction of caraway seeds is good as a mouthwash and a gargle for sore throats. A poultice is best for an earache. Very soothing to stomachs and calming hysteria.

Catnip

Nepeta cataria

Colds and flu, feverish conditions, stomach upsets, dyspepsia, flatulence and colic, diarrhea in children. Mildly sedative.

Chaste Tree Berry

Vitex agnus-castus

Stimulates and normalizes pituitary function, especially progesterone function. Normalizes female sex hormones. Good for dysmenhorrea and other disorders related to hormone function. Good to take during menopause.

Chamomile

Anthemis nobilis

As a treatment for nervous excitability, spasmodic coughs, indigestion, distal neuralgia, nervous colic, stomach disorders, fatigue, delirium tremens, wounds; effective as a sedative, mosquito-repellant and intestinal wormer.

Chickweed

Alsine, Stellaria Media

Used for swellings, and whooping cough. Urinary infections. Effective against children's' fits and gripes, scurvy, swellings, whooping cough, urinary infections, rheumatism, stitches in the head and eyes, pressure and soreness about the liver, burning and bilious indigestion, general soreness (and specifically sore legs).

Cinnamon

Cinnamomum zeylanicum

Warming carminative, anti-spasmodic, antiseptic, aromatic, stimulant. Helps to relieve nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. It is an astringent and a warming carminative, making it helpful for digestive troubles. It contains a substance that is anti-fungal and anti-bacterial, capable of killing off botulin spores and staphylococcus bacteria among others.

Coltsfoot

Tussilago farfara

Useful in bronchitis, asthma, stubborn irritating coughs. The leaves contain useful amounts of zinc. The fresh bruised leaves can be applied to skin sores. It is a soothing expectorant as well as having anti-spasmodic properties. Children and pregnant women should not use this.

Comfrey

Eupatorium perfoliatum

Widespread use followed a faith in its ability to promote the healing of any bruised and broken parts. Used for wounds, the pain of inflammation, tenderness, broken bones, fractures and sprains, raw indolent ulcers, wounds of the nerves, tendons and arteries, cracked nipples, bleeding from the lungs or bladder. A useful preventative of foot and mouth disease in cattle.

Daisy

Bellis perennis

This plant is used to treat chest conditions, coughs, bronchitis, diarrhea, liver and kidney disorders, inflammation and wounds. It is also useful treating arthritis and rheumatism.

Dandelion

Taraxacum leontondon

As a treatment for ailments of the heart, hypertension, indigestion, coated tongue, night sweats, itching, cachexy; to prevent or stave consumption, to remove warts, and to stimulate the liver and biliary organs.

 Dill

Anethum graveolins

Considered effective against wind in children and adults, hiccups, cough, swollen and cold limbs, indigestion, rheumatic pain, sciatica, and constipation. It was also used as a tranquilizer and to increase mothers' milk.

Elder

Sambucus nigra

Credited as being a complete medicine chest in itself. Used as a purgative, fly repellant, for eye ailments, ill pigmentation, colds, constipation, asthma, sweating, croup, wheezing and cough, quinsy, sore mouth and strangulation, congestion, fever, skin ailments, 'serious humors of the blood', hemorrhoids, nervous headache, burns and scalds, sprains, piles, dropsy, and epilepsy. Thought to induce longevity.  Don’t mistake this for Elderberry, which is poisonous.

Eyebright

Euphrasia Officinalis

Widely used for all manner of eye ailments, as well as affecting the lining of the nose and throat. Also used for hayfever, colds, coughs, sore throats, bronchial cough, scrofula, catarrh, and weak memory. Thought to improve brain function.

Foxglove

Digitalis Purpurea

Used externally for scrofulous swellings, and internally for colds. The plant entire is used to dispel fleas.

Garlic

Allium sativum

For digestion and flatulence, a glassful of weak infusion is good. For catarrh, coughs, hoarseness and chest complaints, garlic oil works well when rubbed on back and front of chest. Make the oil by filling a small glass jar with finely crushed cloves of garlic and cover the garlic with olive oil. Cover the jar with muslin or cheesecloth and leave to permeate for 1-2 days. Also good for cleaning the face of spots and pimples, as well as boils. Improves hair and it's growth and prevents dandruff.

Hawthorn

Cratoegus Oxyacantha

An infusion is made from flowers and fruit both that acts on the kidneys. Also used for sore throat.

Horehound

Ballota nigra

This plant is a good remedy for treating nausea and vomiting due to the nervous disorders, as a sedative for hysteria and hypochondria, motion sickness, morning sickness, whooping cough, and to help stabilize menstrual flow. Externally, it is used to treat gout.

Horseradish

Cochlearia Armoracia

A powerful stimulant. Used against facial neuralgia, rheumatic or palsied limbs, indigestion, hoarseness, sciatica, joint-ache, hard swellings of the spleen and liver, whooping cough, and acne. Employed to induce and sweating, and to stimulate the entire nervous system.

Hyssop

Hyssopus officinalis

The young leaves and flowering tops are used medically for coughs, bronchitis and flu and as a mild nervine. Colds, coughs, bronchitis, asthma, flatulence. The essential oil increases alertness and is relaxing; it is especially good for exhaustion linked to overwork and anxiety, and for grief and depression.

Ivy

Hedera Helix

Employed for corns, plagues, spasms, rheumatism, lice vermin, disorders of the spleen, whooping cough, neuralgic toothache, sore and smarting eyes, severe headache and hangover.

Juniper

Juniperus Oxycoedrus

The berries and fragrant tops of the plant are most often employed medicinally. Used against affectations of the kidney and dropsy, catarrh of the urinary passages, painful swellings (rheumatic and neuralgic), cough, epilepsy, indigestion, stones, ulcers of the flesh and chaps of the hands and feet, psoriasis eczema. The odor of the branches was thought to promote sleep.

Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia

Use an infusion of lavender on insect bites. Dried flowers and seeds are used in herbal sleep pillows and baths for soothing and frayed nerves. Lavender oil applied at the temples will relieve a headache. Three flowerheads in a cup of boiling water makes a soothing tea at bedtime.

Leek

Allium Porrum

Considered effective against kidney ailments, calcification, chilblains, chapped hands, and sore eyes.

Lesser Century

Erythroea

Effective when taken internally for rheumatism, respiratory problems, languid digestion, heartburn, and poor appetite.

Marigold

Chrysanthemum Segetum

As a treatment for night sweats, fever, spasms, contusions, wounds, simple sores and ulcers, chronic vomiting, suppurative discharges and drainings, burns, and all breaches of the skin surface.

Marshmallow

Althaea officinarum

Internally, the root is used to treat digestive problems, inflammations of the digestive tract and on the skin. The leaf is used to treat lung, including bronchitis and coughs, and urinary problems. Externally, the root can be used to treat varicose veins, ulcers, abscesses, and boils.

Mistletoe

Loranthus Viscum

The dried young twigs and leaves are the principal medicinal components, employed against epilepsy, convulsions, and giddiness. It's thought to lessen reflex irritability and provide a tonic for the heart (as it strengthens the heartbeat). The berries, when chewed, provide immediate relief from stitches, and are still used for this by country folk.

Mullein

Verbascum thapsus

It is a soothing, relaxing expectorant, especially good for bronchitis, and also used for asthma, colds and coughs. It relaxes the bronchial tubes, loosens congestion and eases dry, irritating, hard coughs. The infused oil is good for inflammations and earache.

Oats

Avena sativa

Internally, this plant can be used to treat the nervous system. Externally, this plant is used for inflammation of the skin and warts.

Paprika

Capsicum annuum

Internally, this plant is used to gastrointestinal disorders, loss of appetite, dyspepsia, diarrhea, alcoholism, seasickness, fever (including malaria and yellow), stroke and heart disease, and increase potency. As a gargle, it is used to treat hoarseness and sore or infected throats. Externally, it's used for painful muscle spasms, rheumatism, arthritis, frostbite, circulation, and female orgasm stimulant. As a gargle for hoarseness, sore throats, infected throats.

Ragwort

Senecio Jacoboea

Used externally for sciatica and wasting disease; taken internally it is credited with being a tonic.

Scarlet Pimpernel

Anagallis Arvensis

Used for obstructions of the liver and spleen, melancholy and associated mental disease, hydrophobia, epilepsy, urinary irritability, consumption (in its early stages), and rheumatism.

Speedwell

Polychresta Herba Veronica

Used for scabby eruptions, gout, leprosy, coughs, asthma, catarrhs, pulmonary consumption, to stimulate the kidneys, to promote perspiration and reduce feverishness, against itching, and in the long-term to sterility.

St. John's Wort

Hypericum perforatum

It is used to reliever pain, as a nervine and anti-depressant and externally to heal wounds. It is one of the few herbs to have gained widespread respectability and is extensively used as a natural alternative to pharmaceutical anti-depressants. Useful in the treatment of depression (take it for at least a month to see effects), anxiety, tension, nerve pain such as sciatica and neuralgia, and rheumatic pain. Externally, speeds the healing of wounds, bruises, burns (especially sunburn), and inflammations of the skin, muscles and connective tissue.

Tansy

Tanacutum Vulgare

Used internally and externally for gout, roundworm, ague, spasms, epilepsy, bruises, strains, colic, hysteria, skin diseases, and to prevent miscarriage. Thought to purify the humours of the body, and to be especially good for the heart. Used to preserve dead bodies.

Tuber Root

Asclepias tuberosa

This plant is used to treat coughs, pneumonia, influenza, pleurisy, disorders of the uterus, and to ease breathing. Use in small amounts.

Uva-Ursi

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

This herb is used to treat urinary tract problems. It is also used to treat vaginal infections as a douche. Do not take if you are pregnant, nursing, under 12 years old, or take for a long period of time. Liver damage may occur.

Valerian

Valeriana officinalis

The root is used medicinally for anxiety and insomnia and cramping and externally for chronic wounds and muscle cramps. The fresh root has very little of the telltale odor, which grows stronger as the root dries. Do not use in high doses.

Wormseed

Artemisia cina

It is one of the oldest remedies to treat roundworm and threadworm but has no effect on tapeworm. This drug is also used with a laxative. This drug is obsolete, and modern medicine should be used instead.

 Yarrow

Achillea millefolium

The hairy filaments of the leaves were inhaled to cause nosebleed and cure headache; as well it was a famed herb for stanching blood flow in all forms. Also used for hysteria, flatulence, heartburn, colic, epilepsy, rheumatism, toothache, colds, internal bleeding, loss of appetite, ague, sore throat, sore nipples, heavy menstruation, piles, cuts and contusions, eliminates toxins. This herb intensifies the efficacy of other herbs when taken in conjunction.

 Yellow Ginseng

Caulophyllum thalictrioides

This plant is used to treat problems, menstrual ailments, cramps, worm infestations, dehydration, colic, coughs, and rheumatism. It is also used to stimulate uterine contractions, ease Braxton-Hicks contractions, and ease labor.