Ancient Chinese texts indicate that alisma promotes an easy labor, fertility and stimulates the female sexual and generative organs. It is considered a pure Kidney tonic. Extracts are showing anticancer properties. Read more…

Blue-green algae / Spirulina changed our Earth forever by their photosynthetic activity that brought the needed oxygen into the environment so new and more-complex organisms, plants and mammals could evolve. It is a highly nutritious food that is loaded with proteins, minerals and vitamins. Read more…

Celery stimulates the nervous system and mineralizes the body. Because celery is both a diuretic and depurative it makes it a perfect ingredient for weight-loss programs. 3 glasses of celery juice a day is excellent for treating rheumatism, allergies, stomach disorders, detoxifing, and as an all-round aphrodisiac. Celery has an alkalizing effect on the body, which can help counteract the degenerative effects of the too acid diet many eat today. Read more…

Comfrey has a long history due to its ability to heal internal and external wounds. Traditionally, it has been used to heal wounds, sprains, and broken bones. Today, it is mostly used externally due to the presence of a toxic alkaloid. This alkaloid can seriously harm the liver if used in large does or incorrectly. Used externally, it is a wonderful herb for healing bones, hence the common name “Knitbone” or “Boneset.” Comfrey has been used by peasants and gypsies as a healing herb and a spring tonic to feed horses. It is an important plant in organic gardening for its ability to condition soils. Read more…

Some ferns are grown for food, and research is being done to learn more about their phenomenal ability to remediate contaminated soils and remove chemical pollutants from the air. Maidenhair ferns, particularly, have a long history of being used as a medicine to expel worms and heal wounds. Read more…

The name “sorrel” is used to describe several related plants, including “wild sorrel” and “French sorrel.” The plant has a long history of treating scurvy and kidney stones. Though large doses (500 grams or more) may cause kidney stones. It is popularly used in salads, sauces, stews and soups for its lemony flavor and high Vitamin C and Vitamin A content. It is also good for treating cold sores and febrile diseases. In China, they make use Oxalis corniculata which is also called sorrel, or Indian sorrel, but it is in fact a different plant from the Rumex family and is not a member of the Oxalis family of sorrels. Read more…

There are many varieties of gentian. In the west, the most commonly used species is yellow gentian (yellow Gentiana). The other varieties have similar properties so they can, and are, also used depending on what is available. There is no better stomach tonic than gentian and it is considered extremely useful in treating jaundice. The Chinese make use of two different species of gentian: Gentiana scabra (Long Dan Cao) and G. macrophylla (Qin Jiao) attributing them with slightly different characteristics. In the west Yellow, Japanese, Autumn, Field, Marsh, Spring, Cross-Leaved and Five-Leaved Gentian are all commonly used interchangeably as they all have similar characteristics. Read more…

Ginkgo is one of the best examples of a living fossil. The plant originated over 270 million years ago and has been cultivated in China since at least 2600 BC. Ginkgo is famous for helping with conditions that result in poor memory or conditions of dementia due to poor blood circulation. Read more…

Iris cultivation has produced many varieties of species. It is the Flag Irises that are known for their medicinal properties. They are also known as a blood and liver cleansing herb that has been used as a cure-all by Native Americans for centuries. Read more…

Java tea has been found to protect the renal and gastrointestinal organs and passage ways. It is also said to help reduce the effects of allergies and asthma. It is most famous for its anti-inflammatory and urinary health benefits, helping to prevent kidney stones. Java tea is also good at relieving stress and fatigue and has strong antioxidant properties that help protect against free-radical damage and the signs of aging. A daily cup of java tea is said to lower cholesterol, increase brain activity and memory as well as increasing overall brain functionality. Read more…

Lobelia can help ease a difficult or painful birthing process. It is also well known for treating acute heart conditions, croup, whooping cough and tonsillitis. Too much can be toxic, but in the right amounts it is a wonderful herb with centuries of use by the Chinese and Native Americans. It is said to be the best for treating snake bites and scorpion or wasp stings. The Native American Crow Tribe used it in religious ceremonies. Read more…

Chinese legends claim that a Taoist monk lived to be 252 years old by including lycium berries in his daily tonic. Famous for aiding a long, healthy life and longevity, lycium is also known as an excellent blood tonic. Read more…

Mint has long been enjoyed as a tea and food flavoring. It has a long history as an excellent cooling herb that can promote sweating, easing colds and flus as well as aiding headaches, menstrual cramps and other aches and pains. Read more…

Being highly absorbent and soft, with some antibacterial properties, mosses have long been used to help treat wounds. These same qualities have also led to their being used as insulation in clothing and shoes. In Finland, peat moss has been used to make bread during times of famine. Read more…

Pot Marigolds, also known by their Latin name, calendula, can be used to treat wounds. It is like arnica, only milder and gentler and therefore can even be used on open wounds. This beautiful flower has a long history in India and the West as being sacred and is used in religious ceremonies and rituals. It is a food, a medicine and a wonderful addition to your garden. Read more…

Raspberry leaf is well known for its benefits during pregnancy, but it is also beneficial for women of all ages and stages of life. Raspberries are known for their antioxidant and high vitamin C levels. Native Americans used raspberry’s as a medicine and for its protective properties. Raspberry leaves make a wonderful gargle and help heal wounds and varicose veins. Read more…

Long considered a longevity herb in Chinese Medicine, rehmannia is recommended for treating anemia, palpations, irregular menses, osteoporosis and lowering blood pressure. It is also a beautiful ornamental garden flower that attracts hummingbirds. Read more…

The tree’s heartwood is considered scared in the Vedic tradition. Sandalwood promotes deep relaxed states that increase the flow of spiritual energy. It relaxes the throat and heart chakras. It is used to treat depression, urinary infections, poor appetite and bronchitis. The herbs strong bitter taste and anti-inflammatory properties make it an excellent cold remedy. Arabic texts from the 10th century say sandalwood “clears headaches due to heat.” In Ancient China, it was recommended to treat cholera because of its cooling and drying properties. Sandalwood is a unique herb able to treat and balance the body, mind and spirit. Read more…

There are over 100 scorpion-based herbal formulas in Chinese Medicine. Modern studies have proved that Scorpions contain 17 amino acids and 14 trace elements that are essential to the human body, making it not only a medicinal substance but a nutritious food as well. Scorpion stings are painful, but usually harmless. Only 25 species are deadly. An image of evil, and a protector against evil, the scorpion is viewed by many cultures as an ancient healer and a cause of death. Read more…

Shepherd’s Purse is famous for its ability to stop bleeding, especially in the uterus. It is used to heal wounds, bleeding from any internal organ for any reason, heavy menstrual bleeding for any reason from fibroids to endometriosis, to post trauma from surgery to the uterus.  In China the leaves are a popular ingredient in dumplings and the herb is used to “brighten eyes.” Read more…

Blue-green algae / Spirulina changed our Earth forever by their photosynthetic activity that brought the needed oxygen into the environment so new and more-complex organisms, plants and mammals could evolve. It is a highly nutritious food that is loaded with proteins, minerals and vitamins. Read more…

Wild Asparagus Root, Tian Men Dong, is called Shatavri (“She who has a thousand husbands”) in India. It is a tonic for the lungs, heart and spirit, promoting compassion and love. It is used by both men and woman but is especially used by woman to aid female disorders from PMS to menopause to sexual dysfunction. It is often eaten raw. The best qualify is considered to be soft, chewy and sweet like a jelly bean. Read more…

All willow tree species behaves like aspirin and are mainly used to cool and relieve pain. The bark is excellent for treating chronic inflammation, infection and pain. In 1763, Reverend Edward Snow (1702-68) discovered salicin in willow bark. It is the active ingredient now used in asprin. Salix alba,‘Caerulea’ is a specially grown species of willow found in Britain that is used to make bats for playing the game of cricket. Remember, willow tree (Salix alba) is not willowherb (Epilobium augustifolium). Willow bark has been used for thousands of years as an effective treatment for aches, inflammation, fevers and pain. Read more…

Willowherb (also called Willow Herb) is not to be confused with the Willow Tree (also called Willow White). Willowherb is a lovely plant known mostly for being nutritious and edible, but it is also a good medicine for treating whooping cough and asthma. It is often used with the herb saw palmetto to treat prostrate problems. It is known for its ability to treat urinary tract infections, chronic diarrhea, intestinal irritations, and skin problems ranging from eczema, acne and burns to wounds and boils. The juice of the flowers is highly antiseptic and can be simply squeezed from the fresh petals. Read more…

Yarrow has often been used in divination and spells. It is a powerfully protective herb and famous for helping to heal wounds and treat influenza. It has a long tradition in European, Native American and Chinese medicine. Yarrow helps treat toothaches, fevers, digestive issues, ulcers, lowers blood pressure and much, much more. Read more…