Herbs

Also known as curled or curly dock. Yellow dock combines really well with other herbs for supporting different body systems and aids the body in absorbing their properties and nutrients. Rumex crispus Family: Polygonaceae - buckwheat Parts used: root Actions Antimicrobial​ Alterative Anti-Inflammatory Astringent Cholagogue Hepatic Laxative Nutritive Tonic Energetics/Body Systems Affected Cooling Drying Bitter Liver Kidney Uses Liver and gallbladder strength and support. Impro

Known in many herbals as "Cure-All" because that is what it seems to do. There are about 500 different varieties of yarrow worldwide. The wild variety is the most medicinal. Fun fact about the genus name Achillea, sounds a bit like Achilles because it was named for him, using it in battle to staunch his soldiers’ wounds. Achillea millefolium Family: Asteraceae– daisy Parts used: leaves, flowers What's in a Name - Achillia millefolium Achillea - named for the Greek hero Achi

Not only is wormwood a strong herbal antibiotic it is also a beautiful plant to have in the yard, sporting deep green foliage in the fall and frosty green in the spring. A relative to sagebrush, wormwood has become one of my favorite herbs for mystery illnesses and any type of infection. Artemisia absinthium (more species) Family: Asteraceae- daisy Parts used: leaves mainly but root can also be used as a powerful medicine Actions Antibacterial Antifungal Anti-Inflammatory A

Also known as prickly lettuce, wild opium and compass plant. This common weed can be used as a pain reliever and the sap is a wonderful natural wart remover. Lactuca virosa Family: Asteraceae- daisy Parts used: leaves, sap, seeds Actions Antibacterial Analgesic Sedative Energetics/Body Systems Affected Cooling Bitter Liver Lung Uses Pain reliever (opium substitute) Cramps, muscle, and joint pain. Sleep aid and helpful for nightmares. Calming and relaxing; helps with restle

There are over 500 species in the viola family, including pansies, all are medicinal. Odorata is a wild variety. Viola odorata (many species) Family: Violaceae – violet, pansy Parts used: flowers, leaves Actions Antioxidant Antitussive Anticancer Cathartic Emollient Laxative Nervine Nutritive Energetics/Body Systems Affected Cooling Pungent Nervous Lymph Immune Uses Lymph cleanser and support Immune support Female breasts and reproductive system support Blood cleansing Infect

Valerian has been used for nervous system conditions since the Greeks and Romans. It makes a cheery addition to the garden, even if the blossoms smell a bit like a baby diaper. Valeriana officinalis Family: Valerianaceae – valerian Parts used: root (most potent), blossoms, leaves Actions Antispasmodic Analgesic Antiseptic Carminative Diuretic Nervine Sedative Stimulant Energetics/Body Systems Affected Warming Pungent Nervous Uses Nervous systems disorders Blossoms cleanse, pu

One of several species referred to a bearberry, due to the love of these berries by bears. Mainly used for anything to do with the urinary tract. Arctostaphylos uva ursi Family: Ericaceae - heather Parts used: leaves Actions Antimicrobial Astringent Antiseptic Anti-Inflammatory Antiviral Antifungal Astringent Analgesic Diuretic Antilithic Energetics/Body Systems Affected Cooling Drying Urinary Uses Tones and builds the urinary system. Kidney and bladder stones. Bladder and ur

Also known as Old Man’s Beard, I’ll let you guess why. There are several species of this unique algae/fungus combination, that can be identified by the elastic white thread that grows in the middle. Stephen Buhner lists it as one of the most powerful herbal antibiotics. Usnea barbata Family: Usneacea - lichen Parts used: whole lichen Actions Antibiotic Antibacterial Antiviral Antifungal Antimicrobial Vulnerary Energetics/Body Systems Affected Cooling Drying Respiratory Uses L

Turmeric is among the most antioxidant-rich, anti-inflammatory, and immune-enhancing herbs available. Many experts say that combining turmeric with black pepper enhances its effectiveness and absorption significantly. Curcuma longa Family: Zingiberaceae - ginger Parts used: rhizome (root) Actions Adaptogen Alterative Anti-Inflammatory Antibacterial Antiviral Antifungal Anticancer Anticoagulant Antioxidant Carminative Cholagogue Hemostat Vulnerary Energetics/Body Systems Affec

There are over 60 species of thyme and just walking down the herb aisle at the local nursery you get a little sampling of the varieties. Common garden thyme (vulgaris) is the most aromatic, hardy and medicinal of the varieties. Thymus vulgaris Family: Lamiaceae - mint Parts used: leaves and blossoms Actions Antibacterial Antibiotic Antifungal Antioxidant Antimicrobial Anti-Spasmodic Antiseptic Anthelmintic Anti-Viral Astringent Carminative Diaphoretic Diuretic Emmenagogue Ex

St. John’s wort has long been associated with the nervous system, aiding in sleep, and calming the mind, nerves, and pain signals. It is also a great skin healer, repairing damaged tissue and protecting against infection. Hypericum perforatum Family: Hypericaceae Parts used: bud, flower (most medicinal), leaf Actions Antibacterial Antidepressant Antiseptic Antiviral Anti-Inflammatory Analgesic Antifungal Antioxidant Astringent Nervine Sedative Vulnerary Energetics/Body System

Sorrel has been used as part of a popular herbal cancer remedy since the early 1800’s. It can be cultivated in the garden or foraged for in the wild as French or sheep sorrel (acetosella). Both species have the same properties to cleanse the liver and blood and boost the immune system. Rumex acetosa (garden) Rumex scutatus (French-wild) Family: Polygonaceae - buckwheat, yellow dock Parts used: leaves Actions Anti-Inflammatory Antimutagenic Antioxidant Astringent Diuretic Refr

Skullcap is indigenous to North America and is best known for its ability to control nervous irritation. For this purpose, it is used in many nervous system formulas including pain and sleep issues. Scutellaria lateriflora Family: Lamiaceae – mint Parts used: aerial parts, leaves, blossoms Actions Antibacterial Analgesic Antifungal Antiviral Anti-Inflammatory Antispasmodic Antitumor Antioxidant Antimicrobial Decongestant Diuretic Febrifuge Nervine Sedative Energetics/Body Sys

I always loved this "weed" as a child because I love hearts and this particular plant has heart shaped seed pods that I always thought were the leaves. I find it interesting that the main use of Shepherd's purse is for stopping bleeding of all types when the seed pods are shaped like the heart which pumps blood. Capsella bursa-pastoris Family: Cruciferae – cabbage Parts used: aerial parts, leaves, blossoms Actions Astringent Detergent Diuretic Hemostatic Styptic Vulnerary En

Sagebrush grows all over the Rocky Mountains where I live. This plant is a relative of wormwood and will carry all the healing benefits of that plant, but with more potency. Artemisia tridentata Family: Asteraceae - daisy, sunflower Parts used: leaves, stems, blossoms, seeds Actions Antibacterial Antifungal Anti-Inflammatory Antiviral Antitumor Antiparasitic Antiseptic Antibiotic Energetics/Body Systems Affected Warming Drying Respiratory Immune Uses Fungal problems such as n

There are hundreds of salvia species and all of them are medicinal but the most commonly used is the salvia officinalis or the common garden sage. In the Latin salvia means "healthy and whole" and that describes this herb perfectly. Rosmarinus officinalis Family: Laminaceae – mint Parts used: leaves and blossoms Actions Antibacterial Anticatarrhal Antifungal Anti-Inflammatory Antioxidant Antimicrobial Antispasmodic Antiviral Astringent Antiseptic Carminative Digestive Diaph

Rosmarinus means “mist of the sea”. Isn’t that beautiful? I have loved rosemary long before I even knew what to do with it. I love to just rub my fingers along the sprigs and inhale deeply the aromatic essence that immediately calms and lifts my spirit. Rosmarinus officinalis Family: Laminaceae – mint Parts used: leaves and blossoms Actions Antibacterial Antimicrobial Antiviral Anti-Inflammatory Antidepressant Antiseptic Antifungal Antioxidant Antispasmodic Astringent Carmina

There are more than 10,000 varieties of cultivated roses and thousands of wild varieties. They are not only beautiful to look at and fragrant to smell, but as a bonus, they are loaded with healing properties. Rose is a two for one plant, with petals during the summer and hips in the fall and winter. Rosa, many species Family: Rosaceae - rose, apple Parts used: petals, fruits (hips) Best species for medicinal use. They should have a strong fragrance with no pesticides or chemi

As a spring sprouting perennial, red clover is well known for its cleansing properties, from the blood to lymph, lungs and digestive tract. As it cleanses it eliminates toxins by increasing the flow of urine and bile as well as moving mucus out of the lungs and other areas of the body. Because of its cleansing property this is a great herb for treating different chronic conditions and mystery illnesses. Trifolium pratense Family: Fabaceae - Legume, pea, bean Subfamily: Tri

Raspberry leaf is one of the most nutritive herbs out there for building all systems in the body, including the immune system. When someone is not feeling well, this is the first herb I turn to, to strengthen the body and get the systems back in working condition. It is a great addition to any herbal blend. Rubus idaeus Family: Rosaceae - rose Parts used: leaves What's in a Name - Rubus idaeus Rubus - translates directly from Latin to “bramble”. It may also be rooted in the