A General Guide to HerbsHerbal Information and Receipies

A General Guide To Herbs

This guide is not intended for prescriptive purposes. Use of this information is at the sole discretion of the individual. We accept no responsibility for its use or abuse. As time permits, I will connect links up to this page so that you will be able to click on the name of the herb or plant and get more in-depth information as well as photos of this plant. This may take some time since this is a lot of information to put together. If you have any photos or information you would like to share, it would be appreciated. I will give you credit for sending it in, but I ask that you list your source if the information is out of a book so that I may give them credit as well.
Thank you, froggy

Herbs A-B Herbs C-E Herbs F-H Herbs I-L Herbs M-Q Herbs R-T Herbs U-Z

INDIGO (indigofera tenctoria, I.) Parts Used: Root
The powdered root is used for toothaches. The chinese have used this plant to cleanse the liver, detoxify the blood and reduce pain and inflammation. Warning: many species of this plant are poisonous, it is safest used as a dye for cloth.

IVY (Hedera helix) Parts Used: Twig, Leaf
Its toxic leaves are used as a poultice to soothe neuralgia, rheumatism, and sciatica. In a compress, reduce cellulite. They contain saponins and in solution, darken hair, blacken silk and taffeta. Ivy leaves kill some amoebas, fungi and mollusks. Tender ivy twigs are simmered in salves to heal sunburn. Externally, ivy is used in poultices to heal nerves, sinews, ulcers, enlarged glands, boils and abscesses.

JASMINE (Jasminum officionale) Parts Used: Flower
The flowers make a tea that calms the nerves and increases erotic feelings. The oil of the leaf is rubbed on the head to heal the eyes. A syrup of jasmine flowers and honey will help with coughs and lung complaints. The essential oil of jasmine is said to help menstrual pain and lung problems. Warning: The berries are poisonous.

JUNIPER (Jiniperus Communis) Parts Used: Berries, Young Twigs
Excellent for bladder difficulties. Also effective in relieving flatulence and gastric afflictions. Primarily a diuretic, the berries help with gastrointestinal inflammations and rheumatism. Warning: Pregnant women and people with weak kidneys should not use juniper berry.

KAVA (being looked up)

KELP (Fucacea)

KUDZU

LAVENDER (Lavandula species) Parts Used: Flower, Leaf
Flower water is a skin toner useful for speeding cell renewal and is an antiseptic for acne. Flower tea treats anxiety, headaches, flatulence, nausea, dizziness, and halitosis. It is antiseptic, mildly sedative and painkilling. It is applied to insect bites, and treats burns, sore throats and headaches. The oil is used for intestinal gas, migraine and dizziness. Being antiseptic, lavender is added to healing salves. A tea of the leaf allays nausea and vomiting. Lavender oil is added to footbaths, eases toothaches and sprains, and is used as a rub for hysteria and palsy.

LEMON VERBENA (Aloysia triphylla syn. Lippia citriodora) Parts Used: Flowers, Leaves
The leaves are used to flavor drinks and fruit and sweet dishes, and to make herb tea. The tea is refreshing and mildly sedative. The leaves also yield a green coloring and essential oil. The leaves and flowering tops are used to lower fevers and to relieve gas and indigestion. Lemon Verbena is calming, a sedative for the nerves. Steep two teaspoons per cup of water for twenty minutes and take one-fourth cup four times a day. Stimulating to the skin, lemon verbena makes a good facial scrub for pimples and blemishes.

LEMON (Citrus limon) Parts Used: Fruit, Juice, Peel
citrus fruits flavor food and drink and provide vitamin C. Essential oils from the peel scent food, cosmetics and perfume. The seed oils are used in soaps.

LEMON BALM (Melissa officionalis) Parts Used: Leaf, Flower
Fresh leaves add a delicate flavor to many dishes, oils, vinegar's, and liqueurs, provide a relaxing bath, soothe insect bites, and make a sedative and tonic tea.

LEMONGRASS (Cymbopogon citratus) Parts Used: Leaf, Stem, Oil
The stem and leaf, used widely in Thai cuisine, have a distinct lemon flavor. Leaf tea treats diarrhea, stomachache, headaches, fevers, and flu, and is antiseptic. The essential oil is used in cosmetics, food and aromatherapy.

LICORICE (Glyeyrrhiza Glabra) Parts Used: Root
Acts as a soothing remedy for aggravation in the upper respiratory tract. Also used to heal ulcers, inhibit the growth of harmful viruses and has the ability to stimulate the adrenal glands.

LILAC (Syringia vulgaris) Parts Used: Flower
The flowers were once used to treat fever. In the language of flowers, Lilac symbolizes the first emotions of love. If inhaled too deeply, however, the strong flower fragrance can cause nausea.

LIME (Citrus limata) Parts Used: Fruit
The bitter fruit is a pale green color, about half the size of a lemon.
The essential oil is extracted from the fruit peel.

LINDEN (Tilia spp.) Parts Used: Flower, Leaf, Twig, Bark, Wood
The flowers are brewed to make a tea, the classic digestive end to a continental meal, and a treatment for insomnia, nervous tension, and overwrought children. The world's most valued honey is made from Linden blossoms and is used in liqueurs and medicines. The inner bark treats kidney stones, gout and coronary disease.

LOOSESTRIFE (Lythrum salicaria) Parts Used: Flower, Leaf, Stem
Te leaves are eaten as an emergency vegetable and fermented into a mild alcohol. The flowering plant is an intestinal disinfectant, treating diarrhea and food poisoning. It acts as a typhus antibiotic, a sore throat gargle, and is given for fever and liver problems.

LOTUS (Nelumbo nucifera or Nymphaea lotus) Parts Used: Leaf, The Root Node, Bud, Seeds

The leaf is used for fever, sweating, irritability, dysentery and diarrhea. It is a styptic. The nodes of the root are used to stop bleeding and to break down blood clots. The plumule (bud) affects the heart, kidney, and spleen. It is used to calm mental agitation and worry, relieve insomnia, and lower fevers. The seed affects the kidney, heart, and spleen. It is used for agitation, insomnia, palpitations, dry mouth, dark urine, and chronic diarrhea. It strengthens the heart and kidneys.

Note: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please check with your health care provider. Use of this information is at the sole discretion of the individual. We accept no responsibility for its use or misuse. This site is for information only.