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

MACE (Myristica fragrans) Parts Used: Seed
The fruits hold the seed which is nutmeg and its aril, a red, lacy shell coating is mace. It is prescribed for flatulence and nausea. The essential oil is added to perfumes, soaps, hair oils, tobacco, and fumigants. The nut yields an oil, nutmeg butter, used in skin creams.
Warning: Large doses of nutmeg are toxic, because of the presence of the hallucinogen myristicin.

MAITAKE

MARIGOLD (Calendula officinalis) Also known as Calendula Parts Used: Flower, Leaf
Calendula is antiseptic, anti fungal and contains vitamin A. The flowers are a healing agent. Added to poultices and salves, they speed healing of wounds and for repairing nerve damage. An infusion is given for intestinal problems and to clean the lymphatic system. It is also used as a blood cleaner. Useful in fevers, the herb can be used fresh, dry or in tincture.

MARJORAM (Origanum majorana) Parts Used: Leaf, Flower
As an aromatic tea, Sweet Marjoram aids digestion, relieves flatulence, colds and headaches, soothes nerves and encourages menstruation. Marjoram essential oil is distilled from the leaves and flowering tops. It is antioxidant, reduces skin aging, anti viral, eases spasms, and stimulates local circulation.

MARSHMALLOW

MEADOWSWEET (Filipendula ulnaria) Parts Used: Parts Used: The whole plant
Dried flowers can be made into an astringent skin tonic. Flower buds contain salicylic acid, a chemical from which aspirin was synthesized, but the herb as a whole is gentler on the stomach. Flower tea for stomach ulcers and headaches, as an antiseptic diuretic and for feverish colds, diarrhea, and heartburn. The fresh flower tops, taken in tea, promote sweating. it a good herb for rheumatic complaints and flu. It is astringent and helps with indigestion. It has diuretic properties, which make it helpful in edema. The tea has been used for respiratory tract infections, gout, and arthritis. It can help bladder and kidney problems.

MILK THISTLE

MINT (Mentha spicata, sativa, aquatica, and others) Parts Used: Above Ground Plant
The infusion of the herb has been used for diarrhea. It is a classic for colds. Mint is helpful in stomach complaints, but a strong infusion will be emetic (it makes one throw up). Mint tea eases colic and eases depression. It relieves earaches when the fresh juice of a few drops of the essential oil are placed in the ear. A few drops of the oil in water, applied with a cloth, help burning and itching, heat prostration, and sunburn. Apply it directly to an itchy skin condition or sunburn.

MISTLETOE (Viscum album) Also known as Golden Bough Parts Used: Twig, Leaf
The leafy twigs, toxic in volume, are a heart tonic, reduce blood pressure, slow heart rate, strengthen capillary walls, stimulate the immune system and inhibit tumors. It strengthens the glandular system and has helped with inflammation of the pancreas. Mistletoe is recommended for use after a stroke or when hardening of the arteries is suspected. It will stop pulmonary and intestinal bleeding caused by dysentery. Warning: Large doses have been known to induce convulsions. Berries should not be used for internal consumption.

MUGWORT (Artemisia vulgaris) Also known as Witch Herb Parts Used: Leaf, Stem
This is a classic herb for premenstrual symptoms when used as a tea and in the bath. It makes a good foot bath for tired feet and legs. It is used for cleansing the liver and it promotes digestion. It is helpful in epilepsy, palsy, and hysteria and is useful for fevers. When laid among clothing, mugwort also repels moths.

MULLEIN (Verbascum thapsus) Parts Used: Leaf, Flower
The expectorant, soothing, and spasm sedating properties of the leaf and flowers are used to treat raspy coughs. Leaf wraps are used as emergency bandages. The leaf is also used as a remedy for bronchitis and burning urination. A tea of the flowers brings on sleep. A poultice of the leaves helps wounds and sores. The leaves steeped in vinegar and water will sooth inflammation, painful skin conditions, and hemorrhoids when used externally as a poultice.

MYRRH

MYRTLE (Myrtus communis) Parts Used: flowers, leaf and oils
This has aromatic leaves and flower buds. The flowers are made into toilet water, added with the leaves to acne ointment, and dried for potpourri. Leaf essential oil is the source of myrtol, given for gingivitis

NETTLE

OATS

OAK (Quercus alba or spp.) Parts Used: Inner bark, Young Leaf, Galls
The white oak (Q. alba) is the best for internal use. Black oak (Q. tinctoria) and red oak (Q. rubra) can be used externally. English oak (Q. robur) can be used both externally and internally. Oak bark and galls are astringent and antiseptic. Oak bark provides tannin and as leather tanners seemed immune to tuberculosis, the bark was used for treatment of the disease. The tea brings down fevers, treats diarrhea, and makes a wash for sores. As a gargle, it treats mouth sores and sore throats.

OAKMOSS (Pseudevernia prunastri) Parts Used: Whole plant
Oak Moss is a lichen. A lichen is an alga (which photosynthesizes) and a fungus operating together in a symbiotic relationship. It is collected as a violet scented fixative and an oleo-resin, extracted for perfumes and soap. Native Americans used it when binding wounds. It is used as a stomach tonic and an expectorant, and soothes coughs. Oak Moss yields a purple wool dye, but air pollution has made it scarce.

PARSLEY (Petroselinum sativum also crispum) Parts Used: Keaves, Roots, Seeds
Grown near roses, it improves their health and scent. Leaf infusions are a tonic for hair, skin and eyes. The leaves, root, and seeds are diuretic & reduce the release of histamine. The second year roots, the leaf, and the seed are used. The root is the most powerful part. The oil of the seed (five to fifteen drops) has been used to bring on menstruation. The seed, when decocted, have been used for intermittent fevers. A parsley poultice will help insect bites, stings, and sore eyes. Parsley tea is used for asthma and coughs. Warning: Persons with weak kidneys should avoid this herb.

PASSION FLOWER

PATCHOULI (Pogostemon patchouli or heyeanus) Parts Used: Leaf
The leaves, placed among clothes to deter insects, give Indian shawls their characteristic fragrance. Patchouli gave the distinctive scent to original India ink and Chinese red ink paste. It can be used as a rub for Athlete's Foot & Fungal Infections. Stimulant in small amounts & Sedative in large doses.

PAU D'ARCO Parts Used: Inner bark
A South America herb used primarily to fight infection and to strengthen the immune system. Check your sources to be sure this is certified as Pau D'Arco. Warning: Other plants are substituted and passed off as Pau D'Arco.

PENNYROYAL Parts Used: Above Ground Plant

PEPPERMINT (Mentha Piperita) Parts Used: Above Ground Plant
The best known herbal remedy for stomach problems. Used for treating indigestion, intestinal gas and to inhibit diarrhea. See Mint.

PHYLLANTHUS

PINE (Pinus spp.) Parts Used: Oil, Tar, Needle, Twig,
Pine oil is used for expectorants in inhalations for bronchitis and colds. The root tar is included in some hair growth stimulation products. The needles and young twigs of the white pine are made into infusions for coughs. High in vitamin C. Pine needles are simmered into massage oils. The oil is used externally to relieve rheumatic pain, chronic bronchitis, sciatica, pneumonia, and nephritis. The resin heals the kidneys, liver and lungs. The scent is calming to the lungs and nerves.

PSYLLIUM

PYGEUM

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.