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

RED CLOVER (Trifolium Pratense) Parts Used: Blossoms Excellent for bronchial congestion. Relaxing to nerves and entire system. Externally, Red Clover is valuable in treating skin conditions such as psoriasis shingles and acne.
RED RASPBERRY
REISHI
ROSE (Rosa spp.) Parts Used: Flowers, Hips Rose water revives tired skin and eyes. Dog Rose (Rosa canina) is the major source of hips for jam, syrup, tea and wine. Rose petal syrup can be make by adding twice the petals' weight of sugar and infusing in hot water. Alternatively, the fresh petals can be ground with a little boiling water and strained, and the liquid combined with honey. The resulting liquid is a natural laxative and a tonic for the stomach. The rose hips should be gathered after the first frost. The dried hips are opened, the seeds and hairs removed, and the skins used for an excellent sore throat tea.
ROSEMARY (Rosmarinus officinalis) Parts Used: Leaf, Flower The antiseptic, antioxidant leaves help preserve food & aid digestion of fat . The flowers can be used fresh as a garnish or crystallized as decoration. The leaf and flowers are stimulating to the liver and the digestion. Rosemary increases the circulation and slightly raises blood pressure. Use rosemary in salves for eczema, wounds, and sores. The tea makes a mouthwash. The oil benefits stomach and nerve. Rosemary and coltsfoot are smoked as an herbal tobacco to relieve asthma and lung conditions. Warning: When rosemary is used as a tea, the dose should not exceed one cup per day. Overdose can cause fatal poisoning
ROWAN (Sorbus aucuparia) Parts Used: Fruit, Bark The berries, rich in vitamin C, can be made into a tart jelly, Ground into flour, fermented into wine or distilled into spirits. Rowan is a close relative of The American Mountain Ash and can be used in the same way . The bark is decocted for diarrhea and for vaginal douches. The berries are gathered when ripe and then dried or made into jam. The berries are useful for sore throats and tonsillitis. The ancient Welsh made an ale from rowan berries. Warning: The seeds should be removed as they can contain hydrocyanic acid and are considered poisonous.
RUE (Ruta graveolens) Parts Used: Above Ground Plant Its antispasmodic action treats high blood pressure and colic. It is taken warm to bring on menstruation. The infusion benefits coughs, cramp, and colic. The leaves are used in poultices and salves to relieve sciatica and rheumatic pains. The fresh leaves are placed on the temples to relieve headache. The juice or oil is placed in the ear to relieve earaches. Warning: Some people may experience skin irritation when picking the fresh plant.
SAFFRON (Crocus sativus) Parts Used: Stamens The stigmas and style tops flavor and color liqueurs and many dishes, especially rice. Saffron is considered an aphrodisiac, but too much may be narcotic. It is given to reduce fevers, cramps, and enlarged livers and to calm nerves. It is applied externally for bruises, rheumatism, and neuralgia
SAGE (Salvia officinalis) Parts Used: Leaf Sage leaf is used to aid the digestion of fatty meats. The flowers are tossed in salads and are brewed for a light tea. Sage contains hormone precursors that help irregular menstruation and menopause symptoms. Sage is a drying agent for the body. The tea of the leaf will dry up night sweats, breast milk, and congestion. Being astringent, it helps with diarrhea. Use it as a sore throat gargle and as a poultice for sores and stings.
SANDALWOOD (Santalum album) Parts Used: Heartwood The oil is used as an inhalant for its expectorant and sedative effect on coughs and as a powerful antiseptic for lung and urinary tract infections. It is taken to help in the passing of stones, in kidney inflammations, and in prostatitis. The oil is cooling to the body and useful for fevers and infections when used as a massage. The scent is calming to the mind. Sandalwood has been used internally for chronic bronchitis.
SARSAPARILLA (Smilax Officinalis) Parts Used: Root Used extensively in China for a variety of conditions. Has been recommended to relieve symptoms of rheumatism and arthritis. Also known to be useful as a diuretic and to enhance digestive functioning
SAW PALMETTO
SCHISANDRA
SCULLCAP
SENNA
SHIITAKE
SLIPPERY ELM (Ulmus Fulva) Parts Used: Inner Bark Soothing and healing to the mucous membranes of the lungs and gastro-intestinal tract. Also useful in treating inflamed membranes in the stomach, bowels, kidney and urinary tract.
SPEARMINT (Mentha spicata) Also called Garden Mint, Our Lady's Mint, Sage of Bethlehem, Erba Santa Maria and Lamb Mint. Parts Used: Above Ground Plant Mice hate the smell of mint and will avoid any place where the herb is scattered. See Mint
ST. JOHN'S WORT (Hypericum perforatum) Parts Used: Flowers, Leaf, Stem Extract of the flowering tops is anti viral, astringent, and sedative; it treats inflammation, wounds, and diarrhea. Taken internally, it calms nerves and treats depression. The herb is used for lung problems, bladder complaints, diarrhea, dysentery, depression, hemorrhages and jaundice. Bedwetting is helped by a nightly cup of the tea. The oils are applied external injuries, especially when nerve endings are involved (i.e. fingers and toes). The oil is excellent for massages, as it affects the spine directly. Varicose veins, mild burns, inflammations, neuralgia, and rheumatism are helped by a poultice of it.
STAR ANISE (Illicium verum) Parts Used: Seed The fruits and foliage yield an essential oil, used as a substitute anise seed flavoring or medicinally to relieve chest complaints, rheumatism, and flatulence. The oil is used in soaps, hair oils, and Asian perfumes. Chew the seeds after a meal to help the digestion. Simmer the seeds to make a tea for colic and rheumatic complaints. The tea of the seed will help cramps and nausea, promote menstruation, and increase breast milk. It also relieves insomnia. The seeds are simmered into salves for scabies and lice. The oil is a stomach tonic. The seeds can be tinctured in brandy (rather than the usual vodka, whiskey, or grain alcohol) with some lemon peel.
SUNFLOWER (Helianthus annuus) Parts Used: The Whole Plant The nutritious seeds are eaten raw, roasted, and ground into meal or nut butter and were used by Native American warriors as "energy cakes." The flower buds give a yellow dye and are cooked like artichokes. The pressed seeds yield an all purpose oil with culinary and cosmetic uses. Medicinally, the seeds are used as a diuretic and expectorant and treat coughs, dysentery and kidney inflammation. The root is a laxative and treats stomach pan. The stem pith yields potash and fibers for textiles and paper, and its cellular lightness is used for microscope slide mounts. The seed heads provide food for birds in winter.
TEA TREE (Melaleuca alternifolia) Parts Used: Oil Tea tree oil has huge healing potential. It is a powerful antiseptic and immune stimulant, active against bacteria, viruses, and fungi such as athlete's foot and thrush. It helps treat colds, flu, lesions, warts and acne. Tea Tree is the best remedy for yeast infections!
THYME (Thymus vulgaris) Parts Used: Above Ground Plant Thyme aids the digestion of fatty foods and is part of bouquet garni and Benedictine liqueur. Thyme oil is distilled from the leaves and flowering tops and is a stimulant and antiseptic. It is a nerve tonic used externally to treat depression, colds, muscular pain and respiratory problems. The oil is added to acne lotions and mouthwashes. Research has confirmed Thyme strengthens the immune system. Thyme is an excellent lung cleanser. Use it to dry up and clear out moist phlegm and to treat whooping cough. It makes a good tea for the mother after childbirth, as it helps expel the placenta. A natural antiseptic, thyme is often used in salves for wounds, swellings, sciatica, and failing eyes. The tea relieves gas and colic. Use thyme for headaches and hangovers.
TUMERIC

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.