Herbs

In traditional American folk medicine, it has been administered as a nutritive tonic. The dried alfalfa leaf is widely available in herbal shops and health food stores as an herbal tea, tablet, or powder. The seed is often sprouted and eaten in salads.

Angelica is the European cousin of the more familiar dong-quai. A graceful flowering plant related to carrots, dill, and fennel.

Ashwagandha is a highly revered botanical used in Ayurveda and is praised for its adaptogenic and tonic properties. In many Asian countries, all parts of the plant are utilized, and the tender leaves are eaten as a gentle nourishing herb.

Astragalus is traditionally valued for supporting healthy immune function and has been observed to support the heart in healthy subjects.

Astragalus is traditionally valued for supporting healthy immune function and has been observed to support the heart in healthy subjects.

Brahmi is a creeping perennial, native to many parts of world and most frequently found in tropical regions of the Asian continent. It grows in marshy, wet environments.

Both the berries and the bark are used traditionally. The berries are puckery but less bitter than cranberries, ripe barberries can be used to make jam.

Beet juice and beet powder are used to flavor carrot, celery, and other vegetable juices, and also to color a variety of foods.

Birch bark can easily be harvested from dead or fallen trees, where it still retains its wonderful properties. Birch bark is strong and water resistant, almost like cardboard in its pliability, and can therefore be bent, cut, and even sewn.

Birch trees have a strong connection with the celebration of Beltane, they are among the first to come into leaf, and therefore would have made a obvious choice as a representation of spring.

The name cohosh is from the Algonquian tribe, and means rough, referring to the feel of the rhizome. It was given the name "bugbane" because the flowers have such a strong odor, and have been used to effectively repel insects.

The hulls without the meaty kernels inside are used in traditional herbalism. Black walnut trees exude a sap that discourages growth of competing plants over their roots.

Blue vervain is traditionally used as a tea, but also as a tincture, syrup, foot soak or bath herb, salve or cream.

The entire plant has traditional uses, including leaf, stem and flower, but typically only the above-ground parts of boneset are collected. The herb is dried and chopped.

Buchu is most often prepared as a tea or tincture, often combined with couchgrass, corn silk, cranberry, cleavers, dandelion, goldenrod, parsley, and/or uva ursi.

Burdock is considered by many herbalists to be the best known medicinal for skin conditions (Hoffman, Moore). This herb is highly effective, gentle, and multipurpose. It promotes the flow of bile and also increases circulation to the skin.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), calendula (called Jin Zhan Ju) is considered energetically neutral and drying and is used to support healthy skin.

The amount of Vitamin C found in the Camu Camu fruit is attracting the attention of naturopaths and nutritionists alike. The combination of Vitamin C and the other nutrients in this super fruit is becoming known as a general health boosting essential.

Usually used as a tincture. The tannins in the herb are released only if it is taken in an acidic medium; add a little lemon juice to a quarter-cup of water to which you add the tincture or prepare as a tea.

Catnip was prized for its ability to calm occasional nervousness and promote restful sleep. It was used as a relaxant and to reduce fevers. Catnip was often used to support healthy digestion.

Chaga is typically and historically ingested as a tea, but it also has been made into a tincture, and less commonly into powder that is then used as a tea; Encapsulation seems to be rare.

Chaga is typically and historically ingested as a tea, but it also has been made into a tincture, and less commonly into a powder that is then used as a tea; Encapsulation seems to be rare. There have been reports of it being the base for liqueurs.

Chamomile is often ingested as a tea for calming purposes and to soothe the digestive tract. Chamomile is excellent for soothing the skin.

Chickweed is most often used as a tincture or ointment. It can be encapsulated or taken as a tea. For external applications it may be used in salves, infused in oil, or ointments.