The ever-increasing pace that characterises our modern way of life is one of the worst poisons for our heart. Even though, for the most part, individual productivity has not exceeded that of former times, it has become the custom to cram too many activities, especially those connected with our job, into a short space of [...]
Sweet Basil Ocymum basilicum Bush Basil Ocymum minimum LABIATAE Basil has been called the king of all the herbs. Its name has been attributed to two different origins, some writers saying it comes from basileus, Greek for “king”, but basilicus—basilisk, the old name for serpent—could refer to its reputation for counteracting poison from the bite [...]
Food for the young plants is best put into the soil before they are set out, particularly with a perennial bed, which will not be disturbed again for several years. I have found the only fertilizers to use are the natural organic manures and compost. All my own herbs are organically grown, with no chemical [...]
Dry the leaves, crumble them, and store with woollens to keep the moths away. Its ether-like smell is repugnant to them. Southernwood tea is also prescribed when people are convalescing from the flu: it helps combat the bodily weakness and pains in the limbs suffered with this wretched illness. It can tone up the skin, [...]
Levisticum officinale UMBELLIFERAE Lovage is a very difficult herb to grow in its germination and seedling stage, and also a very slow starter, and this seems to have discouraged many herb fanciers from cultivating it in their gardens. The seeds take weeks and sometimes months to germinate and, unlike other herbs, need cool conditions for [...]
The comfrey plant is a vigorously growing one. Its roots will forage deep down into the subsoil, dredging up the stores of minerals and nutrients often sadly lacking in depleted topsoil. It has been used by farmers to break up new heavy ground before planting foodcrops. After the foliage is ploughed in to decompose and [...]
Cuts, Wounds and Grazes A good all-purpose remedy for cuts, wounds and grazes is made as follows: 1 part Marigold flowers (antiseptic/vulnerary) 1 part Plantain leaves (haemostatic/antiseptic/vulnerary) 1 part St John’s Wort herb (analgesic/antiseptic/vulnerary) 1 part Comfrey root (emollient/vulnerary) Poultice, compress or ointment: apply to affected area, renewing 2-4 times daily Many other herbs are [...]
Uterine and Ovarian Problems For uterine haemorrhage or bleeding: Shepherd’s Purse herb Decoction of the fresh or dried plant: 1/2-1 cup every 15-30 minutes until the bleeding is checked (in most cases bleeding is arrested after the first or second cupful) 3 parts Stinging Nettle herb 2 parts Cinnamon bark (powdered) Infusion: 1/2-1 ñèð [...]
Verbena officinalis Action: Nervine, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, antipyretic, cholagogue, galactagogue, tonic, vulnerary. Systems Affected: Nerves, circulation, liver, gall-bladder, stomach, intestines, uterus. Preparation and Dosage (thrice daily): Dried leaves and flowers, dose 2-5 grams by infusion. Vervain, native to Europe and introduced elsewhere, is a perennial herb growing up to 80 centimeters or so in height. It [...]
Leonurus cardiaca Action: Sedative, antispasmodic, cardiac tonic, hypotensive, emmenagogue. Systems Affected: Nerves, heart, circulation, uterus. Preparation and Dosage (thrice daily): Dried flowering plant, dose 2-5 grams by infusion. There are several species of Leonurus throughout the world, all with similar cardiotonic, sedative and emmenagogue properties. The Asian species L. artemisia is an important herb in [...]