Angelica
(Dong-Quai)
Used primarily in China for
thousands of years on women who suffer abnormal
or severe menstrual problems. During menopause,
women were often given Angelica to relieve
hot flashes and other associated symptoms.
Do not take Angelica Root if you are pregnant
or nursing. Angelica can cause sensitivity
to the sunlight.
Bee
Balm (Monarda)
Bee
balm has a history of use as a medicinal plant
by many Native Americans including the Blackfeet.
The Blackfeet Indians recognized this plant's
strong antiseptic action, and used poultices
of the plant for skin infections and minor
wounds. A tea made from the plant was also
used to treat mouth and throat infections
caused by dental caries and gingivitis. Oswego
Tea, made from the leaves of the plant, was
a staple in Early American households during
colonial times after the settlers lost access
to English teas after the Boston Tea Party.
Black
Cohosh (Squaw Root)
Black Cohosh is most commonly
used to ease the symptoms of PMS and menopause,
although it can take several weeks for those
benefits to show up. Some women have had success
using black cohosh as a natural alternative
to hormone replacement therapy. Black Cohosh
can be used to treat arthritis and other painful
rheumatic difficulties. Black cohosh can ease
the inflammation and joint pain caused by
osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, and
is a good treatment for muscle soreness caused
by tension, strain and overwork.
Calendula
Calendula
has a long history of use as a wound-healing
and skin-soothing botanical. Calendula has
estrogenic properties of marigold make it
useful for treating menstrual discomfort.
Calendula is known to be a digestive aid and
has been used for organ detoxification.
Chamomile
A
native of Europe, and was brought by early
settlers to North America. It is known as
a gentle sleep aid, a mild laxative, and also
helps a sore stomach. Offered at market
periodically. Annual
Perennial
Devil's
Club
Devil's
club is recognized as a most significant plant
with over 30 categories of medicinal, spiritual,
and technological uses reported. It is used
by over twenty five different indigenous groups
of western North America. Medicinal uses of
various parts of this plant are vastly numerous
and include appetite stimulant, birth control,
blood purifier, laxative, analgesic, pain
relief, respiratory ailments, used to regulate
menstruation, and for cramps.
Devil's
Club: A Medicine Cabinet for Alaska Tribe
at NPR
Dill
The one herb I once grew simply
for inclusion in my Herbs de Provence mixture.
I
have found that it has other helpful properties.
Dill weed is primarily a remedy for digestive
problems. Dill can help to reduce the pain
of menstruation. It also increases breast
milk production. Annual

Feverfew
Feverfew
has many uses, but it is most commonly used
for the treatment of migraine headaches. Feverfew
can help to relieve a fever. Feverfew can
be used to reduce pain from arthritis. The
fresh leaves of feverfew can cause ulcers
in the mouth. Do not take feverfew if you're
taking another type of blood-thinner. Pregnant
women should not take feverfew. Perennial
Gotu
Kola -
Indian Pennywort
It is native to India and has been used there
to improve the memory. While it's used medicinally
in many parts of the world, it's a common
additive to Indian cuisine. You'll often find
Gotu Kola as an ingredient in salads. Its
bittersweet taste adds an interesting flavor.
Gotu Kola can be used to improve brain function
and memory. It's also used to improve digestion
as well as fertility. Gotu Kola can cause
sensitivity to sunlight. Annual
Lady's
Mantle -
Alchemila vulgaris
It helps to treat problems such as heavy bleeding
and cramps during menses. It also helps to
regulate the female period. Lady's mantle
can be used to treat problems with fibroids
and endometriosis. It has also been used to
help induce childbirth While it works mostly
for women's health issues, it also can be
useful for diarrhea and to stop minor bleeding
elsewhere in the body. Lady's mantle is helpful
in reducing fevers. Lady's mantle should not
be taken by women who are pregnant. Lady's
mantle may cause sensitivity to sunlight.
Perennial
Lavender
Lavender is primarily used
to soothe the body and relax the mind. Lavender
may be used to help ease mental stress and
aid in sleep.lavender can help to releive
indigestion. Lavender oil is used in treating
minor burns, skin irritations and bug bites.
Perennial
Lemon
Balm
Melissa officinalis Lemon balm
is primarily used to relax the body. Lemon
balm can be used to treat minor skin irritations
and insect bites.. Perennial
Lovage
(Kao Ben)
If
you're experiencing problems with digestion
or menstrual pain, lovage may be just the
herb for you. It has been used for hundreds
of years to treat many problems. Lovage is
primarily used to treat digestive problems.
It can be used to treat bronchitis and to
reduce menstrual pain and relax the body.
Lovage can help to relieve pain from urination
and urinary tract infections. Lovage should
not be taken by women who are pregnant. Perennial
Peppermint
Peppermint is primarily
used to treat ailments of the digestive system.
The essential oil can be diluted and applied
to the chest to work as an inhalant for respiratory
ailments. It can also help treat digestive
infections. Peppermint can be used to treat
pain and sensitivity of the skin. It can also
be used to treat migraine headaches and other
headaches. Children under 5 should not take
peppermint. Perennial
Raspberry
Leaf
Has
been used in connection with the common cold,
sore throats, diarrhea, pregnancy, and postpartum
support. In pregnancy it was traditionally
used to help ease labor and delivery and in
post- partum recovery. Raspberry leaf tea
is also helpful for regulating menstrual period
and controlling diarrhea.
Raspberry leaf may affect infants and is not
recommended for women who are breast-feeding.
Diabetics should be careful as it might lower
the blood sugar levels drastically.
Rosemary
My favorite herb.
Grows like a shrub in more arid climates.
Rosemary is thought to help improve memory
function. Rosemary can be used to treat skin
irritations. Rosemary is known to help ease
stress and anxiety. Rosemary can help to lower
blood pressure and improve circulation. It
also can help to treat headaches. Perennial
Sage
Sage
helps to treat irregular menses and well as
light menses. It reduces sweating making it
useful for treating menopause complaints.
It helps to calm anxiety and stress. Sage
can be used to treat sore throat and mouth
pain when used as a mouthwash or gargle.Do
not take during pregnancy or if you're epileptic.
Perennial
Skullcap
Is a powerful sedative and
nerve tonic. Perennial
Stevia
Unlike artificial sweeteners, stevia is an
all natural sugar substitute. The leaf of
a stevia plant is actually up to twice as
sweet as real sugar. And, unlike artificial
sweeteners and sugar, stevia has no known
negative health effects.
St.
Johns Wort
St.
John's Wort is primarily used as an anti-depressant.
St. John's wort can be used to treat menopausal
symptoms such as fatigue, and hot flashes.
St. John's wort can be used to battle feelings
of anxiety and insomnia. St. John's wort may
cause light sensitivity. Perennial
Echinacea
purpurea
One
of the most popular herbs in America today
is the Native American medicinal plant called
echinacea. There are three varieties of Echinacea:
Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea pallida, and
Echinacea angustifolia. All three varieties
are used to boost the immune system and fight
infections, but only the purpurea and pallida
varieties have been shown to be effective.
Offered
at market periodically. Perennial
Thunderbird
Hosta
It
took a while for me to find the name of this
shade herb. I was calling it Thunderbird Hosta
but have since found out it is a rare species
all it’s own. It looks and behaves like
a Hosta but it is not! Painter’s Palette
is an herbaceous perennial that grows to 18
inches tall and spreads by means of underground
stems. Offered
at market periodically. Perennial