Welcome

Welcome to my herb blog. I'm sorry that I'm so slow at getting the herbs posted from the Fair demo. They are coming, but the garden is demanding most of my time now. Keep watching for the updates.

Plantain

Found in lawns, meadows, roadsides and wasteplaces. The leaf of the plantain herb has the strongest concentration of medicinal properties.

Plantain is helpful in drawing out poisons from boils, bites, wounds, sores, and acne. Crush up leaves when fully mature, and apply as poulice, or make into an ointment.

Tea made from plantain, will help clear head of mucus, and good for thrush in children. Has eased pain in bowels and arrests hemorrhage and bleeding; also for heavy menstruation. Has killed worms in stomach and bowels. Plantain is rich in minerals and Vitamins C, K and T (which help to stop bleeding).

Hound's Tongue

Hound's Tongue can be used as an insecticide. Insects and rodents cannot stand the smell of it, and will leave the premises as soon as the aroma reaches them.

Hemlock

All parts are poisonous and especially the root. It is fatal, with violent and painful convulsions preceeding death.

The important thing to know about hemlock is how to identify it. There are several useful plants that closely resemble it. Cow parsnip grows in the same areas as hemlock, and has similar white flowers; however Cow Parsnip has very large umbrella shaped leaves, whereas, hemlock has small ferny looking leaves. Study the photos carefully, before attemping to harvest a plant that looks like hemlock, cow parsnip, or yarrow.

Cattail

One of the best wild plant foods. Roots can be made into a nutritious flour by peeling, drying and sifting the starch-like flour from the fibrous part. The white sprouts, which appear early int the summer, at the base of the plants can be eaten either raw or cooked. In the spring as the young shoots first come up, pull them loose from the rootstalk, peel the outer leaves away and use the tender cores in salads or cook as you would asparagus. The green heads of the cattail (before pollen appears) can be boiled for 10 min. and eat like corn on the cob. Ripe pollen can be collected by carefully bending tops over and shaking into a container. This ripe pollen is mostly protein and is good mixed with other flours for baking.

Horehound

Horehound has been reported to help treat sore throats, coughs, colds, hoarseness and all lung disorders. It can aid in the reducing of fevers. Taken in large doses, it is a laxative. Externally it is good for earache.

Gather leaves when very young, before flowering. Roots in the fall or spring. Flowers when in blossom.

Cow Parsnip

Add young shoots to salads or cook. Roots have a rutabaga-like taste when cooked. The base of the plant can be used for a salt flavoring by drying and grinding.

CAUTION: Be sure you're not gathering water hemlock. They share the same terrain and their flowers look somewhat alike, also, they both have hallow stems.

Poppy

Poppy is only slightly narcotic. Many gather the seeds from the capsules for use in cakes, muffins, and cooking.

Stinging Nettle

Catnip

Peppermint

Parsley

Chamomile

Also known as, ground apple, for it's distinctive apple fragrance. The blossoms, or heads, can be collected and used as a tea. Chamomile is known for it's soothing properties.

Alfalfa

The whole plant can be used. Seeds soaked then sprouted make excellent greens. Leaves can be used for tea. Alfalfa's green leaves contain 8 essential enzymes and is an aid to digestion. Alfalfa also is a source of ten different vitamins.

Salsify

Also known as Oyster plant because the second year roots taste like steamed oysters. The roots should be used before the flowering stem developes. Roots from the first year plants are best, but as the first year plant produces only leaves without flowers, it is often hard to recognize. Tops of Salsify can be used for greens when young and tender. The coagulated juice was used by the Indians for chewing gum.

Wild Lettuce

The young tender leaves can be used in salads. When fully matured, the milky part of the stem can be used as a mild narcotic sedative to kill pain.

Purslane

The entire plant can be used as a pot herb, or in a salad. Purslane can also be used to thicken soups. Seeds can be used in the form of flour or meal.

Rosehips

A tea of rosehip will supply an adult with their daily vitamin C supply. Also contains vitamins A, E, D, B1, and B2.

Gather rosehips after first snow, or as late in the Fall as possible. Remove blossom end, stem, and leaves. Wash quickly. For each cup of rosehips, bring to boil 1 1/2 cups water. Add rosehips, cover pot (do not use copper or aluminum). Simmer 15 minutes. Let stand 24 hours. Strain of extract (liquid). Bring to rolling boil, add 2 tablespoons lemon juice for each pint. Pour into jars and seal. Take 2 teaspoons of extract daily for vitamin C supplement. Refrigerate after opening.

Mallow

Other common names for this herb are Marshmallow, and Cheeses. Received it common name cheeses from the shape of the seed, which resembles an uncut cheese. The leaves and seeds are edible, and can be used in salads. The root can be steeped and made into a cold tea. Mallow is extremely rich in zinc and vitamin A. Useful for kidney and liver complaints, and also beneficial for producing milk in nursing mothers.

Dandelion

Dandelion
The young, tender leaves are good for salads, but can be bitter. To remove bitterness, soak in salt water for 30 minutes. Crisp in fridge, and add to other vegetables. The root, cut up and dried, can be steeped for a coffee substitute.

Dandelion has been reported to help in urinary complaints, rheumatism, and stomach indigestion. It has cleansing qualities that aid in liver, gall and spleen diseases. Also good for skin diseases and female complaints. Contains organic sodium whch purifies blood and destroys acid. An excellent source of vitamin B, C, and G. The vitamin A content is 7,000 IU per ounce, whereas a carrot has 1,275 IU per ounce.

Medicinal Application: An infusion either of green or dried leaves (green best)can be made by soaking 1 tablespoon of herb to a cup of boiling water. Steep for 1/2 hour or more, drink cold 3-4 times a day. A decoction of the root can be made by cutting or powdering the root, and placing 1 teaspoon to 1 cup of boiling water, steep for 30+ minutes, and drink 3 times a day. Tinctures can be prepared. * 5-40 drops as needed.

*See how to make tinctures in other post.

Lambs Quarter/Amaranth

Lambs Quarter (Left)
Also known as Pig weed, this is an excellent pot herb. The stems and leaves can be cooked like spinach, or used in salads when young and tender. Can also be frozen for future meals, by blanching and storing in freezer bags. The small dark seeds can also be harvested and ground into a flour.

Amaranth (Right)
Another name for Amaranth is Redroot. The fresh raw greens are reported to be high in vitamins A and C. The young tender leaves are excellent for cooked greens. The tiny black seeds make a good cereal grain raw or cooked.