It started in Eden. God gave us a garden filled with wholesome vegetation. Plants are gift to humanity. They feed us, people, and further more they fuel the animal kingdom. Not only plants are the food source for us humans, but they help us with many ailments to improve our health. With copious amount of necessary nutrients, plants including herbs and spices can help us to live healthier, and therefore higher quality lives.
Substantial amount of people are realizing that food industry had failed us. We no longer know what we eat. It is time for us to take food back into our hands and take care of the bodies that God gave us. As the old saying goes: “We are what we eat.”
I have been interested in plants, herbs, spices and natural medicine for quite some time. I have been researching what plant aids to what body misalignment. Research lead me to make notes about our healthy plants. Because our lives are so busy, I merged the information into the most important and short version, where one can quickly see how each plant aids to our bodies.
Every plant on this site starts with bolded information of how it helps with particular conditions. If it is bolded it means that the plant has the highest impact on particular complaints.
Below bolded verbiage you can read additional information with which the plant can help you, including other interesting information.
Poems are here not only to entertain you, but perhaps to help you better memorize the important information about particular plant.
Recipes are aimed at using these herbs, spices and foods, so one can learn slowly to implemented it into daily use. Together we are stronger, therefore I invite you to post additional helpful information, including your own recipes. May love for each other be the center of this site. May God guide us to help each other.
Please note, this site is not here to replace your doctor’s advice.
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Comfrey
(Symphytum officinale)
Russian Comfrey
(Symphytum uplandica)
Musculoskeletal, Skin, GI, Pain, Mastitis
Musculoskeletal – bones, ligaments, tendons – breakage, sprains, pulls, strains (best to start right after the injury)
Skin – (allantoin) – bruises, sores, abscesses, cuts, shallow wounds (without infection) diaper rash, insect bites, burns, dandruffs, wrinkles
GI – mouth, gastric, and duodenal ulcers
Pain – arthritis, osteoarthritis, back pain
Mastitis – leaves (poultice)
Encourages blood clotting.
Used: roots, leaves
Contraindication: internal use due to possible liver damage if used for a longer period of time; should not be used during pregnancy, breastfeeding, children internally; should not be used on infected wounds because it can close the infection inside (fast cell growth); over the broken bones that are out of position (can heal misplaced bone).
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Astragalus
Astragalus membranaceus
Immunity, Cardiovascular, Renal, Tonic
Immunity – raises WBC count and reverses T cells abnormalities; best to use for longer time; especially useful for lingering illnesses; bacterial and viral infections; respiratory, urinary, and GI infections; sepsis; viral hepatitis, myasthenia gravis, lupus; chronic fatigue syndrome, suppressed immunity due to steroids, radiation, chemotherapy, chemicals, aging and such.
Cardiovascular – not a strong medicine, but good for elderly; slightly lowers blood pressure as it relaxes the vessels; strengthens heart’s left ventricle
Renal – nourishes kidneys, chronic kidney conditions
Tonic – general tonic for aged and weak – memory, sleep, vitality, vision
Parts used: roots (must be at least 4 years old)
Contraindication: autoimmune conditions (but it could help them); organ transplant
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Ginkgo Biloba
Circulation, Neuroprotective, Antioxidant, Respiratory, Anti-inflammatory
Circulation – blood vessel dilator – Raynaud’s disease, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, some headaches and migraines, erectile dysfunction, low libido, eye support, hearing support, tinnitus, hair growth, stroke
Antioxidant – (flavonoids, terpenoids) – neuropathy, eye sight, cardiovascular, aging
Neuroprotective – memory, learning, cognition, tiredness, dementia, Alzheimer, stress, anxiety, depression,
Respiratory – asthma, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Anti-inflammatory – arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), cancer
Anti-platelet – thins out blood
Use leaves and seeds of the tree
Used primarily as an infusion (tea) 3x/day or tincture 2-3 mL 3x/day
Contraindications: should not be mixed with blood thinning medications
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Lyreleaf sage
Salvia lyrata
Infection, Skin conditions, Gastrointestinal (Gi), Respiratory, Anti-anxiety
Infection – mouth, sore throat (gargle tea or chew leaves)
Skin conditions – sores, wounds, burns, cuts, warts- salve from the root, insect bites – poultice (crushed leaves), skin cancer – use root salve (plant is also called cancer weed, cancer root)
Gi – laxative
Respiratory – asthma, allergies, cold, cough – antitussive, mild expectorant – best used in combination with other herbs
Anti-anxiety – tea, calming bath
Used: the whole plant; fresh young leaves are edible in salads, or cooked; tea can be made from the entire plant; roots can be made into infused oil or salve for skin conditions.
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Hawthorn
Crataegus spp.
Cardiovascular, Anti-inflammatory, Mood Lifting, Memory
Cardiovascular – strengthens the heart muscle, chest pain (angina), coronary artery disease, improves blood circulation, regulates heart rhythm, regulates BP, lowers cholesterol, varicose veins
Anti-inflammatory – Antioxidant
Mood Lifting – grieving, sadness, mild depression – tincture from the fresh plant and berries
Memory – improves memory due to circulation enhancement (oxygen delivery) – works well with Ginkgo biloba and other neuroprotective herbs
Hawthorn is rich in vitamins C, B, and minerals. It is safe for all age groups.
Use: flowers, leaves, berries (dry or fresh)
Take at least for 4 weeks to see the results.
Contraindication – heart medicine – talk to MD prior (may need to adjust medications)
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Motherwort
Leonurus cardiaca
Cardiovascular, Nervous system, PMS & Menopause
Cardiovascular – strengthens stressed heart (for physically and emotionally stressed heart); cardiac tonic; racing heart; irregular heart beats; palpitations; tachycardia (fast heart beat); improves blood circulation; lowers BP; prevents calcification of arteries; high cholesterol;
Nervous system – relaxing herb with sedative effect (best to use regularly) – antispasmodic; anxiety, stress, fear, tension, restlessness, panic attack, sleeping problems; nerve pain; brain injury; spasms; paralysis
PMS and Menopausal symptoms – emotional swings due to hormonal imbalance; mild sedative for pain; regulates cycle; for sluggish onset of cycle; hot flashes; mood changes due to menopause; postmenopausal depression (empty nest syndrome); sleep problem; female reproductive tonic – uterine tonic – it can be use during delivery (strengthens contractions, reduces stress and tension at delivery); helps uterus to recover after birth; fibrosis
Other uses:
Thins out blood (prevents blood clots/strokes) and urine
Hyperthyroidism (metabolism, nervous system, heart palpitations, anxiety, increases appetite)
ADHD – in combination with other plants
Diuretic
Intestinal gas
Cancer
Antimicrobial
Antioxidant
Used:
leaves – bitter best for tincture, can make tea (bitter)
flowers – fresh or dry in veggie soups; tea (2-3x/day); tincture
tincture – at the onset of menstrual cramps 5-10 drops and then every15 min as needed; to lower BP 10-20 drops 3x day between meals
Contraindications: pregnancy (increases contractions), heavy menstrual bleeding
Bitter tea; best is to make it into tincture. It has unpleasant smell. It belongs to the mint family. Harvest early when the flowers bloom.
adhd, anticoagulant, anxiety, cardiac, healing, heart, heart palpitations, herb, homeopatic, hyperthyroidism, irregular heart, lowers blood pressure, medicine, menopausal symptoms, natural, nervous system, plant, PMS, racing heart, relaxing, strengthens contractions, stress, tea, tincture, uterine tonic -
Dandelion
Taraxacum officinale
DETOXIFIER; Gastrointestinal (Gi), Cleanser, Antioxidant, Skin, Osteoporosis, Blood sugar, Anemia, Blood pressure, Antibacterial, Anti-fungal, Lactation, Anti-inflammatory
Gi – roots – bitter, rich in inulin, used for GI (acts as prebiotic, stimulant – take before meal); liver (stimulates bile production that aid in fat digestion and toxin removal and electrolyte restoration); non-alcoholic jaundice; fatty liver disease; root – constipation
Cleanser – roots – bitter, used for kidneys; leaves are powerful diuretic (retain potassium) – flush kidneys and urinary tract; blood purifier; tonic; high in vitamins, minerals
Antioxidant – high in antioxidants (reduce free radicals – fights cancer)
Skin – sap (dandelion milk) – apply directly to skin – itchiness, ringworm, eczema, warts, corns, acne; tea – wounds (fight bacteria and fungi)
Osteoporosis – due to calcium, vitamin K, taraxasterol (root)
Blood sugar – controls DM, stimulates insulin production, diuretic – removes extra sugars
Anemia – high level of iron
Blood pressure – leaves – diuretic properties – get’s rid of extra salt and fluid which lowers BP
Lactation – milk production, mastitis
Anti-inflammatory – antioxidants, phytonutrients, essential fatty acids, arthritis
Can be used as remedy for hangover. Works great in combination with Milk thistle to detoxify the liver. It eliminates uric acid that is responsible for kidney stones and gout.
Use: all parts – fresh or cooked; older leaves are more bitter; root is bitter (collect after 2 years of life of the plant); tea, tincture (root), infused honey; leaves are high in potassium and act as diuretic; root significantly increases tumor necrosis and cell death (anticancer)
Contraindication: allergy to sap can cause dermatitis (try skin test), pregnancy (discuss with your doctor), biliary blockage
anemia, antioxidant, cancer, cleanser, cure, dandelion, detoxifier, diuretic, fatty liver, food, gastric, gout, healer, healing, herb, iron rich, kidney stones, liver, mastitis, medicinal properties, medicinal use, milk production, natural, osteoporosis, plant, potassium rich, skin, stomach, Taraxacum officinale -
Linden Tree
Tilia sp.
Sedative, Cardiovascular, Pain, Antispasmodic, Gastrointestinal (Gi), Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, Cancer, Diuretic, Diaphoretic
Sedative – calming, relaxing, helps with anxiety, do not drive
Cardiovascular – lowers blood pressure (vasodilator), atherosclerosis, angina, heart palpitations, circulation improvement (flavonoids)
Pain – rheumatic, headaches, migraines, menstrual cramps, stomach pain
Antispasmodic – involuntary muscle spasms, muscle cramping, antitussive – cough
Gi – soothe digestion – rich in mucilage, diarrhea, potent antibacterial properties (tiliroside)
Antioxidant – flavonoids in flowers
Anti-inflammatory – (kaempherol), cancer
Cancer – cancer fighting properties
Diuretic – inner bark
Diaphoretic – inner bark, helps to sweat (detoxify)
Cooling and moistening herb that has calming properties and can help with colds, flu, and congestion. Rich in flavonoids, caffeic acid (+ other acids), tannins, mucilages and essential oils.
Use: flowers, leaves, and bark – tinctured, tea, and herbal tea blends, base for perfumes, honey.
Contraindication: pregnant, constipated, driving (sedative)
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Shepherd’s Purse
Capsella bursa-pastoris
Hemostatic, Gastrointestinal (Gi), Urinary tract, Uric Acid, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-bacterial
Hemostatic – can stop heavy bleeding (high vitamin K content) – heavy uterine bleeding, hemorrhage of the urinary tract, postpartum hemorrhage, Gi hemorrhage, lung & kidney bleeding, hemorrhoids bleeding; Tincture is used primarily, tea from dry plant is not as potent – double the dose in acute situation. In combination with Collinsonia root it aids in hemorrhoid bleeding and can shrink the hemorrhoids.
Gi – diarrhea, dysentery
Urinary tract– disinfectant – UTI, cystitis, kidney (diuretic)
Uric Acid – lowers uric acid – stones
Anti-bacterial – it has strong anti-bacterial properties (antibiotic) – disinfectant (UTI, burns, wounds,…)
Anti-inflammatory – significant anti-inflammatory properties, rheumatism
It is soothing for urogenital pain from sexual activity and seminal vesicle irritation in men. It also has Anti-inflammatory and Anti-pyretic (reduces fever) properties. It is known to be used for diarrhea. It aids to jaundice (poultice used on soles of feet and wrists).
Used: whole plant
Dosage: 1/4-1/2 teaspoon 2-3 x/day – tincture (prepared from the fresh plant), poultice can be placed on wounds to stop the bleed; tea (from fresh or dry herbs) 4x/day
Seed pods resemble heart-shaped purses. It belongs to a mustard family and it is considered a weed. If consumed by poultry, the yolks of their eggs become darker and more richer.
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Spiderwort:
Small-Leaf Spiderwort
Tradescantia fiumiensis – White flowers
Virginia Spiderwort
Tradescantia virginiana – Purple flowers
Ohio Spiderwort
Tradescantia ohiensis – Purple Flowers
Purple Heart
Tradescantia pallida – all purple even the leaves – Not edible
Detoxification, Skin, Female reproductive, Gastrointestinal (Gi), Cancer
Detoxification – aid to kidneys – blood circulation and diuresis
Gi – Protects and heals ulcer, stomachache, overeating, laxative (roots)
Skin – similar to Aloe vera for burns and rashes – the mucilaginous substance in stems; expels poisons – poultice – bites (ants, spiders), stings (bee), cancer
Female reproductive – premenstrual cramps, increases milk production
Cancer – internal or external (mainly root)
Use: Young leaves & stems (raw or cooked), flowers (raw). Flower and root can be made into herbal medicine.
There is a mention that the Small-leaf spiderwort can treat metatarsal tuberculosis and gonorrhea. Purple flowers and hairs will turn pink if located near gamma radiation. Some people are saying that plant treats radiation burns and rashes, but there is no proof of that. It is cooling and soothing plant.
Herbs, Spices, Weeds, Plants and more 