Prunella vulgaris
Family: Lamiaceae
Other names: Self-heal, All-heal, Prunella, Woundwort, Carpenter weed, Fr. Brunelle, Herbe au charpentier, Prunelle commune
Parts used: Aerial
Characteristics: Slightly bitter, pungent, cold, moistening
Systems affected: Liver
Actions: Astringent, vulnerary, tonic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, haemostatic, antiseptic, antibacterial, antioxidant, antiviral, demulcent
Although this native perennial herb of the Mint family was once used—as its name suggests—to heal just about anything, it has somewhat lost its popularity with herbalists over the years, but new research suggests it could still prove useful. It grows up to 30 cm. high, and is easily identified by its dense cluster of purple flowers at the top of a square stem. They grow in rings around the fat cylindrical spike, looking somewhat ragged since they’re never all in bloom at once. Each tubular flower is composed of a 2-lipped calyx with dark red tips, and a 2-lipped purple corolla resembling a throat. Below the flower spike is a set of 2 stalkless leaves, and then more paired opposite leaves on stems branching off of a creeping stem, which sends roots into the soil at intervals. It grows in fields and waste places, and can be picked in the fall and dried for later use.
MEDICINAL USES:
Wounds, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes
folklore: Was once believed to be a holy herb that could drive away the devil. Some Indigenous peoples have used it in traditional ceremonies before a hunt to sharpen their powers of concentration.
infusion: Infuse 1–2 tsp. dried herb in 1 cup boiling water. Steep 1 hour. Drink 3 times a day, or use as a gargle or lotion.
Humulus lupulus
Family: Cannabaceae (Hemp)
Other names: Common hops, Fr. Houblon
Parts used: Fruit (cones)
Characteristics: Bitter, cold, dry, slightly pungent
Systems affected: Nervous system
Actions: Sedative, diuretic, tonic, antiseptic, nervine
Hops may be well known as a stabilizer and bitter flavouring and natural preservative for beer, but it is also a potent medicinal herb. This climbing perennial vine, often growing up to 6 metres long, is native to North America but is also cultivated all over the world. Typically it is found growing wild along old railway sites and farmlands. The leaves are opposite, dark green, and heart-shaped with finely toothed edges; the larger ones having 3–5 sharply toothed lobes. The flowers, like hemp, grow male and female on separate plants. The male flowers grow in bunches 7.5–12 cm. long; the females grow in cone-like strobiles about 3 cm. long. Only the females are used for brewing beer and as a medicine. The strobiles are gathered when they turn an amber-brown colour, in August or September, and should be dried gently in an oven to preserve their volatile oils.
MEDICINAL USES:
Anxiety, insomnia, lack of appetite, indigestion, sluggish liver
infusion: Add 2 tsp dried hops to 1 cup of boiling water. Steep for 5 minutes. For insomnia, add Valerian and/or Passionflower.
important: May aggravate feelings of depression in people with low energy and anxiety. Frequent contact may cause dermatitis in some people.
Equisetum arvense
Family: Equisetaceae
Other names: Field horsetail, Bottlebrush, Pewter wort, Scouring rush, Fr. Prêle des champs
Parts used: Green sterile stalk
Characteristics: Cool, dry, slightly bitter
Systems affected: Genito-urinary, kidney, skeletal
Actions: Antibiotic, diuretic, astringent, vulnerary
Horsetail is a rather odd-looking, prehistoric-like, non-flowering native plant. It reproduces by spores, which are located under the scales of the asparagus-like shoot, a spike of around 20 cm. tall, which appears in the spring. In summer the spike disappears and is replaced by a green sterile stalk with whorls of thin branches, resembling a smaller version of the large tree-like plants that covered the earth 400 million years ago. These stems and branches contain silicon crystals, which makes it useful for cleaning and polishing metal objects or kitchen utensils. It is usually found in swamps, damp woods, and fields.
MEDICINAL USES:
Urinary tract infections, osteoporosis, joint problems, wounds, kidney and bladder disorders
other uses: As an abrasive for scouring pots and pans or polishing metal.
bath soak: Steep ½ cup horsetail in hot water for 1 hour. Add liquid to bathwater.
compress: Crush dried herb and mix in enough warm water to form a paste. Mix with crushed Plantain if desired. Apply to boils or other sores 2 times a day.
infusion: Mix 2 tsp. dried herb in 1 cup boiling water, steep for 15 minutes. Strain. Drink 3 times a day. Can be mixed with lemon juice and/or salt to be used as a gargle.
important: Avoid internal use for more than 1 week at a time. Do not exceed recommended dosage. Do not use if you are diabetic or have a deficiency in thiamine or potassium, as its diuretic properties may deplete these nutrients. Avoid if pregnant or breastfeeding.
Hyssopus officinalis
Family: Lamiaceae
Other names: Fr. Hysope
Parts used: Aerial, dried
Characteristics: Bitter, pungent, dry, slightly warming
Systems affected: Lungs, stomach
Actions: Demulcent, antispasmodic, antiseptic, expectorant, diaphoretic, sedative, carminative, aromatic, tonic, vulnerary
Hyssop is an aromatic shrubby perennial that grows in clumps along fields and roadsides throughout the summer. It has stalks growing up to 60 cm. tall with shiny dark-green opposite-toothed leaves along a square stem and many tiny 2-lipped purple flowers that run up one side of the top part of the erect stalk. It has been used since ancient times for ritual cleaning of sacred places because of its unusual odour, and when planted in a garden, it attracts bees and butterflies. Harvest in August when in flower.
MEDICINAL USES:
Respiratory ailments, indigestion
other uses:
folklore: Once believed to be a holy plant, Hyssop was said to purify and forgive one’s sins. It was also used to disinfect against the plague.
compress: 2 tbsp. dried herb mixed with 2 cups of boiling water, steep for 15 minutes. Soak a clean cloth in liquid and apply to skin.
infusion: Mix 2 tsp. dried herb per cup of boiling water; steep 10 minutes. Drink up to 3 times a day. Add sugar or honey if desired.
important: Should not be used by pregnant women as it can cause a miscarriage. Essential oil should not be used by people with a history of epilepsy. Do not exceed recommended doses.