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Bath Tea Therapy Blend Ingredients

Alfalfa

Rich in vitamins and minerals and a great source of fiber and protein, Alfalfa is one of the best natural sources of vitamin K which helps blood to clot properly and is essential to building good bones. Alfalfa helps keep calcium in bones while keeping calcium out of the linings of arteries.

Basil

Common or Sweet Basil has been used for medicinal and culinary purposes for centuries and is known for its winning flavor as well as anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular benefits. In India the basil plant is sacred cherished in every Hindu house. Like other fresh herbs, basil is a rich source of a number of minerals - potassium, magnesium and smaller amounts of iron and calcium - as well as vitamin C, folate, vitamins B1 and K.

Calendula

Is named for its tendency to bloom with the calendar, usually once a month or every new moon. The term “marigold” refers to the Virgin Mary, and marigolds are used in Catholic events honoring the Virgin Mary. The calendula was originally used as food rather than as an herb adding flavor and color to cereals, rice, and soups. The petals can be added to salads as well. Folklore says the herb acts as an aid to comfort the heart and spirits.

Catmint

A member of the mint family, catnip, as its name suggests, attracts cats of all breeds. The herb is also strongly antifungal and a bactericide for Staphylococcus in addition to countering restlessness, nervousness and fever.

Chamomile

A low-growing relative of the sunflower, Chamomile’s name derives from the Greek chamos (ground) and melos (apple), referring to its creeping habit and the apple scent of fresh blossoms. Extensive research has confirmed the plant’s usefulness in treating minor abrasions, cuts, and scrapes, and as a sedative and sleep aid.

Chrysanthemum Flower

The national flower of Japan, Chrysanthemum is one of the most important herbs in traditional Japanese medicine. Edible Garland Chrysanthemum, also called Shingiku in Japan and Choy Suy Green in old Chinatown, is an annual leafy plant with clusters of daisy like flowers at its crown. In Traditional Chinese Medicine the herb corrects imbalances in liver and kidney function that cause issues with the eyes, and dizziness.

Cinnamon

Increasingly used by western medicine to treat diabetes, weight control, and hypoglycemia, cinnamon has been used as a herbal medicine in China for at least 4,000 years. Traditional Chinese Medicine still uses cinnamon as a “warming” agent to fight infections occurring when there is cold or fatigue and to increase the activity of the digestive tract.

Cleavers

A pasture plant with clinging leaves known by many names, Cleavers is used in wide range of problems where the lymphatic system is involved including swollen glands anywhere in the body, especially in tonsillitis and adenoid trouble. Cleavers is also helpful in skin conditions, especially the dry kind such as psoriasis. The entire plant is used in herbal medicine.

Clove

The aromatic flowers and oil of clove have been used for culinary and medicinal uses for ions to alleviate pain, prevent and treat bacterial infection, ease toothaches, treat worms, relieve congestion and upset stomachs. Cloves are actually the dried buds of an evergreen native to the tropics. Also used as a good remedy for bad breath, it has both anesthetic and antiseptic properties.

Elder Flower

Native Americans used the flowers, berries, and bark of elderberry trees to treat fevers and joint pain for hundreds of years, and elderberry is now recognized as a cure for the flu. Israeli researchers have developed five formulas based on elderberry fruit that have been clinically proven to prevent and ameliorate all kinds of influenza.

Eucalyptus

This tree is an evergreen native to Australia but naturalized to California and the Mediterranean countries. Its leathery blue-green leaves are studded with glands containing a fragrant, volatile oil. Eucalyptus leaf and oils have been used over the centuries to fight fevers, sterilize surgical instruments and incisions, and also as a steam inhalation for respiratory conditions.

Fennel

Chinese and Hindus used fennel seed as a treatment for snakebite and Medieval Europeans applied fennel seed as a treatment for obesity. Fennel has been used to treat digestive ailments since the time of the ancient Egyptians. Several liquors are flavored with fennel, including aquavit, gin, absinthe and fennouillete. All the above-ground parts of the fennel plant are edible. Fennel “seeds” are actually whole fruits, the most aromatic seeds found in the center of the seed head.

Horsetail

A non-flowering, fern-like plant whose name derives from its stalky appearance in the spring and feathery branches in the summer, the whole plants or the stems of Horsetail have been used since ancient times as an oral and topical remedy Additionally, Horsetail helps “flush” infectious bacteria out of the bladder without altering the body’s balance of electrolytes. It’s also the form of the herb being investigated as a treatment for age-related memory impairment.

Jasmine

Used in washes and ointments, jasmine flowers are a gentle remedy for inflammation. They reduce both physical irritation and sensitivity to pain. Jasmine teas have been known to act as a gentle sedative. A fragrant flowering shrub native to the Himalayas, it is grown for both its fragrance and flavor.

Lavender

Native to the Mediterranean, this aromatic perennial evergreen shrub now grows around the world. Its woody stems bear lavender or purple flowers which have been used for centuries to treat insomnia, nervous stomach, anxiety, flatulence, colic, and depressive headaches. Many modern herbal practitioners use the herb to treat migraines in menopause. In Spain, lavender is added to teas to treat diabetes and insulin resistance.

Lemongrass

An essential ingredient in Thai and Indonesian cooking, Lemongrass is also used as a medicinal herb. lemon grass is. The herb is mildly diuretic and a stimulant tonic that promotes digestion of fats. In Ayurvedic medicine a preparation of lemon grass with pepper has been used for relief of menstrual troubles and nausea. The herb stimulates perspiration, cooling the body in summer and lowering fevers any time of year. Lemon grass is well known a mild insect repellent (citronella) and the essential oil is used in perfumery.

Lemon Verbena

Lemon Verbena, sometimes called Vervain, is generally acknowledged to be the most strongly scented and intense of the lemon scented plants. Tea made of lemon verbena has been used to soothe colon and stomach spasms, lower fevers and calm itching. It has a relaxing effect, and can help ease muscle tensions. As a culinary flavoring, lemon verbena has been used as everything from ice cream flavoring to pepper substitute.

Mugwort

A member of the Sage family, Mugwort is often used in place of the traditional White Sage in smudge sticks and has historical references to psychic awareness and dreaming. A nervine, it calms the nervous system and aids in hysteria. Soothing to the skin, it possesses antibacterial properties and acts an agent that increases blood circulation to the pelvic area and the uterus aiding most female disorders.

Mullein

A versatile herb, Mullein is a good expectorant, and in the process of clearing out the congestion, it also soothes mucous membranes of the respiratory and softens the skin. It offers benefits as an anti-inflammatory; anti-bacterial expectorant, respiratory support and relaxant.

Myrtle

Native to the Mediterranean, Myrtle was considered sacred to both Aphrodite and Demeter. In pagan and wiccan rituals it is associated with and sacred to Beltane (Mayday). In Jewish liturgy it is one of the four sacred plants of Sukkot, the Feast of the Tabernacles. On the islands of Sardinia and Corsica it is used to produce a liqueur called Mirto. Historically it has offered benefits for urinary infections, digestive problems, bronchial congestion, and dry coughs. In India it is seen as a treatment for cerebral infections, most notably epilepsy.

Nettle Leaf

Nettle’s anti-inflammatory effects are well documented. It is particularly effective in treating allergic rhinitis, relieving nearly all the symptoms of itchy, watery eyes, sneezing and runny nose. It also has performed better than the prescription drug furosemide in reducing blood pressure, increasing urine output as a diuretic and increasing salt excretion. It also seems to be effective in reducing pain and producing a sedative effect. The medicinal benefits of the leaf and root of the nettle are markedly different. Nettle root shows exceptional efficacy in treating prostate complaints in men while nettle leaf shows promise in boosting immune system function and is an effective treatment for many skin conditions as well as a beneficial hair tonic for growth and dry scalp conditions.

Oatstraw

Oat straw is, as its name suggests, the above-ground parts of the oat plant left after harvesting the grain. In Europe, oat straw is a long-trusted additive to soaps and skin conditioners. Modern European herbal medicine, paid for by insurance, uses oat straw as a nervous system restorative and to strengthen a weakened constitution, as well as to treat genital herpes and shingles. There is no doubt that the silicic acid in the herb is soothing on skin.

Orange Peel

Peels from any member of the Sweet Orange family have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine since at least the second century BC. The little known fact is that there are substantially more enzymes, flavonoids, and phyto-nutrients in the peel of the orange rather than the fruit. Orange peel acts as anti-inflammatory due to the high flavonoid content, and as an anti-bacterial and anti-microbial agent.

Peppermint

There are more than 25 species of true mint grown throughout the world though 75% of the world’s supply comes from the United States. One primary benefit of peppermint is its aid to the digestive system. Peppermint also increases the quantity of bile flowing from the liver aiding in the digestion of fats and decrease of bad cholesterol. Because of its effectiveness as both a decongestant and expectorant, peppermint is a popular treatment for bronchitis, sinusitis, asthma, and other respiratory problems.

Red Rooibos

Red teas which include Rooibos and Honeybush have become very popular healing beverages embraced and enjoyed by millions. The unique fermentation process of red tea produces a rich amber-red color when brewed that has a smooth after-taste and lacks the astringent tannins usually found in green and black tea. A gentle and effective tea full of anti-oxidants, Vitamin C, Calcium, Potassium, Magnesium, Iron, Zinc, Sodium, Copper, and Manganese.

Rose Buds

The rose has been valued for its beauty and its perfume for thousands of years. Because rose oil deteriorates rapidly with exposure to sun and wind, the content is highest on the first morning when the flower opens. The American Botanical Council reports that rose petals have sedative, antiseptic, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, laxative, cholesterol-lowering, and heart-supportive properties. The American Botanical Council reports that rose petals have sedative, antiseptic, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, laxative, cholesterol-lowering, and heart-supportive properties.

Rosemary

Rosemary is an aromatic evergreen mint that grows to a height of about three feet (one meter). It bears narrow, thick, needle-like green leaves and pale blue to violet flowers. Antioxidant, antiseptic, and antispasmodic, rosemary has been used to treat arthritis, baldness, headaches, stomach upset, pains, strains, cuts, scrapes, and bruises. Contemporary scientific research suggests that rosemary may be useful for Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, eczema, yeast infection, Irritable bowel syndrome and menstrual cramps.

Safflower

Safflower is more familiar to westerners as the source of vegetable oil, but the petals of the native American plant make a pleasant tasting tea that has been recommended for centuries as a calmative for intestinal ills. The florets contain nutrients and are used in treatment of many illnesses, including menstrual pain, cardiovascular abnormalities and as a tonic tea. It has been used in Chinese traditional medicine, in Native American herbal medicine and in Ayurvedic medicine, for remarkably similar purposes—primarily to improve circulation and reduce inflammation.

Thyme

Used as a popular culinary herb, Thyme has been used for various purposes throughout the centuries. In medieval times, thyme was regarded as a plant that imparted courage and vigor. The ancient Romans considered it a remedy for melancholy. Thyme, along with roses, was often added to homes in the ancient past to provide a sweet-smelling aroma. This herb is a strong antiseptic used externally for infected cuts and scrapes and infernally for oral and respiratory infections._Bath washes made from teas of thyme allowed to cool treat fungal infections such as athleteÍs foot and also vaginal yeast infections. Thyme contains tannins that cause proteins in skin to cross-link, forming a barrier to infection.

Sola LUNA

Culinary Blend Ingredients

Aniseed

A member of the family of plants that includes carrots, caraway, cumin, dill, fennel, and cilantro, the licorice flavored aniseed can help relieve congestion from allergies, colds, or flu, and settle upset stomach with gas. This sweet smelling herb is also commonly used to flavor foods and liqueurs such as anisette and ouzo and is a plant used in both herbal medicine and aromatherapy.

Artichoke Leaf

One of the world’s oldest vegetables the ancient Romans discovered that artichoke leaf was valuable as a digestive aid, making it a “noble” vegetable only to be consumed by the nobility and rich. Traditional use, as well as recent clinical studies verify the numerous health benefits of the artichoke leaf extract from antioxidant properties to cholesterol-lowing effects.

Basil

Common or Sweet Basil has been used for medicinal and culinary purposes for centuries and is known for its winning flavor as well as anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular benefits. In India the basil plant is sacred to both Krishna and Vishnu, and is cherished in every Hindu house owing to its virtues in disinfecting, and vivifying malarious air.

Black Pepper

Peppercorns are the fruit of Piper nigrum, an evergreen climbing vine. The black pepper many of us use every day to season food has a wide variety of medicinal applications as a stimulant to weak membranes. Recent studies indicate its effectiveness as antidepressant, antioxidant, and pain relief agent.

Cardamon

The sweetly aromatic cardamom is the fruit of a tropical plant related to ginger, and one of the world’s most expensive spices, after saffron and vanilla. Cardamom coffee or gahwa is a symbol of Arab hospitality while cardamom flavors ground meat in Norway and baked goods in Sweden. Cooks all over the world combine cardamom with cloves and cinnamon and it is distinctly recognizable in chai.

Celery Seed

The celery used in herbal medicine is a close relative of the celery you can buy in market. The fruit or “seed” is grayish green to brown with a characteristic, slightly bitter, spicy taste. Celery seed is a traditional remedy for nervous stomach. Some recent research suggests that celery seed contains other compounds that stop the carcinogenic effect of environmental toxins in the liver.

Chamomile

Chickweed

Chickweed is an English herb easily recognized by its straggling, succulent stems bearing paired leaves and white flowerlets. Chickweed is in the same plant family as cloves, and the fresh plant makes an interesting addition to a spring or summer salad.

Chicory

Chicory is a larger relative of the dandelion. Its large tap root has been used as a coffee substitute for generations, and its leaves are used in salads and spring tonics in the same way as dandelion greens. Chicory can also be eaten as a food, and consumes as a beverage making it the number one coffee subistiute

Chili Powder

The Capsicum family includes bell peppers, red peppers, paprika, and pimento, but the most famous medicinal members of the family are cayenne and chile. The tasty hot peppers have long been used in many of the world’s cuisines, and they offer anti-inflammatory benefits.

Chrysanthemum Flower

Japan’s national flower, Chrysanthemum is one of the most important herbs in traditional Japanese medicine. Edible Garland Chrysanthemum, also called Shingiku in Japan and Choy Suy Green in old Chinatown, is an annual leafy plant with clusters of daisy like flowers at its crown. In Traditional Chinese Medicine the herb corrects imbalances in liver and kidney function that cause issues with the eyes, and dizziness.

Cinnamon

Clove Powder

Coriander

Coriander is the seed of the herb most Americans know as cilantro. Coriander seed has been used to settle upset stomach in herbal traditions around the world, often combined with cardamom, caraway, fennel, and/or anise. A power of conferring immortality is thought by the Chinese to be a property of the seeds.

Crushed Red Pepper

Red pepper is the fruit of the plants from the genus Capsicum, members of the nightshade family, Solanaceae. Botany considers the plant a berry bush. Though chilis may be thought of as a vegetable, their culinary use is generally as a spice. It is the fruit that is usually harvested. Chili peppers originated in the Americas and are now grown around the world because they are widely used as spices or vegetables in cuisine, and as medicine.

Currants

Currants are actually just very small raisins made from the Black Corinth grape and are therefore a concentrated source of nutrients. These dried grapes are one of the top sources of the trace mineral boron, providing protection against osteoporosis. Very high in vitamin C, currants have been used in many cultures for centuries as a healing agent.

Dill

Dill both settles the stomach and is mildly antibacterial. The term “dill weed” refers to the green leaves (and sometimes stems) of the plant. “Dill seed” actually isnÍt seed but the flat, oval, dark brown whole fruits of the herb. Dill weed and dill seed have different chemical compositions, different uses in cooking, and different applications in herbal healing If you want to use dill in pickling, plant dill and cucumbers at the same time.

Elderberry

Fennel

Chinese and Hindus used fennel seed as a treatment for snakebite and Medieval Europeans applied fennel seed as a treatment for obesity. Several liquors are flavored with fennel, including aquavit, gin, absinthe and fennouillete. All the above-ground parts of the fennel plant are edible. Fennel seeds are actually whole fruits, the most aromatic found in the center of the seed head.

Garlic

Garlic is a popular herb for cardiovascular health with its ability to lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels, decrease the risk of heart attack and stroke, and aid in inhibition of the development of blood clots and cancerous tumors. One bulb of garlic contains approximately 70 active healthpromoting ingredients, in particular a substance called allicin, which is believed to support the immune system against bacterial, viral, and fungal infection. Some studies have even shown garlic to be particularly effective in preventing recurrent yeast infections and in treating ear infections.

Ginger

A mainstay of Asian and Indian cuisine and traditional medicine for thousands of years, Ginger has been used in traditional Asian medicine to treat nausea, stimulate appetite, fight body odor, and promote perspiration.Ginger also helps treat joint pain by stimulating blood circulation.

Goji Berries

Lycii berry, otherwise known to Chinese herbalists as Goji or Chinese Wolfberry is a bright red, almost chewy berry with a taste very similar to Raisins. It has been used as a general nutrient tonic (Yin tonic) for many years and Chinese medicine refers to it as a “cooling tonic”. Goji Berries are reported to contain 18 Amino acids (six times higher than bee pollen), more Beta Carotene than carrots, more Iron than spinach, and 21 Trace Minerals. This bright red berry also contains many complex compounds, phytonutrients and extremely high levels of antioxidants.

Gotu Kola

This herb has been used for thousands of years in ayurvedic medicine to improve memory and maintain a healthy central nervous system due to its ability to protect the blood vessels that supply oxygen to the brain, which helps increase the brain’s oxygen supply. Gotu kola has also been shown to have a calming affect on individuals prone to anxiety, and may also be useful in individuals suffering from depression.

Green Onion

Scallion, commonly known as green onion, spring onion, or salad onion, is a small onion with long leaves that are considered a necessity in Chinese recipes, as well as in teas, wine, vinegar, honeys, garlic, and ginger. The green onion’s medicinal part is its stem. It works as well as an antipyretic, expectorant, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal. It is effective against colds, headaches, chills to the stomach, indigestion, and also for insomnia.

Hawthorn Berry

Hawthorn helps to increase the heart’s ability to pump blood and oxygen to all parts of the body by dilating coronary blood vessels and strengthening the heart muscle. The phytochemicals in hawthorn also act as antioxidants, protecting blood vessels and other tissue from the damage caused by oxidation. In addition, hawthorn keeps the heart healthy by blocking production ACE, an enzyme that causes high blood pressure.

Hibiscus

African folk medicine uses hibiscus as a diuretic, to relieve pressure in the gallbladder, and to relax the uterus. The mucliages in the herb make it a mild laxative, but they are also helpful when the herb is used as a wash to treat weeping eczema. Regular consumption of hibiscus teas often lowers blood pressure, typically 8 to 12 mm/Hg. Hibiscus is also the source of the hydroxycitric acid (HCA, or hydroxycut) used in many diet formulas. This compound has been long used to fight obesity.

Kelp

Kelp or seaweed is a green marine plant that is used in various culinary applications. Kelp is called a “miracle plant” because of its huge therapeutic properties, kelp is the best natural source of trace minerals. It is believed the electrolytic magnetic action of the sea plants release excess body fluids from congested cells and dissolves fatty wastes through the skin, replacing them with depleted minerals, particularly potassium and iodine.

Lavender

Lemongrass

An essential ingredient in Thai and Indonesian cooking, Lemongrass is also used as a medicinal herb. The herb is mildly diuretic and a stimulant tonic that promotes digestion of fats. In Ayurvedic medicine a preparation of lemon grass with pepper has been used for relief of menstrual troubles and nausea. The herb stimulates perspiration, cooling the body in summer and lowering fevers any time of year. Lemon grass is well known a mild insect repellent (citronella) and the essential oil is used in perfumery.

Lovage

Lovage is a flowering plant in the same family as carrots, parsley, and dill. Its dark green leaves resemble cilantro, while the stalks resemble celery. The herb is sweeter but stronger than celery. Introduced from Europe, it now grows wild in parts of the United States. Quercetin is what makes lovage an excellent allergy cure, and also an excellent treatment for bronchitis, indigestion, and colic.

Marjoram

A culinary and medicinal herb in the mint family, it needs a hot climate to develop its full aroma, but it loses some of its flavor when it is dried. Marjoram goes well with thyme, bay leaves, black pepper, and juniper berries. The traditional uses of marjoram include preventing spasms in the digestive tract, relieving dry cough, relieving pain on bruises, lumbago, and sprains, breaking up congestion caused by coughs and colds, and encouraging lactation in nursing mothers.

Milk Thistle

Milk thistle has been used to treat liver ailments since the days of ancient Rome and is known for its ability to support the liver in eliminating toxins from the body, while repairing damage to the liver caused by hepatitis, cirrhosis, poisonous mushrooms, drugs, and toxic chemicals. Preliminary research suggests that this herb also helps lower cholesterol, and boosts the body’s production of its own powerful natural antioxidant, glutathione.

Mint

Mint is known to have originated in the Mediterranean region and has been used by many cultures as a symbol of hospitality in welcoming guests. In ancient Greece, mint leaves were rubbed onto a table, which signified a warm greeting. In the Middle East, mint tea is still served today to guests when they arrive. Mint has been used for centuries to aid digestion and relieve indigestion. Essential minerals that mint has include: manganese, copper, potassium, iron, calcium, zinc, phosphorus, fluoride and selenium. The common types of mint are peppermint, pennyroyal, crinkle-leafed spearmint, spearmint, and applemint. Never eat pennyroyal, as it is toxic.

Mullein

A versatile herb, Mullein is a good expectorant, and in the process of clearing out the congestion, it also soothes mucous membranes of the respiratory and softens and protects the skin. It offers benefits as an anti-inflammatory; anti-bacterial expectorant, respiratory support and relaxant.

Nettle Leaf

Nutmeg

The nutmeg tree is a native of the Banda Islands, a cluster of small volcanic islands historically known as the Spice Islands and now part of the province of Molucca in Indonesia. Nutmeg isn’t really a nut, but the kernel of an apricot-like fruit. As an herbal medicine, nutmeg powder is used to relieve or prevent flatulence and to break up chest congestion.

Onion Flakes

The familiar garden vegetable has many medicinal applications including being notably antiallergenic, due to its content of quercetin. In traditional herbal medicine, onion is a gentle herb for relieving toxicity and breaking up “clumps” of infections, that is, sores or abscesses. Onions induce perspiration to ‘sweat out a cold,” and relieve abdominal pain and nasal congestion.

Oregano

Oregano is a warm and aromatic yet slightly bitter herb in the mint family. The leaves and flowering stems are strongly antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, cholagogue, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, stimulant, stomachic and mildly tonic. Oregano is taken by mouth for the treatment of colds, influenza, mild fevers, indigestion, stomach upsets and painful menstruation. It is strongly sedative and should not be taken in large doses.

Papaya Leaf

The papaya is an extraordinarily useful plant with all parts offering edible and medicinal benefits. The leaf contains beta-carotene, calcium, carpaine, fats, flavonols, niacin, papain, tannins, and vitamin C (in higher concentration in the leaf than in the fruit). The primary use of papaya leaf in herbal medicine today is as a vermifuge, that is, to remove intestinal worms. It has also been noted that papaya leaf helps reduce the oxalic acid content of the urine, presumably reducing the formation of oxalic acid kidney stones.

Parsley

Parsley has been an important food for at least 3,000 years, the most common use as an edible breath freshener. In cooking, parsley lightens the taste of garlic and the odor of fish. Naturopathic practitioners often recommend fresh parsley as a detoxifier because of its concentrated chlorophyll. Parsley contains three times as much vitamin C as oranges, and twice as much iron as spinach and is an excellent source of vitamin K, vitamin A and folate.

Passionflower

The Passion Flower is named from the resemblance of the finely-cut corona in the blossom’s center to the Christian reference to the Crown of Thorns. Herbalists in Mexico, Central America, and Texas have used passionflower as a calmative and sleeping aid for centuries. Relieving muscle tension, the herb lowers blood pressure and calms anxiety. Passionflower is also a source of chrysin, a chemical that helps the body release testosterone. Passionflower is the herbal remedy of choice for treating nausea and vomiting resulting from certain drug withdrawal. It may also help in attention deficit disorder and restless legs syndrome.

Peppermint

Of all species of mint, peppermint contains the most menthol, a phytochemical that helps calm muscle spasms throughout the body, improve digestion, protect against food poisoning, and relieve headache and nausea. Peppermint relieves cramping in the uterus, which may help regulate irregular menstrual cycles. In addition, the antispasmodic action of peppermint increases bile production by relaxing muscles in the bile duct, an action that may help dissolve gallstones in some individuals.

Plantain Leaf

The common plantain grows widely throughout the US in many gardens, often thought to be a weed. The leaves are edible, often used raw in salads and cooked as greens. Plantain is very high in vitamins A and C and in calcium. Plantain has been used as a veritable pharmacopeia in some Native American cultures — many of its active constituents show antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, as well as being anti-inflammatory and antitoxic.

Poppy Seed

The familiar black poppy seeds used to flavor noodles, breads, and bagels and to make poppy seed kolachi (a Czech pastry) are produced by the same plant used to make opium. For this reason, be sure to declare use of poppy seeds before submitting to a drug test, as they may show up. Poppy seeds act as source for a variety of minerals like iodine, manganese, magnesium, zinc and copper.

Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds area nutritional powerhouse and offer numerous medicinal benefits. Their phytosterols have been shown to reduce levels of LDL cholesterol and protect against many cancers. They contain L-tryptophan, a compound naturally effective against depression. Because they are high in zinc, pumpkin seeds are a natural protector against osteoporosis. Additionally, pumpkin seeds effectively reduce inflammation without the side effects of anti-inflammatory drugs.

Raspberry Leaf

Raspberry leaves are among the most pleasant-tasting of all the herbal remedies, with a taste much like black tea, without the caffeine. used for centuries as a folk medicine to treat canker sores, cold sores, and gingivitis in persons of all ages and anemia, leg cramps, diarrhea, and morning sickness in pregnant women, and as a uterine relaxant.

Red Clover Flower

Also known as purple clover, trifolium, sweet clover, and cow clover, red clover is one of the world’s first agricultural crops with a long history of medicinal use. In China and Russia, red clover was used to treat respiratory infections and congestion. It has also been used to treat coughs, speed wound healing, and relieve water retention. Today, red clover is being studied for its possible benefits to those suffering heart disease, diabetes, menopausal symptoms and prostate enlargement.

Rosehips

Rose hips develop on wild roses as the flowers drop off and are actually the fruit of the rose. They are one of the most concentrated sources of vitamin C available and have a long history of use in traditional medicine. The iron in rose hips make them an excellent supplement for menstruating women, and rose hip tea is a rich source of vitamin C, carrying all the benefits of that vitamin. In addition, the various flavonoids in rose hips have potent antioxidant action, helping to protect the body from the effects of stress, aging and the environment.

Rosemary

Also known as rosemarine, this herb has a long tradition of culinary and medicinal use. Modern herbalists recommend it for treatment of depression, indigestion, headache, muscle aches, and bad breath. Like two other culinary herbs, sage and thyme, rosemary contains phytochemicals that help guard against the depletion of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that is crucial to proper brain function. Rosemary also protects the brain from oxidation and increases blood flow, two actions that may help prevent or slow the development of Alzheimer’s.

Sage

Also known as garden meadow, sage has a long tradition of culinary and medicinal use and over the past 2,000 years has been recommended by herbalists to treat just about every known condition, from snakebite to mental illness. Like two other culinary herbs, rosemary and thyme, sage helps guard against depletion of the brain’s concentration of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that is crucial to proper brain function. Additionally, sage has a long history of use as a treatment for gastrointestinal disorders and research has shown it to be effective in the reduction of excessive perspiration, and the treatment of sore throats, premenstrual cramps, and high blood sugar.

Sheeps Sorrel

Widely regarded as a noxious weed, this creeping plant has a long-standing reputation as a medicinal herb. It has been used to treat diarrhea, cancer, fever and scurvy. Sheep sorrel also possesses culinary value as a garnish and a tart flavoring agent in salads and soups, and is one of the main ingredients in Chinese hot and sour soup.

Shitake Mushroom

The health giving properties of shiitake mushrooms have been prized in traditional Chinese medicine for over 6,000 years. Modern medicine has confirmed that the constituents in shiitake mushrooms can be beneficial in fighting cholesterol and its related ills, and may help reduce the risk of cancer as well as encouraging the growth of natural cancer fighting cells in the body. Eaten raw, cooked or reconstituted from dried mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms can be added to soups and sauce and sauteed with vegetables, meat or tofu or eaten in salads.

Spinach Leaf and Powder

Although Spinach is usually thought of as a food product, it can also be used medicinally and for its nutritional properties. It is excellent source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, builds red blood cells, boosts the immune system, provides energy, and contains chlorophyll. Spinach contains a plethora of nutritional and medicinal properties which help to strengthen our immune system, boost energy levels, and it provides our bodies with necessary vitamins and minerals.

Sunflower Seeds

Sunflower seeds are power-packed with healthy fats, proteins, fibers, minerals, vitamin E, and phytochemicals. They can be eaten raw or roasted and are available both hulled and unhulled. The sunflower earned its name because its flowers resemble the sun and because they twist on their stems to follow the sun throughout the day.

Tarragon

While there are some ancient traditional medicinal uses for tarragon, its most common use is as a culinary herb. Used fresh, it imparts a spicy, minty licorice flavor to salads and egg dishes, as well as to cooked meats and poultry. It should be used sparingly in soups, as the flavor is too strong. Because of its ability to numb the mouth, the ancient Greeks chewed tarragon leaves to treat toothaches. Tarragon was used during the Middle Ages as an antidote for poisonous snakebites. Tarragon has also been used as a digestive aid, mild sedative, and as a heart prevention aid. It also has a long history of treating stomach cramps and promoting the appetite.

Thyme

Watercress

Watercress is among the most highly nutritious vegetables—many of the great herbalists wrote of the revitalizing power of watercress attributed to its nutrient content. Watercress is an excellent source of vitamins B1, B2, B6, C, E, manganese, and carotenes. It also a good source of calcium, fiber, iron and copper.

Wild Chervil

Otherwise known as cicily, sweet cicily and sometimes gourmet’s parsley, chervil is mild in flavor with a slight aniseed taste. It has been used in spring tonics for thousands of years, as an aid to sluggish digestion, circulation and fluid retention. Chervil is rich in a number of different vitamins and minerals. It is an excellent source of Vitamins A and C, as well as calcium, iron, manganese, potassium and zinc. Chervil also contains smaller but significant amounts of a number of the B vitamins, magnesium, selenium, copper and phosphorous. For

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