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Fresh Plants, Dry Herbs, Salves

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Yarrow

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Medicinal Benefits
1. Wound Healing
  • Antiseptic and anti-inflammatory: Applied topically, yarrow can help disinfect wounds and reduce inflammation.
  • Styptic properties: Traditionally used to stop bleeding due to its astringent effects.
  • Promotes tissue regeneration: Encourages quicker wound closure and skin repair.

2. Digestive Health
  • Stimulates digestion: Enhances bile flow and digestive enzyme production.
  • Relieves bloating and gas: Acts as a carminative.
  • Soothes stomach ulcers and cramps: Thanks to anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties.

3. Menstrual and Reproductive Health
  • Regulates menstrual cycle: Helps balance hormones and ease irregular cycles.
  • Eases menstrual cramps and PMS: Antispasmodic effects help relax uterine muscles.
  • Used to treat heavy bleeding (menorrhagia): Due to its astringent nature.

4. Anti-Inflammatory and Pain Relief
  • Reduces inflammation: Internally and externally; useful for arthritis or sore muscles.
  • Analgesic: Mild pain-relieving effects for headaches and body aches.

5. Cold and Flu Relief
  • Promotes sweating (diaphoretic): Useful in breaking fevers.
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Anise Hyssop

Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)

Medicinal Benefits:
  • Soothes coughs and sore throats
  • Relieves indigestion, gas, and bloating
  • Gently uplifting for mood and anxiety
  • Antiviral and antibacterial properties
  • Mild expectorant for colds and flu
  • Supports respiratory and digestive systems

Easy Recipe:

Anise Hyssop Uplifting Tea

Ingredients:
  • 1 tbsp dried Anise Hyssop leaves and flowers
  • 1.5 cups hot water
  • Optional: honey or lemon

Instructions:
Steep the herb in hot water for 10 minutes, covered. Strain and sweeten if desired. Enjoy 1–2 cups daily for digestive ease and calm energy.
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Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

Medicinal Benefits:

  • Calms the nervous system and eases anxiety or irritability
  • Gently lifts mood and supports emotional balance
  • Promotes restful sleep and relieves insomnia caused by stress
  • Eases digestive upset, gas, and cramping linked to tension
  • Supports cognitive function and mental clarity
  • Mild antiviral – especially helpful during cold sore outbreaks

Note:
Lemon balm is best used fresh or freshly dried for optimal potency. It’s considered safe for most people and suitable for children. Those with thyroid conditions should consult a practitioner before long-term use, as it may mildly influence thyroid activity.

Easy Recipe:

Lemon Balm Uplift & Calm Tea
Ingredients:
  • 1 tbsp dried or 2 tbsp fresh lemon balm leaves
  • 1.5 cups hot water
  • Optional: 1 tsp chamomile or lavender for added calm
Instructions:
Steep lemon balm in hot water for 7–10 minutes, covered. Strain and enjoy warm. Excellent as a mid-day stress reliever or evening wind-down tea to restore calm and clarity.
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Spearmint

Spearmint (Mentha spicata)

Medicinal Benefits:

  • Calms and soothes digestive upset, bloating, and nausea
  • Gently energizing without overstimulation
  • Cools the body and relieves tension headaches
  • Helps clear the mind and improve focus
  • Mild antimicrobial and respiratory support herb
  • Balances hormones and may reduce excess androgen levels (helpful for PCOS)

Note:
Spearmint is one of the mildest mints, making it suitable for children and sensitive individuals. It can be enjoyed daily as a beverage or digestive tonic. Avoid in large amounts during pregnancy unless approved by a practitioner.

Easy Recipe:

Spearmint Cooling Digestive Tea
Ingredients:
  • 1 tbsp dried spearmint leaves (or 2 tbsp fresh)
  • 1.5 cups hot water
  • Optional: 1 tsp lemon balm or chamomile for relaxation
Instructions:
Steep herbs in hot water for 5–7 minutes, covered. Strain and sip warm or iced. Ideal after meals to ease digestion, freshen breath, and restore a calm, clear state of mind.
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Passion Flowers & Leaves

Passionflower & Leaves (Passiflora incarnata)

Medicinal Benefits:
  • Deeply calming for anxiety, restlessness, and circular thinking
  • Supports natural sleep without grogginess
  • Eases muscle tension and nerve-related pain
  • Gently lowers blood pressure (mild hypotensive)
  • Calms heart palpitations linked to stress
  • Mildly sedative – excellent for chronic stress and burnout

Note:
The aerial parts (leaves, flowers, stems) are used. Safe for most people short-term, but not recommended during pregnancy.

Easy Recipe:

Passionflower Sleep Tea
 
Ingredients:
  • 1 tbsp dried passionflower (leaves + flowers)
  • 1.5 cups hot water
  • Optional: 1 tsp dried skullcap or lemon balm for extra relaxation

Instructions:
Steep herbs in hot water for 10–15 minutes, covered. Strain and drink 30 minutes before bed. Helps calm racing thoughts and promote restorative sleep.
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Rose Petals

Rose Petals (Rosa spp.)

Medicinal Benefits:
  • Gently uplifts mood and soothes emotional tension
  • Astringent – tones skin and mucous membranes
  • Anti-inflammatory – calms irritated tissues
  • Supports menstrual health and relieves cramping
  • Antibacterial and cooling internally and externally
  • Nourishes the heart energetically and emotionally 

Note:
Use unsprayed, fragrant petals 

Easy Recipe:

Rose Petal Mood Tea
 
Ingredients:
  • 1 tbsp dried rose petals
  • 1 tsp dried lemon balm or chamomile (optional)
  • 1.5 cups hot water

Instructions:
Steep petals (and other herbs, if using) in hot water for 7–10 minutes. Strain and enjoy warm or chilled. Sip for heart-soothing and emotional balance.
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Catnip

Catnip (Nepeta cataria)

Medicinal Benefits:
  • Calms anxiety, especially in children
  • Eases indigestion, gas, and cramping
  • Relieves restlessness and promotes gentle sleep
  • Soothes teething and colic in infants
  • Mild antispasmodic and carminative
  • Cooling for fevers and tension headaches

Note:
Though stimulating to cats, catnip is calming for humans.

Easy Recipe:

Catnip Bedtime Tea
 
Ingredients:
  • 1 tbsp dried catnip leaves
  • 1 tsp dried chamomile or lemon balm (optional)
  • 1.5 cups hot water

Instructions:
Steep herbs in hot water for 5–8 minutes. Strain and drink 30–60 minutes before bedtime. Ideal for kids or adults needing gentle wind-down support.
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Peach Leaves

Peach Leaves (Prunus persica)

Medicinal Benefits:
  • Gently calms nausea and motion sickness
  • Mild sedative – helps ease anxiety and restlessness
  • Cools inflammation and heat-related conditions
  • Useful for urinary tract irritation and bladder support
  • Antispasmodic – soothes gut cramps and tension
  • Gentle remedy for children and the elderly

Note:
Use fresh or freshly dried leaves for best effect. Avoid use of wilted or old leaves due to potential cyanogenic compounds when degraded.

Easy Recipe:

Peach Leaf Calming Tea
 
Ingredients:
  • 1 tbsp fresh peach leaves (or 2 tsp dried)
  • 1.5 cups hot (not boiling) water
  • Optional: chamomile or lemon balm for enhanced calm

Instructions:
Steep leaves in hot water (just off the boil) for 5–7 minutes. Strain and sip warm. Great for upset stomach, heat stress, or calming nerves.
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Elecampane

Elecampane Herbal Syrup – Natural Cough & Lung Support
 

Primary Uses:
  • Breaks up chest congestion
  • Soothes wet, persistent coughs
  • Supports bronchial and respiratory infections
  • Mild digestive stimulant
  • Natural antibacterial and antiviral

Syrup Recipe:
  • 2 tbsp Elecampane root (dried)
  • 1 tbsp Thyme (dried)
  • 1 tbsp Licorice root (dried)
  • 1 tbsp Ginger root (dried or fresh)
  • (Optional) 1 tbsp Mullein (dried)
  • 2–3 cups Water
  • 1 cup Raw honey

Instructions: Simmer herbs in water for 30–40 minutes until reduced by half. Strain and mix with honey while warm. Bottle and refrigerate.

Dosage:
  • Adults: 1 tablespoon, 2–3 times per day
  • Children (6+): 1 teaspoon, 2–3 times per day

Cautions:
  • Not for use during pregnancy or for children under 6 without professional advice.
  • Do not use for dry, non-productive coughs without additional moistening herbs.
  • Always source organically grown or wildcrafted herbs.
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Cayenne Peppers

Cayenne Pepper (Capsicum annuum)
 
Medicinal Benefits:
  • Boosts circulation and cardiovascular health
  • Natural pain reliever (topical use)
  • Speeds metabolism and supports weight loss
  • Clears sinus congestion and boosts immunity
  • Aids digestion and relieves gas
  • Antimicrobial and supports detox

Easy Recipe:

Cayenne Circulation Tonic

Ingredients:
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper powder
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon
  • 1 tsp raw honey
  • 1 cup warm water

Instructions:
Mix all ingredients in warm (not hot) water. Stir well and sip slowly. Take once daily for circulation and energy support.
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Comfrey

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)
 
Medicinal Benefits:
  • Speeds healing of bones, bruises, and sprains ("Knitbone")
  • Soothes skin irritations, burns, and wounds
  • Anti-inflammatory for joint and muscle pain
  • Promotes tissue regeneration
  • Astringent and demulcent properties (external use only)

Note:
Comfrey should only be used externally unless under trained supervision due to liver toxicity risk when ingested.

Easy Recipe:

Comfrey Healing Salve

Ingredients:
  • 1/2 cup dried comfrey leaf
  • 1 cup olive oil
  • 1 oz beeswax
  • Optional: few drops lavender essential oil

Instructions: Infuse comfrey in olive oil by gently heating for 1–2 hours on low (or cold-infusion for 2 weeks). Strain the oil, then melt in beeswax. Pour into jars and cool. Use on bruises, sprains, or sore joints.
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Holy Basil (Tulsi)

Tulsi (Holy Basil – Ocimum sanctum)
 

Medicinal Benefits:

  • Adaptogen – helps the body manage stress
  • Balances blood sugar and cortisol levels
  • Supports immune system function
  • Antiviral and antimicrobial properties
  • Reduces anxiety and mental fog
  • Eases inflammation and respiratory symptoms


Easy Recipe:

Tulsi Stress Relief Tea


Ingredients:
  • 1 tbsp dried Tulsi leaves (or 1 tea bag)
  • 1.5 cups hot water
  • Optional: lemon slice or raw honey

Instructions:
Steep Tulsi in hot water for 10 minutes. Add honey or lemon to taste. Drink 1–2 times daily to calm the mind and support immunity.