Fresh Plants, Dry Herbs, Salves

Medicinal Benefits of Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.


 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.