Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Pulmonaria Officinalis

AKA: Lungwort, P. Saccharata “Sissinghurst White”

Planting: Moist soil including clay in sun or shade, fully hardy perennial, 10”-12”.

Propagation Zone 6/7:

Links: Wiki

Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)

Aesculus Glabra

AKA: Horsechestnut

Planting: Rich moist soil in sun, fully hardy perennial tree, 30’

Propagation Zone 6/7:

Medicinal/Culinary: Also known as the “Ohio Buckeye” the horse chestnut is mentioned by Rumi, thought by many people in the eastern and southern United States to be a sure preventive of rheumatism, arthritis, or headache. Used for swelling and pain due to varicose veins and chronic circulation problems. It has also been used for reducing the swelling of hemorrhoids or veins (phlebitis). Indians would leach out the high tannins, and then eat it as a good source of protein. The Indians would do this by slow-roasting the nuts (which would have rendered the saponins harmless) and then cutting them into thin slices, putting them into a cloth bag and rinsing them in a stream for 2 - 5 days. In China, seeds are dried, powdered, and eaten as a gruel. Saponins in the seed are used as a soap substitute. The saponins can be easily obtained by chopping the seed into small pieces and infusing them in hot water. This water can then be used for washing the body, clothes etc. Its main drawback is a lingering odor of horse chestnuts.

Third Eye Vision:

Seeded: Transplant Fall 2008 in A2

Links: Wiki

Glechoma Hederacea

AKA: Ground Ivy, Alchoof

Planting: Moist well drained soil in sun or shade, invasive, fully hardy evergreen perennial, 6”.

Propagation Zone 6/7:

Harvest: Flowering plants are dried for infusions and liquid extracts, whole plant is used.

Culinary: Fresh or dried leaves are used to make herb tea. Young leaves can be added to soups.

Medicinal: A bitter, aromatic, astringent herb. It has a tonic effect on the bronchial, digestive, and urinary systems, and is diuretic and expectorant. Used internally for catarrh, sinusitis, ear infections, bronchitis, gastritis, and cystitis. Used externally for inflammations of throut and mouth, and hemorrhoids.

Third Eye Vision:

Seeded: Spring 2009 in F6

Links: Wiki

Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)

Vitis Riparia

AKA: Grape

Planting: Deep, moist humus rich soil in sun, fully hardy, deciduous vining perennial.

Propagation Zone 6/7: Seed/Perennial

Harvest: Leaves and stems are collected in early summer and used fresh.

Culinary: Blanched fresh leaves, or leaves preserved in brine, are used to parcel fillings, such as minced meat, fish, and rice. Fruits are eaten raw, juiced or jellied. Grape seeds are used to coat cheeses, and are pressed for oil.

Medicinal: Stems yield drops of liquid that are used directly as an eyewash and diuretic. Used internally for varicose veins. A sour astringent cooling diuretic herb, that reduces inflammation, controls bleeding, improves circulation, and clears toxins.

Third Eye Vision:

Seeded: Spring 2009 in B6, transplant F8

Links: Wiki

Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)

Echinacea

AKA: Echinacea, Coneflower (Tennessee), E. Purpurea, E. Angustifolia, E. Tennesseensis, E. Paradoxa (yellow)

Planting: Rich well drained soil in sun, fully hardy perennial, 24”.

Propagation Zone 6/7: Perennial

Harvest: Roots, and rhizomes are lifted in autumn and dried for use in decoctions. Leaves, flowers, and seed are used fresh or dried in infusions, decoctions, and herb tea.

Medicinal: Use when you feel a cold, virus, or fever coming on. Take 1 leaf, crumple and mix in with green tea. All parts of the plant have medicinal properties. A somewhat bitter herb that stimulates the immune system, promotes healing, and has anti-viral and anti-bacterial effects. Considered the most effective detoxicant in Western medicine for the circulatory, lymphatic, and respiratory systems.

Third eye vision:

Seeded: 2007-C1, 2008-C7, 2009; E. Tennesseensis in F8

Links: Wiki

Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)

Nepeta Cataria

AKA: Catnip

Planting: Moist well drained soil in sun, fully hardy perennial, 1’-3’. Plant in Mid-March, grows easily and germinates in 2-4 weeks. Plant out in May. Likes moist areas with sun, but will grow in partial shade. Grows and spreads fast like mint

Propagation Zone 6/7: Seed/Perennial

Harvest: Plants are cut when in bud and dried for use in infusions. Leaves are picked when needed for culinary purposes, and used fresh or dried.

Culinary: Leaves are infused for a mint-like tea, and also added to salads, sauces, an stews.

Medicinal: A bitter, astringent camphoraceous herb . It lowers fever, relaxes spasms, increases perspiration, and has sedative effects.

Third Eye Vision:

Links: Wiki

Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Iris Germanica

AKA: Iris (“Immortality”, “Pagan Dance”, I. Sibirica “Silver Edge”)

Planting: Well drained soil in sun, stout fully hardy perennial, 2’4’.

Harvest: rhizomes are lifted in late summer and early autumn, and dried for use in decoctions, extracts, and powders.

Culinary:

Medicinal: A soothing aromatic herb that has diuretic and expectorant effects. It is both purgative and anti-diarrhoeal. Used internally for coughs, catarrh, and diarrhoea. Used externally for deep wounds.

Third Eye Vision:

Seeded: Here for many years, around outside fireplace; Fall 2008 cultivar bulbs planted in NW field.

Links: Wiki

Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)

Ipomoea

AKA: Morning Glory

Planting: Well drained rich soil in sun, half hardy climbing vine, 10’. Annual vine that reseeds easily.

Harvest: Roots are lifted in autumn and dried for use in powders, extraction, and tinctures.

Culinary:

Medicinal: A resinous, acrid, purgative herb with an unpleasant taste. Used internally for constipation, colic, and intestinal parasites.

Third Eye Vision:

Seeded: 2006 West side of barn; 2009 in A4

Links: Wiki

Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)

Leonurus Sibericus

AKA: Chinese Motherwort, Honeyweed

Planting: Well drained moist soil in sun or partial shade, fully hardy perennial, 4’.

Harvest: Plants are cut when flowering, but before the seeds are set, and dried for infusions, extracts, and tinctures, decoctions, pills, powder, and poultices. Seeds are collected when ripe in autumn by drying the whole plant, and threshing and sifting it to remove seeds.

Culinary: Young foliage is eaten as a vegetable. Roots are cooked with meat.

Medicinal: A bitter diuretic herb that stimulates the circulation and uterus, lowers blood pressure, regulates menstruation, and clears toxins. It is also effective against bacterial and fungal infections. Seeds are slightly sweet and have similar actions but are less effective medicinally. Used internally for eye problems related to the liver meridian (seeds); painful and excessive menstruation, and more.

Third Eye Vision:

Seeded: 2008 in A3; 2009 in A3

Links: Wiki

Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)

Schisandra Sinensis

AKA: Schisandra

Planting: Rich, well drained moist soil in sun or partial shade, fully hardy climbing evergreen perennial, 25’. Both male and female plants must be grown for successful fruiting.

Harvest: Fruits are collected after the first frosts and sun dried for use in decoctions, powders, and tinctures.

Culinary:

Medicinal: A sweet and sour, astringent, warming herb that regulates secretion of body fluids, controls coughing, and moistens dry and irritated tissues. It acts as a tonic for the nervous system, and kidney and heart energies. Used internally for dry coughs, asthma, night sweats, urinary disorders, and much more.

Third Eye Vision:

Seeded: 2008 in A4; 2009 in A1

Links: Wiki

Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)

Monday, May 4, 2009

Artemisia Abrotanum

AKA: Southernwood, Lad’s Love, Old Man

Planting: Well drained soil in sun, fully hardy perennial, 1’.

Harvest: Leaves are picked before flowering.

Culinary:

Medicinal: A strongly aromatic, bitter herb that improves digestion and liver function, encourages menstrual flow and stimulates the uterus, lowers fever, relaxes spasms, and destroys intestinal worms. Leaves are used in sachets and powders to repel moths and fleas.

Third Eye Vision:

Seeded: Transplanted 2008, driveway near NE corner of house

Links: Wiki

Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)

Brassica Juncea

AKA: Magna Mustard, Osaka Purple Mustard, Bau Sin Mustard, Crispifolia (Mizuna).

Planting: Rich well drained soil in full sun, hardy self seeding annual, 3’-4’.

Harvest: Leaves and flowers are picked when young and used fresh.

Culinary: Young leaves are eaten raw, pickled or cooked as vegetable. Seeds are ground and used as mustard! Sprouted seeds are added to salads.

Medicinal: A warming stimulant herb with antibiotic effects.

Third Eye Vision:

Seeded: Spring 2009 in C8, garden, F2

Links: Wiki

Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Chrysanthemum Coronarium

AKA: Edible Chrysanthemum, Garland chrysanthemum, Leucanthemum coronarium, Chrysanthemum Greens.

Planting: Rich well drained soil in sunny sheltered spot, half hardy reseeding annual, 3’-4’.

Propagation Zone 6/7: Seed/Self-sowing

Harvest: Leaves are picked as needed, flowers gathered when fully open.

Culinary: Leaves are used for tea, or made into fritters. Flowers are cooked or pickled, Petals are used to make tea or to flavour China tea. Flowers and petals are added to soup. Used fresh or dried.

Medicinal: A bitter aromatic herb that lowers fevers, soothes inflammation, dilates the coronary artery (increasing blood flow to the heart) and inhibits the growth of pathogens. Used internally for hypertension, coronary artery disease, angina, feverish colds, and liver-related disorder.

Third Eye Vision:

Seeded: Spring 2009 in F8

Links: Wiki

Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)

Tilia Cordata

AKA: Small-Leafed Linden, Small-Leafed Lime

Planting: Moist well drained soil in sun or partial shade, fully hardy perennial tree, 50’.

Harvest: Flowers are picked in summer and dried for infusions. Lime flowers develop narcotic properties as they age and should only be collected when first opened.

Culinary: Dried flowers infused for tea.

Medicinal: An aromatic mucilaginous herb that is diuretic and expectorant, calms the nerves, lowers blood pressure, increases perspiration, and improves digestion. Used internally for hypertension, arteriosclerosis, cardiovascular and digestive complaints associated with anxiety, urinary infrections, feverish colds, flue.

Third Eye Vision:

Seeded: Transplant spring 2009 in A7

Links: Wiki

Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)

Cynara Cardunculus

AKA: Cardoon, Globe artichoke

Planting: Deep rich well drained soil in sun, fully hardy perennial, 4’.

Harvest: Leaves are cut just before flowering, and roots are harvested in winter, for use fresh or dried in extracts.

Culinary: Unopened flower heads are boiled and the fleshy bases are eaten hot, with sauce. Hearts are baked, fried or marinated. Baby artichokes are eaten whole. Young leafstalks, known as artichoke chard, are blanched and eaten as a vegetable (remove the spines first).

Medicinal: A bitter, slightly salty herb that detoxifies and regenerates liver tissues, stimulates the gall bladder, and reduces blood lipids, cholesterol, and blood sugar.

Third Eye Vision:

Seeded: Spring 2009 in B6

Links: Wiki

Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)

Friday, May 1, 2009

Alliaria Petiolata

AKA: Garlic Mustard, Hedge Garlic, Jack-by-the-hedge

Planting: Moist soil in sun or shade, fully hardy biennial, 1’-4’.

Harvest: Leaves and stems are cut before flowering for use fresh as a juice, and fresh or dried as an infusion or poultice.

Culinary: Young leaves add a mild garlic flavour to salads, sandwiches, and soups. Traditionally made into a sauce with mint leaves as a sauce for lamb or mutton (England).

Medicinal: A pungent stimulant herb that clears infection, encourages healing, and is expectorant and anti-inflammatory.

Third Eye Vision:

Seeded: Spring 2009 in A8

Links: Wiki

Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)

Clematis Virginiana

AKA: Clematis (Virgin’s Bower)

Planting: Well drained soil in sun, with roots in shade, fully hardy perennial or annual, climber.

Propagation Zone 6/7: Seed/varies by variety.

Harvest: Roots are lifted in autumn and used in decoctions.

Medicinal: A pungent warming herb that has painkilling, sedative, and diuretic effects, lowering fever and relieving spasms.

Third Eye Vision:

Seeded: Spring 2009

Links: Wiki

Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)

Angelica Sinensis

AKA: Chinese Angelica, Dong Quai, syn. Angelica Polymorpha

Planting: Rich moist soil in sun or partial shade, fully hardy, self-sowing perennial, 2’-5’.

Propagation Zone 6/7: Seed/Self-sowing

Medicinal: Roots (dong quai) are used internally for female reproductive system and liver. Probably the most important Chinese tonic after ginseng.

Third Eye Vision:

Seeded: Spring 2009 in F1

Links: Wiki

Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)

Levisticum Officinale

AKA: Lovage

Planting: Deep, rich moist soil in sun or partial shade. Fully hardy perennial, 6”.

Propagation Zone 6/7: Seed/Perennial

Harvest: Leaves are picked before flowering and dried for use in infusions. Stems are cut in spring, when tender and succulent. Roots are lifted in the third year and used fresh, or dried for decoctions, liquid extracts, tinctures, and oil. Seeds are collected when ripe and dried for use in decoctions.

Culinary: Dried leaves are made into herb tea; young shoots and leafstalks are blanched and eaten as a vegetable. Seeds are added to soups, bread, and biscuits. Leaves are added to salads, soups, stews, and savory dishes.

Medicinal: A bitter sweet sedative herb, pungently aromatic, that benefits the digestion, relaxes spasms, increases perspiration and acts as a diuretic and expectorant. Used internally for indigestion, colic, flatulence, poor appetite, and more.

Third Eye Vision:

Seeded: 2008 in A4; Spring 2009 in F6

Links: Wiki

Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)

Tropaeolum Majus

AKA: Nasturtium (Jewels)

Planting: Well drained moist soil in sun, self sowing half hardy annual, 9”-10’, depending on species!

Propagation Zone 6/7: Seed/self sowing

Harvest: All parts are picked in summer used fresh for infusions and tinctures.

Culinary: Leaves, flowers, flower buds, nectar spurs are eaten in salads. Chopped fresh leaves give a peppery flavour, flowers are used to make vinegar.

Medicinal: A bitter, antiseptic tonic herb that has diuretic and expectorant effects, and controls fungal and bacterial infections. Used internally for genito-urinary and respiratory infections, scurvy, and poor skin or hair conditions.

Third Eye Vision:

Seeded: Spring 2009 in F8

Links: Wiki

Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)

Galium Aparine

AKA: Cleavers, Goosegrass

Planting: Moist well-drained soil in shade, hardy annual self seeding, 4’.

Propagation Zone 6/7: Seed/Self-sowing

Harvest: Whole plant and seeds harvested when flowering and dried for infusions, extracts, and tablets.

Culinary: Eaten as a vegetable or added to soups, with reputed slimming effects. Dried seeds are roasted as a coffee substitute.

Medicinal: Herb has mild laxative, diuretic and astringent effects. It lowers blood pressure, promotes healing, and is alterative.

Third Eye Vision:

Seeded: Spring 2009 in A4

Links: Wiki

Sources:
The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (RHS)