Many herbs and oils are natural antibacterial agents and may be used as teas, skin washes, made into salves. Some of the most effective herbs contain berberine - goldenseal and Oregon grape root are two. Herbs that contain essential oils are antibacterial and antiseptic.
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Ajwain Seed |
Trachyspermum ammi |
Ajwan, Ajwon |
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Seeds :
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The high concentration of essential oils in ajwain seeds, primarily thymol, give them an aroma and flavor resembling thyme, with a stronger bite ...
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AllSpice |
Pimenta officinalis |
Pimento,Jamaica Pepper |
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Ripe and unripe fruits, essential oil extracted from leaves :
West Indian Islands :
Allspice earns its common name because it tastes like a combination of cloves, juniper berries, cinnamon and pepper ...
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Aloe |
Aloe vera |
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Juice of the inner leaf :
Greek :
The leaf juices of the aloe plant have important medicinal uses, making aloe one of the most respected medicinal plants found in many gels, creams and ...
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Andrographis |
Andrographis paniculata |
Creat, chuan xin lian, Kan jang, Kalmegha |
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leaves and roots :
a :
Andrographis paniculata is an herb native to the Indian subcontinent and is used in Ayurveda,the ancient (before 2500 b.c.) I ...
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Anise Seed |
Pimpinella anisum |
Aniseed |
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Seeds, essential oil :
1 :
Anise's phytochemicals, including creosol and alpapinene, are apparent and well-established in preparations to break up congestion, ease coughing, an ...
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Annatto |
Bixa orellana |
achiote, lipstick tree |
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Seeds :
Mayan :
Annatto is widely used in Caribbean and Latin cusines. Recado rojo or achiote paste is a popular blend of spices from Yucat�n region of Sou ...
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Arjuna |
Terminalia arjuna |
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Bark :
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Arjuna is among the most frequently prescribed herbs for cardiovascular health in ayurvedic medicine ...
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Balm of Gilead |
Populus spp |
Poplar Buds |
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Leaf buds :
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The dried, unopened buds of the poplar tree are used in ointments and skin treatments to reduce pain and inflammation ...
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Barberry, Common |
Berberis vulgaris L. |
Huang Lian, Chinese Goldthread, Pepperidge-bush |
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bark, root-bark :
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The Barberry used to be cultivated for the sake of the fruit, which was pickled and used for garnishing dishes. ...
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Bayberry |
Myrica cerifera |
Candleberry, wax myrtle |
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Roots, berries :
8 :
Early American colonists used the wax covering the plants berries to make candles. ...
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Bee Balm |
Monarda didyma |
Scarlet Monarda, Oswego Tea, Bergamot, Horsebalm |
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leaves, aerial plant :
American :
This species of mint has an aromatic order similar to the citrus Orange Bergamot, but the two are not related. ...
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Bergamot |
Citrus begamia |
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Essence expressed from peel :
Asia :
The fresh, uplifting scent of bergamot essential oil is used to stabilize the emotions, calm and tone the nervous system, relieve tension and insomnia ...
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Black Mustard |
Brassica nigra |
Mustard Seed, Brown mustard |
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Seeds and leaves :
Greek :
Pungent mustard oil is antibacterial and antifungal, warm and stimulating. ...
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Bloodroot |
Sanguinaria canadensis L |
red puccoon blood root, pauson |
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root :
American :
Bloodroot is a wildflower that grows in North America as far west as Kansas. The name is derived from the reddish roots ...
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Blue Cohosh |
Caulophyllum thalictroide |
sqaw root |
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Dried root :
American :
Blue cohosh is generally used in combination with other herbs, often black cohosh to treat menstrual disorders. ...
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Boldo |
Peumus boldus Molina |
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leaves :
South American :
The Incas used the herb to treat are used to treat bladder and urinary tract infections, the same uses as you will find it recommended for today ...
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Boneset |
Eupatorium perfoliatum |
Common Thorough wort, Agueweed, Indian Sage |
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Aerial parts :
American :
Only the advent of aspirin displaced boneset as the popular choice for colds and fever. ...
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Buchu |
Agathosma betulina |
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leaves and flowers :
Africa :
Buchu is one of South Africa's best known medicinal plants in the treatment of urinary tract infections (UTI). ...
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Burdock |
Arctium lappa |
Niu Bang Zi |
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Fresh or dried roots, leaves, seeds :
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Burdock helps to cleanse the body from the inside out and is most useful in those conditions that can be traced back to liver disorders or a general o ...
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Cajeput |
Melaleuca leucadendron, M. leucadendra |
Weeping tea tree, weeping paperbark |
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Leaves,twigs :
SE Asia, Australia :
While Cajeput is the sister tree to Tea tree and Niaouli the important difference is that Cajeput is skin-irritant and as such less suitable for exter ...
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Calamus |
Acorus calamus |
Sweet Sledge. Sweet Myrtle, Sweet Flag |
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Rhizome :
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Alcorus calamus, know commonly as Sweet flag, or calamus has been in use worldwide in Asian European and Native American herbal traditions since the t ...
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Calendula |
Calendula officinalis |
Pot marigold |
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flowers and leaves :
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Calendula flower oil is one of the first herbs to consider in minor first aid applications.
Particularly good treatment for cuts, scrapes, bruises, a ...
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Catuaba |
Erythroxylum catuaba |
caramuru, catagu, catigu, catigua, chuchuhuasha, pau de reposta, or tatuaba |
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Bark :
Amazon rainforest :
Catuaba is the most famous of the Brazilian aphrodisiac plants, noted for it's ability to strengthen erections. ...
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Cayenne Pepper |
Capsicum minimum |
Capsicum ,African Pepper, Chillies, Bird Pepper |
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Fruit, ripe and dried :
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Capsicum, an extract from cayenne and other peppers, can dramatically reduce chronic nerve pain, and along with it's anti-inflammatory actions it is ...
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Chaparral |
Larrea tridentata |
hediondilla, Shegoi |
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Leaves, flowers and fruit :
Mexican, American Indian :
Chaparral has potent and long-lasting anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects in the treatment of arthritis. Chaparral herb should only be externally ...
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Chrysanthemum |
Chrysanthemum morifolium, C. sinense |
Mums, Ju Hua, Chu Hua,Florist's Chrysanthemum |
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flowers :
Chinese :
We value the chrysanthemum for
their burst of fall color that signals the approach of winter, but like many
ornamental plants, chrysanthemums hav ...
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Cinnamon |
Cinnamomum zeylanicum, C. aromaticum |
Cassia Bark |
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Dried bark :
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The distinct, spicy aroma of cinnamon bark, Cassia, or Chinese cinnamon, is the spice sold as cinnamon in the United States. ...
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Clove |
Eugenia caryophyllata |
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Essential oil extracted from flower buds :
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Clove oil is virtually pure eugenol, a powerful, multifaceted phytochemical that numbs pain and kills bacteria and fungi. ...
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Coconut |
Cocos nucifera |
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Copra is the dried meat of the seed and is the main source of coconut oil, also known as coconut butter :
Tropics - South Pacific :
There is no mistaking the wonderful benefits of coconut oil for the softening and healing dry and damaged skin. ...
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Copaiba Balsam |
Copaifera Officinalis |
balsam, copaiva, Jesuit's balsam, copal, palo de aceite, capivi |
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oleoresin obtained from the trunk :
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Copaiba is used topically to relieve inflammation and help heal athlete's foot, eczema and psoriasis, and heals damaged skin with minimal scarring. ...
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Coptis |
Coptis spp |
Chinese goldthread, Huang Lian, Figwortflower,Canker Root |
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root :
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Coptis root is used in much the same manner as other berberine containing herbs,barberry, goldenseal, and Oregon grape root. ...
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Couch grass |
Agropyron repens |
Twitch grass, witchgrass, dog's grass, scutch, quick grass, triticum |
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Rhizome :
Greek :
Couch grass it valued by herbalists for its mucilage rich rhizome. ...
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Cranberry |
Vaccinium macrocarpon |
cranberry, American cranberry, bog cranberry |
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berry :
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Cranberry may help reduce both urinary tract infections and the amount of dental plaque-causing bacteria in the mouth ...
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Echinacea |
Echinacea angustifolia |
Purple coneflower |
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Most often roots, stems and flowers are also used but are weaker :
North American :
There are dozens of dozens of biochemical compounds that act in therapeutic synergy in this complex plant that support disease resistance in several ...
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Elecampane |
Inula helenium |
Wild sunflower, Horseheal, Yellow Starwort |
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Root and rhizome, flowers :
Greek :
Elecampane has been used since the days of ancient Greece and Rome and was included in the U.S. Pharmacopeia as a remedy for ...
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Eucalyptus |
Eucalyptus globulus |
Eucalyptus |
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Leaves, oil :
Australian :
Eucalyptus is best known for it's ability to relieve congestion and ease breathing in colds. The essential oil of eucalyptus contains cineole, a pote ...
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Galangal Root |
Alpinia officinarum |
Galanga, lesser galangal, Blue ginger, Chinese ginger |
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root :
Asian :
Galangal is a sub tropical Asian member of the Ginger family. Herbalists consider the galangal root antispasmodic and antibacterial, and recommend it ...
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Garlic |
Allium sativum |
Poor Man's Treacle, Bawang, Bauang |
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bulb :
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Garlic can and should be used liberally in food, either powdered or freshly chopped. Using fresh garlic in your cooking also helps you cut down on the ...
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Goldenseal |
Hydrastis canadensis |
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primarily the root, to a lesser extent leaves :
North America :
Goldenseal is a folk medicine staple widely used in many herbal salves and ointments as a contact disinfectant. ...
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Grindelia |
Grindelia spp |
Gumplant, tarweed, rosinweed |
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Aerial parts :
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Grindelia is a indigenous North America bush best known medicinally for its expectorant properties ...
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Hibiscus |
Hibiscus sabdariffa |
Roselle, rosemallow, Jamaica Sorrel, red sorrel, agua de Jamaica |
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flower, Calyx :
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Traditional cultures world wide, from China to the Caribbean and the Americas have used hibiscus for medicinal teas ...
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Holy Basil |
Ocimum sanctum |
Tulsi, Tulasi, Indian Basil |
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Leaves, essential oil :
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Holy Basil has been used for thousands of years the traditional medicinal of India, Ayurveda treatment. Known to Hindus as Tulsi the plant i ...
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Horseradish |
Armoracia rusticana, syn. Cochlearia armoracia |
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grated root, seldom leaves :
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Horseradish or 'prepared horseradish' to refers to the grated root of the horseradish plant mixed with vinegar. ...
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Juniper |
Juniperus communis |
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berries :
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The action of juniper closely resembles cypress, to which it is botanically related. ...
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Kava-Kava |
Piper methysticum |
Ava. Intoxicating Peper |
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rhizome :
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Kava kava can be used as a mild sedative for nervous tension and stress. The active constituents in the roots, kava lactones, have relaxing and intoxi ...
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Lemon |
Citrus limonum |
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Rind, juice, essential oil :
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Lemon is used in alternative medicine to help build immunity against colds, influenza, and other viral infection, to detoxify the body and assist lymp ...
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Lemongrass |
Cymopogon citratus, C.flexuosus |
lemongrass |
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stalk, essential oil :
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Lemon grass herb is commonly used in teas, soups, and curries. It is also suitable for poultry, fish, and seafood. The essential oil can be used in ma ...
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Lime |
Citrus aurantifolia |
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rind of fruit :
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Delightful, tangy, citrus aroma. Dozens of limes are needed to produce ½ ounce of oil. Two types of lime oil are commonly ...
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Mallow, Marsh |
Althaea officinalis L. |
Marshmallow, Wymote |
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Primarily root, the leaves and flowers to a lesser extent :
Europe, N. America :
Marshmallow is a soothing and healing plant mainly due to it's high mucilage content. ...
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Mullein |
Verbascum, various species |
Flannel Leaf, Mullein Dock, Aaron's Rod |
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Leaves, flowers, roots :
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Traditionally used as a tea, and is frequently combined with other herbs in mixtures for treating cough. ...
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Myrtle |
Myrtus communis |
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Leaf and berries :
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The leaves of the myrtle tree are very aromatic and the plant has a number of medicinal uses. ...
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Neem |
Azadirachta Indica |
Margosa, Neem oil |
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leaves, twigs, and seed nut oil :
Ayurvedic :
Neem oil is exceptionally rich, has moisturizing and regenerative properties, contains Vitamin E, and has essential fatty acids. Neem is commonly use ...
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Niaouli |
Melaleuca quinquenervia |
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leaves :
Australia :
Much like tea tree in its antiseptic properties, but with a much milder, fruity aroma. ...
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Oregano |
Origanum vulgare |
Wild Marjoram |
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leaves, stems, essential oil :
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Oregano has a very ancient reputation and has been used in both the kitchen and the sickroom since the time of the ancients. ...
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Oregon Grape |
Mahonia aquifolium |
Mountain Grape, holly leaved barberry |
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root :
N. America :
Oregon grape shared many of the properties of goldenseal,but is not botanicaly related. ...
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Parsley |
Petroselinum crispum |
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roots, leaves, seeds :
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Of the variety crispum, or curled-leaved there are thirty-seven variations, the most valuable are those of compact habit ...
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Pine |
Pinus sylvestris |
Scots Pine |
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Needles :
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The key uses of pine are as an anti-infectious, antimicrobial agent in colds, flu, urinary and viral infections and as a pain reliever ...
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Poke Root |
Phytolacca americana |
American nightshade, cancer jalap, coakum, garget, inkberry, pigeon berry, chui xu shang lu |
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Tincture of the root :
North Amercian :
Poke root tinctures are used in creams and ointments as a treatment for skin diseases,and the plant has a folklore reputation as a cancer cure that ne ...
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Ravensara |
Ravensara aromatica |
ravensare, havozo, hazomanitra |
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Essential oil from leaves and bark :
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The essential oil is referred to as the oil that heals and is is obtained by steam distillation from the leaf. ...
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Sage |
Salvia officinalis |
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Leaves, small stems and flowers :
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Sage is an excellent and safe natural disinfectant. The antimicrobial action of thujone, a compound found in the volatile oil, works against bacterial ...
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Sarsaparilla |
Smilax sarsaparilla |
zarzaparrilla |
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Root :
Americas :
The spicy, pleasant smelling root is what gave old fashioned root beer its bite and is the part used medicinally ...
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sassafrass |
Sassafras albidum |
Saloop, ague tree, root beer tree, |
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Root Bark, Bark and essential oil :
north amercian :
A cup of sassafras root tea is a traditional spring tonic in the South for hundreds of years, and was part of the home medicine of the early American ...
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Savory, Winter, Summer |
Satureja montana |
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All aerial parts :
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Savory is a carminative herb recommend for gas and digestive upsets, including colic, diarrhea and indigestion. ...
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Schisandra |
Schisandra chinensis |
Magnolia vine, wu-wei-zi, Schizandra |
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fruit :
China :
Schisandra, also known as Magnolia vine is found as a rare ornamental vine in Western gardens ...
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Tea Tree |
Melaleuca alternifolia |
ti tree |
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essential oil distilled from leaves :
Australia :
Tea tree's major contribution to the herbal pharmacy is its broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity. ...
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Thuja |
Thuja occidentalis |
Arborvitae, tree of life, white cedar, yellow cedar, American cedar |
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Leaves and young twigs :
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Thuja may also be used in hot compresses and steam baths to ease rheumatism, arthritis, and achy muscles. ...
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Thyme |
Thymus vulgaris |
Common Thyme, Wild Thyme |
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Leaves, stems and flowers :
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Thyme has primarily been used respiratory ailments for its infection-fighting and cough suppressive qualities. Thyme tea is an old time favorite coug ...
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Turmeric |
Curcuma longa L. |
Curcuma, Indian saffron |
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rhizome :
Ayurvedic :
Turmeric is a mild aromatic stimulant used in the manufacture of curry powders and mustards.The curcumin in turmeric has recently been shown effective ...
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Uva Ursi |
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi |
Bearberry |
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Leaves :
8 :
Uva ursi contains a considerable amount of tannins ( up to 40 percent) making it one of natures most powerful astringents. Uva usi is a strong herb th ...
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Wormwood |
Artemisia absinthium L. |
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Aerial parts :
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Wormwood is used today mainly as a bitter tonic, and in natural pest control. ...
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Yarrow |
Achillea millefolium |
Milfoil, Old Man's Pepper, Nosebleed |
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aerial parts, essential oil :
Europe, N. America :
Yarrow is one of the best-known herbal remedies for fevers, and bleeding. The chemical makeup of yarrow is complex, and it contains many active medici ...
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