Many of these highly concentrated, fragrant oils, rich in chemical compounds, are extracted by steam distillation from flowers, leaves, roots, seeds and bark and used in aromatherapy. Not all plant essential oils are safe to use, however. Wormwood, calamus and safrole, for instance, are toxic and should be avoided. All essential oils should be handled with care.
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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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Angelica |
Angelica archagelica |
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roots, stems,seeds, leaves :
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Its virtues are praised by old writers,as well as the folk-lore of all North European countries. The fruit, leaf, and root of angelica stimulate dige ...
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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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Basil |
Ocimum basilicum |
Sweet Basil |
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leaves, essential oil :
Greek :
Like other herbs in the mint family basil is carminative and disinfectant. The fresh picked leaves make a stimulating and refreshing tea. Basil has al ...
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Bay Laurel |
Laurus nobilis |
Sweet Bay, True Laurel |
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Leaves, fruit, oil :
:
It is the source of the ancients' crowns and wreaths for heroes ...
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Bay Rum |
Pimenta racemosa |
Bay Rum Tree |
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:
:
also known as the Bay Rum Tree, and is not to be confused with Bay Laurel ...
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Benzoin |
Styrax benzoin |
Friar's balsam |
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resin :
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Benzoin is an expectorant, and warms and tones the heart, increasing circulation. ...
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Birch |
Betula alba |
White Birch, Sweet Birch, Cherry Birch |
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Bark, leaves :
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Teas of the birch bark contain salicylate, the compound found in aspirin. Salicylate relieves inflammation and pain associated with osteoarthritis, rh ...
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Black Pepper |
Piper nigrum |
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dried peppercorns :
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Black peppers are culitivated in malabar, Java, Sumatra, and Penang. Black pepper oil is hot, warming and very yang ...
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Bois de Rose |
Aniba rosaeodora |
Rosewood |
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South America :
Rosewood, or bois de rose, is a tropical tree growing wild in the Amazon basin , mainly in Brazil and in Guyana. Unfortunatel ...
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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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Camphor |
Cinnamomum camphora |
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Essential oil steam distilled from wood :
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Camphor is present in every part of the tree, but is usually taken from the wood of mature trees by steam distillation ...
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Camphor |
Cinnamomum camphora |
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Essential oil steam distilled from wood :
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Camphor is present in every part of the tree, but is usually taken from the wood of mature trees by steam distillation ...
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Caraway |
Carum carvi |
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Seeds, Essential Oil :
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The familiar seed that adorn dark rye bread is a member of the carrot family, and all parts are edible, roots, leaves and see ...
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Cardamom |
Elettaria cardamonuum |
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seed pods, essential oil :
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Cardamom in known primarily a tonic to the digestive system, kills the bacteria responsible for bad breath, and is well know for relief of nausea. As ...
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Carrot Seed |
Daucus carota L. |
Wild Carrot; Queen Anne's Lace; Bird's-nest |
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root, seeds :
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The carrot was well known to the ancients, and is mentioned by Greek and Latin writers under various names, ...
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Catnip |
Nepeta cataria |
Catmint, Nep,Catnep |
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leaves and flowering tops :
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A hot cup of catnip tea soothes the nervous system and is excellent for colds, flu, and children's upset stomach. ...
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Chamomile |
Matricaria recutita |
Camomile, Chamomilla |
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Flowers :
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The seemingly endless list of problems chamomile is said to help can all be traced to its effects of the nervous system and digestive system, as well ...
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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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Clary Sage |
Salvia sclarea |
Clarysage |
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:
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Clary sage has a special affinity with the female system in general and is recommended for women ...
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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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Cubeb |
Piper cuberba |
Java pepper |
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A climbing perennial plant, with dicecious flowers in spikes. Odour is aromatic and taste is pungent and somewhat bitter. Com ...
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Cumin |
Cuminum cyminum |
cummin |
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Seeds :
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Cumin is aromatic, containing up to 4 percent essential oil, warm, spicy and slightly sweet. ...
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Cypress |
Cupressus sempervirens |
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Needles and twigs :
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The cypress is a tall, conical shaped tree with small flowers succeeded by round cones, or nuts.Many cemeteries in the East a ...
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Dill |
Anethum graveoleus |
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seeds, herb, oil :
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Dill is good for treatment of gas and nausea , especially from sudden changes in diet, or a bad reaction to spicy food. ...
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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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Fennel |
Foeniculum vulgare |
Sweet Fennel, Fenkel |
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Seeds, leaves, roots, oil - the whole plant :
Greek :
The uses for fennel go far beyond the kitchen however, fennel has been used as a medicinal herb by the early Romans and Greeks. ...
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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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Geranium |
Pelargonium graveolens |
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Leaves :
Africa :
Many people still call pelargoniums by their common name, scented geraniums ...
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Ginger |
Zingiber officinale |
Luyang Dilaw |
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Root :
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Perhaps no other herb, except garlic, crosses all barriers, foods versus medicine, Western versus Oriental, scientific versus folk tradition. Ginger i ...
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Grapefruit |
Citrus paradisi |
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rind of fruit, seeds :
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Grapefruit is not only a great breakfast item, but the extracts from the seeds, pulp and inner rind can be helpful. ...
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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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Hyssop |
Hyssopus officinalis |
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Flowers, leaf and essential oil :
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Cultivated in gardens as an aromatic and medicinal herb, Hyssop is one of the main expectorant and decongestant herbs commonly used to treat respirato ...
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Immortelle |
Helichrysum angustifolium |
Everlasting, Strawflower |
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flowers :
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Helichrysum is known for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic and regenerative properties. ...
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Jasmine |
Jasminum officinale |
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Essence obtained from flowers :
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In aromatherapy, jasmine absolute oil in used to uplift the spirits in cases of apathy, depression, menopausal disorders, and lack of confidence ...
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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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Lavender |
Lavandula officinalis |
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Flowers, leaves and stems :
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Fresh lavender makes a wonderful, aromatic bouquet, and discourages insects from invading your home ...
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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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Lemon Balm |
Melissa officinalis |
Melissa |
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whole herb :
Greek :
Lemon balm is an aromatic mint with a long reputation for having calming properties. Both the whole herb and the essential oil, melissa, are used for ...
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Lemon Verbena |
Aloysia citriodora |
vervain |
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Leaves, flowers :
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Lemon verbena is used primarily as a culinary herb, but it also makes a delightful medicinal herb tea ...
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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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Lobelia |
Lobelia inflata |
Indian-Tobacco. Pukeweed. Asthma Weed. |
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Ariel parts,Flowers, seeds :
Europe, N. America :
The plant was known to the Penobscot Indians and was widely used in New England long before the time of Samuel Thomson, who ...
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Lovage |
Levisticum officinale |
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leaves, root, seeds :
Europe, N. America :
Lovage came to America with the English colonists and was brought over for both food and medicine. ...
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Marjoram,Sweet |
Origanum marjorana |
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Flowering tops :
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Sweet marjoram is a fragrant culinary herb used in soups,stews, egg and cheese dishes. . ...
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Motherwort |
Leonurus caridica L. |
Lion's tail, lion's ear |
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Aerial parts :
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Motherwort has been used for hundreds of years in Europe and China for all manner of heart problems and circulatory disorders ...
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Mugwort |
Artemisia vulgaris |
St. John's Plant |
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Leaves, roots :
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Mugwort is a close relative to wormwood , Artemisai absinthium. Sometimes overlooked for more "flashy" herbs in this current day, it is still a favori ...
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Myrrh |
Commiphora myrrha |
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Resin :
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Natural myrrh resin is one of the oldest known perfumery materials. Myrrh has been used as a cleansing, purifying agent since ancient times. ...
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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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Nutmeg |
Myristica fragrans |
Mace |
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essential oil, spice :
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Nutmeg oil provides a warming, activating action, without the potentially irritating effects of other spice oils. Use nutmeg powder in teas and sprin ...
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Orange |
Citrus sinensis, C.Nobilus |
Mandarin Orange, Tangerine |
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Fruit rind :
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Bitter orange and sweet orange both have a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine. ...
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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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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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Patchouli |
Pogostermon patchouli |
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Patchouli gained a certain reputation in the 60's as the preferred scent for Deadheads, perhaps because it's pungent scent was thought to mask the sme ...
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PennyRoyal |
Mentha pulegium |
Penny-Royal, poleo |
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leaves and young flowers, essential oil :
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Pennyroyal is an important member of the family of mints and is one that can be used safely for its intended purposes, when coupled with common sense, ...
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Peppermint |
Mentha piperita |
Yerba Buena |
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whole herb :
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Of all the mints, peppermint is now probably the most widely used of all, due to its high content of menthol. ...
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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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Rose |
Rosa centifolia |
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Hips, flower petals, leaves, bark :
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Attar of rose is the steam-extracted essential oil from rose flowers that has been used in perfumes for centuries. Rose water, made from the rose oil, ...
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Rosemary |
Rosmarinus officinalis |
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Leaves, stems and flowers :
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Rosemary is an extremely useful herb, with many culinary, medicinal and aromatherapy attributes. The essential oil is distilled from the fresh flower ...
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Rue |
Ruta graveolens L. |
Herb of Grace |
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Whole Herb :
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One of the oldest and garden plants cultivated for medicinal use Rue was valued as a country simple for its ability to ward off toxins and pests ...
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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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Sandalwood |
Santalum album |
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Heartwood :
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Sandalwood oil has a sweet-woody, warm, balsamic aroma that improves with age. The essential oil blends wonderfully with most ...
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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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Spearmint |
Mentha spicata |
Spear mint |
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Leaves, essential oil :
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Spearmint has much the same properties as peppermint, but is milder and good for use with children's complaints ...
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Spikenard |
Aralia racemosa |
Indian Root; Spignet, Fleabane |
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root :
North Amercian :
Spikenard root has a mild, pleasant licorice like flavor, often used as a substitute for sarsaparilla, though unrelated botanically, Spikenard is a ...
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Tansy |
Tanacetum vulgare |
Bitter Buttons |
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The leaves and tops. The plant is cut off close above the root, when first coming into flower in August. :
Europe, N. America :
Tansy was a popular strewing herb because it's clean, camphorous scent repelled flies and other pests. It is still customary ...
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Tarragon |
Artemisia dracunculus |
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leaves :
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Tarragon is a culinary star in French cuisine and best used fresh. ...
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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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Valerian |
Valeriana officinalis |
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Roots :
Greek :
The Greeks used valerian roots to help them fall asleep, and that use holds up under scientifc scrunity today. ...
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Vanilla |
Vanilla planifolia |
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Fruit (bean) :
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Cooking with
whole vanilla beans is easy and fun, and many chefs believe it is the only way
to experience true vanilla flavor. ...
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