Author: Mystique

Botanical name: Viola

Other name: wood violet, sweet violet, English violet, common violet, florist’s violet, or garden violet.

The flower, displaying variable colors but excluding red, typically emerges singularly on a stalk and is characterized by five petals. Among these petals, four are arranged in dissimilar pairs, while the fifth features a distinctive spur. The leaves may either grow on the same stalk as the flower, known as stemmed violets, or on separate stalks, termed stemless violets.

Medicinal Uses:

• Stress
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Symptoms of menopause
• Depression
• Common cold
• Influenza
• Many other conditions

Botanical name: Verbena officinalis

Other name: verbena, Verbena officinalis, and herb of the cross

Vervain, alternatively known as verbena or Verbena officinalis, and sometimes referred to as the herb of the cross, is a perennial herb with origins in Europe and Asia. This plant, a member of the Verbenaceae family, features lobed, toothed leaves and delicate, silky, pale-purple flowers.

Medicinal Uses:

• Internal medicine to treat depression
• Anxiety
• Coughs
• Colds
• Fevers
• Stomachaches
• Cramps
• Jaundice
• Headaches

Botanical name: Valeriana officinalis

Other name: setwall (English), Valerianae radix (Latin), Baldrianwurzel (German), and phu (Greek).

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis), an herb indigenous to Europe and parts of Asia, has a well-documented history of serving as a sedative. Capable of reaching just over 6 feet in height, valerian possesses a distinctive and robust odor. Its effects appear to mimic those of a sedative within the brain and nervous system.

Medicinal Uses:

• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
• Menopause symptoms
• Headaches

Botanical name: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

Other name: bearberry

Uva-ursi is a petite, prostrate woody groundcover shrub that reaches a height of 5–30 centimeters (2–12 inches). In its natural habitat, the species forms dense stands, and rarely exceeds a height of 15 cm (6 in). The plant features erect branching twigs that emerge from long, flexible prostrate stems, all originating from single roots.

Medicinal Uses:

• To treat dysuria
• Cystitis
• Urethritis
• Kidney and bladder stones.

Botanical name: Thymus vulgaris

Other name: English thyme, summer thyme, winter thyme, French thyme, or garden thyme

Thyme plants boast extensive root systems and rapidly develop runners. Their four-edged twigs exhibit strong branching, progressively turning more woody as they mature. These twigs carry small, short, elliptical leaves with slightly curled edges. The color of thyme leaves is commonly silver-green, although this can vary depending on the specific variety.

Medicinal Uses:

• Antioxidant
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antineoplastic actions
• Antiviral
• Antibacterial
• Antifungal

Botanical name: Fragaria × ananassa

Other name: earthberry, red berry

Wild strawberry leaves exhibit a small to medium size, presenting a flat and oblong shape with an average width of 4-5 centimeters. These dark green leaves feature a matte texture, silky hairs on the underside, and toothed or serrated edges. Arranged in groups of three on hairy stems that can reach a height of 10-15 centimeters, the leaves belong to a trailing plant that spreads low to the ground through horizontal runners, which transform into roots to establish new plants. Recognizable by their small white flowers and red fruits, wild strawberry leaves offer a mild, fruity flavor with fresh grassy and herbal notes, concluding with a gently astringent finish.

Medicinal Uses:

• Improving heart health
• Antioxidant and antimicrobial properties
• Boosting the immune system
• Reducing blood sugar levels

Botanical name: Hypericum perforatum

John’s Wort (SJW), scientifically identified as Hypericum perforatum, is a leafy herb with a sprawling growth pattern, thriving in open and disturbed areas across a significant portion of the world’s temperate regions. The utilization of this plant as an herbal remedy for a diverse range of internal and external ailments traces its roots back to the era of ancient Greece.

Medicinal Uses:

• Depression
• Menopausal symptoms
• Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
• Anti-inflammatory
• Anti-cancer effects

Botanical name: Scutellaria baicalensis

Other name: blue skullcap, mad dog skullcap and side-flowering skullcap

Chinese Skullcap Root is comprised of the dried roots of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, a member of the Lamiaceae family. The collection process involves gathering the roots in spring or autumn, with careful removal of fibrous roots and rough skin.

Medicinal Uses:

• Protect against neurological disorders
• Such as Alzheimer’s disease
• Parkinson’s disease
• Anxiety
• Depression

Botanical name: Schisandra chinensis

Schisandra chinensis, commonly known as the five-flavor fruit, is a vine that bears fruit. Its purple-red berries are renowned for encompassing five distinct tastes: sweet, salty, bitter, pungent, and sour. Notably, the seeds of the Schisandra berry contain lignans, substances that may confer beneficial effects on health.

Medicinal Uses:

• To treat cough
• Liver conditions
• Stomach disorders
• Sweating
• As an adaptogen
• Improve vitality

Botanical name: Salvia officinalis

Other name: culinary sage, common garden sage, or garden sage.

Red sage root is characterized by a bitter flavor and a slightly cold nature. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is associated with the heart and liver meridians. Red sage root is known for promoting blood circulation, aiding in the regulation of menstruation, eliminating excess body heat, alleviating inflammation, and inducing a calming effect on the mind.

Medicinal Uses:

• High in Several Nutrients
• Loaded With Antioxidants
• May Support Oral Health
• May Ease Menopause Symptoms
• May Reduce Blood Sugar Levels