HORSERADISH / Cochlearia armoracia / Europe. Cultivation: a herb that grows up to 3' / 1 metre tall with a pungent odour and the Product: the Roots are used.
HORSERADISH / Amoracia rusticana / Cruciferae - Brassicaceae - Mustard / Eastern Europe. N.B. Do not use in greater then Culinary amounts if Pregnant or Breast Feeding. Main Use: Used to treat Hay Fever in conjunction with Garlic. A food and medicine herb. Actions: Anti - Carcinogenic, Anti - Microbial, Anti - Scorbutic - Vitamin C, Carminative, Diuretic, Mild Laxative & Stimulant. Constituents: High in Vitamin C & Potassium.
Cultivation: A hardy Perennial 50 - 60cm high wit a rosette of long Leaves that is easy to grow but requires generous fertilising with reasonable moist conditions in semi - shade in moist, moderately rich soil. Sun to part Sun and forms a rosette of dark green leaves resembling spinach and a strong, white taproot 3 - 5cm thick and 30cm in length with smaller roots branching off. The flower stalk 60 - 100cm high arises from the centre of the leaves but rarely has any seeds. Harvest in late Autumn and divide and renew clump of straight root pieces 15 - 20cm long planting horizontally in a well prepared bed during Winter 30cm apart covering the thick end with 2 -3cm of soil and the thin end with 5-7cm of soil every second year. When shoots appear leave only 2 or 3 and keep moist for if allowed to dry out the Roots become Bitter - The Roots are ready for digging in 6 - 7 months and remove all and they contain a pungent oil with a pungent odour and hot flavour. Product: Use the Root freshly grated or dried with sauces on roast beef, pork, poultry or fish. Leaves - Young can be used as a Vegetable. Flavour Partners: Dill, Garlic, Mustard Greens, Parsley, Shallots & Spring Onions. Food Partners: Butter, Beef, Lamb, Oily Fish, Potatoes, Sauces & Sour Cream dressing. The Root is used in Horseradish Sauce with Beef and other Red Meats. Horseradish Sauce: Grate Horseradish until you have 4 Tablespoons full and add 100ml of natural Yoghurt and a dash of freshly squeezed Lemon Juice and season with Salt and freshly ground Black Pepper. To make it creamier without using Cream add a small amount of Olive Oil and to get a more gentle flavour, add some cooked and pureed Cooking Apples. Simple Sauce: grate Horseradish and add Mayonnaise.
Used to Treat: Allergies: A bite of Horseradish or a spoonful of Horseradish Dressing will clear the Sinuses daily only until the Allergy subsides and then only a few teaspoons each month to prevent another attack. 1000mg of Vitamin C with Bioflavonoids 3 x times a day to reduce the Conditions, Respiratory Infections & Asthma attacks. N.B: Vitamin C is a natural Anti - Histamine but can cause Diarrhoea so cut back on it if it occurs. Other Plants rich in Vitamin C are Bell Peppers, Cayenne, Chinese Bitter Melon, Guava, Pokeweed Shoots, & Watercress. Appetite: to stimulate. Blood - Stabilizing: with grated Horseradish as a Volatile Oil is released that is rich in Sulphur. Bronchial Conditions - Congestion: eaten raw clears and combine with Garlic. Colds: for the Immune System. Congestion: due to the pungent aroma. Digestion: as it stimulates eaten raw. Fevers: for the Immune System. Flatulence: as it relieves and warms. Indigestion: as it relieves and warms. Inner Ear - Infections: with Specialist prescribing required because of herb rates needed and combinations. Kidneys: as a Diuretic to assist and instigate the flow of Urine. Pancreas: as a Tonic. Pains - Griping: as a Carminative as it assists the Digestive System especially after a large meal to ease. Head: clears eaten raw or juice enough fresh, peeled and cubed herb Root to produce a 1/4 cup of liquid and combine with 4 cups of a Vegetable Juice such as Tomato and serve warm or over ice. Sinusitis - Infection: as it relieves the Condition and the related pain or infection but needs Specialist prescribing because of herb rates and combinations to treat and combine with Garlic. Temperature: promotes Perspiration. Urinary Tract - Infections:
Horses: add a Dessertspoon full of the Powdered Root when feeding in addition to Garlic and a handful of Chamomile during the Spring period.
HORSETAIL / Shave Grass / Pewter Wort / Scouring Rushes / Equisetum arvense / Britain. N.B: Must only be used on Professional advice or Prescription as dosage rates and specific applications are critical! N.B: Do not use if Pregnant or Breast Feeding. *Has great Healing qualities by removing Waste Material from the Body. N,B: Prohibited Weed in Australia as it is very invasive. Actions: A powerful Alterative & Astringent with Diuretic, Tissue Healing properties and Vulnerary. Constituents: having the highest plant source of Silica / Up to 10 % and also high in Calcium, Magnesium & Phosphorus, and some contain Gold. Alkaloids including Nicotene & Palustrene, Bitter Principle, Flavonoids and many other Minerals & Saponin.
Cultivation: a tall bold herb with a cane like appearance with slender, hollow, jointed Stems with Leaves reduced to scales with a deep Root system that is grown in moist places throughout the Temperate Climates in pure clay soils with their Rhizomes allowing them to move into drier areas in full Sun to part shade. Grown in moist soils from small pieces of Rhizomes or divisions in the Spring and the Sterile Stems collected in Mid to Late Summer and dried out and also produces Spores reproducing by Cell division. Products: the Leaves / Sterile Stems are used. Use the whole herb above the ground - Whorls. Has a strong abrasive action and is also used for polishing and scouring Pewter, due to its high Silica content. Capsules & Tablets: Poultice: A heaped double handful of the herb is placed in a sieve and hung over boiling water until the herbs are hot and soft and wrap in a pierce of linen and apply to the affected part, keeping absolutely warm. Sitz Bath: 100gm steeped in cold water overnight and the following day bring to the boil and add the water to bath and bathe for 20 minutes and do not dry off but while still wet put on a bathrobe and perspire in bed for 1 hour. Tea: 1 cup of boiling water onto 2 teaspoons of the dried herb and Infuse for 15 - 20 minutes and take 3 x times a day. Tincture: 2 - 4ml 3 x times a day.
Used to Treat: Aging: Anaemia: can be drunk as a Tea. Arthritic Conditions: to remove Toxins. Bed - Wetting: for Children. Bladder - Gravel - Stones: Specific as a Diuretic can be drunk as a Tea to remove or if serious utilized as a Sitz Bath. Bleeding: promotes Coagulation & Corpuscle growth, reducing Internally & Externally used as a Poultice. Blood: to staunch as it has Stimulant & Tonic properties. Bones: Specific to heal, strengthens and repairs especially Structural faults and abnormalities such as Spurs & Chips. Bursitis: as a Poultice. Gall - Stones: a potent Diuretic that can be drunk as a Tea to remove or as a Poultice. Gout: by drinking all year round. Gums - Inflamed - Ulcers: in a strong Tea made with 25gm to 500ml of water as a Mouth - Wash. Haemorrhaging: Hair: to strengthen due to the high Silica & Keratin content and combine with Sage as a rinse in an Infusion to add lustre and enhance the natural colour and will also assist to prevent Baldness. Heart - Congestion pressing on: as a Poultice. Inflammation: Joint - Degenerative - Disease: Specific to heal. Kidney Gravel - Pyelitis - Stones - Urination: Specific as a powerful Diuretic can be drunk as a Tea to remove or if serious utilised as a Sitz Bath. Legs - Ulcers: Liver - Conditions: use as a Poultice. Nails - Fragile - Split: soak in a strong Tea made with 25gm of the herb to 500ml of water every night for a fortnight. Nervous System - Abnormalties: as opposed to Nervousness by drinking all year round. Osteoporosis: Prostate Gland: or Benign Enlargement. Rheumatism: by drinking all year round. Skin Conditions: to remove Toxins. Skin - Inflamed: as an Astringent with a strong Tea made with 25gm to 500ml of water. Oily: combine 2 Tablespoons of a strong Tea with enough Oatmeal to form a paste and smooth onto clean, damp Skin and allow to remain for 5 minutes then rinse with tepid water and pat dry with a soft towel. Or dilute the Tea with distilled water and use as a Tonic for normal Skin. Stomach - Pains: as a Poultice. Tendinitis: Tumours: as a Poultice. Wounds - Foul - Slow Healing: to repair.
Horses: eating other horses' tails need Silica.
HOUNDSTONGUE / Cynoglossum officinale / Britain. Cultivation: A medium sized herb with long strap like leaves. Products: Leaves & Stem used. Actions: Anodyne that quickly relieves Pain: Also a Demulcent with Soothing properties to cure Coughs & Colds: Also used to reduce Piles: to reduce.
HOUSELEEK / Hen & Chickens / Sempervivum tectorum / Britain. Actions: Astringent & Emollient. Cultivation: A small procumbent plant . Product: the fresh young Leaves are used. Has cooling properties when used as a Poultice. Decoction - Tincture: made from the Leaves it is healing and nourishing and as an Astringent & Emollient can be used in gentle cleansers.
Used to Treat: Corns: with the Juice from the snapped - open Leaves to soften and heal. Haemorrhoids: with the Juice from the snapped - open Leaves to heal. Insect Bite & Stings: pick the fresh young Leaves and crush lightly to ease the pain. Skin - Hard: to replace missing oils to soften and heal add a Decoction or Tincture to moisturising Creams & Lotions. Warts: with the Juice from the snapped - open Leaves to heal.
HUMMINGBIRD MINT - Agastache. cana / Lamiaceae. Cultivation: A perennial that grows to 90 cm with long dense spikes of large rosy pink flowers with an aromatic foliage. See also Anise Hyssop.
HYDRANGEA / The Seven Barks / Hydrangea aborescens / USA. N.B:Not the cultivated garden Hydrange. Actions: A strong Purgative and in lesser doses a valuable Nephritic. Cultivation: Similar to the common Hydrangea. Product: the Roots are used. Used to Treat: Bladder - Gravel & Stones: to remove. Chronic Catarrh: to clear. Infusion:
HYDROCOTYLE / Indian Pennywort / Hydrocotyle asiatica / Tropical Africa & India. Actions: Aphrodisiac for the Middle Aged as it is safe to use. Cultivation: A small plant similar to Angelica. Product: the Leaves are used. Used to Treat: Urinary Disorders.
HYPERICUM / St John's Wort / Hypericum perforatum / Wild Weed. Used for the Nervous System as Nature's pain killer. Actions: Anti - Inflammatory, Astringent, Sedative & Vulnerary. Constituents: Glycosides including Minerals, Pectin, Resin, Rutin, Tannin & Volatile Oil. Cultivation: A Perennial erect herb about 1/2 metre high with 5 petalled yellow flowers with tufted stamens. Collect the entire Plant above the ground when in Flower and dry quickly. Internally: A restorative Tonic that has a gentle Calming effect. Tea: 1 x Cup of boiling water onto 1 - 2 teaspoons of the dried herb and Infuse for 10 - 15 minutes and drink 3 times a day. As a Red Oil as it has a local Analgesic and slightly Anti - Septic effect. Red Oil: Fill a jar with the Flowers and cover in Oil. Leave in the Sunlight for 2 weeks and shake daily then filter and store in a dark cupboard. Ointment: Apply as required.
Used to Treat: Anxiety: Bruises: Externally to heal as an Ointment or Tincture. Burns - Mild: Externally to heal as an Ointment or Tincture or the Red Oil as it has a local Analgesic and slightly Anti - Septic effect. Fibrositis: as a Red Oil as it has a local Analgesic and slightly Anti - Septic effect. Inflammation: Externally to heal as an Ointment or Tincture. Insect Bites: Externally to heal as an Ointment or Tincture when the Nerve Endings are damaged or irritated. Menopause - Anxiety - Irritability: Specific. Nerves: Externally to heal as an Ointment or Tincture when the Nerve Endings are damaged or irritated. Neuralgia: as a Red Oil as it has a local Analgesic and slightly Anti - Septic effect. Rashes: Externally to heal as an Ointment or Tincture when the Nerve Endings are damaged or irritated. Rheumatic Pain: Sciatica: Skin - Reactions: Externally to heal as an Ointment or Tincture when the Nerve Endings are damaged or irritated. Tension: Varicose Veins: Externally to heal as an Ointment or Tincture. Wounds: Externally to heal.
HYSSOP / Gratiola / Hyssopus officinalis. Labiatae / Lamiaceae / Britain. Main Use: Immune System herb. Actions: Anti - Bacterial, Anti - Spasmodic, Anti - Viral, Carminative, Diaphoretic, Expectorant & Sedative. N.B: Use under professional advice. N.B: Do not use if Pregnant or Breast Feeding.
Cultivation: A semi - evergreen easy to grow Perennial small, prolific shrubby herb with multi - woody stems from the base with dark green, narrow leaves that taper to a point with small nectar - filled white, pink or blue flowers and is common in fields. They thrive in dry, exposed, full sunny spots in well drained soil that is moderately rich and require little fertiliser but add Lime, if Acid. It grows to 60cm high x 35cm wide with flowers in the Summer and the seeds, divisions or cuttings can be used to re - sow or a few seeds direct in clumps 30cm apart in Spring or early Autumn and thin out to the strongest seedling. Root divisions and cuttings are best sown in Autumn to late Winter. Lightly prune after Flowering and again in Spring. Products: the Leaves & Flowers are used collected in the Summer / Use the whole herb above the ground. It has a distinctive flavour with the Leaves used in Soups & Stews or brewed into a Tea. The Aromatic Oil is used in perfumes and the dried flowers are powdered and used as flavouring. Used to scent rooms and notepaper and add colour and fragrance to Potpourri. Bath: Use 3 handfuls of Mallows, Pellitory of the Wall, 1 handful of Chamomile Flowers & Melilot Flowers, 2 handfuls of Hollyhocks and 1 large handful of Hyssop and 1 ounce of Senerick Seed. Boil in 9 gallons of water until there are only 3 gallons left, then add 1 quart of Milk and bathe in it when Blood warm. Cooking: Use the Leaves sparingly as they have a pungent piny flavour with lingering after taste. Infusion: 1 to 2 teaspoons per cup. Inhalation - Steam: with the Essential Oil. Flavour Partners: Chives, Garlic, Lemon Thyme, Marjoram, Oregano, Rosemary, Savory & Shallots. Food Partners: Grilled Red Meat, Meat Soups, Meat Sauces, Oily Fish, Stews & Stuffings. Oil: Astringent & Tonic. Tea - Syrup: Tincture: 1 to 4ml 3 times a day.
Used to Treat: Amenorrhoea: Body: with the Oil as a steam or inhalation as it is Astringent & Tonic and stimulates the Body when added to a bath. Anxiety: to calm the Nerves. Bronchial - Congestion: combined with other herbs to make a cure as it boosts the Immune System. Bruises: boiled with Wine to remove. Catarrh: used as a Tea or Syrup and boosts the Immune System. Colds - Coughs: combined with other herbs to make a cure as it boosts the Immune System. Eyes: as a cooled diluted Tea to cool and refresh as an Eye bath. Fevers: to alleviate. Flu: to alleviate. Herpes - Cold Sores: used topically. HIV: as the Tea contains a compound known as MAR - 10 that inhibits HIV replication and a few teaspoons of the dried herb can be mixed into herbal Teas. Muscular - Aches - Stiffness: grind the Flowers for a refreshing Aromatic bath. Periods - Delayed: to bring on - due to Stress & Tension. Respiratory Tract Conditions: Skin: the Oil is used as a steam or inhalation as it is Astringent & Tonic stimulating the Skin when added to a bath. Teeth - Powder: grind the Flowers for a strong - tasting. Throat - Sore: used as a Tea or Syrup. Wounds: use the crushed Leaves directly to promote healing.