Some Oils and Their Uses

The following list is a guideline only. There are many more essential oils and numerous uses for each plant. Use this list as a launching pad only for future reference.

Angelica - Angelica archangelica – Used in Chinese medicine for promoting fertility

Basil, Sweet - Ocimum basilicum – Used in India to brighten mode – Do Not use during pregnancy

Bay - Pimenta racemosa – Used in the West Indies for stimulating hair growth - avoid during pregnancy

Bergamot - Citrus bergamia – has been used for relieving stress – may cause photosensitivity

Black Pepper - Piper nigrum – From Madagascar used to stimulate circulation

Calendula - Calendula officinalis – Used for any skin complaint

Atlas Cedar - Cedrus atlantica – Used by the ancient Egyptians to relax tense muscles


German Chamomile - Matricaria recutica – is an anti-inflammatory – avoid in early pregnancy

Citronella - Cymbopogon nardus – In Chinese medicine used for an insect repellent – avoid on damaged skin

Clary Sage - Salvia sclarea – Used for eye problems in the past

Eucalyptus - Eucalyptus globules – Used for congestion by the Aborigines of Australia – avoid if you have high blood pressure or epilepsy

Fennel, Sweet - Foeniculum vulgare – used for rheumatism and arthritis – avoid during pregnancy or is epileptic

Frankenscense - Boswellia species – for healing fears and grief

Ginger - Zingiber officinale – reducing muscular aches and pains

Hyssop - Hyssopus officinalis – Used to heal bruises – avoid during pregnancy and epilepsy

Jasmine - Jasminum grandiflorum – Used as an aphrodisiac

Juniper berry - Juniperus communis – used to energize and relieve exhaustion

Lavender - Lavandula officinalis – Used to relieve tension and headache, promote sleep

Lemon - Citrus Limonum – To balance nervous system – may cause photosensitivity

Myrrh - Commiphora myrrha – Used to heal wounds and nurture aging skin

Neroli - Citrus aurantium var. amara –Used to heal scars and increase circulation

Nutmeg - Myristica fragrans – Used for warming and to stimulate heart and circulation – avoid during pregnancy, may be mildly toxic if over used

Orange, Sweet - Citrus sinensis – Used to brighten mood, relieve melancholy and apathy

Patchouli - Pogostemon cablin – Used to relieve stress and nervous tensions, an aphrodisiac

Peppermint - Mentha piperita – for energy and mental clarity

Pine - Pinus sylvestris – Used to ease breathing, immune system stimulate

Rosewood - Aniba rosaedora – Used to relieve stress and balance central nervous system

Sandalwood - Santalum album – Used to lift melancholy

St John’s Wort - Hypericum perforatum – Used to treat fungal infection, oily hair

Tea Tree - Melaleuca alternifolia – Used as a disinfectant

Ylang Ylang - Cananga odorata – Used as an aphrodisiac, to relieve anger and anxiety

Plants in Modern Medicine

Many years ago, herbs were the only source of medicine. Today modern Medicine has a myriad of chemicals to be prescribed by your medical doctor. But did you know that at least 120 of these medicines that they have available to prescribe are plant based. In other words Herbology!

If you should go to your doctor and ask for herbal remedies instead of the chemical pharmacy company products, and he says NO…..remind him/her of these contributors from the plant kingdom. Many more of the prescriptions written are for medicines that are simple synthetic modifications or copies of the naturally obtained substances. For example, many years ago a plant chemical was discovered in a tropical plant, Cephaelis ipecacuanha, and the chemical was named emetine. A drug was developed from this plant chemical called Ipecac which was used for many years to induce vomiting mostly if someone accidentally swallowed a poisonous or harmful substance. Ipecac can still be found in pharmacies in many third world countries but has been mostly replaced by other drugs in the United States.

Many European countries, including Germany, regulate herbal products as drugs and pharmaceutical companies prepare plant based drugs simply by extracting out the active chemicals from the plants. A good example is the plant substance/drug shown below, cynarin. Cynarin is a plant chemical found in the common artichoke (Cynara scolymus). In Germany, a cynarin drug is sold for liver problems and hypertension which is simply this one chemical extracted from the artichoke plant or a plant extract which has been standardized to contain a specific milligram amount of this one chemical. These products are manufactured by pharmaceutical companies, sold in pharmacies in Germany and a doctor's prescription is required to purchase them. In the United States artichoke extracts are available as natural products and sold in health food stores.

Some examples of these plant derived medicines follow:

Digoxin - Digitalis purpurea

Atropine - Atropa belladonna

Caffeine - Camellia sinensis

Camphor - Cinnamomum camphora

Cocaine - Erythroxylum coca

Codeine - Papaver somniferum

Emetine - Cephaelis ipecacuanha

Ephedrine - Ephedra sinica

Morphine – Papaver

Papavarine - Papaver somniferum

Pilocarpine - Pilocarpus jaborandi

Pseudoephredrine - Ephedra sinica

Quinine - Cinchona ledgeriana

Salicin - Salix alba

Scopolamine - Datura species

Strychnine - Strychnos nux-vomica

Many of our newest drugs are coming from plants of the Rainforest. And yet the rainforests are being burned, slashed and destroyed daily. The future cure for AIDS or cancer may already be extinct due to these practices!

Thus far seven plant-derived anticancer drugs have received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for commercial production. Some of them are listed below:

Taxol from the Pacific Yew

Vinblastine from the Madagascar Periwinkle

Topotecan from the Chinese tree Campototheca acuminate

Teniposide from the Mayapple plant family

Definitions of the Ways to Use Herbs

There are many accepted ways to use herbs. You will occasionally find references to a tea, an infusion or a decoction….are they the same or different? How are they dissimilar?
This small piece will hopefully add to your understanding of the differing terms and allow you to make wise choices in how you utilize the herbs.

Compress - In a compress an infusion or decoction is made first and a piece of clean cloth or gauze is soaked in the resultant liquid. The cloth or gauze is applied to the affected area. When using a compress, use it as hot as can be tolerated, you can cover the compress with plastic wrap, to keep it hot longer, and change it when it cools off.


Decoction - an infusion which has been reduced to one/half of its original volume by slow steam release. Not brought to a boil, the decoction is taken to the point of steam release and the heat is then reduced very low to continue the steam process. Decoction is handy for those herbals which taste bad or bitter, requiring only one quarter the dose. Decoctions are strong and can be kept longer if gin or vodka is added.

When you’re dealing with roots, bark, seeds or hard dense pieces of herbs a decoction is usually the better choice. Pieces should be small.

Extracts - These usually require a still and are difficult and expensive to try to do at home. There are a wide variety of extracts on the market, check your local health food store.

Infusion - a tea made from the flowers, leaves or roots of an herb, with a longer steeping time than a general tea. The water is boiled fully, the cup or pot is heated and the herbs and water are covered during the steep to prevent steam escaping. The standard measure is one teaspoon of dried herbs, two of fresh, to one cup of boiled water. Covered steeping time is generally up to ten minutes for flowers, twenty minutes for leaves and up to four hours for the root.


Most appropriate for stems, leaves, flowers you can infuse bark, roots and seeds, but seeds should be bruised (use a mortar and pestle for this) and bark and roots should be powdered first.

If you wish to make larger quantities at one time, be sure to refrigerate after brewing, herbal infusions are usually so rich that bacteria can multiply and thrive very quickly. Even a refrigerated infusion shouldn’t be kept more than 2 days.

Inhalations – Inhalations have been used for centuries, it conveys the therapeutic essences of the plants through hot, moist air through the nose and into the lungs. A simple form can be used with hot, steaming water, a few drops of essential oil and a tea towel over the head while inhaling the steam (be careful of burns if the steam is too hot). It can be used for treatment of many respiratory disorders and emotional states.


Poultice - For a poultice you would use the plant material itself. For poultices, you can use fresh or dried herbs. Fresh herbs can be bruised and applied directly to the skin. If the skin is particularly sensitive, the poultice can be placed between layers of gauze. When using dried herbs they must be moistened first. Make a paste by adding hot water or apple cider vinegar to the dried plant material. Keep the poultice warm as for a compress. You may want to cover the skin with a thin layer of oil as this protects the skin and may make removing the poultice easier.


Salve - an herbal decoction blended with a beeswax or olive oil base, reduced and placed in jars. These are semi-solid and are usually used externally, applied to the skin. For use on burns, chapped skin, scrapes and other skin irritations, depending on the herb used.
Some people use petroleum jelly as a base. I know, I know, it isn’t "organic". But…it’s easy and quick, it isn’t absorbed by the skin, it’s fairly water-proof and makes a great covering which won’t let anything in from outside either. It simply acts as a carrier and lets the herbal stuff sink into the skin... and it works!

Syrup - an infusion or decoction which is then mixed into a sugar base, using brown sugar, molasses, honey or corn syrup. (Caution - children under three should not ingest honey) Syrups are used in cases of sore throat, upset stomach in children, etc.

Tea – a tea never boils the plant matter, only steeps it, and only to taste. Place the plant matter in a pot, pour boiling water over it and allow to sit until desired strength is reached

Tincture - a strong infusion or decoction prepared in an alcohol base (vodka, brandy or gin) and are much more stable for storage and long life. Most times, alcohol makes a stronger tincture than water, glycerin or vinegar.


NOTE: any use that heats the herb causes some volatile oils to be lost and cell wall destruction, if those factors are not desired it is recommended by many to use tinctures instead of teas, infusions or decoctions.

Wildcrafting the Herbs You Use

When you walk the earth, there is a need to remember that she is our Mother, without her we have no place to be. In remembering she is our mother we need to bear in mind that it is our responsibility to care take all her creatures great and small. It is our duty to harvest conscientiously, remembering that we impact the 7 generations that follow us.

In the Native way we do not harvest the first plant we spy, but rather offer a gift of tobacco to thank the “Grandparent” plant for the sacrifice of the others we might harm. We never harvest from an area that does not have an abundance of the herb we seek, and we never, ever take all of a plant in an area.

If you are in a position of having the ability to plant gardens in your self acclaimed space, then do so. Consider also planting a Wild Garden in which you plant the wild herbs you use most often. A bed developed with Echinacea, Black Eyed Susan, Queen Anne’s Lace, Violets, Butterfly weed, Chickweed and others can be stunning. The scents can make the mind reel with their delicacy, and reward the soul.

When you do go to harvest in the wild remember to consider if the plant is endangered. If it is, you do not take it. To find out if the plant is rare, endangered or threatened in your area, contact the state horticulturalist or the local chapter of the Native Plant Society.

When you are out in the ‘wild’ remember to look around you, see the land, the animals, the insects, the wind, feel the vibrations of life around you. Connect to your Mother, feel her breath lift your hair, wet your fingers in the streams of her life giving waters, gently probe her skin, walk with beauty, walk in gentleness…..impact your Mother with care. When you have found the proper stand of plants from which you decide to harvest; take note of the other plants in the area. Are there sufficient plants to continue growing after your harvest year after year? Are the plants healthy enough for you to use? Can you harvest a few seeds to scatter in a new area? Are there sufficient seeds to allow natural reseeding in that area for the future?

There are a few things to consider before harvesting a plant….is it the right time of the year? Will it do harm to the plant? Can the harvesting be done in a less impacting way?
Never take so many leaves from a plant that the plant looks denuded, try to make the plant look like it has not been harvested at all…..in other words take a little from many to get the amount of herb that you need. If it is bark do not strip the main trunk, but rather take bark from downed wood or from branches that you cut and strip. Try not to harvest from steeply pitched slopes, as the removal of plants may make an erosion problem. If possible harvest from gently inclined slopes.

Let me regress a little….you must have an absolutely positive identification. Without a definitive identification you could poison yourself. I cannot stress this too much, for example…Queen Anne’s Lace and Poison Hemlock have flowers that are very similar in look…the mistake has been made before with deadly results. Do not jeopardize your safety that way!
The next consideration is the distance from a roadbed. There are noxious fumes given off by gasoline and diesel engines that will affect the plants along the roadside. Many plants like disturbed areas, like along roadsides, so care must be taken to harvest only plants at least a minimum of 50 feet from the nearest source of the contaminants.

Next a few suggestions for the actual harvest:
Select only 2 – 5 plants to harvest on any one trip
Keep plants totally separate from each other to not cross contaminate
Harvest early, but after the nights dew has dried
Process the plants as quickly as possible to avoid loss and waste
Leave all sites just as you found them: fill any holes, cart out all trash, etc.
Never harvest in excess of your expected use

Heal All

Common Name: Heal-All, Prunella, All-Heal, Hook-Heal, Self Heal, Slough-Heal, Brunella, Heart of the Earth, Blue Curls, Carpenter-weed, Common Selfheal, Consolida Minor, Lance Selfheal, Sicklewort, Woundwort, Xia Ku Cao

Scientific Name: Prunella vulgaris

Origin: Europe

Range: Europe, Asia, Japan and the U. S….. Found growing in waste ground, grassland, woodland edges, usually on basic and neutral soils

Botanical Description: Vary in color from pinks and purples to while, bloom in the early and midsummer. Attractive perennial flower that acts as a well-behaved ground cover in the garden; will bloom for nearly 2 months.

Part Used: Flowers, leaves

What’s in a Name? It’s name is a description of what was felt for centuries to only be self discriptive

All in the family: Heal All is cousin to such choice delicacies as peppermint, oregano, rosemary and thyme

Harvest: Gather whole plant when flowers bloom, dry for later herb use. Leaves and small flowers are edible. Harvest the aerial parts of self-heal while it is in flower. This may have to be hand harvested with snips or scissors, as the plant is very low growing. May also have to rinse dust from the leaves after harvesting, as the plants can get quite dirty from rain splash.

Cultural Uses: Prunella Vulgaris, or Heal All Plant, has been used for over 500 years for all kinds of wounds, open sores, inflammation, sore throats and most any kind of skin ailment. A cold water infusion of the freshly chopped or dried and powdered leaves is a very tasty and refreshing beverage, weak infusion of the plant is an excellent medicinal eye wash for sties and pinkeye. It is taken internally as a medicinal tea in the treatment of fevers, diarrhoea, sore mouth and throat, internal bleeding, and weaknesses of the liver and heart. Clinical analysis shows it to have an antibacterial action, inhibiting the growth of pseudomonas, Bacillus typhi, E. coli, Mycobacterium tuberculi, which supports its use as an alternative medicine internally and externally as an antibiotic and for hard to heal wounds and diseases. It is showing promise in research for cancer, AIDS, diabetes, and many other maladies.

As the flower spikes resemble the throat, the herb was also used to treat inflammations of the mouth and throat. In Chinese medicine, the flower spikes are regarded as being very specific for the liver and gallbladder, cooling an over-heated liver condition, call “gan hao, or “liver fire,” from which the phrase “gung-ho” is thought to be derived. In western herbalism, leaves and young shoots applied to fresh wounds to stop bleeding and as first aid for clean cuts.

Medicinal Uses: The whole plant is medicinal as alterative, antibacterial, antipyretic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, diuretic, febrifuge, hypotensive, stomachic, styptic, tonic, vermifuge and vulnerary.

Food Uses: Edible, it is chewy and flavorless, so more to be eaten for nutrition than gastronomic delight. As a woodland grower, it affords good greens to people who hike far from cities. By all means, eat some leaves and fresh flowerheads if you have access to tender rank-growing specimens. It is good for you. Just add some pieces to sandwiches or salads.

Active Compounds: The plants most useful constituents are Betulinic-acid, D-Camphor, Delphinidin, Hyperoside, Manganese, Oleanolic-acid, Rosmarinic-acid, Rutin, Ursolic-acid, and Tannins. Contains the anti-tumor and diuretic compound ursolic acid. Also rich in natural antioxidant compounds, containing more rosmarinic acid than Rosemary.

Research: Herpes- Research shows Prunella may lessen the severity and duration of outbreaks, however there is no proof that it will completely kill the virus in humans. Even if you don't have outbreaks, you can still spread Herpes to other people.

Recent research suggests the plant possesses antibiotic, hypotensive, and anti-mutagenic qualities. Contains the anti-tumor and diuretic compound ursolic acid. Also rich in natural antioxidant compounds, containing more rosmarinic acid than Rosemary.

In Lore, Legend and Life: Once proclaimed to be a Holy herb and thought to be sent by God to cure all ailments of man or beast, and said to drive away the devil, which lead to the belief that Heal-All was grown in the Witches garden as a disguise. The root was used to make a tea to drink in ceremonies before going hunting by one Native American tribe to sharpened the powers of observation.

Recipes: Medicinal tea or infusion: Add 1 oz. dried or fresh herb to a pint of boiling water, steep till cool, take in ½ cup doses, sweetened with honey, as a general strengthener

Pokeberry

Scientific Name: Phytolacca Americana

Common Name: Pokeweed, Pokeberry, Poke, Inkberry, Pigeonberry

Botanical Description: A large, smooth, branching herb from a large, perennial rootstock, and with green, red, or purple stems; leaves alternate and simple; flowers white, on a long stem, more or less erect; fruit a dark purple berry composed of 5-12 segments fused in a ring, the stem drooping. P. rigida differs by having shorter, erect fruiting stems
The berries are believed to be toxic to humans, but are eaten by birds. It is a native of northeastern North America where it is a common weed of disturbed, usually fertile, soils. The closely related Indian pokeberry, P. acinosa, is quite similar in appearance.

Range: Forest or natural areas, weedy in disturbed areas, in fields, fence rows, low grounds, clearings, waste places, roadsides.

Cultural Uses: The fresh and very young spring-time greens of the pokeberry were boiled, drained, and boiled again to make "poke salad" the traditional rural dish in the southern U.S. immortalized in the 1960's hit song "Poke Salad Annie". The plant is generally poisonous so this, and all other uses of this plant are not recommended without the guidance of a seasoned expert. This plant contains chemicals called the "pokeweed mitogens" that are being studied for use in treatments of autoimmune diseases including AIDS and rheumatoid arthritis. Mitogens are substances that promote cell division and may activate mitosis in animal cells that normally would not divide. Some lectins, e.g. those in pokeweed mitogens, can activate mitosis in white blood cells; it is this property that is of interest to AIDS researchers. Pokeweed is also being studied as an agent to combat fungal infections. The berries of the Indian pokeberry have been used for dye production.

Edible Parts: Young tender leaves eaten only as thoroughly cooked greens (in two waters). Cooked berries are safe for making pies. CAUTION: Berries, roots and mature plants are poisonous, therefore, only use as new, young growth. Also any red-tinged plant material should be discarded. To avoid possibly collecting part of the toxic root, do not cut below ground level.

Harvest: Only collect young shoots from areas you know have NOT been treated with pesticides. Collect in early spring. SAFE HANDLING PROCEDURES: Wash young shoots thoroughly with warm water. Do not use dish detergent or any type of sanitizer. These products can leave a residue. Peel and parboil tender young shoots (less than eight inches) in two changes of water several minutes each. Boil in a third water until tender and serve like asparagus. Young stalks less than one foot tall, with leaves removed, and before red tinged, can be cut and rolled in corn meal and fried like okra. They can also be pickled. Young leaves taken from stalks less than one foot tall can be parboiled in two changes of water for several minutes each and
boiled in a third water until tender. To freeze, parboil leaves twice, cook, pat dry and place them in plastic bags. (SOURCE: Larson, Ken. 1995. God's Free Harvest, Rhema Publishing, Inc., Suwanee, GA. 231 pp.)

Active Compounds: Toxic principle: Phytolaccatoxin and related triterpene saponins, an alkaloid (phytolaccin), and histamines.

Toxicity Rating: Low.

Animals Affected: All animals may potentially be affected.

Dangerous Parts of Plant: All parts, especially roots and seeds.

Class of Signs: Gastrointestinal irritation (colic, diarrhea which may be bloody). Rarely: anemia, possibly death. Birth defects and tumors may also be possible.

Animals do not voluntarily eat this plant unless there is no other forage available. If the animals are forced to eat pokeweed (especially if it has been incorporated into processed feeds), the primary signs relate to the irritant effects of the saponin toxins, in particular phytolaccigenin. Salivation, abdominal pain, diarrhea (which may become bloody) can be noted. Horses and ruminants do not exhibit vomiting, which is seen in humans, dogs, cats, and pigs. Signs usually resolve within a day or two. Only if large doses are consumed will the animal display more serious signs: anemia, alterations in the heart rate and in respiration, and in very rare cases, death.

Noted in the human literature but not well published in the veterinary literature is the mutagenic and teratogenic properties of pokeweed, that is the ability to induce mutations (and possibly cancer) and birth defects. For humans, even handling the plant is considered dangerous, so it would seem wise to not only prevent human contact with the plant, but animal contact as well. Despite this, the plant is eaten as a spring vegetable in the southern U.S. after cooking it first in several changes of water. Consumption of the plant is not advised.

First Aid: For gastrointestinal irritation, provide better feed and symptomatic care, and signs should abate in about 24 hours. Discard all feeds containing pokeweed, since the plant is never safe for consumption. For severely affected animals, or if it is known that a large amount was consumed, consult a veterinarian promptly for emergency care

Prevention: Pokeweed should be removed from pastures and barnyards. Exercise caution when doing so, since the plant is toxic to humans as well. Good pasture management, with mowing and weed removal, will suffice in keeping pokeweed under control.

Research: Used by Harry Hoxsey in a controversial cure for Cancer (in conjunction with other herbs). The formula is under long term study at the University of Texas School of Public Health. Early results are encouraging.

Chicory

Scientific Name: Cichorium intybus

Common Name: chicory

Range: throughout the United States; found along roadsides, in field borders, in waste lands and barren meadows

Origin: chicory is native to Europe and temperate regions in Asia; it has been naturalized to the United States.

Botanical description: Chicory has a long fleshy root filled with a milky sap, much like that of its sister dandelion. Leaves form a basal rosette along the ground with a tough branched stem that is hard to break. Upper leaves are small and insignificant; lower leaves are large and toothed. The flowers are usually blue, although on some rare occasions they are white or pink. They are ray flowers with fringed edges and are about 1½ inches in diameter. They face toward the rising sun in the morning and by afternoon are faded and withered, to be replaced by a new set of flowers the next morning. Chicory is easily recognizable during its flowering season by the daisy-like blue flowers that seem to be in constant supply; when the flower is gone, the leaves and arrangement do resemble dandelion but are distinguishable because they have tiny hairs on them, while dandelion leaves are hairless.

What’s in a name: The origin of chicory’s name is uncertain, but it is suggested that an alternate name for the plant, succory, comes from the Latin word succorrere, meaning to run under, for the length and depth of chicory’s root. It is also suggested that the name may be a corruption of the Egyptian word Ctchorium (meaning unavailable). The species name of chicory, intybus, is derived from another name for the plant, Hendibeh, which is a name also used for endive, the only other member of the genus Cichorium.

All in the family: Chicory is a member of the composite family, a large group of wildflowers that includes dandelions, purple coneflower, daisies, and endive.

Cultural uses: Traditionally, chicory juice was used as part of a remedy for headaches. The Romans used chicory as a vegetable or in salads. The root was ground and used as a caffeine-free coffee substitute. It is still used that way today, and is the special ingredient in Luzianne coffee, a mellow blend of coffee and chicory that is sold in Louisiana.
A tea made from the flowers and leaves is good for the liver and gall bladder, and is used to treat jaudice, dyspepsia, loss of appetite and mild laxative, especially good for children. Chicory is also taken for gout and rheumatic conditions.

Active compounds: inulin, sesquiterpene lactones, vitamins, minerals, fat, mannitol and latex

Research: An article in the Journal of Nutrition examined the effect of chicory inulin in a variety of disorders. The results were favorable for the effectiveness of inulin in reducing risk of heart disease, treating gastrointestinal distress, elevating immune functions, facilitating the metabolism of lipids and reduction of risk of colonic carcinogenesis. Other research confirmed the cardioactivity of chicory in frog hearts in vitro, ascribing to the plant a digitalis-like property. This study has not been carried out in humans. It has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory activity in rats, but this also has not been tested in humans. Like many other herbs, chicory must be more thoroughly tested.

In lore, legend and life: Chicory is known as the blue sailor weed in some countries, based on a legend about a young woman who fell in love with a sailor. The sailor left her for his true love, the sea, and the young woman was left alone. The gods took pity on her and turned her into the beautiful blue flower we know as chicory

Echinacea

Scientific Name: Ecinachea purpurea

Common Name: purple coneflower

Range: Most of the eastern United States; another similar species of the flower is found in Western states with similar medicinal and cultural uses; found in open woods, thickets, fields, and meadows.

Origin: Purple coneflower is native to Eastern and Central United States

Botanical description: Purple coneflower is a 2-3 foot perennial with large, daisy-like flowers with swept back reddish-purple rays. The center disk of the flower is cone shaped, large and orange-brown in color. The leaves are low on the flower stem, long and tapering with a rough-toothed edge. The flower is unmistakable; it resembles a black-eyed susan dipped in raspberry juice. When not flowering, the plant is somewhat harder to identify.

What’s in a name: Purple coneflower’s genus name, Ecinachea, is derived from the Greek word for hedgehog, which was inspired by the appearance of the central cone.

All in the family: Purple coneflower is a member of the Compositae family, the composites, which includes the daisy-like flowers, dandelions, chicory, and a host of other Echinachea species that are also used medicinally.

Cultural uses: Purple coneflower has a long history of medicinal use. Native Americans used it as an antidote for snake bit and other venomous bites and stings. It was also used in a smoke treatment for headaches. Purple coneflower was used to calm toothaches and sore gums, and tea form it was drunk to treat colds, mumps, arthritis, and a blood purifier (often a euphemism for the treatment of venereal diseases). Further, it was used as a treatment for pain, indigestion, tumors, malaria and hemorrhoids. After a long period of disregard, purple coneflower has come back into vogue in recent years. It is used primarily as an immune-system booster and it has been used as a treatment for skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis, boils and wounds, burns, cold sores and genital herpes. It is also recommended for use to treat bronchitis, tonsillitis, meningitis, tuberculosis, abscesses, whooping cough, arthritis and ear infections.

Active compounds: alkamides, caffeic acid esters, polysaccharides, volatile oil, echinolone, and betaine

Research: Research has yet to determine what exact compounds in purple coneflower give it its medicinal properties. Early research with purple coneflower and its relatives were done with adulterated or misidentified samples, so results of those tests are unreliable. Although clinical trials have been poorly designed, animal and test tube studies have shown that purple coneflower extracts do fight certain viruses and appear to stimulate the immune system to ward off bacterial infection. Some animal studies have shown that purple coneflower promotes phagocytosis, but the results are not conclusive. Laboratory findings have shown that purple coneflower is effective in healing superficial wounds. More study must be done before any clear recommendations about the use of purple coneflower can be made.
In lore, legend and life: No particular stories ascribed to purple coneflowers could be located.

Common Plantain

Scientific Name: Plantago major

Common Name: common plantain

Range: throughout the United States; found in lawns, pastures, meadows, cracks in sidewalks, waste places and disturbed habitats

Origin: native of Europe and temperate parts of Asia

Botanical description: The common plantain has broad, irregularly rounded to oval leaves, 1-6 inches in length that form a basal rosette that is prostrate to the ground. The leaves have smooth, wavy, or toothed edges; 3 – 11 parallel veins run their length and are large and noticeable. A tall spike of inconspicuous flowers, then tiny seeds cover the central flower stalk, which stands erect from the center of the basal rosette and can be 3 – 12 inches tall. This spike of seeds easily identifies common plantain. The round, prominently veined leaves are readily found during all seasons. Plantain is so common in grassy areas that it is likely to be overlooked.

What’s in a name: Plantain’s common name comes from the Latin word planta, which means sole (as in sole of a shoe). Native Americans associated the plant with the Europeans, who seemed to leave a trail of the alien weed wherever they went, and called it “white man’s foot”.

All in the family: Common plantain is in the same family as Plantago psyllium, the plant whose mucilaginous fiber is the active ingredient in Metamucil and other bulk fiber/laxative products.

Cultural uses: In Gaelic, plantain is known as the “healing herb” because it was used in Ireland to treat wounds and bruises. Plantain was hailed by Pliny as a cure for the “madness of dogs”, and Erasmus claimed it to be an antidote for spider bite toxins. It was also said that if someone was bitten by a mad dog, rubbing plantain on the bite would heal it. Native Americans used it as an antidote to snakebite venom by rubbing its juices on the wound. It was listed as one of the nine sacred herbs in Anglo-Saxon medicine because of its healing powers. It was used as a cure for disorders of the kidney, a remedy for worms, a diuretic, and a cure for hemorrhoids, as well as a laxative.
Current use of plantain is the commercially significant extraction of its mucilage – a carbohydrate fiber that is used in gentle laxatives. Ironically, plantain infusions can be used to halt diarrhea. Mucilage also acts as an appetite suppressant and reduces intestinal absorption of fat and bile. It reduces LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood. Plantain is commonly used as an astringent; its juice, when rubbed on an insect bite or bee sting, immediately sooths the area and begin the healing process. Plantain may also stop poison ivy from blistering and itching if applied to the skin immediately after contact. Plantain is still considered a diuretic; in addition, it is used as an expectorant and decongestant. It is also thought to sooth the throat and is taken to relieve laryngitis. Finally, when chewed, plantain acts as a breath freshener. If eaten early enough in the spring, plantain leaves are said to make a tasty cooked vegetable dish.

Active compounds: beta carotene, mucilage, calcium, monoterpene alkaloids, glycosides, sugars, triterpenes, linoleic acid, iridoids, and tannins.

Research: Clinical studies have verified plantain’s astringent properties; research has been conducted into the possible connection between allergic responses and the inhalation or ingestion of psyllium (see Arlian, Vyszenski-Moher, Lawrence, Schrotel, Ritz; 1992).

In lore, legend and life: Shakespeare referred to plantain in Romeo and Juliet as a cure for a broken shin; he also spoke of it as cure for sores. Chaucer also made reference to the healing powers of plantain.
Native Americans carried a small bag of powdered plantain root as a charm against snakebite.
Unscrupulous herbalists long ago removed a portion of plantain seeds from the recipe for a salve and planted them instead; the patient then had to return to the herbalist for another dose of the medicine.
Plantain, like dandelion, is a ubiquitous weed that vexes all who wish for a perfect lawn. Left to its own device, plantain can quickly overtake any grassy area.

White Clover

Scientific Name: Trifolium repens

Common Name: white clover

Range: throughout United States, except Great Plains and extreme South; found in lawns, fields, roadsides, and disturbed habitats

Origin: native to Eastern Mediterranean and Asia

Botanical description: White clover is a perennial plant with alternate compound leaves found in threes. The dark green leaves often have a white “V” or crescent in their center.
The flowers are white, sometimes tinged with pink, and are actually dense groups of individual red clover by this close to the ground growth pattern and, of course, the white flowers when flowerettes arranged in a round head. The plant grows close to the ground and is notorious for its ability to creep, or spread, by the use of stolons. White clover is most easily distinguished from blooming. Red clover plants often have larger leaves than those of white clover.

What’s in a name: Like red clover, white clover’s genus name, Trifolium, means “three leaves”, and its species name, repens, means “to creep”.

All in the family: White clover is a member of the Leguminosae family, which includes red clover and other plants such as peas, beans and peanuts that are nitrogen fixers (see description in red clover information sheet).

Cultural uses: White clover blossoms were used in folk medicine against gout, rheumatism, and leucorrhea. It was also believed that the texture of fingernails and toenails would improve after drinking clover blossom tea. Native Americans used whole clover plants in salads, and made a white clover leaf tea for coughs and colds. White clover is thought to clean the system, decreasing irritation and muscular activity of the gastrointestinal tract. It is also used to decrease the activity of the central nervous system. Like red clover, it was thought to give anyone who carried its leaves the ability to detect witches, sorcerers and good fairies in his presence. It also was seen as representing the Trinity by Christians.

Active compounds: The active compounds of the white clover are unknown.

Research: none found

Red Clover

Scientific name: Trifolium pratense

Common name: red clover

Range: throughout the United States; found in lawns, on roadsides, in fields and in other disturbed habitats.

Origin: native to the Eastern Mediterranean and Asia; naturalized to the United States

Botanical description: Red clover grows up to 16 inches, with a hairy upright stem. The leaves are made up of three (and sometimes, the lucky four!) oval leaflets with a prominent white “V” mark in the center, called a chevron. The flowers are purple to pink and are egg-shaped. Red clover are found in fields and grassy areas and are readily identified by the three part leaves, the white V in the center of each leaf, and the distinctive purple-pink flower. Without the flower, the key to differentiating red from white clover is the V mark on the leaves, present in the red clover but absent in the white.
Also, leaves of white clover are all on stems that originate from the base of a central stem; red clover leaves spring from both the base of the central stem and above.

What’s in a name: The genus name Trifolium means “three leaves”, which is characteristic not only of red but also of white clovers.

All in the family: Red clover is a member of the Leguminosae, or pea family. Other members of the family include not only peas, but beans and peanuts. These are a group of plants that are able to take nitrogen from the atmosphere and “fix” it, or make it biologically available to other plants. Nitrogen fixation is of critical importance in protein production in plants and makes the legumes a critical player in agricultural planning.

Cultural uses: Historically, tea made of the red clover flower has been used as an antispasmodic, expectorant, a mild sedative, and a blood purifier; additionally, the tea has been used for asthma, bronchitis and respiratory spasms. A wash made from the flowers is used as a topical remedy for cancer; the belief was that a concentrated decoction applied to the site of the tumor would draw it out and clear it from the body. Red clover was also used for athlete’s foot, sores, burns and skin ulcers. The flowers were also smoked in “anti-asthma” cigarettes. Today, red clover flowers are made into a wine as well as the previously described tea; they are also used to treat coughs and respiratory spasms. Estrogens in red clover may be useful in treating menstrual problems. Native Americans have been known to eat red clover in salads, and dried flowers can be dried and turned into flour that can be used in breads, muffins or pancakes. Use of red clover as an anti-AIDS and anti-diabetic medicine has been suggested.

Active compounds: flavenoids, phenolic acids (including salicylic acid), volatile oils such as methyl salicylate and benzyl alcohol, sitosterol, fatty acids, tannin and starch

Research: Studies are being done in the use of red clover for combating AIDS, diabetes and the increased cardiovascular risk associated with menopause.

In lore, legend and life: Red clover is the state flower of Vermont.
The V or crescent markings on the leaves of the red clover were once believed to be a sign that the plant would be useful in curing cataracts (in accordance with the Doctrine of Signatures, which was a belief that a plant’s appearance indicated the ills it would cure).

In ancient times, the red clover was believed to bring good luck in gaming as well as in living.
It was believed that whoever carried a three-leaf clover with him would be able to detect witches, sorcerers and good fairies around him.

Christianity believed the three-leaf clover to be a symbol of the Trinity, so the plans of churches and church windows are designed around a cloverleaf.

A favorite activity of children is to pull the individual blossoms out of the red clover flower head and suck the nectar out of the ends

Queen Anne's Lace

Scientific Name: Daucuscarota

Common Name: Queen Anne’s Lace, wild carrot

Range: throughout the United States; found in fields, meadows, waste places, roadsides, fence rows, and disturbed habitats

Origin: native to Europe

Botanical description: Queen Anne’s Lace has feathery, finely divided leaves and a stem that rise 2-4 feet tall. The showy white flower is shaped like an umbrella and is made up of many small flowers in a lace-like pattern. At the center is a purplish-black floret. The root of Queen Anne’s Lace is thick and resembles a carrot. When in bloom, Queen Anne’s Lace looks like no other flower; without the showy white umbrella of florets, the leaves of the plant look like those of the domestic carrot and a pair of deadly relatives, poison hemlock and fool’s parsley.

What’s in a name: The word carrot is Celtic and means red of color; the species name, Daucus, comes from the Greek word dais, which means to burn, signifying Queen Anne’s Lace’s pungent and stimulating qualities

All in the family: Queen Anne’s Lace is a member of the Apiaceae, or parsley, family. It is the ancestor of the domestic carrot, and is related to parsley, and the aforementioned poison hemlock and fool’s parsley.

Cultural uses: Traditionally, tea made from the root of Queen Anne’s Lace has been used as diuretic to prevent and eliminate kidney stones, and to rid individuals of worms. Its seeds have been used for centuries as a contraceptive; they were prescribed by physicians as an abortifacient, a sort of “morning after” pill. The seeds have also been used as a remedy for hangovers, and the leaves and seeds are both used to settle the gastrointestinal system. It is still used by some women today as a contraceptive; a teaspoon of seeds are thoroughly chewed, swallowed and washed down with water or juice starting just before ovulation, during ovulation, and for one week thereafter. Grated wild carrot can be used for healing external wounds and internal ulcers. The thick sap is used as a remedy for cough and congestion. The root of Queen Anne’s Lace can be eaten as a vegetable or in soup.

Active compounds: Queen Anne’s Lace contains flavonoids, essential oils, vitamins B and C, pectin, lecithin, glutamine, phosphatide and cartotin, a vitamin A precursor

Research: Chinese research has confirmed the function of Queen Anne’s Lace seeds as an abortifacient; other research has shown the plant to be a bactericidal, a diuretic, a hypotensive, and an effective treatment for parasites.

In lore, legend and life: Queen Anne’s Lace is said to have been named after Queen Anne of England, an expert lace maker. When she pricked her finger with a needle, a single drop of blood fell into the lace, thus the dark purple floret in the center of the flower.

Dandelion

Scientific Name: Taraxacum officinale

Common Name: common dandelion

Range: throughout the United States; found in lawns, fields and meadows, along roadsides, cracks of sidewalks, and disturbed habitats.

Origin: Native of Europe and Asia

Botanical description: The common dandelion is a perennial, herbaceous plant with long, lance-shaped leaves that are deeply toothed. The leaves are 3 to 12 inches long and grow from a basal rosette. It has yellow composite flowers that are 1-2 inches wide and grow individually on hollow, purplish stalks 2 to 18 inches tall. Each flower head is made up of hundreds of tiny rays. Familiar to most viewers is the white, globular “seed head”.

The dandelion has a thick, highly branched taproot. All parts of the plant contain a sticky, milky white sap.

Dandelions are generally easily recognizable in all seasons. The growth of leaves from the basal rosette, the leaf shape with its characteristic multi-toothed edges (although some dandelions exhibit less toothiness and a smoother, broader leaf – these are generally found in shady areas) is easy to spot even in winter. If unsure, break a stem or leaf and the characteristic milky sap will emerge. When in bloom, dandelions are bright yellow and hard to miss.

What’s in a name: The genus name of the dandelion comes from the Greek word taraxos, which means disorder, and akos, which means remedy. The species name, officinale, means that it is used medicinally. The common name may come from the Greek word leontodon, which means lion’s tooth. Other sources claim the word dandelion comes from the old French word Dent-de-lion or from the Latin dens leonis, both also meaning lion’s tooth or teeth.

All in the family: The common dandelion is a member of the Composite family, with relatives including Ecinachea (purple coneflower), chicory and other daisy-like flowers.
Cultural uses: Various Native American groups used dandelions for food, a dermatological aid, a gastrointestinal aid, a cure for sore throats, an analgesic, a blood purifier, a sedative, a laxative, an emetic, a love potion, and a general tonic for good health. The first use of the dandelion as a medicine was by Arabian physicians in the 10th and 11th centuries. References to the use of dandelion as a medicine was also found writings of physicians in Wales in the 13th century.
Today, dandelions are still used as food; many enjoy the dandelion leaves boiled like spinach or mixed in salads. Baby dandelion leaves are often found in haute cuisine. The root, when dried, has been used in coffee substitutes. But it is as a medicine that dandelion continues to shine. Dandelion leaves are used as a diuretic, but an unconventional one. While most diuretic preparations leach potassium from the body, dandelion leaves provide an abundant source of potassium. Leaves are also used to treat high blood pressure because of their ability to reduce the volume of fluid in the body. Dandelion root has been shown to stimulate bile production by the liver and is used to cleanse the liver. The root is also a gentle laxative. It is considered one of the most effective detoxifying herbs. It works on the liver, the kidneys and the gallbladder to accelerate the removal of toxins from the body. It also is used to relieve constipation, skin problems such as eczema and psoriasis, to prevent and possibly dissolve gallstones, and to treat osteoarthritis and gout. Parts of the dandelion may be consumed in a tea, a wine, an extract or tincture, or in combination with other medicinal herbs and flavorings in a reduced broth.

Active compounds: sesquiterpene lactones, triterpenes, vitamins A,B,C,D, coumarins, carotenoids, potassium and other minerals, taraxacoside, and phenolic acids

Research: Various clinical studies have demonstrated the legitimate use of dandelion as a diuretic, a bile production stimulant, a mild laxative, and an excellent source of potassium. Other studies have been only mildly indicative of any medicinal properties of dandelion, and those have been done in mice and rodents.

In lore, legend and life: Dandelions were actually brought to the United States from Europe to provide food for honeybees; now they grow wild worldwide and are more difficult to exterminate than almost any other weed.

Dandelions are used to make an herbal beer in England and Canada. Children use dandelion seed heads to make wishes by blowing the seeds away from the receptacle on which they are held.

Dandelion pollen causes severe allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to other pollens such as ragweed.

Young dandelion buds can be fried in butter and eaten; enthusiasts claim they taste like mushrooms.

Dandelions have been called “piss-a-beds” because of their strong diuretic properties.

Common Milkweed

Scientific Name: Asclepias syricaCommon Name: common milkweed

Range: throughout most of the United States; this species is not found in the Western states, but similar milkweeds are available: found in old fields, roadsides, meadows, waste places and disturbed habitats.

Origin: native to the United States and Canada

Botanical description: The common milkweed is thick-stemmed and upright. It grows to be 3-5 feet tall. Its leaves are elliptical, and opposite; they are velvety on their upper surface, and downy underneath. They are 4-9 inches long and quite wide.

The pinkish-purple flower buds look like loose broccoli; the flower itself is large and made up of individual florets gathered in an umbrella shaped globe that droops from the stem. The stem is hairy. The seed pods are the most recognizable feature of the common milkweed; they are green, elliptical shaped and about 1-4 inches in length with a pointed tip; inside, they contain myriad seeds with silky parachute-like attachments. Another easily recognizable characteristic of the common milkweed is the profuse, milky white sap that flows from any broken part.

What’s in a name: The genus name, Asclepias, comes from Asklepios, the Greek god of healing.

All in the family: Common milkweed is a member of the Asclepiadaceae, or milkweed, family. Its relatives include other milkweeds such as swamp milkweed, the butterfly weed, and showy milkweed. The butterfly weed and Western states versions of milkweed are toxic.

Active compounds: beta carotene, vitamin C, latex, alkaloids, asclepiadin, volatile oils

Cultural uses: Common milkweed has been used traditionally a tea prepared from its root as a diuretic for kidney stones, a laxative, and an expectorant. It has been used to treat asthma and bronchitis and it induces sweating. The sap has been used for chewing gum, which is considered very dangerous because of the presence of cardioactive compounds in the plant. The sap has also been used as a topical remedy for worts, ringworm and moles. Some Native Americans used milkweed as a contraceptive. It was also a folk remedy for cancer. Today, milkweed has limited medicinal use; other milkweed species, such as the swamp milkweed, have more widespread use. Parts of the milkweed plant can be eaten, but the similarity of this plant to toxic look-alikes would serve as a caution against this practice. It is used by some as an emetic, a potion to sooth the nerves, and as a stomach tonic. It is also believed to kill parasitic worms.

Research: no information available

In lore, legend and life: In World War II, children in the United States were encouraged to collect milkweed pods and turn them in to the government, where the fluffy silk was used to stuff lifevests and flying suits. The silk was especially good because of its exceptional buoyancy and lightweight. Also in World War II, because of the shortage of natural rubber, scientists in the United States tried to turn common milkweed’s latex into a rubber like substitute.
Monarch butterflies are particularly attracted to the flowers of the common milkweed and other milkweed relatives.

In Hindu mythology, relatives of the common milkweed were considered to be the king of plants; it was believed that the creating god was under the influence of milkweed juice when he created the universe.

Backyard Medicine

The concept that the dreaded weed is really beneficial may be surprising for some, but there is an old adage that goes….’A weed is only a plant we do not yet know the uses and benefits of yet’.

This is so true. Dandelion and Chicory are diuretics, making elimination of excess fluids in the body easier. Common Plantain, when crushed, releasing the juices, is a wonderful balm for a scrap or bite. Staghorn Sumac and Sassafras have been used for hundreds of years as spring tonics. The white sap of Common Milkweed has been used to remove warts.

So before you use those herbicides on the lawn….look a little closer and find out what treasure chest you might have growing willingly in your backyard.

It is so much fun to learn about these plants that many people are now starting gardens to foster some of these plants in their yard. To do so would add to your yards diversity…..allowing the beautiful orange blooms of the butterfly weed to grow and attract butterflies is a wonderful balm to the soul, encouraging Echinacea to bloom and return to your yard year after year allows a wonderful medicine against flu to flourish, and Dandelion and Chicory roots can be harvested right from your yard to make a different kind of coffee substitute, one that was utilized in World War II when rationing meant many didn’t have coffee at all without it’s use.

So the next time you mow the lawn….maybe you could leave a small area to grow wild, see what is really there. Look closely for all your new friends…you may be surprised to find their smiling flower faces gazing back at you.

Basil

Ocymum basilium

Synonyms:

Part used: herb

Medicinal use: The name comes from the Greek word for King, so this plant has been referred to as the "royal" herb.

It has been used for flatulence and griping pains in the abdomen. When added to food while cooking it decreases the incidence of indigestion and helps prevent constipation.
Basil added to cooking can help in the digestion of most foods heading off any indigestion. If after eating there is still a problem try adding basil to a glass of white wine and sipping on it as an after dinner drink. (1/8 teaspoon per glass should do it.)

Historically it was used in cases of fainting spells, mild nervous disorders and to bring on menstruation.

Basil oil has been used as a treatment for acne, intestinal parasites and as an immune stimulant. It also appears to have estrogen like effects and should be avoided by pregnant and lactating women

Allspice

Pimento officinalis

Synonyms: pimento, Jamaica pepper

Part used: fruit, particularly the shell

Habitat: Pimento, familiarly called Allspice, because it tastes like a combination of cloves, juniper berries, cinnamon and pepper, is the dried full-grown but immature fruit of the Pimento officinalis or Eugenia Pimenta. It is an evergreen tree growing approximatly 30 feet high in the West Indian islands and South America.

Medicinal use: Allspice was formerly official in both the British and United States Pharmacopoeias. Pimento Oil was dropped from the British in 1914, but Pimento Water is still listed in the British Pharmacopoeia Codex. It was also dropped from the U.S. Pharmocopoeia but admitted to the National Formulary IV.

Pimento (or allspice) is one of the ingredients in the Compound Tinture of Guaic found in that formulary. The Essential Oil, as well as the Spirit and the distilled Water of Pimento are useful for flatulent indigestion. Two or three drops of the oil on sugar are given to correct flatulence (gas). The oil is also given on sugar and in pills to correct the griping tendancies of purgatives.

Preperations: powdered fruit: dose 10 to 30 grains

Kitchen Medicine

Introduction
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No matter where we find ourselves, there will always be times when we are not our healthiest. If you depend on a family doctor, that requires you to see him or a substitute when the need arises. If you follow herbal practices with your health, that requires that you know the plants in the area in which you find yourself, and that changes with environment.

One constant in our new, modern age of shipping, is that supermarkets anywhere in the United States and Canada carry very similar (if not identical) items. In Fresno, California you can go into a food store and find ginger, when you have menstrual cramps , just the same way you do in a food store in Miami, Florida. Should you find yourself in Honolulu, Hawaii with a sore throat the food chain predominant there also sells sage that can be used for a gargle the same as the food store at home in Manhattan, New York.

In other words a well stocked kitchen can help save money, prevent needless trips to the pharmacy or doctor, and also allows you the ease of travel, knowing that the next town has a store with the needed spice or food remedy.

Probably everyone knows that prunes are a laxative. But did you know that strawberries are also? And gentle enough for a child?

You probably know that honey sooths a cough, but did you know that onions do as well?

We will look at common spices and foods from a new standpoint. Not just as flavorings or as nutritional aids in diet, but also how they can help keep you and your family healthy. There is truth in the old adage, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away"!

Beginning Tips on Blending Essential Oils for Aromatherapy

When starting to blend it is important to remember that there are different types of smells and that scents in the same catergory blend with each other the best. The basic types are:

Floral (i.e. Lavender, Neroli, Jasmine)
Woodsy (i.e. Pine, Cedar)
Earthy (i.e. Oakmoss, Vetiver, Patchouli)
Herbaceous (i.e. Marjoram, Rosemary, Basil)
Minty (i.e. Peppermint, Spearmint)
Medicinal/Camphorous (i.e. Eucalyptus, Cajuput, Tea Tree)
Spicy (i.e. Nutmeg, Clove, Cinnamon)
Oriental (i.e. Ginger, Patchouli)
Citrus (i.e. Orange, Lemon, Lime)

In general, but not limited to these, the following categories blend well together:

Florals blend well with spicy, citrusy and woodsy oils.
Woodsy oils generally blend well with all categories.
Spicy and oriental oils blend well with florals, oriental and citrus oils. Be careful not to overpower the blend with the spicy or oriental oils.
Minty oils blend well with citrus, woodsy, herbaceous and earthy oils.

Oils evaporate at different rates, so most blenders use oils that blend different evaporation rates, as one oil evaporates the effect and scent of the blend will change. There are three evaporation groupings, as follows:

Top Notes: (these have the fastest evaporation rates)

Anise
Basil
Bay Laurel
Bergamot
Citronella
Eucalyptus
Grapefruit
Lavender
Lemon
Lemon grass
Lime
Orange
Peppermint
Spearmint
Tangerine

Middle Notes:

Chamomile
Cinnamon
Clary Sage
Cypress
Geranium
Hyssop
Jasmine
Juniper Berry
Neroli
Nutmeg
Rose
Rosemary
Rosewood
Spruce
Tea Tree
Thyme
Ylang Ylang

Base Notes:

Angelica
Balsam, Peru
Cedarwood
Frankincense
Ginger
Myrrh
Patchouli
Sandalwood
Vanilla

None of these lists of evaporation rates are complete, they are just a starting point.

Some Tips for starting to blend:

Start out small, use the least number of drops, so you waste less while experimenting
Keep an accurate notebooks of the experiments you try, with notes on your thoughts and feeling of each blend as you make them. You have ahigher chance of duplicating a scent with accurate records.
When storing your blends be sure to label it clearly. If there isn’t sufficient room on the bottle, then assign it a code that is matched in your notebook to that particular blend.
After creating a blend allow it to sit for a few days to a week. Smell it again, the scent may change as the oils blend. Now decide if you like it or not.

How to use Aromatherapy

There are several ways to utilize the essential oils used in Aromatherapy:

Massage
Baths
Compresses
Inhalations
Vaporisation
Perfumes

The use of massage with aromatherapy is maybe the most effective way of delivery. With the skin being the largest organ on the body it works to keep out contaminants, but some oils do absorb through the skin, which is why medicine makes use of skin patches for the delivery of some medicines. When you use massage you utilize two Alternative modalities simultaneously, Aromatherapy and Touch, getting the most beneficial combination.

Using the oils in baths is again very effective……as you use it on the skin and through inhalation of the moist air and vapors. Water itself has a very therapeutic effect and combined with essential oils enhances the healing powers of both.

Compresses use the therapeutic effect of the water and inhalation in a lessened way from the bath. It is placed on the area most needing the treatment, therefore concentrating the direction of action to just the vicinity needing healing. This method of application is best used in treating such conditions as: muscular aches and pains, varicose veins, sprains, bruises, menstrual cramps and respiratory congestion.

Inhalations have been utilized for centuries…today we use vaporizers on children with stuffy head colds and croup. Inhalations can be utilized for the treatment of a variety of respiratory disorders as well as emotional states. They are most effective for treating nasal or chest congestion where there is an excess or deficiency of mucus. (E.g. Sinusitis, bronchitis, hay fever, post nasal drip etc.)

Vaporization is the use of essential oils in room freshening methods. Air fresheners are excellent examples. Many know the use of vaporizers in a child’s room at night to keep the air moist and the breathing passages clear. This is an often ordered treatment by the doctor.