Archives

Common Name: Juniper Scientific Name: Juniperus Communis

The story of juniper is filled with history. In Europe 200 years ago, juniper was thought to be extremely strengthening to the body: it was administered to the sick to restore, and to the well to maintain good health.

Common Name: Kava Scientific Name: Piper Methysticum

Kava kava is a member of the pepper family and like all members of the family stimulates all systems in the body, circulation digestion, and vitality in general. What makes this one interesting is that it relaxes the mind and the body and is used to ease social anxieties.

Common Name: Kudzu Scientific Name: Pueraria Lobata

Kudzu is one crazy plant. It can grow up and cover a 200 foot tall tree in one season. I would say its an aggressive grower but thats not strong enough language. Clearly the plant contains some vitality compounds and, according to the Japanese, some very health building comoounds as well.

Common Name: Lady Slipper Scientific Name: Cypripedium Pubescens

Lady slipper is only partially worth knowing about; it was considered a great nerve tonic in the past and could be great for the frayed modern nerves, but, its almost extinct in the wild and you can go to jail if you get caught harvesting it! Until someone figures out how to mass produce this plant, its not of much practical use!

Common Name: Large Spotted Spurge Scientific Name: Euphorbia Hypericifolia

Large spotted spurge was used, to a very limited extent, by the Eclectic physicians as a tonic. But, it was never fully studied or trialed so its yet another plant for the an interested plant researcher to take on and discover if it has use in medicine.

Common Name: Lavender Scientific Name: Lavandula Officinalis

Lavender is the pacifyer for the grown up. The essential oil, applied to the forehead, or just even smelled, settles people down and quick. This action was even tested in a home for very cranky alzheimers patients, who, when cranky, really get their cranky on.

Common Name: Lemon Balm Scientific Name: Mellissa Officinalis

Lemon balm is right up there with lavender in the herbal relaxant department. A European plant, it has been used to take the edge off for hundreds if not thousands of years. And the best part? Its makes a really nice tea. In addition, it can be used to heal broken skin and is especially good with chapped lips!

Common Name: Lemon Grass Scientific Name: Cymbopogon Citrullus

Lemon grass is a really cool grass with a long list of uses. It makes delicious tea, adds a tasty flavor to many a dish. This use indicates one of its activities, its a digestive stimulant. In addition, it can be used to treat infection and the fever that goes along with it. It comes from the tropics where fever is a problem, and, this is a plant that got tapped long ago to bring fever down.

Common Name: Licorice Scientific Name: Glycyrrhiza Glabra

Licorice is one cool plant. Its a health building tonic, long used to boost vitality and health. In addition, its very effective in treating conditions based on chronic inflammation, conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative collitis. That said, its ability to boost stamina is amazing! If you are run down, this is an herb to learn about.

Common Name: Life Root Scientific Name: Senecio Aureus

As strange as it sounds, the Eclectic Physicians called this plant the female regulator! Anyhow, it was used to improve gynecological health. that said, it may contain compounds that are toxic and this one should not be used to regulate females until more is known.