Herb Profiles
Herb Profile: Boneset
Boneset is an herb found in US and Canadian marshes which grows on average about 3 feet tall.
Herb Profile: Cinnamon
Cinnamomum zeylanicum
Laurel family
Cinnamon is one of the most popular spices used in cooking and is especially abundant during the holidays in baking, teas, and potpourri mixes. It is also helpful as a natural remedy in many ways.
Cinnamon comes from the inner bark of a tree found in tropical regions. There are many varieties seen [...]
Herb Profile: Sage
Salvia officinalis
Member of the Mint family
Sage is a very important herb used in cooking for the holidays, but it is also important for medicinal reasons. The leaves, which can have a greenish-gray pebbly look, are the most commonly used part, being used in poultices, teas, and gargles. The plant is an evergreen and is very [...]
Herb Profile: Cloves
Syzygium aromaticum
Member of the Myrtaceae family
Whole Dried Cloves
Cloves are the dried flower buds of the evergreen Syzgium aromaticum. A very popular spice for baking, cloves also have some medicinal properties.
The most well-known use for cloves is for relief of toothaches. The whole cloves can be chewed or clove oil can be applied directly to the [...]
Herb Profile: Rose Species
Rosa species
Rose Family
Rose hip syrup
Rose plants, both wild and domestically grown, are useful additions to herb gardens. The leaves, roots, bark, twigs, flower petals, and fruit hips can be used medicinally.
Dried and fresh rose leaves can be used to make tea and are helpful for diarrhea or as a rinse for dermatitis or other itchy [...]
Herb Profile: Lemon Balm
Melisssa officinalis
Member of the Mint family
Lemon balm is a perennial plant which grows 1 to 2 feet tall, blooms spring through summer, and is an easy-to-grow addition to a home herb garden. The lemon-scented leaves are the part of the plant used medicinally and can be used externally and internally.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm leaves can be [...]
Herb Profile: Catnip
Nepeta cataria
Member of the Mint family (also called Catmint)
Catnip is the popular filler for cat toys, well known for the way it drives our feline pets wild. Catnip is also a good herb for humans, although it works in a completely opposite way for us.
Catnip is a bushy perennial herb which grows to 2 – [...]
Herb Profile: Witch Hazel
Hamamelis virginiana
Member of the Hamamelidaceae family
Witch hazel is a well-known astringent herb. It grows as a deciduous small tree or shrub, with the bark being the most popular part being used, although the leaves and twigs can be also. While the leaves, twigs, and bark can both be used
Witch Hazel leaves
externally, the bark can also [...]
Herb Profile: Coltsfoot
Tussilago farfara
Member of the Composite or Asteraceae family
Coltsfoot is also known as coughwort and horsehoof. It is a perennial found in fields and the flowers, which resemble dandelions, appear before the leaves in early spring. Both the leaves and flowers are used medicinally. Coltsfoot is best known for its ability to act as an [...]
