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 skin conditions. The flowers, bark, and twigs are known for their astringent properties and can be made into a decoction to apply to minor cuts, scrapes, insect bites, and hemorrhoids. Flower petals can also be used to make tea and jelly and can be put in sandwiches or salads.

Fresh rose hips

Rose hips are the most frequently used part of the plant and can even be eaten fresh. They are best harvested in the fall after the first frost and can be air-dried whole and stored whole or crushed. The hips are high in vitamin P, vitamin C, and citric acid. The vitamin P helps maintain and repair small blood vessels, and hips are useful as a general blood tonic, helping to strengthen the heart. The citric acid is useful in treating kidney/bladder/urinary tract infections. Vitamin C is helpful in preventing and treating colds and the flu. Hips may also be helpful in strengthening the stomach and liver, relieving rheumatic and other joint pains, vomiting and digestive issues, and stopping hemorrhaging. Crushed hips can be used in herbal teas or sprinkled over foods such as fruit or oatmeal. Hips can also be used to make wine, jelly, and syrups.

In the garden, be prepared that wild and domestic varieties can hybridize with each other, so be careful when planting.

Curly Leaf Parsley

Parsley has long been used in history to help to flush out the kidneys. It is a strong diuretic and one of the most popular uses it is known for is to help dispel kidney stones or as a preventative measure for them. It is basically a great tonic for any bladder or kidney complaint, helping also with kidney and bladder/urinary tract infections. It can even be used in weight loss. Parsley has been noted to aid with asthma, coughs, indigestion, and other general lung and digestive issues. The seeds can be used to help ease rheumatoid arthritis.

Parsley can be used fresh, dried, or as a tea. Parsley tea is one of the most popular forms of use and the recipe can be changed at whim according to the ailment being treated. Add ginger for digestive problems, mullein for bronchial issues, etc. As parsley is a strong remedy, the tea should not be used for more than two days at a time. Add the fresh or dried leaves to salads or other recipes, or just chew after dinner for the added breath freshener effect.

Italian Parsley

There are two varieties usually seen in supermarkets:  Curly leaf (the most well known) and Italian, or plain leaf. Both are effective for the above remedies. The plain-leaf variety is easier to dry and can be dried in the sun; the curly will need to be dried in an oven. Both are very easy to grow, liking partial shade. Parsley can even be grown indoors in a pot on your windowsill. Add this plant to your garden and be sure to dry plenty of leaves for winter use or grow inside.