Welcome students to your very first lesson of Healing Herbology!! Before entering the Greenhouse, please remember that the plants are not to be messed with and you should not try experimenting with any of them, nor consuming them. The lessons are mainly informative and meant to be fun while we play to become healers mastering the art of Herbology. These techniques or whatever are not to be used in the diagnosis or treatment of any disease. You have been warned! In this first Greenhouse we will take a look at some common plants and herbs and we will learn about their properties and benefits. Be nice to the plants please. Let’s begin!
ALOE VERA (Aloe Barbadensis):
Also called “The Elixir of Youth”, “The Herb of Immortality” and “The Harmonious Remedy”, this plant originated in North Africa. Its physical aspect is similar to that of the cactus.
* Parts used: Aloe gel (liquid find in the interior of the leaves), leaves.
* Properties: Toughens up the immune system, regulates the metabolism, purifies the body from toxins, antiseptic effect (destroys bacteria and viruses), disinfectant, stimulates the cell-renewing process, and helps the digestion of aliments.
* Aloe Vera for Healers:
* Parts used: Aloe gel (liquid find in the interior of the leaves), leaves.
* Properties: Toughens up the immune system, regulates the metabolism, purifies the body from toxins, antiseptic effect (destroys bacteria and viruses), disinfectant, stimulates the cell-renewing process, and helps the digestion of aliments.
* Aloe Vera for Healers:
- Treats allergies.
- Treats wounds and skin infections.
- Helps control afflictions like: asthma, arthritis, bronchitis, gingivitis, obesity, and muscle strains.
- Effective in the treatment of anemia, depression, and insomnia.
- Helps control the side effects of chemotherapy, diabetes, and hepatitis.
- Helps reduce cholesterol levels.
- Protection against sunlight and remedy against sunburns.
- Protection against bug stings.
- Treats acne.
ARNICA (Arnica Montana):
Originated in Europe, this is a flowering plant with tall stems and a yellow flower head. It is a rare plant which flowers from May to August.
* Parts used: Flowers
* Properties: antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, accelerates healing process, eliminates micro-organisms and keeps bacteria from multiplying.
* Arnica for Healers:
* Parts used: Flowers
* Properties: antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, accelerates healing process, eliminates micro-organisms and keeps bacteria from multiplying.
* Arnica for Healers:
- Treats wounds, burns, bruises, and pale skin.
- Helps in the treatment of affections like: bronchitis, depression, flu, headaches, hysteria, hypertension, kidney infections, pharyngitis, etc.
- Helps in the treatment of sleeping problems like: insomnia, nightmares, and night terrors.
BASIL (Ocimum Basilicum):
Herbaceous plant which can length up to 60 cm. It has hairy stems and oval leaves.
* Parts used: Leaves
* Properties: antiseptic, diuretic, sedative.
* Basil for Healers:
* Parts used: Leaves
* Properties: antiseptic, diuretic, sedative.
* Basil for Healers:
- Remedy for stomach aches and chronic gastritis.
- Treats affections like: gastro-intestinal, renal, bronchitis, and fever.
- Treats insomnia and fatigue.
- Treats insect stings, eczema, and wounds.
- Basil tea can help to treat anorexia, diarrhea, and urinary infections.
BUTTERBUR (Petasites hybridus):
Herbaceous plant which is native to Europe and northern Asia. Its pink flowers appear in the early spring, before the leaves start to grow. During the Middle Ages, Butterbur was used to treat the “black death” plague.
* Parts used: Roots, leaves.
* Properties: anti-spasmodical, anti-inflammatory.
* Butterbur for Healers:
* Parts used: Roots, leaves.
* Properties: anti-spasmodical, anti-inflammatory.
* Butterbur for Healers:
- Remedy against fever and spasm.
- Treats skin illnesses.
- Helps control common cold, headaches, asthma, and allergies.
- Muscle relaxant, decreases spasms.
- Protects against lung infections.
- Adjusts blood pressure.
- Butterbur leaves produce a calming perfume that can keep nightmares away.
CELANDINE (Chelidonium majus):
This plant grows on soft, sandy soils, in shady places. It originated in Europe. Its yellow flowers blossom between May and fall. It was used by nomads as a perfume for feet.
* Parts used: Leaves, stems, flowers.
* Properties: Sedative, anti-spasmodic, antibiotic, calming, anti-septic.
* Celandine for Healers:
* Parts used: Leaves, stems, flowers.
* Properties: Sedative, anti-spasmodic, antibiotic, calming, anti-septic.
* Celandine for Healers:
- Treats hepatic illnesses and renal diseases.
- Purifies blood and helps in de-toxifying the liver.
- Controls skin diseases like wounds, warts, and eczemas.
- Helps combat baldness, fortifies hair strands.
- Celandine juice is obtained by squeezing the stems, leaves, and flowers. It is used externally, spread toward the corner of the eye, and helps for weak sight, or stressed eyes.
CHAMOMILE (Maticaria Recutita):
It originated in South-Eastern Europe, and likes moist oils, light, and heat. Its stem measures up to 60 cm, and ramifies in branches that grow flowers, which bloom from May till August.
* Parts used: Flowers
* Properties: calming effect, disinfectant, analgesic, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory.
* Chamomile for Healers:
* Parts used: Flowers
* Properties: calming effect, disinfectant, analgesic, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory.
* Chamomile for Healers:
- Great adjuvant in the treatment of many diseases and afflictions like: gingivitis, dental pains, diarrhea, colds, and insomnia.
- Helps in the treatments of stress and anxiety.
- Chamomile tea can be used on children with cramps or colics.
- Helps in the treatment of conjunctivitis and eye inflammations.
CLOVER
Small plant which has three little leaves in each stem. It is located in Europe, Central Asia, Asutralia, and Northern Africa.
* Parts used: leaves, stems.
* Properties: expectorant, anti-asthmatic, relaxes the muscles.
* Clover for Healers:
* Parts used: leaves, stems.
* Properties: expectorant, anti-asthmatic, relaxes the muscles.
* Clover for Healers:
- May eliminate some cancerous cells.
- Detoxifies blood, kidneys, liver, and lungs.
- Reduces ocular inflammations.
- Useful in the treatment of acne, eczemas, and insect stings.
CONEFLOWER (Echinacea):
Originated in North America. Its purple flowers bloom during the summer. The central disk of the flower is spiny.
* Parts used: Flowers.
* Properties: produces more white cells (cells of immune system, more protection of the body against diseases), blood purifier, cicatrization.
* Coneflower for Healers:
* Parts used: Flowers.
* Properties: produces more white cells (cells of immune system, more protection of the body against diseases), blood purifier, cicatrization.
* Coneflower for Healers:
- Treatment of diseases related with the weakening of the immune system.
- Helps in the treatment of cold and influenza.
- Treats wounds and skin affections.
CORNFLOWER (Centaurea cyanus):
Flowering plant which is native to Europe. Its stems are grey-green and branched, from which leaves grow. Its flower has an intense blue color that blooms from June until August.
* Parts used: Flowers.
* Properties: astringent, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, diuretic, soothing/calming.
* Cornflower for Healers:
* Parts used: Flowers.
* Properties: astringent, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, diuretic, soothing/calming.
* Cornflower for Healers:
- Treats diarrhea and urinary afflictions.
- Helps in the treatment of eye afflictions like: conjunctivitis, irritation, inflammation, and dark rings below the eyes.
- Treats skin afflictions like: eczemas, and also wrinkles.
- A facial mask can be made if cornflower is combined with sour cream, milk, honey, and a yolk of egg. This mask helps to smooth the skin.
COWSLIP (Primula officinalis):
A small plant which measure up to 30 cm. It has oval shaped leaves and yellow flowers that blossom during the spring (May). The flowers produce a nice and pleasant scent.
* Parts used: Flowers, leaves, and roots.
* Properties: strengthens the immune system, lowers cholesterol levels, expectorant, diuretic, soothing sedative.
* Cowslip for Healers:
* Parts used: Flowers, leaves, and roots.
* Properties: strengthens the immune system, lowers cholesterol levels, expectorant, diuretic, soothing sedative.
* Cowslip for Healers:
- Treats lung afflictions like bronchitis.
- Cowslip tea can cure insomnia, and also treats anxiety.
- Helps in the treatment of heart diseases.
- Treats wounds.
- Used in cosmetics in facial creams due to its regenerating effects.
- Cowslip roots help in the treatment of kidney problems.
ELECAMPANE (Inula helenium):
Tall plant. Its stems can measure up to a meter long. Its flowers are yellow and resemble the sun flower, but elecampanes flowers are smaller. Elecampanes are harvested during the fall.
* Parts used: Roots.
* Properties: Rich in calcium and phosphor, antiviral, diuretic, and expectorant.
* Elecampane for Healers:
* Parts used: Roots.
* Properties: Rich in calcium and phosphor, antiviral, diuretic, and expectorant.
* Elecampane for Healers:
- Stimulates the process for dissolving fat, and detoxifies the body.
- Strengthens the immune system.
- Decreases cholesterol levels.
- Aids in the treatment of bronchitis.
- Calms stressful moods by inducing a state peace and tranquility, and sleep.
- Cicatrizes marks left by acne.
GINKGO BILOBA:
Also known as the “Tree of Life”, this herb has been in Earth since the time of the dinosaurs! Ginkgo Biloba grows in China and Japan. A ginkgo tree can grow up to 30 meters tall, and its leaves are light green during the summer and the change to yellow on the fall.
* Parts used: Leaves.
* Properties: concentration enhancer, memory enhancer, improves blood circulation.
* Ginkgo Biloba for Healers:
* Parts used: Leaves.
* Properties: concentration enhancer, memory enhancer, improves blood circulation.
* Ginkgo Biloba for Healers:
- Aids in the treatment in cases of hearing and memory loss.
- Treats tuberculosis, stomachaches, skin diseases, and anxiety.
- Helps to reduce depressive states.
- Helps in the treatment of asthma and bronchitis.
- Treats blood pressure problems.
- Helps in the treatment of Alzheimer.
GINSENG (Panax Ginseng):
It originated in Eastern Asia, Siberia, and North America. It was used since Ancient times and it was as valuable as gold. It has a fleshy, singular root.
* Parts used: Roots.
* Properties: stimulant, energizer, optimism, slows ageing process, tonic, anti-oxidant, anti-depressive, anti-inflammatory.
* Ginseng for Healers:
* Parts used: Roots.
* Properties: stimulant, energizer, optimism, slows ageing process, tonic, anti-oxidant, anti-depressive, anti-inflammatory.
* Ginseng for Healers:
- Treats fatigue and afflictions of the nervous system.
- Increases concentration and helps in memory processes.
- Improves functions of lungs.
- Increases work and effort capacities by reducing fatigue.
- Recommended during convalescence periods because it stimulates healing process.
- Treats hypertension, arthritis, anemia, diabetes, and memory disorders.
- Treats airsickness and seasickness.
HORSETAIL (Equisetum arvense):
It is a tall herbaceous plant that likes humid climates. Its stems can grow up to 25 cm, and they have small scaly leaves. This plant is harvested between the months of July and September.
* Parts used: Stems, leaves.
* Properties: antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, preserve eyesight, stimulates blood flow.
* Horsetail for Healers:
* Parts used: Stems, leaves.
* Properties: antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, preserve eyesight, stimulates blood flow.
* Horsetail for Healers:
- Traditionally used to stop bleedings and heal wounds.
- Treats tuberculosis and kidney problems.
- Treats digestive problems.
- Treats bladder and renal afflictions.
- Helps in the treatment of bronchitis and pneumonia.
- Good against sweaty feet.
- Helps in the treatment of amygdalitis, mouth inflammations, and gum bleedings.
- Treats skin afflictions like: gangrenes, scars, and nail inflammations.
LADY’S MANTLE (Alchemilla vulgaris):
Native to Northern Europe, this plant blooms from late spring until early fall (April-August). It has yellowish-green flowers with no petals, and its leaves are long.
* Parts used: Leaves, flowers.
* Properties: antidiuretic, anti-inflammatory, astringent.
* Lady Mantle’s for Healers:
* Parts used: Leaves, flowers.
* Properties: antidiuretic, anti-inflammatory, astringent.
* Lady Mantle’s for Healers:
- Treats menstruation disorders.
- Treats sterility at women.
- Treats cases of dizziness, headaches, nausea, and stomachaches.
- Treats muscle pains and muscle weaknesses.
- Treats growing problems at children.
- Heals cuts, wounds, and bee stings.
LAUREL:
In the wild, this plant can reach heights between 5-10 meters, however, if it is grown indoors, like in this greenhouse, it can measure up to 2 meters. This plant is not picky at all! It can stand light and dark and it is also immune to sudden weather changes. Laurel leaves are oval shaped and contain a fragrant oil. Its flowers are small and white. Greeks believed that laurel increased psychic abilities.
* Parts used: Leaves.
* Properties: antiviral, carminative, detoxicating digestive stimulant, expectorant.
* Laurel for Healers:
* Parts used: Leaves.
* Properties: antiviral, carminative, detoxicating digestive stimulant, expectorant.
* Laurel for Healers:
- Treats anorexia, digestive problems, inflammations of the mouth, rheumatism, spasms, etc.
- Treats sinusitis and common cold due to its fragrant oil that helps to reduce nasal secretions.
- Treats poisoning and intoxication.
- Treats loss of voice.
- Wakens the mind and senses
MEADOW SAGE (Salvia):
It originated in Southern Europe, and it can measure up to 70 cm. Its leaves are a whitish color and release a bitter smell. Its flowers are violet. It likes sunny areas
* Parts used: Leaves, flowers.
* Properties: Antiseptic, astringent, carminative, stimulant, depurative.
* Meadow Sage for Healers:
* Parts used: Leaves, flowers.
* Properties: Antiseptic, astringent, carminative, stimulant, depurative.
* Meadow Sage for Healers:
- Fortifies the body.
- Treats cases of paralysis.
- Treats night sweats.
- Cleans lungs and stomachs.
- Stimulates food appetite.
- Treats diarrhea and other stomach disorders.
- Treats bronchitis, cough, and cold.
- Stimulates memory
- Treats wounds and bug stings.
- Recommended in cases of amygdalitis, sore throats, bleeding gums. And toothaches.
MINT (Mentha):
This herb can grow up to 60-90 cm. tall. It has some small purple or white flowers. Mints spread very quickly, that is why they are considered invasive. They are very aromatic. Mints need to be planted in a sunny place and they need a lot of water.
* Parts used: Leaves
* Properties: antispasmodic,disinfectant, cicatrizing properties, sedative.
* Mint for Healers:
* Parts used: Leaves
* Properties: antispasmodic,disinfectant, cicatrizing properties, sedative.
* Mint for Healers:
- Stimulates digestion and helps in the treatment of digestive and stomach disorders like diarrhea.
- Aids in the treatment of asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis, and flu.
- Treats headaches, mental fatigue, depression, and stress.
- Can cure acne and blackheads.
MULLEIN (Verbascum phlomoides):
This shrub loves warm climates. Its stem is firm and can measure up to 150 cm. long. Its leaves are winged like, and it also has yellow flowers that bloom during the summer. The harvesting of Mullein starts in June and lasts until September.
* Parts used: Leaves, flowers.
* Properties: anti-inflammatory,antiviral,calming effects, expectorant.
* Mullein for Healers:
* Parts used: Leaves, flowers.
* Properties: anti-inflammatory,antiviral,calming effects, expectorant.
* Mullein for Healers:
- Treats respiratory afflictions like: asthma, bronchitis, laryngitis, coughing, flu.
- Treats liver disorders.
- Smoothes dry skins.
SAVORY:
Small shrub which can measure up to 20 cm. tall. Its leaves are spear shaped, and its flowers can be red, white, or purple. It blooms between the months of May and June.
* Parts used: Twigs, flowers
* Properties: Antiseptic, good against lung and renal afflictions, and also intestinal infections
* Savory for Healers:
* Parts used: Twigs, flowers
* Properties: Antiseptic, good against lung and renal afflictions, and also intestinal infections
* Savory for Healers:
- Treats flu, coughing, and headaches.
- Improves liver and kidney functions.
- Combined with mint, chamomile, lavender, and other plants, it can treat children with breathing problems.
- Can heal dental pains and other afflictions like inflammations and cramps.
- Can treat rheumatism and paralysis.
- Disinfects wounds and other skin infections.
This is all for now! I hope you enjoyed the lesson and learned many things about the healing properties of these herbs. Before leaving the Greenhouse, please don’t forget to wash your hands! I don’t want Madam Pomfrey yelling at me for itchy students! Have a nice day and I’ll see you next time in Greenhouse #2! Please procceed to your Assignment!