Cayenne (Capsicum frutescens)
- Increases blood flow.
- Tonifies the nervous system.
- Antibacterial.
- Eases pain of shingles and migraines.
- As massage oil to relieve rheumatism, lumbago, and arthritis
Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile and Matricaria recutita)
- Tea relieves insomnia, anxiety and stress.
- Ointments for skin disorders.
- Inhalation for phlegm, hay fever, asthma, or bronchitis.
Lavender (Lavandula spp.)
- In tea for nervous exhaustion, tension headaches, colic indigestion, depression.
- Soothing during labor.
- As a rub during ashmatic or bronchitis spasm.
- Oil on insect bites.
Basil (Ocimum basilicum) (O. sanctum)
- Holy basil – the leaf juice has been used to treat fevers, malaria, bronchitis.
- Externally for ringworm and skins disease.
- A folk remedy for cancer.
- Research on the latter as a natural cancer prevention.
- Oil an insect repellent, an inhalant – often mixed with other herbs.
Rose (Rosa spp.)
- Skin care
- Relieves diarrhea, colic, depression, grief, insomnia, heavy menstruation.
- (Different rose species have different properties. Be cautious.)
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
- Helpful alone or in combination for colds, influenza, rheumatic pains, indigestion, headache.
- Use in hot compresses.
- Massage for aching joints, headaches.
- Hair rinse for dandruff.
- Newly identified anti-toxins guard against diabetes, arteriosclerosis, cancer and aging.
Sage (Salvia spp.)
- Tincture reduces salivation of Parkinson’s disease.
- Compress for slow-to-heal wounds.
- Gargle for sore throats, gum disease.
- Roots prescribed for Angina and coronary heart disease in Chinese medicine.
Herb Companion Write Ups
(The information below presumably refers to the Black Swamp Herb Society’s newsletter, but without context, it is impossible to know for certain.)
Starting in the summer of 1995 each issue has a section produced by the American Botanical Council and the herb Research Foundations.The focus is on current research with some historical background. Draws on European research on measured effects of herbal medicines, which far outpaces American. Excellent bibliographies.
Recommended books:
The Complete Medicinal Herbal, Penelope Ody (Not really complete, nothing is.)
The New Age Herbalist, Richard Mabey
Sponatenous Healing, Andrew Weill, M.D. (A Harvard trained MD, Weill makes an interesting distinction between curing and healing.)
