Plants have the power to heal…but first, know these basics for safe and effective results.
Humans, like most mammals, have turned to plants for food and medicine since our earliest times. No doubt some of our ancestors suffered the consequences of unfortunate choices along the way.
Most of the herbs sold in the United States are safe when taken in recommended dosage. More than 38 million Americans use herbs each year, yet the majority of calls to Poison Control Centers about plant ingestion have to do with people {usually children} and pets eating the potentially poisonous house and garden plants, not medicinal herbs.
To ensure your experiences with medicinal herbs remain positive without inadvertent mishaps-follow these basic guidelines.
Start with Food Herbs
You can bet on safety when you use herbs as foods-think garlic, ginger, nettles, dandelion greens, shitake mushrooms, burdock root {also called gobo} and rose hips. Culinary herbs-thyme…
One of the questions I get asked frequently is what herbs would I recommend for a small medicinal herb garden or for someone just starting out so they don’t get overwhelmed. So that’s what I’m going to cover today. Of course, I don’t know everyone’s specifics. I will have to make a few assumptions – there will be plenty of sun, access to water, and the soil is healthy. One other important point is that these are herbs I believe allow for a beginner herbalist to begin treating their family with, they are also good for more advanced herbalists (for instance, I use chamomile in many preparations because it’s good for so many things). I’m hoping this will enable more and more individuals to grow their own “farmacy”!
Matricaria recutita – Chamomile
Like I mentioned before, I believe Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) to be one of the most important…
There are few things a sprig of thyme won’t make immensely better. This versatile herb blends well with a myriad of flavors and is packed full of health-promoting compounds, vitamins, antioxidants, and other nutrients.
Thyme belongs to the genus Thymus which is part of the mint family and closely related to oregano—another powerful herb. Native to the Southern Mediterranean regions, this perennial herb is now grown around the world for its culinary and therapeutic uses. While this herb will liven up your cooking, thyme may also help expel harmful organisms from your body and support your mental and physical health.
What Is Thyme?
Thyme is an evergreen herb that blooms with small white, pink, and purple flowers. They hybridize easily and grow quickly in sunny areas with well-drained soil. Thanks to its ease of cultivation and growth, there are over 300 varieties of thyme in existence today. Each variety has…
Cedarwood essential oil has a steady, reassuring strength.
It’s versatile, gentle, and powerful. It offers support in a wide range of blends, from respiratory inhalers to skin care creams, and both adults and children love its warm, woody aroma. Something about Cedarwood reminds me of sitting on a park bench under the shelter of a tall cedar tree.
In the blends below, I’m using three different Cedarwood essential oils: Cedrus atlantica, Cedrus deodara, and Juniperus virginiana. These three Cedarwoods are often good substitutes for each other, but I’ve included the Latin name in each blend so you’ll know exactly which Cedarwood I’m using.
1. Cedarwood connects us with our calm inner strength.
Cedarwood essential oil has the ability to see us through tough times. It can help us move steadily and securely through long projects . . . or through long, cold (sometimes dark) seasons like winter.
Here’s a recipe for a Brew to drink to purify yourself just prior to performing a Ritual or Spell Get the good olde Kettle out some fresh water and start the brew under a dark moon night 1 part lemon verbena 1 part dried lemon peel 1 part chamomile You can add a dash of […]
Birch essential oil, also known as sweet birch oil, is rich in methyl salicylates and has a long history of use for sore and fatigued muscles. The familiar, soothing aroma of birch oil is reminiscent of the inside of a doctor’s bag on the day of house calls. This therapeutically wide-spectrum stimulating and cleansing oil has a bright, refreshing aroma, and can be kept in mind for restoring comfort to the overworked body and the agitated or cloudy mind. […]
An increasing number of chemical and pharmacological studies, which strongly support traditional medicinal uses of Greek herbs against various illnesses such as a sore throat, cough, and gastric ulcer, have been reported recently. One of these herbs is an endemic plant of the island of Crete, which has been widely used as a traditional medicine since antiquity: the dittany of Crete, Origanum dictamnus (Lamiaceae family). A variety of compounds, including flavonoids, lipids, and terpenoids have been identified from the plant. Current studies have shown that its extracts and the essential oil possess important antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-ulcer pharmacological properties.
The use of herbal medicine has its roots in the Bronze Age. The Homeric texts describe herbal wound healing treatments during the Trojan War. Ancient Greeks had developed a considerable medical knowledge based on systematic observation in order to heal their precious human capital. The Mycenaean palatial centers systematically produced and exported huge quantities of aromatic and essential oils to the kingdoms of the Mediterranean basin and exchanged them to copper and tin for their weapons and tools. Were they also used as medicines? The tradition is still preserved and the consumption of aromatic plants as a component in curing common diseases is still on population’s practices in many islands and rural areas. Though observations show that persons in Crete that consume Cretan herbal teas, mainly dittany and sage, are more resistant to viral induced infections. Until recently, there hasn’t been any double-blind trial conducted on the effectiveness of Cretan herbs in the prevention and curing of common diseases. […]
Arnica; poisonous in large amounts which can cause serve gastroenteritis, fever, nausea, dizziness, abnormal pulse rate, diarrhea, skin reactions, and internal bleedingof the digestive tract.
Azalea; poisonous and causes nausea, vomiting, depression, difficulties breathing, coma, and it is rarely lethal.
Balm of Gilead; can cause skin irritation, serve stomach upset, and pregnant/breastfeeding woman should avoid.
Belladonna; very deadly poisonous causes blurred vision, staggering, loss of balance, dry mouth and throat, headache, rash, constipation, confusion, hallucination, and convulsions. Careful when handling because it can be adsorbed through skin.
Bleeding Heart; may be poisonous in large amountswhich cause convulsion and other nervous symptoms.
Blue Flag; nausea, vomiting, irritation of the mouth, throat, digestive tract, skin, headaches, watery eyes.
Bryony; all parts of are poisonous and can cause death, lethal if consumed.
Buttercup; irritant juices may severely damage the digestive system.
Calamus; toxic in large dosages and causes hallucinations, nausea, and vomiting.
Calabar Bean; extremely toxic which can cause excessive sweating and saliva, reduced pupil size, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, irregular heartbeat, blood pressure changes, confusion, seizures, coma, muscle weakness, paralysis, serve breathing problems, and death.
Camphor; serve allergic reaction which include rashes, hives, itching, difficulties breathing, tightness in chest, swelling of the mouth, eyes, face, lips, or tongue.
Castor Oil Plant; poisonous and causes burning sensation in mouth and throat, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea. In the next several days dehydration, drop in blood pressure, and decrease in urine. Unless treated death can be within 3-5 days.
Celandine; nausea, dizziness, fatigue, fever, and liver damage.
Christmas Rose; causes burning of the mouth, eyes, throat, oral ulceration, gastroenteritis, and vomiting blood.
Cowbane; poisonous and can attack the central nervous system which can induce seizures.
Daffodil; can cause nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and can be but usually not fatal.
Daphne; poisonous, causes burns to the mouth and the digestive tract then followed by a coma. Can be fatal.
Dog’s Mercury; poisoning will appear in the next few hours which includes vomiting, pain, gastric and kidney inflammation, sometimes inflammation of the jaw and cheeks, and drowsiness.
Elderberry; poisonous and causes nausea and digestive upset.
Elephant Ear; all parts are poisonous and causes irritation of the mouth and tongue, can be fatal.
Ergot; can be fatal and can also cause nausea, vomiting, muscle pain or weakness, numbness, itching, vision problems, convulsion, confusion, spams, and unconsciousness.
Gelsemium; extremely poisonous even in small amounts very toxic and can cause headaches, vision problems, difficulties swallowing, dizziness, muscle problems, seizures, breathing problems, and slowing of the heart.
Golden Chain; serve poisoning which causes excitement, staggering, convulsions, and coma. This can be lethal.
Foxglove; large amounts can cause irregular heartbeat, digest upset, mental confusion, and can be fatal.
Hellebore; likely unsafe if ingested or applied to skin which can cause irritation of the mouth and throat lining and also slow down the heartbeat. Large dosages cause vomiting, diarrhea, difficulties swallowing, nerve problems, blindness, convulsions, paralysis, difficulties breathing and death.
Hemlock; stomach pains, vomiting, and progressive paralysis of the central nervous system.
Henbane; cause dilated pupils, hallucinations, increased heart rate, convulsions, vomiting, hypertension, and ataxia.
Holly; berries can be deadly and the leaves can cause nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach and intestinal problems.
Honeysuckle; can cause allergic reactions which include rashes.
Horse balm; gastrointestinal irritation, nausea, dizziness, and painful urination.
Hyacinth; nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and can be fatal.
Ilex; serve allergic reactions which include rash, hives, itching, difficulties breathing, redness, burning, swelling of the mouth, eyes, face, lips, or tongue.
Iris; serve digest upset.
Ivy; poisonous, causes stomach pains, labored breathing, and possible coma.
Jewelweed; dangerous when consumed in large amounts.
Jerusalem Cherry; nausea and vomiting and occasionally fatal especially to children
Jimsonweed; do not inhale or consume, can cause many toxic effects like dry mouth, extreme thirst, vision problem, nausea, vomiting, constipation, fast heart rate, hallucinations, high temperatures, seizures, confusion, loss of conciseness, breathing problems, and death.
Laburnum; intense sleepiness, vomiting, excitement, staggering, convulsive movements, frothing at the mouth, unequally dilated pupils, coma and death.
Larkspur; digestive upset, nervous excitement, depression, and can be fatal.
Laurel; poisoning produces anorexia, profuse salivation, depression, uncoordination, vomiting, watering of the eyes, difficulties breathing, weakness, cardiac distress, convulsion, coma, and eventually death.
Lily of the Valley; irregular heartbeat and pulse accompanied by digest upset and mental confusion.
Lobelia; potentially toxic which can cause vomiting, it also can interfere with medication.
Jack-In-The-Pulpit; produces allergic reactions and causes skin, mouth, throat irritation, swelling, burning, difficulties breathing, and stomach upset.
Kava Kava; can cause liver problems, nausea, rapid heartbeat, vomiting, drowsiness, numbness around mouth, hallucinations, kidney effects, shortness of breath, and disorientation.
Mandrake; poisonous which can cause blurred vision, dryness of the mouth, difficulties urinating, headaches, vomiting, rapid heart rate, and hallucinations.
Mayapple; diarrhea and serve digestive upset.
Mistletoe; poisonous and causes gastrointestinal discomfort, diarrhea, weak/slow pulse, seizures, and it is rarely lethal to humans.
Morning Glory; toxic and causes diarrhea, gastrointestinal upset, disorientation, ataxia, anorexia, and hallucinations.
Mugwort; use in a well ventilated area and with the right dosage, too much can be lethal.
Nightshade; fatal and intense digestive disturbance and nervous symptoms.
Oak; poisonous in large amounts and gradually affects the kidneys.
Oleander; extremely poisonous can cause heart effects, serve digest upset and even death.
Pennyroyal; can cause serve liver and kidney damage and also stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, burning of the throat, fever, confusion, restlessness, dizziness, high blood pressure, abortions, and brain damage.
Periwinkle; contains poisonous chemicals and should no be ingested can cause nausea, vomiting, hearing loss, hair loss, dizziness, bleeding, nerve problems, seizures, liver damage, low blood sugar, and even death.
Pleurisy Root; can cause serve heart problems, nausea, vomiting, and skin rashes.
Poinsettia; skin rashes, serve eye irritation, and irritation or burns to the mouth, throat, stomach, and intestinal lining.
Pokeweed; all parts are poisonous and when handling use gloves because some chemicals can pass through skin and affect the blood and it also causes nausea, vomiting, cramping, stomach pain, diarrhea, low blood pressure, difficulty controlling urine, and thirst.
Rhubarb; fatal and large amounts can cause convulsions, coma, and a rapid death.
Snakeroot; can be fatal, cause nausea and vomiting.
Spurge; unsafe and has chemicals that cause cancer, other effects include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, burning of the mouth, dilated pupils, dizziness, painful bowel movements, near unconsciousness, irregular heartbeat, rashes, reddening, itching, burning, and blisters.
St John’s Wort; can be poisonous and cause fatigue, dizziness, confusion, and dry mouth.
Skullcap; pregnant women should not use it can cause a miscarriage
Thorn Apple; abnormal thirst, distorted sight, delirium, incoherence and can be fatal.
Uva Ursi; can cause skin discoloration, headaches, tinnitus, dizziness, muscle twitching, tremors, convulsion, seizures, nausea, vomiting, irritation to the skin and eyes.
Wahoo; poisonous and potentially deadly, symptoms include serve upset stomach, bloody diarrhea, fever, shortness of breath, unconsciousness, spams and coma.
Wisteria; mild to serve digestive upset, many children have been poisoned by this plant.
Wolfsbane; also know as Aconite, disables nerves, lowers blood pressure, and can stop the heart. Avoid skin contact.
Wormwood; can cause diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, insomnia, restlessness, vertigo, and seizures.
Yellow Jasmine; poisonous and cause nausea and vomiting.
Yew; fatal, death is usually sudden without any warning symptoms.
Matricaria recutita – Chamomile
Paths I Walk 
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