Worms

Vetiver or vetivert is a tall, tufted perennial scented grass. It is native to Sri Lanka, Indonesia and southern India. It is cultivated all over the world for its volatile oil, which is mainly used in aromatherapy. The essential oil is extracted from the roots and rootlets, and often known as the ‘oil of tranquillity’. [...]

Continue Reading Herb Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanoides)

This is probably a native to eastern Europe and is thought to be cultivated from the Hungarian plant, Cochlearia macrocarpa. It is now common throughout Russia, Europe and Scandanavia and is cultivated all over the world. The root is used as medicine and a food, particularly as a condiment for roast beef (horseradish sauce). Medicinal [...]

Continue Reading Herb Horseradish (Cochlearia armorica – Armoracia rusticana)

Thyme or common thyme is a perennial, evergreen shrub and is native to Spain and the Mediterranean region, although it is now found throughout the world. It originates from wild thyme (T. serpyllum), which is native to Britain and Europe, and has been used since the time of the ancient Egyptians. The leaves and flowers [...]

Continue Reading Herb Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

Little dragon or Russion tarragon is a tall perennial plant with smooth narrow leaves, and it is popular as a culinary herb. It is native to Europe, southern Russia and western Asia, but is now cultivated world-wide. A hybrid called French tarragon or sativa, is also available and has been cultivated as a garden herb. [...]

Continue Reading Herb Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus)

Shiitake or Hua gu is a type of mushroom and has been used as a food and medicine in China and Japan for thousands of years. It is now cultivated all over the world. The mushroom head is used in herbalism and is combined with another mushroom, known as reishi. Medicinal Properties of Shiitake Shiitake [...]

Continue Reading Herb Shiitake (Lentinus edodes)

Several types of savory (a small shrubby plant) exist. The main ones are summer savory (S. hortensis), a herbaceous annual, and winter savory (S. Montana), a perennial woody shrub. Both species are native to Southern Europe and N Africa, but now grow world-wide. The whole herb is used in cooking and herbal medicine. In Germany [...]

Continue Reading Herb Savory (Satureja)

Ivy or common ivy is a well-known evergreen climbing plant that is widely found in the garden. It was a plant held in high esteem by the Ancient Greeks and was used by priests in wedding rituals. Common ivy is native to Europe and should not be confused with its American cousin, ‘poison ivy’, which [...]

Continue Reading Herb Common Ivy (Hedera helix)

Cloves are dried buds from the evergreen tree Syzygium aromaticum / Eugenia caryophyllus. It is native to Indonesia and cultivated world-wide, especially in the Philippines, the Molucca Islands and Madagascar. It is a well-known remedy for toothache. Medicinal Properties of Cloves The herb contains a heavy volatile oil that consists of camphor resin, flavanoids, sterols [...]

Continue Reading Herb Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum)