Medicinal Dill weed is a good source of calcium, manganese and iron, and as an antioxidant food, its flavonoids provide anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties that give it a whole host of incredible health benefits. Dill Tea – Essential Tea to Ease Digestion People chomping or sucking on dill seeds is reported in biblical times, to help avoid indigestion and hiccups.
Fun Facts The name “dill” means to “calm or soothe,” and most likely originates from the plant’s known ability to calm troubled stomachs and colicky infants.
Decrease Blood Sugar by Improving Insulin Sensitivity
May Improve Sleep and Regulate Sleep Patterns
May Increase Appetite by Reducing Leptin Levels
May Help Relieve Pain Associated With Conditions Like Osteoarthritis
May Have Antibacterial Properties and Prevent Foodborne Illness
Fun Facts Name "tarragon" originates from Persian word "turkhum" which means "little dragon". Name refers to intense flavor of this plant and its root system that has snake-like shape. Tarragon is also known as "dragon wort" today.
Medicinal Recipe and directions for fennel tea The Ancient Greek people called the fennel plant “marathon”.
Fun Facts Most people are familiar with the story of how Prometheus stole fire from the Gods and gave it as a gift to mankind. According to Greek mythology, it was the stalk of a fennel plant that he used to steal the fire from the Gods! A giant fennel plant was said to have spawned the Greek god Dionysus’ Bacchanalian wands and his followers.
Fun Facts Rosemary is a symbol of loyalty and love. In certain parts of the world, bride, groom and their guests wear branches of rosemary during wedding ceremony.
Use as a topical pain relief, such as with a toothache.
A few drops in a diffuser or vaporizer may help to alleviate sinus and chest congestion, and reduce cough symptoms.
Because of its anti-fungal and anti-viral properties, it’s thought to be effective in aiding gastrointestinal problems, as well as with fungal and mold infections.
Diluted with a carrier oil, oregano oil can be applied to the skin for conditions like acne, cold sores and dandruff, and for the relief of sore, aching muscles and joints.
Taken internally, it’s also thought to boost the immune system to help fight off colds and flus in the winter.
Fun Facts How To Make Oil Of Oregano At Home For the Romans, Venus (the goddess of love) gave this herb its scent to remind us mortals of her sublime beauty. It’s been used in love potions and spells, and sprigs of its blossoms are still used in wedding bouquets and nosegays. For both the Greeks and Romans, a crown of wild marjoram was worn by the bride and groom the day of a wedding ceremony. Some folk traditions also link it with divination. According to one myth, if a woman lay sprigs of it in her bed before going to sleep, Aphrodite would appear to reveal the identity of her future spouse. It’s also been hung in doorways and grown in kitchen herb gardens to ward off evil. It was believed to repel witches’ spells, and to thwart ne’er-do-wells like goblins, ghosts and the devil.
Fun Fact The Oswego Indians used it to make a delicious tea and taught settlers coming to America to make it. After the Boston Tea Party, it was a very popular beverage.
Fun Fact Crushed elderberry leaves release unpleasant smell. In the past, people used these leaves (attached to the horse's mane) to repel flies during riding.
Fun Fact The name ‘basil’ is derived from the old Greek word basilikohn, which means ‘royal’, reflecting that ancient culture’s attitudes held towards this herb were very noble and sacred.
Medicinal If you are using foot soaks (another ancient modality), try using lovage (any part) with mint, thyme, lavender, and rosemary in equal parts to as warm a water as you can comfortably tolerate. I like to add a ½ teaspoon of dried mustard powder to open the pores. I put a bag of marbles in my foot soaks because when rubbing your feet on them, you are touching most of the reflexology points in your feet.-https://theherbalacademy.com/little-known-ways-use-lovage/
Fun Facts The history of lovage goes back to the ancient Greeks who chewed the leaves for digestion and gas. The leaves were placed in the shoes to relieve weary feet (McVicar, 1997). The seeds were nearly as expensive as black pepper at one time.
Fun Facts Borage was sometimes called bugloss by the old herbalists. An ancient Roman verse, spoken to this day, goes: "I, Borage, always bring courage." Borage flavored wine was a favorite of Celtic warriors preparing to go into battle; it was believed to bolster their courage. Another old saying, this one English, goes: “To eliven the sad with a joy of a joke, Give the wine with the borage put in to soak.”
Fun Fact Genus name of Echinacea comes from the Greek word echinos meaning hedgehog or sea-urchin in reference to the spiny center cone found on most flowers in the genus.
Fun Fact There’s no doubt that cilantro is a divisive herb. Some people find cilantro to be lemony and bright while others get a very negative, soapy smell or taste. Why such differences in opinion? The answer may be in the genes. -https://tastybite.com/2016/04/5-things-you-didnt-know-about-cilantro/
Fun Fact Witch actually comes from the old English word wice which means bendable. The stems from the tree were used as “divining rods” to look for underground water. It was believed the branch would bend downwards toward the ground when water was present.
Fun Fact Hyssop was known as holly or sacred plant during the ancient times, when it was used as cure-for-all. Egyptian priests have consumed hyssop with bread to "purify" ingested food.
Medicinal Asters were burned and smoked in ancient times as a means of warding off negative energy. They have been used in remembrance and also medicinally to treat headaches, colds and muscle aches.
Fun Facts The aster has been used to mark the passing of a loved one, but it is also associated with patience, lasting love, good luck and feminine energy.
Fun Facts Mint gets its name from Menthe a Greek mythical character. Mint comes in over 30 varieties. Ancient Romans and Greeks used mint to flavor cordials and fruit compotes also for baths and perfumes. Ancient Hebrews used to scatter mint over the synagogue floor for its scent. The common garden mint is spearmint. The term "mint" is an umbrella term for the Mentha plant family that includes spearmint, peppermint, orange mint, and more. Mexicans call mint Yerba Bueno or good herb. Mint Plants originate in the Mediterranean region. Mint has been found in Egyptian tombs from as far back as 1000 BC! The US produces 70% of the Worlds peppermint and spearmint.
Fun Facts Nobody is certain where parsley originate, though it is said by some to have originated in Sardinia. Parsley was used in the ancient Rome as ingredient of salads, to eliminate effects of hangover and as ornament in the form of garlands for the head.
The black mulberry berries are laxative, tonic for the blood, and anti-inflammatory. They are also antioxidant and contain vitamins A, B, and C.
The leaves are antibacterial and are great during a respiratory imbalance as they can induce sweating and end a fever, while also encouraging the expulsion of congestion in the lungs. The stems are anti-rheumatic and pain relieving. Furthermore, the root bark has been used to relieve coughing or to support healthy blood pressure.
Mulberry is associated with evil spirits in Germany due to ancient belief that devil uses root of mulberry tree to polish his boots.
Ancient Romans used leaves of white mulberry in treatment of diseases of mouth, trachea and lungs.
Native Americans used mulberry as laxative and as a cure for dysentery.
Fun Facts Over 2500 years ago, lavender was used in ancient Egypt during the mummification process. Back in Elizabethan times, when baths were not common practice, lavender was used to perfume clothes and bed linen
Medicinal Depressive disorders including bipolar by increasing serotonin. Urinary Problems Gastric Problems Congested Lungs. Antiseptic Oil infused with St. John’s wort is often used to assist in the healing of cuts, sprains, burns, inflammation, cramps, ulcers and bruises.
Fun Fact When the petals of the yellow St. John’s wort flowers are rubbed together, a resin is released, leaving a red stain. Legend says that this is because the plant sprang up from the blood of John the Baptist when he was beheaded.