Archives: 2009 August

Apple

Latin Name: malus spp
Alternative Name: fruit of the gods, fruit of the underworld, silver branch, the silver bough, tree of love
Forms Available: fruit, juice, vinegar, cider, wood
Apple – malus spp. – A Druid sacred tree. The apple is a symbol of immortality. A branch of the apple which bore buds, flowers and fully ripened fruit, [...]

Apricot Kernel Oil

Latin Name: armeniaca vulgaris, prunis armeniaca
Forms Available: oil
Apricot – Armeniaca vulgaris, Prunis armeniaca – The oil from apricot kernel is a light but rich oil which is especially good for sensitive skin, as well as for and skin that is inflamed or dry. It can be used alone or in massage and is [...]

Arnica

Latin Name: arnica montana
Alternative Name: fleur’s d’arnique, leopard’s bane, mountain tobacco
Forms Available: flower
Arnica – arnica montana – Oral administration of arnica is often accompanied by severe side effects!! For external use in injury and for consequences of accidents, e.g., hematoma, dislocations, contusions, edema due to fracture, rheumatic muscle and joint problems. Especially when applied topically, [...]

Arrowhead

Latin Name: saggittaria latifolia, sagittaria variabilis
Alternative Name: duck potato
Forms Available: leaf, root, tea
Arrowhead – sagittaria latifolia – This root can be eaten either raw or cooked. A tea can be made from the roots. A poultice, made from the leaves, has been helpful in stopping lactation and a poultice made from the roots helps [...]

Arrowroot

Latin Name: maranta arundinaceae
Alternative Name: indian arrowroot, maranta indica, maranta ramosissima, maranta starch, araruta , bermuda arrowroot
Forms Available: powder
Arrowroot – maranta arundinaceae – Produced from the fecula or starch of the rhizome. Arrowroot is the edible starch of several tropical plant roots. The root is peeled and grated into water, and the fine-textured starch [...]

Asafetida

Latin Name: ferula asafoetida
Alternative Name: assyfetida, devils dung, food of the gods
Forms Available: resin
Asafetida – Ferula asafoetida – Also called Stinking Gum. The pungent gum is extracted from the living rootstock by notching the plant at soil level. It was a popular Roman condiment. Research suggests the plant is anticoagulant and lowers blood pressure. Used [...]

Ash Tree

Latin Name: fraxinus americana, excelsior
Alternative Name: nion, common ash, weeping ash
Forms Available: wood, bark, leaf
Ash Tree – Fraxinus americana or excelsior – A Druid sacred tree. This spring-flowering deciduous tree has smooth gray bark and showy, scented flowers, although the scent is unpleasant to some. The bark of the ash can be used as [...]

Asiatic Dayflower

Latin Name: commelina communis
Alternative Name: day flower
Forms Available: flowers, leaves
Asiatic Dayflower – commelina communis – This plant is antibacterial, astringent, depurative, diuretic, and febrifuge. Used to make a throat gargle that relieves sore throats. The dried plant can be used in treating bleeding, diarrhoea and fevers.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: antibacterial, astringent, depurative, diuretic, [...]

Asparagus Fern

Latin Name: asparagus officinalis, asparagus racemosus, asparagus cochinchinensis
Alternative Name: asparagus
Forms Available: root, shoot
Asparagus Fern – asparagus officinalis, asparagus racemosus, asparagus cochinchinensis – The roots and shoots of the asparagus are healing and cleansing to the liver, bowels and kidneys. Asparagus causes increased cellular activity in the kidneys, hence increasing urine production. Asparagus roots are [...]

Avocado Oil

Latin Name: persea americana, persea gratissima
Forms Available: oil
Avocado Oil- Persea americana, Persea gratissima – Avocado oil nourishes and restores dry, dehydrated, and mature skin. It is a rich, heavy oil that is best blended with other carrier oils. Skin problems, especially eczema and psoriasis, respond to its high content of vitamins A and E. [...]