Shepherd’s purse is an annual or biennial herb that can vary from 15-50 cm in height depending on the growing conditions and location.. Leaves are up to 10 cm long, toothed, green and rough. The flowers are white on top of the stems, 2-4 mm across. The herb is widespread in temperate zones common on gravelly, sandy and nitrogen-rich soils

Shepherd’s Purse is difficult to identify by its leaves alone, as they are variable and resemble a number of other plants. However, the flowering stems bear the distinctive small, flat, heart-shaped pods, looking like old-fashioned purses, make identification easy. The plant is widespread in temperate zones common on gravelly, sandy and nitrogen-rich soils.

This is another invaluable herb which is often described as a weed. It has strong astringent and antiseptic powers. Its special use is as emergency first-aid where there is heavy bleeding. It was used to check hemorrhages and bleeding from deep wounds, especially bleeding from the nose and the lungs. It is also a remedy for diarrhea, dysentery and ear ailments.

Make a strong Standard brew, using a heaped dessert spoon of the herb to every cupful of water. Take two tablespoons three times daily. For ear treatment a few drops of the warmed brew is dropped into both ears, and gently massage the base of the ears.

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Milk Thistle is found on waste land and pastures. It is a native to South Europe and Western Asia. The herb has been declared noxious weed in some places. It likes a rich organic soil and grows up to 2.5m tall. Leaves are grey, large, with prickly ends and flowers are large purple in color and with many spines. Thistle has been widely used as a vegetable and was formerly cultivated in gardens. The young leaves, flower heads and roots can be cooked and eaten.

Milk Thistle is highly esteemed in herbal medicine for its action on the liver and has been often used in place of Blessed Thistle. For a long time the milk thistle seeds were used as a specific treatment for stitches, for fits and epilepsy, and also used in the treatment of varicose veins. The leaves, trimmed and lightly crushed are a wonderful remedy for wounds and sores. Collect and eat the hearts of several young plants before the herb becomes tough and spiky. Use as a medicinal salad for jaundice, blood cleansing, anemia and scurvy. Eat a teaspoonful of powdered seeds once a day for those ailments for which they are intended.

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Sage is a perennial semi-woody herb growing to 70 cm high or more. Found on sunny rocky grounds and cultivated in gardens. Leaves are oval, woolly and highly aromatic. Flowers are equally highly aromatic and vary from silver, white, and pink to blue in color. Sage likes to grow in full sun in a rich well drained soil with a neutral pH. It makes an attractive garden plant.

Sage is another of the major herbs of the herbalist. It has numerous healing properties and it has been in the service of mankind since ancient times. It is a proven help in fevers, colds, sore throats, coughs (as tea and gargle), sore and ulcerated mouths and a valued heart tonic. Modern research has shown interest in several promising compounds found in sage, for slowing down the aging process and improving memory. It is an effective hair tonic, to stimulate growth and tone up hair color.

Make a standard brew, boil the herb for 3 minutes, and take a cupful in the morning, sweetened with honey. Sage is a potent herb, a teaspoon of the herb to a half a liter of water is sufficient.

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Fenugreek is a native to South Europe and Asia. It is a smooth, erect annual to 60 cm with oblong, toothed leaflets 2-3 cm long. Flowers are whitish single or in pairs, pea-shaped and very aromatic. Found in pastures. It likes sandy soils.

The value of the herb is in the seed. Egyptians and Indians however, use both the sprouting seeds and the fresh leaves as vegetables and consider the seed not only a spice for curries but as a source of yellow dye. The seeds are very mineral rich and their chemical composition is close to that of cod-liver. Seeds are also highly medicinal.

A strong tea made of the seeds (seeds can be eaten) it is known to strengthen the digestive system and nerves. It is a good fever tea; add a trop of lemon juice and honey. It has been used to stimulate flow and increase breast milk. Use the tea as a throat gargle; hot, to relieve throat soreness. Externally fenugreek seeds make a good poultice: the ground seed is mixed with hot milk and applied on boils and carbuncles.

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Dandelion is found in meadows and along the roadside. They are native to Europe and Asia and introduced elsewhere. Dandelion has long tooth-dented leaves, yellow daisy like flowers that later form white, fluffy ball. The stem and leaves contain a milk like juice when broken.

Although this herb is considered a weed, it is in fact one of the most useful herbs and all parts of the plant can be used. It is one of the most esteemed plants of the herbalist, been extremely effective and safe. Both the leaves and root have long been used for food and for medicine. Dandelion roots provide, when dried and roasted, an excellent coffee substitute. The leaves have been used in beer, wine and tonic drinks.

Dandelion is considered to be a very effective diuretic, appetite promoter, blood and lymph cleanser and tonic. Good for jaundice, inflammation of the bowels and mild laxative. It is known to increase activity of the liver, spleen and pancreas. Has a beneficial effect on female organs. The white juice has been used for the treatment of warts, old sores and hard pimples.

A half -dozen of the top smaller leaves and roots (they are less bitter) eaten daily, mixed with other herbs and leafy vegetables. The plant contains a number of vitamins and minerals.

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