The Saffron has been considered an important trade item from earliest times and has long been used as a medicine, dye, perfume and condiment. Originating in Persia it spread to India, China and Mediterranean by the 10th century. Such was the standing of the drug that severe penalties were imposed to those that adulterated Saffron. Hans Kolbele was buried alive in Nuremberg in 1456 with his impure drug.
Saffron crocus is a perennial herb with numerous narrow, linear leaves to 40cm long, crowing from the rounded corm. Fragrant, blue, lilac or purple flowers, 3 cm in diameter, with deeper purple veins and yellow anthers, appear in autumn. The saffron spice is produced from the three-branched blood-red style. It takes 4000 flowers to produce 25g of dried Saffron. The herb is sterile and is only propagated by corms planted in rows 15 cm apart in late summer. It needs well drained soil, sun and warm summers in order to flower.
Saffron is employed in many culinary dishes both for taste and color, in some liqueurs and the traditional saffron cakes and loaves of Cornwall in England. Formerly the herb considered an aphrodisiac. Saffron is known to have digestive, circulatory and blood pressure reducing properties. It is also the richest known natural source of Vitamin B2. Apply externally, as a paste, for inflamed skin and sores.
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A cultivated garden shrub native to Chile and Peru, distinguished by its bright green, narrow leaves, dotted with glands which contain sweet-smelling, lemon-like oil that gives the herb its special fragrance. Given good growing conditions and rich soil can grow quite high, almost into a tree. Its strong perfume makes it a popular tea-herb. The many small flowers, bloom in late summer, are small and light purple.
The herb is famed as a remedy for toothache and earache. The fresh leaves are pulped and then spread over cotton wool pads that have been dipped in boiling water and squeezed dry. The hot herbal pads are then holding tightly against the aching teeth or ears. The herb is also esteemed as a non-addictive sedative. It is very kind to the nerves, a remedy for sleeplessness, a cure for nervous spasms, to sooth stomach and intestinal aches and flatulence.
Take the herb as a tea, two cups a day. One or two chopped leaves can also give a fruit salad or fruit juice an unusual touch.
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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
milk thistle
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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.
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