Each family of herbs listed below include s hundreds of different species. H ere we on l y provide a description for the general features of these herb families. Readers will learn useful facts about herbs. White Flower International will update the content from time to time. E njoy the stories that we sincerely collect for you!
Basil Originated from Asia , Indians regard basil as the holy grass. Wine-immersed leaves can promote Yin-Yang balance. Its essential oil has refreshing effects. The massage oil made of basil can help reenergize and recover from fatigue caused by stress. Basil is antiseptic and can improve digestion and the secretion of adrenal hormones. It can alleviate depression, dizziness and nausea.
Lavender
Known for being used in the Roman bath ritual, its Latin name has the meaning of “washing”. Lavender is grown in France , England and Italy . The flower juice is good for skin, promoting the juvenescence of the epithelium tissue. Lavender infusion can treat anxiety, headache, abdominal distention, nausea and bad breath es . Its essential oil is used for making luxurious fragrance and has the antiseptic, pain-reliving and calming effects. It has the healing effects for burns, injuries, headaches, menstrual cramp, joint pains, depression, insomnia, high blood pressure and digestive disturbances.
Cajeput
Cajeput is originated in Philippine, Malaysia and East Indies . Its essential oil extracted from leaves and tender shoots is a very effective antiseptic and immunity booster, protecting the body from pathogenic bacteria, viruses and fungi. It can treat chest infections, trauma and fractures. It also has pain-reliving effects that can be applied to neuralgia in the head.
Cinnamon
Originally from China and Sri Lanka , cinnamon is a potent antiseptic. It can stimulate circulation s , heart rate s , digestion and respiration. Cinnamon can be used to prevent spasms, detoxicate and promote sexual drive s . The essential oil extracted from its leaves can treat nausea and high blood pressure. (Do not use during pregnancy)
Eucalyptus
There are 399 300 different Eucalyptus species discovered in south Europe , Australia and the west coast of the United States . People who live near by Eucalyptus trees reputedly get healthier since the trees can neutralize harmful substances in the air. Its essential oil can suppress bacteria, fungi and viruses and can be used to treat tuberculosis, low blood sugar, burns, mucous inflammation, colds, sore throats, asthma and pains caused by rheumatism/arthritis .
Clove
Originally from southeast African islands and West Indies , clove is an evergreen tree that was the evolution-wise ancestor of carnation. It has the reputation of saving people from hundreds of diseases with its active antiseptic, energizing, cramp-preventing and pain-relieving functions. It can be used to reduce inflammation, alleviate neuron-muscle stress and general fatigue s .
Chamomile
Chamomile was presented to the God of Sun by ancient Egyptian aristocrats because of its amazing healing and antiseptic effects. Infusion can help digestion and reduce stress-caused sickness; it also can reduce the inflammation and make black eyes less apparent. The chemical compounds contained in its flowers are effective for inflammation reduction, pain-relief and infection treatment. It can be used to treat general skin infections, neural stress, inflammation, headaches, insomnia, digestive disorders and pains caused by rheumatism/arthritis.
Bay Leaf
Originally from Europe and America , people have been using bay leaves as an essential condiment for cooking. It helps digestion. Cocktails contain ed ing bay oil, which is extracted from its fruits, are popular among English gentlemen. Using the leaf extracts by decoction in bath s can ease the pain s and sourness o n f limbs. While exerting a little irritating sensation on the skin, the leaf essential oil also can treat sprains and pains caused by rheumatism/arthritis. Bay leaf has the characteristics of being antiseptic, nourishing and preventing blockades of blood vessels. It can be used to treat discomforts in lungs and colds.
Cedareood
Grown in America , Lebanon , south Europe and Asia , cedareood i wa s the first plant to be processed into essential oils. Ancient Egyptians used distillation to obtain cedareood glues as the important ingredient used for mummification. The famous aromas resin has antiseptic effects; in addition, it is used in incense and cosmetics or treating leprosy and parasite-caused diseases. Its essential oil can both eradicate parasites and alleviate anxiety. It also can treat discomforts felt in bladder s , skin diseases and bronchial disorders. With its antiseptic, toning, calming digestion-promoting and phlegm reducing effects, cedareood essential oil can even suppress tumor growth. It can be used to cure obstruction in lungs, eczema and frigidness.
Geranium
There are a hundred different Geranium species in the world. They have been regarded as very potent to treat wounds and fractures since ancient times. Bulgarians used their leaves and roots to make love-potions. The root infusion can be used as mouth wash to treat oral ulcer and throat infections. Its internal use is prescribed for diarrhea, stomach ulcer, internal bleeding; the external use is prescribed for hemorrhoids. Geranium essential oil is usually used in aromatherapies because of it's the nourishing, antibiotic, antiseptic, anti-depression, pain-relieving, astringent and parasite-repelling effects. In addition, the essential oil can also stimulate the secretion of adrenal hormone. Therefore it can treat bad circulation s , neuralgia in the head, fractures, burns and chronic mastitis.
Juniper
Juniper can be found in many countries. Its antiseptic and diuretic effects have been well known since ancient times. Its essential oil extracted from the fruits can be used in cocktails and cooking. Its juicy fruits can be used as a brown dye, antiseptic and diuretic. The raw juniper essential oil is toxic. After detoxication, it can be used to heal bladder infection, abscess, eczema s , cellulitis and rheuma r t ism. African aboriginals boil the fruits and use them to treat colds; they also burn the conifer leaves as incense. Juniper is beneficial for the neural system and digestion. It can alleviate discomforts caused by fatigue, digestive disturbance, urination disorders, rheumatism/arthritis and general pains.
Lemon
Its Greek name is ” “ ” lemon medica”, since it was mainly imported from Medie, Asia , where lemon was used as a fragrance for clothes. Nowadays, lemon is distributed in Mediterranean area and America . Its essential oil has the highest concentration of vitamins, including vitamin C, vitamin A and citric acid. The peel is enriched in vitamin C. Lemon is commonly used as fragrance. The essential oil extracted from its flowers, leaves and tender shoots can be used to treat anxiety and depression. Its seed oil can lower blood cholesterol. Drinking lemon juice frequently can help ward-off pathogens, tone the skin and condition hair. Overall, lemon has nourishing, antiseptic, diuretic and parasite-repelling effects; It can also prevent scurvy and sclerosis, as well as treat rheumatism/arthritis, gout, abdominal distention, urination disorders and general sickness. Lemon is considered the best astringent among skin care agents.
Camphor
Ancient oriental people extracted camphor crystals f o r o m camphor trees for hundreds of years. However, Western people have started to utilize it only recently from 20 th century. Camphor leaves and its branches are distilled to obtain the white camphor crystals for fragrance, condiments, antiseptic and bug repellants. Camphor essential oil can relieve pain s , promote blood circulation by massaging muscles and the chest with the oil.
Magnolia
Originally from China , magnolia has existed for 100,000,000 years. Its fragrance and the stimulus/ anesthetic effects are exploited by human to treat various diseases. Its essential oil extracted from the bark s can be used for stomach spasms, stomach ulcer, diarrhea, vomiting, cough and asthma. It also has very good antibiotic effects against typhoid, malaria and salmonella.
Myrrh
Originally from northeast Africa and Arabia , myrrh was also found between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, Mesopotamia . Ancient Egyptians burned myrrh as incense to worship sun god s and also used its essential oil for mummification because of its antiseptic and anti-inflammation functions. The fern-like leaves have refreshing smells. Its seeds taste sweet and fennel-like, and were often used in salads or as fragrance in ancient times. Its fresh leaves are the best condiments for cooking. The roots have nourishing, antiseptic and digestion-improving effects. The root infusion is used to treat anemia of elder people. Myrrh can be used as antiseptic, astringent and food supplement. It can treat inflammation, wounds, cough, oral ulcer and skin festers.
Mint
Ancient Egyptians and Israeli Jews were fascinated by the refreshing taste of mint. Greek doctor Hippocrates prescribed mint as a stimulant and diuretic. There are many different kinds of mints. The wild C c rinkle-leaved black peppermint is particularly en rich ed in menthol. Commonly seen mints such as spearmint, peppermint and apple mint are used for mint y candies and condiments. Mint infusion is very popular in many Arabian countries where alcohol ic beverages are prohibited. Mint essential oil is icy and refreshing with mild sedating effects. Therefore it is used as an additive in medications. Mint has the a stimulating effect that can help digestion and alleviate distention; it can prevent spasm and reli e ve pains as well. Mint can treat fatigue, digestive disturbance, abdominal distention, migraine, asthma and bronchial inflammation.
Parsley
Parsley seeds are with have strong aroma. Its leaves and stems are enriched in minerals and vitamins. Parsley is also a popular condiment in the kitchen. People in the Middle East eat its leaves as vegetables. The leaf infusion can be used as a skin care agent/hair conditioner and i t' s good for eyes as well. Its leaves, roots and seeds are diuretic, aging-preventing and digestion-improving. It can alleviate pains caused by rheumatism/ athritis arthritis and help uterus recover after laboring overstretches.
Peony
Its Greek name, Paeon, was after the famous ancient Greek surgeon. Japanese call peony “the food of dragons”. Its pink or whitish petals are eaten as vegetables. English people at in the 14 th century infused its seeds in sweetened wine and drank it to cast nightmares away. They also were strung into necklace s as an amulet. Its roots can be taken as food supplement and anti-spasm agent to treat illness of the head and neural system, including epilepsy.
Patchouli
Originally grown in Malaysia and India , the mini-sized patchouli has been used as fragrance for clothes. English discovered its alluring smell when they imported India cloth to make shawl s in 1820. Patchouli can ward off clothes moths. People in Southeast Asia use it as antiseptic, stimulant, and bug-repellent to treat snake/bug bites, headache, abdominal distention, vomiting, diarrhea and fever. Its essential oil is a popular ingredient in perfumes in Asia . Patchouli can promote epithelium regeneration and treat acne, eczema, athlete's foot and xerodermia. In addition, it is a potent sedative and love potion, mitigating anxiety and hyping sexual desires at the same time.
Pine
Indians in North America have known about pine's healing effects over scurvy. The pine cones and barks contained rosin potent antiseptic molecules. Its seeds are edible and were common in Roman diets. The nuts are a good condiment for cooking. The pine oil extracted from its needle-point leaves, branches and cones can be used as fragrance and to treat bronchial infection or congestion caused by flu. The tar derived from roots promotes hair growth. The pine oil also can serve as effective diuretic and adrenal gland stimulant to treat inflammation, urination disorders, fatigue, rheumatism, gout, cold and bronchial inflammation.
Rose
One of the most loved flowers since ancient times, rose is well known for its fragrance and healing power. Doctors in Arabia were the first to use rose to treat illness. Rose now is distributed over the world. The rose oil from Bulgaria is the most expensive rose-derived fragrance. The petal infusion can sooth tired skin and eyes. The leaf infusion can alleviate constipation. The external use of the leaves can heal wounds. Rose is great for killing germs, promoting the wellness of female reproductive organs and stimulating sensual feelings. It also has anti-depression, astringent, sedating and nourishing (for heart, stomach, liver and uterus) effects. It can be used to treat depression, frigidness, nausea, headache and insomnia. It is also good for skin care and uterus cleansing.
Rosemary
Ancient Greeks and Romans believed that rosemary has a magic power. Middle Age people burnt rosemary to sterilize patients' rooms. Rosemary is mainly grown in south France , Italy , Spain , Tunisia and the United States . It is a stimulant for adrenal hormone secretion. It can kill germs in lungs, alleviate hyperemia and reduce the swollenness by mosquito bites. It can treat fatigue, cold, flu, rheumatism, gout, skin festers, urns and migraine. It can help burn fat as well.
Sage
Ancient Romans regarded sage as a holy herb. There are over 500 different kinds of sages found all over the globe. They are commonly used as medicine and cooking ingredients by different people. Sage clary tastes like mint and hence is more popular and higher-priced. Sage officinalis is more effective in its healing power. It has nourishing, antiseptic, diuretic, blood pressure-stabilizing and (female) reproductive wellness-promoting effects. It can treat fatigue, stress, asthma, bronchial inflammation, menopause syndromes, low blood pressure and other chronic diseases.
Sardalwood
It was described in the oldest religious record, Nirukta, that sardalwood sandalwood had been regarded as a holy plant in India since the fifth century B.C. Sardalwood Sandalwood trees in India are under official protection by the government. Most of them are used to make essential oil. Sardalwood Sandalwood is a potent antiseptic, and is great for nourishment and stimulating sensual feelings. It can treat fatigue, bronchial inflammation, urinary tract infection and impotence. It is also used as fragrance.
Thyme
Thyme has a wide distribution and was loved by ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. Medical books tell that its essential oil was common ly used in medicine in 16 th century. It has stimulating, spasm-preventing, antiseptic and detoxicating effects. It is used to treat fatigue, digestive disorders, infections, rheumatism, edema, asthma, intestinal parasites and poisonous snake bites.
Vetiver
Vetiver essential oil is extracted from its roots. Vetuver is grown in India , Sri Lanka , Indonesia , Japa n , Viking British Virgin Islands , South America and many other places. Its strong aroma has won the name of “natural perfume”. Its essential oil is also known as calming oil with great sedating power that can effectively treat anxiety and stress.
Ylang-Ylang
Grown in the Far East and the Philippine s , Ylang-Ylang's flower can be extracted to make essential oil. It has blood pressure-stabilizing, calming, antiseptic and sexual s a rousing effects. It can be used to treat high blood pressure, parasites and impotence. It is also used in fragrance.
Wintergreen
Wintergreen is mainly distributed in North America . After 24 hours of leaf infusion, the infusion is distilled to obtain the essential oil, which is a common additive in desserts and toothpastes. Wintergreen essential oil is easily absorbed by skin and has astringent, diuretic and stimulating effects for treating muscle pains, headache, n i u mb le ness and rheumatism.
