How to Use Gentian

Gentian is a large perennial herb indigenous to cen­tral and southern Europe and Asia Minor. It is a highly ornamental plant with yellow star-shaped flow­ers. Yellow gentian will grow in…

How to Use Ginseng

Ginseng is familiar to many as a wonderful tonic to increase energy and vitality, improve mental and physical performance and protect against the effects of stress. The name ginseng is…

How to Use Greater Celandine

Greater celandine is a member of the poppy family and shows many of the poppy's actions in healing. It is indigenous to Europe and is remarkably resilient, flourishing where other…
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How to Use Hawthorn

This attractive member of the rose family has sweet-scented snow white blossoms covering hedge­rows in spring as a herald to summer, and bright red berries in autumn. Almost all parts…

How to Use Honeysuckle

Herbal remedy Twelve species of honeysuckle, out of about a hun-dred, are used medicinally. The leaves and flower buds are rich in salicylic acid, meaning that they can be used…

How to Use Horse-chestnut

The magnificent horse-chestnut tree with its pyrami­dal flowers in white, pink or yellow, is a native of India and was brought to Europe in the mid-17th century. It is also…

How to Use Jasmine

Herbal remedy Jasmine has an affinity for women and the female reproductive system and has been used in healing women for many centuries. In Ayurvedic medicine jasmine is used for…
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How to Use Lady’s Mantle

The name Alchemilla derives from the Arabic word alkemelych meaning alchemy, for this attractive plant with its elegant foliage and lacy yellow flowers was a favourite of the medieval alchemists.…

How to Use Lady’s Slipper

There are 50 species of Cypripedium, one of the most beautiful of the wild orchids, which in the past could be found in Europe, Asia and North America. Lady's slipper…

How to Use Larch

Larch is a conifer which is indigenous to hilly areas throughout Central Europe where it can be found in large forests. It was introduced into England in 1639 for its…

How to Use Nasturtium

This lovely bright and colourful annual is one of the easiest and most rewarding flowers to grow from seed. Nasturtiums come from tropical South America, where they are perennial. They…
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How to Use Oak

The oak is the most majestic of trees, and although it grows all over Europe it is regarded as being pecu­liarly English. The Common or British oak is intricately linked…
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How to Use Opium Poppy

The bright red corn poppy is a familiar sight in un-sprayed wheatfields and likes to grow on disturbed land, such as ploughed or battle ground. From European battles of the…

How to Use Oregon Grape

Oregon grape is an attractive ever­green shrub with fragrant flowers. The stoneless berries used to be made into jams, and were valued as a remedy for malaria and intermit­tent fevers.…

How to Use Peony

This beautiful and exotic-looking flower comes from a family of 33 different species, native to Europe, China and North America. The peony is one of the most popular garden flowers…

How to Use Periwinkle

The periwinkle with its soft blue windmill-shaped flowers is a hardy evergreen plant with shining leaves making good ground cover in winter, earning its common name, joy of the ground.…

How to Use Pine

The majestic evergreen scotch pine has been revered for centuries in many parts of the world for its sym­bolic significance and medicinal value. It also has great economic value as…

How to Use Purple Cornflower

The Echinaceas are beautiful plants with pink to pur­ple daisy-like flowers. Their petals fall to reveal black spiny seed heads - the name Echinacea comes from the Greek echinos, meaning…

How to Use Sage

Herbal remedy Sage is highly antiseptic with antibacterial and antifungal properties. In the past it would have helped with intestinal and chest infections which could often have been fatal. Sage…