So without further ado.....
~Peace~
Herbs And Fruits Of Spring
Description: Creeping perennial herb with small white flowers
Habitat: Waysides and meadows of Europe and North America
Parts Used: Aerial
Preparations: Infusion or tincture, compress, poultice
Medicinal Action: Is a digestive tonic and diuretic, encourages bile flow, stimulates circulation, treats hay fever, is an astringent and an antispasmodic.
Active Ingredients: Volatile oils, salicylic acid, sterols, alkaloids
****Safety Note: May cause allergic reactions in some people****
Description: Deciduous shrubby tree, growing to a height of up to 30 ft. with heads of creamy white flowers in May; June and July, followed by purple berries in August and September.
Habitat: Grows commonly, but is especially abundant in hedgerows, woods, scrub and waste ground.
Parts Used: Flower Heads
Preparations: Infusions, lotions
Medicinal Action: The elderflower is an emollient, expectorant and diuretic; is anti-inflammatory; treats respiratory complains or feverish colds; and can be used externally for treating chapped hands.
Active Ingredients: Rutin, glycosides, phenolic acids, triterpenes
Description: Perennial herb. Inconspicuous flowers
Habitat: Widespread weed in wasteland or unshaded places.
Parts Used: New leaves flowering in spring, root
Preparations: Soups, vegetable, infusion, ointment, decoction.
Medicinal Action: Nourishing , anti-allegenic , anti-inflammatory. For hay fever, arthritis, eczema, gout and sprains.
Active Ingredients: Flavonoids, histamine, acetyl choline
Description: Perennial herb with deeply lobed leaves, hollow stem and yellow inflorescences. Large tap root .
Habitat: A widespread weed in temperate climates, thriving on disturbed ground.
Parts Used: Leaves and roots
Preparations: Leaves in salads, juice of leaves, infusions.
Medicinal Action: Diuretic, well known for its detoxifying and stimulating properties; a nutritious tonic ; stimulates kidneys, reduces fluid retention and dissolves gall stones; can be applied externally for acne, psoriasis and eczema.
Active Ingredients: Bitter glycosides, carotenoids, minerals (iron, potassium), vitamins A, B, C and D
Description: Perennial herb white yellow bell-shaped flowers
Habitat: Ancient hay meadows, pastures on limy soil.
Parts Used: Flowers, leaves, root
Preparations: Infusion, tincture, ointment
Medicinal Action: Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and sedative. For coughs, mucus, insomnia.
****Safety Note: Don't take if allergic to aspirin or if taking anticoagulants****
Description: Perennial herb with pair of large elliptical leaves and inflorescences of fragrant, bell-shaped white flowers in May and June followed by red berries.
Habitat: Native to Western Europe and North America, confined to woodlands.
Parts Used: Leaves
Preparations: Tincture
Medicinal Action: Diuretic, heart tonic and can also be used as a prugative. Encourages regular heartbeat and improves blood flow to the heart and throughout the cardiovascular system.
Active Ingredients: Cardiac glycosides, including cardenolides and convallotoxin
****Safety Note: Use in small doses and only under medical supervision****
Description: Bright yellow flowers
Habitat: Wood perennial
Parts Used: Aerial, latex
Preparations: Tincture, latex extract.
Medicinal Action: Anti-inflammatory, diuretic, liver stimulant and sedative; relaxes bronchial tubes and improves bile flow; treats warts, eczema, and ringworm.
Active Ingredients: Isoquinoline alkaloids
****Safety Note: Take only under medical supervision****