Cramp Bark ~ Materia Medica by Jyll Renee’

CRAMP BARK by Jyll Renee’, Master Herbologist Botanical name:  Viburnum opulus Common Name:  Guelder rose, Snowball tree Parts used:  bark, young stems, and root bark Habitat:  Cramp bark is native to both North America and Europe  Info:  Though this herb is not absolutely necessary as a tonic herb during pregnancy, it is an excellent remedy [...]

Uva Ursi

by Jyll Renee UVA URSI Botanical name:  arctostaphylos uva-ursi Common name:  Bearberry, Kinnikinnick, Mountain cranberry, Rockberry  Habitat:  The uva ursi plant is found in colder, northern climates.  It has red flowers  Info:  Uva ursi also known as bearberry because bears like eating the fruit, has been used medicinally since the 2nd century. Native Americans used [...]

Nettles

by Jyll Renee NETTLES (Stinging Nettles) Botanical name:  urtica diovica – small nettle, urtica urens Common name:  stinging nettles  Habitat:  Nettles is a leavy plant that is found in most temperate regions of the world.  The generic name comes from the Latin word “uro” which means “I burn.”  Look for nettles in rich soils, disturbed [...]

Motherwort

by Jyll Renee MOTHERWORT Botanical name: Leonurus cardiaca Common name: Lion’s ear, Lion’s tail, Yimu Cao Habitat: Motherwort came from central Eurasia, but has spread to all temperate areas of the world, primarily as a garden plant but also as an escaped weed. Info: The Greeks gave Motherwort to pregnant women suffering from anxiety.  This [...]

Mullein

by Jyll Renee MULLEIN Botanical name: Verbascum thapsus Common name: Mullein bunny ears, flannelleaf, Jacobs staff Habitat: Grows throughout the world, waysides, fields, train routes, hillsides, disturbed grounds and rich gardens across the countryside.  Mullein grows by every train track in the country.  I think the soul of this world traveler enjoys the traveling song [...]

St. John’s Wort

by Jyll Renee ST. JOHN’S WORT Botanical name:  Hypericum perforatum Common name:   Kamath weed Habitat:  St. Johns wort is found in Europe and the United States.  It is especially abundant in the northern California and southern Oregon.  The above ground (aerial) parts of the plant are gathered during flower season.  The parts used are the [...]

Slippery Elm

by Jyll Renee SLIPPERY ELM Botanical name:  ulmus rubra, ulmus fulva Common name:  Red elm, Indian elm, moose elm  Habitat:  Rulra means “red” referring to the reddish brown back or the rust color of the buds.  Dark green leaves are hairy underneath and rough on top.  They are broad and toothed; there are buds at [...]

Calendula

by Jyll Renee CALENDULA Botanical name:  calendula officinalis Common name:  marigold, pot marigold Habitat:  Calendula grows as a common garden plant throughout North America and Europe.  The golden, orange or yellow flowers of calendula have been used medicinally for centuries Info:  Calendula flowers were historically considered beneficial for reducing inflammation, wound healing, and used as [...]