Tag Archives: Herbalism

2015 Herb of the Year- Savory


SAVORY – Satureja L. When speaking of Savory, people are most familiar with the perennial Winter Savory (Satureja montana) and the annual Summer Savory (Satureja hortensis). While more widely used as a culinary herb, Savory has also been used medicinally. … Continue reading

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Herb of the Week: Red Clover


RED CLOVER Species: Trifolium pratense Common names: Red clover, Cow clover, Meadow clover, Trefoil, bee-bread, wild clover. History/Folklore: Red clover has been used for centuries as part of herbal medicine. It has been used to treat liver disease, cancer, respiratory … Continue reading

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Herb of the Week: WITCH HAZEL


Species: Hamamelis virginiana Common names: Witch Hazel, Spotted Alder, Winterbloom, Snapping Hazelnut History/Folklore: Witch Hazel is a deciduous shrub native to North America and has been used by Native Americans as a treatment for wounds, tumors and skin ulcers by … Continue reading

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Artemisia of the Week: Wormwood


WORMWOOD Species: Artemisia abstinthium Common names: Wormwood, Absinthe wormwood, Common wormwood, Green ginger History/Folklore: The name Wormwood is derived from one of its many uses – to expel Worms and other intestinal parasites. It has been used for centuries to … Continue reading

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Herb of the Week: Ashwaganda


ASHWAGANDA Species: Withania somnifera Common names: Ashwaganda Root, Indian Ginseng, Winter cherry History/Folklore: Ashwaganda root has been used for over three thousand in Ayuverdic medicine as a general tonic and to help stabilize moods. It is a member of the … Continue reading

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Herb of the Week: Burdock


BURDOCK Species: Arctium lappa Common names: Beggar’s Buttons,Thorny Burr, Love Leaves, Gobo  History/Folklore: Burdock is a common biennial considered by many to be a weed. However, it has been used to treat a wide variety of ailments throughout history. The … Continue reading

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Artemisia of the week: WHITE WORMWOOD


Species: Artemisia herba-alba  Common names: White wormwood, Desert wormwood  History/Folklore: A short shrub that grows commonly in Northern Africa and the Middle East in desert like conditions. It has been used to treat diabetes in Iraqi folk medicine. It has … Continue reading

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Artemisia of the Week: CALIFORNIA SAGEBRUSH


Species: Artemisia californica Common names: California sagebrush, Coastal sagebrush, California sagewort, California mugwort History/Folklore: Native to California, California Sagebrush is a shrub that can attain a height of 5-8 feet whose leaves have a strong sage like aroma. It provides … Continue reading

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Visions of Spring


Here in Western Massachusetts we have over a foot of fresh snow on the ground and we are feeling that spring is so far away. We thought a pictorial stroll thought our gardens in spring would help. Please enjoy! Witch … Continue reading

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Artemisia of the Week: ROMAN WORMWOOD


Species: Artemisia pontica Common names: Petite Wormwood, Small Absinthe History/Folklore: Believed to have been brought to the Americas in the 17th century, Roman Wormwood was favored in the making of Vermouth because its taste was less bitter that A. Absinthium. … Continue reading

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