| Yarrow | Achilleum millefolium | Internally, yarrow is used to stop bleeding, and drunk in tea form to alleviate colds and flu. Used as a diaphoretic tonic and stimulant, and for menstrual problems. Especially useful at the commencement of a cold to produce perspiration. A diaphoretic which will break a dry fever and make you sweat. Good to relieve mild stomach upset from overeating. The bruised fresh leaves may be laid on a small cut or shaving nick to stop the bleeding. As a poultice, is also useful for infections and swellings. A decoction is used for haemorrhoids. It is said to prevent baldness if used as a hair tonic. |
| Wormwood | Artemesia absinthum | Tonic and stimulant, and can be used as a vermifuge (to expel worms). |
| Witch Hazel | Hamamelis virginiana | The distillation is commonly available, and used as an astringent and to relieve bruising and bleeding and general skin irritations. Can be applied to relieve the pain and swelling of insect bites. Internally, a tea of the leaves is used for internal bleeding. |
| Violet | Viola odorata | Violet leaf tea is used for nervous headaches and to calm and strengthen the nerves. The scent of fresh violets is also supposed to cure a headache. |
| Vervain | Verbena officinalis | Used externally as an astringent. Internally, the tea is drunk for asthma and bronchitis. |
| Valerian | Valeriana officinalis | The root is smelly but very effective as a tranquilliser and aid to sleep. It allays pain and acts as a sedative on the nervous system. |
| Thyme | Thymus vulgaris | Infusion of thyme is supposed to cure sore throats and catarrh if taken regularly. In ointment form, thyme will relieve swellings, and can promote a clear complexion. A cup of the tea at night will often soothe away insomnia.
The oil is an extremely powerful antiseptic and disinfectant. An infusion can be drunk for poor digestion, colds, colic, whooping cough and internal infections. Will promote perspiration if taken at the beginning of a cold. An infusion can be used as an external skin wash for scabies, gout, rheumatism and all skin conditions. |
| Tea Tree | Melaleuca leucadendron var. Cajeputi | Use the oil full strength or diluted with olive oil for scratches, insect bites, itches, minor wounds and abrasions. Rub into sore, aching muscles and joints to soothe the pain of sprains, strains, rheumatism. Use full strength as an emergency application for frostbite. Will help if applied directly to pimples, boils and flaky skin rashes. |
| Tansy | Tanacetum vulgare | The leaves repel insects and can be hung, strewed, or used in sachets for this purpose. |
| Strawberry, Alpine | Fragaria vesca | Garden strawberry may be substituted if necessary. Infusion of strawberry leaves added to bath water eases aching leg muscles; the tea is said to be good for bleeding gums and sore mouths. A sliced strawberry rubbed over the teeth regularly will clean and whiten; the fruit used as a face mask or in lotions and creams has been used to whiten the skin and bleach freckles.
Strawberries are high in iron and mildly laxative. A decoction of the dried root, sweetened with honey, has a diuretic effect. Strawberry leaf tea can be drunk to neutralise excessive stomach acid, and is added to the bath to ease aches and pains in the legs. |
