Herb 101

Select a herb of your choice and explain its properties, its appearance and what it is used for. Remember, the more detail you put, the more prospective house points you may earn.

Total Available house points: 70 (plus more 10 if you post a picture of the herb)

Remember to site your sources (websites used) and no copying and pasting!


Have fun!

Chosen herb: Parsley

Parsley is a green herb, and is common in Middle Eastern, American and European dishes, the leaf of the plant is used. It is a biennial herb, which means that it takes between 12 and 24 months to complete its lifecycle.

Often, the leaf is used as a garnish for food dishes. The flavour of parsley goes very well with fish dishes.

Parsley is also used as a breath-freshener, and German herbologists recommend its use for helping to control blood pressure.

I have included a picture as extra detail



ETA: The source I used was: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parsley

Thyme



Originally called Thymus vulgaris.Thyme prefers sandy, dry soil and lots of sun. If you live somewhere that is very cold, protect the plants in winter by protecting it heavily with pebbles, bark, compost etc.This keeps the plants from being uprooted,and so the roots don't freze. Prune regularly and remove dead flowers. Old wood should also be pruned.

Tyme can grow from six to twelve inches in height. Leaves are dark gray-green in colour, and pale pink flowers are found at the top of the stems in summer.

Thyme was grown in monastery gardens in the south of France and in Spain and Italy during the Middle Ages for use as a cough remedy, digestive aid and treatment for intestinal parasites.

Source: http://www.gardenguides.com/herbs/thyme.htm

I have chosen rosemary because it smells the most delicious lol anyways:
Rosemary: The flowers of a rosemary herb r paleish blue the smell of rosemary is somewhat camphoraceous.The leavres are 1 inch long and can be gray or dark or pale green. It is used to flavour meat such as lamb lol
Source:http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/r/rosema17.html

Chrysanthemum is derived from the flower and aerial parts of the plant. It's scientific name is Chrysanthemum Morifolium and is also known as Chrysanthemum sinense, Chrysanthemum japonense, mum, ju hua, and chu hua. It has been used to treat hypertension, angina, and fevers. It's not only a herb but also a herbal tea, and one of China's best loved traditional herbal beverages. It is known to soothe headache, sore throat, brighten eyes and improve vision.

My sources were http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/11571.cfm?RecordID=460&tab=HC and http://www.tributetea.com/herbs_chrysanthemum.asp

Oregano is derived from two Greek words meaning "joy of the mountain." It was a favorite prescription of ancient Grecian doctors. Among the Greeks, if it grew on a grave, it showed the happiness of the departed.
Oregano is a sprawling plant with small pink-and-white flowers. The leaves are the part we use, usually dried because they taste better that way.
It is a member of the mint family, and goes well with any egg or cheese dish. It tastes especially good with tomato sauce. :lol: I love it on pizza!

Source: http://www.apinchof.com/oregano1045.html

The Willow Herb (or Epilobium)

The willow herb takes its name from the Greek words of epi (meaning upon) and lobos (a pod).
The roots and the leaves are often used in domestic medicine and contain such properties as starch, sugar and resin. The young shoots can be boiled and eaten like asparagus.
In medicine, it has been use to treat sucj things as whooping cough, asthma and is known to be good for hiccoughs, although it is never accomplished as a widely used form of medicine.
There are many types of Willow herb yet there are two main forms; the Rose bay willow herb, (Epilobium angustifolium) which has been used as a substitute of tea, and the great hairy willow herb (Epilobium hirsutum).
When gathering the willow herb, you take everything, that is the stem, leaves and flower as each can be used.



Source:
http://www.naturedirect2u.com/Medicinal%20herbs/willowherb.htm

Bergamot

I have choosen the Herb Bergamot. This herb is usually 24-48 cm, it has a lovely fragrance when it is in bloom. It is frequently used in conservation projects and roadside plant. It is a cheery, colourful herb. Many animals, such as the Hummingbird, the butterfly and bees love Bergamot for its scent and bright colour. The flower is commonly used in potpourris and also to make tea. Bergamot will do well in a dry climate, it prefers sandy soil or clay or loam soil. As many other plants and herbs, Bergamot needs sun-light but will perform equally in light shade. Bergamot dislikes frost and will wait until the frost and coldness has passed and the soil to warm before it sows its seeds, this way it ensures that as much of Bergamot as possible will grow.

Information courtesy of:
http://www.gardenguides.com/seedcatalog/herbs/bergamot.htm

My choice of herb is Ginger.


Ginger came from Asian and Polynesian herbs. It is quite a potent herb It is usually a tannish color and normally grown in tropical areas.Also it was one of the first spices used in Europe. Ginger can be powdered, perserved or dried. It is used in bread, and cakes and even its ginger oil has been used as an ingredient for mouthwashes.






I used the following site to obtain my information :http://www.labspec.co.za/l_spice.htm

I chose echinacea. Echinacea is a purple plant that resembles a black eyed susan and grows in America in theGreat Plains. It is also called snake root because its root is used by Native Americans to heal snake bites. It is considered the best blood purifier and an excellent antibiotic.It activates the immune system, helping to fight off diseases.It is one of the top selling herbs in the united states.It contains essential oil, polysaccharides, polyacetylenes, betain, glycoside, sesquiterpenes, caryophylene, copper, iron, tannins, protein, fatty acids and vitamins A, C, and E. There are no known side effects of echinacea.

i used http://www.primary.net/~gic/herb/echin.htm
ciao!

Motherwort

The plant I chose was Motherwort, the technical name of Motherwort is Leonurus cardiaca. This herb is perennial, and can vary from red to purple, to pink to white. Motherwort typically blooms from June to September.

It has been used in a very small way to treat nervous disorders of the heart, respiratory congestionn, and as a general calmative. However, some people may develop dermatitis after contact with Motherwort.

Source:Herbs and Medicinal Plants Knowledge Cars

Mint


Mint (Mentha) originated in the Mediterranean and is native to Asia and Egypt. It grows best in semi-shaded areas where soil is semi-wet. Mint is basically a dried leaf with many uses.

Mint comes in many different varieties, but the most common are peppermint, pennyroyal, crinkle-leafed spearmint, spearmint, and apple mint. Each type of mint has a special use.

Some mints, like peppermint, can be added to drinks to give it a different flavor. Peppermint is also good in tea and is commonly used in flavoring ice cream and other desserts. Peppermint is also used as medicine. Peppermint can get rid of sinus and chest congestion.

Other mints like pennyroyal are toxic when taken internally. There are many other uses for pennyroyal, though. Insect repellant is made with pennyroyal. Planting pennyroyal under roses or rubbing it on a dog’s fur can help improve the health of roses and get rid of fleas from a dog.

Spearmint is often added to flavor drinks and make tea, but it most commonly used to make sauces. Types of mints like apple mint are also used to flavor drinks and make tea.

Mint is well known as a flavor for gum, ice cream, and breath mints!



My Sources:

http://www.deancoleman.com/herbs.htm#Mint

http://www.gardenguides.com/herbs/mint.htm

http://www.global-garden.com.au/gardenherbs.htm

This lesson is now closed!

The points are as follows:

Gryffindor

Duck the Duck: 25
rip_dogfather :25


raven claw

Herbaceoustraitorous: 25
So_Yun: 25
mcfly_42 : 25
Sweet Mione: 25


Slytherin

Pansy: 25
Severus Snape: 25
WytchKitty: 25
cute_polkadot_chick: 25


Hufflepuff

streams of silver: 25
Just_Ginny: 25

Deadly Nightshade
(Atropa belladonna)

This plant is most commonly thought of as a poison, though it actually has some beneficial medicinal uses especially for treatment of eye diseases, an extraction Atropine can dilate the pupil. It can also be utilized as an antidote to opium, Calabar bean and chloroform poisoning. It doesn't effect voluntary muscles but can effect involuntary muscles with paralysis, and the nervous system causing excitement and delirium in large doses.
In the form of a lotion in can lessen irritability and pain. It can be used this way in the case of rheumatism, gout, neuralgia and sciatica. In small doses it can help cardiac palpitation. In the form of a cigarette, it can be used to treat whooping cough, asthma and intestinal colic. It can be used to increase heart rate in cases of pneumonia or typhoid fever.
It can also help relieve sore throats, local inflammation and congestion. In very small doses in may help prevent scarlet fever and possibly may help treat cancer when applied externally as a poultice. It has been applied to falls for injured or sprained parts, as well as mixed with Salicylic acid and lead plaster for bunions and corns.

Winters are harsh for growing this, dead leaves may help protect this plant. For germination, plenty of water is necessary. When crushed it produces a disagreeable odor as well as a bitter taste. The root is known to be thick white and fleshy, it tend to branch and is about six inches in length. It's perennial. The stem is purple colored, stout, and about two to four feet in height, with the base not divided, but it tends to divide above ground into usually three branches, which may branch further. The leaves are dark green and dull, and of non equal size, three to ten inches in length. The upper leaves may be in pairs, with the lower leaves solo. In pairs, one leaf will be larger than the other.
In the first year, they don't grow very tall, while older plants reach heights of three to five feet, sometimes six. Veins on the leaves should be noticeable on the surface, you may find soft hairs on the leaves when they are young.

Flowers may appear in June to July until September, a dark purple to green color. Berries may appear about the size of cherry and black in color which contains numerous seeds. parents beware, the berries are attractive to children because they are very sweet and this can be deadly. Warm vinegar or mustard and water may possibly help relieve this as well as a stomach pump. The victim should be kept warm, and strong coffee,other stimulants and magnesia may help. Symptoms may include complete loss of voice, pupil dilation, continual movement of fingers and hands and bending over of the torso. It is possible for an adult to eat up to three berries without injury but not recommended. every part of this plant is poisonous to some degree, the root most of all, and should not be handled with open wounds. It is an alkaloid. Cat and dogs are susceptible to the poison though horses, birds, rabbits, goats, sheep, pigs an ass all seem okay with consumption of it. It is related to the Mandrake. Manure may be helpful in growing it. It must be kept from weeds, handpicking (while wearing gloves) is recommended. It should be thinned between years so overcrowding does not occur. Flea beetles may be injurious to this crop. It is not as common in Britain. 1/10 of a grain can cause toxic symptoms in man.


The following is what is recommended: "Preparations and Dosages:Powdered leaves, 1 to 2 grains. Powdered root, 1 to 5 grains. Fluid extract leaves, 1 to 3 drops. Fluid extract root, B.P., 1/4 to 1 drop. Tincture, B.P., 5 to 15 drops. Alkaloid Atropine, Alcoholic extract, B.P., 1/4 to 1 grain. Green extract, B.P., 1/4 to 1 grain. Juice, B.P., 5 to 15 drops. Liniment, B.P. Plaster, B.P. and U.S.P. Ointment, B.P. "









http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/n/nighde05.html source cited.