Yellow Dock

Uses: As a tea it can help hemorrhoids and act as a laxative. It can be used in a poultice to treat ringworm, Young leaves can be eaten in a salad, like spinach, and are a good source of the vitamins A and C.
Parts Used: Leaves, roots.
Harvest: The leaves and roots should be gathered in early spring, the year after planting.
Shelf Life: 1-3 years.

Wormwood

Uses: Taken as an infusion, it is a powerful, bitter, digestive stimulant and a treatment for intestinal worms. Can be applied as a poultice to ease bruises, skin inflammations, and acne.
Parts Used: Flowers, leaves.
Harvest: Flowers in August and September. Strip leaves and flowers from stem before drying.
Shelf Life: 1-3 years.
Caution: Should not be taken during pregnancy.

Vervain

Uses: Taken as a tea or decoction, it can help with insomnia, treat anxiety, aid lactation mother, and act as a good mouthwash to help treat infected gums.
Parts Used: Leaves, flower, stems.
Harvest: Before flowering, dry promptly
Shelf Life: 1-3 years.
Caution: Should not be taken during pregnancy.

Valerian

Uses: Make into a tea or chew the dried root as a sedative to ease insomnia and help with the relief of stress and anxiety. Regular use of the tea also helps to ease irritable bowel syndrome. The herb has strong antispasmodic properties that help alleviate  menstrual cramps and other stomach problems.
Parts Used: Leaves, roots.
Harvest: Leaves and roots in the fall.
Shelf Life: 1-3 years.

( Wild ) Thyme

Uses: Drink as a tea for headaches and mild pain relief. It is also thought that a tea made from wild thyme can prevent nightmares. Take as a tincture  for congested chests. A strong infusion of this herb will help ease flatulence and other digestive complaints.
Parts Used: Flowering herb.
Harvest: When the flowers are in full bloom-from May to October. If drying, toward the end of summer.
Shelf Life: 1-3 years.

Sweet Violet

Uses: As a decoction or syrup, it eases respiratory infections and as a gentle sedative effect. Apply as a poultice to relieve hangover headaches and to help sore and cracked nipples.
Parts Used: Flowers, leaves.
Harvest: In the spring of the year after planting.
Shelf Life: When dried and kept properly, the herb will last from1-3years.

St. John's Wort

Uses: Taken as tea, it is known for its ability to ease depression, and this use has come back into the public eye in recent years. It can also help to treat viral infections. As a tincture, it is good for treating mild burns,scalds and helps wounds heal more quickly.
Parts Used: Leaves.
Harvest: Use fresh as needed. If drying, in mid to late summer.
Shelf Life: 1-3 years

Spearmint

Uses: In a infusion it is a antispasmodic, reduces fevers and inflammatory conditions, and ease nausea and vomiting. In a tea sweetened with sugar, it is a good way to relieve indigestion and hiccuping in children.
Parts Used: Leaves. The oil is often used as strong flavoring in food.
Harvest: Use fresh as needed. If drying harvest the leaves in mid to late summer.
Shelf Life: 1-3 years.

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Sage

Uses: As a soothing, astringent skin lotion and aftershave. In tea it is a natural HRT treatment and eases colds and painful periods. Mix tea with cider vinegar as a gargle for sore throats and laryngitis. As a mouthwash to combat ulcers and gum infections. The juice can improve the shine of dark hair. Clary Sage shares many of its characteristics and can be used instead.
Parts Used: whole herb, leaves.
Harvest: As needed or, if drying, in the summer.
Shelf Life: 1-3 years.

Peppermint

Uses: Take as a tea for indigestion, colds and fevers, to help ease irritable bowel syndrome and to relieve headaches. The leaves or oil can also be used in the bath to ease itching skin conditions or in a soothing poultice or lotion sweaty and sore feet.
Parts Used: Leaves, flowering tops.
Harvest: When the flowers are in full bloom, in the summer.
Shelf Life: 1-3 years.

Parsley

Uses: A strong diuretic; helps strengthen the immune system as a source of iron, calcium, and vitamins A,B and C; increases lactation in mothers; freshens breath if chewed raw.
Parts Used: Leaves, roots, stems, seeds
Harvest: Leaves in early summer, rots in the fall, seeds in the late summer of the next year.
Shelf life: Leaves, stems, roots 1-3 years; seeds 3-4 years.
Caution: Avoid during pregnancy.

Oregano

Uses: Chewing oregano leaves, which are easily available from shops and supermarkets, is a perfect way to help relieve toothaches. Oregano in a fusion or tea helps to ease both coughs and indigestion and can bring on delayed periods.
Parts Used: Leaves, stems.
Harvest: As needed from a mature plant.
Shelf Life: 1-3 years.

Nettle

Uses:  Is an excellent source of vitamin C; strengthens the immune system and is good at treating eczema, especially in children. It has astringent properties that helps stop nosebleeds and uterine bleeding. It's juice is used to ease the sting from its leaves.
Parts Used: Flowers, leaves, shoots.
Harvest: In the summer.
Shelf Life: 1-3 years.

Mugwort

Uses: Take as a herbal tea to aid digestion and ease premenstrual cramps. A small cup of tea will help ease depression and general tension, especially when taken regularly.
Parts Used: Leaves, stems, roots.
Harvest: If drying the herb, the leaves should be collected in late summer and roots in the fall.
Shelf Life: 1-3 years if stored and dried correctly.

Motherwort

Uses: Made once in a tea it will help to treat heart palpitations and, when taken regularly, strengthen the heart in general. This tea is a general sedative that will aid relaxation without the need for stronger sedation along with helping to reduce fevers. It has also been used as a treatment for infertility.
Parts Used: Whole herb.
Harvest: Late in the summer.
Shelf Life: 1-3 years

( Water ) Lobelia

Uses: Ideal if suffering from a cold as it eases sneezing.The tincture can also be taken to ease headaches. Drink as a mild tea to help with ear problems.
Parts Used: Leaves.
Harvest: As needed from the mature plant. Use fresh or dried.
Shelf Life: Flowers 1-3 years, seeds 3-4 years.
Caution: Use with caution as can induce vomiting.

Field Garlic

Uses: Eaten for it's antibacterial and anti-fungal qualities. The leaves have a strong garlic flavor and can be used instead of the bulb in recipes. It's juice, mixed with water, acts an an antiseptic on wounds and sores.
Parts Used: Bulbs, leaves.
Harvested: Whole plant in early spring, bulbs in late summer or early fall when leaves have died down.
Shelf Life: Last from 5 months to 1 year.

Feverfew

Uses: In a tea to ease fevers, acts as an anti-inflammatory and promotes menstrual flow. Long-term use can also prevent migraines and help to ease the aches and pains caused by rheumatoid arthritis.
Parts Used: Flowers, leaves.
Harvest: From adult plants throughout the year.
Shelf Life: 1-3 years.
Caution: Do not use it in pregnancy do to it's stimulatory effect on the uterus.

Fennel

Uses: Fennel tea is a cleansing diuretic. It promotes lactation in mothers, stimulates appetite, and aids digestion. It also relieves flatulence and is a powerful anti-inflammatory when used in poultices or decoctions.
Parts Used: Seeds, leaves, roots.
Harvest: Seeds are harvest toward the end of summer once ripe; leaves and roots are picked from the mature plant as required.
Shelf Life: Leaves and roots between 1-3 years, seeds 3-4 years.

Evening Primrose

Uses: Taken internally, it can ease painful periods and PMT. In creams and lotions it eases eczema and acne. The pulverized root provides quick relief to bruises and piles.
Parts Used: The entire plant. Oil from the seeds.
Harvest: Seed between late summer and early fall. Parts for drying in early spring.
Shelf Life: Bark, seeds and roots 1-2 years; oil keeps for 3 months.