Wild bergamot or bee balm Monarda fistulosa is a wildflower in the mint family widespread and abundant as a native plant in much of North America. This plant, with showy summer-blooming white flowers, is often used as a honey plant, medicinal plant and garden ornamental. The species is quite variable, and several subspecies or varieties have been recognized within it. Wild bergamot is an herbaceous perennial that grows from slender creeping rhizomes, thus commonly occurring in large clumps. The plants are typically up to 3 ft (0.9 m) tall, with a f...

Basil Oil is derived from the Basil or Sweet Basil plant, a perennial found in warm climates. It is native to Asia and has been used for thousands of years as medicine. Historically, Basil oil has been used for respiratory, digestive and kidney issues of all kinds. The oil comes from the leaf of the plant, is steam distilled and is grown in the United States. Basilis refreshing, invigorating, meditative, a sacred oil from India where it is planted around sacred places to protect them against negative influences. The oil has very high eugenic content and should not be confused with Ocimum bas...

Aniseed is the fruit of the annual anise plant of the parsley family Umbelliferae. It grows up to 60cm in height and is umbelliferous in appearance with leaves varying in shape from heart-shaped to feathery. The fruits are covered with short hairs and each contains two dark seeds with light ribs. Revered by ancient civilizations, particularly in the Middle East, Aniseed has long been used in cooking and in bread-making. The Romans hailed it as an aphrodisiac, and in India, the seeds are still chewed to sweeten the breath. It is widely used as a spice in cooking, and as an ingredient in toothp...

Valerian is derived from a Latin adjectival form of the personal name Valerius. It comes from the latin verb 'valere' meaning "being well", "feeling good", and "having a good morale". This is a reference to the medicinal properties of this plant. What a lovely name for a plant. It is truly a signature of the plants ability to support one in 'feeling good' from being well rest and feel grounded and emotionally balanced. Valerian is a hardy perennial plant. Valerian is used as a dietary supplement or herb prepared from roots of the plant. Valerian root has been demonstrated to possess sedative ...

Thyme is native to Spain and the western Mediterranean region, extending to southeastern Italy. The flowers are born in clusters near tips of shoots in early summer and then distilled either by steam or water with oil yields peaking in hot summer conditions. Thyme oil is mainly used in flavoring applications in the processed food industry. It is also used to fragrance soaps and detergents where its characteristic fresh, antiseptic aroma is desired. Thyme Folklore Thyme dates back to ancient Greece, where it symbolized courage. Roman soldiers bathed in water infused with thyme to gain vigor, co...