The rose hip, or rose haw, is the pomaceous fruit of the rose plant, that typically is red-to-orange, but ranges from dark purple to black in some species. Rose hips begin to form in spring, and ripen in late summer through autumn. Rose hips are used for herbal tea, jam, jelly, syrup, soup, beverages, pies, bread, wine, and marmalade.

Rose Hips are considered to be an energizer due to their very high vitamin C content, much more than other citrus fruits. Rose hips have a tangy and sort of a sweet flavor and can be used fresh, dried, or preserved. The simplest use is to steep them for tea, but they can also be used in all types of foods and supplements.

Brown Seaweeds: Bladderwrack, Kelp, Kombu, Wakame

For centuries, seaweed has been of botanical, industrial, and pharmaceutical interest. Because of the high nutrient content, seaweed has been used as a food throughout Asia.

The Romans used seaweeds in the treatment of wounds, burns, and rashes. The Celts noted that ordinary seaweed contracted as it dried and then expanded with moisture. In Scotland during the 18th century, physicians used dried seaweed stem to successfully drain abdominal wall abscesses. They also inserted seaweed into the cervix in an attempt to treat dysmenorrhea. Many reports outline the use of seaweed to induce abortion. Seaweed was employed intravaginally for ripening of the cervix and was used rectally for strictures. Additionally, the Japanese and Chinese cultures have used seaweeds to treat goiter and other glandular problems since 300 BC.

Chamomile is one of the oldest favourites amongst garden herbs and its reputation as a medicinal plant shows little signs of abatement. The Egyptians reverenced it for its virtues, and from their belief in its power to cure ague, dedicated it to their gods. It has been grown for centuries in English gardens for its use as a common domestic medicine. Chamomile comes in capsule, liquid, and tea form.

A major Italian population study including 2,569 women with breast cancer found that the risk of breast cancer was reduced for increasing intake of flavones (e.g., apigenin, luteolin, tangeritin) and flavonols (e.g., fisetin, quercetin, patuletin, myricetin, kaempferol), including those found in chamomile.

Other Names: Water Spinach, Water Morning Glory, Water Convolvulus, Chinese Spinach, Swamp Cabbage, Kang Kung

Kangkong is a vegetable that grows in stagnant streams, fresh-water swamps, and pools. The cultivation of kangkong needs hardly any maintenance, as it is almost totally resistant to any pests and diseases.

Tarragon has a long tradition of use as a tea in the West and in Asia for treating upset stomach. It has been studied in combination with ginger and cardamom as a treatment for vomiting and nausea. Tarragon has also been used to treat toothaches in traditional medicine. It can be used as a digestive aid and as a mild sedative. Tarragon has also been studied as an herb to help manage blood sugar and is very effective in resolving uterine ailments.

Furthermore, tarragon oil contains a chemical (rutin) that strengthens capillary walls. Animal studies show rutin helps prevent the artery-narrowing plaque deposits closely associated with heart disease and some strokes. Tarragon’s impact on plaque prevention in human arteries is a matter of conjecture, but it just might help.

Lemongrass has powerful antioxidant effects and has been used as treatment for headaches, stomachaches, abdominal pain, and rheumatic pain. Aside from being used in flavoring and fragrance, lemongrass has also been used as an antispasmodic, hypotensive, anticonvulsant, analgesic, antiemetic, antitussive, antirheumatic, antiseptic and as treatment for nervous and gastrointestinal disorders and fevers.

Lemongrass essential oil is also effective at limiting proliferation of a type of breast cancer and a connective-tissue cancer.

Dandelions are highly nutritious and contain several vitamins and minerals to promote well-being. Dandelion leaves contains more beta-carotene than carrots, which is important for improving a person’s ability to see in dim light. The leaves contain iron, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and zinc, as well as vitamins B-1, B-2, B-5, B-6, B-12, C, D, E, and P.

Dandelions are edible and a rich source of vitamin A. It has also been used as a Chinese medicine to treat inflammation and infection. It is being studied for use in the treatment of liver disease, cancer and Alzheimer disease. Dandelions are regarded as one of the very best herbs known for gall bladder, spleen and liver complaints, and one of the safest and most active plant diuretics.