Botanical Name: Ocimum sanctum| Family: Lamiaceae Common name(s): Holy Basil, Tulsi, Sacred Basil GROWING SOWING Grown as an annual in colder zones. Native to India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, southern China, Thailand, and Malaysia. Can be direct sown after the last frost or started indoors 6 weeks before planting.…

Botanical Name: Curcuma longa | Family: ZingiberaceaeCommon name(s): Turmeric, Jiang huang, HaldiGROWINGPerennial; herbaceous | Zones 10 – 11 (if grown inside, minimum temperature is 64 degrees) | 40 inches tall | Long, oblong green leaves (the undersides are lighter green) | Yellow-white flowers on long spikes | Seeds are sterileRhizomes are orange…

Botanical Name: Nepeta hederacea (syn. Glechoma hederacea, Nepeta Clechoma) | Family: Lamiaceae or LabiataeCommon name(s): Ground Ivy, Creeping Charlie, Ale Hoof, and many more!GROWINGHerbaceous; perennial vine | Zones 3-10 | up to 8 inches | Small lavender flowers in the springSun to shade | Likes damp ground, but really grows everywhere.HARVESTINGHarvest when…

Botanical Name: Mentha pulegium | Family: Labiatae Common name(s): Pennyroyal, European pennyroyal GROWING Perennial; herbaceous | Zone 7-9 | 10-12 inches tall | Lavender flowers in whorls mid to late summer Full sun to partial shade| Well-drained soil | Propagate via root divisions or cuttings. Can also start from seed. HARVESTING Harvest the aerial parts during the growing season PREPARATION / DOSAGE Infusion: Pour…

Botanical Name: Ginkgo biloba | Family: Ginkgoaceae Common name(s): Ginkgo, Maidenhair Tree, Bai Guo (Chinese) GROWING Tree, deciduous | Zone 3-8 | 100 feet tall | Fan-shaped, 2-lobed, green to yellow leaves | Flowers on both male and female trees | Foul-smelling seeds on female trees Grows in a variety of conditions and thrives where many trees won’t…

Botanical Name: Glycyrrhiza glabra | Family: Leguminosae Common name(s): Licorice GROWING Tender perennial | Zones 7-10 | 4-5 feet tall | Lavender and white flowers in mid to late summer Well-drained soil | Full sun to partial shade | Hot climate HARVESTING Harvest the rhizomes the third year with a needle-nose spade in the spring or fall PREPARATION / DOSAGE Decoction: Boil 1/2-1…

Botanical Name: Linum usitatissimum & perenne | Family: Linaceae Common name(s): Flax, Linseed, Prairie Flax (perennial version) GROWING Common flax is an annual variety that is grown as a farm crop for both fiber and seed. There is information about it in A Modern Herbal. Since I am unlikely to ever grow a crop of flax, the information…

Botanical Name: Althaea officinalis | Family: Malvaceae Common name(s): Marsh Mallow GROWING Perennial; herbaceous | Zones 5-8 | 3-4 feet tall | Pale pink flowers mid to late summer Prefers open meadows near water | Grows in sun or shade HARVESTING Harvest the deep roots in spring or fall. Harvest the flowers and leaves at any time. PREPARATION /…

Botanical Name: Chondrus crispus | Family: Gigartinaceae Common name(s): Irish Moss, Carrageenan GROWING Perennial; seaweed | Grows along the European and North American Atlantic coast | dark purple to yellowish-brown in color Grows just below the water to depths of 75 feet. Attaches to rocks. HARVESTING Harvest in the summer (in North America) with a rake and let…