Number 29 - Aniseed

Anise, Pimpinella Anisum or Aniseed is a plentiful flavoured flower from the Apiacae family.

The smell and taste of the flower is sometimes overbearing, I know as a child I always found the taste to be very intimidating in the british sweet of aniseed balls. It is said to be a flavour similar to liquorice, fennel and tarragon. Medicinally, Anise can be used in relieving menstural cramps. It can also be used as a natural female hormone suppliment as it contains a type of estrogen. The plant has a calming effect, which could aid with stress and sleep issues. The essential oil can rid the head of headlice and clothes of mites.

When combined with blood, however, aniseed can cause high toxicity levels in the blood and possibily lead to death. Its oil can be harmful to an unborn child. Otherwise, the herb is pretty safe.

The plant is taken and eaten in many different ways around the world. It is often added to food as flavouring. As well as the popular British sweet, Aniseed can also be taken as a tea.

Yes, balls. Typical British. (Aniseed Balls are a traditional treat in the UK. These are branded Sweets 'N' Candy)

Number 21 - Hops

Humulus lupulus contains a hop flower cluster which are usually used to brew beers and ales with many surprising health effects.

Benefits from taking hops include soothing the spasms of irritable bowel syndrome. They can also be included in creating a pillow to help with insomnia. The herb creates 'brewers droop' in men; decreasing libido in men but increasing it in women. Hops also control hot flushes in women and premature ejaculation in men.

There are possibilities of dermatitis when harvesting the plant. Do not take hops when suffering from depression, or on any birth control as it affects the menstrual cycle.

Hops can be taken as a tincture or made into a pillow. The herb is not as effective when taken in beer.

Hops tincture. (Source: Terra Firma Botanicals)

Number 1 - Chamomile

As a basic, let us start with one of the basic herbs to any practitioner: the Chamomile flower, Matricria chamomilla.

Daisy-like in appearance, the chamomile flower is used mainly for relaxation and sleep aid. Used as treatment for insomnia.

However, as with all herbs, be careful in mixing with any prescribed medicines such as blood thinners such as Warfarin.

It is commonly sold in supermarkets as a tea with honey and vanillas. The flowers can also be used in herbal cigarettes as a relaxing smoke.

A box of Lipton's Chamomile tea, displaying the daisy-like white and yellow Chamomile plant. (Unknown Source. Lipton's tea a product of Lipton)