Number 27 - Fireweed

Also known as  Rosebay Willowherb, Epilobium angustifolium has sprung up all over the UK this summer.

The plant has also been known as bombweed, due to the sudden rise in population of the plant next to railways and in craters made by bombs in World War II. The plant is also known in Scotland as Singerweed, due to its sprouting of the plants on the bombed land of the Singer Sewing Machine Factory.

The plant's shoots can be eaten as an addition to salads, and if preserved, contain Vitamin C and Pro-Vitamin A. It's leaves can be used to make Kapoori/Kaporie/Kapor tea. In North America, Fireweed jelly, sweets and ice cream are popular treats. Rosebay is taken to ease stomach and digestion issues, such as cramps and diaherra.

However, even though the shoots of the plants can be eaten like asparagus, they are incredibly bitter, and are an aquired taste.

Rosebay can be taken as Kapoori Tea, in salads, or as pills and tinctures.

(A jar of Alaskan Fireweed Jelly. Would you eat this with PJ? Product of Alaska Pure Berry)

Number 26 - Potato

We're all accustomed to the root vegetable of the Solanum tuberosum, but we may not all know about it's benefits to our health.


The potato contains fiber, vitamin C and potassium, all which are essential to a healthy diet. The potato can also be made into a paste for First Aid treatment of sunburn, burns and scrapes, as a potatoes' starch will draw the heat out the injury.


As potatoes are a member of the same family as Deadly Nightshade, the plant itself and the plant's fruits are toxic, and potatoes do become poisonous over time and turn green. Dispose of any green potatoes and cook them well. 


The potato can be used in stews and as a meal by itself. It can also be turned to the paste to treat external injuries. Jacket potatoes contain the most vitamins compared to boiled and peeled potatoes.

The popular Russet Potatoes are also nutritiousness and can be used in first aid treatments. (Product of Green Giant)

Lectures and Plants Vs. Zombies!

Crikey its been a long time! I'm sorry my followers, after my exams finished, I went out and did a lot of partying. I've very much neglected my blog and it needs some loving.

The first thing which distracted me from doing anything constructive, such as looking for a summer job or indeed updating the blog, is the Popcap video game Plants vs. Zombies. Being a lover of all plants being useful for things, I have really enjoyed the game so far. I completed Adventure Mode and I'm trying to get my Zen Garden producing some good moolah.

Adorable plushies I need in my life. I wish these dropped coins...

- I apologise, I've deleted my notes as there was a lot of identifying information on my time at University here. As I left Uni, I would no longer like this information available online. Sorry! -

I really enjoyed my weekend in Lincoln. It is a beautiful city. Although it has a lot of swans. I am going to the university in September to study Herbal Medicine. I can't wait!

#1 - #25 Recap

I feel the need to recap all the herbs so far on the blog in order to educate any new readers on the herbs I have covered. I will provide links to each post, which goes into further detail about each.

1. Chamomile. A relaxing herb. Popular as a tea.

2. Horny Goat Weed. A natural aphrodisiac.

3. St. John's Wort. An anti-depressant.

4. Devil's Snare. A deadly plant from the Harry Potter series.

5. Deadly Nightshade. A deadly plant with a strange past use.

6. Siphilium. An ancient plant, rumoured to be the origin of the heart symbol.

7. Dandelion. A common weed with surprising uses.

8. Lily of the Valley. A common perfume with the elderly, with some potential for fertility help.

9. Green Tea. Good for the soul!

10. Marsh Mallow. The origin of the popular sweet.

11. Daffodil. Dementia destroyer!

12. Meadowsweet. Helps soothe flu symptoms.

13. Ginger. The anti-nausea herb.

14. Rosehip. Used in WW2 as a source of Vitamin C.

15. Lavender. A sweet smelling plant.

16. Arnica. Used in treating a number of skin aliments.

17. Tumeric. Popular in Indian dishes.

18. Burdock. A part of the popular drink, Dandelion & Burdock.

19. Vanilla. The tastiest of all the ice-creams!

20. Henna. Popular in skin decoration.

21. Hops. Useful outside of beer!

22. Honey. It is a herb - plant extracts!

23. Witch-Hazel. Good for many skin conditions.

24. Blueberries. A tasty treat with many benefits.

25. Kava. The 'anti-energy' herb.

My next post may be either about cranberries or Plants vs. Zombies plants. I'm obsessed with that game! I apologise once again for how less frequent posts are becoming. By the end of the month, I will have completely finished college, and so can concerntrate on the blog completely.

Number 25 - Kava

Piper methysticum, kava, or kava-kava is the plant of discussion today. The plant is often used for religious and social purposes in countries such as Fiji and Tonga.

Kava can be used for sore throats or tooth ache, as it has a numbing effect. It is also used in a cola called Kava or Lava cola, and is marketed as an 'anti-energy' drink, providing a relaxing feeling rather than the boost energy drinks give.

Plant use has been known to cause certain adverse effects such as liver damage, but it is undetermined whether this is from the plants or how extracts of the plant are taken with use of various chemicals. Overuse of the plant can also cause skin rashes.

Kava can be taken in capsules, in cola or as a tea.

Kava Cola (Source Unknown)

Number 24 - Blueberry

Today's 'herb', even though we'll be looking at the health enhancements of the berry from Vaccinium plants, is the blueberry.

There are many different berries sold as 'blueberries', these can be bilberries, huckleberriesor many different berries from different blueberry plants. The blueberries themselves have some anti-inflammation properties and can protect against cancers. Blueberries can help ease uninary tract infections, and due to their properties in enhancing memory, are considered important in helping Alzheimers. Blueberries can also help ease depression. As well as the many nutrients present in the berry, it helps the body in both the digestive tract, the heart and even the eyes, helping reduce the risk of blindess.

The only risks from blueberries are that if you eat too many at once, it may conjour diaherra. The blueberry is also a diuretic, which means it increases urine flow.

Blueberries can be eaten in multiple forms: jam, pies, raw, in salads, or even as extracts.

Blueberry extract. (Product of LifeExtension)

Number 23 - Witch-Hazel

The genus Hamamelis is the plant Witch-Hazel.

The main use of witch-hazel is to help reduce bruising in the skin in a similar manner Arnica does. The plant is also used in treating acne and haemorrhoids. It is used in aftershaves and insect bite treatments. It also helps with skin conditions, like dry skin and eczema.Gargling Witch-Hazel tea can help with inflammations of the mouth and throat, and drinking the tea can help with inflammations of the whole digestive system.

Too much or too frequent, Witch-Hazel can cause nausea. Pharmacy bought Witch-Hazel often contains medical alcohols, which mean it is inappropiate for digestion.

Witch-Hazel can be bought as an ointment or cream for external use, and tea for internal use.

Witch-Hazel flower.

PS: I apologise for the lack of posts, I've had alot of work to do for college, and I'm afraid lack of posts may continue until the end of June. Thanks for reading!