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We are pleased to be offering the Native American species of Calamus, a semi-aquatic plant whose root has been revered and utilized both medicinally and spiritually by Native people throughout North America for thousands of years. It was said to be wild cultivated along heavily used trade routes for accessibility during travel as chewing the root was known to increase Stamina and can also prevent motion sickness. There is more recent evidence of using Calamus root in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, diverse digestive complaints, respiratory issues, especially where the voice is compromised and as an insect repellant. Calamus requires partial to full sun and plenty of moisture with bog-like soil conditions to thrive. It has graceful Iris-like leaves and Catkin-like yellow-green flowers. It's distinctive fragrance has a spicy but sweet overtone, slightly citrus-like.The roots spread quickly and the plant will spread rapidly in moist conditions resulting in a generous herbal harvest. The FDA warns against chronic use of Calamus. It is your responsibility to do extensive research and consult with an experienced herbalist before taking any herb you are not familiar with. A lovely and useful addition to the herb garden if the right conditions are available. Full to part sun and moist, fertile soils. Hardy. Perennial. Zone 4.
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Pot Marigold, compositae-Aster family. Native to south central Europe and North Africa, this worthy medicinal is cherished for its bright orange and yellow flowers. Calendula is often grown as an ornamental cut flower and as such, many selections have been developed for color and stem length. The single petaled orange and golden yellow plants have been shown to have the highest resin content for medicinal use. The flowers have been used medicinally for hundreds of years. Traditionally used as a remedy for jaundice and headaches, the petals were considered an alternative to expensive saffron.
Applied externally, calendula actually promotes the reconstruction of skin tissue and can reduce scarring from burns and abrasions. The bitter resins of the plant have shown anti-viral properties and helped situations with lymphatic congestion. Calendula is a favorite ingredient of infused oils used in baby salves, healing salves and skin creams. Although it is considered an annual, Calendula will tolerate some freezing. In milder climates they will overwinter, often blooming again in late winter or early spring; a much needed ray of sunshine when the rest of the garden lays dormant. If your climate is colder the plants will die off in late fall, but in most cases will reseed and you will have an abundance of baby plants for harvesting later in the summer. A colorful gem in your herb garden. Hardy Annual. To Zone 10.
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Gold Poppy. This California wild flower with it's bright yellow/orange 2 inch wide cup shaped flowers, bloom above lacy blue-green foliage in the early spring. Found growing abundantly throughout the lower elevations of California, Oregon, Arizona and Nevada, it is a beautiful and worthwhile medicinal plant to naturalize in your garden. Highly regarded as an effective nervine used for anxiety, as a sedative, and in higher doses can aid with pain relief. Has been used effectively for calming agitated children. It is often used in combination with other nervines, such as Passion Flower, Valerian, or Skullcap. Easy to grow and will tend to naturalize in a garden situation. Requires full sun and preferably a well drained site. Perennial. Hardy to all zones.
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Perennial and hardy, with red-orange flowers. A South African shrub used to treat cancer. An infusion made from the leaves is a traditional remedy for fevers, chicken pox, influenza, rheumatism, hemorrhoids, diarrhea, stomach and liver problems. Zone 11.
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Tender Perennial . Spicy caraway seeds add European character to cabbage dishes, including coleslaw. Traditional use in rye bread, buns and cakes. Anti-flatulent. Biennial. Hardy to zone 5.
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This herb is a Native American medicinal used as a worming aid, a tonic to the nervous system and an anti- spasmodic. It can be used as a poultice to relieve pain. The beautiful crimson colored flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Prefers part shade and a moist location. Perennial. Hardy to zone 5.
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Cold hardy,deciduous tree, native to the Pacific Northwest and the Rockies. The bark is dried and cured for at least a year, after which it may be tinctured or made into an infusion to use as a laxative. Use with caution. Loves sun and water. Hardy to Zone 6.
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This compact perennial herb is actually not in the thyme family at all, but is closely related to Germander. Originating from the western parts of the Mediterranean, Cat Thyme has small grayish green leaves and an upright form very similar to Thyme, yet emits a very unusual, strong, musky fragrance when the leaves are crushed. This fragrance is incredibly attractive to cats and seems to be just as appealing if not more so than Catnip. Sometimes referred to as Kitty Nirvana or Kitty Crack depending on the cat! Cat Thyme eventually forms a mounded small shrub which can reach 2 to 3 feet in milder climates, and makes a great hedge plant in the front of a bed. Small, bright magenta flower spikes form in mid to late summer. Prefers an alkaline, well drained soil, full sun and is very drought tolerant once established. Hardy Perennial to Zone 5.
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An important nervine as well as a beautiful plant . Catnip is a great remedy for colds, fevers, and stressed nervous systems. Drought hardy and easy to grow. Forms a large mound of pretty green textured leaves with tall stalks of pinkish lavender flowers to 4 feet Well loved by bees, beneficial insects and Cats Perennial. Hardy to zone 3.
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Has all the same medicinal qualities as regular catnip with a strong citrus flavor. Makes a soothing and tasty tea. Cats who are heavy catnip addicts sometimes leave this plant alone. Easy to grow, quite drought tolerant and makes a large bushy specimen in the herb garden. Perennial. Hardy to zone 3.
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Ornamental groundcover form of catnip with vibrant blue flowers that bloom for months. Silvery blue/gray foliage. Great border plant and for rockeries. Does not attract cats, but has a pleasant scent and makes a flavorful tea. Hardy perennial and quite drought tolerant. Hardy zones 3-9.
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Jing Jie. This annual aromatic herb, native to China and Japan reaches about 2 feet in height with long spikes of delicate, lavender colored blooms. The aerial parts of the plant are used in Chinese medicine to stop excessive bleeding, to ease symptoms of the common cold and promote sweating. Easy to grow. This unusual herb is a useful, productive and attractive addition to the Chinese medicinal Garden. Annual.
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This type of pepper produces very long, thin, dark red fruit. These are ground to powder and used medicinally. Cayenne is used as an analgesic for sore and inflamed muscles. It can aid in stimulating appetite and can help stop bleeding when applied to a wound externally. Also found to regulate blood pressure. Commonly used in cooking, adding zest to any dish. The plants are quite beautiful when laden with bright red peppers, which can be strung and dried. Tropical Perennial. Grow as an annual.
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An herbaceous perennial that is self-seeding. This plant was traditionally used topically against warts and also as a penetrating alternative ingredient in hand and foot baths. DO NOT EAT!
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This is the wild celery used for the seed. Internally, it is used for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout and inflammation of the urinary tract. It can be used with dandelion to increase it's potency. It is used in Ayurvedic medicine for asthma, bronchitis, hiccups and flatulence. Not to be used during pregnancy. Hardy to zone 9.
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Much easier to grow than Yellow Gentian, but with the same medicinal activity. Used when there is stomach or intestinal ulceration. A self-seeding annual.
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This plant makes a wonderfully soothing tea. Traditionally used as a tonifying gastrointestinal tonic and gentle sedative, also makes a great hair rinse. Plant as a low growing mat or lawn substitute. Perennial. Hardy to zone 5.
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Vitex or Chaste Tree is a drought hardy, deciduous, large shrub. It produces lovely lavender flowers in later summer .Traditional use: This plant is prized for its ability to restore balance to the female hormonal system. Throughout Europe, where herbal medicine has more of an unbroken tradition than the United States, Vitex is the number one herb to help relieve symptoms of female hormonal imbalances, such as depression, cramps, mood swings, water retention, weight gain and other PMS symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle. Vitex extracts have been prescribed for uterine fibroid cysts and to help ease the symptoms of menopause. It is a hardy and drought tolerant small tree perennial to Zone 6.
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Annual, growing to 12 inches with finely textured fernlike leaves and clusters of tiny white edible flowers in flat umbels. Self-seeds. Prefers partial shade and can be grown in a hanging basket in a shady cool spot. Burns in hot summer sun. This annual herb is experiencing a return to popularity. It's culinary experience is enhanced by it's diuretic and blood purifying properties. Other names: Beaked parsley, garden chervil, French parsley. Self seeding annual.
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This biennial is native to England and Ireland. It is a stemmy, upright plant with a height of 2-5' and a width of 2 1/2'. The flowers are azure blue, 1-1/2" wide and close at mid-day. Blooms from July to September. Root is used as a coffee substitute. The young plant has an activity much like that of dandelion. Another bitter herb stimulating to the liver. Other names: Wild succory, wild chicory, coffee weed, blue sailors, blue dandelion, Italian dandelion, wild endive. Hardy to zone 3.
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A very lovely tree. Native to China and India. Bark was used as an emetic and to expel worms. The very hard nuts are used for making rosaries. Fragrant lilac flowers with purple centers in loose clusters in early summer. Grows 30 to 50 feet tall. This tree is closely related to the famous Neem tree. It has insecticidal properties. Zones 5-9.
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A medicinal species from China. The dried capsules are used to treat fevers, ringworm, scabies, ulcers, abscesses, tumors and hemorrhoids. They are also antibiotic. They have the same yellow flowers that appear before the leaves in early spring, as in other common forsythia varieties. Hardy to zone 5.
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Qu Mai. Beautiful cottage garden flower with highly fragrant, rosy/purplish fringed petals .The plants form a thick mat of narrow blue green leaves and send up flower stalks 1 to 2 feet high. Important Chinese medicinal that acts as a diuretic, in addition to being anti-bacterial and anti-parasitic. Chinese Pink also stimulates peristalsis and lowers blood pressure. The entire plant is used medicinally. Showy addition to the herb garden. Perennial. Hardy to zone 5.
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Safe and effective laxative. Also helps alleviate symptoms of liver inflammation, high blood pressure, headaches, and dizziness. Unusual foliage make it an eye-catching plant in the garden. Bring indoors or harvest leaves before frost. Hardy annual. Hardy zone 10.
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This perennial vine, native to southern China and Vietnam, regrows each year in early summer. The plant contains the anti-AIDS constituent trichosanthine. The kernel in the gourd is used as an expectorant. It is also used for treating skin conditions such as shingles. Hardy to zone 7.
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Da Qing. Qiug Dai. Used in Chinese medicine as an antiseptic gargle and as an anti-inflammatory to irritated liver and spleen. The plant is considered anti-bacterial and ant-viral. Leaves and roots have been used for flu, measles, hepatitis, and mumps. Both varieties have been used historically as a source of blue dye prior to the introduction of Indigo. Easy to grow perennial with leathery blue-green leaves sending up stems with delicate yellow flowers. Considered a noxious weed in CA, OR and WA. Hardy to zone 3.
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This vigorous climbing plant has unusual violet green bell shaped flowers. Will die down completely each winter and come back from the roots quite late in the spring. Harvest roots after 3 years. Traditional use: this is an important Chinese medicinal herb similar in action to ginseng. It's sweet tasting roots have been shown to boost red blood cells and hemoglobin counts. It has been used as a tonic for treating anemia, fatigue, poor appeite and diabetes. Sometimes called the Poor Mans Ginseng. Perennial. Hardy to zone 5.
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This excellent selection is a productive strain for home garden and medicinal use. It has the highest allantoin content. very productive of biomass for the homestead Bocking no.14.
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Comfrey has been used for centuries for healing wounds, ulcers and broken bones. Tea and poultices of leaves or roots are used. Comfrey contains allantoin, a hormone-like substance that stimulates cell division. This variety is the original medicinal comfrey which produces viable seed and high quality roots and leaves for medicine Hardy perennial to zone 3.
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I have been obsessed with this adorable, carpet-like groundcover for years. It can handle light foot traffic, has sweet light blue flowers in summer and smells quite strongly of mint. An excellent choice for a rockery effect in cooler and shadier areas. I once saw it used as the floor of an outdoor shower, which made for fragrant bathing!! This whimsical little plant is also nice in containers where it will spill right over the edges. The strong fragrance and emerald green color are very pleasing to the senses. Perennial. Hardy to Zone 6.
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![Calamus Root [Acorus Calamus] Beewort, Bitterroot, Calamus/Acorus - Product Image](http://www.crimson-sage.com/shop/images/Calamus-Root-Acorus-Calamus-Beewort-Bitterroot-CalamusAcorus-100270-436.jpg "Calamus Root [Acorus Calamus] Beewort, Bitterroot, Calamus/Acorus")
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