Cassia / Cinnamon [Ground] Cinnamomum cassia

A powerful antiseptic, valuable for warding off colds and 'flu and stimulating the circulation.
A delicious addition to stewed fruit and crumbles, or hot milky drinks. Makes a great spicy addition to loose incense blends.

Catnip Nepeta cataria

It's a well known fact that Cats love catnip - scatter a little catnip on their favourite cushion and give them something to purr about.

For humans, Catnip can be drunk as a soothing cuppa to help remedy insomnia and is reuptedly good for warding of chills and colds.

Chamomile [Flowers] Matricaria recutita

Makes a soothing, calming herbal tea - useful for insomnia, hayfever relief [unless you are allergic to Ragwort], and headaches.
A strong infusioncan be used as a rinse or added to bath water to soothe inflamed, irritated skin.
Facial Steam : add a handful of chamomile flowers to a pint of boiling water in a large bowl - leaning over the bowl drape a towel over your head to keep in the steam and steam for 10 mins or so. Also good for relieving sinusitis pain.

Cloves [Bud] Syzygium aromaticum

Cloves have powerful antiseptic qualities and a local anaesthetic effect. An infusion of crushed cloves makes a soothing mouthwash.
Add a bruised clove to winter drinks, or to a hot lemon and honey drink with a pinch of cinnamon, to ward off chills, coughs, colds and ‘flu.

Clove tea may help hay fever sufferers, especially if sweetened with local honey.

Coltsfoot [Leaf] Tussilago farfara

A popular folk remedy for coughs. Coltsfoot has been used for thousands of years as a smoke remedy for spasmodic coughs, asthma, catarrh, bronchitis and other lung problems.

Not recommended for use during pregnancy or while breast-feeding

Comfrey [Leaf] Symphytum officinale

Comfrey infused oil or ointment is a great remedy for skin conditions, bruises and strains.
Do not use comfrey on dirty wounds as rapid healing can trap dirt or pus. Do not take during pregnancy or while breast-feeding. Be careful when handling the dried herb - prickly!

Dandelion [Leaf] Taraxacum officinale

A cleansing, detoxifying herb and an excellent tonic for the liver. Also useful for remedying bladder infections. An infusion of Dandelion leaves can help with mild fluid retention, somach upsets and digestive problems. a stronger infusion can be added to bath water, or used as a skin rinse, to remedy eczema.

Elderflower Sambucus nigra

An infusion of Elderflowers can be drunk to soothe headaches, feverish colds and flu, has a mildly tranquillising action and makes as a soothing anti-catarrhal remedy. Used externally elderflowers are anti-inflammatory and have for centuries been used in skin and beauty treatments - most popularly to whiten skin and remedy wrinkles, freckles and blemishes. A mild infusion of elderflower can also be used to soothe tired eyes - soak a cottonwool pad in a tepid, strained infusion of elderflowers, place pads over closed eyelids and relax for 5 minutes.

Fennel Seeds Foeniculum vulgare

An excellent remedy for wind and indigestion, also very effective at warding off hunger pangs.
Try Fennel seed tea sweetened with honey as a breakfast tea - eat the seeds afterwards for their nutritional value.Fennel Tea is a folk remedy for relieving the aches and pains of flu.

Ginger [Ground] Zingiber officinalis

Ginger has been used to remedy a number ailments, from motion sickness and nausea, indigestion, coughs, colds and flu and arthritis. An excellent addition to many drinks and culinary dishes.
Makes a great spicy addition to loose incense blends.

Hops [Strobiles] Humulus lupulus

To make a Hops Sleep pillow tie the hops up in a piece of cotton, or get creative and make a small cushion / pillow, and pop it under your pillow or hang on the bedstead.
A strong infusion of hops, strained and added to bath water makes a relaxing evening bath to aid a restful sleep.

Not recommended for use if feeling low or depressed

Lavender Lavandula Angustifolio

This non-hybrid crop of Lavender has the most delicious fragrance and the most intense purple I've seen for a very very long time! Top quality - pure Lavender - this crop produces a higher concentration of the essential oils than the hybrid Lavender, and is much favoured for medicinal purposes. Can be used in exactly the same way as the hybrid Lavender [above] but may be preferred for the making of remedies [such as creams, waters, hot drinks, oils and soaps]. Limited availibility.

Lemon Balm Melissa officinalis

Makes a relaxing, calming, and refreshing cup of tea - particularly useful for stomach upsets caused by emotional worries.
Lemon Balm is also reputedly good for relieving menopausal hot flushes.

Marigold [Petals] Calendula Officinalis

Marigold infused oil can be used to soothe inflamed dry skin. The ointment is often used to remedy minor burns, and marigold cream is used on cuts and grazes.
A strong infusion of marigold petals, can be added to bath water or used as a skin rinse for inflamed skin rashes, nettle rash, and eczma.

Marjoram Origanum marjorana

Make a strong infusion of marjoram, strain and add to bath water for a relaxing, and uplifting bath. To make a sleep pillow tie a blend of marjoram and lavender up in a piece of cotton, or get creative and make a small cushion / pillow, and pop it under your pillow or hang on the bedstead.

Mugwort Artemisia vulgaris

Known as the 'mother of herbs' Mugwort can also be considered a mother to your body - taken in moderation mugwort stimulates and increases appetite, and the absorbtion of nutrients. Mugwort is also a digestive and tonic herb with excellent antiseptic properties, and is effective at elliminating worms. A strong infusion can be added to a bath to soothe tired legs. Mugwort has a history of use as a dreaming/journeying herb and makes an excellent herb for use in loose incense or as a smudging herb.

Mugwort is an emmenagogue and has a tradition of use as a labour inducer. Not for use during pregnancy.

Peppermint Mentha piperita

Makes a very refreshing cup of tea - particularly calming as an after-dinner drink or to soothe indigestion and stomach upsets.
A strong infusion can be added to footbath water to refresh and deodorise feet.
Store away from Homeopathic medicines as peppermint can andidote them. Not for children under 5.

Peppercorns [Black - Whole] Piper nigrum

Pepper is an antibacterial, and has a stimulant, antiseptic effect on the digestive tract and circulatory system.
Black peppercorns can be mixed with sea salt and used to sprinkle about the home / ritual space to dispel negative vibrations.

Raspberry Leaf Rubus idaeus

Makes a soothing, refreshing herbal cuppa. Raspberry Leaf is commonly recommended during the last 8 weeks of pregnancy to strengthen the uterus muscles and encourage easy labour. For this reason it should not be drunk during the earlier stages of pregnancy [and even then please consult your midwife first].

Red Clover Trifolium pratense

Makes a mild and sweet-like-honey flavour tea which is high in calcium, and has a demulcent quality making it useful for acid indigestion relief.
A stronger infusion can be made to remdedy bronchial and whooping cough.
Reputedly soothing for asthma and respiratory problems.

Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis

Make a strong infusion, strain and add to bath water for a morning wake-up, or to soothe sore muscles and stiffness - or use as a rinse for dark hair.

Traditionally a herb of remembrance, cleansing and protection - an ideal incense herb for cleansing and protecting.

Not recommended for epileptics or for use during pregnancy.

Sage Salvia officinalis

Infuse 1 teaspoon of sage to make a cup of sage tea - rather an aquired taste, but reputedly good for keeping colds at bay. Drink in moderation. An infusion can be gargled to soothe a sore throat, or used as a hair rinse for grey hair.

Burn Sage over charcoal blocks to cleanse a space of negative energy.

Sage is not recommended for epileptics, or for use during pregnancy or breast-feeding.

25g £1.20

Stinging Nettle Urtica dioica

Nettle Tea makes a superb detoxifying, cleansing tonic for the whole body, and is particularly beneficial to the liver and kidneys.
Nettles are anti-allergenic and the anti-inflammatory and cleansing properties make it an ideal regular cuppa for sufferers of arthritis.

Thyme Thymus vulgaris

Thyme tea boosts your body's defense system, soothes coughs and sore throats, and helps combat that low, run-down feeling. Try blending with Rosemary or Balm, and sweeten with honey to taste.
Make a strong infusion of thyme, strain and add to bath water to help nip a cold in the bud, relieve respiratory problems, soothe stiffness and generally pick-you-up. Can also be used in herbal footbaths for treating fungal infections.

Valerian Root Valeriana officinalis

Valerian Root produces a rather a pungent tasting herbal cuppa traditionally drunk to remedy insomnia [you may wish to blend it with more aromatic herbs such as passion flower, lemon balm and the likes].
A decoction of valerian root may help with chronic anxiety, nervous exhaustion and insomnia.

Another feline favourite - fill a cotton pouch with valerian root and let them chill-out. Give in moderation.

Can cause drowiness. Do not take valerian if already taking sleep-inducing drugs.

CopalResin Copamiflora officionalis

The Mayans, Incas and Aztecs regarded copal resin as extremely sacred - the Mayans would burn it at sunrise to honour the sun god. A healing resin which helps calm the mind and bring clarity.

Dragons Blood Daemonorops draco [finely ground]

Expensive stuff - but powerful - a tiny bit goes a long way! Be careful how much you add to your incense mixes - little by little is the best approach otherwise it can easily overpower the blend.

Frankincense Botswellia carteri

Frankincense has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, astringent, carminative, and sedative properties - to name but a few - and has been used medicinally since antiquity.
Frankincense cleanses the body, mind and spirit, and makes an excellent meditation incense ingredient.

Gum Arabic / Acacia Acacia senegal - sorry, currently out of stock

Considered an ideal medium for binding other ingredients without changing their attributes - commonly used as a base resin for incense (also used as a bonding substance - as the strip of gum on cigarette papers for instance).

Myrrh Commiphora myrrha

Traditionally used as an incense for the dead, and like Frankincense has been used medicinally since antiquity.