The Herbs

Herbal remedies, also considered alternative medicine, originate from plants and plant extracts. They are used to heal illnesses and disease and to address psychological concerns.

Learning to make your own soothing oils, infusions, tinctures, and salves from fresh herbs can be both beneficial and helpful - it's also quite fascinating! The herbal information we share can give you more than enough for a start - but do be sure to check warnings and cautions. Some herbs are toxic and must be avoided.

Important: Toxic Herb List

The amount of poison in a plant tends to vary with location, age of plant, season, weather conditions, etc. In some plants, the toxin is confined only to certain parts. Additionally, plants normally considered non toxic may have been treated with an insecticide, making them toxic. The following plants may cause toxic symptoms when ingested. Included are plants which may cause dermatitis when handled.

• Asparagus Fern (asparagus plumosus) (sprengeri)
• Avocado (persea americana)
• Blue Gum ( eucalyptus globulus)
• Buddist Pine ( poddocarpus Macrophyllus)
• Cacti:
• Bunny Ears (opuntia microdasy's alkispina)
• Column (cereus peruvianus)
• Rats Tail (aporocactus flagelliformis)
• Sunset (lokwia famatimensis)
• Caladium (Angel's Wings)
• Century Plant
• Crown Of Thorns (euphorbia milii splendens)
• Cyclamen
• Dieffenbachia
• Holly
• Ivy:
• Cape ( tenecio macroglossus)
• English (hedera helix)
• German (senecio mikanioides)
• Glacier (hedera helix glacier)
• Gloire de Marengo ( hedera canariensis)
• Needlepoint (hedera helix sagittlae folica)
• Jerusalem Cherry ( solanum pseudocapsicum)
• Mistletoe (phoradendron) flavescens)
• Philodendron:
• Arrowhead ( syngonium podophyllum)
• Black Gold ( ph. melanochryson)
• Devil's Ivy (Pothos) ( scindapsus aureus)
• Elephant's Ear ( philodendron hastatum)
• Fiddle Leaf ( ph. pandurae forme)
• Green Gold (syngonium podophyllum)
• Marble Queen (scindapsus aureus)
• Ornamental Pepper ( capsicum annuum)
• Silver Vine ( scindapsus pictus)
• Split Leaf (monstera colorata)
• Sweetheart Vine (philodendron scandens)
• Red ( hemigraphis colorata)
• Umbrella Plant (cyperus)

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DISCLAIMER: These pages are presented solely as a source of INFORMATION and ENTERTAINMENT and to provide stern warnings against use where appropriate. No claims are made for any historical herbal treatment. In no way can the information provided here take the place of the standard, legal, medical practice of any country. Some plants are extremely toxic and should be used only by licensed professionals. Some plants used for illness in the past have proven to be ineffective for the problems to which they were applied.