9 Familiar Herbs

for Beginners
Min i-Mo no g ra p hs an d r e c ip es

Page 1
 Ta b le of Contents

What is a Plant Monograph? 4

Lavender 8
Peppermint 10
German Chamomile 12
Thyme 14
Ginger 16
Rosemary 18
Red Clover 20
Nettle 22
Dandelion 24

Copyright 2016 ­Herbal Academy, 24 South Road, Bedford, MA 01730

Page 2 Permission to make one copy for personal use is hereby granted to recipient.
Page 3
 What is a

plant monograph?

As you study the properties and actions of individual herbs, you may consider
starting your own materia medica, a body of collected knowledge on plants, often
including plant monographs. The word monograph comes from the Greek word,
“monographia.” Mono [single] + grapho [to write]. In other words, a monograph is
a detailed writing of a single subject — in our case, herbs.

Start small, and introduce yourself in theory and in person to each plant as you
begin your journey with the herbs. Ask each plant to impart its wisdom, use your
senses, and simultaneously research written resources filled with information
about the specific topics covered in each monograph.

We recommend writing a monograph for each herb you encounter as you study
herbs, embedding it in your memory using both the physical act of writing about it
and the intellectual requirements of research and
critical thinking and inquiry.

Page 4
m on og ra phia mono [single] + grapho [to write]
 Throughout this ebook, we will highlight several herbs in mini-monographs
along with recipes and links for further reading. Each of these herbs are also featured
in more detail in The Herbarium’s extensive plant database.

The Herbarium database includes some of the most beautiful and complete
monographs to date, pulling together traditional herbal wisdom, hands-on experience,
and modern scientific research to present a multifaceted description of each herb.
Along with quick facts, there is detailed information on the medicinal uses of each
plant. Multiple images and botanical prints, scientific research, and information
on botany, energetics, safety, preparations, and dosage make these monographs
wonderful tools for learning for students and curious dabblers.

http:/ / he rbari u m . he rbal ac ade m yo f n e. c o m

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Page 7
 Lavender
Lavendula officinalis (Lamiaceae) – Unopened Flower Buds

Lavender is a d eli g htf u lly a ro m ati c n er v i n e th at c an b e taken i n ter n al l y as t ea o r

tincture to u p li f t the em o ti o ns, reli eve h ead ach e an d an x i ety, an d ease o n e i n to
slee p. Lavend er i s u s ed fo r i ts rela xi n g ef f ec t - si m p l y sm el l i n g th e vo l ati l e o i l s o f
this pla nt h a s a c a lm i ng ef f ec t d u ri n g ti m es o f stress an d ten si o n . I n ad d i ti o n to
being used a s a nerv i ne, lavend er i s al so c ar m i n ati ve ( ai d i n g d i gesti o n an d rel i evi n g
g a s), a ntisp a s m o d i c to the g a s tro i ntesti n al system ( rel ax i n g sp asm s asso c i ated w i th
a nxiety a nd tens i o n), a c i rc u lato r y sti mu l an t ( i n c reases c i rc u l ati o n to th e p er i p h er y o f
the body—p erf ec t fo r s o m eo ne w i th c o l d h an d s an d f eet) , an d an an ti m i c ro b i al an d
a ntise ptic u s ef u l fo r d i s i nf ec ti ng c u ts an d wo u n d s. L aven d er al so so o th es th e i tch an d
pa in of ins ec t b i tes a nd s o o thes a nd ai d s h eal i n g o f bu r n s.

Page 8
 Herbal Steam for Beauty
IN G R E DIE N T S

1/2 c u p d r i ed l avend er

3-qua r t p o t o f b o i l i ng w ate r

DIR E C T I O N S

Set the pot of boil ing w ater o n the ta bl e. A d d l avend er bu d s.

C over your hea d with a towel a nd ho l d yo u r f a c e over the

steaming pot for a few m i nu tes. B e c a ref u l no t to g et to o c l o se a s
the stea m c a n bu r n yo u r ski n!

When you are done, w a sh yo u r f a c e w i th a c l ea nser a nd then

r inse your skin w i th c o o l w ater to c l o se yo u r p o res.

More o n L av e nde r

Lavender Plant Monograph in The Herbarium

Heaven in a Bottle
Lavender Bath Salts
 Peppermint
Mentha piperita (Lamiaceae) – Leaves

Pe pper m int s ti mu lates d i g es ti o n a nd rel axes

tension, so i s help f u l fo r d i g es ti ve d i s o rd er s
a ssociated w i th p a i n a nd s p a s m , f ro m g as
a nd colic a nd c ra m p s to na u s ea a nd vo m i ti n g
to dia r rhea. It ha s a c o o li ng q u a li ty so m i gh t
be best for s o m eo ne w i th to o mu ch h eat
in the g ut o r i n g enera l. T he vo lati l e o i l s
in pe pper mi nt a re a nti m i c ro b i a l a nd are
ef fective a g a i ns t a ra ng e o f b a c teri a l , vi r al ,
a nd fung a l i nf ec ti o ns, a nd p e p p er mi n t i s a
tra ditiona l treatm ent fo r f ever s, c o l d s, an d
f lus due to i ts a nti m i c ro b i a l p ro p erti es as
well a s its ab i li ty to s ti mu late the rel ease
of heat from the b o dy d u ri ng a f ever.
Inha lation o f the vo lati le o i ls i n
pe pper m int o i l o r tea help s reli eve n asal
cong estion i n the m o s t p lea s a nt, a ro m ati c
way. As a nerv i ne, p e p p er m i nt i s b o th
rela xing a nd s ti mu lati ng to the nervo u s
system, ca l m i ng a nxi ety a nd reli ev i n g
tension, bu t c a n a ls o b e u s ed to rech arge
vita l energ y, i nc rea s e m enta l c la ri ty, an d ai d
concentrati o n. Pe p p er m i nt’s hi g h es sen ti al
oil content m a k es i t u ns a f e i n hi g h a m o u n ts
during preg na nc y o r fo r yo u ng chi ld ren , an d
it ca n a lso a g g ravate hea rtbu r n.

Page 10
 Peppermint Sun Tea
IN G R E DIE N T S

1/2 cup dr ied o r 1 c u p f resh p e p p er m i nt l eaves

1 / 2 g a l l o n ta p w ater

DIR E C T I O N S

Pl ace pe pper mint a nd w ater i n a 1 / 2 g a l l o n g l a ss j a r.

Set in a su nny p l a c e fo r 2 -8 ho u r s.

Refr iger ate a nd enj oy a s a c o l d d r i nk.

g pick-me-
ly coolin r’s day. up
A wonderfulhot
for a summe

More o n P e pp e rm i nt

Peppermint Plant Monograph in The Herbarium

Real Peppermint Hot Cocoa
Homemade Calamine Lotion
Page 11
 German Chamomile
Matricaria recutita (Asteraceae) – Flowers

Ch am om i l e i s a gen t l e, s o o t hi ng ner v i ne t hat

e as e s anxi et y a n d t en s i o n a n d c o o l s st r ess-r el at ed
ange r and i n f l a m m a t i o n . I t i s wel l l oved by adul t s
and ch ildr en f o r c a l m i n g t h e ner vo us sy st em
in p rep ar a t i o n f o r s l eep. C h a m o m i l e i s a g r eat
d ige s tive a i d d u e t o i t s c a r m i nat i ve, ant i spasm o di c,
and anti- i n f l a m m a t o r y a c t i o ns. It eases di gest i o n
by re lax in g mu s c l es i n t h e d igest i ve t r ac t and
re liev ing c r a m p i n g. A s a m i l d bi t t er, i t st i mul at es
ap p e tite a n d t h e l i ver. I t i s a lso used fo r t he
tre atm e n t o f s t o m a c h u l c er s, c o l i c, and m enst r ual
cramp s, a s wel l a s t h e em o t i onal sy m pt o m s
as s ociated w i t h P M S.
Page 12
 Soothing Bedroom Spray
I N G R E DIE N T S

8 ounces g l a ss or stai nl ess steel sp r ay b o ttl e ( avo i d p u tti ng

essential o i l s i n p l a sti c c o nta i ner s)

4 oun c es w i tch ha zel ex tr a c t

4 o u nc es d i sti l l ed w ater

5-10 drop s cha m o m i l e essenti a l o i l

3-7 drop s c ed a r wo o d essenti a l o i l

3-5 dro p s va ni l l a essenti a l o i l

3-5 drops p a l o sa nto essenti a l o i l *

* B e sure to choose only ethi c a l l y g athered p a l o sa nto, a s thi s i s

an end a ng ered p l a nt

DI R E C T I O N S

C ombine al l i ng red i ent s i n yo u r b o ttl e.

Sha ke wel l before use and sp r ay i n the b ed ro o m o r o n the b ed o r

pil l ow before going to b ed to hel p enha nc e a g o o d ni g ht’s sl ee p.

You ca n a l so use this in the ho u se when there i s a l o t o f stressed

energ y, ag g ression, and a ng er a sso c i ated w i th stress to hel p
peopl e cal m d ow n, b reathe, a nd rec o nnec t.

Recipe by Amanda Klenner, on the

Academy Blog

Mor e o n Cham o m i l e

Chamomile Plant Monograph in The Herbarium

Soothing Nighttime Tea and Bedroom Spray
Chamo-Berry Banana Smoothie
 Thyme
Thymus vulgaris (Lamiaceae) – Aerial parts

T h e h i gh vo l ati l e o i l c o n ten t o f thy me

c o n tr i bu t es to i ts stro n g an ti m i crobia l
an d d i ap h o reti c ac ti o n . I t i s w ar ming a nd
d r yi n g, so thym e i s go o d fo r c o l d a nd wet
resp i r ato r y c o n d i ti o n s an d c an stimul ate
ex p ec to r ati o n . I t c an b e c o n su med in
tea an d u sed i n si nu s steam s. I t is a l s o
h el p f u l fo r so re th ro ats an d c o nv ul s ive
c o u gh s d u e to i ts an ti sp asm o d i c a ction.

Page 14
Thyme Honey for Respiratory Support
IN G R E DIE N T S

1 c u p r aw ho ney

1/4 cup d r i ed p ow d ered thym e

Ster i l i zed , d r y j a r a nd l i d

DIR E C T I O N S

Pl ace honey and her bs i nto ster i l i zed , d r y j a r a nd p l a c e i nto a

doubl e b o i l er over l ow heat.

Heat g entl y for 15 t o 20 m i nu tes, b ei ng su re no t to l et the ho ney

b o i l o r sc o rch.

Stir, then rem ove f ro m heat a nd c o o l .

When compl etel y c o o l ed , sea l a nd sto re.

Honey can be used imm ed i atel y, bu t fo r a stro ng er ho ney, l eave

pl ant mater ial in ho ney fo r two wee ks b efo re u si ng.

Mo re o n T H Y ME

Making Herb Paste

Lice Home Remedies
5 Easy Herbs to Grow
 Ginger
Zingiber officinale (Zingiberaceae)– Rhizome

Pung ent a nd w a r m i ng, thi s tro p i c a l r h i zo m e

is a ntim icro b i a l, reli eves na u s ea , a i d s d i gesti o n ,
a nd is a g enera l a nti -i nf la m m ato r y. G i n ger
is a potent a nti v i ra l a lly fo r c o ld s, f l u , an d
respirator y i nf ec ti o ns ; thi ns mu c u s an d su p p o r ts
expectoratio n, a nd a s a d i a p ho reti c h el p s th e
body move heat tow a rd the exte ri o r o f th e b o dy
to prog ress thro u g h f ever. Its a nti mi c ro b i al
a ction is a ls o help f u l i n the c a s e o f G I tr ac t
infections. G i ng er i s well k now n a s a c ar m i n ati ve
a nd dig esti ve a i d , reli ev i ng g a s whi l e i ts
a ntispa smod i c a c ti o n a llev i ates c ra mp i n g an d
g riping a s well a s na u s ea , m o ti o n s i c kn ess, an d
mor ning si c k nes s. G i ng er s ti mu lates c i rc u l ati o n
a nd bring s w a r m th to the extrem i ties, n i c e fo r
wa r m ing a b o dy chi lled by weather o r f l u .

Page 16
 Basic Cold & Flu Tea
I N G R E DIE N T S

3-4 sl ic es f resh g i ng er w i th ski n

1 c l ove cho p p ed g a rl i c

1 c u p w ater

C ayenne p ow d er

Tea of choice ( bl a c k, g reen, o o l o ng, her b a l )

H o ney to ta ste

Mil k/m i l k a l ter nati ve, o p ti o na l

DI R E C T I O N S

Si mmer 3-4 sl ices of fresh g i ng er ( ski n o n) a nd o ne c l ove o f cho p p ed

g a rl ic in one cup of w ater fo r a p p rox i m atel y 2 0 m i nu tes.

Use g ing er water to st ee p tea ( bl a c k, g reen, o o l o ng o r her b a l tea ) .

Add cayenne powder as ho t a s c a n b e to l er ated to i nd u c e sweati ng.

A d d ho ney to ta st e.

Add mil k or dair y al ter nati ve ( a l m o nd , soy o r o ther ) i f d esi red .

Dri nk 3 -4 c u p s p er d ay.

Dr ink before bed a nd bu nd l e u p to i nd u c e sweat.

M o re o n G i ng e r

Ginger Plant Monograph in The Herbarium

3 Reasons to Eat Ginger During Wintertime
Warming Ginger Cayenne Salve for Natural Pain Relief
 Rosemary
Rosmarinus officinalis (Lamiaceae) – Leaf

Wa r ming a nd d r y i ng, p u ng ent a nd b i tter, ro sem ar y i s an

a lly for the d i g es ti ve, nervo u s, a nd ci rc u l ato r y system s.
Rosem a r y inc rea s es c i rc u lati o n to th e b r ai n , i m p rovi n g
focus a nd mem o r y, a nd red u c i ng ner vo u s ten si o n th at
may ca use hea d a ches. It’s a fo lk rem edy fo r an x i ety,
de pression, i ns o m ni a , f ati g u e, a nd s tress. A wel l -kn ow n
dig estive to ni c , i ts a nti s p a s m o d i c a n d c ar m i n ati ve
a ctions a re g o o d fo r d i g es ti ve u p s et resu l ti n g f ro m stress,
a nxiety, a nd tens i o n. A s a nerv i ne, ro sem ar y rel axes
a nd uplifts the s p i ri t. Its vo lati le o i l s are an ti se p ti c ,
a ntiba cteria l, a nd a nti f u ng a l, m a k i n g ro sem ar y an
im porta nt a lly fo r f i g hti ng i nf ec ti o n . I t sti mu l ates
blood f low thro u g ho u t the b o dy, m ovi n g h eat o u tw ard
to reduce a f ever o r w a r m the extrem i ti e s, o r b r i n g o n
menstrua l f low. Only c u li na r y a m o u n ts o f ro sem ar y
should be u s ed d u ri ng p reg na nc y.

Page 18
 Fresh Carpet Powder
I N G R E DIE N T S

2 c u p s b a ki ng so d a

5 drops ro sem a r y essenti a l o i l

5 dro p s l em o n essenti a l o i l

Q u a r t m a so n j a r

DI R E C T I O N S

Put ba king soda and essenti a l o i l s i nto j a r, a nd c l o se.

Sha ke i t u p to m i x i n the o i l s.

If yo u have an ol d sp ice jar or po wder

your caton spusrine kltheat., butot itmakeis noitta
colitnttlaine ereasie
necessary

Mo re o n R o s e m ary

Rosemary Plant Monograph in The Herbarium

5 Kitchen Herbs for Cold Season
Making Bouquet Garni
 RED CLOVER
Trifolium pratense L. – Flower head

Red clover i s a d i u reti c a nd a lterative w i th an af f i n i ty fo r th e l ym p h ati c system an d

liver, helpin g the b o dy to a s s i m i late nu tr i en ts an d rem ove m etab o l i c w aste p ro d u c ts. I t is
helpful for c o nd i ti o ns res u lti ng f ro m th e bu i l d u p o f tox i n s i n th e b o dy su ch as ec zema ,
psoria sis, and ly m p hati c s welli ng. Red c l over c o n tai n s h i gh l evel s o f p hyto stero l s c al l ed
isof lavones, the bu i ld i ng blo c k s fo r h o r m o n es wh i ch c an d o c k o n to rec e p to r s th at c o ul d
otherwise b e o c c u p i ed by the u nnatu r al ch em i c al estro gen s we are ex p o sed to i n o u r da il y
lives. T he i s o f lavo nes i n red c lover h el p b al an c e h o r m o n es to al l evi ate p rem en str u al a nd
menopa usal s y m p to m s.

Page 20
 Nourishing Weedy Tea
I N G R E DIE N T S

1 q u a r t w ater

1 tabl esp o o n red c l over bl o sso m

1 ta bl esp o o n nettl e l ea f

1 tabl esp o o n p e p p er m i nt

1 ta bl esp o o n d a nd el i o n l ea f

DIR E C T I O N S

To one-quar t ho t w ater, a d d yo u r her b s.

Stee p for 20 minutes to fo u r ho u r s, str a i n, a nd enj oy d r i nki ng

yo u r weed s!

Wane dlikdrienktoonmae kecupa atquart

a .
tim e th ro ugho ut th e day
This recipproepousrtesionsdri. ed herb

More o n R e d Cl o v e r

Red Clover Plant Monograph in The Herbarium

Red Clover, Red Clover, Bring Healing on Over!
Red Clover Wine
 Nettle
Urtica dioica (Urticaceae) – Aerial Parts, Roots

While their p ri c k ly s ti ng i s c o ns i d ered a

nuisa nce by hi k er s a nd f a r m er s, nettl e
is the popu la r, c o o l k i d o f the herb a l
world—herb a li s t s love nettles ! N ettl e i s a
quintessenti a l no u ri s hi ng herb a l to n i c , r i ch
in ca lcium , m a g nes i u m , i ro n, a nd o th er
vita m ins a nd m i nera ls, a nd c a n b e d r u n k i n
tea or eaten d a i ly. N ettle no u ri s hes, su p p o r ts
a nd energ izes the who le b o dy, i s ri ch l y
nourishing to t he blo o d , p u ri f i es the bl o o d
a nd a ssists the b o dy i n nu tri ent a nd p ro tei n
a ssimilation , a nd reli eves f ati g u e. It ai d s
elim ination o f w a s te a nd toxi ns f ro m th e
body, helping t o a llev i ate a rthri ti s, go u t, an d
skin problem s li k e ec zem a . N et tle i s an ti -
a llerg enic a nd a nti -i nf la m m ato r y, a n d c an b e
useful in ca s es o f hay f ever a nd a llergi es. I f
stung by nettle, yo u c a n s q u eeze a li ttl e o f
the lea f jui c e o r tea o n the s ti ng fo r rel i ef.
Nettle is a l s o a s tri ng ent a nd c a n b e sl i gh tl y
dr ying.

Page 22
 Nettle Vinegar
IN G R E DIE N T S

Dr i ed nettl e

Raw, unpasteur i ze d o rg a ni c a p p l e c i d er vi neg a r

DIR E C T I O N S

Fil l th e j a r ¼ f u l l w i th nettl es.

Pour enoug h a ppl e c i d er vi neg a r to f i l l the j a r, ensu r i ng a l l

nettl es a re c overed by a c o u p l e i nches.

Cover the ja r with l id o r a l ayer o f w a x p a p er a nd then the l i d .

Let sit in a cool da rk pla c e fo r 3 -6 weeks a nd sha ke o c c a si o na l l y.

T he dr ied nettl e may soa k u p vi neg a r. C hec k j a r a nd a d d vi neg a r

a s need ed .

Str a i n a nd g et c reati ve.

If stored properl y in a c o o l , d a rk c a b i net, i t sho u l d l a st a yea r.

ratade esnettanled drevinssegingar sinto

Incormaporin

M o re o n N e tt l e

Nettle Plant Monograph in The Herbarium

Harvesting and Cooking Nettles
Nettle Hair Rinse
 Dandelion
Taraxacum officinale (Asterarceae) – Leaf and Root

Da ndelion lea f a nd ro o t a re a n exc el l en t m i l d b i tter to n i c to o f f set th e sweet tastes ty pica l

for the Wester n d i et a nd help to s ti mu l ate ap p eti te an d ac ti vate d i gest i o n an d m etab o l is m.
Da ndelion ha s a n a f f i ni ty fo r the li ver an d g al l bl ad d er, an d i n c reases th e am o u n t o f bil e
secreted by the li ver to a i d d i g es ti o n . A s a su p rem e l i ver to n i c an d d i u reti c , d an d el i o n
reduces inf la m m ati o n a nd c o ng es ti o n i n th e l i ver, an d en c o u r ages p ro p er el i m i n ati o n of
meta bolic wa s tes a nd toxi ns - thu s i ts re p u tati o n as a d etox h er b. I t i s h el p f u l fo r u r ina r y
a nd prostate i nf ec ti o ns, g o u t, a rthri ti s, an d r h eu m ati sm . H ar vested i n sp r i n g, th e ro ot
will have m o re o f a b i tte r q u a li ty. In f al l , th e ro o t w i l l b e a l i ttl e sweeter w i th a h i gh er
percenta g e o f a p reb i o ti c c a lled i nu l i n th at f eed s b en ef i c i al gu t b ac ter i a. Dan d el i o n is a
cooling rem edy that wo rk s p a rti c u larl y wel l fo r th o se w i th w ar m er c o n sti tu ti o n s o r d is ea s e
processes.

Page 24
 Herban Root Coffee
IN G R E DIE N T S

4 c u p s w ater

2 tabl espoons da nd el i o n ro o t, ro a sted a nd g ro u nd

2 ta bl espoons chi c o r y ro o t, ro a sted a nd g ro u nd

½ ta bl esp o o ns c i nna m o n p ow d er

Natur a l sweetener to ta ste

Groun d c i nna m o n, fo r d u sti ng

DIR E C T I O N S

Add the water, da ndeli o n ro o t, chi c o r y ro o t, a nd c i nna m o n to

your cof f ee m a ker o r French p ress.

Add boil ing water and a l l ow the her b s to stee p fo r 5 m i nu tes.

Str ain and add sweeten er to ta ste. Ser ve d u sted w i th c i nna m o n.

s two 16 oz. servings

Make

More o n D ande l i o n

Dandelion Plant Monograph in The Herbarium

Dandelion Flower Syrup
Dandelion: The Dandiest Weed of All
Page 26
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ht t p://theherbalac adem y.c om

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