Plant Info
My gardening technique is a combination of organic and biodynamic techniques that I have learned through my work with other organic herb and vegetable farms, and plenty of trial and error on my own.
My land has not been in commercial use since the 30’s, when it was a small apple orchard. Since then, it was briefly used as sheep pasture, and for the last 25 years has been an empty field.
I primarily use the biodynamic calender for planting and harvesting, which is a comprehensive astrologically based calender. Using this calender produces observable, and proven, better crop production than other calenders. 
I only use organic materials including:
•composted manure
•dolomitic lime
•humic acid
•canola seed meal
•worm castings
•humic acid
•bone meal
•kelp meal
•bacterial innoculants
•fungal innoculants
I use foliar sprays including liquid fish emulsion, neem oil, cayenne oil, and bacterial innoculants. I also employ a custom built 80 gallon compost tea maker. I use inoculated seed grains and various herbs, which are gently percolated, and then pumped directly into my sprinkler/drip system.
Plant Info
Artemisia Annua
This herb has a good effect on externally contracted damp and hot conditions. This would include heatstroke, low fever, nausea, headache, and dizziness.
The World Health Organization has deemed this herb to be the most effective treatment available for malaria, and it helps to cleanse the blood of the parasites. Has some effect in treating leukemia, and some types of lung cancer as well.
Artemisia annua is also known as Sweet Wormwood, Sweet Annie, Sweet Sagewort or Annual Wormwood (Chinese: 青蒿; pinyin: qīnghāo) It has fern-like leaves, bright yellow flowers, and a camphor-like scent. Its height averages about 2 m tall, and the plant has a single stem, alternating branches, and alternating leaves which range 2.5-5cm in length.
Chamomile
Chamomile has been used for centuries to calm people in cases of anxiety. It is also useful to treat digestive upsets caused by anxiety, irritable bowel syndrome, insomnia, motion sickness as well as anxiety.
Antibiotic and anti-inflammatory activity is exhibited when used topically. Used by herbalists to treat wounds, sunburn, burns, hemorrhoids, mastitis, and leg ulcers. The essential oil promotes calmness and eases worries and fears, while it helps dull muscular pain and stimulates the liver and spleen.
It is useful to reduce skin redness, allergic reactions and to reduce enlarged capillaries. It can be used for eczema, psoriasis and any dry flaky skin conditions.
California Poppy
This herbs main usage is as a mild sedative. Clinically, it is used in cases of anxiety and restlessness. It acts as a mild pain reliever, and helps to induce deeper and more restfull sleep.
Very safe, and a good choice for children and other sensitive individuals. Poppies are ruled by the Moon, and concurrently, are said to have properties that attract sleep, love, luck, and money.
The California poppy is native to grassy and open areas from sea level to 2,000m (6,500 feet) altitude in the western United States throughout California, extending to Oregon, southern Washington, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and in Mexico in Sonora and northwest Baja California.
Cleavers
This is a classic spring herb, both cooling and detoxicant. It helps to clean the lymphatic system, and purify the blood. It is very rich in plant chlorophyll. Cleavers also has a history of usage in treating damp heat of the lower burner, especially urinary tract infections.
It is diuretic, and treats inflammation of the urinary tract, as well as helping to fight infection. Other syndromes include urinary stones, kidney inflammation and cysts, and prostatitis. Has some good effects on chronic damp and hot skin conditions due to its detoxicant properties.
The whole plant is considered rich in vitamin C. Its roots produce a red dye, and the tea has been used as an anti-perspirant by the Chinese. As a pulp, it has been used to relieve poisonous bites.
Corn Poppy
This is the red poppy most remember from The Wizard of Oz. It contains a non-addictive alkaloid called rheadine, which helps to induce a deep sleep, and acts as a mild nervous sedative.
This herb also has some cooling and moistening properties and assists in dry coughs due to a variety of conditions. Poppies are ruled by the Moon, and concurrently, are said to have properties that attract sleep, love, luck, and money.
It is a variable annual plant, forming a long-lived soil seed bank that can germinate when the soil is disturbed. The four petals are vivid red, most commonly with a black spot at their base. In the northern hemisphere it generally flowers in late spring, but if the weather is warm enough other flowers frequently appear at the beginning of autumn.
Gynostemma
One of my favorite and best herbs I offer. It is considered a primary longevity herb in many parts of Asia. It has over 100 different saponins that help to regulate hormonal and neurological functioning comparted to the 2 dozen or so in ginseng. It has a wonderful effect on regulating blood sugar, and assists in treating type 2 diabetes.
It is protective against many types of degenerative disease, including cancer. Another very important property of this herb is its cool nature. Many tonic herbs, particularly immune tonics, are very thermally warm, as opposed to Gynostemma. Most people in modern times have too much chronic inflammation, and too much of a hot tonic herb can indirectly aggravate inflammatory conditions.
Gynostemma is actually anti-inflammatory. Also, this herb is adaptogenic in nature. Very safe and acceptable for long term use. Highly recommended.
Ginger, Zingiber officinale
Ginger is perhaps the most effective herb available for digestive issues. It stimulates a number of enzymes and the pancreas, and favors good intestinal flora by suppressing bad bacteria. Highly effective for nausea, diarhea, vomiting, or just feeling ‘overfull’.
Also a circulatory stimulant, helping to tone the heart and stimulate the extremities. Lastly, it is very effective as a respitory aid. It is quite effective for congestion of the chest and sinuses, and helping to prevent and recover from colds.
The ginger plant has a long history of cultivation. It originated in Asia and is currently grown in India, Southeast Asia, West Africa, and the Caribbean.
Lavender
This is one of the most commonly known herbs the world over, but not so much known for its medicinal effects, just its heavenly scent.
Lavender can be used to treat all types of nervous disorders including insomnia, colic, anxiety, spasms, and palpitations. In addition to its calming and sedative effects, it has a tonic and stimulating action as well.
It works in this manner as a restorative against faintness and weakness, and helps to provoke appetite and raise the spirits. It has been used to treat migraines in menopause, and also to aid in insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes.
The most common “true” species in cultivation is the Common Lavender Lavandula angustifolia (formerly L. officinalis). A wide range of cultivars can be found. Other commonly grown ornamental species are L. stoechas, L. dentata, and L. multifida.
Lemon Balm, Melissa officinalis
Strengthens nervous system, enhances digestion, antispasmodic, eases emotional upset. Believed to be a strengthener of the mind and nervous system, it is a tonic to the heart, nervous and digestive systems and antispasmodic to muscles.
Lemon Balm is also a great support for the female reproductive system and cases tension associated with the menstrual cycle and cramping. Lemon Balm is used to ease menstrual tensions, pains and acts as an antidepressant.
Lemon Balm is widely used to regulate an over-active thyroid. It is also very effective for migraine headaches.
Marshmallow
The primary use of this herb is for its wonderful demulcent and emollient properties. It is often used in urinary tract infections.
Also, it is used for digestive tract issues where the natural mucus in the intestines is gone, as in an ulcer for instance. It is very soothing to inflamed and irritated tissues, and can be used whenever they present, particulary in excess conditions.
It is used in combination with other herbs for coughs and respiratory complaints as well. Extremely safe, and considered a food herb in famine times.
The stems, which die down in the autumn, are erect, 3 to 4 feet (1.2 m) high, simple, or putting out only a few lateral branches. The leaves, shortly petioled, are roundish, ovate-cordate, 2 to 3 inches (76 mm) long, and about 1 1/4 inch broad, entire or three to five lobed, irregularly toothed at the margin, and thick.
Mugwort
This best usage of this herb is for menstrual irregularities. Helps to increase uterine specific hormones and to regulate the cycle, including delayed menses.
It has some good secondary properties including being a digestive stimulant, preventing onset of colds, clearing urinary tract infections, and getting rid of intestinal parasites. Not to be used during pregnancy.
This herb is ruled by Venus, and is a more commonly used herb in magical practices.
Most specifically used to induce dreams and astral projection. Its strong odor is said to disperse evil spirits. In line with its venusian nature, it is also said to help attract love.
Mullein
This is a classic respiratory remedy. The herb has demulcent, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. It helps dry coughs due to its moistening properties, and will subdue overproductive coughs by fighting the infective process.
Good for both acute and chronic lung disorders. Has some secondary effect on hot damp intestinal conditions, such as diarrhea, and urinary tract infections. Ruled by Saturn.
Said to protect against evil, and wild animals. Also used to attract love.
Mullein is native to Europe and Asia, although it has been naturalized in the U.S. It bears yellow clustered flowers and is known by many names, including Donkey’s Ears, Bunny’s Ears and Velvet Plant.
Nettle
This is a classic spring herb, with many useful properties. It is a blood builder and cleanser, and is very high in chlorophyll. Nettle can make a better and cheaper substitute for microalgaes like spirolina. Nettle is also important for mineral deficiencies as it has one of the highest rates of trace mineral content of any herb, especially iron, calcium, and potassium.
It improves the allergic response, and protects against environmental pollutants. The root is specific for prostatitis. Has some hemostatic effects as well. Ruled by Mars.
Said to have a ‘mirror’ like effect against negative intent, returning it to the sender. General protective and ward-like effects, in line with a Martian nature.
Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis
This herb is a great all around stimulant and tonic. The herb has many protective properties and acts as an “uplifter”. This is a classic solar herb.
Rosemary is anti-spasmodic, anti-septic, and anti-oxidant. It can ease digestive complaints, and other collicky gut syndromes.
There are some properties of the herb that are shown to be cerebral tonics, and preventative against conditions like Alzheimers.
The herb also has many anti-cancerous properties, and protects against degenerative disease.
Large amounts of this herb can cause digestive and kidney irritation, so don’t take too much. Also, this herb is one of the hottest thermally speaking, so folks w/ fever and extreme inflammatory conditions should avoid it. Pregnant women are recomended to avoid this herb as it acts as a uterine stimulant.
Sage, Salvia officinalis
The name sage literally means “to heal”. There are many wonderful medicinal qualities to this plant. It has anti-spasmodic, anti-septic, astringent, diaphoretic, nervine, and tonic properties.
Sage is a great women’s herb, and eases all manner of gynocological problems, from PMS to menopausal symptoms. It has distinctive effects on the endocrine regulatory system.
It works on a number of ulcerative conditions, from canker sores, to hives. Sage has been used for many types of infection and seasonal disease prevention.
Classically, this herb was thought to improve memory and thinking capacity. It was regared as a longevity tonic in some cultures.
This herb should be avoided by pregnant women due to its uterine stimulant properties, and by epileptics due to the main component in the essential oil, thujone, which in rare cases can trigger seizure disorders.
Saint John’s Wort
This herb is best known for its anti-depressive effects, due to a compound called hypericin found in the flowers and buds. It has a nervine effect and which helps to heal damaged nerve tissue and nerve pain. This herb also has some mild effect in treating a number of retroviral diseases, including herpes, HIV, and others.
The herb makes a wonderful oil infusion useful for treating many kinds of skin outbreaks, burns, bruises, sprains, hemorrhoids, and varicosities. Use with extreme caution, and only under supervision, in conjunction with pharmaceutical programs, due to its MAO-I properties (suppresses stomach’s ability to break down certain compounds, which can lead to much higher than intended doses of pharmaceutical drugs). T
his herb is ruled by the Sun, and has a protective nature. Also used in scrying ceremonies to detect hidden information.
Spilanthes
This is a very unique herb, with a some general immune enhancing effects as well as very specific ones. It is similar to echinacea in some respects and can be used in the initial phase of infections, and for general lyphatic stimulation. This is the best herb I know of for dental issues. It has numbing effect very useful for pain, as well as anti-bacterial effects good for decay.
The herb strongly stimulates saliva, and also helps with all kinds of sores of the mouth, including herpes. It has some good effect on blood parasites, including malaria and Lyme disease. The herbs anti-biotic properties help to suppress candida as well. A very safe herb, however I would recommend caution in long-term internal usage due to its anti-biotic nature, which can suppress some good type of intestinal flora.
Thyme
This herb is a great choice for fighting off externally contracted colds, especially those with lots of clear and runny mucus. A good general anti-infective. It has astringent and anti-septic properties, as well as the ability to help relieve cough. These properties also apply to the intestinal tract, and the herb aids in many digestive complaints.
Also, thyme has some adrenal restorative, and cerebral tonic properties when in tincture form. The herb’s Ruled by Venus, used as a purification herb to dispell sorrow, ills, and anxiety. When worn, said to help improve psychic impressions.
Thyme is a low growing herbaceous plant, sometimes becoming somewhat woody. It is native to southern Europe. It typically grows as a sub-shrub, between 15 and 20cm tall.
Tulsi, Holy Basil, Krishna variety, Ocinum sanctum
Holy Basil Tulsi is one of the most potent general adaptogens known to modern science, strengthening the body’s natural capacity to adapt to a wide variety of stresses, and restore and maintain healthy homeostatic equilibrium. Tulsi thus off ers remarkable preventative and curative potential with respect to many stress-related degenerative disorders, such as cancer, heart disease, arthritis, diabetes and neurological dementia.
Current scientific research offers substantial evidence that Tulsi protects against and reduces stress; enhances stamina and endurance; increases the body’s efficient use of oxygen; boosts the immune system; reduces inflammation; protects against radiation damage; lessens aging factors; supports the heart, lungs and liver; has antibiotic, antiviral and antifungal properties; enhances the efficacy of many other therapeutic treatments; and provides a rich supply of antioxidants and other nutrients.
Overall, Tulsi is a premier adaptogen, helping the body and mind to adapt and cope with a wide range of physical, emotional, chemical and infectious stresses, and restore disturbed physiological and psychological functions to a normal healthy state.
Yarrow
This is a classic herb used for 2 main purposes. The first is its ability to fight off externally contracted colds, and to sweat out fever. The second usage is hemostatic, which means to stop bleeding.
It can be used externally for this purpose as a poulstice, but is equally effective in tea or tincture form for internal bleeding due to a variety of causes, particularly of the intestinal tract. It is also a bitter tonic, and digestive aid.
This herb is ruled by Venus, and said to have protective qualities.
It has been used to attract love and other psychic attention.
PLENTY MORE TO COME!!!!
(including medicinal mushrooms, echinacea, various sages, jiao gu lan or gynostemma, baical skullcap, astragalus, codonopsis, and many others)