HERBS

ALLSPICE (Eugenia pimentia or Pimentia Officinalis) is a distinctive culinary spice often found in cakes and pastries. Allspice is also known as Pimento.

ANISEED (Pimpinella Anisum) is often used in Indian cookery and as a herbal tea. This spice can be found in herb and spice stores as well as those selling herbal teas.

BALM (Melissa Officinalis) is most often used as a medicinal tea and can generally be found in stores selling health foods.

BAY LEAVES (Laurus Noblis) are also known as bay laurel leaves or laurel leaves. They are a common cooking herb used extensively in French cuisine. The dried leaves are usually found in the supermarket with other cooking herbs.

BORAGE (Borago Officinalis) is also known as bugloss and is used fresh in cooking. It is also sold dry as a herbal tea.

CARDAMON (Ellateria Cardamomum) is often used in Indian cooking. The dried seed pods can usually be found in supermarkets.

CATNIP (Nepeta Cataria) is said to intoxicate cats by its smell. It is most often found in stores selling herbal teas - it can also be found in well-stocked pet stores

CAYENNE PEPPER (Capsicum Minimum) a hot spice made of ground chillies or hot peppers, is often used in Mexican cooking and can be found in most supermarkets.

CHAMOMILE (Anethemis Noblis)can be found as a herbal tea in health food stores.

CHYRSNTHEMUM (Chrysanthemum Spp.) known primarily as a garden flower, is often overlooked as a medicinal herb. However it can often be found packaged as herbal tea.

CLOVER (Trifolium Spp.) a common garden week, has medicinal properties. As a dried herb, clover can often be found as a herbal tea in health food stores.

CLOVES (Eugenia Caryophyllata) are not to be confused with garlic cloves. They are the flower buds of a tree related to that from which allspice is taken. Clove powder or whole cloves can be found in the supermarkets as a spice.

DANDELION (Taraxacum Officinalis)is a garden weed often sold as a coffee substitute in health food stores.

DILL SEEDS (Anethun Graveolens)are pungent seeds often used in Indian cuisine. The dried seeds can be found in most supermarkets.

EYEBRIGHT (Euphrasia Officinalis)is sold as a herbal tea in health food stores.

FENNEL SEED (Foeniculum Vulgaris)with its distinctive liquorice-like aroma, is a common cooking herb used in Indian cooking and can be found in most supermarkets.

FENUGREEK (Trigonella Foenum Graccum) is used in Indian cookery and can be found in most supermarkets.

HAWTHORN (Crataegus Spp.)berries from the hawthorn tree can be found as a herbal tea in most health food stores.

HOREHOUND (Marubium Vulgaris) tea can often be found in health food stores.

JASMINE (Jasminum Officinalis)is a sweetly scented flower often found growing in warmer climates. Dried jasmine can be found packaged as a herbal tea. Chinese jasmine tea is actually ordinary black tea scented with jasmine petals and is not a suitable substitute for pure jasmine.

LAVENDER (Lavadul Officinalis) as dried flower heads with a beautiful scent, can generally be found in stores selling art, craft and pot pourri supplies.

LEMONGRASS (Cymbopogon Citratus) is frequently used in South East Asian cooking. The reed can often be purchased raw, dried or powdered in stores selling oriental cooking supplies as well as in large supermarkets.

LICORICE ROOT or POWDER (Glycryrrhiza Glabra) is often sold as a herbal tea and as a dried spice for use in biscuits and pastries. Large supermarkets and health stores may stock this item.

NETLES (Urtica Dioica) are used as a tea for skin complaints in herbalism and can generally be found in health food stores.

ORRISROOT POWDER (Iris Florentina) is the powdered violet scented root of the iris flower. It is sold in most stores selling art, craft and pot pourri supplies, for it is frequently used to stabilise the fragrance of other dried herbs and spices used in pot pourri.

PATCHOILI (Pogostemon Patchoili) is sold in most stores selling, art, craft and pot pourri supplies.

RASPBERRY LEAF (Rubus Idaeus) is used in herbalism as a tea and can be found in health food stores.

SAFFRON (Crocus Sativum) the world's most expensive spice, is the dried flower stamens of the autumn crocus lily. Stores selling gourmet cooking supplies should stock saffron. Bastard saffron is actually safflower and is not a suitable substitute.

SARSAPARILLA (Smilax Apera) is often used in herbalism as a tea and can be found in health food stores.

TANSY (Tanacetum Vulgaris) is a common garden flower but van also be found as a herbal tea in health food shops.

VALERIAN (Valeriana Officinalis) the somewhat unpleasantly scented root of a herb, is believed to promote sleep when taken as a tea. It is frequently available in health food shops.

VERVAIN (Verbena Officinalis) is a very magical plant used frequently in herbalism and can be found in health food stores. It is also known as verbena and holy herb.