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Acorus calamus var. americanus
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Calamus, 100 seeds for planting
Acorus calamus var. americanus
Sweet flag likes to grow in or near water and can tolerate full sun to partial shade. The root is bitter and is an excellent digestive tonic and be used to reduce addictions. It filters stagnant water in the ground as well as in the body. It will only flower if in water.
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Sutherlandia frutescens
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Cancer Bush, 20 seeds
Sutherlandia frutescens
Cancer Bush is native to the southern parts of Africa where it is a perennial. Though often used as a panacea for everything from the common cold to AIDS and cancer, it is actually a tonic herb, albeit one with antitumoral properties. The dried leaves and stems are used internally. This plant is very drought tolerant and requires little care; it does not however like frost. Scarify the seeds with medium sandpaper and sow in warm soil 3 feet apart in sunny area.
For additional information, visit this site: PlantZAfrica.com.
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Ceratonia siliqua
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Carob, open pollinated, 7 seeds
Ceratonia siliqua
Carob is Mediterranean plant that likes full sun and fast draining soil. It is not very frost tolerant, but does well in the right place. The seeds should be deeply scarified and dropped in boiled water and then left overnight or longer. The seed needs the water before it will germinate. Plant the seeds 1-2 inches deep. The trees take a long time to mature and one needs both male and female plants so several trees should be planted. Years from planting, the pods can be eaten raw or cooked as a chocolate substitute or as animal fodder.
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Capsicum frutescens
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Cayenne Pepper, 50 seeds
Capsicum frutescens
These peppers are native to South America and they are hot! They are usually dried and powdered (wear mask) and used to fire up food and promote circulation. They can also be processed and used medicinally. If you can grow tomatoes, you can grow this prolific producer.
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Stellaria media
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Chickweed, Common, 100 seeds, organic
Stellaria media
This makes an excellent ground cover and grows easily right up to the Arctic. It is rich in saponins and vitamins and makes a splendid tonic.
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Codonopsis pilosula
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Codonopsis, 200 seeds
Codonopsis pilosula
The root is edible but takes 3-4 years to grow. It is called the poor man's ginseng and is often barbequed in Korea. See the article on Kitchen Doctor.
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Symphytum officinale var patens
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Comfrey, True, 20 seeds, organic
Symphytum officinale var patens
Comfrey plays an important role in organic farming. Read the material below carefully before planting it in your yard.
See Planting Guide
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Salvia miltiorrhiza
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Dan Shen, 30 seeds, organic
Salvia miltiorrhiza
This red sage is a perennial native to Manchuria and Japan where its medicinal value is much appreciated. It is hardy to zone 7. The flowers are bluish-lavender but the roots are very red which is how the plant got its botanical name. As one might expect, Dan Shen improves blood flow, but what is important is that it does this without stimulating the adrenals. It is also used to prevent strokes. The chemical constituent that is believed to explain this action is an antioxidant called salvianolic acid. Dan shen seeds should be planted in spring in full sun in temperate zones. The root is harvested in autumn and is the part that is used medicinally.
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Echinacea angustifolia
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Echinacea, organic, 50 seeds
Echinacea angustifolia
Echinacea or purple cone flower is prairie flower native to North American. It is relatively easy to grow in zones 4-9, even 3-10. It likes cold winters and high elevation, but does all right at sea level also. The plant can reach 4-5 feet in height and flowers from June to October, attracting lots of pollinators. The roots are a famous immune herb and can be harvested in Autumn. These are usually processed into tinctures while fresh. It the tincture does not tingle, the potency is suspect. Echinacea is commonly taken due cold and flu season or at the first sign of infection. Native Americans used it for insect and snake bites as well as on open sores, wounds, and burns. It is antiseptic and many herbalists consider it to be an adaptogen.
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Chenopodium ambrosioides
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Epazote, certified organic, 300 seeds
Chenopodium ambrosioides
Epazote resembles wormwood and the seeds are a potent vermifuge and anti-malarial herb. It can be used to treat hookworm in both people and animals. The leaf is used in cooking, especially of beans, to reduce flatulence. Dried leaves can be used to make a tea. The fresh leaves are a bit resinous but can be added to salads. The plant grows well in waste soil but needs to be kept moist until germination. It grows in zones 4-12 and is perennial in warmer climates. If using in cooking, only a few leaves are required. When used medicinally, do not take in high amounts over a prolonged period of time.
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Scrophularia nodosa
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Figwort, organic, 300 seeds
Scrophularia nodosa
Figwort has tiny flowers that bloom for months and months. It is hardy at least to zone 7 and is very easy to grow. It is much loved by bees and is a powerful medicinal herb, working mainly on the lymphatic system. It is both a parasiticide and blood cleanser and can be taken internally or used topically as an ointment for skin diseases.
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Ginkgo biloba
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Ginkgo, 20 seeds
Ginkgo biloba
Ginkgo trees are considered by some to be living fossils since they have apparently been on this Planet for 150 million years. This is a testament to their strength and endurance. These are fresh seeds and should be planted immediately upon receipt. The germination rate is about 40% and each tree is one sex so another tree of the opposite sex is required to produce fruit and more seeds. The trees cannot be sexed until mature so it is basically necessary to plant a number of trees if one wants seeds. Ginkgo leaves are used in medicine as an anti-radiation remedy as well as brain tonic. The fruit is delicious when roasted or used in a stir fry, but it has a rather unpleasant smell if it rots on the ground. If planting these trees, give them lots of room because they will be around for generations. Do study their needs since they do not like to be transplanted!
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Baptisia tinctoria
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Indigo, Wild, 50 seeds
Baptisia tinctoria
Hardy to -20°F. Somewhat rare. Scarify seed, soak overnight, plant in warm, sunny, fast draining soil while weather is still warm. Used medicinally by Eclectics for red, swollen membranes.
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Gynostemma pentaphyllum
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Jiao-gu-lan, organic, 10 seeds
Gynostemma pentaphyllum
This plant, despite its name, is actually Japanese, but it is found from the north of China to Vietnam. It is a climbing vine and tolerates extreme cold. It is an antioxidant and is adaptogenic. The leaves are used to make tea that tastes a bit like nettles, and those who drink it say it promotes longevity. It is used to lower cholesterol and blood pressure as well as to relieve hangovers. It is also reported to inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
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Sophora flavescens
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Ku-shen, Sophora flavescens, organic, 20 seeds
Sophora flavescens
Sophora flavescens is native to China and Japan and is tolerant of extremely cold temperatures. It grows very well with sea buckthorn and can be used on slopes to hold the soil. It is a very important herb in Chinese medicine and has been used in everything from hair growth formulas to viral hepatitis, heart arrythmias, and cancer. It grows around five feet high and the roots can be harvested in spring or fall. They can be consumed raw or dried and used later to make medicine.
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Chenopodium album
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Lamb's Quarters, 300 seeds
Chenopodium album
Wild medicinal food. Soft, slightly downy, and mucilaginous leaves, like — high in protein, calcium, and vitamin A. Dried herb good in soups. The seeds are also edible and nutritious and make good bird feed.
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Cymbopogon flexuosus
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Lemongrass, 50 seeds
Cymbopogon flexuosus
Lemongrass is a multipurpose plant. It stalks can be eaten, such as in tom kha gai, a delicious Thai soup made with coconut milk and galangal. The stalks can also be dried and used to make tea. The stalks should be whitish at the lower part of the stalk and greener at the top. Lemongrass can also be steam distilled to make essential oil. It is an insect repellent but can be taken internally to aid digestion and relieve jetlag. It is also antifungal and can be applied externally for conditions such as athlete"s foot as well as rheumatic complaints. It is hardy to zone 10 but can be brought indoors in the winter in cold climates.
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Glycyrrhiza glabra
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Licorice, Official, 30 seeds
Glycyrrhiza glabra
Licorice is perhaps one of the truest adaptogenic herbs. It is used in countless Chinese formulas as well as many Ayurvedic ones. It is also used as a natural sweetener and is sometimes added to herbal preparations to mask the taste of other herbs, but the real benefit is that it protects against allergic reactions. The plant has lilac flowers, and the roots can be harvested in the autumn after two to four years. They are quite fibrous. Usually, they are sliced and dried. If extracting, use water first and add the alcohol later.
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