How to Purify the Air, Aromatic Plants, and Phytoncides
This is a partial list of plants that I have grown. Actually, many of them grow wild in my region of Pennsylvania. Some of them were grown outdoors and some indoors. If you are interested in planting your own seeds and "starts", there are many easy ways to get started.
Onions, horseradish, potatoes, garlic, cherry tomatoes, and many others can be found at your local grocery store. These can be planted in a variety of ways. In general, they just need to be covered with dirt.
Here is more information on growing and finding your own food.
Important
Facts About Chlorophyll
Foraging for Food in the Winter
Window Sill Herb Garden
Finding Safe Drinking Water
How to Find Minerals in Water
Drinking hard water can supply you with most of your mineral needs:
Iron, Zinc, Copper, Iodine, Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Fluoride, Sodium, Potassium, and Chloride
Nutrients In Drinking Water
USDA Study shows regional mineral content of public and well water. (PDF File)
WARNING: How to Forage Safely and Non-edible Plants
| Plant Name | High In: | Health Lore / Folklore / Old Wives' Tales |
| Anise | soothing, expectorant, phlegm, coughs, colds, bronchitis, anemia | |
| Anise Hyssop | coughs, bronchial congestion | |
| Apple | fiber | |
| Arugula | ||
| Asparagus | protein, vitamin A & C | |
| Basil | methyl | reduces indigestion, breath freshener, cures nausea and stomach ailments |
| Bay Laurel | ||
| Beans -- Yellow & Green | fiber, vitamin C | |
| Bee Balm | ||
| Blueberry | fiber, vitamin C | cancer prevention |
| Balsam Poplars | glycoside | pain relief |
| Borage | ||
| Broccoli | fiber, potassium, vitamins A, B2 & C | |
| Brussels Sprouts | fiber, potassium, vitamin C | |
| Burnet | wounds, sunburn, hemorrhoids, diarrhea | |
| Cabbage | fiber, potassium, folic acid, vitamins B1, B3 & C | |
| Calendula | ulcers, canker sores, menstruation pain, gum disease, sore throats, tonsillitis | |
| California Poppy | treats anxiety, sedative, nervous tension, sleeplessness, pain relief, menstrual cramps | |
| Carrot | fiber, potassium, folic acid, vitamins A, B3 & E, beta-carotene | improve eyes and night vision, lowers cholesterol, cancer prevention |
| Catnip | ||
| Cauliflower | fiber, potassium, vitamins B3 & C | |
| Chamomile | sooths stomach ailments | |
| Cherry - Black / Sour | carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins A, B3 & C | |
| Chestnut -- Chinese | protein, potassium | |
| Chives, Bunching Onions, Scallions, Garlic | fiber folic, acid, vitamin C | benefits the immune system, assists the liver in rendering carcinogens harmless and reduces production of cholesterol in the liver |
| Clover -- Sweet | ||
| Coriander / Cilantra | ||
| Corn | carbohydrates, fiber | |
| Cornflower | conjunctivitis, strained eyes | |
| Cranberry | fiber, vitamin C | antidote for poisons |
| Cucumber | calcium, silica, fiber, folic acid, vitamins A & C | improves skin / complexion, diuretic, cures headaches |
| Dandelion | protein, manganese. Every part of the dandelion plant is edible. You can use the dandelion greens, flowers, and roots to make various dishes. Young, more tender greens can be used fresh in salads, or chopped and used in place of chives on top of mashed or baked potatoes. They can also be cooked and used in similar ways as spinach, such as saut ed, stir-fried or creamed. The flowers can be used to flavor dandelion wine. | antioxidant properties, may also help improve the immune system. Stimulates the appetite and helps digestion. Milky latex is a bug repellent. |
| Dill | quercetin, vitamin C, manganese, and vitamin A | quercetin is a bioflavonoid; dill (fresh) 55mg per 100g serving. Quercetin plays an important role in maintaining NAD+, as well as, being an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Inflammation causes a reduction in NAD+. Quercetin also helps kill cancer cells, control blood sugar, and prevent heart disease. |
| Echinacea | treats colds and flu, fights infections, stimulates immune system, heals wounds and burns, chronic fatigue syndrome, yeast infections | |
| Eggplant | vitamin B3 | |
| Fennel | fiber, calcium, potassium, iron, vitamins A & C | |
| Fenugreek | high cholesterol, speeds healing | |
| Feverfew | migraine headaches, anti-inflammatory, arthritis pain, menstrual discomfort | |
| Fig | carbohydrates, fiber, folic acid | |
| Fleabane / Philadelphia Fleabane | calcium, phosphorous, and potassium | eye medicine to treat "dimness of sight", astringent, a diuretic, aid for kidneys or the gout. The Cherokee and Houma tribes boiled the roots to make a drink for "menstruation troubles". |
| Garlic mustard | The seeds even taste like garlic. All parts of the plant are edible and nutritious and contain vitamins A, C, and many trace minerals. Harvest young, when it's less bitter (older plants need to be cooked thoroughly as they contain cyanide). Adds spice to dips, sauces, salads, and stir fries. | antiseptic herb, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial; a topical treatment for staph and other skin infections, unwashed fresh root and/or mature leaves can be directly applied to infected area Garlic mustard picture |
| Wild Garlic / Meadow Garlic | chopped green leaves can be used like chives and the bulbs are cooked as any other onions; 100g of wild garlic leaves contain 45mg of vitamin C and almost 5mg of beta-carotene | antibacterial, antibiotic and possibly antiviral properties, and contains vitamins A and C, calcium, iron, phosphorus, sodium and copper. Studies have also shown that it may help reduce blood pressure, thereby reducing the risk of stroke and heart disease |
| Grape | carbohydrates, fiber, folic acid, potassium, resveratrol, vitamins A, B3, B6, C & K | cancer prevention |
| Gooseberry & Currant | fiber, potassium, vitamins C & D | |
| Goumi -- Sweet Scarlet | ||
| Honeysuckle | phytochemicals: iridoids, anthocyanins, flavonols, flavanonols, flavones, flavan-3-ols, phenolic acids | aromatherapy | Hops | alpha acid humulone, which along with polyphenols, flavonoids (plant pigment), and volatile oils (terpenes) are powerful antioxidants; antimicrobial properties, which contribute to their use as a preservative | Hop polyphenols contain interesting amounts of prenylflavonoids, namely xanthohumol. Similar to other classes of phenolic compounds, beer polyphenols might reach the gut where they can modulate bacterial growth; hops extracts have been shown to have anti-inflammatory potential; a compound in hops may have a protective antioxidant effect that helps minimize cell damage in the liver; hops can help to prevent calcium leaching from the bones; beer drinkers are less likely to suffer from calcium oxalate kidney stones, and osteoporosis |
| Hyssop | eases congestion for colds and the flu, gargle for sore throats, reduces inflammation, heals cuts and bruises, herpes | |
| Jewelweed (Spotted touch-me-not) | Leaves: Crushed leaves in poultice form are a traditional and well-known remedy for poison ivy. Leaf tea is a folk remedy in preventing poison ivy. Ice cubes made from tea are also rubbed topically on rashes. Juice from the stem before flowering also used topically on poison ivy rash. Contains a compound called lawsone in its leaves proven to have anti-histamine and anti-inflammatory properties. | |
| Kale | calcium, potassium, vitamins A, B3 & C | |
| Lavender | ||
| Lettuce | fiber, folic acid | |
| Lemon Balm | ||
| Lima Beans | protein, carbohydrates, fiber, iron, potassium, vitamin E | |
| Lime -- Key | ||
| Mache -- Corn Salad | ||
| Marshmallow | chapped and dry skin, anti-inflammatory, respiratory tract irritation, bronchitis, colds, coughs, digestive and urinary-tract inflammations, itching, cuts, scrapes, burns | |
| Mint -- Spearmint & Peppermint | Methyl | cures stomach ailments |
| Mustard Greens | iron, phosphorous, calcium, vitamins A, B & C | fertility, improved mental ability, treats vitamin C deficiencies such as scurvy |
| Nasturtium | vitamin C | fights bacterial infections, anti-microbial, respiratory infections, influenza, the common cold, reproductive and urinary tract infections |
| Onions | Quercetin, vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium and folate | relief of coughs, colds and catarrh, especially asthma; allyl propyl disulphide, which is thought to have a similar effect to insulin in balancing blood sugar levels |
| Orange | carbohydrates, fiber, potassium, folic acid, vitamin C | |
| Oregano | natural antibiotic | |
| Parsley | minerals, iron, antioxidants, chlorophyll, vitamins A & C | reduces flatulence, freshens breath, aids in digestion, antidote for poisons, calms nerves, anemia |
| Parsnip | carbohydrates, fiber, potassium, vitamin C | |
| Pear | carbohydrates, fiber, folic acid | |
| Penny Royal | insect repellent, flea collar | |
| Pepper -- Chili | capsaicin, vitamins A & C, beta-carotene | pain relief, cures colds and the flue, cancer and heart attack prevention, treats congestion, asthma, osteoathritis, rheumatoid arthritis |
| Plantain | astringent nature, plantain may be crushed (or chewed) and placed as a poultice directly over the site of bee stings, bug bites, acne, slivers, glass splinters, or rashes; digestive system | |
| Pleurisy Root | respiratory infections, reduces inflammation, aids expectoration, bronchitis, pneumonia, influenza, asthma, dry cough, pleurisy, warts | |
| Plum | carbohydrates, fiber, potassium | |
| Popcorn | iron, protein, fiber | |
| Potato | carbohydrates, copper, potassium, magnesium, fiber, vitamin B3, B5, B6 & C | protects against cancer and cardiovascular disease |
| Pumpkin | fiber, potassium, vitamin A | |
| Purslane | vitamin C | digestion and immune system; antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory properties; topical for skin |
| Radish | folic acid, vitamin C | |
| Raspberry | manganese, fiber, folic acid, vitamins C & E, antioxidants | anti-inflammatory, anti-diarrheal, antiseptic, treats diarrhea, nausea, colds, the flu, sore throats, bleeding gums, cankers, scabies and scurvy, glucose regulation, cancer prevention |
| Rhubarb | carbohydrates, fiber, potassium | |
| Rose | rose hips are higher in vitamin C than oranges | nearly every part of a rose plant is edible; help with weight loss, hydrate the body, are full of antioxidants, alleviate menstrual pain, and decrease skin irritation |
| Rose of Sharon | vitamin C and Anthocyanins which are antioxidants | leaves, blossoms and bark are edible; flowers taste the best; the unopened flower buds are an okra substitute; lowers blood pressure |
| Rosemary | calcium, vitamins A & C | cure-all, breath cleanser, calms a cough, improves memory, antiseptic, cures headaches, anti-aging |
| Sage | aids healing, used as a bandage, toothbrush for the American Indian or with bear fat to rub in the skin, improves memory, aids in digestion of meats, throats, tonsillitis | |
| Sassafras | Sassafras albidum | twigs as toothbrushs, leaves to treat wounds, roots and plant parts for scurvy, skin sores, kidney problems, toothaches, rheumatism, swelling, menstrual disorders and sexually transmitted diseases, bronchitis, hypertension, and dysentery. It is also used as a fungicide, dentifrice, rubefacient, diaphoretic, perfume, carminative and sudorific |
| Savory -- Summer | prevents gas, aid digestion, stimulate appetite,, astringent, antiseptic, diarrhea, sore throats | |
| Savory -- Winter | treats insect bites and stings, digestive aid, appetite stimulant, prevents gas, stomach aches | |
| Scallions, Chives, Garlic and Onion Greens | chlorophyll, allicin, organosulfurs | scratchy and sore throats, boost immune system |
| Snow Peas | carbohydrates, fiber | |
| Spinach | folic acid, fiber, potassium, vitamins A & C, beta-carotene | aids in tissue growth and cell function, prevents anemia and ulcer, treats diarrhea, |
| Strawberry | fiber, folic acid, vitamin C | |
| Sunflower | pain relief, eases coughs, bronchial infections, anti-inflammatory, arthritis treatment | |
| Sweet Marjoram / Oragano | motion sickness, stomach ailments, relieves congestion, aches and pains | |
| Sweetleaf / Sugarbush | natural sweetener safe for diabetics | |
| Tangerine -- Suburst | carbohydrates, fiber, potassium, folic acid, vitamin C | |
| Tarragon French | ||
| Teaberry / Wintergreen | fiber, vitamin C, glycoside | cancer prevention, treats stomach ailments and diarrhea |
| Thistle | ||
| Thyme | methyl | antiseptic, anti-fungal, fights parasites, invigorating, good for teeth and gums, treats headaches, warts, bruises and stings |
| Tomato | folic acid, folate, retinol, fiber, potassium, vitamins A, C & K, antioxidants, lycopene, carotene | cancer prevention / protects from free radicals |
| Valerian | relaxing, sleep aid, insomnia, anxiety, nervousness, tension headaches, migraines, rheumatic pain relief, relaxes spasms, muscle and menstrual cramps | |
| Viola | rutin | eczema, varicose veins, coughs, bronchitis, urinary problems, cystitis |
| Violets | both the leaves and flowers contain high amounts of vitamin C and vitamin A | can be used to make syrups, brew teas, and in baked desserts; antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and a blood cleanser. They are good for coughs and colds, and can be made into a violet leaf and honey cough syrup. Violets can also be used topically for skin conditions like eczema, dry skin, bug bites, and varicose veins |
| Watercress | niacin, thiamin, riboflavin, iron, ascorbic acid, vitamins A & C, beta-carotene | improves mental ability, prevents baldness, increases productivity, cures a hang-over, cures scurvy, blood detoxification |
| Wheatgrass | chlorophyll, 92 minerals | cancer prevention, prevents hair from turning gray, improves digestion, treats liver ailments, appetite suppressant |
| Yarrow | treats hangovers, eliminate toxins, colds, flu, aids digestion, relieves menstrual cramps, stop bleeding, cleansing, pain relief, swelling | |
| Zucchini -- Summer Squash | fiber, vitamin C |
