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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
For Magickal Uses Of Herbs Go Here

Note: This information is not intended as medical advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultation with your doctor who is familiar with your medical needs.

Caffeine Nut see Kola Tree.

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Calamint (Calamintha officinalis) 30 cm (1 ft).
Small pale blue flowers in July, leaves stalked egg-shaped and slightly serrated, square hairy woody stalks, strong scent.
Medicinal use of whole plant as an expectorant and to promote perspiration.

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Camomile (Anthemis nobilis)
Roman Chamomile can grow to 40 cm (15 ins) though 16 cm (7 ins) is more usual, having a yellow concave centre to the flower with white florets.
Is found on the fringe of wheat fields, can be sown early in spring or autumn.
Has been observed to have a healing effect on other plants in a garden.
Flowers have been used as tea to aid digestion having a cleaning disinfectant effect.
Also as a mouthwash after dental treatment.

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Cannabis (Cannabis sativa) 1-3 m (3-10 ft).
Small and green flowers, narrow palm-like leaves from rough, angular branched stems.
Found wild in warm climates, but can be cultivated in temperate zones.
Best grown in dry, sandy soil, but cultivation is illegal in the U.K. and use as drug.
Has considerable potential as an aid to psychotherapy and to aid opiate drug withdrawal.
Legislation has to some extent suppressed development.

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Capers (Capparis spinosa). Taken from a shrub growing in the Mediterranean as unopened flower buds which are pickled and used to flavour salads, sauces etc.

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Caraway (Carum carvi) 70-150 cm (2-5 ft).
Small white or yellow flowers in compound umbels, fine sheath-like leaves,
characteristic hollow and furrowed stem. Fruit oblong and dark brown.
Found plentifully in temperate areas but also at arctic extremes.
Culinary use of seeds for their pungent flavour on bread and cheeses.
Seed oil in herbal teas has been used to relieve chest colds and sometimes to increase lactation, also to stimulate digestion.

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Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) 2-5 m (6-10 ft).
Small yellowish flowers from a tall erect stem, giving three-celled seed capsules.
Found in S India but cultivated in other tropical areas.
Culinary use of seeds in Indian cookery, ground in curry powder.
Medicinal use in flavouring medicines but also as a mild stimulant.

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Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllum).
Familiar plant grown for flowers, found in herb gardens for many years, useful to preserve fragrance.

Cassene see Cassina.

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Cassia (Cinnamomum cassia) (Chinese cinnamon).
From the aromatic bark of a tree grown in tropical areas.
Bark much thicker than true cinnamon and used in ground form as a substitute in flavouring cooking in general, and particularly liqueurs and chocolate.

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Cassina (flex vomitoria) (Cassene Indian Black Drink).
Small evergreen tree or shrub, bark whitish-grey, leathery leaves.
Leaves have been used as tea for mild stimulant, and a narcotic in stronger form.
Berries are poisonous.
Infusions used by N. American Indians as ceremonial drink.

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Catmint see Catnip.

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) (Catmint) 1-2 m (3-5 ft).
Flowers white with purple spots growing in spikes June-September. Oblong pointed leaves with scalloped edges and grey or whitish hairs on the lower side, erect branching stem.
Easily grown in most temperate gardens.
Tea claimed to cure upset stomachs and as an enema.

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Cayenne (Capsicum frutescens) 1 m (3 ft).
Drooping white to yellow flowers grow alone or in twos or threes. April-September. Stem woody near bottom and branched at top. Fruit, or pepper, is many seeded pod leathery on outside in various shades of red or yellow.
Grown as an annual in temperate climates but as perennial in native tropical America.
Medicinal use of the pod in powder form is one of the finest body purifiers and internal disinfectants known to man, warding off infectious diseases and colds.
Culinary use to provide hot spicy flavours.

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Celandine (Chelidonium majus) (Great Celandine) 50-150 cm (18-56 ins).
Bright yellow flowers with four petals growing in a sparse umbel, lobed leaflets, hollow stem round smooth and swollen at joints. Cylindrical red-brown root.
Plant contains orange-yellow juice which turns red on exposure to air.
Juice once used as a mild sedative on central nervous system, relieving pain and raising blood pressure, also for gall-bladder disorders. Fresh juice is used to remove warts.

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Celery (Apium graveolens) 30-100 cm (1-3 ft).
Familiar vegetable plant, white flowers, leaflets growing out of angular, furrowed branched stem, fleshy bulbous root.
Found wild in damp places near sea, and easily cultivated in gardens.
Culinary use in soups, sauces and stews, adding strength if added at last moment.
Juice has been used for lack of appetite, also to promote onset of menstruation. Thought to clear up skin problems, and is therefore useful eaten in salad, and made into tea.

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Centaury (Centaurium confertum) 15-50 cm (6-18 ins).
Rose coloured funnel-shaped flowers June-September. Leaves at base oval in rosette, higher stem leaves tending to oblong. Stem square, hollow when older, branched near top.
Flowers once used medicinally for many complaints, chiefly for an aid to digestion and as a lotion for skin problems. Tea has been recommended for those leading sedentary lives.

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Chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium) 30-60 cm (12-24 ins).
Small white flowers in compound umbels, round finely grooved branched stem.
Best sown in August and then monthly from January also quite possible in window boxes.
Culinary use for many years, mild flavour means generous use necessary, wide range of application.

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Chestnut (Aseculus hippocastanum) (Horse Chestnut).
Tree found widely giving familiar chestnut as fruit.
Medicinal preparations from fruit are important in treatment of varicose veins and haemorrhoids, dispensed only by prescription. Flowers and bark also used.

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Chickweed (Stelleria media) 10-30 cm (4-12 ins).
Small white flowers, smooth egg-shaped sharp pointed leaves,
creeping brittle stems, a common weed found all over the world in gardens and waste places.
Culinary use as a vegetable like spinach. Fresh leaves when crushed are claimed to ease bruising.

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Chicory (Cichorium intybus)1 m (3 ft).
Light-blue to violet-blue flower heads, July-October, lance-like leaves coarsely toothed; stiff angular branching stem. Yellow root. Plant contains bitter, milky juice.
Cultivated and found wild in rich temperate grassy areas.
Culinary use cooked, or raw in salads.
Juice of leaves used as a tea claimed to promote production of bile, Release of gallstones and elimination of excessive internal mucus.

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Chinese Cinnamon see Cassia

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Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) 10-24 cm (4-10 ins).
Grass-like cylindrical leaves, globular pale mauve flowers if allowed, tiny bulb root. In fact a small onion (see Onion Green) but available earlier in year.
Easily grown indoors and out, but particularly enjoy humidity. About the most satisfactory to grow.
Culinary use imparts mild onion flavour and has a wide range of applications.

Cicely see Sweet Cicely

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Cinchona (Rubiaceae many species).
Tree found in South America on eastern slopes of Andean highlands (tropical) also established in India, Sri Lanka and Java.
The bark yields quinine, an important drug. Medicinally used for curing of malaria.

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Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum).
Small tropical evergreen laurel coming mainly from Sri Lanka and India.
The bark is peeled off, dried and ground. Culinary use for spicy flavour in drinks, fruit, baked sweets.

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Cinquefoil (Potentilla reptans)
Ground creeping slender stem rooting frequently with long-stalked five-toothed leaves.
Golden-yellow flowers June-September, with five petals alternated with green sepals. Roots are long and black.
Medicinal use of powdered root and leaves as gargle and mouthwash, also thought to be a remedy for diarrhoea.

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Clary see Sage

Cleavers see Clivers

Clivers (Galium aparine) (Cleavers) 60-180 cm (24-72 ins).
Small white flowers in flat-topped clusters, rough oblong leaves in whorls of six or eight around stem, square prickly stem, slender root.
Found in moist grassy places.
Medicinal use of tea from juice or dried plant was once recommended for skin problems, and for healing wounds.

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Clover (Trifolium pratense) (Red Clover). Up to 70 cm (50 ins).
Purplish-red globular flowers, oval leaflets with distinctive white bands, reddish stems.
Often found wild but also cultivated particularly for fodder.
Tea from flowers has been used for constipation and sluggish appetite. Poultice of plant for skin problems.

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Cloves (Caryophyllus aromaticus) 5-10 m (15-30 ft).
Tree with red and white bell-shaped flowers in terminal clusters, oval leaves. Dried bud is familiar clove. From Spice Islands, Philippines and West Indies.
Culinary use in soups and stews and sweet dishes.
Medicinal use of oil or tea to soothe and act as an antiseptic.

Coca (Erythroxylum coca) 22 m (8 ft).
Small yellowish-white flowers in clusters, thin oval opaque leaves in straight branches. Resembles a black-thorn bush.
Found in western S. America in hot damp conditions.
Medicinal use of leaves as a stimulant usually by chewing, source of cocaine. Internal action similar to opium though less narcotic.

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Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara).
Creeping root sending up downy white stems topped by large yellow flowers, large leaves downy underneath.
Found particularly on loamy, moist soils in hedgerows and waste places.
Leaves and flowers have been used in infusions and teas for treating colds and coughs, and in compresses for treatment of varicose veins and some rashes.

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Comfrey (Symphytum) officinale) 60-100 cm (24-36 ins).
Cream or purple bell-like flowers, large hairy leaves have wavy edges, hairy stems. Root black.
Found in damp places by rivers.
Medicinal use of root in decoctions valuable as general tonic for bones and tendons, and is claimed to give relief to rheumatic pains if taken over a long period. Root in baths is said to be good for skin and in a poultice for bruises and insect bites.

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Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) 30-70 cm (12-24 ins).
White flowers in umbels, round stalks, lower leaves like parsley, upper leaves sharper. Unripe seeds smell horrible. Brought to Britain by the Romans, found today on waste ground and also cultivated especially in the U.S.S.R.
Culinary use of leaves which have a bitter taste and seeds which dried have sage-like taste.
Medicinal use on wide scale of fruit in ointments for rheumatism and arthritis. Oil stimulates digestive secretions, also used in the perfumery industry.

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Cornflower (Centuarea cyanus) 30-60 cm (12-24 ins).
Little blue flowers in florets, long thin leaves, thin stiff branched stem.
Found growing wild but less frequent since chemical fertilisers, often close to poppies.
Medicinal use of tea as eyewash, and for cosmetic purposes.

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Cowslip (Primula veris)30-70 cm (12-30 ins).
Yellow flowers resemble tiny primrose heads all on one stalk, slightly leathery leaves. Erect central stem.
Found in pastures particularly on chalk.
Medicinal use of flowers or in preparations as a sedative and as an expectorant.

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Crocus see Autumn Crocus

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Cubeb (Piper cubeba).
Vine or shrub growing in East Indies, flowers grow in scaly spikes developing into clusters of berries resembling black pepper, which are picked unripe and dried.
Medicinal use in cigarettes to relieve hay fever and asthma, oil acts as antiseptic against gonorrhoea.

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Cumin (Cuminum cyminum) 30-60 cm (12-24 ins).
Small yellow flowers in clusters grouped on branching stalks from branched stem which is stiff and grooved. Previously grown in Britain but uncommon today, seed largely imported.
Culinary use in curry powders but also with wide range of dishes especially cheese, similar to caraway.
Once used as a tea to aid digestion. Use of oil in perfumes.

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Curry Powder. Not derived from a single plant but a blended mixture of various spices such as cardamom, cayenne, cloves, coriander. cumin, dill, fenugreek, ginger, mace, pepper and turmeric.
There is no standard recipe.

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