ANGELICA ARCHANGELICA

ANGELICA: A European biennial or short-lived perennial
(if prevented from flowering). Loves shade and rich, moist clay. It has
thick, tall stems with a few large leaves and many large, spherical compound
umbels of greenish yellow flowers. Aromatic (a flavoring of Benedictine
and Chartreuse), appetite stimulant, carminative. Used in treating anorexia
nervosa and bronchitis and once used to treat the plague. Widely used
as a remedy for menstrual disorders. For 100s of years, this has been a
major cure-all medicinal herb of N. Europe.

ANGELICA SINENSIS

DANG-GUI: Perhaps the most popular Chinese medicinal
plant in and outside of China, dang-qui roots are used for menstrual
disorders, as a blood and heart tonic, and as a pain reliever, among a
multitude of other uses. It is one of the most studied Chinese herbs. A
perennial, it is grown in cool, moist, rich, sandy soil in part shade.
The highest quality dang-qui is grown in the cold, high mountains
of Gansu provence.

FOENICULUM VULGARE

FENNEL, XIAO-HUI-XIANG: A very hardy, somewhat
coarse, hair-like leafed plant with numerous yellow flower umbels atop
6-7′ tall stalks. Carminative, aromatic (anise), a weak diuretic, mild
stimulant. The root and stalks were used for food, the seeds as a condiment
and flavoring. Allays hunger and is used as a diet aid. Used in Chinese
medicine to promote energy flow, relieve pain and disperse congestion.
Naturalizes easily.

HYDROCOTYLE ASIATICA -major

FAMILY :: UNBELLIFERAE
GOTU KOLA: A trailing plant native to India’s marshes. Tonic, diuretic, antibiotic, purgative. And mild stimulant in small doses, narcotic in larger doses. Used in treating leprosy and tuberculosis. Some say it strengthens the memory, but I forget where I read that. Tender to freezing and grows best in part shade in rich, moist, acid soil. Excellent plant for naturalizing in Puerto Vallarta. Also called Centella asiatica

In Southeast Asia, gotu kola juice is widely used as a refreshing beverage, even to the point of being sold at street stands and in commercial ‘soda pop’ cans.

LEVISTICUM OFFICINALE

FAMILY :: UNBELLIFERAE
LOVAGE: A large, hardy, strongly aromatic, strong tasting, coarse celery-like plant that grows well in common garden soil in full sun. Diuretic, carminative, stomachic. In the Middle Ages, it had a reputation as an aphrodisiac, hence the common name. Now mainly used culinarily. This plant grows much taller (to 9′) and very much quicker than I read that it would. Very impressive: I can see why it was considered aphrodisiac in the Doctrine of Signatures.