TEXT: Herbs
  Whistlestop Guide to
  Real and Imagined Properties
  of European Herbs
  by Tim Gray
  
  2
  Introduction
  This document is a rapid tour of real European herbs that are 
  noteworthy for their real or claimed medicinal, practical or magical 
  properties. You can use it as a quick reference source to provide plot 
  elements or useful colour in fantasy games, or in modern-day games 
  with supernatural elements. 
  In many fantasy settings everyday folk medicine is likely to revolve 
  around the plants found in the locality, and knowledge of herbs and 
  their properties would be a valued skill. You could invent a whole load 
  of fantasy plants, but far easier to start with the familiar.
  It’s a simple matter to extrapolate the plants’ properties into the 
  supernatural realm - perhaps Agrimony (opposite) can indeed become 
  a cure-all potion or be used to channel such an effect in the hands of an 
  apothecary, druid or Ordained Herbstalker (whatever that might be). 
  Perhaps the power of Borage can be invoked to counter magical fear.
  The Growing notes assume a temperate climate like Britain’s. Some 
  plants are listed as “garden herb” - they were introduced from other 
  climate zones, often the Mediterranean, and are unlikely to be found 
  growing wild. Of course plants naturally escape from gardens and 
  spread to any niches where they can succeed; and in a warmer climate 
  many of our most prized culinary herbs are found growing naturally.
  Cautionary note. If you feel inspired to investigate the medicinal 
  properties of herbs yourself, great - but don't experiment on the basis 
  of what you read here. Even plants with healing properties can be 
  dangerous if wrongly used, and the author accepts no consequences for 
  that sort of thing. Get a proper book on herbs that’s written for the real 
  world rather than a game world, or consult a qualified adviser.  
  Sources
  Lesley Bremness; ‘The Complete Book of Herbs’; Dorling Kindersley; 
  1988
  Christine Grey-Wilson; ‘Collins Gem Guide: Herbs for Cooking and 
  Health’; Collins; 1987
  Anna Kruger, ‘An Illustrated Guide to Herbs - their medicine and 
  magic’; Dragon’s World; 1992
  A Whistlestop 
  Guide to
  Herbs
  Written and designed by
  Tim Gray
  Art
  © 2008 Jupiterimages 
  Corporation
  Published by
  Silver Branch Games
  © 2008 Tim Gray
  www.silverbranch.co.uk
  
  3
  The Plants
  Agrimony
  Agrimonia eupatoria
  Graceful plant with serrated leaves growing in pairs and thin 2ft spikes 
  of small yellow flowers.
  Growing - Waste ground, roadsides, along field edges, in hedgerows.
  Medicinal - Beneficial eyewash. Soothing gargle. Wound healing. 
  Digestive tonic.
  Other - Once thought to heal almost any ailment. In folklore, a person 
  sleeping with agrimony under the pillow will not wake till it’s removed. 
  Also said to be a poison antidote.
  Alecost
  Chrysanthemum balsamita
  Leg-height plant with lanky stems, silvery green mint-scented leaves 
  and heads of insignificant yellow flowers.
  Growing - Full sun; rich, dryish, well-drained soil.
  Medicinal - Infuse leaf as a tonic for colds, catarrh, upset stomach and 
  cramps. Also eases childbirth. A crushed leaf will relieve bee stings, and 
  leaves can be added to a salve for burns and stings.
  Other - Minty scent of leaves repels insects - used with fabrics and as a 
  strewing herb. Small amounts of leaf used as flavouring. Leaves and 
  flowering tops used to clear, flavour and preserve beer.
  Angelica
  Garden Angelica archangelica, Wild A. sylvestris
  Large, bright green leaves and thick hollow stems that can grow to head 
  height, bearing sprays of small flowers that develop into seed heads.
  Growing - Likes light shade and a deep, moist soil. Found in damp 
  woods and meadows, and on river banks.
  Medicinal - Tea made from the leaves is a tonic for colds and relieves 
  flatulence. Seeds help digestion. Roots and stalks help bronchial 
  troubles, coughs and colds.
  Other - Praised in folklore as a panacea for all ills, and said to have 
  angelic powers against evil spells and witchcraft. Seeds can be used as a 
  flavouring, and leaves in a salad. Seeds (burned in a pan) and leaves 
  perfume a room. Stems can be crystallised for decorating food.
  
  4
  Basil
  Ocimum basilicum
  Knee high with aromatic oval, toothed, bright green leaves and clusters 
  of small whitish flowers.
  Growing - Sun and warmth, in a moist soil. Garden herb - may have to 
  be grown indoors in temperate regions.
  Medicinal - An infusion of the leaf aids digestion and the scent helps 
  with mental fatigue.
  Other - Prized by cooks for its warm, spicy flavour. Several cultures 
  have held it to have a divine essence or powers of protection and good 
  luck. Deters flies.
  Borage
  Borago officinalis
  Knee height, with grey-green hairy leaves and pure blue flowers.
  Growing - Open, sunny position; light, dry, well-drained soil. Difficult 
  to dry. Very rare in wild - usually an escape from gardens.
  Medicinal - Leaf rich in mineral salts. A poultice soothes inflammation 
  and bruises. Used against chest and throat complaints. Has been 
  known to cure hangover. Said to dispel melancholy, impart gladness 
  and give courage.
  Other - Leaf gives a cucumbery flavouring. Flower used as a garnish. 
  When the plant is burned the mineral content gives little explosions of 
  sparks.
  Caraway
  Carum carvi
  Knee height, with bright green feathery leaves and slender stems 
  bearing heads of tiny white flowers.
  Growing - Full sun, rich loam. Garden herb.
  Medicinal - Raw or infused seed aids digestion, promotes appetite, 
  sweetens breath and relieves flatulence.
  Other - Seed used as a flavouring and to aid digestion. Young leaves 
  can be used in salads and soups, and roots as a vegetable. Believed to 
  protect against witches; also to prevent departures, so it was used in 
  love potions.
  
  5
  Chamomile
  There are three varieties: Perennial or Roman C. (chamaemelum 
  nobile), German (annual) C. (matricaria recutita) and Dyer's C. 
  (Anthemis tinctoria). Despite their differing species names they are 
  related.
  Low plant with feathery leaves and daisy-like white flowers.
  Growing - Full sun; light, well drained soil. Roman C. is found rarely in 
  grassy and heathy places in south England.
  Medicinal - An infusion of the flowers is a general tonic and sedative, 
  useful for digestive troubles, nervous disorders and headache. A 
  compress can be used to treat wounds and eczema.
  Other - Boosts ailing plants nearby. Flowers make a good skin tonic 
  and hair conditioner, and can be used with leaves in potpourri. A 
  strong yellow-brown dye comes from the flowers of Dyer's 
  Chamomile.
  Chervil
  Anthriscus cerefolium
  Knee height with lacy, fern-like leaves, slender stems and clusters of 
  tiny white flowers in summer.
  Growing - Light shade, well-drained soil. Garden herb.
  Medicinal - Good supply of vitamins and minerals. Infusion stimulates 
  digestion and alleviates circulation disorders, liver complaints and 
  chronic catarrh. Juice reduces fevers and promotes sweating.
  Other - Both leaf and stem are good to eat. An infusion is a useful skin 
  tonic.
  The related plant called Wild Chervil or, more commonly, Cow Parsley - 
  A. sylvestris - is abundant on footpaths, roadsides, banks, etc. However, 
  it is easily confused with a number of poisonous species, including 
  Hemlock.
  Chicory
  Cichorium intybus
  Waist height with a hollow, furrowed stem, arrow-shaped leaves with a 
  hairy underside and flowers of a clear blue in summer.
  Growing - Sunny and open; light soil, preferably alkaline. Widespread 
  but only locally common in England and Wales, usually in grassy and 
  waste places on chalk and limestone.
  Medicinal - Leaf is rich in minerals and helps jaundice or spleen 
  problems. A poultice soothes inflammation, boils and abscesses. An 
  
  6
  infusion of the root is a tonic, mild laxative and diuretic. A decoction 
  may help gallstones, kidney stones and inflammation of the liver or 
  urinary tract.
  Other - Used as a vegetable: young roots can be boiled, and leaves 
  “forced” to give solid heads. Roasted and ground roots make a slightly 
  bitter coffee substitute. Flower and leaf in salads. Leaf gives a blue dye.
  Chives
  Allium schoenoprasum
  This member of the onion family has low clumps of tubular grass-like 
  leaves, and globular mauve flowers in summer.
  Growing - Mostly in gardens but sometimes found wild in rocky, 
  limestone soils and on stream banks and damp grassland. Likes sun.
  Medicinal - General tonic; promotes digestion.
  Other - Culinary.
  Coltsfoot
  Tussilago farfara
  Low clumps of thick, almost rubbery dark green leaves with grey 
  undersides and small yellow flowers in spring.
  Growing - Waste ground, railway embankments, and on hard, bare, 
  shingly ground.
  Medicinal - Cough remedy - expectorant, soothing. Once taken by 
  smoking dried leaves. Also useful for bronchitis and asthma. Currently 
  debate over possible toxic properties.
  Comfrey
  Symphytum officinale
  Up to waist height, with thick-ribbed oval leaves rough to the touch 
  and clusters of bell-like blue-mauve flowers.
  Growing - Likes full sun and rich soil. Common in damp places, 
  especially by running water - it likes ditches and river banks. Even a 
  small root cutting will take hold, sending down a 10' taproot, often 
  spreading wildly and becoming impossible to get rid of.
  Medicinal - A powerful tissue healer. (The leaf and roots contain a 
  protein that encourages cell division.) An infusion is a good general 
  tonic, particularly for stomach ulcers, coughs and to promote healing 
  generally. A poultice of fresh leaves is useful on skin irritations, burns, 
  cuts, sprains and fractures. However, it can cause healing of a wound at 
  surface level before it’s healed at a deeper level.
  
  7
  Other - Has more protein in its leaf structure than any other known 
  plant, and contains traces of many vitamins and minerals. The leaf can 
  be cooked like spinach, and the stem like asparagus. Leaves give a 
  golden fabric dye. Useful “green manure” soil fertiliser.
  Coriander
  Coriandrum sativum
  Knee height, with slender pale green stem, scalloped lower leaves and 
  feathery upper leaves, and heads of small white-pink flowers.
  Growing - Full sun; rich, light soil. Grows wild in a few scattered places.
  Medicinal - Chew or infuse seed for a digestive tonic and mild sedative. 
  An infusion of the leaves will ease stomach cramps. Ointment soothes 
  stiff joints and rheumatic aches and pains.
  Other - Seed gives a warm, spicy flavouring. Fresh lower leaves give an 
  aromatic parsley flavour. Stem and fresh root can be cooked. Once put 
  into love potions as an aphrodisiac.
  Deadnettle
  Lamium species
  Looks very like the stinging nettle, but is not related and doesn’t sting. 
  Leaves are heart-shaped with serrated edges. Flowers are usually white, 
  orchid-like, growing around the stem.
  Growing - Grows well in most soils. The white deadnettle is common in 
  hedgebanks and waste places, while the purple-flowered version is 
  abundant in cultivated soils. Both prefer full sun.
  Medicinal - Decoction of flowers is a blood purifier. Bruised leaves 
  applied to the skin staunch bleeding. A tea made from dried leaves 
  encourages perspiration.
  Other - Leaves can be eaten, e.g. in omelettes. Flowers sweet to chew.
  Dill
  Anethum graveolens
  Waist height, with a tall, hollow stem bearing feathery leaves and heads 
  of tiny yellow flowers in summer. Distinctive sharp aniseed smell.
  Growing - Full sun, rich and well-drained soil, protection from wind. 
  Garden herb.
  Medicinal - An infusion of the seeds helps indigestion, flatulence, 
  hiccups, stomach cramps, insomnia and colic.
  Other - Once prized as protection against witchcraft and infused in 
  wine to enhance passion. Flavouring.
  
  8
  Fennel
  Foeniculum vulgare
  Head height, with a dark green stem bearing feathery aniseed smelling 
  leaves and heads of small yellow flowers, becoming seeds.
  Growing - Full sun; prefers well-drained loam. Locally distributed 
  throughout the south, less common in the north. Occurs on cliffs, 
  waste ground and damp places, especially near the sea.
  Medicinal - Tea from the seed aids digestion and eases constipation. 
  Chewing the seed allays hunger and eases indigestion. May also reduce 
  the toxic effects of alcohol on the body. A decoction of the seed is a 
  useful eye bath.
  Other - Seed can be used as flavouring and sprouted. Finely chop leaf 
  over salads and cooked dishes. Add young stems to salads. Said to be 
  powerful against evil: combating poisons, dispelling spirits and 
  countering witchcraft.
  Feverfew
  Chrysanthemum parthenium or Tanacetum parthenium
  Knee height clumps of divided leaves, mid- to yellow-green, and white 
  daisy-like flowers.
  Growing - Wood edges, walls, hedgerows, roadsides and waste ground. 
  Self-seeds furiously.
  Medicinal - One of the most useful herbs against headache and 
  migraine. Also helps indigestion and poor sleep. Relieves bites and 
  stings.
  Other - Once considered a general tonic, including curing ague, lifting 
  the spirits and keeping disease away. Can repel insects.
  Garlic 
  Allium sativum
  Low clumps of flat, solid leaves, with the bulb growing underground.
  Growing - Prefers sun. Garden herb. (Ramsons, also known as wild 
  garlic, is a different member of the onion family.)
  Medicinal - Can be used as an antibiotic, to cleanse blood, reduce blood 
  pressure, bring down fevers and clear catarrh - helpful against common 
  colds, worms, dysentery and typhoid.
  Other - Cooking - rich in vitamins. Sometimes has a beneficial effect on 
  neighbouring plants.
  
  9
  Hops
  Humulus lupulus
  A vigorous climbing plant with heart-shaped, rough-textured leaves. 
  Female flowers resemble small yellow-green pine cones.
  Growing - In southern areas it grows wild in damp hedgerows and 
  thickets, liking humus-rich soils and shelter.
  Medicinal - Digestive and sedative. A pillow stuffed with dried hops 
  can aid sleep. Antiseptic, reduces inflammation. Excessive amounts 
  may impair male sexual function and interrupt the menstrual cycle in 
  women.
  Other - Flavouring and preservative for beer.
  Horseradish
  Armoracia rusticana
  Leg height clump of large elliptical leaves with a pungent smell when 
  bruised.
  Growing - Open sunny position. Light, rich, moist soil. Very common 
  in waste ground in the south, like railway cuttings, derelict gardens, 
  even abandoned brick piles. 
  Medicinal - The powerful fumes released when grating the root put 
  onions to shame. Best used quickly, as it loses its potency in a few days. 
  Root contains vitamins and minerals, and has antibiotic properties. 
  Grated root in food stimulates digestion, eliminates mucus and waste 
  fluids. As a syrup it is useful against bronchitis and coughs. In a 
  poultice it helps against chilblains, stiff muscles, sciatica and 
  rheumatism.
  Other - Young leaves in salads; grated root in salads, pickles etc. 
  (cooking destroys the flavouring oil in the root). Horseradish sauce is a 
  well-known condiment.
  Hyssop
  Hyssopus officinalis
  Knee height clump of upright stems bearing small narrow leaves and 
  spikes of flowers in deep blue (or sometimes pink, purple or white).
  Growing - Garden escape, likes dry, rocky or chalky soils.
  Medicinal - Helps with chest complaints, catarrh, sore throats. Poultice 
  or infusion for bruising.
  Other - Flavouring for food. Strewing on floors to freshen the air. 
  Thought to have powers of cleansing and purification.
  
  10
  Lady’s Mantle
  Alchemilla vulgaris
  Low clump of soft round leaves made of folded lobes that collect drops 
  of rain. Stems bear clusters of greenish-yellow flowers in summer.
  Growing - Likes sun and rich, moist soil. Common in grassy places, 
  though rarer in the south and east.
  Medicinal - A tea made from the green parts of the plant is helpful 
  during pregnancy, after giving birth, to regulate menstrual cycle and to 
  relieve menopausal discomfort. Also useful as a mouth rinse after tooth 
  extraction, and to relieve diarrhoea. A compress heals wounds and 
  reduces inflammation.
  Other - Young leaves can be used in salads. Leaves give a green wool 
  dye.
  Lavender
  Lavandula officinalis
  Knee height bush of stems with a grey or blue tinge, bearing narrow 
  leaves and spikes of purple flowers. Gives off a distinctive scent.
  Growing - Garden herb. Likes stony, well-drained soils in sunny 
  situations.
  Medicinal - Soothing and sedative - useful for nervous headaches, 
  tension and sleeplessness. Antiseptic - a lotion can be used to clean 
  wounds. Also good on burns and scalds - can prevent blistering. Insect 
  repellant.
  Other - Used widely for its scent: in bath or wash water, hanging in 
  wardrobes to scent clothes, masking household smells, strewing on 
  floors.
  Lemon Balm
  Melissa officinalis
  Waist height bush with light green oval leaves with a toothed edge, and 
  clusters of small, pale yellow flowers. Refreshing lemony scent.
  Growing - Garden herb. Likes rich, moist soil and a sunny position.
  Medicinal - Has a sedative and uplifting effect on the central nervous 
  system, so useful for depression, headaches, restlessness, etc. Aids 
  digestion. Best used fresh.
  Other - Much loved by bees. Gives a lemon tang in drinks, salads, 
  jellies, etc.
  
  11
  Marigold
  Calendula officinalis
  Knee height plant with narrow leaves and yellow-orange flowers.
  Growing - Sunny position, most soils. Not found wild.
  Medicinal - The flower is the most important part - it's soothing, 
  healing and antiseptic. Ointment used for leg ulcers, varicose veins, bed 
  sores, cuts, burns and bruises. An infusion promotes digestion and 
  stimulates bile, and can be used as a mouthwash after tooth extraction. 
  Oil extracted from the petals is useful in many skin complaints. Leaves 
  have been used to treat open wounds.
  Other - Petals in food give yellow colour and tangy flavour. Leaves can 
  be sprinkled in salads and stews. Flowers give a pale yellow dye.
  Wild Marjoram/Oregano
  Origanum vulgare
  Knee height bush with rounded leaves and clusters of white or pink 
  flowers (though varieties differ quite a bit).
  Growing - Chalk downs or limestone in full sun.
  Medicinal - Antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, digestive. Used 
  against coughs, colds and flu; bronchitis and asthma; mouth and throat 
  infections; tension headaches; and pain in the muscles or joints.
  Other - Flavour in cooking (sweet marjoram better). Strewing on 
  floors. Sweet marjoram was used to crown newly wed couples and 
  placed on tombs, bringing joy and comfort to both the living and the 
  dead. Said to be an antidote to poison.
  Marsh Mallow
  Althaea officinalis
  Head height, with stems bearing large, velvety, grey-green tear-shaped 
  leaves and pink or white flowers.
  Growing - Full sun and moist soil. Likes boggy places, e.g. dykes and 
  coastal marshes.
  Medicinal - The root contains a soothing mucilage. An infusion is 
  useful for coughs, diarrhoea and insomnia. Add to ointment for burns. 
  Put in a poultice for inflammations.
  Other - Seeds, flowers, leaves and root can all be eaten. The root is the 
  source of the original marshmallow sweets. Boiling the leaves or 
  steeping the root gives a liquid good for dry hands, sunburn, dry hair 
  and face lotions.
  
  12
  Meadowsweet
  Filipendula ulmaria
  Waist height reddish stems bear pointed oval leaves, dark green above 
  and grey green below. Sprays of cream-coloured flowers in summer.
  Growing - Sun or partial shade; moist, fertile, alkaline soil. Widespread 
  and often abundant, by fresh water, in fens and marshy places and 
  damp woods. Dropwort (F. vulgaris), a shorter plant with larger 
  flowers, is found on dry chalk and limestone downland.
  Medicinal - A tea made from the flowers helps rid the body of excess 
  fluid and alleviates heartburn, feverish colds and mild diarrhoea. It’s 
  also a mild sedative and painkiller (containing the active ingredient of 
  aspirin). The whole plant is soothing to the stomach and bowel.
  Other - Flower gives slight almond flavour to jams, beer, wine, etc. Leaf 
  can also be used as a flavouring. Widely used for strewing on floors 
  because of the scent - was once much in demand for church weddings. 
  A versatile dye plant: greenish-yellow from the flowering top, blue 
  from the leaf and stem, and black from the roots.
  Mint
  Mentha species
  There are many different mint species. They vary in requirements and 
  properties, like having a hint of apple or lemon in their scent. Most are 
  knee to leg height with serrated oval leaves.
  Growing - Species found in the wild prefer moist, fairly shady positions.
  Medicinal - Cooling, anti-spasmodic, anaesthetic, decongestant. Good 
  against stomach ache, indigestion, menstrual cramps, tension 
  headaches, tiredness, aching muscles and joints. Also as a general pick-
  me-up.
  Other - Culinary flavouring and refreshing scent. Said to stir up lust 
  and appetite. A symbol of hospitality. Strewing on floors.
  Mullein
  Verbascum thapsus
  Head height stems bear large woolly leaves and bright yellow flowers.
  Growing - Likes sunny sheltered spots on poor, well drained soil.
  Medicinal - Flower and leaf infused for coughs and respiratory 
  problems. Flower used to soften and soothe skin.
  Other - Leaves used as tinder and herbal tobacco. Once said to protect 
  against magic.
  
  13
  Mustard
  Brassica species
  Can reach head height. Fast-growing. Stems bear oval, pointed leaves 
  with lighter undersides and clusters of yellow flowers.
  Growing - Sunny position, fertile and well-drained soil. White mustard 
  (Sinapsis alba) is a common weed in arable land, especially chalky soils.
  Medicinal - Seed crushed in warm water induces vomiting. Powdered 
  and made into a poultice it draws blood to the skin or lungs, and 
  relieves pain and inflammation in rheumatism, arthritis, congested 
  lungs and chilblains. A footbath warms feet and relieves colds.
  Other - Known for its hot, bitter flavor; also has preservative 
  properties. Seed as flavouring and in pickles; flower in salads or 
  sandwiches; young leaves in salads. Was thought to be an aphrodisiac 
  and included in love potions.
  Nettle, Stinging
  Urtica dioica
  Waist high with square stems bearing pointed, toothed leaves that sting 
  when touched and tiny greenish flowers in summer.
  Growing - Everywhere. If you can't find it turn in your herbalist’s 
  badge.
  Medicinal - A cleanser and general tonic, rich in vitamins and 
  minerals. Infusion soothes rheumatic pains, aids digestion and 
  combats eczema.
  Other - Stem yields fibres which can be used in rope, cloth and paper. 
  Whole plant yields a yellow-green to grey-green dye. Can be cooked, 
  e.g. as a soup, as this destroys the sting.
  Parsley
  Petroselinum crispum
  Knee height with bright green leaves, curled with toothed edges.
  Growing - Rich moist soil in full sun or light shade. Garden herb.
  Medicinal - Leaf can be chewed to freshen breath and promote healthy 
  skin, infused for a digestive tonic and made into an antiseptic dressing. 
  Root can help with kidney trouble and act as a mild laxative.
  Other - Culinary garnish and flavouring; rich in vitamins and minerals. 
  Was worn in garlands to counter strong odours. Has been linked with 
  both victory and death.
  
  14
  Raspberry
  Rubus idaeus
  Upright stems with tear-shaped leaves, small spines, and white flowers 
  turning to fragrant red fruit.
  Growing - Woodland clearings, wood edges, railway embankments, 
  heathland, etc. Likes moist, nutrient-rich soil.
  Medicinal - Infusion of the leaf is used during the last months of 
  pregnancy to strengthen the muscles, reduce blood loss during birth, 
  etc. Also helpful for diarrhoea in children and against mouth ulcers.
  Other - Eaten raw and in preserves. 
  Rosemary
  Rosmarinus officinalis
  Waist height (or more) shrub with woody stems bearing dark, leathery, 
  needle-like leaves and blue (sometimes white) flowers. Has a resiny 
  scent a little like pine.
  Growing - Sun, good drainage and freedom from cold winds. Garden 
  herb.
  Medicinal - Stimulating and warming, increasing blood circulation. 
  Helps with digestive complaints, aching joints and rheumatic pains, 
  and headaches.
  Other - Flavouring and scent. Dried and burned, it purifies the air. The 
  scent repels moths. Said to improve the memory, so it became an 
  emblem of fidelity for lovers.
  Rue
  Ruta graveolens
  Knee height evergreen shrub. Leaves are blue-green and made of 
  rounded lobes. Greenish-yellow flowers in summer.
  Growing - Likes sun and well-drained, alkaline soil. Garden herb.
  Medicinal - Tea stimulates menstruation, appetite, perspiration and 
  bile, and contains useful minerals. Added to compresses for wounds 
  and skin ulcers. Used against hysteria, epilepsy and abnormal blood 
  pressure. This is a powerful plant, which should be taken only under 
  qualified supervision and never during pregnancy.
  Other - Can be used in very small amounts as a musky flavouring. Said 
  to have great magical powers, keeping off plague and evil spirits and 
  taken as an antidote to all deadly poisons.
  
  15
  Sage
  Salvia officinalis
  Knee height evergreen shrub with thick spear-shaped leaves - usually 
  grey-green but there are purple varieties. Flowers usually mauve-blue.
  Growing - Full sun and a light, dry soil. Garden herb.
  Medicinal - Good against infections, especially of the mouth and 
  throat. Tea helps digestion, and is a nerve and blood tonic. It reduces 
  sweating, soothes coughs and colds, helps combat diarrhoea and may 
  help menstrual problems. Applied externally it assists wound healing. 
  An important part of the herbalist’s kit.
  Other - Excellent, though strong, flavour in cooking. The smell 
  discourages insects and removes other smells - use dried leaves, burn 
  or boil.
  Sorrel
  Rumex acetosa
  Waist high stems bearing spear-shaped leaves and red-green flower 
  spikes. (There’s also a low-growing, milder buckler-leaved sorrel.)
  Growing - Meadows and grassland, roadsides and open woods. Likes 
  rich, moist soil.
  Medicinal - Reduces fever. Sore throats. Vitamin C content once 
  helped in cases of scurvy.
  Other - Culinary - sharp lemony tang in salads and cooked dishes.
  Oxalic acid content can damage kidneys in large doses.
  Strawberry, Wild
  Fragaria vesca
  Low-growing plant with three-lobed toothed leaves, white flowers and 
  sweet red fruit.
  Growing - Clearings in woods and forests, dry grassland in shady spots. 
  Spreads by runners as well as seeds.
  Medicinal - Useful against diarrhoea, fever and gout.
  Other - Eaten, known for its sweetness. Often associated with the fairy 
  folk.
  
  16
  Tarragon
  Artemisia dracunculus
  Leg height, with long, narrow glossy leaves that release a warm, 
  peppery scent and small round green-white flowers.
  Growing - Sunny sheltered site; rich, light, dry soil. Garden herb.
  Medicinal - Leaves are rich in vitamins and minerals. Infusion is an 
  appetite stimulant, digestive and general tonic. Root used to cure 
  toothache.
  Other - Flavouring. named for the dragon, it was believed to cure the 
  bites of venomous creatures.
  Thyme
  Thymus vulgaris
  Low shrub or creeper, depending on variety, with small pointed oval 
  leaves and pale lilac (or ranging between pink and white) flowers.
  Growing - Dry, rocky or well-drained soils in good sun.
  Medicinal - Strongly antibacterial. Tea used for gastro-intestinal 
  complaints and to expel intestinal parasites. Antispasmodic properties 
  - good for sore throats, irritable coughs and bronchitis. Mouthwash 
  combats gum infections.
  Other - Thought to bring courage, and protect from the plague. Also 
  associated with death, and thought to bring fairies or allow them to be 
  seen. Culinary. Preservative - used in embalming.
  Valerian
  Valeriana officinalis
  Waist high round, grooved stems bear narrow, toothed leaflets with a 
  sharp scent and clusters of tiny pale pink flowers.
  Growing - Likes cool roots and warm foliage, and a rich, moist soil. 
  Seen in damp woods, ditches and marshes.
  Medicinal - Root acts as a depressant on central nervous system. A 
  sedative for mild insomnia, sudden emotional distress, headaches, 
  intestinal cramps and nervous exhaustion.
  Other - Boosts growth of nearby plants - stimulates earthworm activity. 
  Leaves add minerals to compost. Root attracts cats and vermin (can be 
  used in traps). Said to have powers over witches and as an aphrodisiac.
  
  17
  Vervain
  Verbena officinalis
  Waist high stem with narrow, lobed leaf, glossy and slightly hairy, and 
  spikes of small pale lilac flowers.
  Growing - Roadsides, rough pastures, waste ground. Prefers chalky 
  soils.
  Medicinal - Strengthens the nervous system - good for tension, 
  depression and nervous exhaustion. Helpful for complaints linked with 
  tension, like indigestion, asthma, headache and migraine. Helps to 
  fight fevers and speeds recovery from infections.
  Other - Associated with mysticism and magic, e.g. as an altar plant. A 
  herb of purification and prophecy. Worn as lucky charms, thought to 
  protect against headaches and snakebite. Made into love charms and 
  potions.
  Violet
  Viola odorata
  Low plant, spreading by runners, with heart-shaped leaves and scented 
  violet or white flowers in spring.
  Growing  - Semi-shade in rich soil.
  Medicinal - The flowers, leaves and roots are helpful for coughs and 
  bronchitis. Flowers soothe nerves, headaches and insomnia.
  Other - Flower used in cosmetics, perfumes and crystallised with sugar 
  as sweets and dessert decorations. A symbol of love and fertility.
  Wild Celery/Smallage
  Apium graveolens
  Leg height branching stems with light green fan-shaped toothed leaves 
  and clusters of small greenish-cream flowers.
  Growing - Likes sun and shelter from strong winds, in soil that’s rich, 
  moist and well drained. Widespread but local in damp places near the 
  sea, mainly in the south and east.
  Medicinal - The seed calms nerves, promotes restfulness and eases 
  flatulence and some kidney disorders. The leaf is rich in vitamins and 
  minerals. An infusion acts as a tonic and appetiser, and eases 
  indigestion and colic. Juice from the leaf and stem stimulates urine.
  Other - Seeds and leaves edible, usually in small quantities due to 
  strong flavour.
  
  18
  Wormwood
  Artemisia absinthium
  Waist height shrub, grey-green with silky hairs. Leaves are deeply lobed 
  like fingers. 
  Growing - Full sun and light well-drained soil.
  Medicinal - Has been used in small doses to expel worms and as a 
  general tonic, but too much can cause heart damage and 
  hallucinations.
  Other - A very bitter herb. Repels insects. An infusion can be used as a 
  disinfectant. Used to make the alcoholic drink absinthe.
  Yarrow
  Achillea millefolium
  Leg high hollow stem bearing long, feathery leaves and heads of small, 
  dull white flowers.
  Growing - Likes sun and rich, moist soil. Grows in abundance in grassy 
  places - often found as low clumps in lawns.
  Medicinal - A potent healer. Fresh leaves used to staunch blood, e.g. 
  wounds or nosebleeds. Chew fresh leaf to relieve toothache, make a 
  decoction for inflamed gums. Tea helps digestion, regulates menstrual 
  flow, induces perspiration, cleanses the system and fights colds. 
  Decoction helps wounds, chapped skin and rashes.
  Other - Leaves used in salad. Helps nearby plants resist disease. Leaves 
  assist breakdown of compost. Stalks were used for divination in China.
  
SOURCE: textdata/thevault/Any (Any System Generic)/Silver Branch Games - Whistlestop Guide to Herbs.pdf