GINGER ---

Properties: Analgesic, Antiemetic, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Antiseptic, Aromatic, Anticoagulant, Carminative, Diaphoretic, Expectorant, Sialagogue, Stimulant, Vermifuge.

Internal Uses: Amenorrhea, Arthritis, Backache, Bacterial Infection, Catarrh, Colds, Cough, Cramps, Dysentery, Dysmenorrhea, Dyspepsia, Flatulence, Flu, Food Poisoning, Hypertension, Indigestion, Lumbago, Morning Sickness, Motion Sickness, Nausea, Stroke, Tonsillitis, Vertigo, Viral Infections

Internal Applications: Tea, Tincture, Capsules, Syrup.

Ginger has been found to be even more effective than Dramamine in curbing motion sickness, without causing drowsiness. Chew a piece of the fresh root to treat sore throats. 

Ginger is an excellent herb to improve circulation to all parts of the body. It reduces blood platelet aggregation and inhibits the biochemical pathways associated with inflammation.

Topical Uses: Arthritis, Asthma, Balding, Chills, Colds, Flu, Headache, Kidney Stones, Muscle Soreness

Topical Applications: Use a compress of Ginger on arthritic joints, sore muscles, kidney stones, asthma and hypertensive headaches. Bath herb for chills, muscle soreness and poor circulation. Foot soaks for cold and flu. Massage oil. Essential oil used in men's aftershaves. Used in perfumes. 

Energetics: Pungent, Sweet, Hot, Dry.

Chinese ships carried pots of Ginger on board long sea voyages to prevent scurvy and seasickness. A Chinese folk remedy recommends rubbing the cut root on the scalp to stop hair loss. In India, before religious festivals devotees would avoid Garlic, so as not to offend the dieties. Instead, they consumed Ginger, which left them fragrant and pleasing.

ROSEMARY---

Properties: Anodyne, Antibacterial, Antidepressant, Antifungal, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Antiseptic, Antispasmodic, Aromatic, Astringent, Cardiotonic, Carminative, Cholagogue, Circulatory Stimulant, Decongestant, Diaphoretic, Digestive Tonic, Diuretic, Emmenagogue, Hypertensive, Nervine, Rejuvenative, Stimulant, Stomach Tonic, Tonic.

Internal Uses: Anxiety, Asthma, Debility, Depression, Dyspepsia, Epilepsy, Fatigue, Flatulence, Food Poisoning, Headache, Rheumatism, Stress, Vertigo

Internal Applications: Tea, Tincture, Capsules.

A study done at Rutgers State University found that Rosemary had preservative qualities more powerful and safer than the common food additives BHA and BHT. It helps prevent food poisoning.

Topical Uses: Balding, Canker Sores, Capillary Weakness, Dandruff, Gingivitis, Gray Hair, Headache, Insect Repellent, Muscle Soreness, Neuralgia, Sciatica, Sore Throat

Topical Applications: Skin toner as a rejuvenative. Important ingredient in Queen of Hungary water, a popular beauty tonic. When used on the skin it helps to strengthen the capillaries. Sachets of dried Rosemary are placed in a pillowcase to stimulate dreams. Bath herb acts as a rejuvenative and helps sore muscles. Gargle for sore throat, gum ailments, canker sores and breath freshener. Eyewash. Used in shampoos and conditioners for dandruff, dark hair premature graying and hair loss. It is a potpourri ingredient that repels moths. Essential oil is used in perfume, toothpaste, insect repellants and massage oil, as well as a liniment for neuralgia, sciatica and sore muscles. Add a few drops of Rosemary oil to a freshly washed hairbrush for delightfully aromatic hair. 

Culinary uses: Add to vegetables, soups, breads, biscuits and jellies . Used to flavor tofu, eggs, seafood and meat dishes. Cooking with Rosemary aids the digestion of fats and starches.

Energetics: Pungent, Bitter, Warm, Dry.

Comments: The genus and common name are derived from the Latin ros marinus, meaning 'dew of the sea' as the plant grows profusely near the Mediterranean sea coast and sea foam sprays upon it. Rosemary has long been considered a symbol of friendship and loyalty -- 'Rosemary is for remembrance'. Ancient Greek scholars would wear laurels of Rosemary on their heads to help them when taking examinations. In weddings, brides would wear a wreath of Rosemary and carry it in their bridal bouquets so that they would remember their families and their marriage vows. It was also used at funerals and religious ceremonies as protection from evil and to remember the dead. It was often buried with the dead as well. Indeed its antiseptic aroma could help prevent the spread of infection. During the sixteenth century, Europeans carried pouches of Rosemary to ward off the plague. The branches were strewn in legal courts to prevent the spread of typhus. It has been burned in sick rooms and placed in books to deter moths. 

PEPPERMINT---

Properties: Analgesic, Anodyne, Antibacterial, Antiparasitic, Antispasmodic, Antiviral, Aromatic, Carminative, Cholagogue, Diaphoretic, Digestive Tonic, Diuretic, Refrigerant, Stimulant, Stomach Tonic, Tonic, Vasodilator.

Internal Uses: Colds, Colic, Colitis, Cough, Crohn's Disease, Dysmenorrhea, Dyspepsia, Fatigue, Fever, Flatulence, Flu, Gallstones, Halitosis, Headache, Heartburn, Herpes, Hiccups, Indigestion, Irritable Bowel, Migraine, Morning Sickness, Nausea, Stomachache, Stress

Internal Applications: Tea, Tincture, Capsules, Syrup, Lozenges.

Peppermint is a stronger antiparasitic and antiviral than Spearmint. In general, Spearmint is considered a weaker medicinal than Peppermint. It is hypothesized that Peppermint benefits irritable bowels by inhibiting the hypercontractility of the smooth muscles of the intestines.

Topical Uses: Arthritis, Burns, Chest Congestion, Chickenpox, Cramps, Fever, Inflammation, Insect Bites, Insect Repellent, Itchy Skin, Measles, Morning Sickness, Muscle Soreness, Nausea, Neuralgia, Pain, Rheumatism, Scabies, Shock, Sinus Congestion, Toothache

Topical Applications: Essential oil is added to massage oils for chest congestion, pain and fever as it is cooling. Essential oil inhaled for sinus congestion, shock and nausea. Used to flavor toothpaste, mouthwash. Use as a bath herb to help one to feel cool and refreshed, as well as to treat bug bites, itchy skin, chicken pox and measles. Essential oil is used to scent soaps, repel mosquitoes and scabies. Use as a cool compress for joint inflammation, neuralgia and rheumatism. 

Energetics: Pungent, Cool, Dry.

Contraindications: Considered very safe and can be used by even the sickest of people. Plant Mint in your gardens where you don't mind it spreading as it has a tendency to take over.