9 Familiar Herbs for Beginners eBook Herbal Academy of New England

8/20/2019 9 Familiar Herbs for Beginners eBook Herbal Academy of New England

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9 Familiar Herbs for Beginners

MINI-MONOGRAPHS AND RECIPES


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Copyright 2015 Herbal Academy of New England, 24 South Road, Bedford, MA 01730

Permission to make one copy for personal use is hereby granted to recipient.

What is a Plant Monograph? 4

Lavender 8

Peppermint 10

German Chamomile 12

Thyme 14

Ginger 16

Rosemary 18

Red Clover 20

Nettle 22

Dandelion 24

http://bit.ly/1tlNohOhttp://bit.ly/1tlNohOhttp://bit.ly/1tlNohOhttp://bit.ly/1tlNohOhttp://bit.ly/1tlNohO


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plant monograph?WHAT IS A

As you study the properties and actions of individual herbs, you may consider

starting your own materia medica, a body of collected knowledge on plants, often

including plant monographs. The word monograph comes from the Greek word,

“monographia.” Mono [single] + grapho [to write]. In other words, a monograph is

a detailed writing of a single subject — in our case, herbs.

Start small, and introduce yourself in theory and in person to each plant as you

begin your journey with the herbs. Ask each plant to impart its wisdom, use your

senses, and simultaneously research written resources lled with information

about the specic topics covered in each monograph.

We recommend writing a monograph for each herb you encounter as you study

herbs, embedding it in your memory using both the physical act of writing about it

and the intellectual requirements of research and

critical thinking and inquiry.


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monog raph ia mono [single] + grapho [to write]


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Throughout this ebook, we will highlight several herbs in mini-monographs

along with recipes and links for further reading. Each of these herbs are also featured

in more detail in The Herbarium’s extensive plant database.

The Herbarium database includes some of the most beautiful and complete

monographs to date, pulling together traditional herbal wisdom, hands-on experience,

and modern scientic research to present a multifaceted description of each herb.

Along with quick facts, there is detailed information on the medicinal uses of each

plant. Multiple images and botanical prints, scientic research, and information

on botany, energetics, safety, preparations, and dosage make these monographs

wonderful tools for learning for students and curious dabblers.

ht tp ://herbar ium.herbalacademyofne . com

http://herbarium.herbalacademyofne.com/http://herbarium.herbalacademyofne.com/http://herbarium.herbalacademyofne.com/http://herbarium.herbalacademyofne.com/


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Lavender i s a del ightful ly aromatic nervine that can be taken internal ly a s tea or

t incture to upl i f t the emotions, re l ieve headache and anxiety, and ease one into

sleep. Lavender i s used for i ts relaxing effect - s imply smel l ing the volat i le oi l s of

this plant has a calming effect during t imes of stress and tension. In addit ion to

being used as a nervine, lavender i s a lso car minative (a iding digest ion and rel ieving

gas) , antispasmodic to the gastrointest inal system (relaxing spasms associated with

anxiety and tension) , a circulatory st imulant ( increases circulat ion to the periphery of

the body—perfect for someone with cold hands and fe et ) , and an antimicrobial and

antiseptic useful for dis infect ing cuts and wounds. Lavender also soothes the i tch and

pain of insect b i tes and soothes and a ids heal ing of burns .

Lavendula officinalis (Lamiaceae) – Unopened Flower Buds

Lavender


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INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup dr ied lavender

3-quart po t o f bo i l ing water

DIRECTIONS

Set the pot of boi l ing water on the table . Add lavender buds.

Cover your head with a towel and hold your face over the

steaming pot for a few minutes . Be care ful not to get too c lose as

the s team can burn your skin!

When you are done, wash your face with a c leanser and then

r inse your skin with cool water to c lose your pores .

Herbal S team for Beauty

MORE ON LAVENDER

Lavender Plant Monograph in The Herbarium

Heaven in a Bottle

Lavender Bath Salts

http://herbarium.herbalacademyofne.com/monographs/#ID=1004http://herbalacademyofne.com/2014/07/lavender-infused-oil-recipe-aka-heaven-in-a-bottle/http://herbalacademyofne.com/2014/10/diy-lavender-bath-salts/http://herbalacademyofne.com/2014/10/diy-lavender-bath-salts/http://herbalacademyofne.com/2014/07/lavender-infused-oil-recipe-aka-heaven-in-a-bottle/http://herbarium.herbalacademyofne.com/monographs/#ID=1004


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Peppermint

Peppermint st imulates dige st ion and relaxes

tension, so i s helpful fo r digest ive disorders

associated with pain and spasm, from gas

and col ic and cr amps to nausea and vomiting

to diarrhea. I t has a c ool ing qual i ty so might

be best for someone with too much heat

in the gut or in general . T he volat i le oi l s

in pepper mint are antimicrobial and areeffect ive against a range of bacterial , viral ,

and fungal infect ions, and peppe rmint i s a

tradit ional treatment for fevers, colds, and

flus due to i ts antimicrobial propert ies as

wel l as i ts abi l i ty to st imulate the r elease

of heat from the body during a fever.

Inhalat ion of the volat i le oi l s in

pepper mint oi l or tea helps rel ieve nasal

congest ion in the most pleasant, aromatic

way. As a nervine, pepper mint i s both

relaxing and st imulat ing to the nervous

system, calming anx iety and rel ieving

tension, but can also be used to r echarge

vi ta l energy, increase mental c lar i ty, and aid

concentrat ion. Pepper mint’s high essential

oi l content make s i t unsafe in high amounts

during pregnancy or for young chi ldren, and

it can also aggravate heartburn.

Mentha piperita (Lamiaceae) – Leaves


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MORE ON PEPPERMINT

Peppermint Plant Monograph in The Herbarium

Real Peppermint Hot Cocoa

Homemade Calamine Lotion

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup dr ied or 1 cup fresh peppermint l eaves

1/2 gal lon tap water

DIRECTIONS

Place peppermint and water in a 1/2 g al lon glass jar .

Set in a sunny place for 2-8 hours .

Refr igerate and enjoy as a co ld dr ink.

Pepperm int Sun Tea

A w o n d e r f u l l y c o o l i n g p i c k- m e- up

f o r a h o t s u m m e r’ s d a y.

http://herbarium.herbalacademyofne.com/monographs/#ID=1016http://herbalacademyofne.com/2014/11/indulge-your-sweet-tooth-with-real-peppermint-hot-cacao/http://herbalacademyofne.com/2014/05/natural-itch-relief-recipe/http://herbalacademyofne.com/2014/05/natural-itch-relief-recipe/http://herbalacademyofne.com/2014/11/indulge-your-sweet-tooth-with-real-peppermint-hot-cacao/http://herbarium.herbalacademyofne.com/monographs/#ID=1016


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German Chamomile

Chamomile is a gentle, soothing ner vine that

eases anxiety and tension and cools str ess-related

anger and infla mmation. It is well loved by adults

and children for calming the ner vous system

in preparation for sleep. Chamomile is a great

digestive aid due to its car minative, antispasmodic,

and anti-inflammator y actions. It eases digestion

by relaxing muscles in the digestive tract and

relieving cramping. As a mild bitter, it stimulates

appetite and the liver. It is also used f or the

treatment of stomach ulcers, colic, and menstrual

cramps, as well as the emotional symptoms

associated with PMS.

Matricaria recutita (Asteraceae) – Flowers


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MORE ON CHAMOMILE

Chamomile Plant Monograph in The Herbarium

Soothing Nighttime Tea and Bedroom Spray

Chamo-Berry Banana Smoothie

INGREDIENTS

8 ounces g lass or s ta i nless s tee l spray bot t le (avoid put t ing

essent ia l o i l s in plast ic containers )

4 ounces witch haze l extract

4 ounces dis t i l led water

5-10 drops chamomile essent ia l o i l

3-7 drops cedar wood essent ia l o i l

3-5 drops vani l la essent ia l o i l

3-5 drops palo santo essent ia l o i l*

* Be sure to choose only e thical ly gathered palo santo, as this i s

an endangered plant

DIRECTIONS

Combine al l ingredients i n your bot t le .

Shake wel l be fore use and spray in the bedroom or on the bed orpi l low before going to bed to he lp enhance a good ni ght ’s s leep.

You can also use this in the house when there is a lot o f s t ressed

energy, agg ress ion, and anger associated with s tress to he lp

people calm down, breathe, and reconnect .

Soothing Bedroom Spray

Recipe by Amanda Klenner, on the HANE Blog

http://herbarium.herbalacademyofne.com/monographs/#ID=1http://herbalacademyofne.com/2014/06/how-to-use-chamomile-to-reduce-stress/http://herbalacademyofne.com/2013/07/chamomile-herbs-we-love-for-summer/http://herbalacademyofne.com/2013/07/chamomile-herbs-we-love-for-summer/http://herbalacademyofne.com/2014/06/how-to-use-chamomile-to-reduce-stress/http://herbarium.herbalacademyofne.com/monographs/#ID=1


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The high volat i le oi l content of thymecontributes to i ts strong antimicrobial

and diaphoret ic act ion. I t i s war ming and

drying, so thyme is good for cold and wet

respiratory co ndit ions and can st imulate

expectorat ion. I t can be consumed in

tea and used in s inus steams. I t i s a lso

helpful for sore throats and co nvulsive

coughs due to i ts antispasmodic act ion.

Thymus vulgaris (Lamiaceae) – Aerial parts

Thyme


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MORE ON THYME

Making Herb Paste

Lice Home Remedies

5 Easy Herbs to Grow

INGREDIENTS

1 cup raw honey

1/4 cup dr ied powdered thyme

Ster i l ized, dry jar and l id

DIRECTIONS

Place honey and herbs into s ter i l ized, dry jar and place into a

double boi ler over low heat .

Heat gent ly for 15 to 20 minutes , be ing sure not to le t the honey

boi l or scorch.

Stir , then remove from heat and cool.

When complete ly cooled, seal and store .

Honey can be used immediately, but for a stronger honey, leaveplant mater ia l in honey for two weeks before us ing.

Thyme Honey for Respiratory Support

http://herbalacademyofne.com/2015/03/making-herb-paste-an-easy-way-to-preserve-fresh-herbs/http://herbalacademyofne.com/2014/09/lice-home-remedies-using-herbs/http://herbalacademyofne.com/2014/03/5-easy-herbs-to-grow/http://herbalacademyofne.com/2014/03/5-easy-herbs-to-grow/http://herbalacademyofne.com/2014/09/lice-home-remedies-using-herbs/http://herbalacademyofne.com/2015/03/making-herb-paste-an-easy-way-to-preserve-fresh-herbs/


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Ginger

Pungent and war ming, this tropical rhizome

is antimicrobial , rel ieves nausea, aids digest ion,

and is a general anti - inf lammatory. Ginger

is a potent antiviral a l ly fo r colds, f lu, and

respiratory infe ct ions; thins mucus and supports

expectorat ion, and as a diaphore t ic helps the

body move heat toward the exterior of the body

to progres s through fever. I ts antimicrobial

act ion is a lso helpful in the case of GI tractinfect ions. Ginger i s wel l known as a carminative

and digest ive aid, rel ieving gas whi le i ts

antispasmodic act ion al leviates cramping and

griping as wel l as nause a, motion sickness, and

morning sicknes s. Ginger st imulates circulat ion

and brings war mth to the extremit ies, nice for

warming a body chi l led by weather or f lu.

Zingiber officinale (Zingiberaceae)– Rhizome


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MORE ON GINGER

Ginger Plant Monograph in The Herbarium

3 Reasons to Eat Ginger During Wintertime

Warming Ginger Cayenne Salve for Natural Pain Relief

INGREDIENTS

3-4 s l ices fresh ginger with skin

1 c love chopped gar l ic

1 cup water

Cayenne powder

Tea of choice (black, green, oolong, herbal )

Honey to taste

Milk/milk a l ternat ive , opt ional

DIRECTIONS

Simmer 3-4 s l ices o f f resh ginger (skin on) and one c love of chopped

gar l ic in one cup of water for approximate ly 20 minutes .

Use ginger water to s teep tea (black, green, oolong or herbal tea) .

Add cayenne powder as hot as can be to lerated to induce sweat ing.

Add honey to taste .

Add milk or dairy a l ternat ive (a lmond, soy or other ) i f des ired.

Drink 3-4 cups per day.

Drink before bed and bundle up to induce sweat .

Basic Cold & Flu Tea

http://herbarium.herbalacademyofne.com/monographs/#ID=1012http://herbalacademyofne.com/2014/01/three-reasons-to-eat-ginger-during-wintertime/http://herbalacademyofne.com/2014/10/warming-ginger-cayenne-salve-for-natural-pain-relief/http://herbalacademyofne.com/2014/10/warming-ginger-cayenne-salve-for-natural-pain-relief/http://herbalacademyofne.com/2014/01/three-reasons-to-eat-ginger-during-wintertime/http://herbarium.herbalacademyofne.com/monographs/#ID=1012


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Warming and drying, pungent and bit ter, rosemary i s an

al ly for the digest ive, nervous, and circulatory systems.

Rosemary increases c irculat ion to the br ain, improving

focus and memory, and reduc ing nervous t ension that

may cause he adaches. I t ’ s a folk remedy for anxiety,

depression, inso mnia, fat igue, and stress. A wel l - known

digest ive tonic, i t s antispasmodic and carminative

act ions are good for di gest ive upset result ing from stre ss,

anxiety, and tensio n. As a nervine, rosemary relaxes

and upl i f ts the spiri t . I ts volat i le oi l s are antiseptic,

antibacterial , and anti fungal , making rosemary animportant al ly for f ighting inf ect ion. I t st imulates

blood f low throughout the b ody, moving heat out ward

to reduce a fever or warm the extre mit ies, or bring on

menstrual f low. Only cul inary amounts of rosemary

should be used during pregnancy.

Rosmarinus officinalis (Lamiaceae) – Leaf

Rosemary


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MORE ON ROSEMARY

Rosemary Plant Monograph in The Herbarium

5 Kitchen Herbs for Cold Season

Making Bouquet Garni

INGREDIENTS

2 cups baking soda

5 drops rosemary essent ia l o i l

5 drops lemon essent ia l o i l

Quart mason jar

DIRECTIONS

Put baking soda and essent ia l o i l s i nto jar, and c lose .

Shake i t up to mix in the o i ls .

Fresh Carpet Powder

I f y o u h a v e a n o l d s p i c e j a r o r p o w d e r c o n t a i n e r y o u c a n u s e t h a t t o m a k e i t a l i t t l e e a s i e r t o s p r i n k l e

, b u t i t i s n o t n e c e s s a r y.

http://herbarium.herbalacademyofne.com/monographs/#ID=3044http://herbalacademyofne.com/2013/09/five-kitchen-herbs-for-cold-season/http://herbalacademyofne.com/2015/02/what-is-bouquet-garni/http://herbalacademyofne.com/2015/02/what-is-bouquet-garni/http://herbalacademyofne.com/2013/09/five-kitchen-herbs-for-cold-season/http://herbarium.herbalacademyofne.com/monographs/#ID=3044


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Red clover i s a diuret ic and al terat ive with an aff ini ty for t he lymphatic system andl iver, helping the body t o assimilate nutrients and remove metabol ic waste products. I t i s

helpful for condit ions result ing from the bui ld up of toxins in the body such as eczema,

psoriasis , and lymphatic swel l ing. Red clover contains high levels of phytosterols cal led

isoflavones, the bui lding blocks for hor mones which can dock onto rece ptors that could

otherwise be occ upied by the unnatural chemical estrogens we are ex posed to in our dai ly

l ives. The isof lavones in red clover help balance hor mones to al leviate premenstr ual and

menopausal symptoms.

Trifolium pratense L. – Flower head

RED CLOVER


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MORE ON RED CLOVER

Red Clover Plant Monograph in The Herbarium

Red Clover, Red Clover, Bring Healing on Over!

Red Clover Wine

INGREDIENTS

1 quart water

1 tablespoon red c lover blossom

1 tablespoon net t le leaf

1 tablespoon peppermint

1 tablespoon dandel ion leaf

DIRECTIONS

To one-quart hot water, add your herbs.

Steep for 20 minutes to four hours , s t rain, and enjoy dr inking

your weeds!

Nourishing Weedy Tea

W e l i k e t o m a k e a q u a r t a n d d r i n k o n e c u p a t a t i m e t h r o u g h o u t t h e d a y

. T h i s r e c i p e u s e s d r i e d h e r b p r o p o r t i o n s

.

http://herbarium.herbalacademyofne.com/monographs/#ID=1018http://herbalacademyofne.com/2014/04/red-clover-tea/http://herbalacademyofne.com/2015/04/turn-these-7-herbs-and-flowers-into-country-wine/http://herbalacademyofne.com/2015/04/turn-these-7-herbs-and-flowers-into-country-wine/http://herbalacademyofne.com/2014/04/red-clover-tea/http://herbarium.herbalacademyofne.com/monographs/#ID=1018


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Nettle

While their prickly s t ing i s considered anuisance by hikers and far mers, nett le

is the popular, cool kid of the herbal

world—herbal ists love nett les! Nett le i s a

quintessential nourishing her bal tonic, rich

in calcium, magnesium, iron, and other

vi tamins and minerals, and can be drunk in

tea or eaten dai ly. Nett le nourishes, suppor ts

and energizes the whole bo dy, i s r ichly

nourishing to the blood, puri f ies the blood

and assists the body in nutrient and prote in

assimilat ion, and re l ieves fat igue. I t a ids

el imination of waste and toxins from the

body, helping to al leviate arthri t i s , go ut, and

skin problems l ike eczema. Nett le i s anti -

al lergenic and anti -inf lammatory, and can be

usefu l in cases of hay fever and a l lerg ies. I f

stung by nett le, you can squeeze a l i t t le of

the leaf juice or tea on the st ing for rel ief .

Nett le i s a lso astringe nt and can be s l ight lydrying.

Urtica dioica (Urticaceae) – Aerial Parts, Roots


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MORE ON NETTLE

Nettle Plant Monograph in The Herbarium

Harvesting and Cooking Nettles

Nettle Hair Rinse

INGREDIENTS

Dried net t le

Raw, unpasteur ized organic apple c ider vinegar

DIRECTIONS

Fil l the jar ¼ ful l with net t les .

Pour enough apple c ider vinegar to f i l l the jar , ensur ing al l

net t les are covered by a couple inches.

Cover the jar with l id or a layer of wax paper and then the l id.

Let s i t in a cool dark place for 3-6 weeks and s hake occas ional ly.

The dr ied net t le may soak up vinegar . Check jar and add vinegar

as needed.

Strain and get creat ive.

I f s tored properly in a cool , dark cabinet , i t should la st a year.

Net t le Vinegar

I n c o r p o r a t e n e t t l e v i n e g a r i n t o m a r i n a d e s a n d d r e s s i n g s

http://herbarium.herbalacademyofne.com/monographs/#ID=1023http://herbalacademyofne.com/2014/05/harvesting-and-cooking-nettles/http://herbalacademyofne.com/2015/04/foraged-skin-care-remedies/http://herbalacademyofne.com/2015/04/foraged-skin-care-remedies/http://herbalacademyofne.com/2014/05/harvesting-and-cooking-nettles/http://herbarium.herbalacademyofne.com/monographs/#ID=1023


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Dandel ion leaf and root are an excel lent mild bi t ter tonic to offset the sweet tastes typical

for the Western diet and help to st imulate appeti te and ac t ivate digest ion and metabol ism.

Dandel ion has an aff ini ty for the l iver and gal lbladder, and increases the amount of bi le

secreted by the l iver to aid digest ion. As a supreme l iver tonic and diure t ic, dandel ion

reduces inf lammation and congest ion in the l iver, and encourages proper el imination of

metabol ic wastes and toxins - thus i ts reputat ion as a detox her b. I t i s helpful for urinary

and prostate infect ions, gout, arthr i t i s , and rheumatism. Harvested in spring, the root

wi l l have more of a bi t ter qual i ty. In fa l l , the root wi l l be a l i t t le sweeter with a higher

percentage of a prebiot ic cal led inul in that feeds beneficia l gut bacteria. Dandel ion is a

cool ing remedy that works part icularly wel l for those with warmer const i tut ions or disease

processes.

Taraxacum officinale (Asterarceae) – Leaf and Root

Dandelion


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MORE ON DANDELION

Dandelion Plant Monograph in The Herbarium

Dandelion Flower Syrup

Dandelion: The Dandiest Weed of All

INGREDIENTS

4 cups water

2 tablespoons dandel ion root , roasted and g round

2 tablespoons chicory root , roasted and ground

½ tablespoons c innamon powder

Natural sweetener to taste

Ground c innamon, for dust ing

DIRECTIONS

Add the water , dandel ion root , chicory root , and c innamon to

your cof fee maker or Fr ench press.

Add boi l ing water and al low the herbs to s teep for 5 minutes .

Strain and add sweetener to taste . Serve dusted with c inna mon.

Herban Root Coffee

M a k e s t w o 16 o z. s e r v i n g s

http://herbarium.herbalacademyofne.com/monographs/#ID=1009http://herbalacademyofne.com/2014/05/sweeten-your-breakfast-with-dandelion-flower-syrup/http://herbalacademyofne.com/2014/04/dandelion-the-dandiest-weed-of-all/http://herbalacademyofne.com/2014/04/dandelion-the-dandiest-weed-of-all/http://herbalacademyofne.com/2014/05/sweeten-your-breakfast-with-dandelion-flower-syrup/http://herbarium.herbalacademyofne.com/monographs/#ID=1009


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With roots in greater Boston, the Herbal Academy of New England is an educational

resource offering online herbalism programs, The Herbarium membership, and local

workshops. The Academy is committed to researching and gathering information and tools

to help support a lifestyle of self-awareness and whole body care. It is the Herbal Academy

of New England’s desire to encourage individuals and society to make sustainable and

meaningful changes so as to use Earth’s resources with greater wisdom and respect.

Check in on the HANE blog for articles covering herbalism, real food recipes, and

healthy living. Learn more about The Herbarium membership and online programs:

www.he rba lacademyo fn e . c om

http://herbalacademyofne.com/http://herbalacademyofne.com/local-class-calendar/http://herbarium.herbalacademyofne.com/http://www.herbalacademyofne.com/http://www.herbalacademyofne.com/http://herbarium.herbalacademyofne.com/http://herbalacademyofne.com/local-class-calendar/http://herbalacademyofne.com/https://twitter.com/HerbalAcademyNEhttps://www.pinterest.com/HerbalAcademyNE/https://instagram.com/herbalacademyofne/https://www.facebook.com/HerbalAcademyOfNewEngland


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9 Familiar Herbs for Beginners eBook Herbal Academy of New England