Our Botanicals
All our products at Wild Medicinals are made with wild or organic medicinal plants. These plants have long histories of use in both cosmetics and internally as medicine. To ensure the most health benefits, we grow and gather many of the plants we use ourselves. Others we purchase from trusted organic suppliers. Listed below are some of our most used plants, and ones that are easily found locally.
Calendula -
Calendula officinalis
Calendula is one of the most popular herbs for treating the skin. It's commonly used for rashes, acne, cuts and scrapes and all minor skin ailments. Calendula is gentle enough to use on people of all ages, while being a powerful skin soother. We love calendula for it's anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties. It is also anti-viral and an exceptional lymphatic supportive herb which gently encourages detoxification. Native to the Mediterranean, Calendula is now cultivated all over the world. Our calendula is grown in our organic herb garden from heirloom seeds that we save each year. This gorgeous flower is ruled by the Sun, which is pretty clear when you see it's sunny orange, red and yellow blooms!
Rose - Rosa spp
One of the most classic botanicals for skincare, rose is especially suited to dry and mature skin due to it's moisturizing properties. It is known to be anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and astringent. Roses are full of natural oils and Vitamin C, which hydrate and replenish dull, dry skin. Roses are a traditional medicine for grief, and their beauty and fragrance are beloved throughout the world where they grow widely. Roses are traditionally ruled by either Venus (red roses) or Jupiter (other colours) and both the petals and hips are edible. Our rose petals and hips are sourced from our own garden.
Pine - Pinus strobus
Pine trees have traditionally been used for building, food and medicine. The inner bark is edible, and the needles can be used to make a tea that is very high in vitamin C, among other compounds. The resin is used to treat skin ailments of all types and can prevent putrefaction of open wounds. Both internally and externally pine is both stimulating and anti-inflammatory which makes it a great medicine for wound healing as it increases circulation while also relieving pain. Pine is considered a ‘drawing’ medicine, as it has the ability to draw out impurities through the skin. It can be helpful for removing splinters and debris from cuts and scrapes. We wildcraft our pine from abundant local stands. Pine is considered to be ruled by the Sun.
White Willow - Salix alba
White willow may be most famous for it’s pain relieving properties but has many other uses. Willow contains salicin, the precursor to salicylic acid found in aspirin, which is found to be as effective at relieving pain while being soothing to the stomach, as opposed to irritating. Willow also contains polyphenols and flavonoids that provide additional anti-inflammatory effects. The tannins in willow create an astringent quality that can be used to stop bleeding and diarrhea. White willow is ruled by the Moon.
Red Clover - Trifolium pratense
Red clover grows widely throughout the world and is known for increasing soil health by fixing nitrogen and providing structure with it’s long taproot. Red clover is used to support the health of the skin through detoxifying the blood and lymphatic system. It is used for glandular issues and lymphatic congestion and has a history of being used in cases of cancer as well as to ease symptoms of menopause. Red clover contains coumarin which thins the blood when taken internally. Externally red clover is used as a wound remedy and may help reduce redness by encouraging healthy circulation. Our red clover is wildcrafted from untreated fields and meadows. Red clover is ruled by Mercury.
Cannabis - Cannabis spp
Cannabis has a long history of being used medicinally all over the world. In the past two centuries concerns about it’s safety have been greatly exaggerated but we see once again it’s medicinal virtues being scientifically studied, understood and celebrated. Recent studies show cannabis has the potential to relieve symptoms of over 30 individual diseases/syndromes. Cannabis has a long history of being used for pain relief, insomnia, epilepsy, depression, anxiety, glaucoma, menstrual pain and kidney issues, among others. Research on medicinal use of cannabis is consistently finding new applications for this broad spectrum and potent medicine. Cannabis is ruled by Saturn
Yarrow -
Achillea millefolium
Yarrow is a superb first aid herb for its ability to stop bleeding (styptic) and help heal wounds. Mythologically, yarrow was carried into battle by warriors to protect them and has also gone by the name Soldier's Wort. Yarrow has been described as 'Master of the Blood' and is known among herbalists to have a normalizing effect on circulatory and other blood issues. Yarrow is anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and is known to help reduce scarring. Internally, yarrow is helpful in blood conditions, digestive issues and menstrual problems. Yarrow is a traditional remedy for many female issues, and correspondingly, is ruled by Venus. Yarrow grows on every continent except Antarctica. Our yarrow is wild-harvested and cultivated in our garden.
Lavender - Lavendula spp.
Lavender is a classic and popular skin herb and is known for the calming effect of it’s fragrant aromatic oils when used both externally and internally. Lavender reduces stress, increases feelings of well-being and is helpful for headaches, tension and spasms. Along with being helpful for digestion, lavender supports healthy liver function. Lavender is soothing and relaxing to irritated or inflamed skin and may help remove impurities and prevent infections. Lavender is ruled by Mercury.
St John’s Wort - Hypericum perforatum
Hypericum is a popular and valuable herbal medicine that grows widely throughout Europe, Asia and North America. Internally, hypericum is known for its strong action on the liver and its ability to detoxify the liver and other channels of elimination, including the skin. When used internally, it’s detoxifying qualities are strong enough that it may interact with some medications by clearing them out of the system too quickly, therefore we always recommend it’s internal use only be applied with the guidance of a trained herbal professional. Hypericum is a superb nerve remedy, used for nerve injuries, nerve pain and nervous system afflictions such as some types of depression. Hypericum is used as a stomach normalizer and supports healthy digestion. Used externally hypericum is quite safe, calming and soothing to the skin by reducing inflammation and is known for its ability to reduce scarring. Hypericum is ruled by the Sun.
Chamomile- Matricaria Recutita
Chamomile is a favourite herb for children, as it is gentle enough to be used by children of all ages and produces a calming effect, great for bedtime. Chamomile can be used internally to treat digestive issues, colic, anxiety and in stronger doses is a bitter that is supportive to the liver. Topically, Chamomile is a classic skin soother and is known to ease redness, relieve rashes and reduce inflammation. Our chamomile is organically grown and harvested at its peak. Chamomile is ruled by the Sun.
Plantain - Plantago spp
Plantain is a standout wound remedy and skincare herb due to it's soothing astringent, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory actions and is particularly well known for treating burns. It has traditionally been used to soothe insect bites and rashes, and treat eczema and psoriasis. There are many varieties of medicinal plantains that grow locally, both native and naturalized. Plantain is used internally to treat many conditions including digestive issues and bronchial illness. The young leaves as well as the seeds are edible. We wild harvest our plantain, much of which grows wild right in our garden paths. Plantain is an incredible ally in supporting the structures of the body and it therefore considered to be under the rulership of Saturn.
Prunella - Prunella vulgaris
As it’s common name Self-Heal or All-Heal implies, prunella is used to treat many ailments. Native to Europe and Asia, prunella has become naturalized in much of North America and grows abundantly here. Topically it is used for skin irritations and infections and has drawing qualities, enabling it to pull out impurities and toxins. Prunella is strongly anti-viral, and is particularly helpful in cases of herpes, both oral and genital. It is often included in cold sore remedies. Prunella is under the rulership of Venus.
Mugwort - Artemisia vulgaris
Mugwort is a gorgeous perennial herb that grows throughout the world and is one of the oldest recorded medicinal plants. Mugwort is used widely in Traditional Western Herbalism as well as Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda. Externally, mugwort is known for its antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties, which can soothe and treat skin issues such as eczema, psoriasis and fungal infections. Internally, mugwort is used to support healthy reproductive system in women, improve digestion and treat depression and insomnia. Our mugwort is harvested by friends who find it growing wild on their organic farm. Because of it’s affinity for the feminine, Mugwort is ruled by Venus. Mugwort is known to increase psychic awareness and assist in lucid dreaming and so is considered by many to fall under the dominion of the Moon as well.
Goldenrod - Solidago spp
Goldenrod’s Latin name, Solidago, translates to “make well”, or “make whole” and this reflects it’s many uses. With many species growing around the world, goldenrod has been used by many healing traditions. Internally it is used to treat colds and flus, reduce mucous production, to treat kidney issues, for intestinal colic and cramps, to relieve exhaustion and fatigue, to treat hypoglycemia and to treat allergies. Externally it is a fantastic skin herb, with antioxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and astringent properties it is used to treat acne, clean and treat wounds, reduce redness and stop bleeding. We wild harvest our goldenrod which grows abundantly all around us. Goldenrod is ruled by Venus.
Crampbark - Viburnum trilobum
Considering it’s common name, it’s easy to figure out what crampbark’s most famous action is, cramp relief. Used extensively in herbal medicine for cramping, it is useful in muscle cramps of all types including intestinal and menstrual and as it is an effective muscle relaxant, it is helpful in cases of spasm or muscle pain. Crampbark can provide relief from spasmodic coughs in cases of bronchitis, whooping cough and asthma and may help reduce high blood pressure. We use wild harvested crampbark gathered from areas that are planned to be cleared for development. Crampbark is ruled by Saturn.
Comfrey Leaf- Symphytum officinale
Comfrey is one of the most popular wound healing herbs in Western Herbalism. It contains allantoin which is known to increase cell proliferation. This encourages fast healing of wounds, in fact it can be so effective that it is not recommended in very deep wounds as it can cause the skin to grow over too fast, before the rest of the tissue has healed. For minor wounds and skin irritations comfrey is toning and healing. It also has drawing qualities and helps to move stagnant or toxic material out of the body. The safety profile of comfrey has recently been publicly scrutinized due to it’s pyrrolizidine alkaloid content, however, this is not a concern when used topically. Comfrey has a long history of safe and effective internal use by knowledgeable medicine people. As with all medicines, dose, context and appropriate use should always be considered, and most traditional and modern day herbalists consider Comfrey to be an invaluable medicine. Comfrey is ruled by Saturn.
Sweet Clover - Melilotus officinalis
Sweet clover has many of the same constituents as it’s relative, red clover, and shares many of the same actions. Sweet clover is high in coumarin, which gives it a sweet vanilla-like scent that is strongest in summer when the flowers are in full bloom. It has a similar scent to sweetgrass, which is also high in coumarin. An extract of sweet clover can be used as an affordable and sustainable substitute for vanilla extract. As a flavouring agent it is generally considered safe, but in stronger doses it acts as a blood thinner so medicinal use should be under supervision of a professional herbal practitioner. We harvest our sweet clover from the wild where it grows in abundance.