Whatever your area of interest, the Boletus Plantoteque provides you with information about our wild and useful plants in words and pictures. We give you the names in various languages and in Latin. You get to learn a bit about how they were used in the past and present, from 

  

a medical (NOTE: No Boletus experiments!), cosmetic or culinary perspective. We at Boletus hope you have fun and succeed in the quest for the plants you are looking for!

Field Horsetail / Equisetum arvense

The green stems are diuretic, mildly haemostatic and sweat reducing. Used in tea to treat kidney and bowel disorders, atherosclerosis, as well as external and internal bleeding. Field horsetail was once used to treat tuberculosis. Field horsetail is used externally as a gargle, as bath preparation and for the treatment of chronic wounds. The stems are also used for scouring and polishing.

Hart`s tongue / Scolopendrium officinale

/ Fillipendula ulmaria

Wild Thyme / Thymus serpyllum

Flowering stems are antiseptic and are used in deodorants. A distillate of flower stems is used in dental cream and mouthwash. Within patent medicine, it is used for whooping cough, bronchitis and for digestive disorders since it is an expectorant and antispasmodic. Externally, it is frequently used as bath preparation, as well as in compresses and wound ointments.

Sweet basil / Ocimum basilicum

Stinging nettle / Urtica dioica

Flowering stems are astringent, reduce blood flow and increase mucus production. Invigorating and diuretic, stimulates milk production and haemostatic. Used for detoxifying blood, in the treatment of kidney and liver disorders, gastro-intestinal catarrh, rheumatism and skin disorders and for diseases of the respiratory system. Used externally in hair tonics and facial skin lotion.

Prickly restharrow / Ononis spinosa

Chicory / Cichorium intybus

Balm / Melissa officinalis

Lady`s mautle / Alchemilla vulgaris

Flowering stems are mildly astringent, diuretic and anti-inflammatory. Used in herbal remedies for the treatment of gastro-intestinal catarrh, flatulence and diarrhoea. Counteracts muscle spasms, regulates the menstrual cycle, especially during menopause. Used externally as a bath preparation against skin rashes.

Juniper tops / Juniperus communis sumitates

Juniper smoking was long used as protection against infectious diseases such as plague and leprosy. But we now mainly think of juniper smoke as a way of flavouring fish, meat and vegetable stews.

Purple loosestrife / Lythrum salicaria

European centaury / Centaurium erythraea

Flowering stems stimulate saliva and promote gastro-intestinal juices. As an infusion, it stimulates the appetite and is used to treat digestive and gallstone disorders. Also used in homeopathy. Used increasingly bitter herbal wines and liqueurs.

Wall germander / Teucrium chamaedrys

Flower stems are astringent, stomachic, lithontriptic and diuretic. Antiseptic. Stimulates appetite. Used externally against chronic wounds and haemorrhoids.

Silverweed / Potentilla anserina

Germander / Teucrium montanum

Goats rue / Galega officinalis

Mugwort / Artemisia vulgare

The flowering stems stimulate appetite and are stomachic. Used for nervous disorders, insomnia and gynaecological diseases. Mugwort is also an effective mothball. To be used with care as it contains a neurotoxic substance.

Mouse-ear hawkweed / Hieracium pillosela

/ Mentha longifolia

Wall pepper / Sedum acre

The flowering stems are used as liniments and in ointments for skin conditions. Not to be used internally as it causes lethargy, headache and vomiting!Leaves The leaves are used as liniments and in ointments for skin conditions. Not to be used internally as it causes lethargy, headache and vomiting!

Ladys bedstraw / Gallium verum

Diuretic and antispasmodic. As infusions for urinary problems and externally with compresses for chronic wounds.

Yellow toadflax / Linaria vulgaris

Hemp agrimony / Eupatorium cannabinum

/ Cytisus scoparius

Vervain / Verbena officinalis

Perforate St.John`s wort / Hypericum perforatum

Used in folk medicine where it was considered wound-healing. Used by the priests during exorcisms. Has wound-healing effects and is considered antispasmodic, diuretic, increases the secretion of digestive juices, especially bile. St John's wort is also proven to be effective against depression.

Ground ivy / Glechoma hederacea

Flowering stems are considered astringent, anti-inflammatory and invigorating. An infusion is used for gastro-enteritis and diarrhoea, for kidney disorders, bronchitis, coughs, asthma and as a stimulus for appetite. Also used externally for oral inflammation and in baths.

/ Fumaria officinalis

German camomile / Matricaria chamomilla

Holy thistle / Cnicus benedictus

Catmint / Nepeta cataria

Flowering stems are soothing, stomachic, carminative, inhibiting, diuretic, reduce fever and is acts as a menstrual stimulant. As tea, it is used for nervous disorders, neurosis, and migraine. Used externally in ointment to treat haemorrhoids.

/ Herniaria glabra

The flowering stems are diuretic and mildly antispasmodic. Antiseptic. As infusion is used to treat bladder, kidney and gallstone disorders, and to prevent kidney stones.

White horehound / Marrubium vulgare

The flowering stems relieve coughs, are mildly sedative, stomachic, lithontriptic, antispasmodic and promote menstruation. An infusion is used to treat respiratory disorders, colds, coughs, asthma, bronchitis, liver and gallbladder problems. Used externally in compresses for painful and inflamed wounds.

Marjoram / Origanum vulgare

Valerian / Valeriana officinalis

Lovage / Levisticum officinale

Flowering stems are stomachic, stimulate appetite, carminative and lithontriptic, diuretic and mildly expectorant. Used for urinary disorders, rheumatism and nervousness. A hot infusion is used to treat nausea and dizziness. Lovage is also used as a cleansing bath additive and in deodorants.

Heather / Erica vulgaris

Sheperd`s purse / Capsella bursapastoris

The flowering stems are astringent, haemostatic, vasopressors, increasing mucosal secretion and the flow of liquids. Affects the smooth muscle of the uterus and is therefore believed to aid contractions when giving birth. Used externally in compresses for wounds and damaged skin.

Sweet Violet / Viola odorata

The leaves, flowers and rhizome are expectorant, diuretic and used to treat bronchitis, whooping cough and colds. Used externally for swellings, chronic wounds, rashes, and as mouthwash and gargles.

Lungwort / Pulmonaria officinalis

Common wormwood / Artemisia absynthium

The flowering stems are used in tea for indigestion. The use of wormwood (absinthe) in spirits is prohibited in some countries, as prolonged use is considered to cause damage to the brain.

Dandelion / Taraxacum officinale

The entire plant is a bitter tonic, stomachic, nutritious and diuretic. An infusion is used to stimulate appetite, ease digestion, relieve gall and liver disorders, counteract oedema and rheumatism. The pressed juices are used in winemaking and to treat warts. Contains plenty of A, B and C vitamins.

Common club moss / Lycopodium clavatum

Mistletoe / Viscum album

Mistletoe is effective against hypertension and is also considered to inhibit atherosclerosis according to the ancient Celts, who considered the herb sacred. Some of the constituent compounds are also believed to inhibit the formation of tumours, but this has not been verified.

Woodruff / Asperula odorata

Flowering stems are sedative, diuretic, wound healing and antispasmodic. An infusion or decoction is used to treat anxiety and exhaustion, heart palpitations and insomnia. Also used to flavour wine and in potpourri etc.

/ Geum urbanum

Eyebright / Euphrasia officinalis

The flowering stems are anti-inflammatory. Internally it is an effective stomachic. Externally, it is used manly as an eye bath for compresses placed on the eyes. Washing with an infusion helps against inflammation of the conjunctiva, photosensitivity and eye fatigue.

Peppermint / Mentha x piperita

Stomachic, carminative, antiseptic and local anaesthetic. Used in patent medicine as infusions to stimulate the appetite, fight infections of the respiratory tract, treat diarrhoea, flatulence and stomach aches. As an aromatic lotion and in spirit liniment, it is effective at relieving pain from sprains and headaches. Peppermint is also used to flavour mouthwashes, liquorice and in confectionary.

/ Mentha pullegium

Tansy / Tanacetum vulgare

Shepard`s weatherglass / Anagallis arvensis

Yarrow / Achillea millefolium

Antiseptic, stomachic, antispasmodic, astringent and sudorific. Used to treat diarrhoea and flatulence, menstrual problems, colds and fever. A decoction can be used for chronic wounds and broken skin. Also used in gargles and bath additives.

Soapwort / Saponaria officinalis

Hemp agrimony / Chelidonium majus

The flowering stem is antispasmodic, mildly sedative and antiseptic. Relieves gastro-intestinal and gallstone disorders. Used as an ointment for treating chronic eczema.

Agrimony / Agrimonia eupatoria

The flowering stems stimulate digestive fluids and prevent interference in the liver and kidneys. Anti-inflammatory. Used for stomach and intestinal catarrh. Used externally as a gargle for sore throats, on compresses when cleansing wounds and in bath additives.

Golden rod / Solidago virga-aurea

Melilot / Melilotus officinalis

Flowers and flowering stems are expectorant and antispasmodic. Anticoagulant , astringent and anti-inflammatory. Used in the treatment of blood and varicose veins, in medicinal cigarettes for asthmatics and externally as plasters, dressings and in bath preparations. Large doses cause haemorrhaging.

Southernwood / Artemisia abrotanum

Herb robert / Geranium robertianum

Flowering stems are astringent and diuretic. An infusion is used in the treatment of pulmonary bleeding, nosebleeds and severe diarrhoea and kidney problems. Used externally in compresses and ointments for skin disorders, boils and inflamed sores. A decoction is used as a gargle for tonsillitis.

Heartsease / Viola tricolor

Knotgrass / Polygonum aviculare

Flowering stems are highly astringent, vasopressors and increase mucus production. Used in the treatment of internal and external bleeding, gastric and intestinal catarrh, and severe diarrhoea. As a tea it is diuretic, used to treat kidney problems and kidney stones. In earlier times, knotgrass was considered useful against cholera and tuberculosis.

Spring pheasants.eye / Adonis vernaliss

Common chickweed / Stellaria media

/ Mentha aquatica

Rue / Ruta graveolens

Winter savory / Satureja montana

White dead-nettle / Lamium album