Unusual herbs

[JaneEm]

My allotment, which I've had since June, was previously used to grow herbs and other useful perennial stuff (with the result that the most bothersome ‘weed’ is comfrey – well over half the plot was given over to it), so I’ve ended up with some herbs I’ve never grown before.
Any advice on what to use them for, and how to use them? I have:
Yarrow
Goat’s rue
Valerian
Vervain
Evening primrose

[The Riff-Raff Element]

Vervain is often taken as a tea and is said to induce relaxation and aid digestion.

[The Riff-Raff Element]

Vervain is often taken as a tea and is said to induce relaxation and aid digestion.

Oh, and it can be made into a poultice to help stop bleeding and finds use as an astringent. There are certainly some biologically active molecules in there (glycosides for the most part), but the properties don't seem to have been much investigated.

[marshlander]

Yarrow tea is good for colds. A teaspoon of dried yarrow steeped in a cup of boiling water for 10-15 minutes. Drink 3 cups per day.

[matowakan]

Yarrow can be used for skin care,an insect repellant and for minor wounds, it is also called the witch's herb.It's flowers can be used for a tea and combines well with elderflowers.Infuse a teaspoon of each in boiling water for 15 mins,then strain and sweetn with honey.This is good for the common cold.
I would advise having a good book about herbs or checking each herb on line.
With Valerian make sure it is the true valerian,the Valeriana officinalis.
However before you use any make sure there afe no contraindications to use especially if on medication or have certain medical conditions.

[daz101]

Overusage of valerian can cause kidney problems if taken constantly. I've worked on the premise one week on one week off in general. There are also problems with toxicity of goats rue as it reduces blood sugar significantly hence its use in diabetes treatments. Galega (rue) makes a good green manure and fixes nitrogen and was originally used to increase milk flow in animals.

[wulf]

Try Plants for a Future as a brilliant resource site for edible / medicinal plants, both common and rare.

Wulf

[JaneEm]

Thank you for all this. And thanks for the link, Wulf. You're right, it is brilliant.