Super Medicinal Plants

Scientific name: Melissa officinalis Lemon balm's species name, officinalis, indicates that the plant has long been an "official" herb of apothecaries. Its genus name, Melissa, derives from melisso-phyllon, a Greek term meaning "bee leaf". Anyone who has grow lemon balm knows that bees are very attracted tot his plant; it fairly hums with bee activity. Camouflaging its potent medicinal actions in sweet-scented leaves, lemon balm is considered one of the most important members of the large mint family. It is a features remedy for heart disease (and heartache), depression and anxiety, nervous disorders, and a host of viral and bacterial infections. 

Scientific name:  Valerian officinalis Also know as: Garden valerian, phu, all-heal More than 200 species of valerian are found worldwide, most in northern temperate climates, as well as south Africa and the Andes. Most are herbs, thought some are shrubs. Common valerian is a highly variable perennial usually grown from 1 to 4 feet in height, with a short, branched root, which in some variations produces lateral creeping underground stems knows as rhizomes. The leaves at the base of the plant are divided into 3 to 25 leaves, either linear or lace shaped. They are without teeth or coarsely toothed. The tin white or pink flowers, crowded atop a flat topped cluster on a robust stalk, have a sweet vanilla-like fragrance. The bloom from June through August.

Scientific name: Lavendula angustifolia Also known as: true lavander, spike lavender, lavandin, and aspic There's ongoing debate about which types of lavender are, post medicine, and for what purposes. Generally, Lavandula officinalis and Lavendula angustifolia are highly regarded for their medicinal properties.