A herb for every month of the year

Western Herbal Medicine has been around for much of human history and originally its wisdom was held and passed down through generations within families who used this knowledge to create their own home pharmacy and treat ills. Despite a growing interest by large global companies in using medicinal plants for scientific discovery and pharmaceutical drugs, our knowledge of how the plants around us help heal and nourish our bodies is fading. Plants aren’t solely for beauty products or food – they are also full of phytochemicals that have a medicinal effect on the human body. 

Here are a 12 medicinal plant stories, one for each month - to help inspire a new generation of “home herbalists” and to start to reclaim the knowledge we would once have all known. 

January: A sleepy herb.

Passiflora incarnata- Passionflower

During the depths of winter, we can crave a human hibernation, but for many of us these long dark nights are full of sleeplessness and an accumulating fatigue. Passionflowers depress the central nervous system and is used at night for its sedative properties to induce sleep. It is specifically indicated for those with insomnia, restlessness, muscle tension & spasm. 

February: A horny herb.

Turnea diffusa- Damiana 

The month of Valentines celebrates love. Damiana is an aphrodisiac herb, this word comes from Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, meaning a substance that increases sexual desire and pleasure. Damiana is a male and female sexual tonic for impotence, low libido and infertility and is specific for anxiety and depression caused by sexual problems.

March: A cleansing herb.

Galium aperine- Cleavers

Spring cleaning can be done inside our bodies too with the help of a herb like cleavers. Traditionally known as an alterative or ‘blood-cleansing’ herb, it eliminates toxins from the body. An old saying goes “whoever should only drink cleavers water for 9 weeks shall be so beautiful, everyone will fall in love with them”. Cleavers contain high amounts of silica, an essential nutrient for maintaining hair, skin and nail growth and repair.

Dose: Cold infusions are best - add big handfuls of fresh cleavers to water, leave in the fridge overnight, strain and drink on an empty stomach the next morning.

April: A digestive herb.

Calendula officionalis- Marigold

The month of Easter can bring out gluttony in us all and that familiar feeling of bloating and discomfort that comes with it. Marigold is a bitter digestive that can increase digestion and absorption and is a specific for inflammatory gut problems such as gastritis, peptic ulcers and diarrhoea.

May: A concentration herb.

Ginkgo biloba- Ginkgo

Exam season has arrived and the desire for concentration and enhancing cognitive performance. Ginkgo leaves are a tonic for the mind, increasing blood flow to the brain to improve memory and concentration. Research has also found ginkgo to be protective to the brain and the adverse effects of age such as poor memory and  hearing loss. 

June:  A liver-saver herb.

Silybum marianum  - Milk Thistle

Summer festive season is approaching and for many this can come at the expense of our livers  Milk thistle seeds are a prime liver remedy, protecting it from damage from drugs, pollution, chemicals and alcohol. They can be used before and after a heavy night out to protect and restore the liver.

Dose: 1tsp in 2 cups of water, simmered in a covered pan for 15 minutes, strain and drink three times daily

July: A summer cooling herb.

Matricaria recutita-  German Chamomile

As temperatures are peaking in the year, inflammatory conditions are often exacerbated and at their worst. Chamomile flowers are cooling to the whole body. Drinking the tea can help hot skin conditions like eczema and acne, hot mental conditions like irritability, PMS and anger and hot inflamed gut, urinary and reproductive organs. Topically, chamomile tea bags, once cooled, placed on your eyelids can treat inflamed eye conditions like conjunctivitis.

August: A hormone modulating herb.

Vitex agnus castus- Chaste Berry

August is the most fertile month when an abundance of babies are born. A wide range of gynaecological issues that can interrupt the fecundity of women can be treated with Chaste berry.  It has a dual action, increasing some sexual hormones at high doses and decreasing other at low doses depending on the root cause of the problem.

Dose: One of the few herbs commonly taken as a tincture on its own, known as a simple.

September: An immunity herb.

Sambucus nigra- Elderberry

An old saying goes “summer has not arrived until elderflower is in full bloom and ends when the berries are ripe”. September is the month for foraging elderberries to store in preparation for the winter ahead. Elderberries are strongly anti-viral and immune-boosting to help prepare your body to fight colds and the flu.

Dose: 1tsp in 2 cups of water, simmered in a covered pan for 15 minutes, strain and drink up to three times daily

October: A circulatory herb.

Achillea millefolium- Yarrow

The days are getting colder again and so are our fingers and toes. Yarrow is a circulatory tonic that works to strengthen, open and flex blood vessels. It has a dual action on the blood as it can encourage blood flow where it is lacking but also stem excessive blood flow.

November: A respiratory herb

Thymus vulgaris- Thyme

Cold and flu season is tiring but using thyme to strengthen the lungs is a fantastic way to treat yourself with a herb which is so easy to grow at home. Thyme is a powerful anti-septic, anti-viral and anti-bacterial herb, specific for mucus and infections of the respiratory system. It can be gargled for sore throats or inhaled for coughs, breathing difficulties and sinus problems.

December: A supportive herb.

Glycyrrhiza glabra- Liquorice

The festive finale can be a socially overwhelming time of year. Liquorice root is a remarkable restorative herb that works on the adrenals as a delicious adaptogen, which means it increases our bodies resilience towards stress.

This article does not provide medical advice. It is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have a medical condition or are taking pharmaceutical drugs, please check with your health professional before consuming any plant medicines.