Brief Introduction: This hardy, well-known perennial has small, pungent leaflets and white flowers with yellow anthers and brown seeds. It belongs to the mustard family and grows in and around water throughout temperate regions of the world. The above ground parts are used medicinally. Watercress bears no relation to the ornamental plant commonly referred to as nasturtium.
Wild Cherry Bark.
Brief Introduction: The wild cherry is a native North American tree that can grow to eighty feet or more. The outer bark is rough and dark. The reddish-brown inner bark of the stems, once dried, is used medicinally. Shiny green oval leaves turn yellow or red in autumn, and long spokes of small white flowers give way to pulpose, blue-black fruits.
Wild Oregon Grape.
Brief Introduction: Wild Oregon grape is native to the Rocky Mountain regions, its dried rhizome and roots are used medicinally. The herb was found with anti-oxidant and antifungal properties, its tannin content has astringent property.
Wild Strawberry.
Brief Introduction: This low-growing perennial spreads by means of underground runners. Stems emerging above ground sports clusters of bright green three-part leaves. White-petaled flowers appear in May and fall off in late summer, at which point the flower receptacle becomes a bright red berry. The leaves, fruit, and root are used medicinally. The plant is native to temperate regions of Europe and Asia and can be found across North America.
Willow Bark(Salix alba).
Brief Introduction: There are several hundred species of the willow tree. Many have been used in traditional healing, but in the United States, the dried bark of the white willow(Salix alba) has been used most commonly. This tall, gray-barked tree has short silky leaves and bears long clusters of spring flowers.
Wintergreen.
Brief Introduction: This shrublike, low-lying perennial is common to woody areas and bears small white or pale pink campanulate (bell-shaped) flowers that bloom in July and August and are followed by brilliant scarlet fruits, or berries. The berries are used medicinally, along with the herb's glossy green and coriaceous leaves and an essential oil distilled from them.
Witch Hazel.
Brief Introduction: This unusual perennial shrub grows in eastern North American forests. Spidery golden yellow flowers bloom along its flexible branches following the loss of its oval leaves in autumn, often long after other trees have lost their color. Black seeds are ejected from capsules along the stem at the same time that the flowers bloom. The dried leaves, bark, and dormant twigs are used medicinally. Whereas hydroalcoholic extracts are commonly found in Europe, the most commonly available witch hazel product in the United States is distilled witch hazel extract, also called witch hazel water or hamamelis water, which is made by steam-distilling dormant twigs soaked and softened in water.
Wood Betony.
Brief Introduction: The European and Asian perennial bears loose spikes of pink or white summer flowers and faintly pungent, piliferous oval leaves. It favors open woodlands and meadows and is popular for herb gardens. The dried above ground parts of the plant and occasionally the roots are used medicinally.
Wormwood.
Brief Introduction: The silky, silvery leaves and greenish-yellow flowering tops of this strongly aromatic perennial are used medicinally once dried. It is native to Europe and grows plentifully in certain parts of North America, Asia, and Africa. The plant is also known as bitter Artemesia of Central Asia.
✵W listing of popular herbs gives an introduction to herbs: Watercress, Wild Cherry Bark, Wild Oregon Grape, Wild Strawberry, Wild Yam, Willow Bark(Salix alba), Wintergreen, Witch Hazel, Wood Betony, Wormwood.
Herbs in A-to-Z entries: A, B, C,D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z.
Brief Introduction: This hardy, well-known perennial has small, pungent leaflets and white flowers with yellow anthers and brown seeds. It belongs to the mustard family and grows in and around water throughout temperate regions of the world. The above ground parts are used medicinally. Watercress bears no relation to the ornamental plant commonly referred to as nasturtium.
Brief Introduction: The wild cherry is a native North American tree that can grow to eighty feet or more. The outer bark is rough and dark. The reddish-brown inner bark of the stems, once dried, is used medicinally. Shiny green oval leaves turn yellow or red in autumn, and long spokes of small white flowers give way to pulpose, blue-black fruits.
Brief Introduction: Wild Oregon grape is native to the Rocky Mountain regions, its dried rhizome and roots are used medicinally. The herb was found with anti-oxidant and antifungal properties, its tannin content has astringent property.
Brief Introduction: This low-growing perennial spreads by means of underground runners. Stems emerging above ground sports clusters of bright green three-part leaves. White-petaled flowers appear in May and fall off in late summer, at which point the flower receptacle becomes a bright red berry. The leaves, fruit, and root are used medicinally. The plant is native to temperate regions of Europe and Asia and can be found across North America.
Brief Introduction: There are several hundred species of the willow tree. Many have been used in traditional healing, but in the United States, the dried bark of the white willow(Salix alba) has been used most commonly. This tall, gray-barked tree has short silky leaves and bears long clusters of spring flowers.
Brief Introduction: This shrublike, low-lying perennial is common to woody areas and bears small white or pale pink campanulate (bell-shaped) flowers that bloom in July and August and are followed by brilliant scarlet fruits, or berries. The berries are used medicinally, along with the herb's glossy green and coriaceous leaves and an essential oil distilled from them.
Brief Introduction: This unusual perennial shrub grows in eastern North American forests. Spidery golden yellow flowers bloom along its flexible branches following the loss of its oval leaves in autumn, often long after other trees have lost their color. Black seeds are ejected from capsules along the stem at the same time that the flowers bloom. The dried leaves, bark, and dormant twigs are used medicinally. Whereas hydroalcoholic extracts are commonly found in Europe, the most commonly available witch hazel product in the United States is distilled witch hazel extract, also called witch hazel water or hamamelis water, which is made by steam-distilling dormant twigs soaked and softened in water.
Brief Introduction: The European and Asian perennial bears loose spikes of pink or white summer flowers and faintly pungent, piliferous oval leaves. It favors open woodlands and meadows and is popular for herb gardens. The dried above ground parts of the plant and occasionally the roots are used medicinally.
Brief Introduction: The silky, silvery leaves and greenish-yellow flowering tops of this strongly aromatic perennial are used medicinally once dried. It is native to Europe and grows plentifully in certain parts of North America, Asia, and Africa. The plant is also known as bitter Artemesia of Central Asia.