Watercress, valerian, herbs beginning with V-Z on gardenaire.com

HERB	SOWING	INFO	USES
VALERIAN, Valeriana officinalis	Sow seeds outdoors in April	Sow in a sunny position.	The roots are the only part of the plant which is used and should be at least two years old before it is used. Valerian has the common name of 'All Heal' because of its healing virtues. It has many minerals and a rich silica content to name but a few, making it an important nerve remedy. It is a potent herb and can cause headaches if over used. If taken correctly it can help with epilepsy, constipation, sleeplessness, malaria and the nerves. Externally if massaged in for swollen joints, arteries and veins.
VERBASCUM, Verbascum thapsiforme	Sow seeds outdoors in April	Sunny, sheltered position at the back of the bed as it is a very tall plant	It is a slightly tricky plant to handle so be careful especially on a windy day as the fine hairs can irritate the eyes and skin. It is useful for expelling mucus from any part of the body.
VERBENA (LEMON), Lippia citriodora	Buy a plant	It will grow very well indoors but if the winter is mild it can if looked after survive outdoors all year. Stem cuttings can be taken during the summer.	Not greatly medicinal but the fragrance is so good and the leaves can be made into tea or added to potpourri. Try making iced tea with verbena and mint leaves.
VINE,(WILD GRAPE) Vitis vinifera		Best to buy a plant and position on a south facing wall either in a greenhouse if it is an indoors one or outdoors if it is hardy.	Another plant that would not normally be associated as being a herb but its properties are well recorded and some people believe that when the body has become so sick that no treatment is possible it is worth trying a grape cure but no evidence exists on this theory. Only the fruit, leaves and tendrils can be consumed with pure water and they must have come from an organic and fresh source. Juice can be used to dissolve internal growths, help improve the blood and eczema.
WATERCRESS, Nasturtium officinale	Outside April	Difficult to grow in the garden as the plant needs running water usually over gravel beds in a river.	Watercress is an extremely tonic and antiseptic herb. It is one more herb that has a reputation for cancer relief and cure as it is extremely rich in all important minerals.Many people find the taste too bitter but its importance in the diet should persuade everyone to persevere. Start by eating just a leaf or two in your salad and very slowly increase your intake over 6 months. I did this and now can enjoy half a bunch at lunch time and in the evening, as I dont live near a river I have to buy mine but one day I dream of growing my own. I have noticed an improvement in my health over the last year and I put it down to the watercress.
WITCH HAZEL Hamamelis virginica		Best to buy a plant and position near water in the shade.	Excellent for the treatment of bruising but it is best to buy it from the pharamcy as it is difficult to prepare. It can be used diluted internally for nose bleeds, as a gargle for sore throats and for ulcers use a mouth wash. Dilute half a teaspoonful in a cup of water for these and also for sore eyes.
WOODRUFF	ripe seed sown in late summer, early autumn.	It is a wild plant, so an ideal plant for porous loamy soil rich in nutrients, in a shady almost wooded area	Flowers and leaves can be used for tea Repels insects. It has a strong scent and was strewn on church floors and in the home.