Medicinal Herb Seeds
Our new stock for the 2013 planting season is now ready for purchase online! Check our Calendar to find out what Seedy Saturdays & Sundays we will be at this year.
Fresh, open-pollinated seed for the 2013 season. All seeds are organically grown at Ravenhill Herb Farm, harvested and processed lovingly by hand, germination tested to ensure quality.
All varieties are open-pollinated. 50 to 100+ seeds per package depending on variety. The average seed life is three years.
To purchase our seeds online simply click the add to cart button under the description of each of the seeds you would like to purchase. A view of your cart will open in a new tab where you can review your order and checkout through a secure connection. Please allow one or two weeks for shipping.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Anise-Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) $3/pkg
Perennial. ‘Licorice Mint’. To 4ft tall. Lovely anise-flavoured leaves and purple flower spikes are a favorite for teas and in salads. A native wildflower of central Canada, and a wonderful plant for attracting beneficial insects, bees, butterflies and humming birds. Used traditionally by First Nations as a remedy for coughs, fevers, and digestive upset. Learn more about anise-hyssop .
Betony (Stachys officinalis) $3/pkg
Perennial. Glossy leaves are heavily lobed and have a somewhat crinkled appearance. Long-lived red/purple flowers are a favorite of bees & butterflies. Grows 1-2 ft tall. Flowers July to September. Used medicinally for the treatment of anxiety, tension headaches & migraines. Its astringent properties are helpful in wound healing and digestive complaints.
Borage (Borago officinalis) $3/pkg
Annual. Self-seeding. Pretty blue, occasionally pink, star-shaped flowers are great in salads and for decorating cakes or other desserts. Leaves, covered in bristly white hairs, and flowers have a pleasant cucumber-like flavour. High in calcium and potassium, a diuretic with mild anti-depressant and sedative actions.
SOLD OUT
Calamint (Calamentha sylvatica) $3/pkg
Perennial. Plants are evergreen with very aromatic minty scented leaves and lovely little lavender blooms that are long lasting. Dried leaves and flowers make a wonderful refreshing tea for colds and flus. Diaphoretic and expectorant. Works well in combination with other herbs such as Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) and Thyme (Thymus vulgaris).
Calendula (Calendula officinalis) $3/pkg
Annual, over wintering and self-seeding. A must-have in every garden! The lovely orange, yellow, and cream daisy-like flowers bloom year round on the coast. Flower heads contain wonderful properties for the skin and make healing infused oils, salves, and creams. Petals are also edible and make great colourful additions to salads.
California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica) $3/pkg
Annual, self-seeding. Velvety bright orange poppy flowers color to the herb garden. Plants will grow in any soil and are quite drought tolerant. Nervine. Medicinal properties are stronger when plants are grown in harsher conditions. Combines well with scullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) and avena (Avena sativa) for nervous conditions.
Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) $3/pkg
Perennial. To 6ft tall. Full sun. Beautiful thistle-like flower heads and large silver-green deeply-cut foliage. The young leaf stalks when steamed or braised are a delicacy. The wild form of our domesticated artichoke. Tinctures and decoctions of the leaves are a bitter stimulant and act as a liver protectant. Used as a coagulent in place of rennet for cheese making.
Catnip (Nepeta cataria) $3/pkg
Perennial. A favorite of our feline friends fresh or dried. On us it has an opposite effect and acts as a calming nervine with mild sedative properties. A safe and gentle herb for children and babies, works well for upset tummies and colic. The leaves have mild anesthetic properties and can be chewed to soothe tooth and gum aches.
Chamomile, German (Matricaria chamomilla) $3/pkg
Annual, self-seeding. German chamomile flowers make a wonderful soothing tea. Also good for emotional upset tummies. Used topically the flowers are emollient and anti-inflammatory. Chamomile is also a great companion plant, when planted next to other aromatic herbs, such as basil, lavender, mint etc, it can help enhance the health, growth, and flavour of these plants.
Chamomile, Roman (Chamaemelum nobile) $3/pkg
Perennial. The scent of Roman chamomile is heavenly and healing in and of itself! Forms a dense low growing mat with can be used as an alternative lawn or out door ‘bed’. Used externally for aches and pains, also a wonderful facial steam. Contains chamazulene, a brilliant blue-violet compound known for its anti-inflammatory properties.
Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris) $3/pkg
Perennial. 2ft - 3ft. A magical woodland plant whose pretty flowers look like fairy hats. The leaves and roots are astringent, diaphoretic, and diuretic. The seeds have strong anti-parasitic properties and were used traditionally to control lice. The plants have toxic properties and should not be taken internally without the guidance of a professional. Prefers moist partially shady locations but will do ok sun.
Curry Plant (Helichrysum italicum) $3/pkg
Perennial. Full sun. Very drought tolerant. The essential oil made from the plant contains a myriad of useful medicinal compounds, and is anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and astringent. Though not related in anyway to the mixture of spices used in Indian cooking, curry plant is edible and has a strong flavour closer to that of perhaps rosemary.
Evening Primrose (Oenethera biennis) $3/pkg
Biennial. Lance shaped leaves form a basal rosette and spiral up to the flowering stems 3-5ft tall. Velvety light yellow flowers open in the evening. Looks lovely grouped in borders. Edible flowers, seeds, leaves and roots. Seeds are easy to harvest as a grain crop. Seeds are an important source of gamma-linolenic acid. Tolerates poor soil & drought. Learn more about evening primrose.
Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) $3/pkg
Perennial. Full sun. Pretty plants grow to 3.5 ft tall and sport large clusters of white daisy-like flowers. Used medicinally for the prevention of migraine headaches. Used for the treatment of fevers, arthritis, and digestive issues. A strong bitter and emmenagogue. Will tolerate drought and poor soil, a very easy herb to grow. Learn more about feverfew in our online Herb Book.
Lavender, English (Lavendula angustifolia) $3/pkg
Perennial. ‘True Lavender’ used in teas & as a culinary herb. Very potent flowers are easily rubbed off stems when dry. Tea is used medicinally as a mild sedative, carminative, and antispasmodic. Used in aromatherapy for the treatment of anxiety, nervousness, mental stress, insomnia and fatigue. This Mediterranean native is very tolerant of poor soil and drought.
Lavender, French (Lavandula stoechas) $3/pkg
Perennial. Full Sun. 3ft. Also known as ‘Spanish lavender’ and ‘Butterfly lavender’. Used for essential oil production. The flowers have antiseptic, antispasmodic, and carminative actions. Externally, the essential oil is used as an antiseptic wash for wounds, ulcers, sores and as a relaxing oil for massage. Plants keep a tidier habit over time, and have less tendency towards woodiness than L. angustifolia.
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) $3/pkg
Perennial. Very aromatic lemon scented leaves are delightful in tea & in cooking and baking. The small flowers are very attractive to bees, hence the latin name ‘Melissa’ which is Greek for honey-bee. Used medicinally as a mood enhancer, as a mild sedative and for anxiety. Used internally and externally for its anti-viral & anti-bacterial properties. Learn more about lemon balm.
Marshmallow (Althea officinicalis) $3/pkg
Perennial. To 6ft tall. Part-shade/full-sun. Velvety grey-green leaves and lovely two-tone pink flowers. Marshmallow root is a soothing herb used to treat ulcers and inflammation of the digestive tract, as well as dry cough and sore throats. Externally it is great at calming skin irritations, enhancing dermal structure and wound healing.
Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) $3/pkg
Perennial. 4ft tall to 2ft wide. Leaves are toothed and pale below, flowers pale-pink in whorls alternating up the stems. Primarily a herb for the heart, motherwort has a long history of use as a cardiac tonic, nervine, and emmenagogue. A strong bitter, it is also good for digestion and the liver. Learn more about motherwort in our online Herb Book.
Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) $3/pkg
Perennial. To 6ft. Full sun. Dark green pinnate leaves are silvery on the underside. Mugwort is commonly used as a ‘dream herb’, and when taken as a tea before bed it is said to enhance lucid dreaming. In tradition Chinese medicine, mugwort is used commonly for moxibustion to enhance acupuncture treatments. Learn more about mugwort in our online Herb Book.
SOLD OUT
Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) $3/pkg
Biennial. 2ft wide basal rosettes of large downy grey-green leaves with majestic spikes of small densely packed velvety yellow flowers. These seeds were collected from mullein plants at Ravenhill that grew 9ft tall! Used medicinally for its emollient and astringent properties. Tolerates poor soil and drought. Sow fine seed on surface of soil. Learn more about mullein in our online Herb Book.
Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) $3/pkg
Perennial. Very aromatic tiny glossy green leaves form low dense mats in Spring. Plants grow to 1ft tall and send up leafy stems with flowers arranged in distinctive whorls. The essential oil is concentrated and highly toxic, but the herb itself is safe for use. Has strong emmenagogic and diaphoretic properties. Works as an effective insect repellent when leaves are rubbed on skin.
Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) $3/pkg
Perennial. Red clover is a source of many essential nutrients including calcium, chromium, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, and potassium. A rich source of isoflavones, helpful in the treatment hot flashes & osteoporosis & supports cardiovascular health. As a member of the legume family, red clover is a nitrogen fixer increasing soil fertility.
Rose Campion (Lychnis coronarea) $3/pkg
Perennial. Very striking and ornamental, light silver-grey downy leaves contrasted with intensely bright magenta flowers. Seeds are traditionally used as an anti-asthmatic, diuretic, and muscle relaxant. Blooms in late Spring/early Summer, flowers are long lasting and profuse. Very easy to grow, low maintenance. Looks beautiful in the herb garden next to Mullein. Tolerates poor soil and drought.
Rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis) $3/pkg
Perennial. Traditional variety used for medicinal and culinary use. Modern studies have confirmed rosemary’s effectiveness at improving memory. Rosemary has a natural low germination rate so we have included an extra large number of seeds per package. It is said that the finest, and the most hardy, plants are raised from seed.
Salad Burnet (Sanguisorba minor) $3/pkg
Perennial. Young leaves have a light cucumber flavour and can be added to salads, soups, dips and dressings. Salad burnet has the same medicinal properties as Great Burnet (Sanguisorba officinalis), and so is astringent and tonic. A member of the Rose family, the plants grow a nice tidy and dense basal rosette of leaves. Plants hold up in heat well but grow more succulent leaves with a little moisture.
Salsify (Tragopogon porrifolius) $3/pkg
Biennial. ‘Oyster root’. Full sun. The root is cultivated and eaten as a vegetable, it is high in inulin, helping to keep blood sugar levels stable. The young shoots with flower buds are cooked and eaten like asparagus. The striking purple flowers can be added to salads. Salsify has beneficial medicinal properties aiding the liver and gall bladder, acts as a diuretic, appetite stimulant and digestive aid.
Self-Heal (Prunella vulgaris) $3/pkg
Perennial. Very unique purple flower heads on low growing plants to 1ft tall. Prunella has been used traditionally in herbal medicine for a variety of complains, hence the common name ‘self-heal’ and ‘heal-all”. An alterative, it is taken to help restore the body to health. The leaves make a great poultice to speed wound healing.
Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) $3/pkg
Perennial. A well known and much loved native plant, prized for its amazing tonic properties. Nettle is used to treat arthritis and allergies, and is a galactagogue. Highly nutritious (and delicious!), the leaves and new shoots contain up to 25% protein, are high in iron, vitamin A & C, and many other essential nutrients. Drying, soaking, juicing, or cooking the nettles will remove their sting.
Vervain (Verbena officinalis) $3/pkg
Perennial. Attractive deeply lobed and toothed leaves, grey-green in spring turning deeper green in Summer. Small pale lilac flowers on tall delicate spires in late Summer to early Fall. Grows to 3ft tall and 1 1/2ft wide. Good bee and butterfly plant. Ancient herb still used medicinally for its calming nervine, sleep-inducing, and anti-spasmodic properties.
Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) $3/pkg
Perennial. A very fragrant herb in the Mint family. Also known as ‘Bee Balm’, it is a favorite honey plant for bees. Grows 3ft tall and spreads by slender rhizomes. Mauve coloured flowers from June to September. Native to BC and other parts of Canada, First Nations used it as a tea to treat colds and flus, as a strong antiseptic for healing wounds, and for its carminative & diaphoretic actions.
SOLD OUT
Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) $3/pkg
Perennial. Full sun. To 3.5ft tall. Very drought tolerant. Beautiful silvery gray-green leaves. Wormwood is a useful medicinal with strong antimicrobial, antiseptic, and bitter properties. It is used to treat parasites, reduce fever, and relieve stomach upset. Wormwood is used in the production of the drink ‘absinthe’, and contains the compound thujone, which gives the alcohol its blue-green colour.
SOLD OUT
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) $3/pkg
Perennial. 1-2ft tall in flower. Finely divided leaves have distinctive feathery appearance, ‘Millefolium’ meaning ‘thousand leaves’. Flat topped clusters of tiny daisy-like white or lavender-hued flowers bloom throughout the summer. Leaves and flowers used medicinally for diaphoretic, styptic, astringent, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Tolerates poor soil and drought very well.