European Herbs

Scopolia (Scopolia carniolica)

A rare nightshade which has a similar mystical worth in Eastern Europe to that of mandrake in the western hemisphere. Grows in most parts of Asia where it is used for medical purposes. Caution: The whole plant is very poisonous and is particularly dangerous for children!
20 Seeds

Growing instruction...

Sweet vernal grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum)

A close relative of American sweet grass, which grows better in Europe, this fodder has a very strong scent.
1000 Seeds

Growing instructions
Hardy perennial grass. Succeeds in most soils but dislikes shade. Sow the seeds directly outside in spring (April) only just covering the seed thinly. They usually germinate in 2 - 3...

Milfoil (Achillea millefolium)

Not only valued as a tobacco substitute, but also for its many healing qualities: calming effect, relieves cramps, reduces inflammation
5000 Seeds

Growing instructions
Milfoil is a hardy perennial. Sow seeds in spring in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates in 1 month. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings...

Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)

Best known for its part in the making of absinthe, the infamous aniseed-flavoured liqueur of the classical avantgard in Paris.
4000 Seeds

Growing instructions
Sow early spring indoors. Pot up the seedlings into individual pots as soon as the first true leaf appears and plant them out after the last expected frosts....

Mullein (Verbascum densiflorum)

3000 Seeds

Growing instructions
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Angelica (Angelica archangelica)

Angelicas aromatic root is generally considered strengthening. The leaves are a tasty vegetable and the petioles can be candied for cake decoration.
100 Seeds

Growing instructions
Very hardy biennial plant. Requires moist soil and full sun or half-shade. Seeds need light for germination (just cover thinly). Should be sown...

Bog bilberry (Vaccinium uliginosum)

Very rare berry with many names. The German translation Rausch-beere (Rausch = intoxication) strongly suggests its place in Germanic tradition as the source of a very potent wine, most likely shared out at ritual festivities. Siberian shamanism also has a history of this berry consumption, but in combination with toadstool.
400 Seeds
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Wild opium lettuce (Lactuca virosa)

Since Antiquity Opium lettuce has offered itself as an opium substitute. The dried milk-sap or boiled leaves of this wild lettuce are mildly narcotic, traditionally serving as a home remedy for coughs.
200 Seeds

Growing instructions
Opium lettuce is an annual or hardy biennial. Sow seeds in spring outdoors and only just c...

Black henbane (Hyoscyamus niger)

Antiquity embraced this poisonous herbaceous plant with the sticky hairy leaves and unpleasant smell for reasons of divine worship. In Medieval times henbane won recognition for its part in the concoction of flying potion and as an intoxicating additive to beer. Ethnologist speculate that the name Pilsner beer derives from the German word for henba...

Field Marigold (Calendula arvensis)

Field Marigold (Calendula arvensis) grows wild in southern Europe. Good against chilblains, warts and other skin irritations but also used to colour butter and thicken soups.
50 Seeds

Growing instructions
Sow the seeds directly outside in spring (or start your seeds indoors)....

Mother wart (Leonurus cardiaca)

Mother wart is the source of green dye.
250 Seeds

Growing instructions
Annual herb. Sow early spring indoors. Seeds need light for germination (don't cover). Pot up the seedlings into individual pots as soon as the first true leaf appears and plant them out after the last expected frosts....

Sweet flag (Acorus calamus)

A marshland plant with orange scented leaves, used since Hippocrates day (460-377) BC for toothache and dysentery. An infusion made from its roots is good for the stomach. Calamus was used by the Cree-Indians in divine worship and is also mentioned in the Bible as providing the holy oil for anointing altar and sacred vessels in Exodus
40 Seed...

Aconites (Aconitum napellus)

Reputed for its deadly charms, monkshood was formally administered to criminals. But the lethal alpine plant also holds invaluable healing qualities known to various cultures. In medieval Germany it was used in the concoction of Flugsalbe, a hallucinogenic flying potion. Caution: The whole plant is very poisonous and is pa...

Clary (Salvia sclarea)

Beautiful plant with eroticising scent and an inflorescence rich in resin, making it an ideal incense. Can also be employed in the kitchen.
100 Seeds

Growing instructions
Sow early spring indoors. Pot up the seedlings into individual pots as soon as the first true leaf appears and plant them out after the last expected fr...

White bryony (Bryonia dioica)

A decorative but poisonous climbing plant with red berries. In the past ill-used to fake the mythical mandrake root, this Mediterranean plant is still recognised as a drastic purgative.
50 seeds

Growing instructions
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Yellow belladonna (Atropa belladonna var. lutea)

This very rare type of nightshade carries yellow blossom and fruit. Caution: The whole plant is very poisonous and is particularly dangerous for children!
150 Seeds

Growing instructions
This plant is a cold-germinator. The sowing must be kept cold for a period of some weeks (refrigerator) or ...

Belladonna (Atropa belladonna var. belladonna)

The tention of a name which combines the Greek Goddess of destiny Atropos with bella donna, Latin for beautiful lady, speaks for itself. Caution: The whole plant is very poisonous and is particularly dangerous for children!
200 Seeds

Growing instructions
This plant is a cold-germinator. The s...

Foxglove (Digitalis lanata)

The beauty of this woolly Greek foxglove lies in the contrast of its dark veins of the white its flower. Caution: The whole plant is very poisonous and is particularly dangerous for children!
1000 Seeds

Growing instructions
Evergreen biennial or perennial. Sow early spring indoors. Seeds need...

St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum)

St John's wort is known to have a positive stimulating effect. It is widely used as a herbal treatment for depression. In Germany, it is commonly prescribed for mild depression, especially in children, adolescents, and where cost is a concern. Oil extracts are used both internally and externally.
Seed packet

Growing instructions...

Arnica (Arnica chamissonis ssp. foliosa)

Medicine prepared from this species of daisy is used for bruises. It is relativly easy to cultivate.
250 Seeds

Growing instructions
These are very tiny seeds which should be mixed with finest sand for an even sowing. Do not cover, only press them in gently. Sow early spring indoors. Pot up the seedlings into individual po...