#10580 Leonurus heterophyllus, yi mu cao, Chinese motherwort,Labiatae/Lamiaceae - Erect annual from China with branched stems and deep green veined leaves, small white or reddish purple flowers bloom in late summer; grows to about 3' in well-drained, moist soil in sun or part shade, research has proved that it has calming properties and all species are thought to have similar properties; whole plant is said to invigorate blood, diuretic, the seeds are also used as medicine "chong wei zi" and have similar properties including as an internal tea for cataracts.

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Plant = $5.00

#10581 Leonurus sp. (L. sibiricus?), xi ye yi mu cao, Chinese motherwort, Labiatae/Lamiaceae - This species is the same in appearance as the L. heterophyllus material although there are slight differences in the flowers of the two species, growing requirements are also the same; first mentioned in the Illustrated Classic of the Materia Medica by Su Song in AD 106, it is considered unusual because it is one of the rare herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine by itself; whole plant is said to invigorate blood, regulates menstruation.

Plant = $5.00

#10590 Ligusticum jeholense, gao ben, Chinese lovage root, Umbelliferae/Apiacea Resembles parsley in appearance but grows much bigger, original seed is from IMPLAD in Beijing; delicate white flowers bloom in spring, a hardy perennial that grows 3' in well-drained to dry soil in sun; roots are said to ease the aches and pains caused by cold, and poor circulation.

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Plant = $7.50

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#10600 Lillium formosum, Liliaceae - This beautiful lily has numerous dark green, linear lance-shaped leaves, very fragrant white trumpet shaped flowers flushed with reddish purple bloom in summer, grow in moist, acidic soil, hardy, in Taiwan markets the dried seed is used as a substitute for birthwort.

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Plant = $8.50

#10610 Lithospermum sp. (probably L. erythrorhizon), zu cai, purple gromwell root, Boraginaceae - Roots of this perennial herb are dark red and contain an abundant supply of purple dye, grows naturally in meadows on slopes in the southern part of China, grow in well-drained soil in sun, said to have a sweet, salty flavor with a cold property, removes toxins, smoothes intestines, removes heat, cools blood, disperses swelling.

Plant = $7.00

#10620 Lobelia chinensis, ban bian lian, Chinese lobelia, Campanulaceae -Creeping perennial with slender leaves, pale-purple flowers bloom in summer, grows to 8" in rich, moist, soil in sun or part shade, in its natural habitat it grows in damp fields and on the edges of ditches; said to be used for snake bites, and has antifungal properties, used by qualified practitioners only.

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Plant = $5.50

#10630 Lonicera japonica, jin yin hua, Japanese honeysuckle, Caprifoliaceae - Collected in Japan it's medicinal history dates to AD659, twining evergreen climber has ovate downy leaves, aromatic white flowers bloom in summer and fall, can become invasive, grow in well drained soil in sun to part shade; stems and floral buds are said to clear heat , relieves fire toxicity, upper respiratory tract infections, including pneumonia, wound infections.

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Plant = $5.00

#10631 Lonicera japonica, Aureoreticulata, Caprifoliaceae - This honeysuckle cultivar has yellow veined leaves and provides nice color in the garden growing along a wall or on a trellis; grow in well drained soil in sun to part shade.

Plant = $6.50

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#10640 Lycium barbarum, gou qi zi and di gu pi, matrimony vine, Solanaceae - Ning Xia is a province in Northwestern China and the pinyin is also known as Ning Xia Gou Qi Zi and Di Gu Pi and refers to both L. barbarum and L. chinense. L. barbarum is considered the main species used for gou qi zi, however both can be used for gou qi zi and di gu pi; deciduous arching shrub with funnel shaped purple flowers that bloom in summer and turn to deep orange berries, grow in sandy, alkaline, moist, well-drained soil in sun; root bark is said to be used to lower blood pressure, diabetes, poor eyesight, vertigo, seeds are said to be used for menopausal complaints.

Plant = $8.00

#10650 Lycopus lucidus, ze lan or di sun, marsh orchid, Labiatae - Tall slender stemmed perennial with nodes tinged purple-red, leaves are thin and toothed, tiny white flowers bloom at the nodes in summer; grows naturally in marshy areas, grasslands and streamsides; said to be used to promote movement of blood, and has been used in Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years to treat menstrual pain, painful injuries, incontinence.

Plant = $6.50

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#10660 Melaleuca alternifolia, medicinal tea tree, Myrtaceae - Original seed is from an Australian source and native to New South Wales and Queensland; aromatic shrub or small tree with papery bark in several layers, pointed leaves up to 2" long, hardy to 32 degrees, grows 15- 22' in neutral to acid soil in sun, likes to stay on the moist side; said to be antiseptic and is effective against bacterial and fungal infections, invasive in tropics.

Plant = $10.00

#10670 Mentha sp. (probably M. haplocalyx?), bo he, Japanese mint, Labiatae/Lamiaceae -This aromatic, cooling perennial was collected near Lainguan Mt. in Kunming and grows vigorously in rich, moist soil in sun, small lavender flowers bloom in summer, attracts butterflies; whole plant is said to be used for fever, headache, cough, speeds recovery from rashes (such as measles), clears head and eyes, benefits throat.

Plant = $7.00

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#10671 Mentha arvensis var. canadensis, bo he, corn mint, Labiatae/Lamiaceae - Fragrant, hairy perennial grows 4-24" in rich moist soil in sun, lilac flowers bloom in summer, attracts butterflies, in its natural habitat it grows in wet areas in all provinces of Cambodia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Russia, Thailand, Vietnam and North America; source of the mint oil is used in cigarettes, pharmaceuticals, and oral preparations, said to be used mainly on the lung and liver energies.

Plant = $6.00

#10672 Mentha x gracilis, gingermint, Labiatae/Lamiaceae - A nice sweet smelling perennial with red-tinged leaves, grows 12-36" in rich moist soil in sun, lavender flowers bloom in summer, butterfly plant; considered a stimulant with a spicy, fruity aroma, said to be used for digestion and spasms, can be used fresh as a flavoring.

Plant = $6.00

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#10673 Mentha spicata, liu lan xiang, spearmint, Labiatae/Lamiaceae - Cultivated in China this herb is the source of spearmint oil, an essential oil used for flavoring candies, toothpaste, chewing gum; grows 12-36" in rich moist soil in sun, light lavender to white flowers bloom in summer; leaves are said to be spicy, sweet and warming, stops pain and clears colds and flu, used for cough, headache, abdominal pain and menses pain

Plant = $5.50

#10680 Momordica balsamina (aka M. charantia), ku gua, bitter melon, Cucurbitaceae - Climbing annual with rich, dark green leaves, small yellow flowers form deep colored orange fruits that split and reveal brown speckled seeds; original seed from the U.S. Botanical Gardens; trellis or grow along a fence in neutral soil in sun; said to clear heat and relieve toxins, Prof. Chen Chong-ming of Nanjing Institute of Botany has found it VERY good for blood sugar imbalances in diabetes and for obesity, also promising research is being conducted for use in patients with HIV and cancer.

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#10690 Monarda fistulosa, wild bergamot, Labiatae/Lamiaceae - Pungent, aromatic perennial attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, it can grow to 48" in light, dry, alkaline soil in sun, lilac flowers bloom summer to fall; whole plant and leaves are used to stimulate the digestion and increase perspiration.

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Plant = $4.00