Mace | Madder | Maidenhair | Mallow | Mandrake | Marigold | Marjoram | Marshmallow | Meadowsweet | Mimosa | Mint | Mistletoe | Mugwort | Mulberry | Mullein | Mustard

Mace see Nutmeg

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Madder (Rubia tinctorum).
Creeping root sends up climbing stems which may be found lying prostrate. Flowers small and yellow-green, leaves in whorls around stem, cylindrical, reddish-brown root.
Found growing in Mediterranean countries where it is also cultivated.
Medicinally claimed to prevent stones in the kidneys and bladder when taken as pcwdered root.
Decoction was also once used for skin problems.
Much use of cultivated madder in the dye industry.

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Maidenhair (Adiantum pedatum) 1-12 m (3-5 ft).
Fern leaflets 3-8 on each stalk which forks from the main stem.
Found wild in moist cool places.
Decoction made from leaves has been used for coughs and congestion caused by colds. Sometimes used as a hair tonic.

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Mallow (Malva sylvestrisl rotundifolia) (High/Low Mallow).
Both have pink or purple flowers with 5-7 lobes, and light green downy leaves with 5-7 lobes. High variety grows to 1 m (3 ft) on erect stem, low variety is creeping, branching stem up to 70 cm (30 ins) long.
Both are found in waste places and also cultivated.
Both herbs have been used medicinally as a tea for coughs and hoarseness, external use of decoction for wounds and sores.

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Mandrake (Mandragora officinarum) (European Mandrake).
Bell-shaped flowers on short stalks, oval leaves grow erect but then lie flat on the ground. Large brown root growing 1-112- m (3-5 ft) deep. The fruit is a large, fleshy, yellow-orange berry.
Found largely in countries round the Mediterranean.
Medicinally used today in the treatment of asthma and coughs but is poisonous. In ancient times was used as an anaesthetic which could be fatal.

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Marigold (Calendula officinalis) 30-70 cm (12-30 ins).
Large, yellow or orange terminal flowers. Leaves hairy with widely spaced teeth. Easily grown in the garden and commonly seen everywhere.
Medicinal use of the leaves and flowers claimed for stomach and intestinal complaints, or as a salve for
wounds.
Culinary use to provide an attractive taste to stews etc. also used in salads. Flowers and leaves can both be used.

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Marjoram (Origanum majorana/onites/ vulgare) (Sweet Marjoram/Pot M./Wild M -Oregano).
All three grow with a bush-like appearance about 25 cm (10 ins) high with flowering stalks growing higher in Pot variety. Flowers are mauve, pink, or light red. Stems are woody.
All can be cultivated. The Pot variety is easiest for the gardener but not as flavoursome.
Culinary use of each of these species is common.
Sweet Marjoram is gentler than Oregano which is quite spicy especially in the Mediterranean variety.

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Marshmallow (Althea officinalis) 70-120 cm (30-50 ins).
Light red, white or purple flowers, unbranched woody stems, white sweet-tasting root.
Found in wet places and also cultivated.
Medicinal use of infusion of leaves as a soothing gargle, external use for irritations, burns, carbuncles and wounds. Mix grated root with honey for healing poultice.

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Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) 70-120 cm (30-50 ins).
Small yellowish-white or reddish flowers, three or five lobed terminal leaflets; reddish angular stem branched near the top. Common in damp meadows.
Medicinal use of whole plant which contains salicylic acid useful for influenza, gout, rheumatism etc. The tea is reported to be good for dropsy, bladder and kidney ailments.

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Mimosa (Mimosa Acacia etc.).
Wide number of species in shrub, tree and creeper forms. Found widely in tropical
and sub-tropical areas. Flowers used in scent production.

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Mint.
There are a wide variety of mints used in. cooking, and for their fragrance. It is well worth cultivating a small collection of them.
Apple Mint (Mentha rotundifolia). Contains the flavour of apples as well as the true mint.
Black Peppermint (Mentha piperita). Used for making tea and commercially for distilling peppermint oil.
Bowles Mint (Mentha rotundifolia, Bowles variety). Has thick fleshy leaves and is excellent for mint sauce;
a robust species.
Curly Mint (Mentha spicata & Mentha crispa). Very hardy, used for mint omelettes, common in Germanic countries.
Eau-de-Cologne Mint (Mentha citrata). Fragrant lemon mint used in scent and in potpourri and drinks.
Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium). Used medicinally to alleviate a depressed state of mind. Once used to "purify' water.
Pineapple Mint (Mentha rotundifolia variegata). A fragrant mint also used for drinks.
Spearmint (Mentha viridis or Mentha spicata). The mint usually found in an English garden, also called green mint and pea mint. The oil is used in flavouring chewing-gum.
Water Mint (Mentha aquatica). Used medicinally as pennyroyal.
White Peppermint (Mentha piperita officinalis). Used in the same way as black peppermint.

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Mistletoe (Viscum album).
An evergreen parasitic creeper found on the branches of deciduous trees. Roots growing
from the yellow-green stem penetrate into the wood of the host. Leathery leaves, yellow-green and oval, pale yellow or green flowers, sticky white berries.
Has medicinal effect of varying blood pressure, large doses are harmful. Tea can be used as a wash for chilblains.

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Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris). 60-120 cm (20-50 ins).
Purple or dull yellow flower heads. Dark leaves, white down beneath, divided into lobes. Stems purplish-red, root woody. Found in waste places and beside roads. Cultivation is easy on any kind of soil.
Culinary use as an aromatic herb in salads, and for seasoning for fish and meat.
Medicinally has been used against chronic diarrhoea and for diabetics. Makes a soothing foot-bath.

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Mulberry (Morus nigra). Tree growing up to 25 m (80 ft) high.
Medicinal use of the bark against tapeworms. Milky juice in leaves for ringworm.
The juice and unripe fruit can cause hallucinations and stomach upset.
Ripe fruit is delicious to eat and can be made into jam.

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Mullein (Verbascum thapsiforme) 1-11 m (3-5 ft).
Tall, stout stem with alternate, thick, felt-like leaves, light green colour. Yellow flowers in cylindrical spikes.
Flowers have been used for coughs and mucous congestion and externally for inflammations and painful skin conditions.

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Mustard Black Mustard (Brassica nigra). White Mustard (Brassica hirta).
Both have yellow flowers and the seeds in pods. Black M. is taller (up to 2 m-7 ft) than White M. (1 m-3 ft), both have angular branched stems.
Medicinal use of seed to treat rheumatism and various internal inflammations.
Undiluted oil is dangerous to the skin.
Culinary use to prepare familiar relish.

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