CM102 HUANG QI. ASTRAGALUS. A sprawling perennial legume, with pea like flowers. Strengthens the vital energy "Qi" in Chinese. Stimulates the immune system and is often used together with ginseng. Packet of 10 seeds $2.00
CM104 SHE-GAN. BELAMCANDA CHINENSIS An iris with 2" deep orange star-like flowers with orange specks. A perennial plant that is very easy to grow. Used to treat hoarseness, sore throats, bronchitis and wheezing. Zones 5-10. Packet of 5 seeds $2.00
CM109 JIE-GENG. PLATYCODON GRANDIFLORA A hardy perennial featuring star-shaped, blue-violet flowers. Blooms all summer long. A very beautiful vining plant whose edible root has been used in Korean cuisine and to treat ailments of the lung including bronchitis, laryngitis, pleurisy, chest pain and tonsillitis. Zones 3-10, except Florida and the Gulf Coast. Packet of 10 seeds $2.00
CM112 HUN QUE. OCIMUM HORAPHA VAR. A variety of basil from Thailand with a delicious spicy anise-clove scent that is much used for cooking in the Orient. The leaves of the plant aid in digestion and stimulate the bowels to a small degree. Packet of 50 seeds $2.00
CM122 TULSI. HOLY BASIL Also known as Kaprao in Thailand, this is the famous holy basil used since biblical times. Has a somewhat musky-fruity scent and is good for cooking and salads. Medicinal qualities are aromatic and warming, benefits digestion and is often used to make a tonic. Packet of 50-100 seeds 2.00
CM124 HAUNG-QIN. SCUTELLARIA BAICALENSIS A very easy to grow perennial that grows to about 15 inches and bears loads of beautiful purple flowers. Used in Chinese medicine to expel heat, purge fever, stop bleeding, and to detoxify poisons. Packet of 20 seeds $2.00
CM130 JI-GUAN HUA. CELOSIA CRISTATA Also known as cockscomb, this is a stunning annual that features huge velvet-scarlet flower heads. An easy to grow plant that belongs in every flower bed, it will reach up to 3 ft. tall. The seeds and the flowers of the plant have been used as a mild aphrodisiac, blood diseases, and urinary tract infections. Packet of 50 seeds $2.00
CM141 HUANG-JING-ZI. VITEX AGNUS-CASTUS A graceful shrub with beautiful blue to lilac flowers that can be grown inside in tubs. Outside it will reach 10 ft. or so, inside only 3 ft. The purple black berries are the part that are used medicinally. It is said to regulate hormones, promote lactation and relieve pain and spasms. Packet of 20 seeds $2.00
CM201 DANG-SHEN. CODONOPSIS PILOSULA Throughout the world, this widely used herb is also called "poor man's ginseng as it is used to invigorate vital energy and is good for the blood. A climbing plant that should be trellised. Beautiful bell shaped flowers that are yellow to olive green with purple veins. Harvest roots when 3-4 years old. Packet of 25 seeds $2.00
CM240 WILDE DAGGA. LEONOTIS LEONURUS Also known as Lion's Tail, Lion's Ear and others. It is an exotic annual that can reach 5 ft. tall and produces extraordinary flower whorls every 10 inches or so up the flower stem. From these whorls emerge orange furry legs that come out and unfold. A most unusual plant that will stand out in any flower garden. It is said that smoking the leaves produces a mild euphoric effect. Packet of 10 seeds $2.00
CM284 HUI-XIANG. (FENNEL) FOENICULUM VULGARE Plant produces good greens for salads, cole slaws and dressings. The roots can be used in cooking. The seeds of the plant make a tea that is used to aid digestion and as a tonic for the spleen, kidney and reproductive glands. Packet of 50 seeds $2.00
CM304 GAN-CAO. GLYCYRRHIZA URALENSIS Root of this perennial legume contain up to 24% glycrrhizin which is 50 times sweeter than sugar. The medicinal uses include treatments for the throat, stomach, urinary, and intestinal irritations. Packet of 25 seeds $2.00
CM307 JIU-ZI. ALLIUM TUBEROSUM Known as Oriental Garlic, this allium produces garlic flavored onion like leaves that are great for cooking and salads. Used in Chinese medicine to warm the kidneys and stomach, to treat urinary problems, impotence and back problems. Packet of 50 seeds $2.00
CM317 AI YE. ARTEMISIA VULGARIS VAR. Considered a woman's herb, a tonic is made to balance menstrual and menopausal problems. Also said to stimulate and improve memory of dreams and is often used in dream pillows. Grows to an attractive, bushy plant about 18" tall. Packet of 100 seeds $2.00
CM355 DA-HUANG. (RHUBARB) RHEUM PALMATUM VAR. TANGUTICUM Also known as Chinese Rhubarb, this plant is used to improve digestion, stimulate the uterus and is used as a laxative. Leaves are toxic. Packet of 20 seeds $2.00
CM372 DI-YU. SANGUISOBA MINOR A great salad green as well as a medicinal herb. Long used by Chinese to stop wounds from bleeding. Packet of 100 seeds $2.00
CM444 ZI-SU-ZI. PERILLA FRUTESCENS A most unusual herb with the flavor of cumin and a hint of cinnamon. Much used in oriental dishes as a salad and cooking green. Packet of 100 or more seeds $2.00
CM460 QING-HO. ARTEMISIA Known as Sweet Annie in the US, this herb has long been used to treat malaria. Packet of 50 seeds $2.00
Note about seed germination: Most species of seeds have hard casings to protect the seed "embryo". For most of these "hard" seeds, the outer shell must be scarred, scratched or softened in some way. Some species take up to a year to germinate and will need help in the beginning to get the shell softened. Most varieties of slow germinating seeds will turn black and rot if there is not sufficient heat in the soil (75 to 90 degrees F. for most species) or if the soil dries out or is allowed to remain too wet, which will encourage the growth of one or another of the varieties of fungus or mold. It is important to speed up germination and to get the plants growing as soon as possible in order to avoid potential problems. Anyone who has soaked dried beans before cooking is familiar with the process of softening up the shell. When the outer shell is softened it allows the contents to expand. Potassium Nitrate (Saltpeter) can help in softening up these outer shells. It is available in many drug stores, but for those who have difficulty obtaining a small amount, we offer 1 teaspoon packets for $1.00. Soak the seeds in a solution of one teaspoon of the Saltpeter to one quart of warm water for at least 24 hours. Do not allow the seeds to dry out but sow them immediately using the remaining solution to water the soil or other growing medium. Soak several species of seeds at once in smaller containers of the same solution and have the containers of growing medium or soil ready for planting as soon as the soaking period is complete. SS100 Potassium Nitrate (Saltpeter) one teaspoon packet $1.00
See our free report on How to Grow Plants from Seed for further information. Our Do-it-Yourself Seed Starter Kit Plans (only $2.00) will show you what you can do to give your seeds the best possible chance of germinating.