Anti-inflammatory—soothes inflammatory skin conditions
May help to treat lung and chest disorders
Drink cucumber juice for inflammatory conditions such as arthritis
DAUCUS CAROTA
CARROT
The carrot is a member of the Umbelliferae family, which also includes celery and parsnip. Carrots were first used as medicinal herbs rather than as vegetables, and they have the dual purpose of acting as therapeutic agents, and providing the best source of beta carotene (a form of vitamin A) in the human diet.
USES
Drink fresh, raw carrot juice daily to energize and cleanse the body. It will help to relieve the effects of stress and fatigue, and boost the body after illness.
Carrot soup is a traditional home remedy for infant diarrhea—it soothes the bowel and slows down bacterial growth.
Raw, grated carrots or cooked, mashed carrots can be applied to wounds, cuts, inflammations, and abscesses to discourage infection and encourage healing.
Dried carrot powder will restore energy, and can help to treat infections, glandular problems, headaches, or joint problems.
The antioxidant qualities of carrots will help to prevent some of the damage caused by smoking.
PROPERTIES
Energizing
Carrot cleanses the system of impurities
Contains calcium, which will encourage health of skin, hair, and bones
May help in the treatment of eye problems
Useful in the treatment of respiratory conditions
Carrot may help to relieve skin disorders
May help to overcome many glandular disorders
CAUTION
Eating an excessive quantity of carrots may cause the skin to yellow temporarily. Carrot seeds are a nerve tonic and will also induce abortion; avoid during pregnancy.
EUGENICA CARYPHYLLATA
CLOVES
Cloves are the dried buds of a tree of the myrtle family, Syzygium aromaticum. The tree, which may reach a height of 40ft. (12m), produces abundant clusters of small red flower buds that are gathered before opening and dried to produce the dark brown, nail-shaped spice, clove. Whole and ground cloves used as food seasonings account for half the world production of cloves.
USES
Oil of cloves can be placed directly on a sore tooth or mouth abscess to draw out the infection and ease the pain. Chew cloves for the same effect.
Dab a tiny amount of neat oil on insect bites.
Clove tea is warming, and can encourage the body to sweat, which is helpful for high fever or vomiting.
Oil of cloves may be used during a long labor to hasten birth.
Clove tea can be used to soothe wind and ease nausea—particularly the nausea of travel sickness.
Inhale an infusion of cloves to clear the lungs and refresh the airways.
A clove and orange pomander can be hung in cupboards as an effective insect repellent.
PROPERTIES
Antiseptic and powerfully analgesic—particularly to the gums and teeth
Cloves are warming, and useful for people who are prone to colds
Anti-inflammatory, when used locally on swellings
Cloves are calming to the digestive system
Eliminate parasites from the body
CAUTION
Cloves can cause uterine contractions, and should not be used in pregnancy.
FICUS CARICA
FIG
Figs comprise a large family of deciduous and evergreen tropical and subtropical trees, shrubs, and vines belonging to the mulberry family, Moraceae. The most important fig is Ficus carica, the tree that produces the edible fig fruit. Figs are a nutritious and sustaining food, with a long history of medicinal use. For example, there are several references in the Bible to figs being used to treat infections.
USES
Eat dried figs to ease constipation.
To bring a boil to a head, split a fig, heat it, and place it directly on the boil. This is a particularly good method for treating boils and ulcers in the mouth.
Fig juice can be drunk daily as a cancer preventive.
Digestive troubles can be eased by eating fresh figs after light meals or just prior to heavy meals.
Roasted figs can be used as a poultice on boils and hemorrhoids in order to encourage healing and to draw out infection.
Fresh figs can soothe respiratory ailments by acting as an anti-inflammatory agent.
Boil four or five fresh figs in about 1 pt. (500ml) of water; bring to the boil, strain, cool, and drink the liquid for sore throats.
PROPERTIES
Highly alkaline
Contains a powerful healing agent
Soothes mucous membranes, particularly in the respiratory system
The stem of the fresh fruit is antifungal, and can be used to treat warts
Anticancerous
Contains ficin, which aids the digestion
Contains a bactericide
Reduces body heat, and helps to ease inflammation
GLYCYRRHIZA GLABRA
LICORICE
Licorice is a pretty blue-flowered perennial, grown mainly in Europe. The roots are crushed, ground, and boiled to extract the juice, which is then thickened to produce hard black sticks of paste known as black sugar. The bittersweet flavoring is used in candy and tobacco, as a soothing ingredient in cough drops and syrups, as a laxative, and in the manufacture of shoe polish. Licorice is also an excellent source of iron.
USES
Licorice syrup can be used to treat persistent coughs, and to reduce the incidence of asthma attacks.
A strong infusion can protect against and heal ulcers. Drink it three times each day.
Steep licorice root with a blend of other soothing herb teas to treat gastric disorders, and to stimulate kidneys and bowel.
Used with other strengthening herbs such as ginseng for exhaustion.
Licorice is used in creams or pastes for the relief of inflamed psoriasis and hot and weepy skin conditions.
PROPERTIES
Expectorant and anti-inflammatory, making it excellent for stubborn coughs and lung infections
Mild laxative
Adrenal tonic
Detoxifies the body. In the Far East, licorice is used to rid