PICKLED BURDOCK ROOT
Wash the root and cut into small rounds. Simmer in water until soft. Strain and put into a clean jar. Pour hot cider vinegar over the root. Label and date. Dose: As a tonic, chew a piece first thing every morning. As a digestive, chew a piece 20 minutes before your meals.
PROPERTIES
Blood cleanser
Alterative
Diuretic
Lymphatic cleanser
NOTES AND DOSAGES
Take 2 teaspoons of dried root, decocted, daily, or 1 teaspoon of the tincture twice daily for some months. For lack of appetite, take the tincture 3 times daily, before meals, in a little water or fruit juice, 5–10 drops for children and 20 drops for adults. Pickled burdock root makes a good daily tonic, digestive, and blood strengthener. It is a useful way to use the roots after weeding.
CAUTION
Large doses may cause a cleansing rash. It is best to start with small doses and then slowly increase them. Avoid in early pregnancy except with expert advice.
ARCTOSTAPHYLOS UVA-URSI
AVA URSI LEAVES
A small evergreen shrub of moors and mountains, also known as bearberry. The leaves are astringent and have a high tannin content.
USES
For cystitis, together with soothing herbal remedies such as marshmallow.
With horsetail or nettle for irritable bladder with persistent frequency.
With lady’s mantle or shepherd’s purse for thick, white vaginal discharges.
Take along with agrimony for diarrhea.
PROPERTIES
Diuretic
Urinary antiseptic
Astringent
NOTES AND DOSAGES
For tea, use 1 teaspoon dried leaves to 1 cup water and infuse for 10 minutes.
For acute cystitis, take 1 cup of tea, or 1 teaspoon of tincture, 2 or 3 times daily for up to a week.
Take in combination with the suggested herbs for long-term use.
CAUTION
Do not use during pregnancy or breast-feeding, or during kidney disease. Do not use for more than two weeks without consulting a professional herbalist.
ASTRAGALUS MEMBRANACEUS
ASTRAGALUS
A herbaceous perennial plant of the pea family. The root is used for therapeutic purposes.
USES
Decoction or tincture for chronic fatigue, persistent infections, night sweats, multiple allergies, and glandular fever.
Modern research shows that the herb helps to counteract tiredness and lack of appetite in patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy for cancer.
Soothing and healing for stomach ulcers.
PROPERTIES
Helps to strengthen the immune system
A famous Chinese tonic
NOTES AND DOSAGES
Standard doses (see pages here). Called Huang Qi.
The root can be bought in Chinese herb stores.
It is often used as a soup stock with other nourishing herbs for people with severe immune deficiencies.
Immune-enhancing soups can be made using astragalus root, which has a mild, sweet taste.
CAUTION
A safe herb for home use, but severely debilitated patients should always be seen by a professional herbalist, who will prescribe according to the individual’s condition and circumstances. Always tell the hospital if you are taking herbal medicine in conjunction with their treatment.
CALENDULA OFFICINALIS
MARIGOLD FLOWERS
A popular garden plant with orange or yellow flowers. Do not confuse it with French and African marigolds (Tagetes species), which must not be taken internally.
USES
Digestive colic, stomach, and duodenal ulcers.
Speeds post-operative healing, reduces adhesions.
Children’s infections and fevers; as a gargle for sore throats and tonsillitis.
Wash, cream, or compress for boils, spots, inflamed wounds, painful varicose veins, leg ulcers, sore nipples in nursing mothers, and sore eyes.
Douche or bath for thrush and vaginal infections.
Lotion or cream for itchy skin rashes, grazes, cuts, broken chilblains, eczema, and fungal infections.
MARIGOLD TINCTURE
Also sold as calendula lotion. Compresses and fomentations: 2 teaspoons tincture to 1 cup water. Dip cloth into water, wring out. Use cold water to soothe and draw heat, for sprains, congestive pain, and hot joints. Use hot water (compress is called a fomentation) to relax and encourage circulation. For spasm, stiffness, and cold joints. Wrap around affected part. Cover.
PROPERTIES
Lifts the spirits
Antispasmodic
Antiseptic
Antifungal
Healing and anti-inflammatory
NOTES AND DOSAGES
Add 2 or 3 flowers to 1 cup of boiling water. Infuse for 10 minutes. Drink 3 cups a day, or 1 cup every 3 hours for acute complaints. Half dose for children over five years old. Give infants 3 or 4 teaspoons of a weak tea in fruit juice.
AVENA FUTUA
WILD OATS
A wild grass, and the origin of cultivated oats (Avena sativa). The whole plant (called oat straw) is used, picked while still green. Cultivated oats may be substituted.
USES
Weakness and nervous exhaustion. A good remedy for helping to “keep on the go.”
Restless sleep from overexcitement.
With valerian to ease the symptoms of withdrawal from tranquilizers.
OAT WATER
Take 2 teaspoons of porridge oats and rub well between your fingers. Add to 1 cup of cold water. Stir well and leave for 20 minutes. Stir again and pass through a tea strainer. Makes a soothing drink for diarrhea, cystitis, and stomach upsets caused by antibiotics.
PROPERTIES
Nourishing and restorative to nerves and reproductive organs
Antidepressant
Strengthening