Eating Your Weedies: An Herb Guide For Beginners
The ability for herbs to heal and make whole still applies today. Through infusions, teas, poultices, salves, and tinctures man has gained knowledge to heal through God's miraculous pharmacy. Below is a list of common herbs and preparations
Hot Infusion-
Pour one cup of boiling water over one teaspoon of fresh or dried herbs. Herbs should be steeped for one minute while dried herbs are steeped for two to six minutes before using. To infuse roots, place chopped root in a pan covered with cold water and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and allowed to steep for at least three minutes.
Cold Infusion-
Some herbs such as Mistletoe, Mallow and Calamus will lose their healing powers if boiled. In this case the herbs are infused in cold water. Cut up the herb, add cold water, and leave to steep for eight to ten hours. Warm the tea before drinking to just above room temperature.
Decoction-
For tinctures, use a glass reseal able jar (not plastic) Fill the jar loosely with the herb of choice. Pour Vodka or Rye Whisky over the herbs to cover them. Seal the jar well and leave in a warm sunny spot for at least fourteen days shake the jar well every a day. When time is up, strain the herbs by squeezing them through cheesecloth to remove all liquid. Discard used herbs and put tincture into sealed air tight bottles for future use.
Herb Poultice-
Old herbals suggest melting 500 gm of shortening or lard in a pan. Once the lard is hot, add two large handfuls of herb or finely chopped root. Leave on burner and let crackle briefly. Remove from heat and let cool overnight. In the morning, put mixture back on the burner and heat just enough to melt the lard. Using cheesecloth, filter the mixture though the cloth squeezing or wringing cloth to extract the melted lard. Discard the used herb and pour ointment into glass jars.
Herbs-
Alfalfa:
Alfalfa was not known in North America as a healing herb until around 1850. It is rich in calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium, as well as vitamin A, D, E, G, K, and F. Alfalfa stimulates the appetite and helps aid in digestion. It is a blood builder and is especially good for inflammatory symptoms caused by arthritis, bursitis, and degeneration of joints.
Parts used:
-Leaves are used in a hot tea infusion.
-Leaves can also be used as a poultice.
-Legend says that the house where alfalfa grows will never be in need.
Allspice:
Allspice contains proteins, lipids, vitamins A, B, C, and minerals. Allspice relieves flatulence, eases diarrhea, stimulates digestion, and has antiseptic properties.
Parts used:
-Tea is made from a bruised berry in hot infusion.
-A poultice can also be used for pain and infection
-Columbus mistook the allspice berries for pepper giving it the proper name of (pimenta) which means pepper in Spanish.
Anise:
Anise is one of the oldest known spices originating from the Middle East. Anise is used for indigestion, nausea, colic, and flatulence, and is added to cough medications because of its expectorant abilities.
Parts used:
-Tea is made from bruised seed in hot infusion.
-Anise is a common ingredient as flavoring in candy and liqueurs and was used effectively used as mousetrap bait in the 1600s.
Burdock:
Because the burdock is high in iron and other essential minerals, it has a positive effect on the pancreas and spleen. It eliminates the body of uric acid, stimulates the digestive system ,and purifies the blood of toxins.
Parts used:
-Tea is made from a decoction of burdock root.
-Poultice is made from leaves.
-It is said that the hooks on the burdock seed inspired the Swiss inventor, George de Mestral to develop Velcro.
Catnip:
Although catnip is noted for being much loved by domestic cats, it is also an important herb for humans. Used in the Middle East mainly to flavor meat and salads, it was soon realized for its medicinal properties. Catnip eases cold and flu symptoms, relieves stomach complaints such as colic, spasms, flatulence and acid indigestion. Catnip has a mild calming effect and helps to promote sleep.
Parts used:
-Tea is made from infused leaves.
-Poultice is made from leaves.
-Tincture can be used externally for arthritis.
Caution:
Catnip should not be used during pregnancy.
Placing catnip around your home is said to promote good fortune.
Celery:
Celery has been used as medicine since ancient times. The once wild herb was not eaten because of its bitterness. Today celery has been domesticated and is used for both medicinal and culinary purposes. It tones the liver, eases flatulence, helps to normalize blood pressure, and promotes sleep.
Parts used:
-Tea made from bruised seed decoction.
-In ancient times celery signified death and was used to make funeral wreaths.
Cinnamon:
Cinnamon is one of the oldest herbal medicines and was one of the most sought after spices in the fifteenth century. It has antiseptic, antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. Cinnamon also relieves indigestion, nausea, diarrhea, and strengthens the digestive system
Parts used:
-Tea can be made from decoction of ground bark and bark chips.
-The Egyptians used cinnamon as an embalming ingredient while ancient Hebrews and Arabs used it as a spice for perfume. This drove up the value of cinnamon equal to gold and frankincense.
Dandelion:
Although farmers and gardeners consider the dandelion to be a menace, it is revered by herbalists as an excellent medicinal herb. Dandelion stimulates the liver and gallbladder, eases chronic bowel complaints especially with sluggish bowel, cleans the blood, and is an all over purifier ridding the body of toxins and impurities.
Parts used:
-Tea is made from leaf infusion.
-Chopped root decoction.
-Leaves are a great addition to salad, and washed stems can be chewed raw.
-Stems and leaves are used for poultice for bee stings and snake bites.
The French name for dandelion is "piss en lit" meaning piss in the bed. The name most likely came from its diuretic action during detoxification.
Echinacea:
Echinacea's ability to increase the production of white blood cells makes it an indispensable remedy if taken at the onset of a cold or flu. It is potent medicine for snakebite, as a pain reliever, and as an antiseptic. Echinacea's powers far surpass its beauty and should be a constant in anyone's garden and should only be taken at the onset of flu or cold.
Parts used:
-The root is decocted for tea.
-Ointment made from leaves.
-Poultice made from root.
Echinacea was once given as an offering to gain help from spirits for Magical work.
Garlic:
One of the oldest herbs dating as far back as 3000 B.C., garlic contains amino acids, vitamins A and B, and a sulfur rich compound called allicin. It is world renowned as a medical cure-all that contains strong antibiotic abilities. Garlic is used in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels, has anti bacterial and antiviral action, and fights colds, cough and flu. Garlic regulates pancreatic functions, liver and gallbladder and stimulates the digestion.
Parts used:
-Garlic cloves can be crushed and infused.
-Poultice made from cloves.
Garlic was so revered that Egyptians swore on a clove of garlic when taking oaths. It was once believed that garlic possessed magical powers, especially against vampires.
Hops:
Hops is a strong nervine and is used to promote relaxation and sleep. It stimulates the appetite and calms diarrhea, flatulence and cramps.
Parts used:
-An infusion of female flowers and leaves are used for tea.
Caution:
Hops should not be used for depressive illness.
Pollen from hops flowers could cause dermatitis if it touches the skin.
Hops were once used to control sexual desires in men.
Lavender:
While lavender is known for its aromatic scent and is also an effective antiseptic that kills bacteria. Known for its healing properties, Lavender relieves nausea, stomachaches, and flatulence. It eases muscle spasms by stimulating blood flow, calms and relaxes the body and promotes sleep.
Parts used:
-Mature flowers (either fresh or dried) are infused to make tea.
-Lavender oil can be used full strength on cuts and bruises.
-Ancient Greeks and Romans used lavender as a smelling salt.
Parsley:
Restaurants use of parsley sprigs on our dinner plate dates back to the early Greeks and Romans to represent entertainment and good food. Parsley contains chlorophyll, vitamins A, B, C, and K, calcium, phosphorus, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, iron, beta-carotene, and manganese. It is used to flush the bladder and kidneys, stimulate the appetite, and strengthen digestion.
Parts used:
-Leaves are used as an infusion for tea.
-After a meal, parsley can be eaten raw to freshen breath.
Caution:
Do not use parsley if you are pregnant.
Strong or frequent doses of parsley can be toxic to kidneys.
Ancient Romans and Greeks wore garlands made from parsley believing it would prevent them from getting drunk.
Rosehip:
Rose hips are high in vitamins A, E, K, P, and C. It can be used to strengthen the heart and brain, for soothing sore throats and to keep colds away. Rose oil is known for its uplifting effects on nerves and mood making it a perfect candidate for the bath, room diffusers, and massage oils.
Parts used:
-Rose hips and petals are bruised and infused as tea.
-Pure Rose oil is very expensive and can be bought from reputable health stores.
Please remember this is merely a guide. It is not meant to take the place of your doctor's advice or for self medication. Before taking any herbal remedy, speak to your doctor or a qualified herbal practitioner. Be sure to tell them about any medication you are presently taking including Over the Counter remedies such as ASA, eye drops, cold medicines, etc.