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One of my first, and still one of my favorite, reasons for
learning about plants was to become more in tune with my environment:
the weather, the flows of water, the places of special energy,
Mother Nature herself.
The woods are lovely and deep, and there are many mysterious
and powerful plants there, but they are special allies for special
times. (Speaking of which, the Russian government, I am told,
in desperation this February, went to consult with the witch
Baba Mat, The Wise Old Woman Who Lives In The Land Of Many Tall
Trees Beyond The Black Mountains. She is rumored to be an excellent
herbalist and the only one who can save Mother Russia.)
While I like to walk in the woods, the plants I find myself
using on a daily basis are the weeds right under my feet --
in gardens, yards, driveways, playgrounds, hospitals, fence
rows, institutions, and campuses. These ordinary plants have
abilities that seem miraculous to me. Here are some to look
for this spring.
To insure proper identification, consult a field guide, such
as Peterson's.
Shepherds's
purse (Capsella bursa pastoris) is an annual
in the mustard family. It looks like a miniature dandelion before
it begins to flower. Cut the top half of the plant when it has
formed its little heart-shaped "purses" and make a tincture
to stop bleeding. Midwives dealing with postpartum hemorrage
and menopausal women who bleed heavily praise the prompt effectiveness
of dropperful doses (1ml).
(More information on shepherd's purse in Wise
Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year)
Cleavers
(Gallium aparine) is a persistent, sticky
plant which grows profusely in abandoned lots. To strengthen
lymphatic activity cut the top two-thirds of each plant while
it is in flower (or setting seeds) and tincture it in 100 proof
vodka. I find it unsurpassed for easing tender, swollen breasts,
PMS symptoms, and mild lymphedema. It is also reduces allergic
reactions. I use 15-25 drops (.5 - 1 ml) as often as every half-hour
for 4-5 hours or as needed.
Chickweed
(Stellaria media) has secret dissolving powers.
Ovarian cysts, dermoid cysts, lumps in the breast and elsewhere
can't hold their own against her slippery ways when a dropperful
(1 ml) is taken 4-5 times a day, persistently, for many months.
And have you tried chickweed pesto? It vibrates with antioxidant
power!
(Lots more info and recipes for delicious chickweed dishes in
Healing Wise!)
Dandelion
(Taraxacum officinalis) is a persistent perennial of
lawns and gardens and one of the best known medicinal herbs
in the world. All parts -- the root, the leaves, the flowers,
even the flower stalk -- strengthen the liver. A dose of 10-20
drops of the tincture (.5-1 ml) relieves gas, heartburn, and
indigestion, as well as promoting healthy bowel movements. A
tablespoon of the vinegar works well, too. More importantly,
taken before meals, dandelion increases the production of hydrochloric
acid in the stomach, thus increasing bio-availability of many
nutrients, especially calcium. And the oil of the flowers is
an important massage balm for maintaining healthy breasts. (There's
lots more information on dandelion in Healing
Wise!)
Dock,
also called yellow dock, curly dock, and broad dock is a perennial
plant which my Native American grandmothers use for "all women's
problems." I dig the yellow roots of Rumex crispus or
R. obtusifolius and tincture them. I also harvest the
leaves and/or seeds throughout the growing season to increase
blood-levels of iron, reduce menstrual flooding and cramping,
and correct hormone levels.
(More information on yellow dock in Wise
Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year)
Groundsel
(Senecio vulgaris) and Ragwort (Senecio
jacobea) are some of the world's most ancient healing plants,
having been found in a grave 60,000 years old. You can use the
flowering tops and leaves to make a tincture which acts slowly
to tonify the reproductive organs, ease PMS, and stop severe
menstrual pain. A dose is 5-10 drops (.2-.5 ml) per day; used
only once a day, but for at least 3 months. (A larger dose is
used to speed up labor.)
(More information on shepherd's purse in Menopausal
Years the Wise Woman Way)
Mallows
(Malva neglecta, M. parviflora, M. sylvestres) are surprisingly
deep-rooted. The flowers, leaves, stalks, seeds, and roots are
rich in sticky mucilage which is best extracted by soaking the
fresh plant in cold water overnight or by making a medicinal
vinegar. The starch is extraordinarily soothing internally (easing
sore throats, upset tummies, heart burn, irritable bowel, colic,
and constipation) and externally (relieving bug bites, burns,
sprains, and sore eyes).
Plantain,
also called ribwort, pig's ear, and the band-aid plant is a
common weed of lawns, driveways, parks, and playgrounds. Identify
it by the five parallel veins running the length of each leaf.
Use it to make a healing poultice or a soothing oil widely regarded
as one of the best wound healers around. Not only does plantain
increase the speed of healing, it also relieves pain, stops
bleeding, draws out foreign matter, stops itching, prevents
and stops allergic reactions from bee stings, kills bacteria,
and reduces swelling. A first-aid kit in a leaf! I use a generous
application of plantain oil or ointment on sprains, cuts, insect
bites, rashes, chafed skin, boils, bruises, chapped and cracked
lips, rough or sore hands, baby's diaper area, and burns.
(More information on yellow dock in Wise
Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year)
St. Joan's/John's
wort (Hypericum perforatum) This beautiful
perennial wildflower may be hated by sheep farmers but herbalists
adore it. The flowering tops are harvested after they begin
to bloom (traditionally on Solstice, June 21) and prepared with
alcohol - or with oil - to make two of the most useful remedies
in my first-aid kit. Tincture of St. Joan's wort not only lends
one a sunny disposition, it reliably relieves muscle aches,
is a powerful anti-viral, and is my first-choice treatment for
those with shingles, sciatica, backpain, neuralgia, and headaches
including migraines. The usual dose is 1 dropperful (1 ml) as
frequently as needed. In extreme pain from a muscle spasm in
my thigh, I used a dropperful every twenty minutes for two hours,
or until the pain totally subsided. St. Joan's wort oil stops
cold sores in their tracks and can even relieve genital herpes
symptoms. I use it as a sunscreen. Contrary to popular belief,
St. Joan's wort does not cause sun sensitivity, it prevents
it. It even prevents burn from radiation therapy. Eases sore
muscles, too.
(Lots more info in Breast
Cancer? Breast Health! The Wise Woman Way)
Self heal
(Prunella vulgaris) This scentless perennial mint is
one of the great unsung healers of the world. The leaves and
flowers contain more antioxidants -- which prevent cancer and
heart disease, among other healthy traits -- than any other
plant tested. And as part of the mint family, self heal is imbued
with lots of minerals, especially calcium, making it an especially
important ally for pregnant, nursing, menopausal, and post-menopausal
women. I put self heal leaves in salads in the spring and fall,
make a medicinal vinegar with the flowers during the summer,
and cook the flowering tops (fresh or dried) in winter soups.
Yarrow
(Achellia millefolium) This lovely perennial weed
has a multitude of uses. Cut the flowering tops (use only white-flowering
yarrow) and use 100 proof vodka to make a strongly-scented tincture
that you can take internally to prevent colds and the flu. (A
dose is 10-20 drops, or up to 1 ml). I carry a little spray
bottle of yarrow tincture with me when I'm outside and wet my
skin every hour or so. A United States Army study showed yarrow
tincture to be more effective than DEET at repelling ticks,
mosquitoes, and sand flies. You can also make a healing ointment
with yarrow flower tops and olive oil. Yarrow oil is antibacterial,
pain-relieving, and incredibly helpful in healing all types
of wounds.
(Lots more info in Breast
Cancer? Breast Health! The Wise Woman Way)
Susun S Weed - POBox 64 Woodstock NY 12498 1-845- 246-8081
