Bilberry

Bilberry

Blueberry leaf

Scientific name

Description- smell

Roots:   

Stems:   

Leaves:   

Flowers:  

Fruits:   round and blue

Grows

Soil-   

Where-  

What to Collect-  

When to collect-  

Buy-

Planted- 4/12

Ease of obtaining- 1 2 3 4 5

Use

·      Short/ Long term use

·      Activator Builder Cleanser

Preserve-

A (Above ground parts, bind at cut, dried in shade, chop, store in jars)

B (large roots, cut, dry on newspaper, chop ¼”,)

C (fruits, very wet, hang in cheesecloth drapes)

            D (Barks, string on bailing wire and hang)

Form- infusion/tea, decoction, tincture, powder, Poultice, ointment. baths, Salad, stir fry, pot herb, aromatic,

Vitamins-

Minerals-

Uses-    anti aging, eyesight, glaucoma, inhibits collagen destruction, reduces capillary permeability, increases blood circulation to peripheral blood vessels and brain, reduces inflammation, pain, relieves muscle spasms

WWII pilots used to eat blueberry jelly before takeoff for night missions because it was scientificly proven to better night vision.

Cautions:   

Notes:

Reference: I+HE+MP,

Arrowroot

Arrowroot

Other names

Scientific name

Description- smell

Roots:   

Stems:   

Leaves:   

Flowers:  

Fruits:  

Grows

Soil-   

Where-  

What to Collect-  

When to collect-  

Buy-

Planted-

Ease of obtaining- 1 2 3 4 5

Use

·      Short/ Long term use

·      Activator Builder Cleanser

Preserve-

A (Above ground parts, bind at cut, dried in shade, chop, store in jars)

B (large roots, cut, dry on newspaper, chop ¼”,)

C (fruits, very wet, hang in cheesecloth drapes)

            D (Barks, string on bailing wire and hang)

Form- infusion/tea, decoction, tincture, powder, Poultice, ointment. baths, Salad, stir fry, pot herb, aromatic,

Vitamins-

Minerals-

Uses-    easily digested, thickening agent

Cautions:   

Notes:

Reference: I+HE+MP,

Arnica

Arnica

Other names

Scientific name

Description- smell

Roots:   

Stems:   

Leaves:   

Flowers:  

Fruits:  

Grows

Soil-   

Where-  

What to Collect-  

When to collect-  

Buy-

Planted-

Ease of obtaining- 1 2 3 4 5

Use

·      Short/ Long term use

·      Activator Builder Cleanser

Preserve-

A (Above ground parts, bind at cut, dried in shade, chop, store in jars)

B (large roots, cut, dry on newspaper, chop ¼”,)

C (fruits, very wet, hang in cheesecloth drapes)

            D (Barks, string on bailing wire and hang)

Form- infusion/tea, decoction, tincture, powder, Poultice, ointment. baths, Salad, stir fry, pot herb, aromatic,

Vitamins-

Minerals-

Uses-    muscle rub, wounds, bruises, sprains, swellings, increases resistance to infection

Cautions:   not on broken skin

Notes:

Reference: I+HE+MP,

Prickley Lettuce

The drug resembles a feeble opium without its tendency to upset the digestive system. It is used to a small extent as a sedative and narcotic.




Dissolved in wine it is said to be a good anodyne.



Dr. Collins stated that twenty-three out of twenty-four cases of dropsy were cured by taking doses of 18 grains to 3 drachms of extract in twenty-four hours. It is used in Germany in this complaint, but combined with more active drugs. It is said to be also a mild diaphoretic and diuretic, easing colic, inducing sleep and allaying cough.



Water distilled from lettuce (eau de laitre) is used in France as a mild sedative in doses of 2 to 4 OZ., and the fresh leaves boiled in water are sometimes used as a cataplasm.



Moderate doses given to the lower animals act as a narcotic poison, an injection having even caused death.

Big Pharm and the Media are lieing about Alternative therapies...Again

Peppermint- good for digestion, congestion in the chest and sinus, bronchitis, breath freshener, concentration, dandruff, acne, stomache and leg cramps, combined with baking soda makes great toothpasted, oil combined with lavender oil and massaged into temples relieves migraines,

It really does matter where mom is. Did you know that in some parts of Europe they value mothers and their work enough to give them a YEAR  of maternity leave? Now, I don't actually believe the government shoudl tell a business owner how best to treat his employees, but this demonstrates the value they place on children. We Americans don't really like kids at all and certainly don't think they are as important as money.

The 20 worst foods in America

California Poppy

I was recently given a bunch of California Poppy seeds. I am waiting for fall to plant them. I have always loved the beautiful bright orange flowers.

My Herbalist teacher recently mentioned on her facebook account that after undergoing a painful diagnostic test, she intended to use this herb to help get rid of the pain and let her sleep. I had never heard of it used medicinally, though I have heard of our local Prickly Poppy (big white flowers) being used like that (and of course everyone has heard of the Opium Poppy and its affects).

(Source for picture: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:California_poppy_(Eschscholzia_californica)_-_22.jpg)

Ca Poppies contain isoquinoline alkaloids, which are known to have pain-relieving properties.Other active constituents include opiate alkaloids (completely free of toxicity), chelerthyrine alkaloids, flavone glycosides and zinc.


A little research tells me that the California Poppy is good for:

• a painkiller when applied directly to the afflicted area.
• toothache 
• chronic bed wetting.
• hypnotic for children to sedate them and help them sleep.
• colic and gall bladder pain.
• sedative for headaches
• insomnia
• antidepressant
• acute nerve and muscular centered pain.
• anxiety,
• high fever,
• rapid pulse
• persistent spasmodic cough
• nervousness,
• restless,
• agitation,
• insomnia,
• sedative,
• intestinal colic,
• rheumatism,
• earaches
• analgesic
• tincture is used for antimicrobial properties applied externally to cuts and scrapes.
• head lice
• antispasmodic 
• to improve intellectual capacity, memory and concentration in the elderly.
• leaves of the flower used externally in powder form for antimicrobial properties
• ADD, ADHD in children and young adults
• oxygenates the circulatory system
• normalize psychological functions by influencing the neurotransmitters without depressing the central nervous system.
• helps the body absorb vitamin A.
• Contains the B complex vitamins
• European communities use it for hyperactivity,
• sleeplessness 
• coughs for children
• included in preparations for insomnia for adults.
• German Commission E lists California poppy as an antispasmodic and sedative.
• relaxing, so it works well in cases of pain with anxiety. 
• tincture from the root as an external wash for suppressing lactation 
• A key alkaloid (chelerthyrine) inhibits a body protein (kinase C) that contributes to persistent pain.
• used both internally and externally to alleviate inflammatory and arthritic pain.

Plant Parts Used: (the entire plant of the Californian poppy is harvested in maturity.)

• Root,
• leaves
• seeds.

Bitter to the taste with subtle euphoric properties,
considered a sub-opiate

Toxicity: There have been no indications of toxicity for Eschscholzia californica in experimental studies or in anecdotal reports.

Contraindications and cautions:

• fever,
• pregnancy;
• concurrently with prescription drugs and psychiatric medications.

When used in higher doses California Poppy acts as a sedative, inducing a pleasant drowsy feeling, not enough to promote marked sedation, but powerful enough that tasks such as driving or operating machinery are best avoided under its influence.

Herbalists have observed that crude herb extracts of the various poppy species are less addictive and less potent in their activities than the purified alkaloids (opium in the red poppy), with fewer side-effects. Unlike opiates or even the stronger acting Poppy species, Rudolf Weiss states that the effect of California Poppy is towards "establishing equilibrium," and is not at all narcotic (1988, 289).

 Use in:

• lotion,
• liniment,
• tincture
• plaster.
• infusion
• tinctures
• dried powder of herbs
  Moore recommending that it be combined with Valerian for a stronger effect (1993, 112).

  Felter and Lloyd considered Eschscholzia to be an "…analgesic and soporific without the dangers attending opiates, quieting pain and producing (a) calm sleep" (1893).

Bee Balm

Other Names:
Oswego tea

Monarda didyma (mint)

Description

Roots:

Stems: 3’ hairy, upright, bushy, square

Leaves: large, toothed (sometimes smooth), smells like thyme or oregano

Flowers: 1-3” terminal clusters, scarlet, tubular, dense head

Fruits:



Grows

Soil- wet, hardy, rich soil; shade,

Where-

What to Collect- young leaves and flowers

When to collect- June- August,

Buy- roots or seeds

Planted-





Use

• Short/ Long term use

• Activator Builder Cleanser

Preserve-

A (Above ground parts, bind at cut, dried in shade, chop, store in jars)

B (large roots, cut, dry on newspaper, chop ¼”,)

C (fruits, very wet, hang in cheesecloth drapes)

D (Barks, string on bailing wire and hang)

Form- infusion/tea, decoction, tincture, powder, Poultice, ointment. baths, Salad, stir fry, pot herb, aromatic,

Vitamins-A C

Minerals- calcium, potassium, phosphorus, iron

Uses- seasoning, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-helminthic, (roots and leaves) worms, poultice- skin infection, tea- mouth and throat infection, stimulant, gas, stops menstruation, potpourri

Astragalis

Other names:
Astragalus membranaceous

Description
Roots:
Stems:
Leaves:
Flowers:
Fruits:

Grows
Soil-
Where-
What to Collect-
When to collect-
Buy-
Planted-
Ease of obtaining-


Use
· Short/ Long term use
· Activator Builder Cleanser
Preserve-
A (Above ground parts, bind at cut, dried in shade, chop, store in jars)
B (large roots, cut, dry on newspaper, chop ¼”,)
C (fruits, very wet, hang in cheesecloth drapes)
D (Barks, string on bailing wire and hang)
Form- infusion/tea, decoction, tincture, powder, Poultice, ointment. baths, Salad, stir fry Vitamins-
Minerals-
Uses- colds, flu (prevents “homesteading” of viruses in lungs), immune enhancer, warts, anti-viral, diabetes, heart disease, blood pressure, diuretic, mild stimulant, adaptogenic, immune stimulant, ant-cancer, hyperthyroid

Alfalfa

Medicago sativa
Description
Roots: deep 20’-30’
Stems: 1’-3’, perennial legume
Leaves: clover like, trifoliate, slightly toothed margins, alternate
Flowers: clusters, purple, ½”
Fruits: corkscrew

Grows
Soil- grassy slopes and fields, moist, deep soil, a nitrogen fixer (1),
Where-
What to Collect- stalk, leaves, flowers, seeds
When to collect- April-October,
Buy- thebulkherbstore.com
Planted-
Ease of obtaining- 1 2 3 4 5


Use· Short/ Long term use
· Activator Builder Cleanser

Preserve-A (Above ground parts, bind at cut, dried in shade, chop, store in jars)B (large roots, cut, dry on newspaper, chop ¼”,)
C (fruits, very wet, hang in cheesecloth drapes)
D (Barks, string on bailing wire and hang)

Form- infusion/tea, decoction, tincture, powder, Poultice, ointment. baths, Salad, stir fry, pot herb, aromatic,

Vitamins- C A, D, K, niacin, b1, eight amino acids, chlorophyll
Minerals- calcium, magnesium, protein, potassium, beta-carotene, chlorophyll, iron, phosphorus, sulfur, chlorine, sodium, silicon,

Uses- laxative, diuretic, UTI, arthritis, appetite, stimulant, overall tonic, anemia, osteoporosis, hot flashes, blood purifier, inflammations, rheumatism, tooth decay, debility, anorexia, weak digestion, hypertension, gout, anemia

Cautions: bad for Lupus, et al. potential reaction to Warfin.

Notes:

References: I+HE+MP

Sore throats

Due to a recent illness in the children, I got to thinking it might be fun to post my favorite sore throat remedies. (Except where noted, these remedies are good for anyone and are actually classified as “food.” Thus, you can’t take too much anymore than you could eat too much spinach.

1) Get a drink of water. When you are dehydrated your throat will sometimes hurt. Try it, anyway.
2) Massage the throat- Begin at the bottom of the ears and slowly and gently rub your own neck at the base of the jaw line towards the middle. It really helps! Lasts twenty minutes or so. (Be VERY gentle doing this to someone else, especially a child. You can do damage)
3) Sore Throat Tea- (Use flavors to taste)
a. 1 cup warm water
b. 1 (+ or -) Tablespoon lemon juice (vitamin C will fight the infection and the acid will kill germs)
c. 1 (+ or -) honey (honey is anti-bacterial as well as a soother)
4) Herbal “up the anti”- Replace the water with an infusion (tea) made of:
a. Echinacea (immune booster. Take a break from it every 6 weeks or so)
b. Yarrow (all around invader fighter. Use only for short term.)
c. Lemon grass (immune booster)
d. Rose petals (and/or hips) (high vit C plus astringent to kill bacteria)
e. Wild cherry bark (tastes good and soothes)
5) “Taste? Who cares about taste? I’m sick!” (I very seldom have to go this far Add one or more to the above infusion)
a. Elderberry (fruity tasting immune booster. I sometimes use it at the above level.
b. Licorice (good bug fighter, but my kids hate the taste. Don’t use if you have a heart problem)
c. Cinnamon (all around bug fighter as well as blood sugar balancer)
d. Cayenne pepper (makes all other herbs work better, bug fighter, metabolism speeder, and high in C)
e. Cloves (bug fighter)
f. Thyme (bug fighter)
g. Garlic (the pre-antibiotic antibiotic. It was used on wounds from the battlefield in World War I. It will kill all but the worst germs, sometimes better than modern antibiotics)

How to make an infusion:
Pour one cup of boiling water onto your herbs (one teaspoon each. Add more water if you are doing a lot of herbs). Let steep for ten minutes to an hour (the longer it steeps the more powerful the medicine but the more bitter the taste). Strain out the herbs, sweeten (preferably with honey. Alternately, put a teaspoon or so of Stevia in the herbs before steeping) to taste. Drink.

The philosophy of herbs

Herbs are good for different things:
To beautify our homes with their colors, shapes, and scents.
To flavor our foods.
For medicine.

I believe God did not leave the entire human race without help for medical problems until the last century. In fact, I believe that the common idea of modern medicine is clearly evolutionary: “There was no help for any medical problem until modern doctors evolved enough to help us.” “See how much more advanced we are today?”

Truth is God provided help for most ailments through the plants surrounding His people. In fact, many of our current medicines are derived from those very plants (Aspirin, for example, is taken directly from the white willow’s bark. Our ancestors used to just make a tea from the bark to stop pain.) the pharmacies just remove everything but the one ingredient that they believe to be active.

The advantage of herbals is that they still have all the “extra” ingredients. So if you take a regular diuretic, for example, you pee out the extra liquid plus many necessary minerals. Dandelion, however, will cause you to pee also but is also very high in the very minerals diuretics cause you to loose. Herbals work not just buy giving you the active ingredient but also by building up your body so it can heal itself. And they tend to have fewer side effects.

Now, I do believe we should use modern medicine when necessary. When my daughter broke her arm last fall I did not go look for any herbs to help her. I loaded her up in my car and rushed her to the emergency room.

I follow Shonda Parker’s recommendations for dealing with ailments:
Change your diet and/or lifestyle.
If that doesn’t work, than take herbal remedies.
If that doesn’t work than take over the counters.
Then comes prescriptions
Then surgery.

Herbals themselves fall into two categories: food and medicine. For example, dandelion, alfalfa, oat straw, and bilberries are all foods. They are high in vitamins and minerals and you can eat as much as you want without overdosing. They work mostly by giving your body what it needs to heal itself. On the other hand, comfrey, lobelia, and angelica will make you sick or even kill you if you get too much; but in small doses they work as well as or even better than medicinals.

So, unlike medicines at the drug store, you have to do your research and know what you are doing with herbs.

The place I buy most of herbs from is here:
http://www.bulkherbstore.com/

For those that know Michael and Debi Pearl (To Train Up A Child, Created To Be His Help Meet), Debi be3gan this business. It is now owned by their daughter and her husband. These people are very trust worthy and you know you are getting what they say you are getting. Their information is very good.