HERBAL USAGES

Use the EDIT-FIND menu to locate the problem to see what herbs can be used to help.? (example: Just type in the Find What blank an ailment like headache and press enter . There will probably be several so if that herb isn't availaable to you, then find next. ) This is all I have time for right now..perhaps more later. Hope it will prove helpful.When in doubt, always seek the advise of your health professional.

ALE HOOF [ "ground ivy", or "Gill o'er-the-ground" ]
( Glechoma hederacea)
  • gastritis - flatulence
  • griping pain

AGRIMONY
  • Sore throat
  • coughs

ALOE VERA
  • chafes
  • cuts, abrasions or scratches
  • burns. I first apply ice, then the Aloe Vera juice
  • sunburn
Research has indicated that this plant is effective for all of the above.
I PERSONALLY DO NOT TAKE ALOA INTERNALLY. **FOR ME** IT IS A STOMACH IRRITANT....

ANGELICA
  • coughs
  • fever - diaphoretic - (root decoction)
  • headaches (root decoction)
  • was used to ward off the plague
  • flatulence - gastritis - indigestion - (decoction)
  • epileptic fits [anti-spasmodic]
  • nervouos tension (tea--tisany)
  • rhuematism (leaf or root decoction)
  • insomnia - sleeplessness (leaf infusion)
  • ward off evil witches and the Evil Eye [my favorite! ]
  • wounds.
  • disinfectant bath
  • disinfecting floors and furnishings.
  • menstrual flow (leaf infusion)
  • chew the roots to ward off the Flu. (used by soldiers in WWI, too)
  • bronchitis (leaf infusion)
  • candy [the stalks]
  • flavor liqueurs such as Benedictine, Chartreuse, brandy, and vermouth.
  • TEA (tisany)

Brew as with any other tea, using about an ounce of seeds to a pint of water. In order to get full flavor let it boil for an extra minute or two.

ANISE (Aniseed)
  • coughs. leaf or seed tisany (tea)
  • gas pains (cholic, flatulence),
  • flavoring:
    • cough remedies
    • cakes and pastries, candies, and liqueurs; notably Galleinao.
  • the oil to scent fishing lures, scent mousetraps
  • aphrodisiac
  • nausea,
  • stimulate mother's milk.
  • breath sweetener,
  • teas or tisanies
  • seeds in cookies
  • leaves or seeds to garnish salads.

ARTEMESIAS
  • anticeptic. Do not take internally.
See herb pages. (later)

BEE BALM / BERGAMOT (Monardo Didyma)
  • Sore throats , gargle with leaf infusion and inhale the steam
  • gastritis (leaf infusion)

BORAGE
  • Pot herb (use with spinach or other greens)
  • bronchitis (flower tisany)
  • depression (leaf or flower tisany)
  • diarrhea (flower tisany)
  • fever - diaphoretic (flower tisany)
  • poultice for bruises

CALENDULA (Calendula officinalis ) a Compositae
(also called pot merigold or merigold)
  • fever - diaphoretic (flower tincture)
  • a green like spinach
  • burns
  • cuts - sores (calendula ointment)
  • digestion - indigestion - stomach problems
  • insect stings
  • rashes
  • tonic
  • iritated nipples from breast feeding. non toxic.

CHAMOMILE
  • excellent tea, best made from the flowers, soothes the stomach and nerves.
  • upset stomach - nausea - tummy ache
  • nervous tension
  • sun burns, put decoction in bathwater or splash on.
  • nightmares (relaxes)

CHIVES - onions - garlic
  • All alliums (onion family) are very healthful eaten raw. :
  • contains iron and many vitamins
  • appetite stimulator
  • antibiotic
  • supposed to help ward off cancer (also garlic and other onions)
  • promotes digestion
  • reduce blood pressure
  • sinus problems - catarrh
  • protect from worms - intestinal parasites
  • wards off common colds
  • coughs
For a very effective cough syrup, slice an onion, place in small bowl and sprinkle sugar over it. The onion juices will dissolve the sugar and the resulting syrup can be taken, a teaspoon full as needed. This is ok for small children, too. Check to see that the onion is not too strong. This really works well and the taste is not as bad as it sounds!!.

DILL
  • Crush a teaspoon of seed for each cup of boiling water. I teaspoon as needed for adults and 1/2 teaspoon for children . Momma used to fix this for us if we had a tummy ache.
  • hiccups
  • gas - flatulence - belly ache - insomnia

ECHINACEA The leaves, blooms, stems, and roots of this plant have been traditionally used by many Native Americans for hundreds (?..maybe thousands..?) of years to keep well. It is said to enhance the immune system, so can be used in decoctions to ward away colds and any other infections. So if your system is a little funky and you are in a situation where you might catch cold, like during the flu season, have a cup or so daily for a few days.

ELECAMPANE
  • diaphoretic (to break a fever by inducing sweating)
  • diuretic (flush kidneys and bladder)

FENNEL (infusions)
  • indigestion
  • hangovers
  • breath- sweetner - bad breath
  • constipation

HORSE RADISH
A mustard plaster for bad chest colds. Be sure to put layers of cloth next to skin as a mustard plaster can burn. There are better things or at least more comfortabl remedies on the market, but this was all momma had and it worked. Don't get it in the eyes or breath it too hard! It creates a LOT of heat, so is good for chills, sore muscles and it will surely open up the sinus. If breathed too hard, it can be such an irritant as to cause the sinus membranes to swell. I took too big a bite of horsradish mustard when I ate a pastromi on rye (HAVE to have horsradish mustard with pastromi !!) and I breathed the little ball of mustard and my face was swollen shut by the next morning! But Lordy! It sure is good!

GOLDENSEAL
Seems to be of help for hot flashes. This plant is on the endangered specie list and other applications are available so Check with your Herbalist. Do not use Goldenseal.

LAVENDER
  • Flower infusion for headaches, nervousness, gas and bad breath.
  • Essential oil smoothed on the temples is a calmetive and relieves headaches.
  • anticeptic for insect bites and scratches - abrasions

LEMON VERBENIA
  • bronchial and sinus conjestion (tea)
  • indigestion - gas- gastritis - belly ache - stomack ache - nausea
  • heart palpitations
  • sedative, mild
Don't over do, as too much too long can be an iritant.

MUSTARD
  • used same as horsradish for poultices for
  • chest colds
  • chills
  • sore muscles
  • sore feet (foot baths with small amount of decoction made with crushed seeds)

SAGE (salvia officinalis)
  • stomach trouble (tisany, tea)
  • nervous condition
  • Also a disinfectant..good to wash bathroom accessories with a fairly strong infusion.

SAINT JOHN's WORT
  • depression, aids in a restful sleep...
Don't take if you're taking antidepressants or have high blood pressure.

SALT SOLUTION
  • sore throat gargle
  • eye rinse
  • general antiseptic
  • also for sore throat first aid, gargle with dissolved aspirine but don't swallow.
  • Salt is also an emetic. It with luke warm water can cause vomiting and is useful if one has swallowed certain toxic material....BE SURE TO READ LABEL OF MATERIAL SWALLOWED for emergency treatment OR CHECK WITH POISON CENTER or other reliable source before causing emises as some materials can be more injurious if vomiting is induced.

SUN FLOWER
    boil seed 15 or 20 minutes (decoction) for:
  • coughs
  • kidney infection

VIOLETS
    syrup from flowers for:
  • cough, bronchitus, headachs,
  • poultice of fresh leaves to sooth bruises or decoction of dried leaves in cloth for poultice.

YARROW
  • indigestion (infusion)
  • menstrual flow (infusion)
  • fever - diaphoretic
  • rashes - chapped skin - chaffs - small wounds - cuts (use leaf pressed into cut)
  • sore gums - sore mouth - (decoction) mouthwash
  • astringent for skin


Last ceck 4/16/08
http://www.oocities.org/tvksi/herb101.htm
©1996 by Leona Halley Henderson