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Used for: Use as a tea. Good for a bit of mood lifting after a dark time – suggested for the winter blues. Rich in vitamin C and contains some needed trace minerals. Good for arthritis. Taking 3 cups of birch leaf tea a day is said to help clear acne.
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Name: Yarrow
Latin: Achillea millefolium
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Used for: Taken internally it fights inflammation. Used externally, it can slow or stop bleeding, assist with pain, and promotes healing. Used internally or externally, it will fight or prevent infection. A spray in the back of the throat can help a sore throat. The same on an infected tooth can ease the pain. Spraying it on your feet can lessen aching. Used as an astringent, it can assist with acne. If made into a tincture and used as a spray, yarrow is an effective insect repellant. Studies done by the US Army indicated that it is more effective than DEET, although not as long lasting. Yarrow is actually more effective than the (now) classic combination of echinacea/goldenseal, and avoids the issues attached to those plants.
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Other Uses for: Folklore states that if used as a hair wash, it will promote curling.
Growing: Yarrow is said to make a good companion plant in the garden. Its root secretions strengthen other plants, and can actually make them more disease resistant. Yarrow is also said to keep ants and other harmful insects away.
Name: Violet
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Used for: As a tea, it can fight depression. As an infusion, it can assist with a sore throat. As an ointment, can be useful for joint pain.
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Name: Myrrh
Latin: Commiphora Myrrha
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Used for: Myrrh is an antiseptic, which makes it useful for wounds and sores. It is particularly good for problems with tea and gums, when added to toothpaste, or used as a mouthwash or gargle.
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Name: Osha
Latin: Ligusticum porterii
Other Common Names: Singer’s Root, Rattlesnake Root, Bear Medicine
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Parts Used: Root
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Used for: This root, in tincture form, has the capacity to stop anaphylactic shock and other allergic reactions, as well as ameliorate the effect of some venoms. However, osha root is over-harvested, and comparatively rare, so should be used with respect to those factors. I have quite a few allergy issues, due to what appears to be a growing sensitivity to many of the chemicals used in perfumes and soaps and… So far osha has been an amazingly fast-acting solution to my throat starting to constrict and itch. It has also allowed a woman I know to actually interact with cats, which she has always loved, but was allergic to.
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Directions & Warnings: Over-harvested and rare plant. Use with respect, and try to find cultivated supplies, rather than wild-crafted.
Name: Honeysuckle
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Used for: Immune system booster. A strong tea made from the flowers has been scientifically established to be antiseptic, anti-microbial, and anti-bacterial. It has been shown to have a particularly strong action against staph infections, including the antibiotic resistant strains, and is used to this purpose in Germany and Japan. Due to the broad range of things it fights, and its effects on the immune system, honeysuckle can be used to ward off colds and flus.
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Name: Chickweed
Latin: Stellaria Media
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Vitamins/Minerals: Calcium, Iron, Potassium, Copper, Magnesium, Zinc, Chlorophyll, Protein, Vitamin A
Used for: Chickweed has been used for centuries to improve complexion. It is a vitamin rich plant, and many skin issues are caused by lack of specific nutrients. It also refreshes and strengthens the lymphatic system, making this a very important herb in preparations for infections. Like dandelion, it is also a safe diuretic, due to its potassium content.
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Name: Cleavers
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Used for: A tea made from this is a folklore cure for acne, if given time. It can also assist with lessening scar tissue as boils, blemishes, or other skin infections heal. Cleavers is also a mild diuretic, and can be used to assist with urinary tract infections and pain. It also has use as a lymphatic cleanser.
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Name: Ginseng
Latin: Panax quinquefolium
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Used for: Senility, longevity, energy, and memory. Strengthens the endocrine glands, which assists in the metabolism of vitamins and minerals. Used in conjunction with Sarsparilla to regulate male hormones. Can also strengthen your immune system. Supports the health and vitality of the nervous system. Can be used as a gentle stimulant during times of stress.
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Directions & Warnings: This herb should be used with care, as it does have a very intense action.
This was definitely tasty, but it involved quite a bit more ginger flavour than I typically present to my household. In fact, given that the recipe was called “Miso Tofu” the fact that the Ginger flavour, if represented in text on the net would have had to have been a neon all caps animated gif with all of the other flavours in dark gray italics over a black background behind it…. There are two sets of measurements listed. One was what the recipe called for, which I changed a bit making it, the second is what I am planning to use next time I make this. We all ended adding a little bit of tamari to it, which helped to gentle the GINGER, but I would prefer to bring the miso and garlic a bit more to the forefront next time it is cooked.
However, making this finally taught me how to deal with tofu to end up with a firm fried version… and it also taught me that I despise grating ginger by hand.
1 14 oz package of tofu, drained and pressed
2 T red miso (3)
5 tsp grated ginger (3)
2 T rice vinegar (3)
4 cloves garlic (6)
1 T + 1 tsp peanut oil
1/2 tsp cornstarch
1 head (2 lbs) bok choy (We only used one)
1 T black sesame seeds.
Press tofu. (Wrap in several layers of paper towels, place on one cutting board, put another on top, and then something heavy on top of that. The recipe suggested a heavy jar, which did not seem to be doing the job, so we used our cast iron griddle. Replace paper towels a few times, until it seems to be pressed out.) Cut tofu into 1/2 inch chunks. Puree miso, ginger, vinegar, and 1/2 of the garlic. Heat wok until water sizzles and evaporates. Add 1 T oil and tofu. Fry until golden. Sprinkle with cornstarch and fry until darkened. Transfer to a plate. Add 1 tsp oil and rest of garlic, and fry 30 seconds. Add bok choy and fry until tender. Return tofu, add half puree (we just put it all in at this point, as half looked far too dry), and cook until heated through. Garnish with sesame seeds and rest of miso on the side.