Category Archives: Editing

by

Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

Name:  Ginger

Latin:  Zingiber officinale

Other Common Names:

Family:

Parts Used:  Rot

Vitamins/Minerals:

Used for:  This is a wonderful herb for nausea.  I have persistent food issues due to chemical allergies and the after-effects of an old illness, and most of the time one variant or another of Ginger tea will settle my stomach enough for me to eat.  It is used to settle the stomach and as an antacid because it blocks the breakdown of pepsinogen into the compound that causes a particular sort of ulcer and stomach irritation.  3 to 4 T added to bath water can help with detoxification.  Taken as a tea before or during a meal, it will help to mitigate gas.  Ginger also has anti-inflammatory capabilities, when used as a tea or eaten.  It can also function as a healthier stimulant than caffeine.

Use in tandem with:

Directions & Warnings:

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
by

Anadama Bread (Matthew Galliard)

1/2 c cornmeal

1/2 c molasses

1/2 c cooking oil

2 1/2 c water

1 tsp salt

1 pkg yeast

6-7 c flour

Put 1 c water and cornmeal in a saucepan, bring to a boil slowly.  Let it thicken, but not burn.  Remove from heat, add oil, molasses, remaining water, and salt, and yeast.  Stir smooth.  Cool to around body temp.  Put in 2 c flour and leave for 15 minutes for yeast proofing.  Add flour and knead until slightly sticky, but smooth.  Let rise in covered greased bowl until double.  Punch down and let sit 10 minutes.  Grease and flour 2 loaf pans.  Shape into loaves, put into pans, let rise again.  Bake at 450 for 30 minutes or to 190 internal temp.  Let cool 30 minutes.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
by

Blessed Thistle (Cnicus Benedictus)

Name:  Blessed Thistle

Latin:  Cnicus Benedictus

Other Common Names:

Family:

Parts Used:

Vitamins/Minerals:

Used for:  This herb is good for most urinary, pulmonary, and liver disorders.  It can also be used to enrich and increase milk in nursing mothers.  As a tonic, just prior to puberty, it can be used to help ease initial cramping.  Also tonifies the stomach and the digestive system generally.

Use in tandem with:

Directions & Warnings:  Large doses can cause nausea, so use care with amounts.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
by

Clove

Name:  Clove

Latin:

Other Common Names:

Family:

Parts Used:

Vitamins/Minerals:

Used for:  Used as a pain killer, typically for tooth pain.  Can either be an oil that you use with a cotton swab or finger and brush over the area in pain, or you can tuck a whole clove into your mouth near the painful area and suck or chew on it.

Use in tandem with:

Directions & Warnings:

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
by

Birch

Name:

Latin:

Other Common Names:

Family:

Parts Used:

Vitamins/Minerals:

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.

Use in tandem with:

Directions & Warnings:

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
by

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Name:  Yarrow

Latin:  Achillea millefolium

Other Common Names:

Family:

Parts Used:

Vitamins/Minerals:

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.

Use in tandem with:

Directions & Warnings:

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.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
by

Myrrh (Commiphora Myrrha)

Name:  Myrrh

Latin:  Commiphora Myrrha

Other Common Names:

Family:

Parts Used:

Vitamins/Minerals:

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.

Use in tandem with:

Directions & Warnings:

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
by

Osha (Ligusticum porterii)

Name:  Osha

Latin:  Ligusticum porterii

Other Common Names:  Singer’s Root, Rattlesnake Root, Bear Medicine

Family:

Parts Used:  Root

Vitamins/Minerals:

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.

Use in tandem with:

Directions & Warnings:  Over-harvested and rare plant.  Use with respect, and try to find cultivated supplies, rather than wild-crafted.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email