Tag Archives: Herbally Yours

Information and recipes from the book “Herbally Yours” by Penny C. Royal.

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Horsetail (Equsetum arvense)

Name:  Horsetail

Latin:  Equsetum arvense

Other Common Names:  Shavegrass

Family:

Parts Used:

Vitamins/Minerals:  Calcium, Silica

Used for:  Healing for stomach and ulcers.  Will strengthen hair, fingernails, and teeth.  Has a high silica content which assists in the usage of calcium in the body.  The silica content will also help to strengthen and heal connective tissue.  Horsetail is also mildly diuretic, and will help to clear mucous from the urinary tract, thus decreasing the severity and intensity of infections.

Use in tandem with:

Directions & Warnings:

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Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)

Name:  Passionflower

Latin:  Passiflora incarnata

Other Common Names:

Family:

Parts Used:

Vitamins/Minerals:

Used for:  Is a good herb to use to ease the effects of stress.  Can help to calm anxiety and ease nervous tension.  Good herb to include in preparations for headaches, if stress is a factor, and can also assist with asthma.  Used as an alternative to sedatives for both people and animals.  Passionflower is one of the herbal pain-killers, although not in the pharmaceutical drug sense.  Rather than deaden nerve endings, it soothes and nourishes the nerves and muscle tissue.  Can also be used as an antispasmodic.

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Directions & Warnings:  Preparations involving passionflower should be tested for the first time at a point when tiredness will not be an issue.  For some people it is a fairly potent sedative.

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Lobelia (Lobelia inflata)

Name:  Lobelia

Latin:  Lobelia inflata

Other Common Names:

Family:

Parts Used:

Vitamins/Minerals:

Used for:  The tincture of this herb is a wonderful anti-spasmodic.  Generally works within 5-15 minutes when a few drops are put under the tongue.  Lobelia is also a powerful relaxant.  If used regularly during waking hours, you may wish to mix it with a more stimulating herb such as cayenne, peppermint, ginseng, or ginger.  Lobelia is also a nerve sedative.  It both nourishes and strengthens the nervous system, and through this action can help with pain.

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Directions & Warnings:  Smokers may require more Lobelia to get results, as there is a potential cross-tolerance between Lobelia and nicotine.  Due to the potent relaxation this herb can provoke, it is also not recommended for regular use by diabetics.

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Brigham Tea (Ephedra Nervadensis)

Name:  Brigham Tea

Latin:  Ephedra Nervadensis

Other Common Names:

Family:

Parts Used:

Vitamins/Minerals:  Vitamin C

Used for:  Historically used to combat scurvy, and is quite rich in Vitamin C.  The plant can be used either dried or fresh.  Brigham Tea is also useful for blood purification and sinus congestion, and is a good spring tonic.  It does, however, contain ephedrine, so keep an eye on your reactions.

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Directions & Warnings:  Not for use during pregnancy, or by children.

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Juniper (Juniper communis)

Name:  Juniper

Latin:  Juniper communis

Other Common Names:

Family:

Parts Used:

Vitamins/Minerals:

Used for:  Juniper helps to dilate the bronchial tubes, it is an antiseptic, and especially useful with urinary problems.  The tea can also be used to ease insect bites and stings.

Use in tandem with:

Directions & Warnings:

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Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)

Name:  Mullein

Latin:  Verbascum thapsus

Other Common Names:

Family:

Parts Used:  Leaves, Flowers

Vitamins/Minerals:

Used for:  Used primarily for respiratory problems, as a tea.  If made as a milk tea, rather than a water tea, the effectiveness of mullein for non-respiratory problems is increased, and it can be used to treat diarrhea and digestive issues.  Made into a poultice, it can help to ease swollen glands.  The flowers steeped into an ointment can be effective against diaper rash, frostbite, and bruises.  Historically it has also been used to slow or stop internal bleeding, however, if those problems exist, it is likely best to avail yourself of Western medicine.

Use in tandem with:

Directions & Warnings:

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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:

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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.

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