Tag Archives: Weed

Recipes and information garnered from Susun Weed.

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Stinging Nettle (Urtica Dioica)

Name:  Stinging Nettle

Latin:  Urtica Dioica

Other Common Names:

Family:

Parts Used:

Vitamins/Minerals:  Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, Iron, Cobalt, Potassium, Copper, B-Vitamins

Used for:  Due to the nutritional denseness of this plant, it is one of the best tonic herbs.  Eating a bit of this a day, or drinking a cup of infusion daily, will almost insure that you are getting enough of the basics.  The nutrients contained make this herb particularly good for the kidneys, adrenals, and thyroid, which allows them to stabilize and increases energy levels.  It also contains chromium in enough quantity to help stimulate appetite, under the right circumstances.  If utilized regularly, nettle also assists with minimizing the effects of hayfever and other allergies.  The sheer amount of calcium and magnesium also strengthens bones, hair, skin, and teeth.  An additional side effect of the nutritional denseness is and increase in fertility, making nettle one of the best choice for that particular goal.  The array of nutrients also make this a supportive herb for the nervous system.

Use in tandem with:

Directions & Warnings:

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Catnip

Name:  Catnip

Latin:  Nepeta Cataria

Other Common Names:

Family:  Mint

Parts Used:

Vitamins/Minerals:  Calcium

Used for:  Can be used for easing menstruation, relieving colic, and to relax you into sleep.    Also falls into the category of herbal pain relief, working by soothing and strengthening the nerves and muscles, rather than by deadening nerves.  Also acts as a muscle relaxant and antispasmodic, and can assist with cramps and spasms.  Good choice for herbal vinegars, due to the amount of calcium it contains.  More commonly used for cats, to make them act somewhere between happy and a bit crazy.

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Directions & Warnings:

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Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

Name:  Licorice

Latin:  Glycyrrhiza glabra

Other Common Names:

Family:

Parts Used:  Root

Vitamins/Minerals:

Used for:  Licorice acts as a stimulant for the immune system.  It also decreases inflammation.  It can be used for Laryngitis, and will help to clear the throat of mucous.  It can be used as a mild laxative.   As it is more soluble in water than milk thistle, it is sometimes more useful as a liver aid.  Due to its innate sweetness, it can be useful in combination with bitter herbs, as it lends a natural sweetness beyond that of sugar.

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Directions & Warnings:  Due to the way in which licorice effects the liver, it should be used with care, or avoided entirely, by dabetics.

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Agrimony (Agrimonia Eupatoria)

Name:  Agrimony

Latin:  Agrimonia Eupatoria

Other Common Names:

Family:  Rose

Parts Used:

Vitamins/Minerals:

Used for:  Flowering tops can be brewed into a tea to assist with spleen, liver, or kidney stress.  It can also be used to ease indigestion or the pain of gallstones.  Salve or oil is said to relieve varicose veins.

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Directions & Warnings:

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Yellow Dock

Name:  Yellow Dock

Latin:

Other Common Names:

Family:

Parts Used:

Vitamins/Minerals:  Iron

Used for:  Liver strengthener, blood builder.  A daily tablespoon of yellow dock vinegar or 5-20 drops of tincture can actually increase iron levels in the blood as fast as taking supplements, and it is far easier for your body to absorb and deal with than pills.

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Directions & Warnings:

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Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca)

Name:  Motherwort

Latin:  Leonurus cardiaca

Other Common Names:  Herzgespan, Agripaume cardiaque, Yi mu cao

Family:  Compositae (Sunflower)

Parts Used:

Vitamins/Minerals:  Calcium

Used for:  Good for moderating hot flashes and regulating mood.  Also a very potent aid if you suffer from anxiety.  Motherwort is particularly useful as while it is calming, while not being sedating.  It also regulates and tones the thyroid, blood vessels, liver, heart, and uterus.  It also can ease uterine cramping.

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Directions & Warnings:  Unfortunately, motherwort has a distinctly unpleasant flavour, and is hard to utilize in teas or as a fresh green in salads.  The best methods for utilizing this herb are tinctures and syrups.

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Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus Globulus)

Name:  Eucalyptus

Latin:  Eucalyptus Globulus

Other Common Names:

Family:

Parts Used:  Leaf

Vitamins/Minerals:

Used for:  This is an herb to use with a fair amount of caution, and only in small doses, particularly when taking it internally.  A smattering of flakes will be plenty for a full quart jar of loose tea.  Eucalyptus helps to dilate capillaries for better circulation, which can be useful when dealing with migraines.  A small amount on the tongue can quell nausea.  It is an antiseptic, which means it can be good for wounds, or as a scent or steam to inhale for internal infections.  When diluted with olive oil or vitamin E, the oil can be applied as an ointment.  The oil is also a decent insect repellent.  For coughs, it actually outstrips Robitussin as an expectorant.

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Directions & Warnings:  Eucalyptus is very useful, but you must be careful with the dosages, as it can be incredibly toxic when overdone.

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Cinnamon (Cassia)

Name:  Cinnamon

Latin:  Cassia

Other Common Names:

Family:

Parts Used:

Vitamins/Minerals:

Used for:  Cinnamon works as a warming tonic.  It can help to prevent colds, and warms the hands and feet of those who feel cold all the time.  It has been used, over time, as an appetite enhancer, an antimicrobial, an antispasmodic, an anti-rheumatic, and an anti-fungal.  Cinnamon can ease certain sort of pain – primarily joint, muscle, stomach and tooth.  Cinnamon can also be used to assist with some of the effects of diabetes.  It has a fairly profound effect on blood sugar levels (as I know from all too personal experience.)  This is lovely if you need to drop your sugar, but use caution if you eat sparingly or have not eaten recently.  Cinnamon tea can be made by steeping a stick or a scant tsp in a cup of boiling water for 10+ minutes, and is a good winter tonic.

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Directions & Warnings:  As this herb effects blood sugar, if you have not eaten recently, drink the tea while eating a couple of crackers or the equivalent.