Tag Archives: Weed

Recipes and information garnered from Susun Weed.

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Cardamom (Eelettaria cardamomum)

Name:  Cardamom

Latin:  Eelettaria cardamomum

Other Common Names:

Family:

Parts Used:  Seeds

Vitamins/Minerals:

Used for:  Cardamom seeds can be used to freshen the breath, improve digestion, and improve appetite.  They are known to help tonify and condition the stomach, liver, and intestines.  They can relieve coughs, mitigate bronchitis, assist against fevers, and ease inflammation of the mouth and throat.  Cardamom also helps to strengthen the immune system.  It is a useful aid during pregnancy for nausea, as it is a pregnancy-safe digestive aid.  There is evidence that cardamom may also be an anti-viral.

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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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.

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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.

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Chickweed (Stellaria Media)

Name:  Chickweed

Latin:  Stellaria Media

Other Common Names:

Family:

Parts Used:

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.

Use in tandem with:

Directions & Warnings:

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Blackberry (Rubus villosus)

I have  found that using the leaf in teas gives them quite a bit of the actual blackberry flavour, and generally get momentarily distracted by the lovely smell when I open the container.

Name:  Blackberry

Latin:  Rubus villosus

Other Common Names:  Bramble, Scaldhead, Fingerberry, Black Longberry

Family:  Rosaceae

Parts Used:  Roots, Leaves, Berries

Vitamins & Minerals:  C, Folate, antioxidants, phytochemicals, potassium, manganese

Used for:  Use the root for an astringent tincture.  Consistent use of this tea can help with a variety of intestinal problems.  Chewing the leaves has a long history of strengthening and healing the gums.

Use in tandem with:

Directions & Warnings:  Blackberry is a mild blood thinner.  Not dangerously so, on its own, but use caution if taking anti-coagulants.

 

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Marshmallow (Althea officinalis)

Name:  Marshmallow

Latin:  Althea officinalis

Other Common Names:

Family:

Parts Used:  Root

Vitamins/Minerals:

Used for:  Marshmallow is one of the most effective mucilaginous herbs.  It is good for acid problems of the digestive tract (ulcers, irritation, stones, and infections.)  It is also useful for respiratory ailments, as it both calms the throat, and helps to expel mucous.  It can be used as a poultice on sprains.  It can also be used as a tea to increase the flow of milk when breastfeeding, and to enrich the milk.  The mucilage also acts as a soothing and protective agent for inflamed and damaged nerves.

Use in tandem with:

Directions & Warnings:

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Cinquefoil (Potentilla canadensis)

Name:  Cinquefoil

Latin:  Potentilla canadensis (and others)

Other Common Names:

Family:  Rosaceae

Parts Used:  Roots, Leaves, Flowers, Seeds

Vitamins & Minerals:

Used for:  This plant can be made into a tincture or brewed as a tea.  It has a mild astringent effect, and can be used to assist with diarrhea. nosebleeds, and bleeding gums.

Use in tandem with:

Growing:  Cinquefoil does not mind nasty dry soils with few nutrients.  It will still grow quite happily under those conditions.

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Garlic (Allium sativum)

Name:  Garlic

Latin:  Allium sativum

Other Common Names:

Parts Used:  Bulb

Vitamins & Minerals:

Used for:  Garlic is one of the “magic” plants as far as its health effects and uses.  It mitigates the physical effects of stress.  It can lower high blood pressure.  A tea is good for sore throats, and can be used to lessen inflammation and infection in tonsilitis.  If used as a poultice on your chest (often in conjunction with onion), it can help with bronchitis and other chest ailments.  Along with being capable of lowering blood pressure, it can help to reduce your cholesterol, strengthen your heart, increase immune response, reduce stroke risk, and stabilize blood sugar.  Garlic and its relatives are a source of phytoestrogens, which not only reduce the risk of cancer, they can assist with the passage through menopause.  Garlic also has an antibiotic effect similar to penicillin, with the added benefit of not killing off the beneficial bacteria in the body.    Used in a cold poultice, it can help to lower swelling; as a hot poultice, can be used to help snakebites and wasp or hornet stings.  Crushed and packed in near a tooth, it can assist with toothache.  Most of the folkloric and historic beneficial effects of garlic have been proven scientifically.

Use in tandem with:  Hawthorn and Cayenne

Directions and Warnings:  As garlic is a natural blood-thinner, you should consult with a doctor before increasing the amount of garlic you consume, or using it in supplement form if you are on blood-thinning medication.

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Pine

Name:  Pine

Latin:

Other Common Names:

Parts Used:  Needles, Sap, Gum

Vitamins & Minerals:  Vitamin C

Used for:  Historical records indicate that a daily tea of pine needles saved numerous old settlements from scurvy.  It is a strong source of Vitamin C, which was a saving grace in winter.  Due to the concentration of  Vitamin C, pine tea is also useful for prevention of colds and flu.   Chewing the sap can soothe sore throats and strengthen gums.  (Myrrh is a distant relative.)  Mixed with grease, the sap makes a good sealant.