How to identify and use wild herbs and weeds

Transcription

1 Wonderful Weeds Video Transcript How to identify and use wild herbs and weeds Here are guidelines for the collection of wild herbs. Once we identify a plant correctly we must know which part of the herb is useful, the leaves, flowers, seeds, or the root. With Plantain, the leaves are the most useful. Here are some handy hints to help the plant s survival. Never collect the first plant that you find. Look around to see if there is a large stand. With a large stand collect only one-third of what you see. If only a few plants are growing, leave them to regenerate. If you are collecting seeds scatter some. Never strip the plant completely. When you are collecting the root fill in any holes to prevent erosion. Collecting Bark Burdock Always collect bark from the sunny side only. Never strip bark from the whole trunk or you will ring bark the tree and kill it. Always take the bark from the limbs and branches not the main trunk. Do not collect from busy roadsides. To be free of lead and cadmium, culinary and medicinal herbs should be collected 10 miles from the nearest freeway. Burdock is considered to be a noxious weed but its root is an effective remedy for acne, eczema and skin problems. The root is gathered when the plant is two years old and simmered in water to extract its medicinal properties. It can also be used to treat cystitis and kidney disorders. Calendula Calendula is the common Marigold with a sticky leaf and orange or yellow flower. The flower helps wounds to heal and acts as a mild antiseptic. 30 grams of the flower soaked in 500ml apple cider vinegar or vodka for two weeks makes an effective antiseptic wash for cuts and grazes. Never use Calendula if an infection is already present it encourages such speedy healing it can drive an infection inward.

2 Chickweed The fresh young tips are delicious in salads or steam the whole herb in lemon juice and butter. Your body requires copper to absorb iron. Chickweed is rich in copper and iron as well as potassium and Vitamin C. A cleanser and tonic, it is effective for blood disorders such as anemia. It is also good for skin problems like boils and acne, coughs, constipation, and kidney problems. You can identify chickweed by the small white flowers and the hairs on the Chickweed stem that change direction at each leaf node. You can confuse chickweed with Scarlet Pimpernel if Scarlet Pimpernel is not flowering. Notice the square stems on the Chickweed, and the lack of hairs on the Scarlet Pimpernel stem. Chickweed can also be confused with Speedwell if it is not flowering. If you look closely Speedwell has hairy leaves; in contrast, Chickweed has much smoother leaves. Common Centuary Common Centuary is an extremely bitter wild herb, but it is an excellent kidney and liver tonic. It helps to stimulate the appetite but is too bitter as a vegetable. The whole herb is best taken as a tea along with an aromatic herb such as peppermint to disguise the flavor. The tea can also be used to bathe red, irritated eyes. Comfrey Comfrey (also known as Knitbone) is able to heal broken bones and can be used internally and as a poultice externally. It heals ulcers, wounds, grazes and sprains. Only the young hairless leaves should be eaten and in moderation until the controversial research showing the possibility of it causing liver cancer is cleared up. Cleavers Cleavers is a common, sticky, rambling, little weed. It is high in calcium and silica. The whole plant is a used as a diuretic, which stimulates urine flow. It is also used as a blood cleanser and a tonic. When made as an infusion it is useful for clogged lymphatics, insomnia, and will help reduce weight. The young tips are pleasant in salads. Cleavers often sticks to you as you walk by. Cranesbill Cranesbill or the cut leaf geranium should be collected before the plant seeds. The roots and leaves are used for their styptic, astringent, and tonic properties. A styptic is a powerful astringent, which will stop bleeding both internally and externally. Astringent herbs help to stop diarrhea, refine enlarged pores, and halt excessive sweating. The Maori ate the Cransebill root and the

3 Australian aborigine also roasted the root, which is known as the native carrot. Dandelion Dock Dandelion is a storehouse of vitamins and minerals. The Dandelion leaves are rich in calcium, iron, copper, silicon, magnesium, sodium, and extremely rich in potassium. They are high in vitamins A, B1, B2, and C. Like all culinary herbs, pick the young leaves before flowering as they become very bitter after flowering. Eat the young leaves in salads, or steam them. The Dandelion has hairless leaves and a single hairless stem and yellow flower. The Dandelion root is dug in late autumn or early spring. Dried and roasted to make excellent coffee, it stimulates and tones the liver, the kidneys and stomach, spleen and pancreas and acts as a diuretic and tonic. A course of Dandelion treatment in spring will tone up your whole body cleansing it of winters wastes. The Dandelion can be confused with Hawkbit. Hawkbit does not have a single stem like the Dandelion. Hawkbit has multiple flower heads unlike the single flower of the Dandelion, and unlike the Dandelion the Hawkbit has hairy leaves and hairs on the stems. The Docks (both the Broadleaf Dock and Yellow Dock) can be used in salads or steamed, but the broad-leaved Dock is more bitter. Yellow Dock is considered by herbalists to be the most medicinally effective. The yellow is referring to the root. High in vitamin A, B2 and C, the Docks also contain a balance of potassium, calcium, chlorine and iron. The Docks are especially high in sulfur, making them effective blood cleansers. Organic yellow sulfur in the Dock roots cleanses the body of toxins. The roots and seeds are astringent and useful for diarrhea. It can be found growing close to stinging nettle. The leaves are a useful antidote for the nettle sting. Rub them on your skin for relief. Fathen Fathen is also known as Lambs Quarter. The seeds are similar to buckwheat in flavor and were once harvested for grain. The leaves can be eaten raw, made into salads or made into soup. The leaves contain more calcium, iron, and protein than raw cabbage or spinach, more vitamins, B1 and B2, than cabbage and also contain phosphorous and vitamins A & C. Fennel All parts of Fennel can be eaten, particularly the leaf, stem and seeds. Cook the leaves with fish dishes. They offer more flavor than the cultivated variety. Fennel in your meals can curb hunger, reduce appetite and aid with digestion of carbohydrates. The seeds contain sulfur, potassium, calcium, iron, sodium, and

4 vitamins A and C. Fennel tea is carminative so it s excellent for wind and indigestion. And a tea from the seeds is effective for colic in babies. Foxglove Foxglove is a noxious weed and a very potent toxic herb. It doesn t form its tall erect flower until its 2 nd year. The leaves contain the drug digitoxin used to regulate and strengthen the heartbeat. In its 1 st year of growth, it forms a rosette of leaves, which can be confused with Comfrey, Borage, or Mullein. Foxglove leaves are soft and velvety to the touch while Borage or Comfrey leaves feel rough and hairy. Mullein has much smoother and veiny leaves. Fumitory Gorse Fumitory is a small soft rambling weed. Fumitory is a remedy for all-over conditions. The whole herb is used including the flowers. It can be eaten raw or made into a tea. An excellent blood cleanser, Fumitory also helps those with a tendency to oversleep. Gorse seeds are astringent and the flowers have been used to treat jaundice by making a tea or infusion. The flowers are also used to make a beautiful yellow dye. The leaf buds can also be used to make a tea. Groundset Groundset is a common weed throughout New Zealand and Australia. It s a favorite food of black caterpillars and caged birds. It helps get rid of excess fluid in the body. It s also excellent for reducing fevers and is an effective anthelmintic. Anthelmintic herbs destroy worms and parasites in the body. Common Groundset contains vitamin C and an infusion used as a wash is an old-fashioned remedy for chapped hands. It may be confused with Hawkbit. Common Groundset leaves come alternately off the stem whereas Hawkbit grows from a central crown on the ground. The Hawthorn Tree The young Hawthorn leaves are high in vitamin C and can be eaten in salads. The flowers and berries are astringent and a decoction is effective for sore throats. The berries contain vitamins B17, C and A and other properties that reduce fatty deposits in the arteries and veins. The berries act as a heart tonic. Horehound Horehound is high in vitamin C and sodium. The leaves are useful for cold, flu, and chesty coughs. Chewing 8-10 leaves twice a day will give you your daily requirement of Vitamin C. Horehound

5 candy is a pleasant way to take this herb. Horehound leaves contain an antibiotic principal, which is effective for chest infections. Inkweed or Pokeroot Inkweed is used for chronic rheumatism and swollen glands, particularly the mumps and glandular fever. The root and leaves can be used externally in ointments for skin diseases, intiria, acne, swollen painful breasts, and abscesses. The recipe is as follows: 1 part root in 10 parts of 45% alcohol Leave it to soak in a warm place shaking it twice a day. The dose is.2 ml to.6 ml, 3 4 times daily. Take care as Inkweed is toxic, so it is vital not to exceed this dose. Lemon balm Lemon Balm is good for relaxing and a tea will cause mild perspiration making it a cooling drink for anyone suffering from colds and flu. It can be eaten raw in salads, adding a mild lemony flavor. Mullein Mullein grows long and tall in fields near beaches and looks like Foxglove except it has yellow-petaled flowers. The flowers are the part of the herb we use. An infusion of Mullein flowers is a remedy for asthma, bronchitis, and lung congestion. It is a mild sedative and Mullein oil is excellent for earaches. Mullein contains iron, magnesium, potassium, and sulfur. When collecting and drying Mullein flowers, handle with care and store them in a dark glass jar. The flowers turn black if bruised and lose medicinal value if exposed to light. NasturTium Nasturtium leaves and flowers are delectable in salads or sandwiches and are similar to cress. Nasturtium seeds can be pickled in vinegar and taste like capers. The leaves are high in vitamin C, manganese and sulfur compounds, which have an antibiotic action. To extract the antibiotic compound, the whole plant should be chopped finely and soaked in warm water for 10 minutes. Pennyroyal Pennyroyal has little blue flowers and is found growing in damp, shady places. Pennyroyal should be gathered just as it comes into flower. Pennyroyal infusion of flowers and leaves is an effective diaphoretic. Diaphoretic herbs stimulate sweating and reduce fevers. Pennyroyal tea soothes cross and irritable children with measles and chickenpox. The Pennyroyal oil is a mild tranquilizer

6 and is effective for menstrual cramping and late periods. However, it is extremely potent and should never be used by pregnant women. The Pennyroyal oil or fresh leaves rubbed on the skin keeps the mosquitoes from biting. Periwinkle Periwinkle grows in shady groves and has clear blue flowers. We use the root and leaves. The astringent leaves used a poultice on wounds will speed up healing. A decoction of leaves will treat cradle cap on top of a baby s head. The root has a hypertensive action used to treat low blood pressure. It is also an antispasmodic. Antispasmodic herbs are effective for pains and cramps. The Perwinkle root contains 2 alkaloids effective for treating leukemia and skin cancer. Plantain There are two main varieties, Plantain lanceolate seen here and Plantain major. The whole of Plantain can be used: seeds, leaves, and root. Plantain cleanses the blood stream and acts as a mild tonic. The leaves can be eaten raw or steamed as a vegetable. Plantain leaves, natures band aid, make a healing poultice for infected wounds and will take away the sting and itch from insect bites. Plantain leaves contain sulfur, potassium, calcium, cobalt, copper, iron, silica, vitamin A, C, and B2. The seeds, especially a variety called Plantago psyllium, contain a sticky gel which is released when soaked in cold water. It is an excellent remedy for constipation. The roots, when dried and powdered, relieve toothaches when applied directly. Red Clover Red Clover, not White Clover, is extremely useful because it is extremely rich in iron and copper and is a useful blood cleanser and antispasmodic. A Red Clover decoction is recommended for bronchitis, whooping cough and any disease with circulation problems. To extract the minerals, the flowers should be simmered in a covered pot for minutes. Salsify The flower which appears in it s 2 nd year, is followed by a beautiful gossamer-like seed head. Salsify root, which has an oyster- like flower, is rich in iron, calcium, copper, and phosphorous. The roots can be boiled in water with a little lemon juice to prevent them from going black. Once cooked it can be mashed and made into fritters and it s lovely served with parsley and garlic. The leaves, high in iron, can be eaten raw or steamed tasting best before the plant flowers.

7 Scarlet Pimpernel Scarlet Pimpernel can be easily recognized by its little red or blue flowers. The whole herb can be used fresh and dried, though it is rather bitter tasting. It has diuretic, diaphoretic, and expectorant properties so it is useful for coughs and fevers. Prepared as a tea it is a tonic for the kidneys and it will help rid the body of excess fluid. Self Heal Self Heal is true to its name. The whole herb is useful. Self Heal cleanses the liver and relieves swelling and water retention in the tissues. It has cooling properties and its astringent and antiseptic actions make a great application for wounds. If the bruised leaves are placed directly on the wound, it will stop bleeding, stimulate healing and reduce the risk of infection. Speedwell If you want to get well with speed, use Speedwell, whenever you have coughs or skin diseases. Speedwell will tone tissues, reduce fevers, cleanse the blood, stimulate urine flow and tone the liver and kidneys. Trimmed with prickles, the thistle s leaves, stems, and roots can be stewed and steamed. For a spring tonic use very young thistle leaves in salads. High in potassium, it has demulcent properties. Demulcent herbs contain a sticky gel protecting mucus membranes from invading irritants. Valerian The root is dark when the plant is two years old. The root prepared as a tea or tincture is a valuable remedy for insomnia, stress and pain. The root is a sedative, mild tranquilizer and antispasmodic. It is effective for headaches and migraines. It is nonaddictive and has no side effects if the correct dose is given. Vervain Vervain is a widespread perennial herb. Useful for lowering fevers, treating liver complaints, rheumatism and kidney troubles. Historically the Druids considered it a magical herb. The whole plant is a tea for that down-in-the-dumps feeling. Viper s Bugloss Viper s Bugloss can have either pink or blue flowers. An infusion of leaves, especially those growing near the roots can relieve headaches, fevers, and nervous complaints. Watercress the iron tonic Watercress is good for anemia. Watercress is very high in iron and sulfur and contains calcium, phosphorous, potassium,

8 sodium, Vitamin A, B, C, D, E, B2, and B3. It s very alkaline and pleasant in salads and sandwiches. Wild Carrot Wild Carrot is often mistaken for Hemlock, which is deadly poisonous, even when dried. Wild Carrot has a furrowed, hairy stem and leaves which smell distinctly of carrot. Hemlock has a smooth, hollow flecked purple stem and the crushed leaves have a strong unpleasant odor. Wild Carrot seeds are used for seasoning. The seeds are effective for flatulence, windy colic and hiccups. The fleshy roots can be made into soups and carrot tea taken 2 times a day made from the whole herb is effective for gout and rheumatism. Yarrow Yarrow looks like Wild Carrot and Hemlock. You can tell the difference by looking closely at the shape of the leaf, stem and flower. Yarrow stems are round, faintly ridged and slightly furry. Yarrow contains magnesium, copper, potassium, and phosphorous. A few Yarrow leaves make a pleasant addition to salads. It s bitter, but cooling. Yarrow tea made from the leaves and flower with a little peppermint to improve the flavor is an effective diaphoretic for promoting sweating so it s useful for fevers. The leaves stop bleeding if applied directly to wounds. Yarrow tea taken 2-3 times a day takes care of diarrhea and benefits the liver. Willow Bark The bark of the willow is medicinal. Strip the bark from the young branches, as they are more potent. This will cause less damage to the trees (or gather fallen branches after a storm). Willow Bark, known as nature s aspirin, is useful for headaches, hay fever, fevers, bladder irritation and diarrhea. Willow Bark contains a substance called salicylic acid which aspirin was originally derived from. Willow Bark boiled with water can be used to bathe eczema, ulcerations and infected wounds.