Herbal Medicines
Plants With Medicinal Uses
Many plants have medicinal uses, some greater than others, but all are invaluable for their properties. Of course, few of the countless plants filling our fields have actually been scientifically tested. Most herbal medicines are traditional, and tested by time rather than scientists. This of course means that there could be inaccuracies in the supposed benefits. Still, many do have beneficial qualities for human beings.
Also, a brief note on using the medicinal properties of plants below: With many plants, only a particular part of its body holds the medicinal functions. This is an important piece to pay attention to, as some plants could be toxic in other areas, or have dangerous doppelgangers. A good bet for safe transmission to the body is tea, so long as you know without a doubt that the plant is what you think it is. Needless to say, ingesting a poisonous plant in hope that it will cure an existing affliction is a very bad way to start off your day.
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Goldenseal
- Known as a cure-all for its many benefits, the root structure can be made into a medicinal powder
- Acts as an anti-histamine (Helps prevent inflammation from allergic reactions)
- Used to treat hemorrhoids
- Used to treat upset stomachs
Skunk Cabbage
- Antispasmodic
- Diuretic (passing urine)
- Diaphoretic (increases sweating)
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Dame's Rocket
- Prevents/cures scurvy
- Increases sweating
- Increases urine flow
- Use leaves medicinally
- Edible raw as leaves, oil and seeds
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Yellow Wood Sorrel
- Sour Grasses
- Can be used in salads(has been for centuries)
- Old-time herbalists
- treatment for scurvy
- Rich in Vitamin C
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Northern Maidenhair
- Chewed remains can slow the bleeding from wounds
- Also helps with aching joints
- Stems can be used to make baskets
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Creeping Charlie
- Wound healer in medieval times
- High in Vitamin C (helped with scurvy)
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Common Mullein
- Has yellow flowers
- Flower is used to make medicines
- Leaves for wound poultices and skin treatment
- An oil extract of the petals been used with other medicinal herbs to treat ear aches
- The flowers are also said to make a prized bactericide when steeped in oil for three weeks
Milkweed
- The white sap removes warts
- Needs to be prepared carefully (If not it could be poisonous)
- Chewed roots can cure dysentery(Infection of the intestines)
- Infusions of roots and leaves taken to suppress coughs and treat typhus fever and asthma
- Stem’s tough fibers twisted into strong twine and rope
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White Clover
- Edible raw, or cooked
- helps with coughs colds, and fevers
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Wild Ginger
- Root uses to treat colds
- Burned for bug deterrent
- Seasoning
- Tea
- Contains Aristolochic Acid
- Can cause kidney damage when taken in excess
Oats
- Soothes the brain and nervous system
- Destresser
- Seeds
- Lowers cholesterol
- Eases symptoms of eczema
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Robin’s plantain
- This plant can be used for:
- fevers
- colds
- coughs
- urine flow
- hemorrhages
- sores
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Dandelion
- One can use the whole plant
- It acts as a liver-stimulating agent
- Increases the flow of bile
- Helps in skin conditions like eczema
- Lowers blood pressure
- Increases urine flow
- Is a very good source of potassium
- It can be added to a salad
- Whole plant can be used
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Wild geranium
- Stops bleeding
- You can use the whole plant
- Pain reliever