Posted by: Jessica Morgan
on May 26, 2009
Mullein is an awkwardly beautiful, tall fuzzy plant with sweet smelling yellow flowers that bloom from March to November. The flowers are fragrant and taste sweet, but the leaves being bitter are still wonderfully useful. Apart from its medicinal use, I love mullein for its ornamental purpose in the garden; it also attracts a wide variety of pollinators, including bees, flies, and butterflies. Mullein is widely available in the wild, and is easily identified by its spike of yellow flowers and huge, sometimes over a foot long, leaves. If you can find them - the leaves, flowers, and roots of this plant are edible and easy to dry, and may be used to make your own herbal medicines. You can find mullein seeds in my local harvest store.
Posted by: Jessica Morgan
on May 22, 2009
The simple lemon has gone beyond your ordinary glass of lemonade. Did you know lemon peel contains calcium, phosphorus, potassium, ascorbic acid and vitamin A, as well as volatile oil. It is diuretic, carminative, immuno-enhancing, and stomachic. This citrus serves as a tonic to the digestive system, immune system, and skin, while increasing circulation to extremities. Lemon peel is used to treat and prevent vitamin deficiencies, colds, flu, an scurvy as well as digestive or gastrointestinal problems by stimulating the appetite and encouraging the release of gastric juices to digest food.
Posted by: Jessica Morgan
on May 18, 2009
Corn silk (Zea mays) is a great herbal remedy for acute inflammation and irritation of the genito-urinary system, such as cystitis, urethritis and prostatitis. It is especially useful in treating inflammation caused by bacterial infection and its volatile oils neutralize fungi and yeast. It is particularly useful for calming bladder irritation and infection in children. Because this herb is a soothing and relaxing diuretic, corn silk clears toxins, catarrh, deposits and irritants out of the kidneys and bladder, plus it has a gentle antiseptic and healing action. The tea is also believed to diminish prostate inflammation and the accompanying pain when urinating.
Posted by: Jessica Morgan
on May 15, 2009
I spent last week roaming through the orchard and excitedly plucking this always awaited special herb, pineapple weed. This little weed like plant is closely related to the Chamomiles, Mayweeds, and other weedy daisies. All share the same kind of foliage, but pineapple weed doesn't have the white ray florets in its flower heads that chamomile is known for.
Posted by: Jessica Morgan
on May 14, 2009
Heartburn is often associated with indigestion, bloating, and dyspepsia. Most people can take stomach-soothing herbs as teas, and will find that they are as effective and safer then over the counter remedies as well as conventional medicine. When treating indigestion or heartburn, herbs can not only help alleviate the uncomfortable feelings but correct it as well. Look to certain herbs that help to decrease the amount of acid being produced in the stomach, such as chamomile. You also may consider herbs that absorb excess stomach acid such as flax, fenugreek (seeds) and slippery elm.
Blog
