Friday, September 30, 2011

Pine (Pinus Sp.)

Many varieties of pine grow in North America and have been used by Native Americans for their lumber, bark, needles, cones, and seeds. However, the white pine (Pinus strrobus), also called soft pine, seems to be especially beneficial. The inner bark of this tree has a long history of being used to treat coughs and colds. Some use a trunk bark decoction mixed with the inner bark of the wild cherry and wild plum to treat cuts and wounds. Compresses are used to treat burns and other injuries.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Wild Indigo Root (Baptisia tinctoria)

As the name suggests you only use the root of this perennial herb. And the only uses that I know for it are as an antiseptic wash to treat skin sores, eczema, and wounds.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens)

Distilled wintergreen oil is mainly used to flavor things, but the Indians used this evergreen shrub for rheumatic conditions, internally and externally. It may have been used in diarrhoea and as an infant's carminative.
It has also been used to relieve inflammation. And a tea made from the leaves was used to treat kidney disorders. Poultices made from wintergreen is used to relieve arthritic aches and pains.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginica)

Witch Hazel is useful in excessive menstruation, hemorrhages from the lungs, stomach, uterus, bowels, etc. A mouth wash is made to use for bleeding gums and inflamed conditions of the mouth and throat.
This herb has also been used to treat coughs, colds, fevers and sore throats. It is also effective in treating diarrhea, skin irritations, bites and stings, cuts, and bruises.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Yellow Dock (Rumex crispus)

This herb has been used for many, many years. In olden days the root was employed for treatment of cancer, leprosy, bleeding from the lungs and bowels, and form rheumatic conditions. It is also helpful in dyspepsia, chronic bronchitis, ulcers and conditions affected by the spleen and lymphatic glands.
Externally, this herb is used for ulcers, hard tumors, and eruptive skin diseases. For which the root of Yellow Dock is bruised and put into a poultice.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Horsetail (Equisetum arvense)

This perennial plant is used for man things including to stop bleeding, help heal wounds, help skin sores, to treat poison ivy, as an eye wash, to treat kidney infections, gravel and dropsy.
Horsetail should never be ingested in its whole, raw state.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Ginger (Zingiberis rhizoma)

Ginger root used in food by many people is also used to improve appetite, helps expel flatulence, increases perspiration, and stimulates saliva secretions. It is also effective at relieving a number of conditions, such as coughs and colds, influenza, motion sickness, pleurisy, and digestive problems. It will also sooth an upset stomach.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense)

Wild Ginger root is effective in most, if not all, painful spasms of the bowels and stomach, it also promotes perspiration, is used in a cases of colds, female obstructions, whopping coughs, and fevers. It should be taken is small doses, because in large doses it can nauseate the stomach.