HERBAL FORMULA #5...PLEURISY ROOT FOR THE LUNGS

by Moggy

PLEURISY ROOT (Asclepias tuberosa) is for the most part a medicinal herb. It is a diaphoretic (a substance that causes sweating), expectorant; antispasmodic, carminative, diuretic, nervine (slightly sedative), tonic and an excellent sweating agent to break up colds, fevers, flu and all bronchial problems...an excellent therapeutic agent for pulmonary catarrh and difficult expectoration.


Native to America and Canada, Pleurisy Root is a perennial plant that produces orange or yellow flowers. American Indian medical practitioners named this herb after the condition it was used to treat; pleurisy. This plant reduces inflammation, relieves spasms in the airways, promotes perspiration, and helps clear the air passages of secretions.
Pleurisy root was used by Native American tribes both internally as a remedy for pulmonary infections and topically to treat wounds. The Eclectic physicians seized upon these ideas and continued to use the plant primarily for lung problems such as pleurisy and pneumonia. It was also used as a diaphoretic for all manner of infections.


For over a thousand years, indigenous North Americans including the Menominee, Delaware, Cherokee, Mohegan, Iroquois, Navajo, Omaha, Rappahannock, and Ponca used pleurisy root for lung and respiratory infections; also for other ailments. Some tribes used the root for rope and weaving.


Some American Indians used to boil the tubers for food, prepare a crude sugar from the flowers and eat the young seed-pods, after boiling them, with buffalo meat. Some of the Canadian tribes used the young shoots as a potherb, after the manner of asparagus.
Pleurisy root can be of benefit for eruptive skin diseases to bring out the rash and bring down the fever...externally a compress of the tea for acute flare-ups of bursitis in shoulders and knee joints...also has a positive, relaxing effect for intestinal disorders such as IBS.


Pleurisy root was an official medicine in the United States Pharmacopoeia from 1850 to 1905... it should be avoided for those taking heart medication and by pregnant women. The plant can be found along roadsides, however, it is far better to plant seeds on your own property for two reasons: one to prevent extinction of the plant, and the other so that when the above-ground part of the plant dies back, you will know where it is in the event you need the fresh root in fall or winter.


The roots of most medicinal plants are harvested in the fall, when the top of the plant has died back. Many roots are gathered at the wrong time of year, and are sometimes only 1/3 as potent as they should be. The seed pods contain hundreds of seeds, each with a silky-soft, fluffy parachute that allows the seeds to float in the wind seeking new places to grow. People used to stuff pillows and clothes with the seed fluff and even use them to make lifevests. They also used the seed fluff as wicks in candles.

PLEURISY ROOT INFUSION
from Advanced Treatise in Herbology by Shook

1 ounce Asclepias tuberosa (Pleurisy root), cut
1 1/4 pints distilled water

Pour boiling water over the herb, cover and allow to stand in a warm place for 20 minutes; then strain.

DOSE: 1/2 teacupful (a little less than 4 oz) in 1/2 teacupful of hot water while patient is closely covered in bed. Repeat dose until free perspiration is produced and apply hot cloths, wrung out of same strength infusion.

This remedy possesses specific action on the lungs, assisting expectoration wonderfully, subdues inflammation rapidly, brings about reabsorption of exudates and exerts a general tonic effect on the whole organism.
--------------------------------------------------------------
In addition to using the above formula, you can also make a tincture from the pounded root infused in vodka. Dig up the root...clean it well and allow to dry, then pound it so that the chemical constituents will be absorbed by the vodka...place the root in a brown quart jar and fill with 100% vodka. Label, date and put in a cabinet, shaking it once a day for six weeks. In lieu of a brown jar you may use a mason jar that is then placed in a brown bag to prevent light from weakening the herbal medicine.


Dose: 20 to 80 drops in water, 3 times daily.


Description:
http://www.panix.com/~eshelton/wildflow/FLOWERS/plroot/plroot.html



------------------------------------------
Join the APN Forum at www.AmericanPreppersNetwork.net
Visit the Georgia Forum at www.GeorgiaPreppersNetwork.net

HERBAL FORMULA #4 - PLANTAIN

HERBAL FORMULA #4 - PLANTAIN
by Moggy

PLANTAIN (Plantago major) has a long history in herbal medicine. Externally, it is effective on any kind of skin disorder or insect stings when the leaves are bruised and rubbed on the skin. It can be made into an oil or ointment and stored for external use when the season doesn’t permit gathering the herb. Put this on your to-do list for next Spring.

A most useful plant, Plantain will ease a long list of skin complaints such as cuts, swelling, rashes, wounds, sprains, bruises, ulcerations, eczema, poison ivy, mosquito bites, hemorrhoids, diaper rash, boils and blisters. It is an effective agent that draws out the poison from bee stings, snake bites, and spider bites, it draws out splinters or thorns, and reduces the risk of scarring with severe cuts and scrapes. In certain sensitive individuals minor dermatitis may result from external use.

Internally Plantain can be drunk as a tea made from the leaves as an aid in detoxifying the body, thus works well as a remedy for colds, flu, asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, hypertension, rheumatism, bladder issues, fevers, gastritis, ulcers, irritable bowel, sinusitis, kidney stones, diarrhea and many more ailments.

Poultice: the crushed leaf can be applied directly to a wound, bite, or skin irritation. For abscesses around the teeth, inflamed tooth roots, or remaining infection after a root canal. It has been known to save teeth that were otherwise doomed to be lost. For wounds, stings, bites etc., you can even chew the leaf first and apply the chewed leaf directly to affected area which makes it a good plant to know if you plan on a camping or hiking trip. As an infusion in milk, plantain can be used on hemorrhoids. Plantain can be dried and used as a tea for winter, or used fresh during the summer.

Medicinal herb tea: For colds and flu use 1 tablespoon dry or fresh whole Plantain (seed, root, leaves) to 1 cup boiling water, steep 10 minutes, strain, sweeten. Drink throughout the day.

Healing salve: In a large non-metallic pan place 1 lb. of entire Plantain plant chopped, and 1 cup lard. Cover, cook down on low heat until all is mushy and green. Strain while hot, cool and use for burns, insect bites, rashes, and all sores. May be used as a night cream to combat wrinkles.

Nutritionally, Plantain contains a goodly amount of vitamins A, B-1, B-2, C, and K. For healthy eating harvest young leaves in the Spring, boil in salt water or tear and add to salad greens. The seeds are also edible and can be dried on the stalks and then added into soups and stews to enhance flavor and increase nutrition and fiber.

LENTIL SOUP WITH PLANTAIN

1 cup dry green lentils
1 small onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
1 cup chopped young plantain leaves
1 clove sliced garlic
1/4 cup wild rice
6 cups broth
1 tablespoon butter*

Heat the butter in a large saucepan and add onion, celery, carrots, and garlic. Saute until tender. Add the lentils and Plantain leaves and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer partially covered for about 2 hours. Add the rice and cook for another 20 minutes or until the rice is tender.

* Olive oil may be substituted

------------------------------------------
Join the APN Forum at www.AmericanPreppersNetwork.net
Visit the Georgia Forum at www.GeorgiaPreppersNetwork.net