what are your favorite medicinal herbs?

psy-ops

psy-ops

Joined
Sep 27, 1999
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3,164
down here we have a plethora of herbs that the oldtimers used. Before modern medicine weened us away from using nature directly.

1. Yellow dock; (root) blood builder and (fresh leaves) good source of iron and vitamin C

2. boneset; (flowering tops) tea will knock a cold or flu out!

3. plantain; leaves externally for itches and skin irritations, seeds crushed are edible. can be used like psyllium husks.

4. passion flower; flowering tops a nervine, muscle relaxant.

5. blackberry root; chew on root for diarrhea.
 
Aloe vera - squeeze the juice on burns. I keep several of these growing in pots. I keep them outside in summer and inside in winter as they won't survive freezing.

Comfrey - poultice for broken bones or cuts.
 
I've long been facinated with this subject.
I'm very interested to see what you guys come up with.

Someone once told me that you can eat the tuber of a water lily. Never tried it.
 
I picked up a lil flip booklet at the grocery store the other day "the healing cup of tea"

They did lotsa talking about ginko balboa or whatever for increased energy... I like iced tea, never thought much about some of the others though!
 
Hound's Tongue: rapid healing, similar to comfrey
Usnea lichen: antiseptic, coagulant, binder, replacement for gauze
Yarrow: coagulant, mellows the pain of toothaches
Elder: Leaves use to wash wounds and to repel mosquitoes, flowers used for internal tea and external wash, berries used raw to induce bowel movements, cooked for vitamin C, immunity boost, chase away illness
Bay Laurel: cures headaches, repels bugs
Amole: cures itch from poison oak/ivy/sumac, also used as soap

Many, many more. Too many to tell here.

Coyo~
 
Great link

Thanks Nic

Coyo~ have you tried elder leaves to repell insects?


foraging herbs is an awesome way to use your knife. If you need an excuse to go out in the woods and live the life, instead of sitting in front of a computer.

A little hike in a small patch of woods, identify one herb and harvest some to dry or make a tincture, very good educational-entertainment, way better than store bought coffee or beer. Takes an hour or 2.
 
I just purchased the Peterson Field Guides for Edible Plants and Peterson Field Guide for Medicinal Plants and Herbs. They seem to be good reference. Going to try to learn about 10 plants well to start of with and go from there.

I like Alberta Ed's Hops and Barley idea except I am more of a sour mash kinda guy!!:D
 
Peterson's gudes are the best out right now.

I wouldn't try for 10, I would pick 2 or 3 and make something with it. that is the best way to get to know a plant. handle it and cut it and use it.
 
Pot definitely is my favorite medecinal herb.

I'm not kidding. A few months ago I broke my right ankle in the woods. I had nothing but pot. I rolled a big one and was able to walk to my jeep and drove (slowly ;^) to the hospital. The doctor asked me what I had taken against pain. I admitted I smoked pot. He said it's known to be one of the best pain-removers available. He gave me a Tylenol and told me to smoke some more pot whenever my ankle hurt.

Of course, this is illegal, but hey... you asked a question, I replied honestly.

Cheers,

David
 
I used elder leaves last spring when I was swarmed by mosquitos. I rubbed them on my arms and they stopped biting them. But they still swarmed my ankles. So I rubbed the leaves on my ankles and was fine. I purposely walked into the middle of the worst swarm and stood there for a full minute. No more bites!

Then when I got home I treated the bites that I had received with plantain. It gave quick and thorough relief and the welts completely disappeared.

Coyo~
 
I'll give them a try. I wonder if oregon mosquitos are wimpy compared to mississippi swamp mosquitos.
 
Well, I was out in the area of the Klamath Wetlands, where the mosquito was nominated as the state bird! :D

Coyo~
 
Originally posted by alphamaniv
Isn't aloe vera also capable of being used for a laxative?
Click to expand...

Yes, in fact the use of its gel as a topical burn soothing agent is relatively new. The aloe family has been used as an emetic and laxative for centuries.

Paracelsus, grower of succulents and cacti including some large and rare aloe species
 
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