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Herb Uses -O, P, Q Herbs
also be taken to treat sore throats and diarrhea. Externally, the balsam is applied to skin afflictions. It also
stimulates the heart, increases blood pressure and lessens mucus secretions. Traditionally used for rheumatic
pain and skin problems including scabies, diaper rash, bedsores, prurigo, eczema, sore nipples and wounds. It
also destroys the itch acarus and its eggs.
Pipsissewa (Chimaphila umbellate) Pipsissewa was an important herb among Native Americans, who used it
for various problems, including rheumatism. It induced sweating. The Pennsylvania Dutch used it as a tonic
and diuretic for kidney complaints and rheumatism. Internally used for urinary infections, prostates, urethritis,
kidney stones, arthritis and rheumatism. It is mainly used in an infusion for urinary tract problems such as
cystitis and urethritis. It has also been prescribed for more serious conditions such as gonorrhea and kidney
stones. By increasing urine flow, it stimulates the removal of waste products from the body and is therefore of
benefit in treating rheumatism and gout. It is also a lymphatic catalyst. The fresh leaves may be applied
externally to rheumatic joints or muscles, as well as to blisters, sores and swellings. In tests on animals,
pipsissewa leaves appear to lower blood sugar levels. Solvent in diluted alcohol, boiling water.
Plantain (Plantago major and P lanceolata): Common plantain quickly staunches blood flow and encourages
the repair of damaged tissue. It may be used instead of comfrey in treating bruises and broken bones. An
ointment or lotion may be used to treat hemorrhoids, fistulae and ulcers. Taken internally, common plantain is
diuretic, expectorant, and decongestant. It is commonly prescribed for gastritis, peptic ulcers, diarrhea,
dysentery, irritable bowel syndrome, respiratory congestion, loss of voice and urinary tract bleeding. The seeds
are closely related to psyllium seeds and can be used similarly, a tablespoon or two soaked in hot sweetened
water or fruit juice until a mucilage is formed and the whole gruel drunk as a lubricating laxative. The fresh
juice can be made into a douche for vaginitis by combining two tablespoons and a pint of warm water with a
pinch of table salt. Proteolytic enzymes found in the fresh leaf and the fresh or dried root make plantain useful
as a gentle internal vasoconstrictor for milk intestinal inflammation. The fresh juice or dried leaves in tea can
help bladder inflammations. The fresh juice can be preserved with 25% vodka or 10% grain alcohol. Take one
teaspoon in warm water one hour before every meal for mild stomach ulcers. For bed-wetting plantain leaf can
be given as a beverage-strength tea throughout the day (but not right before bedtime).
Plantain roots are an old-time cure for toothaches. Fresh, the roots used to be chewed, dried and
powdered and placed in a hollow tooth as a painkiller. The Chippewa used plantain leaves to draw out splinters
from inflamed skin, and as vulnerary poultices. They favored the fresh leaves, spreading the surface of these
with bear grease before applying them and renewing the poultices when the leaves became dry or too heated.
Sometimes they replaced the bear grease with finely chopped fresh roots, or else applied the chopped roots
directly to the wound. For winter use, they greased fresh leaves and tightly wrapped stacks of them I leather.
The Iroquois used the fresh leaves to treat wounds, as well as coughs, colds, and bronchitis. The Shoshone
applied poultices made from the entire plant to battle bruises, while the Meskawaki treated fevers with a tea
made from the root.
Traditional Chinese medicine uses plantain to treat urinary problems, dysentery, hepatitis and lung
problems, especially asthma and bronchitis. The seeds are used for bowel ailments. Plantain is also found in
African and southeast Asian folk medicine. Research in India has shown its beneficial effects in treating coughs
and colds.
Pleurisy Root (Asclepias tuberosa) Although it has fallen into disuse, butterfly weed was a well-recognized
remedy for all sorts of lung ailments, including bronchitis, consumption, typhoid fever, and pleurisy. It is a
lung tonic that relieves congestion, inflammation, and difficult breathing by increasing fluidity of mucus in the
lungs and bronchial tubes. It promotes the coughing up of phlegm, reduces inflammation and helps reduce
fevers by stimulating perspiration. A warm tea of butterfly weed relieves digestive disturbances, diarrhea and
dysentery. The settlers learned of its use from the Native Americans, who chewed the raw root to alleviate lung
problems. They also put the powdered roots on wounds to stop bleeding and pounded fresh roots into a poultice
to place on bruises, rheumatism, inflammation, and lameness in the legs. It has also been used to treat certain
uterine problems and estrogenlike components have been reported.
Ploughman’s Spikenard (Inula conyza) ---The older herbalists considered Ploughman's Spikenard a good
wound herb, and it was frequently taken in decoction for bruises, ruptures, inward wounds, pains in the side and
difficulty of breathing. It also had a reputation as an emmenagogue, and the juice of the while plant was applied
externally to cure the itch.
Poke (Phytolacca americana) The Lenape chopped the root, poured boiling water over it, and prepared a
liniment to reduce swellings. To reduce fever, they bound the fresh roots to the hands and feet. Other tribes
made a purge from the juice of the root. The Delaware considered the roasted mashed root of Pokeweed an
excellent blood purifier and stimulant. They were aware of the toxic properties of poke root, and only very
small doses were administered. It was combined with bittersweet by other tribes and used as an ointment for
chronic sores and the Pamunkey of Virginia treated rheumatism with preparations of the boiled berries. The
Mohegans of Connecticut ate the young shoots in the spring and used poultices of the mashed ripe berries to
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