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Herb Uses U-Z Herbs
condition, a quarter to half a cupful of the tea should be taken every hour or two, tapering off as the symptoms
subside. It is also a good brain tonic for promoting meditation.
Virginia Snakeroot (Aristolochia serpentaria) This is a pure stimulant whose action is mainly employed in diverting
the flow of blood outward, so it is largely employed in eruptive diseases before the appearance of outward
manifestations are noticed. Internally used for rheumatism, gout, arthritis due to fevers, pneumonia, typhoid, and
malaria. The finely powdered root was combined with white wine (1 part root to 3 parts wine) and used to induce
sweating in the treatment of malaria. Externally it’s used for pleurisy, herpes, and slow-healing wounds. It has been
included in a number of commercial tonics for the circulation, skin and kidneys. In small doses, it promotes the
appetite, toning up the digestive organs. It has been recommended in intermittent fevers, when it may be useful as an
adjunct to quinine. In full doses it produces increased arterial action, diaphoresis, and frequently diuresis. In eruptive
fevers where the eruption is tardy, or in the typhoid stage where strong stimulants cannot be borne, it may be very
valuable. An infusion is an effective gargle in putrid sore-throat. It benefits sufferers from dyspepsia and amenorrhoea.
Long boiling impairs its virtues. A cold infusion is useful in convalescence from acute diseases and for strengthening
purposes and used in dyspepsia, croup, throat and kidney congestion. Suppressed menstruation due to colds will be
brought about by 5-10 drops of snakeroot tincture in Pennyroyal tea. Used for cold extremities of hands and feet due
to general receding of blood from the surface.
-W HERBS
Wahoo (Euonymous atropurpurea) The Sioux, Cree, and other Native American peoples used wahoo bark in
various ways, as an eye lotion, a poultice for facial sores and for gynecological conditions. Native Americans
introduced the plant to early European settlers, and it became very popular in Britain as well as in North
America in the 19 th century. Wahoo bark is considered a gallbladder remedy with laxative and diuretic
properties. It is prescribed for biliousness and liver problems as well as for skin conditions such as eczema
(which may result from poor liver and gall bladder function), and for constipation. In small doses, Euonymin
stimulates the appetite and the flow of the gastric juice. In larger doses, it is irritant to the intestine and is
cathartic. It has slight diuretic and expectorant effects, but its only use is as a purgative in cases of constipation
in which the liver is disordered, and for which it is particularly efficacious. It is specially valuable in liver
disorders which follow or accompany fever. It is mildly aperient and causes no nausea, at the same time
stimulating the liver somewhat freely, and promoting a free flow of bile. It the past, it was often used in
combination with herbs such as gentian as a fever remedy, especially if the liver was under stress. Following
the discovery that it contains cardiac glycosides, wahoo bark has been given for heart conditions. It is also a
remedy for dandruff and scalp problems.
Watercress (Nasturtium officinale) Watercress is a valuable source of vitamins and a good detoxifying herbs.
Its high content of vitamin C and minerals makes it a remedy that is particularly valuable for chronic illnesses.
Herbalists recommend the herb for catarrh and bronchitis, and also for skin problems since it helps the body to
eliminate wastes. It is used to treat fluid retention, mucus in the lungs and indigestion. It also stimulates
metabolism, promotes bile metabolism and helps dispel gas. Eaten raw, it not only prevents inflamed or
bleeding gums but is considered one of the best natural depuratives. Crushed leaves are applied as poultice for
rheumatism and gout. The juice or the crushed leaves dabbed on the skin every day is said to remove facial
blemishes, and applied under the arms, they are known to be of use as a deodorant. The raw seeds used as
vermifuge.
White Sage (Salvia apiana) Relaxes blood vessels; helps with bites and stings and canker sores; reduces
blood sugar levels; reduces fever; Hot flashes and night sweats; Sore throats; Digestive tonic and stimulant;
Nerve tonic which both calms and stimulates the nervous system; Mild sedative; Helps irregular and light
menstruation; Bleeding gums; Cuts; Burns; Improves digestion. The diterpenes are effective against staph,
candida, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. An infusion of the leaves is used as a blood tonic and as a treatment for
coughs and colds. The leaves can be eaten, or used as a sweat bath, in the treatment of colds. The seeds have
been used as eye cleaners. The seed has been placed in the eye, it then forms a gelatinous covering to which any
foreign matter in the eye adheres. The seed is washed out of the eye by the eyes own tears. The plant is best
prepared as a tincture, since the carnosic acids are poorly water soluble. The tea is most effective if you fill a
jar full of the leaves, add a tablespoon of alcohol on top of them, close the lid, and store the pickled leaves for
tea use. The douche is a good treatment for acute candidal vaginitis, and the sitz bath will help limit the yeast
on the outside of the area. The tea, tincture, or powder is an excellent wash or dust for dirty scrapes and
abrasions, and you can simply soak the area in the tea if it is particularly bad.
Wild Lettuce (Lactuca virosa, L. scariola, L. Canadensis, L. serriola) The drug resembles a feeble opium
without its tendency to upset the digestive system. It is used to a small extent as a sedative and narcotic.
Dissolved in wine it is said to be a good anodyne. It’s said that twenty-three out of twenty-four cases of dropsy
were cured by taking doses of 18 grains to 3 drachms of extract in twenty-four hours. It is used in Germany for
this complaint, but combined with more active drugs. It is said to be also a mild diaphoretic and diuretic, easing
colic, inducing sleep and allaying cough. Water distilled from lettuce (eau de laitre) is used in France as a mild
sedative in doses of 2 to 4 oz., and the fresh leaves boiled in water are sometimes used as a cataplasm. Dosages
of powder, 10 to 20 grains or more. Of tincture, 30 to 60 drops. Of alcoholic extract, 1 to 5 grains. Of
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