Tree Science eBook - Therapeutic Uses of Common Backyard Trees and Plants

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Therapeutic Uses of Common Backyard Trees and Plants 26. Persimmon These plants take patience but will be with you for some time – some specimens in China are documented as being over 300 years old. While they are delicious, they have to be picked at just the right time. The acorn-shaped hachiya needs to be super soft to be sweet enough to eat. Therapeutic benefits Persimmons can improve your health from the inside out. Persimmons are said to prevent various types of cancer by boosting the immune system, reducing inflammation and improving blood circulation. They’re even known to boost eye health and help weight loss by kick starting the metabolism. How to grow persimmons These fruit trees prefer temperate climates with mild summers and winters that don’t get too bitterly cold. Plant your persimmon in winter and try to choose an area with full sun, wind protection and good drainage. Water well while it’s growing and add some manure a few months after planting. You’ll need to prune your persimmon, but be careful as the fruits only bear on wood that’s a year old. While it takes patience to wait for your persimmon to bear fruit, it’s worth the wait for these fruits. When ripe, you should gently cut them off the tree, as they are as delicate as they are delicious. 30
Therapeutic Uses of Common Backyard Trees and Plants 27. Nettle (Urtica dioica) This plant is covered in tiny stinging tubes and is officially considered a weed. Yet it can be used for all manner of things, from tea to medicine to food. Therapeutic benefits Nettle can be eaten or brewed up as a tea to provide all sorts of health benefits. These include kidney support, pain relief for arthritis, reduction in hypertension, treatment for digestive issues like IBS, and it can even be used as an antibacterial mouthwash. The leaves also boost the immune system by stimulating the lymphatic system into action. Indigenous Australians utilised the stings of nettle to stimulate paralysed areas by beating the affected areas with the plant. How to grow nettle Nettle will spring up mighty fast, so it may be worth finding an area with an infestation so you can forage for yourself. Wearing gloves is recommended when harvesting nettle to protect yourself from the tiny stings. Good nettle harvests can be obtained after times of heavy rain if you live in a temperate climate. 31
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Tree Science eBook - Therapeutic Uses of Common Backyard Trees and Plants

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