Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
Herbal Allies for the Season<br />
by<br />
Holly Hutton of Herbal Goddess Medicinals<br />
As we transition from Summer into Autumn, we move into Metal season according to the Five Elements system of<br />
Traditional Chinese Medicine. Metal is about letting go, detaching, moving from external to internal, it corresponds<br />
to lungs and respiratory system. Lungs control circulation of our Wei-Qi, which is the defensive Qi that protects us<br />
from an invasion of flu and colds. Three native plants to treat colds, flu, coughs and fevers are:<br />
Arrowleaf<br />
Balsamroot<br />
(Balsamorhiza sagittate) dots<br />
hillsides around Central Oregon<br />
resembling a sunflower, used<br />
in Native American traditions.<br />
Herbalist Michael Moore describes<br />
Balsamroot as a cross between<br />
echinacea and osha to fight<br />
infections, this root is used in cough<br />
syrups, due its resins, which expel<br />
phlegm.<br />
Out of respect for this amazing<br />
plant, I harvest one section of root<br />
leaving other sections in place.<br />
Its outer root bark is cleaned and<br />
stripped from inner bark, exuding a<br />
sticky sap similar to pine. Roots are<br />
best gathered in early spring before<br />
it blooms or in fall after leaves die<br />
back.<br />
Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)<br />
considered as an invasive<br />
species, has been used in treating<br />
respiratory conditions, both leaves<br />
and root are used as a tea for<br />
asthma, pneumonia and spasmodic<br />
or dry coughs. An infused oil of<br />
mullein flowers is a remedy for ear<br />
infection.<br />
To prepare this oil, first find an<br />
abundance of flowering mullein,<br />
fill a small mason jar with flowers<br />
and let them wilt, to reduce their<br />
moisture content. Fill the jar to the<br />
brim with oil. Set jar, tightly capped,<br />
in the sun for a month or two, then<br />
strain the oil into clean bottles. 5-10<br />
drops in the ear for an infection.<br />
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is<br />
used for treating colds, flu and<br />
fevers. Yarrow has a diaphoretic<br />
action, opening pores of the skin and<br />
encourages sweating, effective in<br />
breaking fevers. Yarrow is bitter, so<br />
making a tincture is a good option.<br />
Harvest when flowering, allow<br />
to wilt, pack into a mason jar and<br />
cover with vodka. Let sit for a few<br />
weeks, then take a teaspoon several<br />
times a day during an acute phase of<br />
fever. Yarrow is also a hemostatic<br />
and considered a wilderness first<br />
aid medicine. Just chew the leaves<br />
and apply to cuts and scrapes to stop<br />
bleeding.<br />
16 BEND HEALTH GUIDE | <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2019</strong>
Change language