He Shou Wu (Polygon um multiflorum)- aKA Foti.
He shou wu combines well with burdock and dandelion roots, chaga mushroom, ginger, licorice and goji berries for a powerful liver cleansing and immune enhancing tea.
It is native to China where it is known to build core energy and support healthy aging.
Ho shou wu improves immunity, strengthens muscles and bones, and reverses hardening of the arteries.
He shou wu combines well with burdock and dandelion roots, chaga mushroom, ginger, licorice and goji berries for a powerful liver cleansing and immune enhancing tea.
It is native to China where it is known to build core energy and support healthy aging.
Ho shou wu improves immunity, strengthens muscles and bones, and reverses hardening of the arteries.
It also supports energy production in the cells, so it enhances vitality on many levels. He Shou Wu protects and strengthens the liver, kidneys and adrenals.
It is wonderful for people with fatigue, depressed mood and connective tissue imbalances.
As a tonic to the nervous system, He Shou Wu improves learning and memory.
It may also have a role in both preventing and addressing Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease and vascular dementia.
It is libido enhancing and supports fertility.
He Shou Wu regulates blood sugar and improves bowel functioning.
A relative of Japanese Knotweed (Polygon um cuspidatum ), it has an abundance of resveratrol.
Finally, it is widely known to help hair grow fuller and with regular usage, it is said to to turn gray hair back to its original color.
Deciding what to use for our health problems has ecological and political significance.
Blessings,
Madelon Hope
Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis)
Goldenrod is anti-inflammatory, antifungal, decongestant, diuretic, anthelmintic, diaphoretic and antiseptic.
These days, I notice a lot of goldenrod and ragweed (Ambrosia artemisifolia), both now vigorous and abundant in the New England landscape.
In their prime in late summer and early fall, they have their own dance: ragweed is known for inflaming and irritating tissue, causing various allergies, and goldenrod acts to reduce inflammation and diminish allergic symptoms.
Goldenrod is anti-inflammatory, antifungal, decongestant, diuretic, anthelmintic, diaphoretic and antiseptic.
I add goldenrod to yerba santa, ground ivy, plantain and red root when there is sinus congestion with an allergic component.
To prevent and relieve hay fever, Adele Dawson, an old time Maine herbalist, recommended equal parts of goldenrod and red clover infusion with a decoction of elecampane. She suggested taking one cup every day, preferably before the hay fever season begins.
It is a wonderful herb for the kidneys and has a long history of being used for kidney stones.I combine goldenrod with nettles and a tiny amount of licorice for a kidney strengthening tea.
Goldenrod can be combined with corn silk, marshmallow, and uva ursi for urinary tract infections.
The leaves of goldenrod can be infused with cinnamon as a digestive tonic, particularly in the winter, according to the great herbalist, William LeSassier.
As a flower essence, goldenrod is helpful for those who conform to gain social acceptance. It helps us to remain true to ourselves while interacting with others.
Additionally, homeopathic goldenrod is helpful for cat allergies.
Blessings,
Madelon Hope
Elder (Sambucus nigra)
There is a long history in Europe making Elder flowers and berries into preserves, cordials, wines, teas and syrups. Not only do these taste good when we eat them, they also boost our immune systems and have anti-cancer, anti-diabetes and anti-inflammatory effects.
Elder is also known as Elderberry, Black Elder or Holunder in German, Sureau in French and Sauco in Spanish.
The conspicuous white flowers we see along roadways at this time of year are likely elderberry. These shrubs or small trees grow along hedgerows, and forest edges especially where their roots can find plenty of water. The flowers and berries are packed with vitamin C and iron as well as quercetin and kaempferol and the flowers can have up to 10 times more of these beneficial flavenoids.
There is a long history in Europe making the flowers and berries into preserves, cordials, wines, teas and syrups. Not only do these taste good when we eat them, they also boost our immune systems and have anti-cancer, anti-diabetes and anti-inflammatory effects.
In addition to using elderberry to treat fevers and induce sweats the Native Americans used the elderberry to dye baskets.
Use the leaves topically to treat bruises, sprains and wounds.
Please note that the uncooked berries, leaves, branches and roots of elderberry contain lectin and some cyanide, which in high amounts can induce vomiting and diarrhea. Use only the flowers and berries and note that cooking removes the cyanide from the berries.
Both flowers and berries are high in antioxidants and have some heart health properties. The tinctures are known to reduce the length and severity of illness due to influenza and may reduce cholesterol in the liver as well. Taking hot elderflower tea reduces inflammation, regulates blood sugars and can be used as an expectorant. Drink a cold infusion of the berries to promote easy elimination.
As a flower essence elderflower is used to lift one's spirits during troubling times, when a person is exhausted and hopeless.
The cold tea of the flower soothes and heals chapped hands.
Elderflower combines well with peppermint in a hot tea as a pick-me-up, while drinking a cold elderflower and yarrow tea relaxes.
Cryptolepis (Cryptolepis sanguinolenta)
Both cannabis root and cryptolepsis have powerful antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory actions.
The root of cryptolepsis is harvested from a thin stemmed climbing shrub located primarily in West Africa,but also found in Madagscar and parts of Asia and New Guinea.
Recently, I experienced some redness, pain and swelling around an ingrown toenail. I decided to apply a paste of goldenseal powder mixed with tinctures of cryptolepsis and cannabis root. Within a day or two, the swelling had subsided and the redness and pain were gone.
Both cannabis root and cryptolepsis have powerful antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory actions.
The root of cryptolepsis is harvested from a thin stemmed climbing shrub located primarily in West Africa,but also found in Madagscar and parts of Asia and New Guinea.
It has been traditionally used to combat malaria in West African herbalism. Steven Harrod Buhner, who brought some attention to cryptolepsis in his wonderful book: "Herbal Antibiotics", was introduced to this plant by Nana Nkatiah, a healer from Ghana.
It is considered a systemic anti-microbial and is successful against staph infections that have resisted multiple antibiotic regimens. For severe systemic staph, Buhner recommends 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of the tincture 3 x daily, although more can be taken in very severe cases.
Cryptolepsis is also very effective against other systemic infections: MRSA, streptococcus, babesia, urinary tract infections, tuberculosis and wound sepsis.
It combats E. coli, salmonella, klebsiella, and shigella, all gram negative bacteria.
Research indicates no known contraindications or herb/drug interactions. (Caution is always recommended for pregnancy).
Cryptolepsis is taken as a regular tonic for long periods of time in some parts of Africa and India, although mainly as a tea.
Recent research also indicates broad spectrum anti-cancer activity.
In traditional medicine, cryptolesis has been used to address insomnia.
Finally, the root has been used as a brilliant yellow dye, particularly for leather.
Cannabis Root (Cannabis sativa)
Cannabis root has been widely applied for pain relief, particularly for gout, arthritis and sciatica. It is also known to reduce fevers, stop bleeding, quell inflammation, and soothe skin problems.
Throughout ancient China, Greece and Rome, cannabis root was valued for its medicinal actions.
It was also used by physicians and healers in Persia, Europe, and the First Nations people.
It has been widely applied for pain relief, particularly for gout, arthritis and sciatica. It is also known to reduce fevers, stop bleeding, quell inflammation, and soothe skin problems.
It is used topically as a poultice, compress or salve and internally as a juice or decoction -the root is boiled and simmered.
It has trace amounts of CBO along with many other anti-inflammatory compounds. Here is some history: In 2700 BCE, the ancient Chinese text "The Classic of Herbal Medicine" recommended drying and grinding cannabis root to form a paste to help with pain and broken bones.
A juice or decoction of cannabis root has been used traditionally in Chinese Medicine for difficult childbirth and postpartum bleeding.
The Persian physician Avicenna in the twelfth century suggested a compress of the boiled roots to lower fever.
Daily topical applications of cannabis root have been used for burns and rashes in diverse cultures throughout history.
For hundreds of years, European physicians recommended topical treatments of cannabis root for stiff joints, tight muscles, gout, sciatic pain and hard tumors. In Eastern Europe, the root was used traditionally for toothaches, ulcers and abscesses.
Up to the twentieth century, American doctors relied on cannabis root decoctions to decrease inflammation.
Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum)
Boneset is indigenous to North America and grows locally, often near water or in moist meadows. The flowers are off-white, and the leaves perforate the stem of the plant, giving it a distinctive appearance. The aerial parts (flowers and leaves) are harvested in the late summer either just before or after blooming.
Boneset is indigenous to North America and grows locally, often near water or in moist meadows. The flowers are off-white, and the leaves perforate the stem of the plant, giving it a distinctive appearance.The aerial parts (flowers and leaves) are harvested in the late summer either just before or after blooming.
Boneset is very bitter, cooling, anti-viral, diaphoretic, anti-inflammatory, a mucus membrane tonic and a smooth muscle relaxant.
It has been indispensable to native peoples for millennia and, during the nineteenth century. Boneset was used by native peoples for broken bones and is an ally when there is slow healing of connective tissue.
Eclectic medical doctors used boneset for combating viruses, malaria and colds with chills and aches and pains.
It was used with success during the viral pandemic of World War 1.
It was reported that boneset helped people avoid viral infections and that it prevented severe pulmonary complications.
A small amount of scientific research confirms its effectiveness in addressing the flu and the common cold.
Boneset is anti-inflammatory and may be helpful in preventing a cytokine cascade, which can happen in the later stages of a severe flu.
It thins the mucus and supports recovery in those who have been exhausted by the flu.
Because it is cooling and drying, boneset should be combined with warming antivirals such as lomatium or angelica, particularly to address viruses which are cold and damp, such as the coronavirus.
It is a powerful diaphoretic. Either alone or combined with elder, yarrow and peppermint, boneset tea helps to bring down stubborn fevers.
As a flower essence, boneset helps to align our emotional and spiritual energies, just as the physical herb helps to align bones.
Blessings,
Madelon Hope
Blue Flag (Iris versicolor)
Boneset was traditionally valued by Native Americans to help heal wounds and sores, it was commonly used in the 19th century as an endocrine and liver remedy.
Blue flag is a lovely iris growing in freshwater ponds in this area and most of eastern and northern North America.
The rhizome is harvested in the fall.
Traditionally valued by Native Americans to help heal wounds and sores, it was commonly used in the 19th century as an endocrine and liver remedy.
Currently, blue flag is used in small doses in formulas with professional supervision. As a bitter, it stimulates digestive enzymes, improving digestion and assimilation and relieving nausea.
It increases bile production and has a mild laxative effect.
It also enhances lymphatic circulation and is known as a blood purifier.
It has traditionally been used to clear congestion in the chest, throat and nose and for swollen glands and sore throats.
As a detoxifying herb, it is particularly helpful for chronic skin issues such as acne and eczema.
Blue flag is specific for thyroid issues and supports pancreatic function.
For deficient thyroid, it can used with burdock, chickweed, guggul and bladderwack. For Hashimoto's disease, it can be combined with ashwagandha, cinnamon, bacopa, nettles and schizandra.
As a flower essence, blue flag helps to release blocks to creativity and allows us trust our innate abilities.
Blessings,
Madelon Hope
American Ginseng
American Ginseng is one of our few local adaptogens - plants that enhance our ability to deal with stress by strengthening our adrenals and balancing our endocrine system.
In a shady corner of my backyard, I have a mature American ginseng plant with several younger ones.
American ginseng was once abundant in the deep forests of eastern North America. It is a little known fact that Daniel Boone, the famous frontiersman, made his fortune in the ginseng trade with China.
Because of over-harvesting and changes in forest ecology, it is extremely rare to see wild American ginseng, although it is now cultivated with some difficulty. American ginseng is more cooling than Asian ginseng and is more suitable for younger people.
It is moistening, bitter and sweet.
American ginseng is one of our few local adaptogens - plants that enhance our ability to deal with stress by strengthening our adrenals and balancing our endocrine system.
It helps people recover from nervous exhaustion, particularly those who are stressed by over-work.
Phyllis Light, an amazing herbalist from Alabama, recommends chewing small amounts of the root to support energy and endurance.
American ginseng regulates the secretion of insulin and helps to balance blood sugar.
Because it is moistening, it is helpful for dry conditions in the lungs.
As a bitter, it stimulates digestive enzymes throughout the digestive system.
The brilliant William LeSassier used to combine American ginseng with dandelion to improve liver function.
American ginseng is also an herbal tonic, enhancing immune function and inhibiting the growth of cancer cells.
I occasionally add American ginseng to teas and soups with other tonic herbs such as astragalus, reishi, codonopsis, he shou wu, chaga and goji berries.
As a flower essence, American ginseng helps us release our fears of expressing our true self and accepting our personal power.
Blessings,
Madelon Hope