Last year, or the year before, I discoverd a pretty little plant with cobalt blue blossoms in my field. I looked it up, and it turned out to be 'Heal-all' or Prunella vulgaris L. I would not know that last part, except for a website about medicinal herbs. [ www.anniesremedy.com ] I dug some of it up, and transplanted it into several flower beds. I suppose some might call it a "weed", but so what. I have bumper crops of all kinds of weeds everywhere it seems. I try to keep them at bay, but sometimes I like the wild things in my yard. You might like to try some heal-all tea to wash/rinse wounds with next time you have a wound that needs some help. I made a mild tea with a few plants. I just washed them, and popped them in a pot of water, and let it simmer a little bit. I apply it to the wound whenever I change the bandage, and then some salve. I suppose if you put it in a sterile jar, you can preserve some for later?
I think that is a great idea. Everyone should do it use it with a disclaimer...*at your own risk, this does not replace a doctors care" or some such thing, but I have found very few things need a doctors care if you are overall healthy, anyway. Common sense must be applied at all times. I use plantain as a poultice for bites and stings. It is a great compress to relieve the swelling and itching. Dandelion sap works great on bee stings.
Also, if one has a bad reaction, to STOP using it. You should never use anything that causes you a bad reaction. I am glad to know about the dandelion sap. I use dandelion root for other uses. It is a good diuretic, and also if you have any gallbladder or liver ailments. It healed a cat once that had had extreme jaundice and was near death. I gave it tea made from it for nearly 2 weeks. By then the jaundice was completely gone, it had regained the lost weight and was eating well again. I had heard that the American Indians use it medicinally for liver problems.
Most culinary herbs also have medicinal applications. For example, sage or hyssop in hot water makes a gargle to ease a sore throat; chives help stimulate the appetite and aid digestion; blackberry roots and leaves are helpful in curing diarrhea. Of course, all these and others should be used in moderation, and they may or may not work for you. There are useful plants in your garden, when used with caution and knowledge. She isn't called "Mother" nature for nothing, y'know.
Thanks Marlingardener. I did not know that about blackberries. I have LOTS of blackberry plants here. Of course, the copperheads also love them... so I would have to be extra careful.
I love all the natural remedies that so many plants supply. But I definitely think that there is no good use for a copperhead. Unless they taste like chicken.
Do you guys know any good guide about medical herbs, their application and some detailed information? I am looking for reliable information.
I have and use "The Complete Book of Herbs: A Practical Guide to Growing and Using Herbs" by Lesley Bremness.
So tempting to start growing medicinal plants, but it's good to do some research on those in particular before starting. Thanks for the book reference. @AANightowl Never heard of heal-all, will have to check it out - with a name like that after all...
I had totally forgotten this post. I have 2 herbal books, "The Green Pharmacy" by James A. Duke, PhD, which I like best of the two books. I also have "The Herbal Drugstore" also by James A. Duke, PhD, both from Rodale. I used to have "Back to Eden" by Jethro Kloss, but no longer have it. I am sure there are other books out there.
A few weeks ago, I was looking up the name of a common 'weed' here, that actually has some good uses. It is Purple Deadnettle (lamium purpureum) , and one of its uses is to stop bleeding when applied to wounds. It is also in the mint family, and henbit. Henbit and purple deadnettle are often confused with each other. It is also edible and good for you. I guess you could make a 'weed salad' with some of these herbs. Dandelions are edible too (I don't like them, but they are healthy). Friends here like to eat fried dandelion flowers. I have not had the nerve to try them. If you have not sprayed them with poisons, they are fine to eat. A year or two ago, I read a history article about the use of yarrow in the Civil War to treat wounds, but cannot find it right now. I have wild yarrow around here, but no tame ones. I don't know if that makes any difference or not?
I use yarrow to stop blood flow. I get fresh leaves and either chew them up or squish them in my hand with my thumb. I then squeeze out any excess juice and then apply to the bleeding cut. Can be attached with a plaster or just held in place until the bleeding stops.
