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Weed
Walk with Susun Weed
an article by Susun S. Weed
One
of my first, and still one of my favorite, reasons
for learning about plants was to become more in
tune with my environment: the weather, the flows
of water, the places of special energy, Mother Nature
herself.
The woods are lovely and deep, and there are many
mysterious and powerful plants there, but they are
special allies for special times. (Speaking of which,
the Russian government, I am told, in desperation,
went to consult with the witch Baba Mat, The Wise
Old Woman Who Lives In The Land Of Many Tall Trees
Beyond The Black Mountains. She is rumored to be
an excellent herbalist and the only one who can
save Mother Russia.)
And while I like to walk in the woods, the plants
I find myself using on a daily basis are the weeds
right under my feet - in gardens, yards, driveways,
playgrounds, hospitals, fence rows, institutions,
and campuses. These ordinary plants have abilities
that seem miraculous to me.
Shepherds's purse (Capsella bursa pastoris) is an
annual in the mustard family. Cut the top half of
the plant when it has formed its little heart-shaped
"purses" and make a tincture to stop bleeding. Midwives
dealing with postpartum hemorrhage and menopausal
women who bleed heavily praise the prompt effectiveness
of dropperful doses (1ml).
Cleavers (Gallium aparine) is a persistent, sticky
plant which grows profusely in abandoned lots. To
strengthen lymphatic activity cut the top two-thirds
of each plant while it is in flower (or setting
seeds) and tincture it in 100 proof vodka. I find
it unsurpassed for easing tender, swollen breasts,
PMS symptoms, and mild lymphedema. It is also reduces
allergic reactions. I use 15-25 drops (0.5 - 1 ml)
as often as every half-hour for 4-5 hours or as
needed.
Chickweed (Stellaria media) has secret dissolving
powers. Ovarian cysts, dermoid cysts, lumps in the
breast and elsewhere can't hold their own against
her slippery ways when a dropperful (1 ml), is taken
4-5 times a day, persistently, for many months.
And have you tried chickweed pesto? It vibrates
with antioxidant power!
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinalis) is a persistent
perennial of lawns and gardens and one of the best-known
medicinal herbs in the world. All parts - the root,
the leaves, the flowers, even the flower stalk -
strengthen the liver. A dose of 10-20 drops of the
tincture (0.5-1 ml) relieves gas, heartburn, and
indigestion, as well as promoting healthy bowel
movements. A tablespoon of the vinegar works well,
too. More importantly, taken before meals, dandelion
increases the production of hydrochloric acid in
the stomach, thus increasing bio-availability of
many nutrients, especially calcium. And the oil
of the flowers is an important massage balm for
maintaining healthy breasts. (There's lots more
information on dandelion in Healing
Wise.)
Dock, also called yellow dock, curly dock, and broad
dock is a perennial plant, which my Native American
grandmothers use for "all women's problems". I dig
the yellow roots of Rumex crispus or R. obtusifolius
and tincture them; I also harvest the leaves and/or
seeds throughout the growing season to increase
blood-levels of iron, reduce menstrual flooding
and cramping, and correct hormone levels.
Groundsel (Senecio vulgaris) and Ragwort (Senecio
jacobea) are some of the world's most ancient healing
plants, having been found in a grave 60,000 years
old. You can use the flowering tops and leaves to
make a tincture which acts slowly to tonify the
reproductive organs, ease PMS, and stop severe menstrual
pain. A dose is 5-10 drops (0.2-0.5 ml) per day;
used only once a day, but for at least 3 months.
(A larger dose is used to speed up labor.)
Mallows (Malva neglecta, M. parviflora, M. sylvestres)
are surprisingly deep-rooted. The flowers, leaves,
stalks, seeds, and roots are rich in sticky mucilage
which is best extracted by soaking the fresh plant
in cold water overnight or by making a medicinal
vinegar. The starch is extraordinarily soothing
internally (easing sore throats, upset tummies,
heart burn, irritable bowel, colic, and constipation)
and externally (relieving bug bites, burns, sprains,
and sore eyes).
Plantain, also called ribwort, pig's ear, and the
bandaid plant is a common weed of lawns, driveways,
parks, and playgrounds. Identify it by the five
parallel veins running the length of each leaf.
Use it to make a healing poultice or a soothing
oil widely regarded as one of the best wound healers
around. Not only does plantain increase the speed
of healing, it also relieves pain, stops bleeding,
draws out foreign matter, stops itching, prevents
and stops allergic reactions from bee stings, kills
bacteria, and reduces swelling. A first-aid kit
in a leaf! I use a generous application of plantain
oil or ointment on sprains, cuts, insect bites,
rashes, chafed skin, boils, bruises, chapped and
cracked lips, rough or sore hands, baby's diaper
area, and burns.
St. Joan's/John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) This
beautiful perennial wildflower may be hated by sheep
farmers, but herbalists adore it. The flowering
tops are harvested after they begin to bloom (traditionally
on Solstice, June 21) and prepared with alcohol,
and with oil, to make two of the most useful remedies
in my first aid kit. Tincture of St. Joan's wort
not only lends one a sunny disposition, it reliably
relieves muscle aches, is a powerful anti-viral,
and is my first-choice treatment for those with
shingles, sciatica, backpain, neuralgia, and headaches
including migraines. The usual dose is 1 dropperful
(1 ml) as frequently as needed. In extreme pain
from a muscle spasm in my thigh, I used a dropperful
every twenty minutes for two hours, or until the
pain totally subsided. St. Joan's wort oil stops
cold sores in their tracks and can even relieve
genital herpes symptoms. I use it as a sunscreen.
Contrary to popular belief, St. Joan's wort does
not cause sun sensitivity - it prevents it. It even
prevents burn from radiation therapy. Eases sore
muscles, too.
Self heal (Prunella vulgaris) This scentless perennial
mint is one of the great unsung healers of the world.
The leaves and flowers contain more antioxidants
- which prevent cancer and heart disease, among
other healthy traits - than any other plant tested.
And as part of the mint family, self heal is imbued
with lots of minerals, especially calcium, making
it an especially important ally for pregnant, nursing,
menopausal, and post-menopausal women. I put self
heal leaves in salads in the spring and fall, make
a medicinal vinegar with the flowers during the
summer, and cook the flowering tops (fresh or dried)
in winter soups.
Yarrow (Achellia millefolium) This lovely perennial
weed is grown in many herb gardens for it has a
multitude of uses. Cut the flowering tops (use only
white-flowering yarrow) and use your alcohol to
make a strongly-scented tincture that you can take
internally to prevent colds and the flu (a dose
is 10-20 drops, or up to 1 ml). I carry a little
spray bottle of yarrow tincture with me when I'm
outside and wet my skin every hour or so. A United
States Army study showed yarrow tincture to be more
effective than DEET at repelling ticks, mosquitoes,
and sand flies. You can also make a healing ointment
with yarrow flower tops and your oil or fat. Yarrow
oil is antibacterial, pain-relieving, and incredibly
helpful in healing all types of wounds.
Susun Weed
PO Box 64
Woodstock,
NY 12498
Fax: 1-845-246-8081
Visit
Susun Weed at: www.susunweed.com and www.ashtreepublishing.com
For permission to reprint this article, contact
: susunweed@herbshealing.com
Vibrant, passionate,
and involved, Susun Weed has garnered an international
reputation for her groundbreaking lectures, teachings,
and writings on health and nutrition. She challenges
conventional medical approaches with humor, insight,
and her vast encyclopedic knowledge of herbal medicine.
Unabashedly pro-woman, her animated and enthusiastic
lectures are engaging and often profoundly provocative.
Susun is one
of America's best-known authorities on herbal medicine
and natural approaches to women's health. Her four
best-selling books are recommended by expert herbalists
and well-known physicians and are used and cherished
by millions of women around the world. Learn more
at www.susunweed.com
This
article is © copyright Susun
S. Weed 200 - Republished here with kind permission.
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Disclaimer: This content is not intended
to replace conventional medical treatment. Any suggestions
made and all herbs listed are not intended to diagnose,
treat, cure or prevent any disease, condition or
symptom. Personal directions and use should be provided
by a clinical herbalist or other qualified healthcare
practitioner with a specific formula for you. All
material on this website/email is provided for general
information purposes only and should not be considered
medical advice or consultation. Contact a reputable
healthcare practitioner if you are in need of medical
care. Exercise self-empowerment by seeking a second
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