Handbook of Native American Herbs (eBook)

CENTAURY Centauriumerytraea COMMONNAMES:Rosepink, bitter bloom, bitter clover. FEATURES:This plant is common to most parts of the United States. There are many speciesand colors, the English distinguish between them by using the red centaury indiseases of the blood, the yellow in choleric diseases, and the white in thoseof phlegm and water. Variety is not limited only to color, the centaury familywill grow in many soil conditions—,moist meadows, among high grass, on theprairies, and in damp ditch soil. It flowers from June to September and is bestgathered at this time. The flowers close at night, and the American variety isconsidered preferable to the European. SOLVENTS:Water, alcohol. MEDICINALPART: The whole herb. BODILYINFLUENCE: Tonic, febrifuge, diaphoretic. USES:Excellent old American remedy, bitter tonic, preventive in all periodic febrilediseases, dyspepsia, and convalescence from fevers, it strengthens the stomachand promotes digestion. An aid to rheumatic and all joint pains. The followingin a warm infusion is a domestic remedy for expelling worms and to restore themenstrual secretions: of the powder, –,1 dram, of the extract,2–,6 grains. Theloose dried herb, 1 teaspoonful to 1 cup of boiling water. Although bitter,this effective herb is a good accompaniment to all herbal teas andpreparations. For taste, combine with other herbs such as anise, cardamom,peppermint, ginger, fennel, etc. HOMEOPATHICCLINICAL: Used as tincture of root in cases as follows: coryza, diarrhea,inflammation of the eyes, fever, homesickness, influenza intermittents,vanishing of sight. RUSSIANEXPERIENCE: Russian centaury, Centauriumerytraea, called'a thousand golden leaves' and many other beautiful names. Officialmedicine very often prescribes centaury alone, but also with other herbalpreparations. Folk medicine: Centaury tea and a home extract, usually preparedwith vodka, is given in cases of high blood pressure and liver and gallbladdermalfunctions. The bitter tonic is antiseptic in stomach sickness, working withnature without destroying the necessary secretions that stimulate desirabledigestion and appetite. The parasitic tapeworm cannot maintain its circlet ofhooks and suckers, which enable it to gain livelihood in the mucous membrane ofthe intestines of its host, when centaury is taken persistently. CHAGA Inonotusobliquus COMMONNAMES: Chaga, birch mushroom. FEATURES:InNorth America and Canada the birch is well known for its beauty alone. Itsmedical purpose is served by a mushroom, or fungus-type growth, found in theolder trees (also grows on beech and other trees). This growth is rough, dry,porous, crusty, with deeply cut and crooked separations having the appearanceon the outside of dull charred wood. The surface is almost black in color. Whenthis projection is sawed off the tree it is as if the tree were having cosmeticsurgery or the removal of an out-of-control wart. The matured and most desiredchaga is 30–,40 centimeters wide, 10–,15 centimeters thick, and may be4–,5 feet long, weighing 4–,5 pounds. There are three layers: (1) theoutside, rough with some old bark and possibly twigs, must be cleaned, (2) theside, very close to the tree trunk, must be cut off, and (3) the middle part,granulated and not spoiled, which is the part to use. It can be collected atany time of the year. Alwayskeep chaga in a dry and dark place (dark covered jar) as dampness and stronglight dissipate its power. MEDICINALPART: Inside granulated parts of the three layers. SOLVENTS:Boiled(not boiling) water,...