Do it Yourself
Weed Medicine The medicine you really need may be
growing in your back yard right now! Ditch those dangerous synthetic pharmaceuticals!
The best medicine in the world is created by nature, not greedy drug companies.
Now you can learn the secrets about natural medicine growing all around
you as Granny Earth reveals the little-known medicinal uses of plants you
thought were only weeds!
Are you still paying for medicine from a pharmacy? That's what the drug
companies want you to do because it earns them billions in profits. They
don't want you to learn how to get your medicine for free, straight from
nature, by learning the truth about how plants—not pharmaceutical factories—produce
the safest and most effective medicine in the world!
Meet Granny Earth N.D.—a 66-year-young naturopath and self-taught weed
enthusiast who is an expert in natural medicine that grows wild. She's
compiled a lifetime of knowledge of plant-based cures, remedies and treatments
in her new book, Do it Yourself Weed Medicine. Filled with illustrations,
drawings, remedies, recipes and words of inspiration, Granny Earth's Do
it Yourself Weed Medicine will move you beyond the limited realm of pharmaceutical
symptom-masking and into a world of true health, empowered by the medicine
nature intended you to use—the medicine found in plants!
Unlike most nutritional supplements on the market
today, the botanicals in Amazon Herb formulas have not been altered or
fractioned. They have not been extracted from their original composition.
These herbs are never
fumigated, irradiated, genetically engineered or exposed to pesticides
and industrial poisons. The integrity and life force of these plant is
maintained. They are living foods that work, just
as nature intended! The spagyric
processing of the Amazon herbs is based on
ancient bio-energetic principles and is the most perfect method available
to deliver a full body treatment. John Easterling had a vision of bringing
nutritional vitality to the world and at the same time helping preserve
one of our greatest treasures, the Amazon Rainforest. He searched for the
perfect vehicle to do so and he found it in a 15th century spagyric processing
method that was designed to deliver the energetics (life force) of the
plants. He studied the process, sometimes referred to as plant alchemy,
and it was in alignment with what he wanted to provide. It was the only
known method that could bring forward the essential oil, water soluble
and mineral components (alkaline ash). The result is that it retains the
plants original constitution with more concentrated healing potential than
raw plants can provide. more
9.TOPICAL
9.1 PODOPHYLLIN OINTMENT
8 ounces Podophyllum Root
5 ounces Myrrh Tincture
12 ounces Olive Oil
10 Rosin (Colophony)
Some Beeswax
Percolate the Podophyllum Root in 95% alcohol for a 1:2 strong tincture.
Add the
Myrrh Tincture, and evaporate both slowly over a low heat to 2 fluid
of sickening
goo. Add the olive oil and rosin, heat until all is dispersed,
check for "set"
on a metal surface, and add an ounce or two of beeswax if necessary.
Pour into
tins, and apply happily to your venereal warts or herpes sores.
9.2 CHAC SALVE (Calendula, Hypericum, Arnica,Cajeput)
2 ounces Calendula Flowers
2 ounces Arnica Herb
2 ounces ethanol
24 ounces Olive Oil
6 ounce Hypericum Oil
1/2 ounce Cajeput Oil
5 ounces Beeswax
Make a 1:6 steeped oil with the Calendula and Arnica (as usual), add
the
Hypericum Oil (made from the fresh flowers), heat slowly, dissolve
the beeswax,
add the Cajeput (actually tea
tree oil Oil, but much cheaper by the older name), and
pour into tins. Can also be called OSFA Salve (One Size Fits All) or
Rescue
Grease or Limbaugh Leech.
9.3 MUSCLE BALM
Poplar Bud Oil (steeped)
2 ounces
Arnica Oil (steeped)
2 ounces
Hypericum Oil (steeped)
2 ounces
Oil of Wintergreen
30 drops
Olive Oil
6 ounces
A Topically applied oil, used as an analgesic, counter-irritant, and
anti-
inflammatory: 30-60 drops rubbed into the area aids dispersal and resolution
of
exudates. It is to strong for a true massage oil.
9.4 "TRAUMA TINCTURE"
Hypericum (fresh plant tincture)
3 parts
Calendula (fresh flower tincture)
2 parts
Arnica (fresh plant tincture)
1 part
Make by mixing tinctures, or if fortunate in timing, from the fresh
plants, using
the volumes of compressed herbs for the parts. Useful in acute conditions,
such
as sprains,contusions, hyperextensions and muscular-skeletal trauma.
It should
be applied topically and taken internally, (10-20 drops) both modalities
every
two hours for three or four rounds. Taken internally it will
also help for
faintness and lightheadedness resulting from parasympathetic or vagus
discharge
caused by physical manipulation or trauma.
9.5 ROTGUT LINIMENT
Tobacco (Bull Durham etc) 1 ounce
Baneberry Root
1 ounce
Datura Leaves (or Henbane) 1/2 ounce
Cayenne Pepper
1/4 ounce
(OR Ginger Root
1/2 ounce)
Rubbing Alcohol(70% isopropyl) 16 ounces.
Grind up the herbs together and soak them in the rubbing alcohol (shaking
daily)
for two weeks. Apply the squeezed-out liniment by hand or with
a
liniment-moistened cloth to sprains, bruises and hyperextensions.
Wash your
hands immediately AND, eventually, the parts the liniment is applied
to. Avoid
touching your eyes, mouth or naught bits until your hands are clean...for
obvious
(cayenne) reasons.
CLAUSE: Besides the previous, the smell is genially obnoxious and proletariat.
9.6 ECHINACEA SALVE
Echinacea Purpurea Flowerheads 5 ounces
Alcohol
3 ounces
Olive Oil
35 ounces
Beeswax
7 ounces
Grind and sift the Echinacea Flowers (roots will not work). Mix
the alcohol with
the flowers in a stainless steel bowl with a lid, cover and let stand
for at
least 2-3 hours. Blend the moistened herb with the olive oil
in a hearty blender
(an Oster at high speed or a Vitamix at slow speed) until the sides
of the
container get warm. Filter through muslin, squeezing the marc
as well as
possible, and heat the oil slowly in the top of a double boiler.
Chop and add
the beeswax, continuing the low heat until the beeswax has melted.
Pour into
containers.
Use freely for hemorrhoids, blisters, cold sores, stings, vaginitis,
anal
fissures and any inflamed swellings
9.7 GOLDEN SEAL SALVE
Golden Seal Herb (no root) 6 ounces
Alcohol
3 ounces
Ammonia Water (3-4% solution) 2 tablespoons
Olive Oil
35 ounces
Beeswax
7 ounces
Grind the herb, moisten with the alcohol THEN the ammonia water, cover,
and let
stand for 2-3 hours. Proceed as with Echinacea Salve. The ammonia
is necessary
to stabilize the alkaloids in the Golden Seal. You can omit it
if you wish, but
the end result is somewhat inferior. The herb contains the same
constituents as
the root, although with a shorter shelf-life, and using the leaf spares
this
vanishing plant from further decimation through the digging of wild
plants (STILL
the primary source of roots on the market).
10. CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
10.1 RELAXING TEA
Camomile Flowers 3
parts
Catnip
3 parts
Passion Flower
3 parts
Spearmint
2 parts
Lemon Balm
2 parts
Hops
2 parts
Viscum album
1 part
Drink the simple infusion as needed, particularly in the evenings.
If you know
you will have trouble sleeping, start drinking it BEFORE you can't
sleep.
10.2 NERVE TONIC
Valerian
4 parts
Verbena
4 parts
Skullcap
4 parts
Passion Flower
4 parts
European Mistletoe 2 parts
Damiana
2 parts
Siberian Ginseng
2 parts
Cordydalis
1 part
3-6 "00" capsules as needed
Lower doses help anxieties, larger doses act as an overt sedative.
(Can be tinctured, 50% alcohol)
10.3 SPEED DETOX FORMULA
Bee Pollen
6 parts
Fu-tse (Cured Aconite) 4 parts
Mahonia
3 parts
6-12 caps a day, use at least 250 mg. of tyrosine a day, and add the
water-soluble vitamins such as B complex and C. Used to help
someone get through
the first week of amphetamine or cocaine withdrawal.
10.4 V's NERVE TONIC
Passiflora FE
5 ounces
Leonurus cardiaca
1 ounce
Crataegus
1 ounce
Verbena hastata
1 ounce
Hypericum (fresh)
1 ounce
Selenicereus (fresh) 1/2 ounce
Make from separate tinctures
Dose 60-90 drops as needed.
For physical agitation, nervousness, and stress palpitations
10.5 B's ANTIDEPRESSANT
Hypericum (fresh)
6 parts
Aralia Berries (fresh) 5 parts
Licorice Root
4 parts
Oplopanax (fresh)
2 parts
Panax quinquefolium
1 part
Mix as tinctures.
Dose: 60-90 drops up to four times a day.
For morbid depression with congestion and dry mucosa
10.6 K's SYRIAN RUE FORMULA (what an Ayurvedic Medicine friend
uses)
Syrian Rue
58 parts
Avena fatua (fresh) 58 parts
Panax (uncured)
58 parts
Rauwolfia
58 parts
Lobelia (fresh)
8 parts
Mix as tinctures
1/2 to 1 teaspoon, 3X a day
Antidepressant for adrenergic individuals
NOTE: As an Ayurvedic therapist, my friend has access to Rauwolfia
serpentina.
As a once widely used crude drug (the source of reserpine), it is seldom
to be
found in herb commerce...and perhaps is illegal. I personally
have seldom
used the plant, have always considered it, like digitalis, a "True"
crude drug
best left to medicine. With a body of experiential use in Ayurvedic
Medicine,
wherein my friend has learned it, I would trust the use here.
I have never
inquired as to his rather peculiar scheme of proportions. I would
have thought
that the presence of what amounts to nearly a quarter of the tincture
of
Rauwolfia to be an excessive amount. In fact the formula is quite
effective,
and seems relatively safe.
Since I feel perfectly comfortable using toxic herbs that I know personally
(I prefer the term "Low Dosage), including such shit as Aconite, Gelsemium
and
Veratrum, herbs that cause fellow herbalists who aren't familiar with
their
safe use to cringe and scurry, I guess my reluctant attitude regarding
the
herbal use of Rauwolfia is similarly the result of only knowing it
"by rep"
and not as a specific entity.
10.7 COMPOUND TINCTURE OF CANNABIS (1910)
Lupulin (Hops resin) 3 parts
Valerian Root
3 parts
Cannabis "shake"
2 parts
Tincture 1:4 in 65% alcohol.
When finished, add enough fresh Pulsatilla Tincture to bring final strength
to a
1:5 potency. As a narcotic-analgesic, especially for referred
visceral pain.
Dose 15-45 drops as needed. The Cannabis is, of course, completely
illegal to
possess in ANY form. With the increased use by authorities of
the tactic of
property confiscation, wherein THEY keep YOUR stuff even if you never
get to
court or are even charged with possession (and pigs will fly before
they ever
give it back to you, since local police get to keep most of the money
they raise
from auctioning it off), having this plant is considerably riskier
at present.
(Did I miss something when I learned about the Constitution in Civic's
Class??)
Those of you having a relationship to Cannabis dating from the Old Days,
with
fond memories of youth, more hair, lower gravity and Tie-Dye teeshirts
should
especially bear this in mind. Those involved in the drug business,
both those
that deal and those that chase, are MUCH weirder. And what cost
$10 20 years
ago now costs $100-$200 (and the lid is STILL short). Myself,
I have this rather
strange attitude towards Cannabis. It's just another goddamm
plant medicine,
and I REFUSE to take it all that seriously.
10.8 POST-TREATMENT RELAXER
Skullcap
3 parts
Betony
3 parts
Cimicifuga
2 parts
Hypericum
2 parts
Gelsemium
1 part
Mix from the tinctures
Use 30-60 drops (1 or 2 squirts) 2 or 3 times a day
To alleviate post-treatment myogenic and neurogenic discomfort from
body work,
and lessen the tendency of the body to immediately revert to patterning
10.9 POST-TREATMENT STRENGTHENER
Nettles
3 parts
Echinacea
3 parts
Devil's Claw 2 parts
Licorice
2 parts
Larrea
2 parts
Make from the tinctures or tincture 1:4 with 55% alcohol.
Use 30-60 drops (1 or 2 squirts) 2 or 3 times a day
To aid in and shorten the duration of connective tissue, fascia and
muscle
regeneration after injury, infection or surgery; to lessen free-radical
damage to
collagen and elastin from inflammation that degrades into congestion.
It also
aids in recuperation and healing from chronic tendonitis.
11.ACUTE DISEASE
11.1 EGO CAPSULES
Echinacea Root 2 parts
Garlic
2 parts
Osha Root 2
parts
Cayenne
1 part
2-4 capsules as needed for colds, flu, various viral junk.
SEE ALSO:7.3 IMMUNE STIMULANT #2
12.CHRONIC/METABOLIC
12.1 ALTERATIVE SYRUP
Aralia Root
3 ounces
Oplopanax
2 ounces
Xanthoxylum Bark
2 ounces
Smilax (Sarsaparilla) 2 ounces
Burdock Root
2 ounces
Guaiacum or Stillingia 1 ounce
Sassafras or Sweet Root 1 ounce
Pipsissewa
1 ounce
Blue Flag Root
1 ounce
Tincture 1:3 with 65% alcohol, add 1 part water (15 oz.) and 1 part
simple syrup
or honey (15 oz.) to bring to a final 1:5 strength
12.2 DETOX FORMULA
Oregon Grape Root
3 parts
Silybum Fluidextract 2 parts
Larrea
2 parts
Yellow Dock
2 parts
Aristolochia watsonii 1 part
Mix from the fluidextract and tinctures
Use 30-60 drops (1 or 2 squirts) 3 or 4 times a day
This is meant to assist cleansing of the blood, liver and lymph system
when
recovering from alcohol, drug abuse, even long-term over medication.
SEE ALSO: 6.2 ALKALIZING TEA
SEE ALSO: 7.1 LYMPH TONIC
13. FOR PLEASURE OR FUN
13.1 FIVE MINT TEA
Spearmint
2 parts
Peppermint
2 parts
Poleo
2 parts
Lemon Balm
2 parts
Catnip
1 part
13.2 ROOT TEA
Sassafras
2 parts
Sarsaparilla
2 parts
Licorice Root
2 parts
(Chinese Cinnamon)
1 part
(Sweet Root)
1 part
13.3 FLOWER TEA
Chamomile
3 parts
Orange Flowers
3 parts
Hibiscus Flowers
2 parts
Rose Buds
2 parts
Lavender Flowers
2 parts
American Saffron
1 part
Calendula Flowers
1 part
(Cyani flowers
1/2 part)
(If it doesn't sell, add some essential oil to it and pawn it off as
a potpourri!)
13.4 MESOMARBLES
Bee Pollen
8 parts
Guarana
2 parts
Korean "Red" Ginseng 1 part
Powder together and take pinches as food, or mix with a little honey
and form balls.
13.5 GUARANA FUDGE (AKA Speed Fudge)
Mix together:
5 cups brown sugar
2 1/2 cups milk
salt
Add later:
1 cube sweet butter
6 ounces powdered Guarana Bean
Various nuts (if desired
Boil to the soft ball stage. Remove from heat for 10 minutes, add 1
cube sweet butter. Mix in 6 ounces of powdered Guarana Bean, and
stir constantly until the glistening surface starts to look like frosting
and stiffens. Add nuts (if desired), scrape onto greased surface, cool
until set, and cut. WARNING: This stuff tastes GREAT, but speeds
like a mother. This fudge has no self-redeeming qualities...it's
just happily perverse.
Dosage: start with a small square, and wait an hour before overlapping
with another piece. Guarana is the Queen of caffeine plants (with
some hypoxanthines thrown in) and will generally (to quote Dr. Donald Culbreth)
produce gaiety, restlessness, quick perception and wakefulness, while slowing
the pulse and impairing the appetite. Eating it slows absorption
and can extend its effects well past the 3-4 hours you might expect from
a similar amount of coffee. The fudge tastes good, the effects of
Guarana are fun, but if you pig out on this stuff you can get to a level
of pure caffeine jitters that will completely over- ride the subtleties
that, at a more reasonable amount, make Guarana so nice. For several years
in the early 70s I manufactured this fudge, packaged and labeled it and
wholesaled it to truckstops in the L.A. area. One time I made up
a huge batch to give to my sales reps to take to a Gift Show (I was making
a line of herbal gift boxes...teas, spice blends, stuff like that).
They passed
it all out, the show ended up lasting until dawn, with vendors, representatives
and buyers wandering around spending, ordering, chatting, dancing, giggling
and kvetching long after the doors closed. The reps returned to L.A.
only to find that they had walked off with someone else's order book, had
lost theirs, and promptly slept for two days. I did not do this again.
Neither should you.
SIMPLE SYRUP
850 grams of WHITE sugar (any other form, such as turbinado or dried
sugar cane juice will ferment) 450 to 475 ml of water
Blend together, pour into a saucepan, and heat slowly until the sugar
is completely dissolved. Will make a liter of simple syrup.
Store in a cool place, but no refrigeration is necessary
MATERIA MEDICA
This defines all the specific tinctures and preparation called for
in those formulas not made from the individual botanicals but by mixing
finished products. (*) Not appropriate in pregnancy
AMBROSIA (Ragweed, Bursage, Yerba del Sapo)
HERB. Standard Infusion,
1-2 ounces. Fresh Tincture [1:2] 20-40 drops,
both to 4X a day.
*ANEMONE HIRSUTISSIMA (Pulsatilla ludoviciana, Pasque Flower)
FRESH PLANT. Tincture
[1:2] 3-10 drops, to 4X a day. Use with care.
ANEMOPSIS (Yerba Mansa, Lizard Tail)
ROOT. Tincture
[Fresh Root, 1:2, Dry Root, 1:5, 60% alcohol] 20-60
drops to 5X a day.
Cold Infusion, 2-4 ounces similarly.
HERB. Standard
or Cold Infusion as needed.
*ANGELICA SINENSIS (Dong Qua'i, Tang Kwei)
CURED CHINESE OR KOREAN
ROOT. Large slices, 1/16 to 1/8 a day, chewed
and swallowed.Tincture
[1:5, 70% alcohol] 5-20 drops Capsules, #0, 1 to
3 a day.
APIUM (Celery)
SEED. Simple Infusion,
1/2 to 1 teaspoon of seeds in cup of hot water.
Tincture [1:5, 50% alcohol] 10-30 drops to 4X a day
ARCTIUM (Burdock)
ROOT Cold Infusion,
2-4 ounces. Fluidextract [1:1, 60% alcohol] 15-30
drops.
Tincture [Fresh Root,
1:2, Dry Root, 1:5, 60% alcohol] 30-90 drops, all
3X a day.
SEED. Tincture [1:5,
60% alcohol] 10-25 drops.
*ARISTOLOCHIA CALIFORNICA (California Snakeroot, Cal. Dutchman's
Pipe
WHOLE PLANT. Fresh Plant
Tincture [1:2] 5-20 drops to 3X a day.
*ARISTOLOCHIA SERPENTARIA (Virginia Snakeroot, Serpentaria)
ROOT and HERB. Tincture
[Fresh Plant, 1:2, Dry Root, 1:5, 70% alc.)
5-20 drops to 3X a day.
For extended use, use only low doses, and
within a formula.
*ARISTOLOCHIA WATSONII (Indian Root, Raiz del Indio)
Same as previous,
but safer for extended use, as is A. californica.
*ARNICA (A. montana, A. cordifolia, A. latiflora, etc.)
WHOLE PLANT. Fresh plant,
flower or root tincture [1:2], dry flowers or
herb
tincture, [1:5, 50% alcohol]
and dry root tincture [1:5, 60% alcohol].
EXTERNAL is diluted with
one or two parts of water, applied as needed.
INTERNAL use 3-10
drops. TAKE INTERNALLY WITH CARE
*ASCLEPIAS ASPERULA (Inmortal, Antelope Horns, Spider Milkweed)
ROOT. Tincture
[1:5, 50% alcohol] 5-30 drops, Capsules, #00, 1-2, to
3X a day.
*ASCLEPIAS TUBEROSA (Pleurisy Root)
ROOT. Cold Infusion,
2-4 ounces. Tincture [1:5, 50% alcohol] 30-90
drops. Capsules,
#00, 1-3, all to 3X a day.
AVENA (A. sativa, A. fatua, Oats, Wild Oats.)
UNRIPE FRESH SEED, w/"Milky"
center. Fresh Tincture [1:2], 10-20 drops,
to 4X a day.
STRAW (dry stems). Standard Infusion, 4-8 ounces.
BAPTISIA (Wild Indigo Root)
ROOT. Tincture [1:5, 65%
alcohol], WHOLE PLANT. Fresh Tincture [1:2],
both taken 10-25 drops,
to 3X a day.
USE WITH CARE; better long
term in formulas
BAROSMA (Agothasma, Buchu)
LEAVES. Cold Infusion
(rewarmed) 1-3 ounces. Tincture [1:5, 80%
alcohol], 30-60 drops in
water. Both forms to 4X a day.
Bayberry see Myrica
BERBERIS VULGARIS (Common Barberry)
ROOT. Tincture [1:5,
50% alcohol] 10-60 drops. Cold Infusion, 1-3
ounces. Capsules,
#00, 1-3. All to 3X a day. See MAHONIA (Oregon
Grape) as well.
Betony see Pedicularis
Black Cohosh see Cimicifuga
Blue Cohosh see Caulophyllum
Blue Flag see Iris
Bugleweed see Lycopus
Burdock see Arctium
CALENDULA OFFICINALIS (European Marigold)
FLOWERS. Tincture
[Fresh Flowers, 1:2, Dry Flowers, 1:5, 70% alcohol]
15-30 drops, to 4X a day. Dilute with several parts of
water for topical
use.
CAPSICUM (Cayenne, African Bird Peppers)
FRUIT. Tincture [1:5,
95% alcohol] 5-15 drops. Capsules, #0, 1-2
Catnip see Nepeta
*CAULOPHYLLUM (Blue Cohosh)
RHIZOME/ROOT. Tincture [1:5,
60% alcohol] 5-20 drops, usually in formula
context.
CEANOTHUS (Red Root, New Jersey Tea)
ROOT.Cold Infusion,
2-4 ounces. Tincture [Fresh Root, 1:2, Dry Root,
1:5, 50% alcohol] 30-90
drops, to 4X a day.
Celery see Apium
CEREUS GRANDIFLORUS (Selenicereus, Peniocereus, Night-Blooming
Cereus)
FRESH STEMS. Fresh
Tincture [1:2], 5-15 drops (Selenicereus spp.);
10-25 drops, (Peniocereus
greggii). Either one to 4X a day.
CHIMAPHILA (Pipsissewa, Prince's Pine)
HERB. Tincture [Fresh
Plant, 1:2, Dry plant, 1:5, 50% alcohol), 20-50
drops, to 4X a day.
Standard Infusion 4-8 ounces.
CINNAMOMUM (Cinnamon, Canela)
BARK. Standard Infusion
2-4 ounces. Tincture [1:5, 60% alcohol, 5%
glycerin] 20-50 drops, both
to 4X a day. ESSENTIAL OIL. 2-5 drops in
capsule.
COMMIPHORA (Myrrh Gum)
RESIN. Tincture [
1:5, 95% alcohol] 5-20 drops. Capsules, #0, 1-2,
both to 3X a day.
Topically, dilute tincture with water as needed.
Dandelion see Taraxacum
Devil's Claw see Harpagophytum
Devil's Club see Oplopanax
Dong Quai see Angelica sinense
ERIODICTYON (Yerba Santa)
LEAVES (from current
year's growth). Tincture [Fresh Herb, 1:2, Dry Herb, 1:5,
75% alcohol] 20-30 drops,
to 5X a day. Standard Infusion, 2-4 ounces
as needed.
ERYNGIUM YUCCAFOLIUM (Eryngo, Rattlesnake Master, Button Snakeroot)
WHOLE PLANT. Fresh
Plant Tincture, 1:2, 15-30 drops in warm water.
ROOT. Weak Decoction, 4-8
ounces. Dry Root Tincture, [1:5, 60%
alcohol], 20-40 drops, in
cup of water. All forms to 4X a day.
Fennel Seed see Foeniculum
FOENICULUM (Fennel Seed)
SEED. Tincture [1:5,
60% alcohol] 30-60 drops in warm water as needed.
Standard Infusion as needed.
*FOUQUIERIA SPLENDENS (Ocotillo)
FRESH BARK. Tincture,
[1:2] 10-30 drops, to 4X a day.
*GELSEMIUM (Yellow Jasmine)
ROOT. Tincture [Fresh
Root 1:2, Dry Root, 1:10, 65% alcohol] 2-10
drops.
DANGEROUS IN LARGER DOSES
Ginseng see Panax
*GLYCYRRHIZA GLABRA (Licorice)
ROOT.
Tincture [1:5, 50% alcohol] 3-60 drops. Strong Decoction, 1-3
ounces, either to 3X a day.
Can occasion sodium retention.
HARPAGOPHYTUM PROCUMBENS (Devil's Claw)
TUBERS. Capsules,
#0, 2-4 in evenings. Cold Infusion 4-6 ounces
similarly. Strong
Tincture [1:2, 60% alcohol], 1/2 to 1 teaspoons.
Some recommend that
two weeks on and two weeks off is the best approach
to Devil's Claw.
I have found a month of continuous use is the best
way to begin.
Horehound see Marrubium
*HYDRASTIS (Golden Seal)
ROOT and LEAF. Fresh
Plant Tincture [1:2], 15-30 drops. Dry Root
Tincture, [1:5, 70% alcohol]
20-50 drops. Dry Herb Tincture [1:5, 60%
alcohol] 30-75 drops all
the above to 4X a day. Dry Root capsules #00,
2-4, to 3X a day.
Standard Infusion of leaf 1-3 ounces, to 4X a day.
The root is only partially
soluble in water and should not be wasted
in tea; this old friend
is disappearing in the wild.
Inmortal see Asclepias asperula
*IRIS VERSICOLOR, I. MISSOURIENSIS (Blue Flag)
RHIZOME. Tincture
[1:5, 80% alcohol], 5-20 drops to 3X a day.
USE WITH CARE.
JUNIPERUS (Juniper)
BERRIES. Tincture
[1:5, 75% alcohol], 20-40 drops. Standard Infusion,
2-3 oz., to 3X a day.
LEAVES: Standard Infusion, 2-4 ounces, or boiled
for inhalation. For
short term use; may irritate the kidneys eventually.
LARREA (Chaparral, Gobernadora, Creosote Bush)
LEAFING BRANCHES.
Tincture [1:5, 75% alcohol], 20-60 drops. Capsules,
#00, 2-4 a day. Strong
Decoction for topical use.
*LEONURUS CARDIACA (Motherwort)
FLOWERING HERB.
Tincture [Fresh Plant 1:2, Recent Dry Plant, 1:5, 60%
alc.] 30-60 drops,
to 4X a day. Standard Infusion, 2-4 ounces.
Licorice see Glycyrrhiza
LIGUSTICUM PORTERI (Osha, Chuchupate, Mountain Lovage)
ROOT. Tincture [Fresh
Root, 1:2, Dry Root, 1:5, 70% alcohol], 20-60
drops up to 5X a day.
Cold Infusion, 2-6 ounces, as needed.
LOMATIUM DISSECTUM (Leptotaenia, Biscuit Root)
ROOT. Tincture [Fresh
Root, 1:2, Dry Root, 1:5, 70% alcohol], 10-30
drops up to 4X a day.
Cold Infusion, 2-3 ounces also to 4X a day.
LYCOPUS (Bugleweed, Water Horehound)
HERB. Fresh Plant
Tincture [1:2] 15-40 drops, to 3X a day. Standard
Infusion of recent
plant, 2-3 ounces, also to 3X a day.
MAHONIA (Oregon Grape, Algerita)
SAME as Berberis.
MARRUBIUM (Horehound)
FLOWERING HERB. Cold
Infusion, 2-4 ounces. Tincture [Fresh Plant, 1:2,
Dry Plant, 1:5, 50%
alcohol], 30-90 drops, both to 4X a day.
MENYANTHES (Buckbean, Bogbean)
WHOLE PLANT.
Tincture [Fresh Plant, 1:2, Dry Plant, 1:5, 50% alcohol],
10-30 drops, to 3X
a day. Cold Infusion, 1-2 ounces, also to 3X a day.
Milk Thistle see Silybum
Motherwort see Leonurus
Myrrh see Commiphora
MYRICA (Bayberry)
BARK and ROOTBARK.
Tincture [Fresh Bark, 1:2, Dry Bark, 1:5, 60% alc.]
20-60 drops.
Cold Infusion, 2-4 ounces, both to 3X a day. The diluted
tincture or the infusion
for topical use or as a gargle.
NEPETA CATARIA (Catnip)
FLOWERING HERB. Tincture
[Fresh Herb 1:2, Recent Dry Herb 1:5, 50%
alc.], 1/4 to 1 teaspoon
Standard Infusion, 2-6 ounces, all to 4X a
day.
Ocotillo see Fouquieria
*OPLOPANAX HORRIDUM (Echinopanax, Devil's Club)
ROOT and ROOTBARK.
Tincture [Fresh Root 1:2, Dry Rootbark, 1:5, 60%
alc.] 10-40 drops.
Cold Infusion, 1-3 ounces, all forms to 3X a day.
Oregon Grape see Mahonia
Osha see Ligusticum
OSMORHIZA OCCIDENTALIS (Sweet Root, Western Sweet Cicely)
ROOT. Tincture [Fresh
Root, 1:2, Dry Root, 1:5, 65% alcohol] 45-60
drops to 3X a day.
Strong Decoction, 2-3 ounces to 3X a day.
*PAEONIA (Peony)
ROOT. Tincture [Fresh
Root 1:2, Dry Root, 1:5, 60% alcohol] 10-25
drops up to 4X a day.
Cold Infusion, 1-2 ounces. Capsules, #00, 2-3
at a time.
Pau D'Arco see Tabebuia
*PANAX QUINQUEFOLIUM (American Ginseng)
ROOT. Tincture [1:5, 70%
alcohol]. WILD ROOTS (morally objectionable),
5-10 drops.
WOODSGROWN ROOTS. 10-20 drops. CULTIVATED ROOTS. 20-40
drops. CULTIVATED
RED ROOTS (Michigan and Wisconsin cured roots), 15-
30 drops. Any other "American
Red Ginseng" is a blatant fake. LEAVES.
30-60 drops, Cold
Infusion, 2-4 ounces. All above forms to 3X a day.
PASSIFLORA (Passion Flower)
WHOLE HERB.Tincture
[Fresh Plant 1:2, Dry Herb, 1:5, 50% alcohol] 1/2 to
1 1/2 teaspoon. Fluidextract
[1:1, 45% alcohol], 30-60 drops. Standard
Infusion of recent herb,
2-6 ounces, all forms to 4X a day.
PEDICULARIS (Betony, Lousewort, Elephant Head, Parrot's Beak,
Indian Warrior)
HERB in FLOWER.Standard
Infusion, 4-8 ounces. Tincture[Fresh Plant, 1:2,
Dry Plant, 1:5, 50% alcohol]
1-2 teaspoons, all to 3X a day.
*PEGANUM HARMALA (Syrian Rue)
SEEDS and ROOT.
Tincture [1:5, 60% alcohol] 10-30 drops, to 3X a day.
LEAVES. Standard
Infusion for topical use.
*PHYTOLACCA (Poke)
ROOT and BERRIES. Fresh
Tincture, (Root or Berries), [1:2], 2-10 drops.
Dry Root Tincture
[1:5, 50% alcohol] 5-15 drops. USE WITH CARE.
PICRAENA (Picrasma, Quassia)
WOOD. Cold Infusion,
2-4 ounces. Tincture [1:5, 50% alcohol] 30-60
drops, to 3X a day.
Cold Infusion, 4-8 ounces, as a retained enema,
once a week for 4-6 weeks
for pinworms/threadworms.
Pleurisy Root see Asclepias tuberosa
Poke Root see Phytolacca
*POLYMNIA UVEDALIA (Bearsfoot, Leafcup)
STEM and ROOT.
Tincture [Fresh plant 1:2, Dry Root 1:5, 75% alcohol]
10-50 drops, to 3X
a day. Small, frequent doses are preferable.
Prickly Ash see Xanthoxylum
Red Root see Ceanothus
RHEUM (Rhubarb, Chinese or Turkey Rhubarb)
ROOT. Tincture [1:5,
50% alcohol, 10% glycerin] 15-30 drops, to 4X a
day. Too much too
frequently can induce rebound constipation.
Rhubarb see Rheum
RUMEX CRISPUS (Yellow Dock)
ROOT. Tincture [Fresh Root,
1:2, Dry Root, 1:5, 50% alcohol], 30-75
drops, to 3X a day.
Capsules, #00, 1-2 to 2X a day. Use with moderation
in pregnancy.
In all cases it works best in sub-laxative doses.
Sarsaparilla see Smilax
SCUTELLARIA (Skullcap)
HERB. Tincture
[Fresh Plant, 1:2, Recent Dry Plant, 1:5, 50% alcohol]
20-60 drops.
Standard Infusion of recent herb, 2-6 ounces, all to 3X
a day.
Selenicereus see Cereus
SILYBUM MARIANUM (Milk Thistle)
SEEDS. Capsules,
#00, 2 at a time, to 3X a day. Fluidextract [1:1, 60%
alcohol], 20-40 drops to
5X a day. Strong Tincture [1:3, 70% alcohol],
1/2 to 1 teaspoon, to 4X
a day.
Skullcap see Scutellaria
SMILAX (Sarsaparilla)
ROOT and RHIZOME.
Cold Infusion or Strong Decoction, 1-4 ounces, to 3X
a day. Tincture [Fresh
Root, 1:2, Dry Root, 1:5, 60% alcohol] 30-90
drops to 3X a day.
STILLINGIA SYLVATICA (Queen's Root)
ROOT. Tincture
[Fresh root,1:2, Recent Dry Root, 1:5, 50% alcohol] 10-
30 drops, preferably in
small frequent doses.
Sweet Root see Osmorrhiza
TABEBUIA (Lapacho, Pau D'Arco, Ipe Roxo, Amapa)
TREE BARK. Cold
Infusion, 2-4 ounce to 3X a day. Fluidextract [1:1,
50% alc.] 15-30 drops to
5X a day.Tincture [1:5, 50% alcohol] 1/2 to 1
teaspoon to 4X a day
TARAXACUM (Dandelion)
ROOT or LEAF. Root Fluidextract
[1:1, 45% alcohol] 30-60 drops up to 4X
a day. Tincture [Fresh
Root, 1:2] 1/2 to 1 teaspoon. Strong Decoction,
2-4 ounces, to 4X
a day. Leaf as Standard Infusion, 3-6 ounces as
needed.
*THUJA (Arbor Vitae, Flat, Red or Yellow Cedar)
HERB. Fresh Plant
Tincture [1:2] for topical use; 5-15 drops in water,
to 4X a day.
Cold Infusion, 2-3 ounces, to 3X a day.
*TRIBULUS (Puncture Vine, Goat's Head)
HERB and SEEDS. 1/2
to 1 teaspoon of the powdered plant in tea, to 2X
a day. Tincture [1:5,
60% alcohol] 30-40 drops, 2X a day.
VERBENA (Blue Vervain)
FLOWERING HERB. Standard
Infusion, 2-5 ounces, to 3X a day. Tincture
[1:5, 60% alcohol] 30-90
drops, to 4X a day.
*VITEX AGNUS-CASTUS (Chaste Tree Berries, Monk Peppers)
SEEDS. Tincture [1:5,
65% alcohol] 30-60 drops. Ground Berries, 1/2 to
1 tspn. in tea, both once
in the morning. As it strengthens the
progesterone phase of the
estrus cycle, it usually works best the two
weeks before menses.
XANTHOXYLUM (Prickly Ash)
BARK/BERRIES. Tincture
[1:5, 65% alcohol] 10-30 drops, before meals.
Yellow Dock see Rumex crispus
Yerba Mansa see Anemopsis
Yerba Santa see Eriodictyon
Copyright 1995 by Michael Moore
Use it, share it, just don't sell
it or change it in any way (unless you get my permission)
The Southwest School of Botanical Medicine
122 Tulane SE Albuquerque, NM 87106
Telephone 505-255-9215
FAX 505-268-0196
Internet - hrbmoore@rt66.com
Compuserve - 73744,1621
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Michael Moore, Director
Donna Chesner, Coordinator
