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Plantain, Common
Botanical: Plantago major (LINN.)
Family: N.O. Plantaginaceae
Description
Medicinal Action and Properties
—Synonyms—Broad-leaved Plantain. Ripple Grass. Waybread. Slan-lus. Waybroad. Snakeweed. Cuckoo’s Bread. Englishman’s Foot. White Man’s Foot.
(Anglo-Saxon) Weybroed.
—Parts Used—Root, leaves, flower-spikes.
The Common Broad-leaved Plantain is a very familiar perennial ‘weed,’ and may be found anywhere by roadsides and in meadow-land.
—Description—It grows from a very short rhizome, which bears below a great number of long, straight, yellowish roots, and above, a large, radial rosette of leaves and a few Iong, slender, densely-flowered spikes. The leaves are ovate, blunt, abruptly contracted at the base into a long, broad, channelled footstalk (petiole). The blade is 4 to 10 inches long and about two-thirds as broad, usually smooth, thickish, five to eleven ribbed, the ribs having a strongly fibrous structure, the margin entire, or coarsely and unevenly toothed. The flower-spikes, erect, on long stalks, are as long as the leaves, 1/4 to 1/3 inch thick and usually blunt. The flowers are somewhat purplish-green, the calyx fourparted, the small corolla bell-shaped and four-lobed, the stamens four, with purple anthers. The fruit is a two-celled capsule, not enclosed in the perianth, and containing four to sixteen seeds.
The Plantain belongs to the natural order Plantaginaceae, which contains more than 200 species, twenty-five or thirty of which have been reported as in domestic use.
The drug is without odour: the leaves are saline, bitterish and acrid to the taste; the root is saline and sweetish.
The glucoside Aucubin, first isolated in Aucuba japonica, has been reported as occurring in many species.
[Top]
—Medicinal Action and Properties—Refrigerant, diuretic, deobstruent and somewhat astringent. Has been used in inflammation of the skin, malignant ulcers, intermittent fever, etc., and as a vulnerary, and externally as a stimulant application to sores. Applied to a bleeding surface, the leaves are of some value in arresting haemorrhage, but they are useless in internal haemorrhage, although they were formerly used for bleeding of the lungs and stomach, consumption and dysentery. The fresh leaves are applied whole or bruised in the form of a poultice. Rubbed on parts of the body stung by insects, nettles, etc., or as an application to burns and scalds, the leaves will afford relief and will stay the bleeding of minor wounds.
Fluid extract: dose, 1/2 to 1 drachm.
In the Highlands the Plantain is still called ‘Slan-lus,’ or plant of healing, from a firm belief in its healing virtues. Pliny goes so far as to state, ‘on high authority,’ that if ‘it be put into a pot where many pieces of flesh are boiling, it will sodden them together.’ He also says that it will cure the madness of dogs. Erasmus, in his Colloquia, tells a story of a toad, who, being bitten by a spider, was straightway freed from any poisonous effects he may have dreaded by the prompt eating of a Plantain leaf.
Another old Herbal says: ‘If a woodhound (mad dog) rend a man, take this wort, rub it fine and lay it on; then will the spot soon be whole. ‘ And in the United States the plant is called ‘Snake Weed,’ from a belief in its efficacy in cases of bites from venomous creatures; it is related that a dog was one day stung by a rattlesnake and a preparation of the juice of the Plantain and salt was applied as promptly as possible to the wound. The animal was in great agony, but quickly recovered and shook off all trace of its misadventure. Dr. Robinson (New Family Herbal) tells us that an Indian received a great reward from the Assembly of South Carolina for his discovery that the Plantain was ‘the chief remedy for the cure of the rattlesnake.’
The Broad-leaved Plantain seems to have followed the migrations of our colonists to every part of the world, and in both America and New Zealand it has been called by the aborigines the ‘Englishman’s Foot’ (or the White Man’s Foot), for wherever the English have taken possession of the soil the Plantain springs up. Longfellow refers to this in ‘Hiawatha.’
Our Saxon ancestors esteemed it highly and in the old Lacnunga the Weybroed is mentioned as one of nine sacred herbs. In this most ancient source of Anglo-Saxon medicine, we find this ‘salve for flying venom’:
‘Take a handful of hammer wort and a handful of maythe (chamomile) and a handful of waybroad and roots of water dock, seek those which will float, and one eggshell full of clean honey, then take clean butter, let him who will help to work up the salve, melt it thrice: let one sing a mass over the worts, before they are put together and the salve is wrought up.
Some of the recipes for ointments in which Plantain is an ingredient have lingered to the present day. Lady Northcote, in The Book of Herbs (1903), mentions an ointment made by an old woman in Exeter that up to her death about twenty years ago was in much request. It was made from Southernwood, Plantain leaves, Black Currant leaves, Elder buds, Angelica and Parsley, chopped, pounded and simmered with clarified butter and was considered most useful for burns or raw surfaces. A most excellent ointment can also be made from Pilewort (Celandine), Elder buds, Houseleek and the Broad Plantain leaf.
Decoctions of Plantain entered into almost every old remedy, and it was boiled with Docks, Comfrey and a variety of flowers.
A decoction of Plantain was considered good in disorders of the kidneys, and the root, powdered, in complaints of the bowels. The expressed juice was recommended for spitting of blood and piles. Boyle recommends an electuary made of fresh Comfrey roots, juice of Plantain and sugar as very efficacious in spitting of blood. Plantain juice mixed with lemon juice was judged an excellent diuretic. The powdered dried leaves, taken in drink, were thought to destroy worms.
To prepare a plain infusion, still recommended in herbal medicine for diarrhoea and piles, pour 1 pint of boiling water on 1 OZ. of the herb, stand in a warm place for 20 minutes, afterwards strain and let cool. Take a wineglassful to half a teacupful three or four times a day.
The small mucilaginous seeds have been employed as a substitute for linseed. For ‘thrush’ they are recommended as most useful, 1 OZ. of seeds to be boiled in 1 1/2 pint of water down to a pint, the liquid then made into a syrup with sugar and honey and given to the child in tablespoonful doses, three or four times daily.
The seeds are relished by most small birds and quantities of the ripe spikes are gathered near London for the supply of cage birds.
Abercrombie, writing in 1822 (Every Man his own Gardener), giving a list of forty-four Salad herbs, includes Plantain.
Dr. Withering (Arrangement of Plants) states that sheep, goats and swine eat it, but that cows and horses refuse it.
It is a great disfigurement to lawns, rapidly multiplying if allowed to spread, each plant quite destroying the grass that originally occupied the spot usurped by its dense rosette of leaves.
Salmon’s Herbal (1710) gives the following manifold uses for Plantage major:
‘The liquid juice clarified and drunk for several days helps distillation of rheum upon the throat, glands, lungs, etc. Doses, 3 to 8 spoonsful. An especial remedy against ulceration of the lungs and a vehement cough arising from same. It is said to be good against epilepsy, dropsy, jaundice and opens obstructions of the liver, spleen and reins. It cools inflammations of the eyes and takes away the pin and web (so called) in them. Dropt into the ears, it eases their pains and restores hearing much decayed. Doses, 3 to 6 spoonsful more or less, either alone or with some fit vehicle morning and night. The powdered root mixed with equal parts of powder of Pellitory of Spain and put into a hollow tooth is said to ease the pain thereof. Powdered seeds stop vomiting, epilepsy, lethargy, convulsions, dropsy, jaundice, strangury, obstruction of the liver, etc. The liniment made with the juice and oil of Roses eases headache caused by heat, and is good for lunatics. It gives great ease (being applyed) in all hot gouts, whether in hands or feet, especially in the beginning, to cool the heat and repress the humors. The distilled water with a little alum and honey dissolved in it is of good use for washing, cleansing and healing a sore ulcerated mouth or throat.’
‘Salmon also tells us that a good cosmetic is made with essence of Plantain, houseleeks and lemon juice.
Culpepper tells us that the Plantain is ‘in the command of Venus and cures the head by antipathy to Mars, neither is there hardly a martial disease but it cures.’ He also states that ‘the water is used for all manner of spreading scabs, tetters, ringworm, shingles, etc.’
From the days of Chaucer onwards we find reference in literature to the healing powers of Plantain. Gower (1390) says: ‘And of Plantaine he hath his herb sovereine,’ and Chaucer mentions it in the Prologue of the Chanounes Yeman. Shakespeare, both in Love’s Labour’s Lost, iii, i, and in Romeo and Juliet, I, ii, speaks of the ‘plain Plantain’ and ‘Plantain leaf’ as excellent for a broken shin, and again in Two Noble Kinsmen, I, ii: ‘These poore slight sores neede not a Plantin.’ His reference to it in Troilus and Cressida, III. ii: ‘As true as steel, as Plantage to the moon,’ is an allusion that is now no longer clear to us. Again, Shenstone in the Schoolmistress: ‘And plantain rubb’d that heals the reaper’s wound.’
I researched chamomile as I have always appreciated its calming effects but I am now also learning that it is a powerful anti-inflammatory as well as anti-spasmodic which tells me a lot about why I feel so much better when I drink chamomile tea!
Thank you for the free books online, this does make it faster. I do however like a real book in hand. There is a lot of information that is available in these books, thank you.
I looked up Buchu and copied the Botanical name, Family name, parts used, Constituents, Medicinal actions and uses, Other preparations. And I had to look up what drachm is, I was unfamiliar with that form of measurement.
I chose devils claw. I never knew that this plant has such an important role in arthritis. I used to pass it all the time but now I’m well enlightenment
I chose buchu. I like the name it feels good. I am intrigued by the power of the plant. Yet, plants like this make me wonder why it fruits to only have its leaves used. I have finished reading up on it. I’m gonna look at pictures to see if the seeds come from the fruit or the flowers. The fruit might be too potent. I’m gonna find out. Todah again.
I chose Rosemary as i have a few plants in my garden and i love the aroma.
I looked it up in Kings and surprised it was seldom used except in perfume for ointments.
Mrs Grieve has so much information from Christmas to Queen of Hungry and the best Rosemary comes from England …
I have 2 David Hoffmann – The complete Herbs Sourcebook and The complete illustrated Holistic Herbal and the info was the same
I read about Acacia Nilotoca. I discoverd that it can be administered in form of Mucilage for suspending insoluble powers in the mixture. it is also for emulsifying oils and other liquid water. {A MODERN HERBAL by Mrs Grieve}
I chose Arnica, and it was very interesting to cross-reference all 3 sources. I often use arnica for bruises or muscle aches—interesting that Hoffman said it can be an immuno-stimulant. I captured key points in my Materia Medica.
I definitely see the importance of cross referencing from different groups! They all have similar information but more detailed in different ways, focusing on different things. It’s so good to have different reliable sources to cross reference and double check things!
I pick my dandelions each week and blow the seeds into my lawn to grow more. I make dandelion and lemon tea with them. My daughter loves it and so do I. We drink it iced and it is very helpful with my daughters stomach problems.
Buchu is an interesting herb with good uses especially the mucilage use. Right now there are so many people experiencing issues with this problem. It must be infused correctly. So many herbs and uses. Knowledge is necessary and learning and continuing to learn is what is needed.
I chose mint, and learned that it is a companion to cabbage and tomatoes. From a medicinal standpoint, it is a nice digestive aid, and good for colds and flu. Some surprising gift ideas include: Mint Jelly, Mint Tea, Candy, and Sachets.
I used David L. Hoffman’s book to look up Buchu, I got fascinated by sanguinarea and I bet as soon as I get a chance to visit any nearest nursery, I am bringing them home to add to my collection.
I chose borage and buchu, both plants I’ve grown in my garden! Interesting reading all 3 prescribed texts and how different the contexts are. Thank you for the variety in style of resource.
I chose Buchu herb and read the book by
David L. Hoffmann available at Health World.
I do not know so much about herbs and in the learning process. What i found so interesting is that the herb can cure cystitis, urethritis and prostatitis.
This knowledge i am getting here will help so many people
I actually already own A Modern Herbal! Wonderful resource! I chose to use my physical copy and the David Hoffman resource to study Blackberry. I was pleased to discover they also included wild rasperry in the article, as both grow profusely nearby and enjoy both. Both included herbal actions i was not yet familiar with, so it was great to learn new info about them! Have added new info to materia medica.
I used both your, and Margaret Roberts’s books to start the first entry into my Materia Medica: Lemon Balm. I love it, and make a fever blister balm with Lemon balm that works wonders on fever blisters.
I chose Fennel and Peppermint because I have plants in my herb garden.
My references are 1) A Modern Herbal by Mrs Grieves
2) David L. Hoffmann @ Health World
I have transfered all the information to my Word monograph.
I choose Borage as it is just starting to grow in my garden! I learned that the leaves are more useful than the flowers and that galactagogue is a word that means the promotion of lactation.
I chose Arnica because I recently made a rub from the oil, ginger, tumeric, and capsaicin. I couldn’t find a species on it.
Latin Binomial name: Arnica montana, arnica angustifolia, arnica chamissonis, arnica mollis
Genus: Asteraceae
Species:
Common name: Leopard’s bane, or arnica- which may come from the Greek (Arni) which means lamb- and refers to its soft hairy leaves
Indications (Therapeutic Uses): Externally it is used for bruises, muscular soreness, pain, severe injury, abscesses, old sores, rheumatic pain and inflammation. A homoeopathic tincture has been used successfully in the treatment of epilepsy; also for seasickness, 3 X before sailing, and every hour on board till comfortable.
Safety Considerations: Not to be taken internally except when taken according to homeopathic directions. It is considered toxic.
Combinations: Great added to ginger, tumeric rub. Can be combined with distilled witch hazel.
Preparations and dosages: You can prepare your own tincture of this herb as follows: pour 1/2 liter (one pint) of 70% alcohol over 50 grams (two ounces) of freshly picked flowers. Seal it tightly in a clear glass container and let it stand for at least a week in the sun or in a warm place. Filter it and it is ready for use. To store it, put the tincture in a sealed container and keep it out of direct sunlight.
Arnica can be infused in oil- dried plants are better. If using flowers they should be dried for a couple hours in the sun. Cover with oil and set in a warm spot for 4-6 weeks. Shake daily.
The oil infusion and tinctures are best used in products like back rubs etc…
I chose to do my monograph on lemon balm as I’m trying to initially stick with herbs I’m going to use and also grow, and Melissa is one of them.
I did my monograph on Buchu and have learned a whole lot that I didn’t know.
I enjoyed the exercise.
I researched Capers because I found them growing in my neighborhood. Capers contain chemicals that might help control blood sugar. Capers might also have antioxidant activity. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-727/capers
Plantain, Common
Botanical: Plantago major (LINN.)
Family: N.O. Plantaginaceae
Description
Medicinal Action and Properties
—Synonyms—Broad-leaved Plantain. Ripple Grass. Waybread. Slan-lus. Waybroad. Snakeweed. Cuckoo’s Bread. Englishman’s Foot. White Man’s Foot.
(Anglo-Saxon) Weybroed.
—Parts Used—Root, leaves, flower-spikes.
The Common Broad-leaved Plantain is a very familiar perennial ‘weed,’ and may be found anywhere by roadsides and in meadow-land.
—Description—It grows from a very short rhizome, which bears below a great number of long, straight, yellowish roots, and above, a large, radial rosette of leaves and a few Iong, slender, densely-flowered spikes. The leaves are ovate, blunt, abruptly contracted at the base into a long, broad, channelled footstalk (petiole). The blade is 4 to 10 inches long and about two-thirds as broad, usually smooth, thickish, five to eleven ribbed, the ribs having a strongly fibrous structure, the margin entire, or coarsely and unevenly toothed. The flower-spikes, erect, on long stalks, are as long as the leaves, 1/4 to 1/3 inch thick and usually blunt. The flowers are somewhat purplish-green, the calyx fourparted, the small corolla bell-shaped and four-lobed, the stamens four, with purple anthers. The fruit is a two-celled capsule, not enclosed in the perianth, and containing four to sixteen seeds.
The Plantain belongs to the natural order Plantaginaceae, which contains more than 200 species, twenty-five or thirty of which have been reported as in domestic use.
The drug is without odour: the leaves are saline, bitterish and acrid to the taste; the root is saline and sweetish.
The glucoside Aucubin, first isolated in Aucuba japonica, has been reported as occurring in many species.
[Top]
—Medicinal Action and Properties—Refrigerant, diuretic, deobstruent and somewhat astringent. Has been used in inflammation of the skin, malignant ulcers, intermittent fever, etc., and as a vulnerary, and externally as a stimulant application to sores. Applied to a bleeding surface, the leaves are of some value in arresting haemorrhage, but they are useless in internal haemorrhage, although they were formerly used for bleeding of the lungs and stomach, consumption and dysentery. The fresh leaves are applied whole or bruised in the form of a poultice. Rubbed on parts of the body stung by insects, nettles, etc., or as an application to burns and scalds, the leaves will afford relief and will stay the bleeding of minor wounds.
Fluid extract: dose, 1/2 to 1 drachm.
In the Highlands the Plantain is still called ‘Slan-lus,’ or plant of healing, from a firm belief in its healing virtues. Pliny goes so far as to state, ‘on high authority,’ that if ‘it be put into a pot where many pieces of flesh are boiling, it will sodden them together.’ He also says that it will cure the madness of dogs. Erasmus, in his Colloquia, tells a story of a toad, who, being bitten by a spider, was straightway freed from any poisonous effects he may have dreaded by the prompt eating of a Plantain leaf.
Another old Herbal says: ‘If a woodhound (mad dog) rend a man, take this wort, rub it fine and lay it on; then will the spot soon be whole. ‘ And in the United States the plant is called ‘Snake Weed,’ from a belief in its efficacy in cases of bites from venomous creatures; it is related that a dog was one day stung by a rattlesnake and a preparation of the juice of the Plantain and salt was applied as promptly as possible to the wound. The animal was in great agony, but quickly recovered and shook off all trace of its misadventure. Dr. Robinson (New Family Herbal) tells us that an Indian received a great reward from the Assembly of South Carolina for his discovery that the Plantain was ‘the chief remedy for the cure of the rattlesnake.’
The Broad-leaved Plantain seems to have followed the migrations of our colonists to every part of the world, and in both America and New Zealand it has been called by the aborigines the ‘Englishman’s Foot’ (or the White Man’s Foot), for wherever the English have taken possession of the soil the Plantain springs up. Longfellow refers to this in ‘Hiawatha.’
Our Saxon ancestors esteemed it highly and in the old Lacnunga the Weybroed is mentioned as one of nine sacred herbs. In this most ancient source of Anglo-Saxon medicine, we find this ‘salve for flying venom’:
‘Take a handful of hammer wort and a handful of maythe (chamomile) and a handful of waybroad and roots of water dock, seek those which will float, and one eggshell full of clean honey, then take clean butter, let him who will help to work up the salve, melt it thrice: let one sing a mass over the worts, before they are put together and the salve is wrought up.
Some of the recipes for ointments in which Plantain is an ingredient have lingered to the present day. Lady Northcote, in The Book of Herbs (1903), mentions an ointment made by an old woman in Exeter that up to her death about twenty years ago was in much request. It was made from Southernwood, Plantain leaves, Black Currant leaves, Elder buds, Angelica and Parsley, chopped, pounded and simmered with clarified butter and was considered most useful for burns or raw surfaces. A most excellent ointment can also be made from Pilewort (Celandine), Elder buds, Houseleek and the Broad Plantain leaf.
Decoctions of Plantain entered into almost every old remedy, and it was boiled with Docks, Comfrey and a variety of flowers.
A decoction of Plantain was considered good in disorders of the kidneys, and the root, powdered, in complaints of the bowels. The expressed juice was recommended for spitting of blood and piles. Boyle recommends an electuary made of fresh Comfrey roots, juice of Plantain and sugar as very efficacious in spitting of blood. Plantain juice mixed with lemon juice was judged an excellent diuretic. The powdered dried leaves, taken in drink, were thought to destroy worms.
To prepare a plain infusion, still recommended in herbal medicine for diarrhoea and piles, pour 1 pint of boiling water on 1 OZ. of the herb, stand in a warm place for 20 minutes, afterwards strain and let cool. Take a wineglassful to half a teacupful three or four times a day.
The small mucilaginous seeds have been employed as a substitute for linseed. For ‘thrush’ they are recommended as most useful, 1 OZ. of seeds to be boiled in 1 1/2 pint of water down to a pint, the liquid then made into a syrup with sugar and honey and given to the child in tablespoonful doses, three or four times daily.
The seeds are relished by most small birds and quantities of the ripe spikes are gathered near London for the supply of cage birds.
Abercrombie, writing in 1822 (Every Man his own Gardener), giving a list of forty-four Salad herbs, includes Plantain.
Dr. Withering (Arrangement of Plants) states that sheep, goats and swine eat it, but that cows and horses refuse it.
It is a great disfigurement to lawns, rapidly multiplying if allowed to spread, each plant quite destroying the grass that originally occupied the spot usurped by its dense rosette of leaves.
Salmon’s Herbal (1710) gives the following manifold uses for Plantage major:
‘The liquid juice clarified and drunk for several days helps distillation of rheum upon the throat, glands, lungs, etc. Doses, 3 to 8 spoonsful. An especial remedy against ulceration of the lungs and a vehement cough arising from same. It is said to be good against epilepsy, dropsy, jaundice and opens obstructions of the liver, spleen and reins. It cools inflammations of the eyes and takes away the pin and web (so called) in them. Dropt into the ears, it eases their pains and restores hearing much decayed. Doses, 3 to 6 spoonsful more or less, either alone or with some fit vehicle morning and night. The powdered root mixed with equal parts of powder of Pellitory of Spain and put into a hollow tooth is said to ease the pain thereof. Powdered seeds stop vomiting, epilepsy, lethargy, convulsions, dropsy, jaundice, strangury, obstruction of the liver, etc. The liniment made with the juice and oil of Roses eases headache caused by heat, and is good for lunatics. It gives great ease (being applyed) in all hot gouts, whether in hands or feet, especially in the beginning, to cool the heat and repress the humors. The distilled water with a little alum and honey dissolved in it is of good use for washing, cleansing and healing a sore ulcerated mouth or throat.’
‘Salmon also tells us that a good cosmetic is made with essence of Plantain, houseleeks and lemon juice.
Culpepper tells us that the Plantain is ‘in the command of Venus and cures the head by antipathy to Mars, neither is there hardly a martial disease but it cures.’ He also states that ‘the water is used for all manner of spreading scabs, tetters, ringworm, shingles, etc.’
From the days of Chaucer onwards we find reference in literature to the healing powers of Plantain. Gower (1390) says: ‘And of Plantaine he hath his herb sovereine,’ and Chaucer mentions it in the Prologue of the Chanounes Yeman. Shakespeare, both in Love’s Labour’s Lost, iii, i, and in Romeo and Juliet, I, ii, speaks of the ‘plain Plantain’ and ‘Plantain leaf’ as excellent for a broken shin, and again in Two Noble Kinsmen, I, ii: ‘These poore slight sores neede not a Plantin.’ His reference to it in Troilus and Cressida, III. ii: ‘As true as steel, as Plantage to the moon,’ is an allusion that is now no longer clear to us. Again, Shenstone in the Schoolmistress: ‘And plantain rubb’d that heals the reaper’s wound.’
I researched wild carrot. We used to always play with it as kids making necklaces with it. It has so many uses. The whole plant can be used.
I researched chamomile as I have always appreciated its calming effects but I am now also learning that it is a powerful anti-inflammatory as well as anti-spasmodic which tells me a lot about why I feel so much better when I drink chamomile tea!
I’m really interested in looking through the folklore but I’m excited to dive into this wealth of knowledge.
Yarrow. Plantain. Dandelion.
Thank you for the books listed here. Have started looking up and came across one, ‘Rodale’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs’.
Thank you for the free books online, this does make it faster. I do however like a real book in hand. There is a lot of information that is available in these books, thank you.
I personally enjoy a real book the best, but this is definitely much faster.
Thank you soo much for this Unit. I have actually done more that 1 Herb and browsing through got me hooked.
I chose Buchu and compared the information that the three sources give on them. Very interesting.
I looked up Buchu and copied the Botanical name, Family name, parts used, Constituents, Medicinal actions and uses, Other preparations. And I had to look up what drachm is, I was unfamiliar with that form of measurement.
I chose devils claw. I never knew that this plant has such an important role in arthritis. I used to pass it all the time but now I’m well enlightenment
I chose buchu. I like the name it feels good. I am intrigued by the power of the plant. Yet, plants like this make me wonder why it fruits to only have its leaves used. I have finished reading up on it. I’m gonna look at pictures to see if the seeds come from the fruit or the flowers. The fruit might be too potent. I’m gonna find out. Todah again.
I chose Rosemary as i have a few plants in my garden and i love the aroma.
I looked it up in Kings and surprised it was seldom used except in perfume for ointments.
Mrs Grieve has so much information from Christmas to Queen of Hungry and the best Rosemary comes from England …
I have 2 David Hoffmann – The complete Herbs Sourcebook and The complete illustrated Holistic Herbal and the info was the same
I chose Oenothera biennis evening of primrose. I am fascinated by this plant and I always have it in my garden
I read about Acacia Nilotoca. I discoverd that it can be administered in form of Mucilage for suspending insoluble powers in the mixture. it is also for emulsifying oils and other liquid water. {A MODERN HERBAL by Mrs Grieve}
i like both of the one i look at and got some good info on milk thistle
I actually own both volumes of A Modern Herbal. I can’t wait to get them out and begin putting them to good use.
I chose Arnica, and it was very interesting to cross-reference all 3 sources. I often use arnica for bruises or muscle aches—interesting that Hoffman said it can be an immuno-stimulant. I captured key points in my Materia Medica.
I definitely see the importance of cross referencing from different groups! They all have similar information but more detailed in different ways, focusing on different things. It’s so good to have different reliable sources to cross reference and double check things!
I am so glad im not deathly allergic to Dandelions anymore! I never new they could be so useful!
I pick my dandelions each week and blow the seeds into my lawn to grow more. I make dandelion and lemon tea with them. My daughter loves it and so do I. We drink it iced and it is very helpful with my daughters stomach problems.
I am currently looking at the various Artemisia, with particular interest in Artemisia Afra
Buchu is an interesting herb with good uses especially the mucilage use. Right now there are so many people experiencing issues with this problem. It must be infused correctly. So many herbs and uses. Knowledge is necessary and learning and continuing to learn is what is needed.
Basil and lavender, what a combination. I know putting in too much information can be daunting, but there’s just so much great information
I chose mint, and learned that it is a companion to cabbage and tomatoes. From a medicinal standpoint, it is a nice digestive aid, and good for colds and flu. Some surprising gift ideas include: Mint Jelly, Mint Tea, Candy, and Sachets.
I’m currently studying St Johns Wort. Still reading and adding.
I looked up licorice in all three books very interesting how each book is so different
I looked at all three and it is interesting to see the comparisons. Thank you for the resources.
I used David L. Hoffman’s book to look up Buchu, I got fascinated by sanguinarea and I bet as soon as I get a chance to visit any nearest nursery, I am bringing them home to add to my collection.
I used David L. Hoffmann available at Health World to look up Buchu.
I chose Arnica. I’ve always loved how the Arnica ointment feels and soothes. I have gained greater appreciation of its therapeutic qualities
I chose borage and buchu, both plants I’ve grown in my garden! Interesting reading all 3 prescribed texts and how different the contexts are. Thank you for the variety in style of resource.
I choose cannabis it heals you body mind and soul
makes you believe in life and all positive side efects
I chose Buchu herb and read the book by
David L. Hoffmann available at Health World.
I do not know so much about herbs and in the learning process. What i found so interesting is that the herb can cure cystitis, urethritis and prostatitis.
This knowledge i am getting here will help so many people
I actually already own A Modern Herbal! Wonderful resource! I chose to use my physical copy and the David Hoffman resource to study Blackberry. I was pleased to discover they also included wild rasperry in the article, as both grow profusely nearby and enjoy both. Both included herbal actions i was not yet familiar with, so it was great to learn new info about them! Have added new info to materia medica.
I chose Buchu from “A Modern herbal”
I always knew about Buchu tea but didn’t know its many benefits. I have added it on my Monograph.
I used both your, and Margaret Roberts’s books to start the first entry into my Materia Medica: Lemon Balm. I love it, and make a fever blister balm with Lemon balm that works wonders on fever blisters.
I chose Fennel and Peppermint because I have plants in my herb garden.
My references are 1) A Modern Herbal by Mrs Grieves
2) David L. Hoffmann @ Health World
I have transfered all the information to my Word monograph.
I choose Borage as it is just starting to grow in my garden! I learned that the leaves are more useful than the flowers and that galactagogue is a word that means the promotion of lactation.
I have chosen lavender by David L. Hoffmann for I have a bush in my back garden.
I chose Buchu from Health World. I had never heard of it. I found it interesting and created a monograph.
I chose Arnica because I recently made a rub from the oil, ginger, tumeric, and capsaicin. I couldn’t find a species on it.
Latin Binomial name: Arnica montana, arnica angustifolia, arnica chamissonis, arnica mollis
Genus: Asteraceae
Species:
Common name: Leopard’s bane, or arnica- which may come from the Greek (Arni) which means lamb- and refers to its soft hairy leaves
Parts used: Root, flower heads, rhizome.
Actions (Attributes): Anti-inflammatory, vulnerary
Indications (Therapeutic Uses): Externally it is used for bruises, muscular soreness, pain, severe injury, abscesses, old sores, rheumatic pain and inflammation. A homoeopathic tincture has been used successfully in the treatment of epilepsy; also for seasickness, 3 X before sailing, and every hour on board till comfortable.
Safety Considerations: Not to be taken internally except when taken according to homeopathic directions. It is considered toxic.
Combinations: Great added to ginger, tumeric rub. Can be combined with distilled witch hazel.
Preparations and dosages: You can prepare your own tincture of this herb as follows: pour 1/2 liter (one pint) of 70% alcohol over 50 grams (two ounces) of freshly picked flowers. Seal it tightly in a clear glass container and let it stand for at least a week in the sun or in a warm place. Filter it and it is ready for use. To store it, put the tincture in a sealed container and keep it out of direct sunlight.
Arnica can be infused in oil- dried plants are better. If using flowers they should be dried for a couple hours in the sun. Cover with oil and set in a warm spot for 4-6 weeks. Shake daily.
The oil infusion and tinctures are best used in products like back rubs etc…
I placed Buchu after looking it up in Mrs. Grieves’ book into my Materia Medica document.
I looked up Ginger from Health WOrld
Looked up Buchu in a Modern herbal by Mrs Grieve, and transferred it to my Word monograph document.
its so difficult to choose a favourite herb to start with
Very good