text: materia medica — blog — Wild Origins
  I'm the type of person who gets excited when she sees a weed in the parking lot and takes a picture.
  April 06, 2016 by Aniko Zala in materia medica
  Plantain Leaf / Plantago major & Plantago lanceolata
  Actions: Diuretic, alterative, anti-inflammatory, aperient
  No, this isn't the banana-like fruit. Yes, this is the plant that is almost as common in your grass as dandelion, and yes it's medicinal.
  I love introducing people to this plant because it's so prevalent and immediately usable. If you're working or walking outside and get bitten or stung find some plantain, chew or mash the leaf up, and stick it on to soothe the spot and draw anything out.. I infused plantain into the oil for my hand salve because it works so well at soothing the skin.
  An infusion of the leaves in water tastes rich and green and can be used for soothing inflammation-- coughs, urinary tract infections, mild bronchitis. The seeds can be used for constipation.
  April 06, 2016 /Aniko Zala
  plantain, materia medica, herbalist, columbus, medicine for the people, plant medicine
  Materia Medica: Sassafras
  June 01, 2015 by Aniko Zala in materia medica
  Sassafras/ Sassafras officinal
  Habitat and Growing Conditions: The trees are all over the Eastern US.
  Pertinent Information: Alterative, diaphoretic, diuretic, carminative, anti-rheumatic. Use the root. Used for lungs, kidneys, arthritis, acne and skin eruptions. Blood purifying. Great as a disinfectant mouthwash.
  Personal Experience: Tastes delicious! I made a root beer spring tonic early on in the spring and LOVED the experience of drinking it. In the Smoky mountains I found dozens of sassafrass saplings that I've taken home and dried for medicine. My entire drying loft smells faintly of root beer.
  References: Holistic Herbal, David Hoffman, 230; The Way of Herbs, Michael Tierra, 189-191; Back to Eden, Jethro Kloss, 181-182
  June 01, 2015 /Aniko Zala
  materia medica, sassafras
  delicious red clover
  May 23, 2015 by Aniko Zala in materia medica
  Red Clover/ Trifolia pratense
  Habitat and Growing Conditions: Grows freely as a weed. I often find it growing along the road or in disturbed soil or in grassy areas.
  Pertinent Information: Alterative, antispasmodic, expectorant, antitumor. Use the blossoms. Helps with cancer and tumors, skin diseases (psoriasis), fevers, cold, coughs. Blood thinning. Useful for coughs, colds, mucous congestion. If one has cancer, inject or gargle a red clover tea there.
  Personal Experience: I use red clover almost daily in my infusions, partly for their vitamins and medicinal properties and partly for their beauty. When they are fresh their smell and taste are honey-like-- intoxicating. They make the experience of drinking tea more pleasing.
  References: Holistic Herbal, David Hoffman, 227; The Way of Herbs, Michael Tierra, 185; Back to Eden, Jethro Kloss, 172-173
  May 23, 2015 /Aniko Zala
  materia medica, red clover
  Materia Medica: Plantain Leaf
  May 10, 2015 by Aniko Zala in materia medica
  Plantain Leaf / Plantago species
  Habitat and Growing Conditions: grows everywhere as a weed, especially disturbed soil.
  Pertinent Information: Diuretic, alterative, anti-inflammatory, aperient. Leaves and seeds. Gather during summer flowering. Used for urinary tract infections, stings, bites, wounds. The aucubin helps the secretion of uric acid from the kidneys. Used internally for all inflammation and the leaves are applied externally for bites and stings. For a serious venomous bite a poultice is made and a tea is taken every half hour. Soothes inflamed and sore membranes-- great for coughs and mild bronchitis. "Slows all manner of flowings."
  Personal Experience: I made a salve with plantain and comfrey that has been great at healing various mild skin issues. I have also chewed a plantain leaf and stuck it on a splinter to draw it out. The tea made of plantain has a rich green taste.
  References: Holistic Herbal, David Hoffman, 224; The Way of Herbs, Michael Tierra, 179-180; Back to Eden, Jethro Kloss, 168-169
  May 10, 2015 /Aniko Zala
  materia medica, plantain
  Materia Medica: Oregon Grape Root
  May 06, 2015 by Aniko Zala in materia medica
  Oregon grape root / Berberis aquifolium
  Habitat and Growing Conditions: Western US, dry
  Pertinent Information: Cholagogue, alterative, anti-inflammatory. Rhizome and root. Used for liver problems, menstrual irregularities, skin diseases, arthritis, cancer. By enhancing the flow of bile through the liver the entire function of the liver is improved. Great for PMS when combined with cramp bark and ginger. Useful for abnormal discharges, including phlegm, etc.
  Personal Experience: This has a more mild bitter flavor.
  References: The Way of Herbs, Michael Tierra, 173-174; A Modern Herbal, Mrs. M. Grieves, 369; Back to Eden, Jethro Kloss, 198