Plant Archives: Medicine

Subject: American Spikenard Scientific Name: Aralia Racemose

A member of the ginseng family, this plant was previously used to increase stamina and strength in the elderly, the ill, and those in need of a boost of vim and vigor.

Subject: Angelica Scientific Name: Angelica sp

The Angelica family, both the Chinese and the European, have been used since the begining of time to insure strong, vibrant health. And, in particular, to stimulate resistance to infectious disease ripping through your village....so powerful a pestilence preventer it was said to be angel sent.

Subject: Arborvitae Scientific Name: Thuja Occidentalis

Subject: Ashagwanda Scientific Name: Withania Somnifera

One could say that Ashagwanda is one of India's greatest contributions to the staying welll arsenal. It is used in patients unable to mount a recovery and in the elderly whose vitality is escaping them. If one wants to recover from an illness, and as rapidly as possible, this is a tonic to know.

Subject: Australian Fever Bark Scientific Name: Alstonia Constricta

Australian fever bark, like the name implies, was used to treat fever. But, more specifically as a tonic to treat chronic fevers like malaria, and, as a vitality stimulant whenever a person was being weakened by chronic disease. A very interesting plant that really warrants investigation in the modern age.

Subject: Balsam Poplar Scientific Name: Populus Balsamifera

This remedy was used in colds, coughs, chronic bronchitis, in all chronic bronchial affections, pain in the thorax, hemoptysis, and even splitting blood. Like all poplars, the tree contains compounds similar to aspirin which in part explain why it relieved pain and fever, but, there is a lot more to this herb.

Subject: Barberry Scientific Name: Berberis Vulgaris

The barberry bush is native to Europe and has been spread far and wide from there. Its primary is as a tonic for general boosting, and as a treatment for digestive complaints based on liver problems.

Subject: Barwood Scientific Name: Pterocarpus Erinaceus

According to the Eclectics, Kino is astringent and tonic. It was mostly employed to lessen or arrest excessive morbid discharges, whether of a sanguineous, mucous or purulent character. Yuck!

Subject: Bay Laurel Scientific Name: Laurus Nobilis

In the world of medicine, it doesnt get much more ancient than bay laurel. Native to the Mediteranean, the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans all used this plant to stimulate healing. It was especially used in bruising and tissue damage, applied externally. But, there is much, much more to this one.

Subject: Bayberry Scientific Name: Myrica Cerifera

Bayberry was famously used to make candles by the early colonists. I gave this a try and what a nightmare it was. I picked a bushel of the black pepper sized berries, boiled them, and ended up with enough oil to make half a candle! Fortunately, the wax producing bush had been used by the Native Americans since the beginning of time and, these uses got passed onto the colonials. As a source of candles, the bush does not measure up!