Plant Archives: Medicine

Subject: Bearberry Scientific Name: Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi

Uva ursi is the classic treatment for urinary tract infections. It was used first by the Native Americans and then by the Eclectic physicians to take the burning out of the fiery pee associated with a urinary tract infection. And, modern practitioners recommend it when the problem is chronic.

Subject: Bearsfoot Scientific Name: Polymnia Uvedalia

This herb was used by the Eclectics to treat chronic inflammation, be that of the joints, the liver, or the colon. Its use as an anti-inflammatory makes it an herb of interest today. Inflammation continues to be a problem and the chemical drugs out there cause lots of side effects. Somebody look into this.

Subject: Bittersweet Scientific Name: Solanum Dulcamara

Solanum dulcamara is a plant I researched in my PhD work. My work revealed that it had adaptogenic activity and that it needed to be tested for its ability to strengthen general health and vitality.

Subject: Bittersweet Scientific Name: Celastrus Scandens

Bittersweet was a very popular vitality stimulant, or tonic, used by the Eclectic physicians to treat all kinds of chronic debilating diseases, tuberculosis, syphilis, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and more. It was an alterative...which meant it altered the usual course of a disease. This is a really interesting remedy and one that warrants contemporary research.

Subject: Black Alder Scientific Name: Ilex Verticilata

Black alder is a tonic plant, used in the past to stimulate the body to heal itself. It was thought to stimulate the production of blood cells and more. When the body was not able to heal itself, black alder was administered to jump start the process.

Subject: Black Cohosh Scientific Name: Cimicifuga Racemose

Hormone replacement therapy that wont give you cancer. That is all I have to say on the subject. Black cohosh takes the ups and downs out of the hormone roller coaster experienced in menopause. It does the same for those with wild and wooly menstrual cycles! If you a girl, you should learn about this plant.

Subject: Black Haw Scientific Name: Viburnum Prunifolium

Black haw is used to relieve cramps and sore joints. It has a specific use in spasms in hollow organs, like uterine cramps and bowel cramps.

Subject: Black Hellebore Scientific Name: Helleborus Niger

Ok, black hellebore is straight up poisonous. That said, in the past, it was used as a medicine. Doctors who knew what they were doing used it on a regular basis. But, that knowledge has been lost and black hellebore is now more of a museum peice than a medicine.

Subject: Black Locust Scientific Name: Robinia Pseudoacacia

The Eclectics identified this remedy as being worth study and said this of it, "This remedy has been but little used, yet its activity is such that we may reasonably expect that experiment will develop some valuable medicinal use." Sadly, it has not been studied, and should be. Its related to the highly medicinal carob and tamarind and there may be something here.

Subject: Black Musli Scientific Name: Curculigo Orchioides

This is one of the Chinese super star aphrodisiac plants, the stemless wonder is used to treat all kinds of penis problems. I havent worked with it that much, but, according to Chinese medicine, its one thats worth knowing about. If you have penis problems, you may want to investigate this plant.