Archives

Common Name: 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.

Common Name: 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.

Common Name: 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.

Common Name: Barley Scientific Name: Hordeum Vulgare

Barley was also used as a topical healing agent for the skin. It was used especially in cases of boils, infected wounds, and swellings. Gerard also says the ointment made from boiling down beer quickly heals old ulcers and new wounds.

Common Name: 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!

Common Name: Basil Scientific Name: Occimomum Basilicum

Basil is an herb that the most herb ignorant knows...they sell it at the grocery store and you could not miss this one if you tried. Its an old herb and one that comes packing a great story. Primarily a culinary herb, it does have its medicinal uses, and some magical ones too.

Common Name: 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.

Common Name: 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!

Common Name: 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.

Common Name: 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.