Category: herbs

Good Plants: Yarrow

On By Malcolm R. CampbellIn herbs, writing4 Comments

“I always keep yarrow in my medicine bag, as it has many uses. It is also called nosebleed plant, squirrel’s tale, plumajillo, and soldier’s woundwort. I recognize it by its leathery leaf shape, texture, and scent. It’s in the Aster/Daisy family. It is found in temperate zones throughout the world.” – Nicole Apelian in ‘The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies.'”

According to Wikipedia, “Achillea  is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae, known colloquially as yarrows. The plants typically have frilly leaves. The common name “yarrow” usually refers to A. millefolium. The genus was named after the Greek mythological character Achilles, whose soldiers were said to have used yarrow to treat their wounds; this is reflected by common names such as allheal and bloodwort. The genus is native primarily to Eurasia and North America.”

As always, consult with a doctor and/or an herbalist before using this plant for medical purposes, especially any involving internal use.

Web MD says that “Yarrow contains chemicals that might help to stop stomach cramps and fight infections. People commonly use yarrow for eczema, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), wound healing, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.”

According to VeryWell Health, “In test tube studies, yarrow’s active ingredients have been shown to work as antibiotics, antioxidants, antiproliferatives (slowing cell growth), and more. These properties make yarrow a supplement of interest for almost everything from multiple sclerosis to cancer.”

Following that introduction, the site lists specific uses, including wounds, skin inflamation, menstrual paint, IBS (irritual bowel syndrome), and ailments for which its use has been studied. Check the site for site effects and precautions.

It can be purchased over the Internet (Caring Sunshine  and others) in addition to herbal shops.

My go-to reference is The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies, however I also like to check the Mayo Clinic and Web MD sites for additional information. You can also find sites/posts by herbalists that focus on one herb or ailment.

–Malcolm

Malcolm writes novels about conjure including “Conjure Woman’s Cat”  set in the Florida Panhandle.

Good Plants: American Water Plantain

On By Malcolm R. CampbellIn herbs, writing
USDA Photo

“A tall, spindly, many-branched aquatic with small white (rarely pink) flowers in whorls. In this typical emergent aquatic, the lower part is often submerged, while the upper part is exposed. Leaves formed underwater are ribbon-like and soon rot; they are seldom seen on adult plants. The bulb-like base of several species of Alisma was dried and eaten by Native Americans.

“Members of the Water-Plantain Family grow in water, in swamps, on muddy banks, or occasionally in wet sand. Each plant has long-petioled leaves in a clump with a flowering stem rising among them. The flowers have 3 green sepals, 3 white or pink-tinged petals, 6 or more stamens, and several pistils. Stamens and pistils may be in separate flowers.” – Lady Bird Johnson Wild Flower Center

According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, “With their whorl of oval leaves with thick, ridged stems, water plantains look like gigantic versions of the plantains that commonly appear unwanted in yards. Water plantains are water-edge plants that bear large, elaborately branching stalks of tiny, white, three-petaled flowers.”

Edible Wild Food drawing

The plant, which grows fron one to thee feet,  can be found from Minnesota to Massachusetts and from there, south to Florida and Texas in ponds, seeps, marshes and other slow-moving water in full sunlight. Its broad leaves float on the water’s surface but are also found submerged; are more like ribbon when they form under water. The leaves and peitoles are toxic raw, but are considered edible after boiling. (Do not eat them or use as medicine without consuling a doctor or herbalist first.)

The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies says water plantains have been used as a diuretic, help with bladder infections, applied directly to wounds to control bleeding and as a food helps lower cholesterol. Note: causes skin  and/or digestive tract irritation in some people.

Eat healthy after you’re sure of a plant.

–Malcolm

Good Plants: Black-Eyed Susan

On By Malcolm R. CampbellIn herbs, writing

Black-eyed Susan is a member of the Aster/Sunflower Family and is found throughout eastern and central North America. It is also called brown-eyed Susan, hairy coneflower, gloriosa daisy brown Betty, yellow ox-eye daisy coneflower, poor-land daisy, and golden Jerusalem. The prefers full sun and moist to moderately dry soil.” –The Lost Book Of Herbal Remedies

Both an annual  (usually) and  a perennial the plant is 3-foot tall by 1.5 foot wide with alternate, coarse-haired leaves, branching stems off a single tap root, reproduces by seeds, and displays flowers in the fall with a brown/black center and yellow petals. It is toxic to cats, and probably some farm animals (cattle, sheep, pigs). The seeds are poisonous.

Wikipedia classifies the plant as follows:

Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Rudbeckia
Species:
R. hirta

Its primary use is in parks and home gardens.

It has medical uses–taken under a doctor’s consultation, including, (according to Practical Self Reliance) “snakebites, earaches, and get rid of parasitic worms. It has a long history of treating colds and the flu, but fewer people turn to this popular wildflower for anything other than filling a glass vase over the last century.”

Poison Control warns that “it should not be eaten. It can cause allergic skin reactions and asthma attacks in people sensitive to the plant.” Consult a doctor or herbalist before experimenting with slack-eyed susans. This information is provided for historical usage.

–Malcolm