Past "Medicinal Plants of the Week" - Part 2

CANCER BUSH

Common names: Cancer bush (Sutherlandia Frutescens). Origin: native to Western and Northern Cape, Botswana and Namibia.


Widely distributed, drought tolerant small attractive bush with bright red flowers and small papery seed pods.


The cancer bush is an old Cape remedy for stomach problems and internal cancers. It is said to be a useful bitter tonic and a good general medicine. According to tradition, the virtues of the plant extend to include remedies for colds, influenza, chicken-pox, diabetes, varicose veins, piles, inflammation, liver problems, backache and rheumatism. The medicinal use probably originated with the Khoi and Nama people, who used decoctions externally to wash wounds and internally for fevers and a variety of other ailments.


This plant is one of the most talked about in the ethnobotanical world because it has a strong reputation as a cure for cancer and now increasingly as an immune booster in the treatment of HIV/AIDS. It is known to decrease anxiety and irritability and to elevate the mood. Cancer patients, as well as TB and AIDS patients, lose weight and tend to waste away. Sutherlandia dramatically improves the appetite and wasted patients start to gain weight. It is also known to improve energy levels and gives an enhanced sense of well-being. It is hoped that treatment with sutherlandia will delay the progression of HIV into AIDS, and even remission of the disease is hoped for.


Plant wisdom: Helps you release and cope with internal and external stress. Invigorates and strengthens the system.

YARROW

 

Common names: Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) aka ~ wound wort, nosebleed. Origin: native to Europe and Western Asia.

Loves hot and dry conditions, light sandy soil, but will also do well in compost.


An ancient and revered herb that was used to staunch wounds ~ Achilles reputedly used yarrow leaves to heal the warriors during the battle of Troy. Robes were embroidered with yarrow sprigs and leaves were pressed into books to keep them insect free.


This truly wonderful herb actually stops bleeding. It also increases sweating and is a mild diuretic and an anti-inflammatory herb. Yarrow is probably one of the very best fever breaking herbs. It is wonderful to have growing in your garden to put on cuts and scrapes. Stops nose bleeds (used to be called nosebleed), heals ear aches. A cup of yarrow tea daily reduces high blood pressure, regulates menstrual flow. It’s an age old remedy for chicken pox and measles.


A handful of leaves in your compost heap will help to break down and ferment even the toughest materials in a matter of weeks. It is also a great insect repellent and is marginally effective in expelling worms. It is safe to use on animals... to stop bleeding (internally and externally), helps with circulation and is a unique vascular tonic. Its anti-inflammatory qualities make the herb useful for treating arthritis and navicular syndrome in horses. Great to treat early kidney infection.


Plant wisdom: Yarrow helps you to create the future of your dreams. It will give you courage to change, help increase your psychic power and also helps to release negative energy. Yarrow incense fills your home with love, happiness, and ease.

OAK

 
Common names: Oak (Quercus robur). Origin: native to Europe and North America.
The mighty oak needs no introduction, it is perhaps the mightiest tree… tall and majestic, it covers most of England’s forests. Oaks were very sacred to the Druids. Symbolically the Oak tree is often used to represent the tree of life. Trees live long and will often last for eight hundred years or more.


The bark is widely used in medicinal preparations to ease chronic diarrhoea and dysentery. A tea made from two tablespoons of bark in a quart of water boiled down to a pint will relieve a chronic sore throat and will help bleeding gums when applied regularly. A fallen branch which has been struck by lightening is said to be particularly powerful and will protect your home from lightening, assure abundance, enhance fertility and repel sickness and disease. Placing an acorn in your pocket will protect you from harm… plus it may serve as a reminder that within the little seed you carry the mighty oaks’ spirit resides.


Plant wisdom: The Oak helps to show you how to manifest your magnificence :)

CHAMOMILE

 
Common names: Chamomile (Matricaria recutita or Camomilla recutita). Origin: native to Europe and North America.


Chamomile is a member of the daisy family and is perennial with feathery, parsley-like leaves and a fibrous root. It grown up to 10 inches high and can form a wonderful ground cover if left to spread.


A tea made from its flowers tastes a little like apple or pineapple. Camomile is used as a mild sedative and tonic. It can be used to ease depression and help you relax when you’re under stress. It is said to calm the digestive system, settle nervous indigestion and gastritis, and relieve headaches, menstrual pain, and disorders of the kidney, liver, and bladder. It may also be used to treat hay fever, insomnia, stomach cramps, vomiting, spastic pain, arthritis, and appetite loss, as well as to relieve teething pain and colic in babies. It is also highly antiseptic and can be used to reduce abscesses and wounds.


Washing your hands in Chamomile tea attracts abundance… add some flowers to your bath water to purify your body… it also clears skin… helps aching legs and feet. A hair rinse will lighten your hair. A skin wash will help oily problem skin. It is also wonderful for the compost heap and will help to break down the compost. With rosemary is makes a great spray for mildew, aphids and white fly.


Plant wisdom: Brings calmness, ease, and abundance to you life. Relieves stress and increases confidence.

“What a doctor or healer tells you is a reflection of the beliefs and expectations you hold. Change your beliefs and you change the prognosis. Who is the doctor… but the mind of the patient.” ~ Alan Cohen

NASTURTIUM

Common names: Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus). Origin: native to Peru but cultivated all over the world. Nasturtium is a cheerful annual that springs up after the rains have come in a profusion of colours ~ orange, yellow and red flowers.


Nasturtiums engender spiritual strength and purity. Both flowers and leaves are edible and have medicinal uses. The flowers can be used to treat wounds and clear up infections. The leaves and flowers can be brewed into a tea and used to quiet a cough and break up congestion. The leaves also can be used to stop the itching of insect bites. Add the flowers and leaves to salads for a little colour and magic. In the 17th century it was used to treat scrofula, which is the tubercular infection of the lymph nodes. Ground seeds have purgative properties and were used to treat worms in both children and animals. At the first sign of a sore throat chew on a few leaves (its rich in Vitamin C) and is a natural antibiotic.


If you plant them in your garden, they will help you find and stay on a spiritual path. Use the leaves in a cleansing bath ~ toss in a handful of dried or fresh leaves to boiling water allow to steep, then add the mixture to your bath water.
Nasturtium flowers will help you invite the magic and power of spirit into your life. Simply allow yourself to connect with their essence by opening your heart and your mind.
Plant wisdom: Makes you pure of heart.

CALENDULA

 
Common names: Calendula (Calendula Officinalis). Origin: Eurasia
A bright and cheerful winter annual that no garden should be without! Plant in full sun and richly composted soil. Sow seeds from late summer onwards.


Primarily used as a skin healer to soothe and encourage new growth. It is also an excellent mouth wash for gum problems. A tea infusion may also be sipped to soothe indigestion or as a liver tonic (a quarter cup of dried flowers to one cup of boiling water). Great treatment for tired, saw eyes and helps to reduce cataracts. Rub a flower on a bee or wasp sting to reduce the swelling. Also makes a great hair rinse to encourage shiny hair. A cream can be made up from the flowers and used to treat haemorrhoids, cracked lips, sore nipples, chilblains, varicose veins, sunburn, burns, redness, rashes etc.


If you plant them in your garden they will protect your property and attract positive energy into your home. Place dried flowers in closets to dispel negative energy. Add a few handfuls of flowers to your bath water to sooth chapped winter skin or problem skin (rashes, redness, dry patches, etc). An excellent companion plant with basil, cabbages, celery, potatoes and radishes. Keeps the chickens and cows healthy ~ giving their eggs and milk a beautiful golden hue.


Plant wisdom: Helps you use your dreams to connect with the wisdom of the ages.