Elderberry - The Wise Crone

Note: This article first appeared in The Future of Health Now in 2013

Elderberry - named for the wise Elder mother spirit said to inhabit this tree - has enjoyed a rise in popularity recently. However, she has been the backbone of herbal healing in Europe since ancient times. Revered by Druids, utilized by herbalists, and given a healthy respect even by the animals, Elderberry is one plant you'll want to get to know personally.

First off, a fair bit of caution must be exercised in harvesting and consuming Elder, garnering that well-deserved respect: The leaves, bark, wood, and seeds all contain a poisonous alkaloid that may turn into cyanide. Only the berries and flowers are edible, but the leaves may be crushed and spread around the garden for a natural insecticide. When using elderberry, make sure to remove stems and twigs, strain out the seeds, and to heat the berries before consumption to avoid possible tummy aches. Don't let this scare you off, though! With these cautions, it's easy to take advantage of the benefits of this special tree!

The flowers, a common flavouring agent for soft drinks in parts of Europe, not only taste divine, but have a wonderful healing use. Elder flower tincture and tea is said to drop "frighteningly high fevers without fail" (Susan S. Weed: Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year). I have found this to be true. For children, it's recommended that the base of this tincture be made of apple cider vinegar instead of alcohol. I find a tea works just as well, especially when paired with douglas fir. Dosages may vary, so it is important to consult a qualified healthcare practitioner such as an herbalist or naturopathic doctor before stocking the tincture in your cupboard. And, although fevers have an important role in the healing process, always seek medical attention if the fever lasts more than 23days, or reaches 40C or higher (see references below for further information).

Mashed in oil and applied topically, elder flowers provide quick and luxurious relief to the breasts during the challenging first few weeks of breastfeeding, or during bouts of mastitis. This oil may also be applied to sensitive areas such as the perineum prior to and after giving birth. The tea is a miracle worker for mastitis, and should be enjoyed frequently by the patient. One can quickly see how the Elder tree earned the role of guardian and healer of mothers!

The abundant fruits are not to be outdone. Elderberry has long been used to fortify the body at the onset of colds, but certain compounds in the berry actually prevent the 'Flu virus from entering body cells! In fact, Elderberry is effective against at least eight known strains of influenza, and greatly increases recovery time. 90% of patients in clinical trials of Sambucol (a patented syrup made from Elderberry) fully recovered from Influenza within three days!

It is easy enough to make your own syrup at home. Simply combine equal parts berries and sugar (ex: 1 cup to 1 cup) and a small splash of lemon juice in a pot. Mash with a potato masher or fork (all the berries should break open, releasing the juice), and simmer for 5-10 minutes. Strain well. You may can the syrup for stable shelf storage, or keep a jar in the back of your fridge for up to 6 weeks. If desired, you may also use honey, coconut sugar, or stevia as a sweetener.

I like to keep the dried berries on hand for tea, which is an excellent way to utilize this healer. This way, you can gain the benefit of the berries without the sugar in syrups, which harm the immune system.

The flowers are a wonderful addition to fermented beverages such as water kefir or kombucha, or even to flavour plain water. 

There are 20-30 types of Elderberry throughout North America, although three are best known: Black, Blue, and Red. Blue Elderberry is known for its superior taste, while Black Elderberry is best known in remedies. The Red Elder has been marred by a persistent rumour of toxicity, but rest assured, Red Elder is perfectly safe, and was enjoyed as a staple food source by Indigenous peoples from Boston Bar to Oregon.Be sure not to mistake these for Hercules' Club or Water Hemlock, both of which can be fatal.

Enjoy, and happy wildcrafting!

*Please always consult a healthcare professional of your choosing if you are on medication or have a health condition before beginning any herbal regime*

References:

- www.fraserhealth.ca/your_health/health-topics/fever_in_children/fever_in_children

- Prescription for Herbal Healing: 2nd Edition – Phyllis A. Balch, CNC

- Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year - Susan S. Weed

Mullein: An Herbal Panacae

Note: This article first appeared in The Future of Health Now in 2013

    Mullein is a roadside weed most notable for its stature. 6-8ft stalks adorned with yellow flowers dot the summer landscape along roadsides and mountains. Although it may be mistaken for foxglove, a poisonous flower, mullein is actually related to spinach. Sometimes called Torchflower (when in bloom, it looks like a torch, and it was also reportedly used in the making of torches before the use of electricity), mullein has a wide variety of uses.

    Besides its height, the first thing you'll notice about mullein is the bounty soft, hairy leaves. If ever you find yourself hiking in uncomfortable shoes, mullein leaves make excellent insoles which soothe and comfort the feet. The leaves also contain saponins and mucilage, which work synergistically to expel phlegm from the lungs as well as soothe and heal damaged tissue. Mullein is so effective in healing the lungs, in fact, that is is approved for use in German medicine. For this reason, mullein is a smoker's best friend, and is valuable for any lung disorder: bronchitis, whooping cough, sore throat, asthma, pneumonia, and the 'flu among them. This marvelous plant also has a similar, soothing effect on the whole digestive system and is therefore useful to help diarrhea and hemorrhoids. To use, make an infusion of the tea and strain well - the tiny hairs may irritate the throat.

    The flowers are used in healing a number of ills, including ear aches and infections, as well as minor wounds and burns. This is due to the mucilage and astringent tannins which constrict, soothe, and heal damaged tissue. To use, air dry as many flowers as you can collect (you may also use the leaf if you can confidently strain it well). Pack them into a small jar and cover with olive oil, tapping the bottom to release air bubbles. Allow to sit, covered, for at least two weeks. In a pinch, the fresh flowers may be mashed with olive oil and strained. A couple drops of the oil may then be placed in the ears, or smoothed over scrapes or mild burns.

    Mullein root may be used as a tea or tincture to treat urinary incontinence, as it tones and strengthens the bladder. This is especially useful for women after childbirth still facing incontinence despite physical therapy. It also has the same lung-healing properties as the leaf, only stronger. The root has also been reported to help with spinal injuries, though more study is needed.

    While it may be tempting to utilize the seeds as a food source due to their overwhelming abundance, note that mullein seeds are toxic. Instead, if Mullein is not an invasive in your area, collect the stalks in the autumn when the seeds begin to fall and hang them out for the birds in winter, much as you might do with sunflowers. The birds enjoy hanging on to the soft stems and having a welcome meal. Or, shake the seeds into a bucket and mix with clay powder and soil, forming little balls. You now have "seed bombs" which may be tossed along roadsides or bare patches of land.
I like to harvest the whole plant (leaves and root) when it is a small rosette, chop into pieces, and cover with water in the pressure cooker. Then I do a high pressure for 4 minutes, quick release, and let the brew cool. One cool, I pour into ice cube trays, freeze, and transfer to a bag kept in the freezer. These cubes can be added to tea or melted any time someone in the house is struck with a lung infection or cough.

*Please always consult a healthcare professional of your choosing if you are on medication or have a health condition before beginning any herbal regime*

Resources:
- Prescription for Herbal Healing: 2nd Edition - Phyllis A. Balch, CNC
- The New Age Herbalist - Richard Mabey

Horsetail - A Window into Ancient History

Note: This article first appeared in The Future of Health Now in 2013

A shadow of prehistoric times, horsetail is not like the other weeds you'll find out and about. With its hard, sectioned body and long, leg-like appendages, horsetail resembles an insect more than its namesake. Paleozoic-era horsetail grew as tall as trees, and there have even been varieties of horsetail found in Australia as tall as houses! However, old farmers and countrymen wisely collected this herb in the springtime, for its rare mix of essential minerals and unique healing properties are a blessing to have on hand.

Common Horsetail is best known for its high silica content, which creates the plant's hard, sectioned body as it ages. Silica is a vital component of calcium absorption and utilization, and horsetail is therefore invaluable for the repair of damaged lungs, broken bones, damaged teeth, and weak hair or nails. Silica is vital for tissue repair, so it is helpful after any injury, bronchitis, emphysema, or arthritic damage. Drinking an infusion of horsetail daily will reduce nail ridges and prevent white spots. Horsetail may also be applied directly to wounds in the form of a compress or poultice. For arthritic pain, add horsetail infusion (4 tbsp boiled in 1L water) to baths and soak for at least 30 minutes.

As horsetail is a diuretic with many trace minerals, it is also used in the treatment of various kidney and urinary issues, including damage caused by kidney and bladder stones, but only the young plants. Horsetail has also been used as a remedy for bedwetting in children, although due to its high selenium content, and possible trace amounts of alkaloids such as nicotine, care should be taken when used by children under twelve or in anyone with a heart condition. Horsetail should be avoided while pregnant, nursing, or in children under two. Horsetail also contains an enzyme which may deplete the body of thiamine (B1) which is neutralized by heat, so be sure to always bring large amounts horsetail to a boil, or else be sure to receive extra B vitamins via diet or supplementation.

Besides its medicinal uses, horsetail is also a valuable food source. In the spring, the young shoots resemble asparagus and may be prepared in dishes just like the popular vegetable. As it matures and the silica inside crystallizes, making the plant rather hard, horsetail is wonderful for cleaning pots, polishing metal, or even smoothing out wood, used much like sandpaper (think wooden spoons or bowls). Horsetail grows along ditches and in rich, wet soil, so this is a wonderful and readily available tool for campers washing pots and pans in creeks.

If you have any health conditions or are on any medication, be sure to consult a medical professional before taking horsetail, or starting any herbal regime.

Bone/Tooth Repair Tea

Fill a pot with 3 cups of water and add:
1 tsp horsetail
3 tsp nettle
4 pine needles

Allow the brew to come to a boil and sit for a few hours, preferably overnight. Sip during the day. May be sweetened as desired.

*Please always consult a healthcare professional of your choosing if you are on medication or have a health condition before beginning any herbal regime*

Resources:
- Prescription for Herbal Healing: 2nd Edition - Phyllis A. Balch, CNC
- The New Age Herbalist - Richard Mabey
- Wise Woman Herbal: Healing Wise - Susan S. Weed
- http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/horsetail

Stinging Nettle - Mother Nature's Multivitamin

Note: This article first appeared in The Future of Health Now in 2013

"Nettles are so well known that they need no description. They may be found, by feeling, in the darkest night." - Culpeper (1561)

Have you ever gone hiking in shorts and brushed through a patch of stinging nettles? You know it right away. You feel as if you've been attacked by a swarm of bees! Your legs swell with scores of burning, aching red dots that last for hours. What could these lanced devils possibly be good for?

A lot, as it turns out. Stinging nettle has experienced a revive in both the natural health and childbearing communities, and this is no surprise. It is easy to prepare and delicious to consume, with a myriad of health benefits.

That painful sting has been used by many arthritis sufferers for generations, though not everyone is convinced. Some have found that thrashing affected joints with the nettles will provide relief for the entire nettle season. Nettles increase the body's production of T Cells, which help to control allergic reactions and it is anti-inflammatory. An infusion helps excretion of uric acid, giving further relief to gout and arthritic pain.

Stinging nettle is particularly popular in the pregnant/breastfeeding community due to its high content of calcium, iron, vitamin C, and chlorophyll. One cup of blanched nettle contains 43% of your RDV (recommended daily value) of calcium, 24% fibre, and 8% iron! For these reasons it can be used to help anemia and is considered a crucial supplement for the development of the fetus. Nettle may also ease nightly leg cramps/spasms, afterbirth pain, and aid muscle recovery for its high vitamin and mineral content. It is also a great source of vitamin K, which can help prevent hemorrhage during and after childbirth. After pregnancy, it is still consumed for its nutrition and galactogogue benefits. Anyone healing their teeth or bones will do well to add stinging nettle to their daily meals or drinks.

As many gardeners will tell you, an infusion of stinging nettle also makes a beautifying rinse to strengthen hair and give a healthy shine. It has been used as a face wash as well.

Nettle grows where the soil is rich, and is said to be a good indicator of high-quality land. Find it in shady areas with moist soil along roadsides, farmland, and ditches.

Steam nettles with a bit of salt, or use to replace spinach in most recipes. It also brews a delicious tea and a mineral-rich soup. Although saliva will neutralize the sting, it is not recommended to eat nettles raw in great quantities as it may irritate the kidneys. This doesn't stop some, however, from adding it to smoothies.

Next time you run into a patch of stinging nettle, don't be surprised if your expletives of pain are followed by cheers! Harvest with care, using gloves and scissors, harvest responsibly and ethically, and enjoy nature's multivitamin!

*Please always consult a healthcare professional of your choosing if you are on medication or have a health condition before beginning any herbal regime*


Resources:
Prescription for Herbal Healing - Phyllis A. Balch
Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year - Susan S. Weed
Wise Woman Herbal Healing Wise - Susan S. Weed
The New Age Herbalist - Richard Mabey

http://caloriecount.about.com/calories-stinging-nettles-i295055

Rasperry Leaf - Friend to All

Note: This article first appeared in The Future of Health Now in 2013

Raspberries on display at roadside fruit stands have long been a harbinger for summer and hot weather. Their slightly tart and unique flavour are favourites in jams, cold drinks, and desserts. However, our focus is not on the fruit of this marvelous plant. Often ignored, the leaf of raspberry has a long medicinal history that is slowly reviving today.

When you mention red raspberry leaf, or "RRL," most people immediately think of pregnancy. After all, it was once consumed as an infusion every day of pregnancy in traditional societies. This is because the chemical Fragrine has a toning effect on smooth muscles, including the uterus. It simultaneously strengthens and relaxes the uterine muscles, allowing for more efficient contractions during labour but also for an easing of menstrual cramps. It is said to prevent miscarriage, enrich breastmilk, and prevent hemorrhage. For optimal benefits, drink regularly. A myth once persisted that advised RRL should be avoided in pregnancy, but this has since shown to be false.

Because of raspberry leaf's healing benefit to smooth muscles, the digestive system may also benefit from its consumption, both for constipation and diarrhoea. Tannins in RRL tea also provide ease to digestive cramps. The tea was used to treat nausea. Medicinally, RRL can also be used in treating urinary tract infections, kidney infections, and even be used as an eyewash due to its gentle, antibacterial nature.

RRL is also rich in nutrients, such as calcium, vitamin C, vitamin E, phosphorus and potassium. For these reasons, those with high blood pressure or dental decay would do well to add this green to their diet as a tea or in smoothies.

If this isn't enough good news, consider that raspberries and their cousins (thimbleberry, salmonberry, who share the same goodness) grow wild all throughout North America, on roadsides and along fields. They sprout fresh greens throughout most of the year, so young and tender leaves are almost always available, even if the berries are not.

Add to salads, green smoothies, make a warm or iced tea, or even wrap around the berries or a banana for a snack! For tea, mix 1tsp for every cup, and allow to steep at least 15 minutes.

*Please always consult a healthcare professional of your choosing if you are on medication or have a health condition before beginning any herbal regime*

Resources:
 - Prescription for Herbal Healing by Phyllis A. Balch, CNC
 - Healing Secrets of the Native Americans by Porter Shimer
 - Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year by Susan S. Weed

Dandelion - A Whole Food

Note: This article first appeared in The Future of Health Now in 2013

Dandelions have been the bane of Gardeners and landscapers for decades, but did you know that these persistent plants are an important food source and medicine?

Just one cup of chopped dandelion leaves provides your RDV (recommended daily value) of vitamin A, over 30% of vitamin C, and over 500% of vitamin K, which is important for blood clotting and bone health. Dandelion leaves are high in iron, folate, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Among "Wild Foodists," it is said that one could live on dandelions alone for six months and be in peak health. Picked before flowering, the leaves are less bitter, but they may be sweetened with honey or paired with lemon juice in salads. As you enjoy these beauties more often, your palate will change. Add a handful to fruit smoothies for an added energy boost to your morning.

The root of the common dandelion stimulates production of bile, making this a wonderful, gentle option for detoxification and liver health. For this reason, however, it is important to communicate with your health care provider if you suffer from gallstones. Roasted dandelion root has been used as a coffee substitute by woodsmen and campers for years, while it was roasted like carrots or added to soups and stews in wartime. I like to eat them raw, or mix them with chicory root , avens root, and chaga for a sublime latte-like tea.

The tender flowers are a very high source of lethicin, the B vitamin which breaks up fatty deposits in the liver. Dandelion flowers are sweet, chewy, "taste like sunshine," and can be eaten as a snack along hikes or walks. This is especially fun for children!

Dandelion has been used to treat a variety of ailments due to its rich nutrient profile and bile-stimulating properties. Included in this are: bladder infections and PMS (due to the diuretic properties and potassium), anemia (iron/potassium), constipation and IBS (due to the increase of bile), and even osteoporosis.

The next time you are tempted to curse your dandelion-speckled lawn, go out with a basket instead and enjoy your wild abundance! Remember to always avoid areas sprayed with herbicides, and always positively identify all plants before eating.

Happy foraging!

*Please always consult a healthcare professional of your choosing if you are on medication or have a health condition before beginning any herbal regime*

Comfrey - Knit-bone

Note: This article first appeared in The Future of Health Now in 2013

Comfrey is a large-leafed, hairy weed often seed in ditches and areas with rich, wet soil. The leaves are an enchanting blue-green, with dainty purple or white flowers. Though often overlooked as an invasive weed by gardeners and landscapers, comfrey is one of those miraculous herbs that seem to be a "gift from the heavens." Not only does this beautiful, wild plant have a wide variety of practical and medicinal uses, it also grows prolifically.

The common name "knit-bone" gives an obvious clue to one important use for this herb. Comfrey reliably speeds cell regeneration and growth due to its content of allantoin, and has been used for centuries to help heal broken bones, bruises, sprains. Comfrey is also used as treatment for pain and inflammation, both of which commonly accompany injuries. For these reasons, it is considered practical to keep a few leaves in the freezer at all times.

Comfrey is not limited to acquired injuries, however. It is also used as a healing cream or wash for a variety of skin conditions, such as eczema, acne, psoriasis, varicose veins, and varicose ulcers. Be aware that allantoin may irritate sensitive skin, though this is more likely if the hairy, raw leaves come in direct contact with skin, such as during harvest. It can also be used for cuts and scrapes, but avoid use on deep wounds which may be susceptible to infection and require the guidance of a healthcare professional.

Although comfrey contains compounds which are linked to liver damage and liver cancer when ingested, comfrey leaf is often enjoyed in salads. The root should never be consumed, and you should avoid eating comfrey if you have any liver damage or are taking medications. Topical application is still safe. In many parts of Europe, comfrey leaf is still used to successfully treat gastric ulcers and colitis. It is also considered to be high in protein (35% to be exact), and vitamins A and B12.

For a quick poultice, mash the whole leaf and apply to fresh bruises and injuries.

To make a compress, boil 2-4 leaves in 4 cups of water. Allow to steep, and do not remove the leaves. When the water is just hot enough to stand comfortably, either soak the affected area or apply cloths soaked in the infusion, reapplying as they cool. Do this for 15-20 minutes, 3-4 times a day for best results.

To make a healing oil, fill a small jar with dried comfrey, and then fill the jar to the top with cold-pressed olive oil. Most other liquid oils will work, too. Allow to soak for 3-4 weeks. Strain, and apply externally where needed. May also be combined with dried chamomile leaves to create an excellent diaper rash cream.

To make a perineal and C-section healer post-partum, dry the whole root in slices and then blend or crush to a fine powder. Mix with equal parts slippery elm bark powder. Mix 1/8tsp of the herbs with 1tbsp water daily to make a soothing and healing "goo" that can be applied to perineal tears and stitches to put out the fire and speed healing.

*Please always consult a healthcare professional of your choosing if you are on medication or have a health condition before beginning any herbal regime*

Resources:
- Prescription for Herbal Healing: 2nd Edition - Phyllis A. Balch, CNC
- The New Age Herbalist - Richard Mabey

Lance-Leaf Plantain - The Miracle Weed

*Note* This article first appeared in The Future of Health Now in 2013. It took on viral status before FOHN shut down, and has been plagiarized, copied, and changed by other authors. This is the original.

You’ve stepped on it, ignored it, and tried to eradicate it from your lawn. However, this innocuous little weed is one of the most useful medicines on the planet, just begging to be harvested.

There are two major types of plantain  in BC, Canada: Lance-leaf (Plantago lanceolata) and Broad-leaf (Plantago major). Generally, all 200-plus varieties of plantain yield the same results. It grows especially well in poor, rocky soil (such as driveways) and is often seen alongside dandelion. More often than not, you will see plantain growing in gravel pits and construction sites as nature seeks to regenerate the soil. Introduced to North America in the 1600s, it was once called “White Man’s Foot” by the Native Americans who witnessed that where the Europeans tread and disrupted the soil, plantain sprung up.

Plantain has often been the go-to remedy for hikers plagued by mosquitos. Because it draws toxins from the body with its astringent nature, plantain may be crushed (or chewed) and placed as a poultice directly over the site of bee stings, spider and bug bites, acne, slivers, glass splinters, or rashes.  Bandage the area and allow the plantain to work its magic for 4-12 hours. The crushed leaves can also be used alongside comfrey leaf and douglas-fir needles for infected wounds - the plantain draws out infection while the comfrey speeds healing and douglas fir provides antiseptic properties (be sure no plant matter actually enters the wound by either squeezing the juice on the bandage, or layering gauze between the crushed leaves and the wound). This is especially useful if you are stranded without medical care, and may be used alongside other wound care programs if you inform or consult your healthcare professional. Plantain may also be used to create a balm for emergency kits, or an infusion used as a skin or general wash. It is also a notable, soothing remedy for hemorrhoids.

Plantain is renowned for its healing effect on the digestive system. This is especially useful for anyone who has been damaged by antibiotics, anti-inflammatory or pain medications, food allergies, or Celiac disease. Both leaves and seeds specifically target the digestive system for healing. The leaves may be steeped as tea, added to soups, or dried with a sauce similar to kale chips. For digestive repair, the plant appears to work best raw dried or raw, not heated above 105F, and can be added to almost any food (try avocado pudding for kids). The seeds – a type of psyllium – can be ground or soaked for bulk mucilage or absorbable fibre, which, consumed before meals, may help with weight loss.

Because plantain is a gentle expectorant and high in silica, an infusion can be helpful for lung problems, coughs, and colds.

Plantain is almost a panacea for the human body, treating everything from all menstrual difficulties, all digestive issues, to nearly all skin complaints, and even arthritis. Add to salads, chew to ease thirst, or enjoy in stir fries. This versatile wild vegetable will keep you in good health for years to come!

*Please always consult a healthcare professional of your choosing if you are on medication or have a health condition before beginning any herbal regime*

Resources:

- Prescription for Herbal Healing: 2nd Edition – Phyllis A. Balch, CNC

- Hygieia: A Woman’s Herbal – Jeannine Parvati

- Healing Secrets of the Native Americans – Porter Shimer

- The New Age Herbalist – Richard Mabey