Comfrey, Symphytum officinalis Comfrey is a large impressive plant found in damp fields, waste places, ditches and river sides. The hairy stem is two to three feet high and rough. The flowers can be yellowish, blue or purple and will be all on one side of the stem. It is commonly
known as 'Knitbone' as it is a well known vulnerary. Always have some
comfrey ointment at home if you can. The chemical allantoin is responsible
for it's famous healing properties, a substance that stimulates cell
division. It is used for all |
 |
| Use comfrey for ulceration anywhere along the gastro-intestinal tract; colitis,hiatus hernia, bleeding from the stomach, throat, bowel, bladder and lungs. Cases of complete regression of sarcoma and carcinoma have been recorded, it assists pancreas function and promotes suppuration of boils and gangrene. It will speed up the healing of broken bones and fractures by about 40%,you can make a poultice of the fresh root for cleaning out old ulcers and wounds or a compress for soothing sprains and bruises. Drink Comfrey tea for Arthritis. | |
Ground Ivy, Glechoma hederacea This plant creeps along the ground as Ivy does but this is where the affinity ends. It was formerly used to flavour and clear ales and dried as a tea, especially in Britain before the introduction of Hops from Germany in the 16th Century. It is astringent and anti catarrhal.. Use it dried as a pleasant tea for; chronic catarrh, bronchitis and also asthma. It combines well with other cough herbs like Licquorice, Elecampane, Hyssop or White Horehound. It is also extremely soothing as a fresh infusion applied topically for leg ulcers, burns and suppurating wounds. |
 |
|
|
Broom, Cytisus scoparius Use the tops, flowering and non flowering. They can be made into a tea using dried tops ar as a tincture using alcohol above 40%. |
|
Broom is cathartic and diureic, their action on the renal mucous membrane is similar to that of Buchu and Uva-Ursi. It has no cumulative action like Digitalis and can be a useful heart tonic and regulator in valvular disease. One of the constituents-Sparteine, in large doses causes vomiting and purging, weakens the heart, depresses the nerve cells and lowers the blood pressure, all similar to the action of Hemlock. Shepherds have long been aware of the narcotic properties of Broom, due to Sparteine, having noticed that sheep after eating it become at first excited and then stupefied, but the intoxicating effects soon pass off. The infusion is made from 1oz of the dried tops to a pint of boiling water, it can be taken in wineglassful doses frequently but should be avoided in acute renal inflammation. |
|
