Page 106 - Lost Book Remedies

The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies

and cover it to keep it warm. Let the tea steep for 10 to Place fresh or dried lovage in a glass jar and cover with
15 minutes to absorb the medicinal qualities. Strain it, vodka. Seal the jar tightly and place it in a cool dark
and drink warm several times daily. place to brew. Allow the tincture to steep for 4 to 6
weeks, shaking the jar daily. Strain. Label and store it
Lovage Tincture: 1½ cups of chopped lovage root in a cool, dark place for up to 5 years.
and leaves, 1 pint (500 ml) 80 proof vodka or brandy.

treating diarrhea and other digestive problems such as
Lungwort (Common) stomach pain, bloating, and indigestion.

Plant, Diuretic and Detoxify: Lungwort is a mild diu-
retic, and thus helps bloating and relieving the body of
Pulmonaria officinalis excess fluids. This is also beneficial for helping remove
toxins from the body.
Common Lungwort is a beautiful little plant that grows
as a groundcover in partial shade on the forest floor, General Tonic for Health and Anti-Aging:
reaching about a foot in height. It has several different Lungwort is rich in antioxidants and other compounds
names, including Bethlehem Sage, Jerusalem Cowslip, that are beneficial for health, slow down the aging pro-
and Pulmonaire. Native to Europe it is easy to cultivate
in the garden. It is in the Borage Family. It is different
than Lungwort Lichen, also in this book. The leaves
look slightly like a diseased lung, giving it the name
lungwort and indicating its use in treating lung dis-
eases.
Identification: The bright green leaves come to a
point at one end. The leaf top is hairy and rough and
leaves are covered with whitish or gray spots. Small
bunches of flowers appear in spring. Each flower has 5
pinkish-blue or purple petals. Seeds ripen in late May
or June.
Edible Use: The leaves of lungwort are edible both
raw and cooked. They have a mucilaginous and hairy
texture that makes them less appealing when un-
cooked.
Medicinal Use: Bronchitis, Asthma,
Whooping Cough: Lungwort is effective in treat- Lungwort with flowers, TeunSpaans, CC by SA 3.0
ing breathing problems such as chronic bronchitis, cess, and protect the body from free radical damage. It
asthma, and whopping cough. The leaves are soothing is also an excellent astringent.
and expectorant. Their mucilaginous properties make
them useful in treating sore throats. Lungwort relieves Wounds, Cuts, Hemorrhoids, and Skin
bronchial inflammations of the airways and helps the Diseases: Lungwort helps the skin heal from cuts
body expel mucus. I like tea made from the leaves and and wounds and contributes to skin health. Apply it di-
flowers for this purpose. A recipe for Lungwort Tea is rectly to the skin as a wash, compress, or poultice as
below. Alternatively, grind the dried flowers and leaves needed for various skin conditions including burns, ec-
into a powder to use in capsule form or use a Lungwort zema, rashes, boils and ulcers, and to reduce and heal
Tincture. hemorrhoids. It is anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial,
and astringent.
Diarrhea and Digestive Complaints: The mu-
cilaginous properties make the leaves effective in Urinary Tract Infections, Cystitis, Kidney
Problems: Because of its diuretic properties and
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