Page 110 - Lost Book Remedies

The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies

Meadow Rue,

Thalictrum occidentale

Meadow Rue, Thalictrum occidentale, is a perennial
flowering plant. The herb is in the Ranunculaceae
(Buttercup) Family. Despite its name meadow rue,
Thalictrum is unrelated to the Rue Family, Rutaceae.
Meadow rue is native to the western US, growing from
Alaska and western Canada to California, Wyoming,
and Colorado. It grows in moist and shady habitats
such as meadows and forest understory.

Identification: Meadow rue grows to about 3 feet
(0.9m) tall. The leaves of this herb are green in color, Female Flowers, photo by nordique, CC by SA 2.0
bipinnately compound and alternate. Leaves are di-
vided into segments, often with three lobes, and grow Reducing Fevers: Use a decoction from the roots
or an infusion of the leaves to suppress fevers.
on long petioles. The inflorescence is an upright or
bent panicle of flowers, with male and female flowers Cleans and Purifies the Body: Meadow rue is a
growing on separate plants. The male flower is green- general tonic that purifies the blood and cleanses the
ish white or purple, grows no petals, but instead has body.
numerous dangling purple stamens. The female flower
grows a cluster of up to 14 immature fruits with purple Sores, Skin Infections, Piles: A poultice of
styles. meadow rue can be used to heal sores and skin infec-
tions. Crush and mash the root and leaves with a small
Edible Use: The only edible parts of meadow rue are amount of water for moisture. Apply the macerated
the roots and young leaves. These roots have a bitter herb to the area and cover it with a clean cloth to hold
flavor and are rarely eaten. Instead they are used as it in position.

Kill Lice and Other Vermin: Wash the hair and
other body areas infected with lice, crabs, or other ver-
min with freshly made and warm Meadow Rue Decoc-
tion. Leave it on the skin for 30 minutes, then rinse it
well. It should totally eradicate the problem. Follow up
with a nit comb after killing lice.

Harvesting: Meadow rue can be harvested year-
round. Uproot the plant then pluck off the young leaves
and the roots. Wash the roots and the leaves and then
dry them in a well-shaded place away from direct sun-
light.
Meadow Rue Decoction: You’ll need 1-ounce
meadow rue roots and 1-pint (500ml) water. Crush or
Meadow Rue, By Walter Siegmund, CC by SA 3.0
remedies to treat different ailments. Young leaves of chop finely 1 ounce of meadow rue roots. Boil the root
meadow rue can be cooked and consumed as spinach. for 15 minutes or more to release the medicinal quali-
ties into the water. Cool the decoction and strain it to
Medicinal Use: Urinary Problems. A root de- remove the root fibers.
coction of meadow rue treats urinary problems.

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