Page 59 - Lost Book Remedies

The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies

cool. Drink one cup of the infusion at night before go- Place the chopped fresh herbs or dried plant into a pint
ing to bed. It induces sleepiness. (500ml) jar with a tight-fitting lid, filling the jar 3/4
full. Cover the herbs with alcohol, filling the jar. Store
California Poppy Tincture: 1-pint (500 ml) of the jar in a cool, dark place such as a cupboard. Shake
80 proof vodka or other alcohol, or substitute apple- the jar daily for 4 to 6 weeks. Strain the herbs out of the
cider vinegar, dried or fresh California poppy plant.
liquid, cover it tightly and use within seven years.

Carolina Geranium, The tea is often consumed with milk and cinnamon to
improve the flavor.
Geranium carolinianum Medicinal Use: The astringent tannic root is the

part most often used medicinally, though leaves are
Geranium carolinianum, known as Carolina Gera- also used.
nium, Carolina Cranesbill, Crane’s Bill Geranium, and
Wild Geranium, is native across the US, Canada, and
Mexico.
This plant is often found in areas with poor soil, clay,
and limestone. I often see it near roadsides, abandoned
fields, and farmland.
Identification: The Carolina geranium is a winter
annual or biennial herb. It is low-growing, usually un-
der 12 inches tall. It has earned the name cranesbill be-
cause of the beak-like appearance of the fruit. Its pal-
mate leaves have 5 to 7 toothed lobes, with each lobe
divided again.
Leaves are 1 to 2.5 inches (2.5 cm to 6 cm) wide, gray-
ish-green and covered in fine hair. Each leaf usually
has five segments, edged with deep teeth. Its pinkish- Stops Bleeding, Dries out Tissue: The entire
red stems grow erect and are covered in hairs. plant is astringent and high in tannins, which causes

White, pink, or lavender flowers appear in small clus- the contraction of tissues and helps stop bleeding. Use
ters on stalks growing off the main stems in April the root or leaves as a poultice on moist wounds and
through July. Each flower has five sepals and five for drying out tissues.
notched petals. As a styptic (to stop bleeding), clean the root or leaves
One-half inch long fruits, with a longer style, ripen in and apply to the wound. Hold the compress tightly for
the fall. Ripe seeds are covered in pits/depressions. a few minutes until bleeding stops, and then bind the
poultice with gauze or a clean cloth.
The plant has a taproot system that grows close to the
surface. The plant is excellent for use in skin salves to promote
skin healing.
Edible Use: Carolina Geranium is edible raw,
cooked, or as a tea. The roots are best boiled for 10 Diarrhea and Stomach Upset: Tea made from
minutes to soften. The cooking water can be used as a the root is ideal for treating stomach upsets and diar-
tea to relieve stomach upsets. rhea.
The leaves are astringent and have a strong bitter fla- Canker Sores: Wash the canker sore with Carolina
vor caused by their high tannin level. Using them Geranium Tea or cover it with a root poultice. The as-
young helps relieve some of the bitterness, or change tringent root is drying and reduces canker sores
the water out once when you cook them. quickly.

58