Page 71 - Lost Book Remedies

The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies

them for later medicinal use. Often, they grow in lawns dandelion if you are allergic to plants from the same
or parks that have been sprayed so be careful where family, or similar plants such as ragweed, chrysanthe-
you harvest them. mum, marigold, yarrow, or daisy. Do not take dande-
lion if you are pregnant and consult your doctor if
For roots, I prefer the roots of plants that are 2-years
old or older. The roots are larger and more medicinally nursing.
potent. Grab the plant at the base and pull the entire Consult your doctor before taking if you are taking pre-
plant up. The root is a deep taproot and will require scription medicines. Some people have reported der-
some force. matitis as a result of touching the plant or using the
sap. Do not use dandelion if you are allergic.
You can also dig around the plant at a modest distance
to help remove the entire root. As many gardeners Recipes: Dandelion Tea. Ingredients: 1/2 to 2
know, leaving just a bit of the root will allow the plant teaspoons of roasted dandelion root, in small pieces
to regrow. and 1 cup of boiling water. Pour boiling water over
So, if you want more dandelions simply leave part of roasted or dried dandelion root and allow it to steep for
the root intact. Plants dug in the autumn have more 20 minutes. Strain the tea and drink.
medicinal properties and higher levels of inulin. Do not add sweeteners, as they reduce the herb’s effec-
tiveness. Milk may be used to taste, if desired.
Warning: Dandelion is generally considered safe,
although some people may be allergic to it. Do not take Drink 3 cups per day for general medicinal use.

Dill, The seeds are small, up to 1/5 of an inch (0.625 cm)
long with a ridged surface.
Anethum graveolens Edible Use: Dill is widely enjoyed as an herb, espe-

Dill is a familiar aromatic herb cultivated in herb gar- cially with fish and in pickles. The leaves, seeds, and
dens across the country. It is in the Apiaceae /Umbel- stems are edible.
liferae (Celery/Carrot) Family. Medicinal Use. Colic: Colicky babies respond well

Identification: Dill grows to 30 inches (75 cm) tall to a dill infusion. The dill soothes the stomach and
with a slender, hollow, and erect stem and feathery calms the baby. This is a popular colic remedy because
leaves. Leaves are finely divided and delicate in ap- it is easily attained, effective, and known to be safe for
pearance, and are 4 to 8 inches (10 cm to 20 cm) long. children.
They are similar to fennel in appearance. Digestive Issues, Irritable Bowel Syn-
Numerous tiny yellow or white flowers appear on um- drome, Menstrual Cramps, and Muscle
brellas that are 3/4 to 3 1/2 inches (1.875 cm to 8.75 Spasms: Dill Leaf Infusion relieves cramping and
cm) in diameter as soon as the weather turns hot. muscle spasms including those in the digestive tract. It
relieves the symptoms of painful spasms without treat-
ing the underlying cause. Use it to give immediate re-
lief while looking for the cause of the problem. A Dill
Seed Infusion or Dill Tincture may also be used.

Stimulates Milk Flow: Dill Infusion helps nurs-
ing mothers increase their milk flow. It has a beneficial
calming effect on both mother and child.

Halitosis: Temporary bad breath is easily solved by
chewing on dill leaves or seeds, but the problem can be
completely alleviated by chewing the seeds daily. Over
the long term the seeds attack the causes of the prob-
lem causing a permanent solution.

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