Page 80 - Lost Book Remedies
P. 80
The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies
are yellow-green and pinnately divided into slightly or tincture may also be used as a treatment for tension
rounded divisions. The upper leaves are more lobed headaches.
and toothed than lower leaves. Leaves have a distinc-
tive bitter aroma and taste. Flowers bloom in summer. Fevers, Cold and Flu Pain (and Colic): Fever-
few gets its name from its traditional use treating fe-
The flowers look like small daisies with a large yellow vers. Hot Feverfew Tea helps break a fever and treats
disk and short white rays. The center disk is flat, unlike the aches and pains associated with cold and flu. It is
chamomiles, which have conical central disks. anti-inflammatory and analgesic. For colic in babies
and young children, try just a few drops of a cold infu-
sion.
Menstrual Cramps and to Regulate the
Menses: Feverfew is both a uterine stimulant and a
pain reliever and is particularly good at relieving pain-
ful menstrual cramping and in bringing on menses.
Feverfew shouldn’t be used if you are pregnant, as it
can stimulate uterine contraction and directly affect
the baby.
Harvesting: Harvest feverfew leaves and flowers
shortly after the flowers appear in early summer. Dry a
supply for future use. You can also powder the dried
leaves and encapsulate them.
Edible Use: Feverfew leaves are edible but are very
bitter.
Medicinal Use: The leaves and flowers are used
medicinally. Typical doses are 2 to 3 leaves per day,
with a proportionally reduced dose for children over
the age of three.
Migraines and Tension Headaches: Taking
feverfew regularly works well as a preventative for mi-
graine headaches, as does butterbur. It must be taken
regularly to work.
Feverfew may work in a few ways: as an anti-inflam-
matory, by inhibiting smooth muscle contraction, as
an analgesic, and by inhibiting blood platelet aggrega- Warning: Some people have an allergic reaction to
tion. It may also help via other mechanisms still being feverfew and dermatitis can also occur with skin con-
studied. tact. Chewing the leaves can cause mouth sores in
some people. If you are allergic to ragweed, marigold,
Use the flowers and leaves fresh or dried. To prevent or chrysanthemum, you may also react to feverfew.
migraines, chew 1 to 4 leaves per day, or drink 1 cup of
Feverfew Leaf Tea daily, or use a daily tincture. Do not use during pregnancy as it causes contractions.
Do not use on people who have blood coagulation
For people with migraines simply keep dried leaves or problems.
a feverfew tincture on hand with you.
Recipes. Feverfew Tea: Steep 1 heaping teaspoon
If mouth sores develop from chewing leaves regularly, of feverfew leaves and flowerheads in 1 cup of hot wa-
switch to a powdered or tinctured form. The tea, leaf, ter. Allow the infusion to cool to lukewarm, then drink
it or apply as directed.
79
