Page 126 - Lost Book Remedies

The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies

for treating nervous conditions including: hyperactiv- Harvesting: Pick Pulsatilla flowering stalks and
ity, senile dementia, panic, and schizophrenia. leaves when the plant is in full bloom, usually in the
early spring near Easter.
Eye and Ear Problems: Pulsatilla possesses
many properties that are beneficial to the eyes and Warning: Pulsatilla should never be used internally
ears. The tea is useful in treating cataracts, conjuncti- for pregnant women.
vitis, glaucoma, and tics. The tea is also used to treat
earaches, hearing loss and inflammations of the ear. Given in large doses, Pulsatilla can be harmful and may
cause coma, seizures, asphyxiation, and death. It can
Heart Health: Pulsatilla is beneficial to the heart in also cause a slowing of the heart rate. Wear gloves
numerous ways. It is used to cure thickening of the when harvesting Pulsatilla flower heads. Use only the
heart muscle and clear venous congestion. It relieves dried flower heads and dried leaves in herbal prepara-
inflammation in the circulatory system and helps re- tions. The fresh herb is an irritant.
store normal function. However, it should not be used
for people with slow heart rates (bradycardia). Recipes. Pulsatilla and Echinacea Tea: 1/2
teaspoon dried Pulsatilla flowers, 1 teaspoon dried
Drug Withdrawal: Pulsatilla is useful to help with Echinacea root and leaves and 1 cup boiling water.
withdrawal from sedatives, hypnotic drugs, anticon- Pour the boiling water over the herbs and allow them
vulsants, and muscle relaxants. Be careful to give only to steep for 10 minutes. Strain and drink.
the prescribed dosages of Pulsatilla Infusion or tinc-
ture.

Purslane, Identification: Portulaca oleracea is a succulent

Portulaca oleracea that sprawls along the ground. It grows about 6 inches
tall (15 cm) in a wide mat. Purslane stems are smooth
and reddish or pink. The deep green thick leaves grow
Purslane is another of those backyard weeds that is un- in groups at the stem joints and ends. Leaves can be
der appreciated. While it is usually considered a weed, alternate or opposite. Small yellow flowers, growing in
it is an excellent groundcover, vegetable, and medi- clusters of two or three, appear in late summer and
cine. I love to eat it in a salad. It has a salty, sour flavor open for a few hours on sunny mornings.
that adds variety with its taste and texture. It is in the
Portulacaceae (Purslane) Family and is also called Each flower has five parts and is up to 1/4 inch (0.6
common purslane, pigweed, little hogweed, verdolaga, cm) wide. Seeds form in tiny pods that open when the
or red root. seeds are mature. The plant has a deep taproot and fi-
brous secondary roots. These help it survive poor soils
and periods of drought. It prefers a sunny spot with dry
soil.

Edible Use: Purslane has a sour, salty flavor and can
be a little bitter when leaves are mature. Purslane
leaves, stems, and flowers are edible raw, cooked, and
pickled. When cooked like spinach, it can be a bit
slimy.
Cooked purslane does not shrink as much as most
greens, so a small patch can provide vegetables for an
entire family. The leaves can be pickled to provide
purslane during the winter months. Seeds can be col-
lected and ground into a flour.

Purslane by JeffSKleinman, CC SA 4.0

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