Page 167 - Lost Book Remedies

The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies

Identification: A single smooth stalk, 1 to 3 feet uterine contractions that are regular and productive,
(0.3m to encouraging a quick and easy birth. It also has a calm-
0.9m) tall, ing effect, helping the mother relax between contrac-
grows from tions and reducing pain.
the rhizome, Menstrual Problems: Blue cohosh root is used
and contains for menstrual problems, including delayed menstrua-
a single tion, cramping, and profuse hemorrhage.
three-lobed
leaf and a Harvesting: Harvest blue cohosh root in late au-
fruiting tumn, when it stores its strength. You can also harvest
stalk. Its leaf- the rhizomes in the spring, just as the new growth be-
lets are ser- gins, if needed. Dry and store the roots for future use.
rated at the
Blue Cohosh, by Carol, CC by SA 3.0 tip and the Warning: Do not use during pregnancy. Do not use
leaves turn a bluish-green hue when mature. It has for estrogen-sensitive diseases such as endometriosis,
deep blue fruits. fibroids, and certain cancers. Blue cohosh can elevate
blood pressure so careful using for heart patients and
Medicinal Use. Childbirth: The root has oxyto- people with high blood pressure. Excessive dosage can
cic properties that promote childbirth. Do not take cause nausea, vomiting, and a lack of muscle coordina-
during pregnancy until 1 to 2 weeks before the due date tion.
and only under a doctor’s care. It causes powerful

flowering stalk
Butterbur, directly from an
Arctic Sweet Coltsfoot, underground
The
rhizome.
Petasites frigidus basal leaves are
palmately
di-
Butterbur, or Sweet Coltsfoot, is a plant that grows in vided and their
moist areas throughout the Northern Hemisphere. underside is
The name butterbur reportedly came about because “wooly” with
the leaves were used to wrap butter for keeping. It is white hairs.
also called bog rhubarb. It is in the Aster/Daisy Family. Edible Use:
Note that Arrowleaf coltsfoot (P. frigidus var. sagitta- The flowers,
tus) has the same medicinal properties as butterbur; it flower stalks,
has arrow-shaped leaves. and leaf stalks

Butterbur or Sweet Coltsfoot is not the same plant as are edible
Tussilago farfara, known commonly as coltsfoot and cooked in lim-
also in this book, though they are closely related. ited amounts.
The ash (after
Identification: Butterbur or sweet coltsfoot flowers burning the
appear in February and March, before the larger basal aerial part) is a Petasites frigidus by Walter Siegmund
leaves that arrive in late spring. The flowers have a good salt sub- (talk), Own work, CC-BY-SA-3.0
sweet scent, and are often the first flowers seen in the stitute.
new year in the cold wetlands in the North. A cluster of
white to purple-pink flower heads appears on the tip of Medicinal Use: The roots, mature leaves, and
a fleshy stalk, which is covered with sheathed leaves. stems are all used medicinally. It is antispasmodic,
anti-inflammatory, a vasodilator, and mucilaginous. I
The flowers give way to silver-white seed heads and its use it as a tea or a tincture. Only collect mature leaves,
large basal, rhubarb-like leaves arise near the

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