Page 168 - Lost Book Remedies

The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies

as young leaves contain small amounts of pyrrolizidine
alkaloids, which are hepatotoxic.

Allergies: Butterbur leaf is very effective for aller-
gies, including hay fever, reducing histamine and leu-
kotriene release. It has been shown to be as effective as
many prescription allergy medications without caus-
ing drowsiness.

Bronchial Spasms, Chronic Coughs, and
Spasmodic Airways and Asthma: Butterbur
leaf is useful against asthma and restricted bronchial
passages. It reduces the sensitivity and the frequency
of attacks. As an antispasmodic, it reduces spasms of
the bronchial tract while also relieving inflammation,
and is excellent for any chronic cough like those caused Petasites frigidus by Stan Shebs, Own work, CC-BY-SA-2.5
by emphysema or bronchitis.
Inflammation and Muscle Sprains: The plant
Migraine Head- is a strong anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic. Ex-
aches: The herb re- ternally a root poultice can be used to treat inflamma-
laxes vasoconstriction tion and pain due to a muscle sprain or strain.
and relieves inflamma- Harvesting: Harvest roots in spring. Harvest the
tion that can trigger mi- leaves and stems throughout the summer once they are
graine headaches. Like fully grown. Young leaves contain small amounts of
feverfew, it is best taken pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are hepatotoxic.
daily as a preventative
rather than as a rescue Warning: Avoid using butterbur if you have liver
treatment, though it problems. Do not use if you are pregnant or breastfeed-
works as a cure as well. I ing, or for children under age 7. Adverse reactions can
often pair it with Fever- include GI symptoms, nausea, flatulence, and gassy
few in tincture form. stomach. Allergies are possible.
Taken daily, butterbur
leaf reduces the incidents of migraines.

California Buckwheat,

Eriogonum fasciculatum

California Buckwheat is in the Polygonaceae (Buck-
wheat) Family. It is a wild buckwheat species and is
commonly known as eastern Mojave buckwheat. This
shrub is a native to the Southwestern United States
and Northwestern Mexico. It grows on dry slopes, can-
yons, and washes in scrubland and coastal areas.

Identification: Eriogonum fasciculatum is varied
in appearance. Sometimes it is a compact bramble and
sometimes it is a spreading bush approaching 6 feet California Buckwheat, Stan Shebs, CC by SA 3.0
(1.8m) in height and 10 feet (3.0m) wide. It has nu-
merous flexible slim branches. Its leaves and are 1 1/2 to 2 inches (3.75 cm to 5 cm)
long and less than 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) wide. Leaves grow

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