Page 175 - Lost Book Remedies

The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies

The top of the leaf is smooth, while the underside is Eczema, Sores, and Skin Inflammations:
covered with white downy hairs. Leaves at the top of The flowers, prepared as a poultice, are helpful applied
the plant are green, while those closer to the ground directly onto skin inflammations, sores, and eczema.
are white or grayish in color. These basal leaves are 2
to 10 inches (5 cm to 25 cm) long and serrated on the Warning: Coltsfoot leaves contain small amounts of
edges. The single bright yellow flowers are a little over toxic compounds, which are destroyed by cooking. Eat
a half inch (1.25 cm) across and look like dandelion. Its raw leaves sparingly and boil, drain, and rinse leaves
small white root spreads underground. when using as a vegetable.

Edible Use: Coltsfoot flowers and leaves are edible.
They are good in salads (in small amounts only). Young
leaves are also used in soups or stews. To use the leaves
as a vegetable, wash them after boiling to get rid of the
bitterness. Dried or fresh leaves and flowers can be
used to make an aromatic tea.

Medicinal Use: Both the leaves and flowers have
medicinal value, although the flowers have the highest Coltsfoot Leaves, Bogdan, CC by SA 3.0
concentrations of medicinal compounds. People rarely
use the roots, but they have medicinal properties as
well. This plant has anti-inflammatory and anti-tussive
properties, due to it containing mucilage and tannins.

Asthma, Whooping Cough, Laryngitis,
Coughs, Emphysema, and Bronchial Con- Recipes. Coltsfoot Decoction. 1-ounce coltsfoot
gestion: The botanical name Tussilago means ‘cough leaves, 1-quart (1 Liter) water, raw honey, as desired.
dispeller,’ and it does the job well. Use it to relieve con- Combine the coltsfoot leaves and water over medium-
high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and boil
gestion and expel mucous. It is especially useful for
chronic coughs like emphysema and whooping cough. the decoction until the water is reduced by half. Cool
and strain the decoction to remove the leaves. Sweeten
Coltsfoot Decoction, taken throughout the day, is used
as a remedy for chronic coughs of all causes. the decoction with raw honey as desired. It can be bit-
ter, depending on the age of the leaves. Drink 1/4 cup
at a time, throughout the day or as needed to provide
relief.

cm to 35 cm) long and 2 to 8 inches (5 cm to 20 cm)
False Hellebore, wide. The leaf blade of this plant is widest near the

Indian Poke,

Veratrum viride

There are several plants that go by the name of False
Hellebore or Indian Poke. This is Veratrum viride, not
Phytolacca acinosa or other pokeweeds. It is in the Lily
Family. It is found in pastures, meadows, open woods,
damp soils, and swamps. It grows throughout most of
eastern and western North America (not mid).

Identification: False Hellebore is an erect peren-
nial herb that grows 2 to 7 feet (0.6m to 2.1meters) tall.
The leaves are broad on the lower part and spirally ar-
ranged on the stout stem. Leaves are 4 to 14 inches (10
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