Page 179 - Lost Book Remedies

The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies

immediately, and the relief lasts for a few hours. Young during pregnancy. False
patients can sip the tea, but no more than 3 cups Unicorn Root is a car-
should be taken daily. diac toxin in large doses.
Harvesting: Dig up the roots in the autumn as the Recipes. False Uni-
plant is dying back and after the seeds have been re- corn Root Tea. 1 to 2
leased. This is important because the plant is being teaspoons of shredded
over-harvested and is facing extinction. Only take what root, 1 cup water. Put
you need. Clean and dry the root for future use. Store the root in the water and
it in a cool, dry place for up to three years. Grind the bring to a boil. Reduce
root when ready to use. the heat and simmer
gently for 10 to 15
Warning: Take only the recommended dosages; an
excess can cause vomiting and nausea. Avoid taking it minutes. Drink the tea
three times daily.

Fireweed, Identification: The plant is often found in full sun

Chamaenerion or Cha- on disturbed land, after a forest fire, or on recently
cleared land. Fireweed grows to 8 feet (2.4m) tall and
merion angustifolium; produces gorgeous purple or pink flowers on spikes.
Each flower has four petals like its evening primrose
(Epilobium angustifo- relatives. The long, alternate, lance-shaped leaves are
green with a silvery underside and a central vein. The
lium) purple fruits are long and narrow, opening to release
seeds attached to feathery white tufts that carry them
Fireweed got its name because it is most often the first on the wind. Fireweed also spreads underground,
plant to return after a fire. Its underground runners are forming large patches that are connected by under-
able to withstand the fire and quickly bounce back. ground roots.
Also known as Willow Herb. It is in the Onagraceae Edible Use: Firewood shoots are edible and nutri-
(Evening Primrose) Family.
tious eaten raw or cooked. Harvest them in the spring
while young and tender or peel the fibrous skin off
older shoots. Young leaves can be eaten like spinach
and the flowers and fruits can be eaten raw and used
as a carbohydrate extender.
Medicinal Use: Fireweed is anti-inflammatory and
very astringent. It has antifungal properties and helps
build a healthy gut.
Digestive Tract, Colitis, Irritable Bowel
Syndrome, Candida, Leaky Gut: Fireweed
Leaf Tea helps build a healthy intestinal tract. It en-
courages healthy bacteria colonies while preventing
and correcting the overgrowth of fungus and Candida.
With a healthy intestinal tract comes better food ab-
sorption and better digestion. The herb has a mild lax-
ative effect, keeping food moving easily through the
system and improving muscle tone in the gut. Its anti-
spasmodic properties treat intestinal spasms and
Fireweed, by kallerna [CC BY-SA 3.0]

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