Page 182 - Lost Book Remedies

The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies

Goldenseal Extract: 1/2 cup Goldenseal root, liquid in the pot. Allow the mixture to cool to room
ground into a powder, 2 cups of distilled water. Non- temperature, then strain out the root. Store the mix-
reactive pot: stainless steel or enamel. Bring the water ture in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or divide into
to a boil and add the goldenseal powder. Reduce the small portions and store in the freezer for longer peri-
heat to a low simmer. Simmer the mixture until the wa- ods.
ter is reduced by one quarter, leaving 1 1/2 cups of

has no flowers and produces no seeds. It reproduces
Horsetail, entirely by spores.

Equisetum arvense Edible Use: The early spring fertile shoots (tan in
color) of both Giant Horsetail (Equisetum telmateia)
Horsetail is often considered a weed, one that is partic- and Common Horsetail can be peeled and eaten raw.
ularly hard to exterminate. I rejoice at the sight of this The green infertile shoots are cooked and eaten like as-
herb. It grows easily and spreads in almost any soil. It paragus. They are bitter, especially as they age. Do not
spreads by spores rather than seeds. Its high silica con- eat them raw. Changing the water three to four times
tent makes its scouring ability useful to gently clean during cooking helps relieve the bitter flavor. The roots
your teeth or wash your dishes. I have used it for both. can be eaten raw, but they are difficult to collect in
quantity, so they usually are eaten only in a starvation
situation.

Medicinal Use: The green vegetative stalks of
Horsetail are extremely high in silica, which benefits
joints and connective tissue. It is a gentle diuretic, as-
tringent, and styptic.
Bleeding and Healing Wounds: The plant’s
styptic properties make it useful in healing wounds and
stopping bleeding. Collect the barren stems or tops and
apply directly to the wound. It is also useful to treat ex-
cessive menstruation when taken as a supplement.

Promotes Healthy Bones, Hair, and Teeth:
Because it contains high amounts of silica, it promotes
strong hair, teeth, and bones and increases bone den-
sity in people with osteoporosis when used consist-
ently. It can also be made into a strengthening condi-
tioning wash for the hair. A tooth powder of Horsetail
helps with cavities and enamel repair.
Kidney Problems and Edema: Horsetail is a di-
uretic, helping to rid the body of excess fluids and salts.
It is useful for treating related kidney problems and
edemas but it is not for long-term use. It promotes the
Identification: Also known as snake grass, puzzle elimination of uric acid, preventing or reducing the
grass, bottlebrush, and mare’s tale, common horsetail formation of kidney stones.
is an unusual looking plant. The leaves are not true
leaves and do not conduct photosynthesis. They are ar- Alleviates Signs of Aging: The silica in horsetail
ranged in whorls fused into nodal sheaths. Photosyn- stimulates the production of collagen, which is im-
thesis happens in the hollow green stems. The stems portant in the skin aging process. It helps prevent fine
are jointed and have 3 to 40 ridges. There may be lines and wrinkles and promotes healthy hair. It can be
whorls of branches at the nodes. This perennial plant used internally, externally as a toner, or added to a top-
ical cream or salve.
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