Page 192 - Lost Book Remedies

The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies

Epilepsy, Convulsions, and Nervine: The
sedative effects of mugwort help ease epilepsy and con-
vulsions. It has antispasmodic properties than can
control seizures in some epileptics.
It helps decrease the severity of the seizures and in-
creases the time between attacks. Tea or tincture of the
leaf seems to work best.

Burns, Itching, Rashes, Poison Ivy/Oak,
Fungal Infections: Mugwort is soothing on the
skin and helps relieve the pain and itching from poison
ivy, skin rashes, burns, and other skin irritations. It re-
duces scarring and helps the skin heal faster.
Grind the fresh leaves and stems into a fine paste using
a mortar and pestle. Apply the paste directly to the af-
fected skin or wound. You may also use a leaf tea or
infused flower oil as a topical antifungal and for relief
from itching.

Insomnia, Fatigue, and Good Dreams: Mug-
wort regulates sleep, treating the sources of fatigue and
insomnia. The sedative effects help the body to relax,
but still allows the user to remain alert when needed.
To improve sleep, try taking Mugwort as a tincture or
tea, or add it to a long bath soak before bedtime. Hang- Harvesting: Harvest leaves, stems, and flowers
ing Mugwort by the bed is said to promote good vivid when in flower (end of summer) and dry them for later
dreams. use. Dig roots in the autumn.
Antibacterial Properties: Mugwort leaf tincture Warning: The plant may be toxic when used in large
inhibits the growth of numerous bacteria, including doses. Do not use if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus, Bacillus spp, Skin dermatitis is sometimes seen. Do not use the plant
E. coli, Pseudomonas, and others. Acetone extractions if you are allergic or if you develop a skin rash.
seem to work the best.

Apiaceae/Umbelliferae (Carrot/Parsley) Family and
Osha, Ligusticum porteri smells strongly like celery.

This species of osha grows in the Rocky Mountains and
the southwestern United States, as well as parts of
Mexico.

The Asian variety is also extremely medicinal as is the
Western North American species. L. porteri is also
called Colorado cough root, bear medicine, bear root,
Indian root, Indian parsley lovage, Porter's wild lov-
age, loveroot, Porter's lovage, Porter's licorice-root,
Porter's ligusticum, mountain ginseng, mountain car-
rot, wild parsley, wild lovage, chuchupate, and em-
press of the dark forest. It is hard to domesticate. It
likes high altitude meadows. Osha is in the

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