Page 203 - Lost Book Remedies

The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies

Warning: Do not use Solomon’s Seal if you are preg- is more beneficial for treating bronchial problems and
nant or breast feeding. Solomon’s seal can cause prob- digestive problems. For other issues a hot tea works
lems for diabetics, reducing blood sugar levels and in- well. Ingredients: 1 1/2 teaspoon Solomon’s Seal root,
terfering with blood sugar control. Do not use Solo- chopped fine, 3 cups cold water. In the evening, place
mon’s seal just before surgery. It can interfere with 1 ½ teaspoons of Solomon’s seal root into a 24-ounce
blood sugar control during and after the surgery. Do bottle or a quart (liter) jar. Add 3 cups of cold water to
not eat large quantities of the fruit; they are poisonous. the jar or bottle and cap tightly. Allow the tea to steep
overnight at room temperature. The next day, sip the
Recipes: A little goes a long way with this herb and tea throughout the day, drinking the entire bottle by
too much can be irritating. early evening. You can drink the tea cold or warm it

Solomon’s Seal Cold Infused Tea: The cold in- gently as desired.
fusion retains more of the mucilaginous properties and

Spanish Moss,

Tillandsia usneoides

Spanish moss is in the Bromeliaceae (Bromeliad) Fam-
ily. It is not actually a moss. It is a tropical and sub-
tropical epiphyte. It is found in humid savannas,
swamps, and lowlands. It likes sun and partial-shade.

Identification: Spanish moss is the beard-like sil-
very-grey string-like that hangs from trees all over the
south-eastern United States. Do not confuse it with the
Usnea lichen. The stems are 20 to 25 feet (7.6m) long
and thread-like with 1 to 3 inch (2.5 cm to 7.5 cm) long
leaves. Plants are covered by small scales, which ab- Lowering Cholesterol: Spanish moss contains
sorb water from the air. It has no roots and absorbs its substances (like HMG/3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric
nutrients from the air, rain, and sun. The plant does acid) that lower blood cholesterol.
flower, but rarely. Their flowers have three yellow pet- Balances Female Hormones, Labor: Spanish
als and three sepals. moss helps ease labor and promotes the production of
Medicinal Use: It is mostly used as a leaf tea. It also breast milk. It is known to act as an estrogen supple-
works as a good makeshift menstrual pad or diaper. ment.
Diabetes: Spanish Moss is useful for diabetes treat-
ment by lowering blood glucose levels. It is beneficial,
but not always strong enough to treat diabetes alone.
It is used in combination with other herbs such as bot-
tle gourd, prickly pear, red mulberry, and American
ginseng. Spanish moss alone helps lower the blood
sugar, while these other herbs also help increase the
production of insulin. Spanish Moss Tea is especially
helpful for diabetics who have problems with acidosis
and ketosis.

Arthritis and Hemorrhoids: Spanish Moss Tea
is beneficial in the treatment of arthritis (rheumatism).
It has anti-inflammatory benefits that help relieve joint
inflammation and pain and is commonly used exter-
nally to treat hemorrhoids.

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