Page 208 - Lost Book Remedies

The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies

Nausea, Indigestion, and Food Poisoning: Warning: Wild
Wild ginger is effective in settling the stomach and ginger is consid-
calming nausea. Wild ginger tea helps empty the stom- ered safe in small
ach, preventing or reducing indigestion. It helps allevi- doses, but it does
ate the pain and discomfort caused by indigestion and contain aris-
bloating. Do not use if pregnant as it stimulates the tolochic acid, a
uterus. toxin that can
cause kidney prob-
Diabetes, High Blood Sugar and Choles- lems or even be fa-
terol: Wild ginger tea can help regulate blood sugar tal in extremely
levels in diabetics and lower cholesterol and triglycer- high doses. Use
ide levels, especially the “bad” LDL cholesterols. wild ginger in me-
Menstrual Cramping: Wild ginger reduces mus- dicinal doses as a
cle cramping, relaxing the muscles and relieving in- tea and avoid eat-
flammation and pain. It also helps to bring on menses. ing large amounts.
Wild ginger stimu-
Wounds and Skin Infections: Wild ginger root lates the men-
helps prevent external infections. Wild Ginger with flower, Walter Siegmund
strual cycle and [CC BY-SA 3.0]
Chop or grate the root and apply as a poultice directly can cause miscarriages in high doses. It has been used
on the affected skin or make a strong tea to use as a as a contraceptive and should be used with caution.
wash or compress. Recipes. Wild Ginger Root Tea: You’ll need: 1
Harvesting: Wild ginger leaves can cause an allergic teaspoon chopped or grated ginger root,1 cup boiling
reaction or skin irritation in some people, so use gloves water, and raw honey, if desired for sweetness. Pour
when harvesting the plant. I prefer to gather roots in boiling water directly over the grated ginger root and
the spring, but they can be dug at any time. Use them allow it to steep for 5 to 10 minutes. Strain the tea and
fresh or dry them for future use. enjoy. To use the tea as a compress or wash, use 1 ta-
blespoon of grated or chopped ginger root and allow it
Leaves for tea can be harvested throughout the spring to steep until cold
and summer.

Wild Strawberries, Edible Use: I usually eat wild strawberries raw,
however they can also be made into jams, fermented
Fragaria vesca into wine or liqueur, or dried.

Medicinal Use: The berries, leaves, and roots are
Wild strawberries, also called alpine strawberry,
mountain strawberry, pineapple strawberry, and all used medicinally. The leaves are astringent.
woodland strawberry, are mostly known for their deli-
cious fruit. They are in the Rose Family.
Identification: Wild strawberries have light green
leaves arranged in groups of three. The leaves are ob-
long and toothed. The plant spreads by runners that
take root and produce a new plant. Wild strawberries
bloom in April and May.
The small white flowers have five white petals and a
yellow center. The berries usually mature in June to
July.

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