Page 217 - Lost Book Remedies

The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies

autumn, with Hypertension, High Cholesterol, and Heart
each fruit Tonic: An American Basswood flower and leaf tinc-
bearing one ture helps lower high blood pressure. Its calming ef-
seed. fects extend to the cardiovascular system as they relax

Edible Use: the blood vessels. It also helps lower blood cholesterol
Edible parts of levels and helps regulate irregular heartbeats.
this plant in- Coughs and Throat Irritation: The flowers and
clude its flow- leaves are used to treat coughs, laryngitis, and throat
ers, leaves, irritations, though Tilia cordata, the European lit-
seeds, bark, tleleaf linden, is the tree most often used for this.
and sap.
Leaves and Conjunctivitis, Eye Infections, and Eye-
flowers can be wash: Try an infusion made from fresh American
eaten raw or Plant Image Library - Tilia americana, CC by SA 2.0 basswood leaves to clear up eye infections and con-
cooked. The leaf buds are especially delicious. The in- junctivitis. A recipe for American Basswood Infusion
ner cambium (bark) can be eaten raw or ground into a Eyewash is below.
flour. The tree can be tapped like a maple but it takes a Dysentery, Heartburn, Stomach Com-
lot more sap to make a syrup. The flowers make a nice plaints, and Diuretic: American Basswood Tinc-
tea.
ture is good for stomach ailments, heartburn, and dys-
Medicinal Use: Skin Treatments Burns. A entery. For stomach issues, use a tincture of flowers
poultice or tea made from the inner bark of American and leaves. The inner bark infusion has diuretic prop-
basswood works well for burns, sunburns, boils, and erties and promotes urination.
other skin irritations. It softens skin and relieves in- Recipes. American Basswood Infusion
flammation, infection, and itching.
Eyewash: 1 teaspoon American basswood leaves,
Sedative, Anticonvulsant, and Nerve Pain: crushed but not ground and 1 cup distilled water. Bring
American Basswood is a sedative, an antispasmodic, the water and fresh leaves to a full boil, then reduce the
and an analgesic. It helps with nerve pain, anxiety, in- heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Strain the infusion to
somnia, and seizures. A tincture made from the leaves remove all of the plant material. Allow the mixture to
and flowers effectively treats seizures and other prob- cool completely before using. Use fresh.
lems related to the nervous system.

Ash,

Fraxinus americana or

Fraxinus excelsior

The ash tree, also known as the American Ash (F.
americana), Common Ash, Weeping Ash, White Ash,
and European Ash (F. excelsior), is a tall, fast-growing
tree that can reach up to 100 feet (30m) in height. The
tree grows tall and thin when young, and it spreads and
becomes more rounded as it ages. It is in the Oleaceae
(Olive) Family.
Identification: In the early spring, before the
leaves have fully formed, the branches display clusters
of flowers, with male and female flowers on separate Copyright Andrew Curtis and licensed for reuse under this Creative Com-
mons Licence
216