Page 219 - Lost Book Remedies

The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies

Seed cones are about 1 1/2 inch- to 3 inches-long (3.75 balsam needles to water and use it in a sweat bath or
cm to 7.5 cm) and dark purple, turning brown and sauna. The essential oils in the needles will sweeten the
opening to release the seeds when mature. The seeds air and loosen phlegm from the lungs, easing breath-
are winged and release in September. ing.

Gonorrhea: Balsam Fir Pitch Tea is useful for cur-
ing the sexually transmitted disease Gonorrhea.
Anti-Cancer Agent: Balsam fir essential oil has
many anti-cancer and anti-tumor properties. The oil
stops the growth of cancer cells, prevents cancer from
spreading, and kills existing tumor cells. The oil also
has anti-inflammatory properties, which calm the in-
flammation in the nearby skin. Common dosage is to
take one to two drops of distilled balsam fir essential
oil in a tablespoon of organic olive oil or add one to two
drops to a cup of balsam fir tea. Take two to three times
daily. Start with one drop, then increase it to two when
you are sure you are not allergic. Balsam fir essential
Balsam Fir Seed Cones with Resin, Cephas - Own work, CC by SA 3.0 oil can be used along with conventional cancer treat-
ments.
Medicinal Use: The leaves and twigs can be used to
make medicinal teas, tinctures, and extracts, and the Painful Muscles and Body Aches: Balsam fir
pitch is used as it is or to make a medicinal tea. It has essential oil is an excellent pain killer for muscle and
antibiotic, analgesic, and anti-cancer properties. The body aches. Put a small amount of the diluted essential
distilled essential oil and extracted oil are also valuable oil (always dilute essential oils in a carrier oil) onto the
medicines. The distilled essential oil is strongest, but achy area and massage it into the skin.
extracted oil can be used if distillation equipment is not Harvesting. To Harvest Balsam Fir Pitch:
available. The pitch is found in blisters on the tree bark. Simply
Healing and Infections: Cuts, Sores, open the blisters with a knife, cutting gently into the
Wounds, and Abrasions. Balsam fir pitch or blister. If the blister is forcefully popped, the pitch can
resin is easy to use as is as on cuts, sores, and wounds spray out. The pitch is clear, runny, and sticky. In cold
of all kinds. Cover the affected area with the pitch. It weather, it is thick and almost gel-like in texture. I col-
forms a protective cover, helps prevent and heal infec- lect the pitch into a small glass jar with a tight lid.
tion, and helps wounds heal quickly. It has antiseptic To Harvest Balsam Fir Leaves: The young
and healing properties. For large cuts, use the sticki- leaves and shoots are best for making teas and
ness to “glue” the edges of the wound together to help
it heal once it is clean. Infused oil can also be applied
for infection.
Chapped Lips and Cold Sores: In winter, smear
a little balsam fir pitch on your lips to prevent chap-
ping. If your lips are chapped, or if you have a cold sore,
the pitch helps the area to heal quickly.

Bronchitis, Coughs, and Sore Throats: For
bronchial and chest congestion, coughs, tuberculosis,
and sore throats, use either Balsam Fir Tincture or Bal-
sam Fir Pitch Tea. If using tea, sip as needed to calm
sore throat pain, coughs, and bronchial spasms. An-
other treatment for bronchial congestion is to add

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