Page 254 - Lost Book Remedies

The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies

Salal, Gaultheria shallon

Salal is also known as Oregon wintergreen, and is in
the Ericaceae (Heath) Family. Commonly found in the
Pacific Northwest of North America, it likes a warm,
moist climate. It holds great medicinal value, but is
known mostly for its use in floral arrangements. I love
snacking on the berries as I wander through the woods.

Identification: Salal grows between 2 to 10 feet
(0.6m to 3 m) tall and has dark green leathery leaves
that are thick, shiny, and waxy on top.

This evergreen shrub produces white, rose, or pink
clusters of small flowers that look like urn-shaped
bells. The flowers are slightly sticky and hairy. They Salal Flowers, by Walter Siegmund, CC by SA 3.0
give way to berries that are red, purple, or dark blue in Skin Treatments, Abrasions, Burns, and
color and covered in tiny hairs. The plant grows in lush Wounds: For skin treatment, make a poultice with
thickets, preferring sunny areas with moisture and powdered leaves or wash the skin with an infusion
good drainage.
made from crushed leaves. Allow the infusion to dry on
Edible Use: The berries are sweetest in the fall, after the skin or leave the poultice in place for 20 minutes or
the first frost, but are edible throughout the summer more, as needed.
and fall. They are quite tart, similar to cranberries or Chronic Skin Problems: Eating a handful of
blueberries but with a mild flavor. Berries are eaten Salal berries daily is helpful for chronic skin problems.
fresh but can also be cooked. The flavor can vary from The berries increase blood circulation to the skin and
plant to plant, so if you don’t like them, try the next help the skin to heal.
plant over. Lemon juice seems to brighten the flavor
greatly. The berries can be dried for future use. Anti-diarrhea, Gas Pain, Colic, Digestive
Ailments: For digestive ailments, try Salal Leaf Tea.
Medicinal Use: Both the berry and the leaf are use-
ful for medicine. The leaves are astringent in nature. The tea is safe for children and can be given as needed
or 2 to 3 hours after a meal for gastric distress. Give the
Strengthens the Immune System: Salal has an tea frequently to treat diarrhea, until symptoms are
astringent effect that helps treat infections of all kinds. gone.
It is also a strong anti-inflammatory and contains tan- Dry Cough: An infusion of Salal Leaf Tea treats a
nic acid and many vitamins and anti-oxidants. It can
raspy, dry cough in children and adults.

Respiratory Problems: Salal Leaf Tea is a good
choice for respiratory problems, including tuberculosis
and colic

Heartburn: Heartburn can be relieved by chewing
the leaves or by taking Salal Leaf Tea as need to relieve
symptoms.

Obesity and Appetite Suppressant: Chewing
the young leaves acts as an appetite suppressant and
helps aid weight loss.

Bladder Inflammation: Salal leaves help reduce
inflammation and relieve infections in the urinary
Salal Berries, by Darren Giles [CC BY-SA 3.0 ]
strengthen the immune function and speed healing.
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