Page 255 - Lost Book Remedies

The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies

tract, particularly the bladder. In most cases, Salal Leaf first frost, but can be eaten throughout the fall. Pick the
Tea taken several times a day will solve the problem. entire stem of berries and place in a basket. Remove
the berries by pinching them off the stem instead of
Reduces Inflammation and Promotes pulling. The berries can be crushed and dried for future
Health: The flavonoids and anti-oxidants in salal use. Gather healthy green leaves from spring to sum-
berries are anti-inflammatory and help boost the im- mer. Cut the stems and bundle them together with a
mune system. They promote health and help prevent rubber band or string and hang to dry in a cool, dark
disease. Eat the berries and drink Salal Leaf Tea for op- place. When the leaves are dry and crumbly, remove
timal health. them from the stems and store them in a sealed glass

Relieves Insect Stings and Bites: For reducing jar for future use. They will remain medicinally active
the pain and inflammation of insect bites make the for several years if stored properly.
powdered leaves into a paste and apply it directly to the Warning: The leaves are considered safe, but should
affected area. This is a good remedy when Plantain not be consumed in excess.
(Plantago spp.) isn’t available.
Recipes. Salal Leaf Tea. Ingredients: 5 to 6
Reduces the Effects of Aging: Salal berries are dry leaves or 1 Tablespoon crushed leaves, 1 cup boiling
filled with vitamins and antioxidants that reduce free water. Pour the boiling water over the dry leaves and
radical damage and the effects of aging. steep for 20 minutes. Strain out the leaves and drink as
Harvesting: Berries are best gathered in the fall needed.
when they turn deep blue. They are sweetest after the

Sassafras,

Sassafras albidum

Some believe sassafras to be a cure-all, others value the
tree for its flavor and calming aroma. Sassafras is a de-
ciduous tree native to North America. It is famous for
its aroma and brilliant displays of color in autumn,
when the leaves turn yellow, orange, deep red, and
even purple before they fall. Sassafras has many uses
including traditional root beer. The wood is used to re-
pel insects much like cedar is used. It is in the Laura-
ceae (Laurel) Family.

Identification: Most parts of the sassafras tree will
give off a faint citrus smell when crushed. However, if Edible Use: Nearly every part of the tree is useful for
you pull a sassafras shrub up by the root, you will get a food or medicine. The powdered leaves of the tree are
whiff of old-fashioned root beer. Sassafras can be iden- used as a thickener and flavoring. The flavor is both
tified by its unique leaf characteristics. Each leaf can earthy and spicy, and is similar to coriander seed. The
have anywhere from a single lobe up to five lobes, all most famous use of sassafras root is in traditional root
occurring on the same tree. The most recognized shape beer recipes. However, the use of sassafras root was
of a sassafras leaf is the two or three-lobed leaves that banned in 1960 by the Food and Drug Administration
look like a mitten. Sassafras blooms in early spring, after studies found safrole, the chemical component of
with groups of little yellow flowers that grow 1-2 inches sassafras root, to be a possible carcinogen and linked
(5 cm) long. In the fall, sassafras yields small berry- safrole use to higher rates of cancer and liver damage
sized blue drupe fruit, with a fleshy outside and a small with extended use. It is considered safe for short-term
seed inside. The fruit is a favorite snack of deer and use only with proper dosage.
other wildlife.

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