Page 283 - Lost Book Remedies
P. 283
The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies
source as it grows very quickly. Be careful to harvest Jaundice and Detox: Duckweed juice is said to
from clean water. absorb toxins and help detox the blood and liver.
Headaches, Swelling, and Body Aches:
Duckweed juice treats aches and pains including head-
aches and body aches. Its anti-inflammatory proper-
ties help relieve swelling and inflammation in the mus-
cles and joints, and help with arthritis and gout. For
muscle and joint pain, make a poultice of crushed
plants and apply it to the painful area.
Harvesting: Avoid harvesting duckweed from road-
sides and polluted waters. It is known to accumulate
heavy metals and other toxins. It is fairly easy to grow
your own supply in clean water.
Medicinal Use: The entire plant is used and can be To grow duckweed, take a few plants from a clean wa-
dried or used fresh. Both water and alcohol extractions ter supply and move them into a pool or other con-
work well, as does fresh consumption or juicing.
tainer with a non-chlorinated clean water supply. They
Anti-Bacterial and Anti-Fungal: Duckweed reproduce and grow quickly. To harvest, scoop the
helps cure bacterial and yeast infections. It works for plant from the water and use it fresh or dry for later
many different bacterial infections including Staphy- use.
lococcus, Streptococcus, Bacillus, Citrobacter, and Warning: Duckweed contains high levels of calcium
Neisseria, and also against Candida with great suc- oxalate, which can contribute to the formation of kid-
cess.
ney stones.
Its flowers are at the top of these stems and are less
Watercress, than 1/5-inch-(0.5 cm) long with four white petals.
Nasturtium officinale Watercress fruits are thin, slightly curved, and meas-
ure less than 1 inch (2.5 cm) long and about 1/10 of an
inch (0.25 cm) wide. They are borne on short stalks
Watercress is an aquatic plant in the Brassica- and contain 4 rows of small, round seeds.
ceae (Mustard) Family. It is related to
mustard and horseradish. Even Edible Use: The peppery leaves and
though it bears the name Na- seeds are edible and are used mainly as
sturtium, do not confuse it a condiment or a garnish in salads.
with the garden plant with the Medicinal Use: The leaves
common name of nasturtium,
are used for arthritis, as a diu-
which is in the genus Tropaeo- retic, a purgative, an expectorant,
lum. It is a fast growing,
and have stimulant properties. It is
aquatic or semi-aquatic, per- very rich in vitamins and minerals.
ennial plant that grows in
It is an effective cleansing herb, and is
clumps. Watercress was introduced high in Vitamin C. It can be eaten fresh or taken as an
to North America from Europe and is now found in al-
most every state and province. It is especially prevalent infusion. It is best used fresh, but can also be dried for
future use.
in the Pacific Northwest.
Immune Booster: The high nutrition and medici-
Identification: Watercress leaves are compound
with 3 to 7 wavy-edged, oval leaflets that grow from a nal properties of watercress make it an excellent treat-
central stalk. The spicy leaves have a strong taste of ment for restoring immune function and health to the
pepper. Leaves are 2 to 5 inches (5 cm to 12.5 cm) long. body. Eat watercress raw, drink the juice or the
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