Page 284 - Lost Book Remedies

The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies

infusion, or cook. All provide the necessary nutrients you may uproot the entire plant. This plant wilts
and healing benefits. quickly, so it is best harvested for immediate use. It can
stay in the fridge for up to 3 days in a plastic bag or
Treating Tuberculosis: The freshly pressed juice submerged in water. Harvest watercress only from
of watercress is used to treat tuberculosis. Healers who known clean water supplies.
use it report that they have patients drink one cup of
watercress juice daily, in divided doses. Large doses
taken all at once can cause stomach upset.

Swellings of the Lymphatic Systems: Make a
poultice by crushing fresh watercress leaves to help
drain swollen glands.

Headaches and Anxiety: Use Watercress Tinc-
ture made with vinegar to treat headaches and anxiety.
Saturate a handkerchief or a piece of cotton cloth in the
tincture and wring it out. Place the cloth on your fore-
head and relax.

Mouth Sores, Swollen Gums, Bad Breath,
and Hot Flashes: Watercress Soup is used for
many mouth and gum issues as well as to cure hot Warning: Collect your watercress from clean water
flashes caused by menopause. Soup recipe below. sources. Fouled water can contaminate the herb. Ex-

Dermatitis, Eczema, and Chronic Skin Dis- cessive use of this plant can lead to stomach upset.
eases: For chronic skin conditions, watercress juice Recipes. Watercress Tincture: Rinse freshly
or Watercress Infusion is very effective. It is not an im- picked watercress thoroughly and pack it into a clean
mediate fix. You will get a boost to the immune system, and sterile glass jar with a tight lid. Bring some apple
added nutrition, and gradual healing. Drink one cup of cider vinegar to a low boil and pour it over the water-
the infusion daily and use it to wash the affected areas cress to fill the jar. Let the watercress steep for 6 to 8
twice a day. hours, then strain it through a coffee filter. Pour it back

Gout, Kidney Stones, Water Retention, and into the glass jar and cap it tightly for long-term stor-
Expelling Mucous: Watercress is a diuretic. An in- age.
fusion treats swell- Watercress Soup: 1/2 cup loosely packed water-
ing in the body and cress, washed thoroughly, 1/2 cup sliced carrots, 1-
helps expel mucous. quart (1 Liter) of water, salt and pepper to taste. Sim-
Watercress Infusion mer the watercress and carrots in the water slowly over
also encourages the low heat for about 45 minutes or until the water is re-
dissolution of kid- duced by half. You may put it in a blender or eat as is
ney stones so that (I prefer it blended). Consume it all. Makes one serving
they can be flushed (it is easy to scale up this recipe).
from the body.
Watercress Infusion: Gather a saucepan full of
Harvesting: The watercress and clean. Place the watercress in a ceramic
leaves of watercress or stainless-steel pot. Add enough cold water to barely
Watercress flowers, photo by Paul Venter,
CC by SA 4.0 can be harvested cover the watercress. Bring the herbs to a boil and
most of the year and lower the heat. Simmer the herbs until they are soft.
are used fresh. Snip the tops of stems when they are Filter the herbs out and store the infusion in the refrig-
about 6 inches (15 cm) long. Never take more than a erator for up to 3 days. The flavor can be enhanced if
third of the plant at any one time to protect the future needed by mixing it with tomato juice or other vegeta-
supply. Do not pull on the stems of the plant directly as ble juices.

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