DAISY / Bellis perennis. Actions: Expectorant & Astringent. As an Astringent good if Diarrhoea is involved due to Cleansing going too fast. Cultivation: Collect from Spring to Autumn. Product: the Flower Heads not the leaves and dry and use fresh. Combine with Coltsfoot & Golden Rod. Used to Treat: Arthritis Conditions: Catarrh: to eliminate. Cough: to sooth. Liver Conditions: Kidney Conditions: Rheumatism: Tea: Use 1 x teaspoon of the dried Flower Heads per cup and drink 3 or 4 times a day. Tincture: 2 to 4ml x 3 times a day.
DANSHEN / Asian Red Sage / Salvia miltiorrhiza. Used to Treat: Baldness: to prevent Hair loss and maintain Hair colour, add a few teaspoons to Shampoo.
DARK OPAL - see Basil.
DATES - Used to Treat: Constipation:
DEER’S TONGUE / American Wild Vanilla / Liatris odoratissima. USA. Actions: A powerful Stimulant, regarded as an Aphrodisiac and may induce erotic dreams. Also An effective Diuretic. Cultivation: A strong growing climbing plant with obovate - lanceolate leaves. Product: the Leaves are used.
DEVIL’S BIT / Scabiosa succisa. British Isles. An insignificant purplish plant. Product: The Whole Plant is used. Actions: Demulcent & Diaphoretic. Used to Treat: Specific as an Infusion for Chest - Inflammation: Coughs.
DEVIL’S CLAW ROOT - Harpagophtum procumbens. Actions: Anti - Inflammatory, Mild Analgesic especially in the Musculo - Skeletal System. Used to Treat: Arthritis: Gout: Joint - Inflammation: Rheumatism: Tennis Elbow: Tincture: 0.1 ml - 0.25 ml 3 times a day.
Horses: Used as a herbal alternative to Bute with Pain killing and Anti - Inflammatory effects similar to Cortisone & Phenylbutazone without the side effects. Bute should only be used for Laminitis for quick action relief for a short period with Devil's Claw the preferred choice for medium to long term use to stimulating healing but is not the whole answer on its own. N.B: Devil's Claw is not recommended for use in Pregnant Mares as it is a Uterine Muscle Stimulant, or where Gut Ulceration is present or suspected.
DILL - Dill Seed / Dill Weed / Anethum graveolens. Carrot Umbelliferae - Apiaceae / Europe. Medicinal & Culinary herb. Actions: Anti - Spasmodic, Carminative & Stomachic for the Digestion. Constituents: Rich in Minerals especially Potassium & Sulphur. N.B: Do not use more then Culinary amount if Pregnant or Breastfeeding.
Cultivation: An elegant hardy annual 75 - 100 cm high erect aromatic herb with distinctive flower slender stems, thick taproot and finely cut, feathery leaves that is easy to grow with the seeds sown directly in the Spring after the last Frost lightly covered with soil and keep moist until germination or plant seedlings with the potting soil attached and plant 45cm apart and stake if too tall. They produce yellow flowers and flat, oval seeds in umbels about 15cm across in late Summer and Autumn. Likes full Sun and protect from Winds in a light, well drained moderately rich soil and apply Lime if Acid. Sow a few seeds direct in clumps 25 - 3-cm apart in Spring, Summer or early Autumn and retain 2 - 3 seedlings at each clump to support the slender stems and make successive sowings for a continuous supply of Leaves. Requires generous fertilising, full Sun and reasonable moist conditions. Sun to part Sun. Pinch out the flower stems as they appear to promote more Leaves. Product: the dried Fruit - Leaves & Seed is used that have a sharp, spicy flavour derived from the aromatic oils which aid Digestion and to assimilate food. The fresh chopped Leaves can be harvested as required and added to Salads etc while the dried leaves should be picked just before flowering, to retain the full flavour, can also be used for the same. Leaves can be micro waved spread on thin paper to retain the colour and fragrance and store in an airtight container in a cool. dry position. Fresh Leaves can be stored in a plastic bag in the refrigerator or chop up finely and put in ice -cubes and top up with water and freeze. The Seeds are harvested after the heads have dried on the plant and can also add flavour to Coleslaw, sliced Cucumber or Onion rings and can be added to Sauces etc. Herb Partners: Chives, Society Garlic, Nasturtium Leaves, Parsley, Tarragon, Shallots, Welsh Onions. Food Partners: Cabbage, Cucumber, Eggs, Green Beans, Salmon, Seafood Sauces, Sour Cream, White Cheese & Zucchini. Used fresh as a flavouring for Potatoes, Eggs, Chicken & Fish to retain flavour, add to food just prior to serving. Dill Carrots: Great flavour fresh. - Pour a Tablespoon of fresh Yoghurt over a dish of lightly steamed fresh Carrots and sprinkle chopped fresh Dill Leaves over the top. Dill Water: steep 1 teaspoon of bruised Seeds in a teapot with 2 cups of hot water, strain the mixture, cool and administer with a teaspoon before and after feeds.
Used to Treat: Amenorrhoea: encourages Menstrual flow with two teaspoons of mashed Seeds made into a Tea as it contains Apiole an Emmenagogue. N.B: If Pregnant do not use in medicinal concentrations. Breath - Bad: rich in Chlorophyll by chewing the Seeds or using Dill Water. Tea: 1 - 2 teaspoons of Leaves or mashed Seeds per cup of boiling water or chew a few Dill Seeds to freshen the Breath. N.B: If Pregnant do not over use but only for occasional, moderate use. Colic - Baby: by infusing the Seeds to make a Tea - Dill Water - as it is one of the best remedies for young Children. Breastfeeding: to stimulate Milk production. Breath - Freshener: chew the Seeds. Diarrhoea: the Oil is used too inhibit certain Bacteria that attach and create recurrent infectious bouts. Digestion: by chewing the Seeds or making them into a Tea. Dyspepsia: Flatulence: contains the Gas relieving compounds, Camphor, Carvone, Eugenol, Menthol & Thymol. Hair: used as a Tonic due to it being rich in Minerals especially Potassium & Sulphur. Heart - Burn: soothes the Digestive Tract. Crush a few teaspoons of Seeds and make a Tea. Hiccups - Hiccoughs: Chew fresh Mint Leaves or Dill Seeds and make an Infusion from Aniseed & Dill. Insecticide: similar to Basil & Lavender keeping Flies & Mosquitoes at bay by using an incense burner containing 1 Tablespoon of Dill Oil or plant near doors and windows. Indigestion: Insomnia: Intestinal Tract: the Oil is used too inhibit certain Bacteria that attach. Nails: used as a Tonic due to it being rich in Minerals especially Potassium & Sulphur. Nausea in Pregnancy: the Tea is used. Pest Control: Yellow Flowers attract beneficial predators, Ladybirds, Hoverflies & Lacewings with 1 Hoverfly capable of consuming 1200 Aphids. Skin: as a Tonic due to it being rich in Minerals especially Potassium & Sulphur. Soap: Dill Oil can be added to. Stomach - Upsets: with Dill Water by steeping 1 teaspoon of bruised Seeds in a teapot with 2 cups of hot water and strain the mixture, cool and give to a Baby with a teaspoon before and after feeds. Urinary Tract - Infections: Wind: in Adults with Dill Water by steeping 1 teaspoon of bruised Seeds in a teapot with 2 cups of hot water and strain the mixture, cool and drink slowly before and after meals.
DITTANT OF CRETE / Origanum dictamnus - see Marjoram.
DODDER / Cuscata epithymum / Conolvulus Family. Actions: A Mild Laxative and especially good Hepatic. Cultivation: A climbing parasite. Product: Leaves & Stem used. Used to Treat: Bladder Conditions: Specific. Liver Conditions: Specific.
DOG ROSE / Wild Briar / Rosa canina. Europe & Middle East. *Specific for Young Children. Actions: *One of the best Tonics for Old Dogs. Constituents: Ascorbic Acid - Vitamin C. Cultivation: A Wild Rose. Product: the Hips are used.
DONG QUAI / Chinese Angelica / sinensis. - angelica polymorpha. China. Main Use: Blood purifier, nourishing to the Blood being rich in Vitamin E & B12. Cultivation: Grows in damp meadows, valleys and river banks to 1.9 metres with greenish white flowers. Product: Roots used. Used to Treat Anaemia: Specific. Menopause - Hot Flushes: Specific. Menstrual Cramps: Specific. Menstrual - Irregularity: Specific. Menstrual - Delayed Flow: Specific. Can be combined with Black Cohosh, Queen of the Meadow, Red Raspberry & Bless Thistle to treat Hormone - Imbalance & Menopause Conditions.
DRAGON’S BLOOD / Croton lechleri, Used to Treat: Sores:
DRAGON’S BLOOD / Daemonorops propinquus / Malaya. A dwarf member of the Palm Family. Product: the Resin is used. Actions: Astringent. Used to Treat: Dysentry: Sores: Viral Infections:
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