APPLE - AZTEC SWEET HERB
APPLE / Malus domestica. Works both ways.
Used to Treat: Constipation: to prevent as part of a natural high Fibre Diet. Cosmetic: fresh Apple Juice has excellent restorative and Tonic properties for the Skin by peeling and coring one small Apple and put in a blender until liquid and then through a sieve. Combine with 1 x Tablespoon of whole Milk and 1 x Tablespoon of Fuller's Earth to thicken and use as a cleansing Mask for dull or scaly Skin and rinse off and tone and moisturize.
Diarrhoea: contains Pectin and is Amphoteric as a gentle stool softener and after Grated Apple restores normal Bowel function. Face - Mask: cook the flesh of an Apple and combine with equal parts of Cream, Honey and Ground Oatmeal and warm slightly and spread on the Face.
Fever: with Apple Water by slicing 3 washed, unpeeled Apples and simmer until soft and strain the Apples and add a piece of Lemon for flavour and chill before drinking. Stomach - Upsets: use Grated Raw.
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR. See under own separate section in Health. Use only unpasteurized - must contain the good bacteria as sediment in the bottom of the liquid. Used To Treat: Arthritis - Dilute - Human: 1 Tablespoon in a glass of water or fruit juice with Honey if required, one to 3 times a day. Horses: 20ml - 60 ml daily - Contains Boron, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium and Sulphur to assist with Digestion and maintain correct PH in the Stomach. Consume 20 - 30 minutes prior to eating.
APPLE MINT:
APRICOT KERNELS: Used to Treat: Body and Face: by finely grinding the Kernels. They have a gentle anti - Scurf action assisting to remove dead Skin Cells and Oils.
APRICOT KERNEL OIL: Used to Treat: Chafing: by applying to the Skin. Skin - Dry and Wrinkled: as the Cold Pressed Oil is rich in Vitamin E. Warm the Oil for Massage treatment by smoothing over the Chest and Throat with light, upward strokes and dab on to the Skin around the Eyes to prevent and iron the Skin smooth with a spoon. Hair: as it can also be used to replace Oils lost due to shampooing and to protect the Shafts and reduce moisture loss. Warm a little Oil and Massage it in and then wrap a hot, damp towel around the Head and leave on for 60 minutes and reheat the towel occasionally and shampoo as required to get the Oil out and then finish with a Cream rinse or conditioner.
ARECA NUT / Betel Nut / Areca catechu. Wild / India / Malaysia. Main Use: A powerful Astringent. Cultivation: A Palm Tree variety . Product: large Nuts similar to Nutmeg. Used to Treat: Tapeworms: to expel.
ARENIA RUBRA / Sandwort / Lepigonum rubrum. Wild / Corsica / Malta. Cultivation: A small low growing plant with small pink flowers. Product: Infused Leaves. Used To Treat: Cystitis: as a Diuretic. Stones: as a Diuretic.
ARBUTUS - Training / Ground Laurel / Mayflower / Epigaea repens. Wild / North America. Cultivation: Procumbent herb with evergreen leaves, white fragrant flowers. Product: Leaves and Stems.
Used to Treat: Ageing: as a Diuretic especially, as it is one of the most effective palliatives. Urinary Conditions: as a Diuretic as it is one of the most effective palliatives.
ARCHANGEL / White Deadnettle / Lamium album. Wild / British Isles. Actions: an excellent Diuretic and a pleasant Tonic. Cultivation: Similar to the common Nettle but with a greyish appearance and white flowers. Product: Leaves and Stem.
ARNICA / Mountain Daisy / Mountain Tobacco / Leopard's Bane N.B:this is not Doronicum orientale, which is from the same Family and also Poisonous / Iberian Peninsular to Scandinavia / Arnica montana. Asteraceae. NB: Do not take *Internally and never use on Open Wounds, only for use on unbroken Skin. N.B: Do not use if Pregnant or Breast Feeding. Actions: Anti - Inflammatory and Mild Analgesic.
Cultivation: Around 30 species it is an aromatic hardy perennial with a basal rosette of leaves producing flower stems up to 60 cm high in late Spring to late Summer terminating in a single golden daisy flower. Grows in low fertility meadows to an altitude of 3,000 metres. Asteraceae chamissonis (American) mostly used instead. Requires a cool climate and full Sun with slightly acid to slightly alkaline free draining soil. For wet Winters grow in raised beds to prevent fungal attacks. Can be raised from seed but requires moist cold period. In cold Winters sow in Autumn outside or if milder Winter mix the seed with a little damp vermiculite or sterile sand. and put in a sealed plastic bag and keep in the crisper in the refrigerator for 3 months before sowing. Older plants can be divided ion Spring. A slow grower and needs to be weed free so weed regularly and mulch well. Subject to Fungal Rot in Wet Winters.
Product: Gather the Flowers when fully open and dry. N.B: Apply topically only on unbroken Skin as a Compress: add 1 x Tablespoon of Arnica Tincture to cold water, mix, and wet a towel with the mixture and apply to the injured area. Solution: 1 x teaspoon of dried herb per cup of boiling water, steep until cool and apply with a clean cloth.
Tincture: Soak a handful of Fresh Arnica Flowers in pure Alcohol or 80 proof Vodka for 2 weeks and use a few drops per cup of water.
Used to Treat: Abscesses: N.B: Never use on Open Wounds, as an Ointment or Tincture - Extract. Bruises: Anti - Septic, Anti - Inflammatory and pain relieving, best used on the unbroken Skin as soon as possible with ice Therapy.
Bunions: used specifically to treat Muscle and Joint complaints, but may also assist with Bunions. Dislocations: as an Ointment or Tincture - Extract. Joints - Rheumatic: as an Ointment or Tincture - Extract.
Muscles - Aching: as an Ointment or Tincture - Extract. Sprains: as an Ointment or Tincture - Extract. Strains: as an Ointment or Tincture - Extract. Swelling: as an Ointment or Tincture - Extract. N.B: Used also as a Homeopathic Arnica 6C remedy for Trauma and Shock resulting from injury or to alleviate the previous physical Conditions in a very dilute form , but should only be used under professional advice.
ARRACH / Goat's Arrach and Stinking Arrach / Chenopodium olidum. Wild. Europe. Actions: also used as an effective Nervine and a most beneficial herb. Cultivation: A small inconspicuous herb with an unpleasant odour. Product: Leaves and Stems. Used to Treat: Menstruation: as an Emmenagogue to bring on.
ARROWROOT / Maranta St. Vincent / Maranta arundinacea. Wild. South America / West Indies. Main Use: For its pleasant Nutritional qualities and is non - irritating. Cultivation: Up to 6' / 2 metres in height and reproduces from spreading fleshy Rhizomes. Product: the Dried Rhizomes used as a powdered starch.
Used to Treat: Athlete's Foot: use the dried powder inside shoes and socks to prevent. Convalescents - Infants: A Soothing Demulcent that is very palatable as a natural remedy by boiling 2 - 3 x Tablespoons in 250ml of water and season to taste with Honey or Lemon Juice, which can be drunk or added to fruit based jellies or puddings. Skin: as it is Soothing when made into a Gel and it is added as a thickening agent in Cosmetics and Creams.
ARTICHOKE / Cynara sclymus. Cooking: harvest the Spring ripened Hearts and boil in salted water and serve with vinaigrette dressing.
Cultivation: Striking silvery, super sized Leaves and needs plenty of fertilizer in reasonable moist conditions, Sun to part Sun, Perennial 90cm apart. In late Autumn prune to ground level. Flavour Partners: Bay, Celery Leaf, Garlic, Parsley, Shallots and Thyme. Food Partners: Anchovies, Ham, Parmesan Cheese, Pine Nuts and Salads.
Used to Treat: Eczema: by steeping the Leaves in enough hot water to cover and allow to cool, strain and soak the affected area in the water for 10 minutes as required. Liver Cells: as the Leaves regenerate those that are damaged.
ASAFOETIDA / Devil's Dung / Ferula foetida. Wild / Himalayas / Persia. Actions: an A. Cultivation: Grows in bold clumps 7' / 2 + metres high. Product: the Gum Resin is extracted from the fleshy Roots that has an odour similar to Garlic. Also used for Flavouring and Sauces. Used to Treat: Croup: to relieve. Colic: to relieve.
ASARBACCA / Hazelwort / Wild Nard / Asarum europaeum. Wild / Brittany / Northern Europe. Cultivation: A tall growing perennial plant with insignificant purple flowers. Product: Leaves and Root.
Used to Treat: Mucus: as it is a strong Emetic. A little sniffed up the Nostrils induces violent sneezing and a heavy flow.
ASH / Common Ash and Weeping Ash / Fraxinus excelsior. Wild. Northern Hemisphere. Actions: as a Decoction it is a Gentle Laxative.
Cultivation: A handsome, decorative tree of moderate size. Product: Bark and Leaves used. Used to Treat: Arthritis: Malaria: taken regularly prevents the re - occurrence.
ASH WAGANDA / Withania somnifera. Tea: a cup or two taken occasionally only, made with 5 x teaspoons of the dried herb per cup of boiling water. Used to Treat: Impotence: Infertility - Male:
ASIAN GINSENG / Panax Ginseng / China / Korea. Tea: 1 x teaspoon daily steeped in a cup of boiling water.
Used to Treat: Aging: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: as a Tonic to combat feelings of Lassitude and Debility, Lack of Energy and ability to Concentrate and also during Convalescence.
Energy: Increases athletic performance after taking for over a month as a boosting Tonic. Combine with Damiana, Royal Jelly and Saw Palmetto. Fatigue: reduces and improves Alertness, Co - ordination, Memory and Stress coping abilities. Immune System: Stimulates. Stress: as an Adaptogen to increase resistance.
ASTRALAGUS / Huang Qi. Used to Treat: Cardiac - Arrythmia: an Immune Stimulant and Heart Tonic to prevent. H.I.V: potent anti - Viral activity. Pneumonia: Immune booster. Viral Infections: increases the natural killer Cells in the Immune System to attack the Coxsackie B Virus the cause of Myocarditis when taken for up to 4 months and increased levels of Alpha and Gamma Interferon the Body's own compounds. Tea: 1- 2 x teaspoons of the dried Herb steeped in boiling water.
ARTEMISIA / sp. Artemisia . Asteraceae. N.B; Do not use any type that is high in Camphor.
Cultivation: 300 species - with all perennials propagated by semi - hardwood cuttings obtained during Mid - Summer to Autumn or raise from seed or the Rhizome species by dividing the roots in Autumn. Sow all annual species directly into the garden in Spring or raise as seedlings and transplant out at 6 weeks and lightly prune and shape perennial bushy plants in Spring. Drought tolerant when established with good frost tolerance in full Sun with good drainage and nearly neutral soils. (Strong Insecticide.) Product: Harvest the Leaves as required to use fresh or dried. See under Mug Wort, Roman Wormwood, Southernwood, Tree Wormwood, Wilde als, White Sage or Native Wormwood, Wormwood.
AVENS / Colewort / Geum / Geum urbanum. Wild. Europe. Cultivation: A low growing herb with yellow flowers whose seeds attach to anyone brushing them. Product: Leaves and Roots.
Used to Treat: Bleeding: to stay, as it is a strong Astringent and reliable Tonic particularly for Women. Leucorrhoea:
AVOCADO / Persea americana. Constituents: Guacamole. Used in Salad Dressings. Alternative Oil to Cod Liver Oil as a rich source of Vitamin D by taking a spoonful a day. Beauty Drops: 1 Egg, 1 x Tablespoon of Avocado Oil, 2 x Tablespoons of Raw Honey, separate the Egg and use the Yolk and put the Oil and Honey in a blender and when thickened add the Egg White and blend until smooth. Apply a few drops to the Eyelids and smooth into the area around the Eyes, rest the Eyes for 20 minutes and then rinse off and apply twice daily.
Used to Treat: Arthritis: as the pure Cold Pressed Oil is a rich source of Vitamin D. Constipation: to prevent as part of a natural high Fibre Diet. Cholesterol - High: as it can help reduce combined with Olive Oil, occasionally.
Dermatitis: as the Pure Cold Pressed Oil is a rich source of Vitamin D. Eczema: relieves. Gout: as it lowers Uric Acid levels in the Blood. Hair - Brittle and Dry: by mashing a whole Avocado and massage into the Hair and Scalp and cover with a plastic bag and leave for an hour before shampooing. Osteoporosis: as it contains Vitamin D and can assist in turning Calcium into Bone. Psoriasis: by rubbing mashed Avocado onto the effected area, as it is cool and soothing. Skin: Dry / Irritated - Itchy / Red: by applying the Oil directly, as it is rich in Vitamins A, D and E to maintain healthy Skin. Wrinkles: by soaking in a hot Bath and apply the Oil generously over the Face and Neck especially around the Eyes and Lips as the steam from the Bath encourages the Oil to sink into the Skin.
AZEDARACHA / Bead Tree / Pride of China / Melia azedirachta. Wild / Afghanistan, Northern India / Southern U.S.A. Cultivation: A large tree. Product: the Bark.
Used to Treat: Worms: in Children.
AZTEC SWEET HERB / Phyla scaberrrima syn. Lippia dulcis / Verbenaceae / Cuba. Constituents: Hernadulcin, which is 1,000 times sweeter then Sugar, and traces of Camphor. N.B; Do not use any other type that is high in Camphor.
Cultivation: A frost tender, semi - prostrate Perennial plant with short, compressed spikes of white flowers and oval leaves that suffice red in the Sun.
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