BAIKAL SKULLCAP - BAY LAUREL
BAIKAL SKULLCAP / Scutellaria baicalensis. Used to Treat: Pneumonia: Shingles:
BALLOON FLOWER / Platycodon grandiflorum. Used to Treat: Throat - Sore:
BALM / See Lemon Balm / Sweet Balm / Melissa officinalis.
BALM OF GILEAD / Populus candicans / Wild - Arabia / U.S.A. N.B: There are other plants with the same name. Main Use: As a Tonic. Actions: Diuretic.
Cultivation: A strong gnarled small shrub with feathery foliage with the Buds used. Made into Pastilles.
Used to Treat: Chest Conditions: as an Ointment. Rheumatic Conditions: as an Ointment.
BALMONY / Snake Herb / Turtle Head / Chelone glabra / Wild. Canada / Eastern U.S.A. Actions: Anti - Bilious, anti - Emetic, Anthelmintic and Gentle Laxative and Tonic. Cultivation: A low sturdy bush with crowded, oval dark leaves with spikes or white or pink flowers that grows in damp places on the edge of swamps, along rivers and in wet woodlands. Spreads via the Roots and requires restraining and needs to be dried during the flowering Season. Product: The dried Aerial parts are used, the Leaves. Infusion: Steep 2 x teaspoons of the dried herb per cup in boiled Water for 10 to 15 minutes. Poultice or a Cream: Tincture: 1 to 2ml x 3 times a day.
Used to Treat: Appetite: Stimulates the flow of Digestive Juices. Breasts - Inflamed: used Externally. Colic: Specific. Constipation: Stimulates Peristalsis (Wave like motion within the Colon) to relieve especially when combined with Golden Seal.
Digestive System: good for the whole of the Digestive System. Dyspepsia: Specific. Gall Bladder Conditions: used as an Infusion where there is Inflammation of the Gall Bladder due to Infection, Gravel or Stones and to treat Jaundice.
Gall Stones: Specific especially good for stones that are blocking the Bile flow, causing the Bile to back up to the Liver, and is then dispersed through the Bloodstream causing yellowing of the Skin. Gravel: See Gall Bladder.
Heart - Burn: Specific. Haemorrhoids: used Externally. Jaundice: combined with Golden Seal - see also Gall Bladder. Liver Conditions: Good for the Liver in general used as an Infusion as one of the best remedies.
Nausea: Specific. Stones: See Gall Bladder. Ulcers - Painful: used Externally. Worms: as an Anthelmintic to destroy.
BANANA / Musa paradisiaea. Used to Treat: Ulcers: Warts:
BANANA PEEL: Used to Treat: Abrasion: apply the inside fresh to any and it will heal quickly. Bind loosely with a bandage and renew every two to 3 hours. Burn: apply the inside fresh to any and it will heal quickly. Bind loosely with a bandage and renew every two to 3 hours. Cut: apply the inside fresh to any it will heal quickly. Bind loosely with a bandage and renew every two to 3 hours. Warts: apply the inside fresh to any it will heal quickly. Bind loosely with a bandage and renew every two to 3 hours. Wound - Small: apply the inside fresh to any it will heal quickly. Bind loosely with a bandage and renew every two to 3 hours.
BARBERRY / Barbery / Jaundice Berry / Sowberry / Berberis vulgaris. Wild / Europe. * Closely related to Oregon Grape - Mahonia aquifolium. N.B: Do not use if Pregnant. N.B: too large a dose can cause Diarrhoea and only to be taken on qualified herbalist prescription.
Main Use: For the whole Digestive System, Liver and Gall Bladder including, Biliousness and excellent for Liver Conditions, Jaundice, Nausea and Gall Bladder and is also a mild Purgative. Actions: Anti - Biotic, anti - Septic, Cholagogue, anti - Emetic, Bitter, Tonic and Laxative. Constituents: contains the Essential Oil, Berberine found in the Berries to fight Micro - Organisms in the Body.
Cultivation: A tall growing straggling ornamental bush or shrub with very short thorns and beautiful orange or yellow flowers and red berries in Spring. Product: Made from the Bark of the Root & Stem, plus the Berries and the Juice is extracted from these. Decoction: 1 x teaspoon of the dried Root per cup and pour on boiling Water. Tincture: 2 to 4ml x 2 or 3 times a day.
Used to Treat: Blood Pressure: to lower. Candida albicans: effective against a number of Micro - Organisms. Cardiac Arrhythmia: as it is a herbal anti - Biotic containing Berberine that is also in Golden Seal, Goldthread and Oregon Grape. Berberine assists to prevent and treat Ventricula Arrhythmia. Use a herbal Extract and follow directions on the package. Tea: 1 - 2 x teaspoons of the dried herb to a cup of boiling Water.
Colon: stimulates Bile flow and boosts Peristaltic action (Wave like motion in the Colon) of the Lower Digestive System and acts as a Mild Laxative. Diarrhoea: Digestion: Used with Gentian Root to stimulate the Digestion. Dysentery:
Dyspepsia: A Bitter Stomach Tonic that stimulates the Digestion. Gall Bladder - Biliousness - Inflamed - Nausea: used with Gentian Root when sluggish. Gall Stones:
Gastric - Upsets: prescribed in small doses by a natural therapist. Gingivitis: with a Tea brewed from the Bark. Liver Conditions - Mild - Severe: enough to cause Jaundice, and combined with Gentian Root to treat when sluggish prescribed in small doses by a natural therapist.
Malaria: effective against a number of Micro - Organisms. Oral Hygiene Conditions: Tea brewed from the Bark. Throat - Sore: as a Mouth Wash.
BARLEY / Hordeum vulgare. Barley Milk: simmer Barley in Skim Milk or Soy Milk for 15 minutes, strain and cool for a soothing mix after recovering from Intestinal Conditions once the Vomiting has passed. Barley Juice: nutritious and refreshing can be made from the Juice of young Barley plants that contain among others Vitamins B1, B2, B6, E and C, high levels of Beta -Carotene /precursor to Vitamin A, Pantothenic Acid and Folic Acid, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium, Selenium and Zinc.
Used to Treat: Bowel - Inflamed: for Children. Chest Lining - Inflamed: due to Gastro - Intestinal Flu. Diarrhoea - Inflamed: for Children. Fever - High: as Barley Water as it has no irritating properties. I
ntestinal Lining Inflamed: due to Gastro - Intestinal Flu.
BASIL SWEET: / Herbe Royale / Bush Basil / Dark Opal / Sweet Basil / Ocimum basilicum / Mint Labiatae. - sp. Lamiaceae. Wild / Northern Europe. NB: If used in Cooking, add at the last minute or the flavour is lost. Cultivation: 64 species. A small Annual plant with a multitude of white and pink lipped flowers arranged in whorls in Autumn whose bright, green, shiny, oval Leaves have a strong Clove like scent.
Product: Leaves and Flowering Tops - Spikes - Leaves used at any time. To dry the Leaves cut at the base and hang out of direct Sunlight and store in an airtight container in a cool place. Water regularly to attain a height of 30 - 75cm and it is susceptible to Frost and apply Lime if the soil is Acid. Sow seeds in clumps 15 - 3ocm apart in late spring or early Summer and pinch out when 7 - 10cm tall to leave the strongest and pinch out main stems to promote a more compact bush with the dried and fresh herb used. Subject to Fusarium Wilt and those plants affected should be destroyed and others should not be planted there. Actions: Formerly used as a Carminative now mostly used as a Culinary herb. Anti - Spasmodic, Carminative and Digestive Stimulant, Natural Disinfectant. Aromatic Basil Oil: Layer the Leaves in a jar and sprinkle each layer with Salt and top up the jar with Olive Oil and seal the jar and store in the refrigerator and all a few days for the Oil to be infused. Tea: 1 - 2 teaspoons of the dried or fresh herb to a cup of boiling Water. Basil Pesto: Use 3 Cloves of Garlic and 5 x Tablespoons of finely chopped Basil and pound together in a pestle and mortar. Add 100 gram of grated Parmesan Cheese and sufficient Olive Oil to make a smooth paste of 2 to 3 x Tablespoons and blend together. Serve with a Pasta or with a pat of Butter or Grilled Fish. Add a couple of Tablespoons of Pine Kernels for a different flavour. Alternate Herb Pesto: use other herbs instead of Basil such as fresh Coriander Leaves or Soy or Rice Cheeses instead of Parmesan Cheese. Or add ground Sunflower Seeds or Walnuts.
Used to Treat: Abdominal Cramps: Acne: as it kills the Bacteria on the Skin. Anxiety to ease. Bacteria: to kill. Bowel / Irritable / Colitis: Childbirth: as a Tea to assist Labour. Insect Repellent: used mainly as a Spice but the Leaves can be rubbed on the Skin.
Breath - Bad: Bloating: Colic: eases. Complexion: by using either the Oil or fresh or dried Leaves steeped in pure boiled or spring Water to make a Lotion to cleanse and tone.
Emphysema: contains 6 Compounds that might be useful especially as a Pesto a Pasta Sauce made with Garlic and fresh Basil.
Flatulence: eases. Flies: by keeping a pot on the windowsill. Gastric Catarrh: by rubbing the Essential Oil on the Temples. Blood Pressure - High: Indigestion: eases.
Insects: as a Repellent applied Externally with the juice from the fresh Leaves and relieves Bites and Stings. Irritability: to ease. Nausea: to allay. Ringworm: as a Poultice. Stomach - Cramps - Upset: eases
Warts: is an Aromatic herb that also contains many anti - Viral Compounds and its crushed Leaves can be rubbed directly onto the Wart or apply and cover over with a bandage and change and reapply for 5 - 7 days.
Worms: to kill. Use generously in Tomato dishes, by layering the Leaves between the layers of fresh Tomatoes and drizzle Olive Oil over it.
BASIL ANISE - Ocimum basilicum. BASIL HOLY / Ocimum tenuiflorum / Thailand. BASIL GREEK / Greek / Ocimum minimum. BASIL LEMON / Ocimum americanum. O. Sanctum. BASIL PERUVIAN / Ocimum campechianum syn. O micranthum. BASIL THAI / Ocimum basilicum / Thailand.
BAY / Bay Laurel / Grecian Bay / Sweet Bay / Laurus nobilis - Lauraceae. N.B: Bay Oil should not be given to Children under 2 years of Age. Main Use: For the Digestive System to stimulate normal function and prevent problems. Actions: Astringent, Aromatic, Digestive and Stomachic.
Product: the Bark, Berries, Leaves Flower Buds and Roots - 1" to 2" long whole or crushed at any time and dry out of direct Sunlight and store in an airtight container. Two Leaves are sufficient to serve 6 people. Subject to Fungal and Scale infestations. Blend 2 cloves of Garlic and a cup of water, filter, and add a little soft soap and apply to the insects with a cotton bud. If grey Mildew attacks due to insufficient ventilation and light, treat with Sulphur while wet with morning dew.
Used to Treat: Body Odour: Bruises: Aromatic Bay Oil used as a soothing Rub if due to Arthritis or Rheumatism. Diabetes: assists the Body to use Insulin more efficiently at levels as low as 500mg / 1/2 x teaspoon - as are Cinnamon, Clove and Turmeric. Add a pinch or two of each to a pot of Black Tea and steep for 10 minutes then ice the Tea and also add a pinch of Coriander and Cumin and if you like Fenugreek add a pinch of that as well.
Head - Ache: if due to blocked Nasal Passages, by inhalation, as it contains Parthenolides used to prevent Migraine as it inhibits the release of the Neurotransmitter - Serotonin from Blood Cells known as Platelets that play a causative role. Bay Leaves could be added to Feverfew. Incense: dried Berries and Leaves may be burned and added to Potpourri, steeped in a Tea for a Bath additive or used in cooking.
Joints - Aching: Aromatic Bay Oil is a soothing Rub if due to Arthritis or Rheumatism Sprains: Stress: with Bay Oil due to the scent lowering Blood Pressure and feelings of relaxation.
Teeth and Gums / Decay: as Bay Oils are Aromatic and contain a 1,8 Cineole a decay fighting chemical and can be found in some toothpastes.
BAYBERRY / Candleberry / Waxberry / Wax Myrtle / Myrica cerifera / Wild. Europe / North America. N.B: One of the most useful Herbs. N.B: Should only be used under natural therapist prescription as it can be contraindicated for those with High Blood Pressure or Circulatory Conditions.
Actions: Astringent and Tonic and a strong Stimulant is obtained from the Bark, it is Warming and one of the most effective Cleansers and Deobstruents.
Cultivation: A medium - growing shrub with a profusion of large white berries. Product: the Bark is used.
Used to Treat: Bowels / Infection / Inflammation / Loose: as it is high in volatile Tannins and Resins and has an Astringent and Tonic effect and also contains Myricitrin an anti - Biotic compound that fights dangerous Bacteria causing these Conditions.
Colds: as a Gargle. Diarrhoea: Fever: by boiling the Leaves and drink. Menstrual / Bleeding / Excessive: as it is high in volatile Tannins and Resins and has an Astringent and Tonic effect.
Mucous Colitis: Throat / Infections / Sore: as a Gargle. Ulcers: Comforting used in a Poultice. Uterine / Discharge: as it is high in volatile Tannins and Resins and has an Astringent and Tonic effect.
Wounds / Slow Healing: due to its Astringent effect.
BAY LAUREL / See also under Bay / Grecian Laurel / Noble Laurel / Roman Laurel / Royal Laurel / Sweet Bay.
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