PEONY ROOT - PLANTAIN
PEONY
ROOT/ Baoi Shao / Chinese Peony /
White Peony / Paeonia
officinalis - lactiflora. Southern Asia. Actions: Anti -
Spasmodic and Tonic. Cultivation: Beautiful perennial that bears
vivid double flowers in profusion. Product:
the Root. Used to
Treat: Ageing:
Tonic for those past middle Age.
Angina:
Concentration: to enhance. Circulation: to
improve by dilating the Blood Vessels. Epilepsy: Specific as an
anti
- Spasmodic as one of the best treatments.
Intestinal / Griping:
to reduce. Memory: to enhance. Menstrual
Cramps: combine
25% of this herb with 25% Liquorice,
25% Dong Quai / Chinese
Angelica and 25% Red Raspberry and
divide into "00" Gelatin Capsules
and take 2 Capsules 3 x times a day with meals.
Menstrual Cycle: to regulate and relieve pain combined
with Liquorice. Muscles:
to relax. Night Sweats:
to relieve. Reproductive Female Conditions:
Spasms:
Specific as an
anti
- Spasmodic as one of the best treatments.
PEPPER HERB
/ Summer Herb / see Summer Savoury /
Winter Savoury.
PEPPERMINT / Curled
Mint / see Mint / Mentha piperita / Labiatae. Europe
/ North America.n
NB: Do not ingest the Oil
as it is for
External use only
as an
anti
- Septic. N.B:
Do not give Peppermint Tea
to Children under
4 years of age. N.B: Do not use as a
strong Tea if Pregnant. Main Use: To
soothe Digestion and treat Gastro
- Intestinal Conditions as a Tea,
to stimulate Circulation.
N.B: Not to be confused with
Spearmint
/
Mentha spicata a herb
used to make Mint
Sauce that is also an
anti
- Spasmodic, Carminative, Stomachic and
a Mild
Diuretic, but
it is not as good as Peppermint.
Immune System herb.
One of the finest flavouring agents known and can also be used as a Fresh
Culinary Mint.
Actions: Analgesic,
anti - Emetic, anti - Parasitic,
anti - Septic, anti - Spasmodic, Aromatic,
Astringent, Carminative - One of the most highly regarded as it is very relaxing
especially to the Visceral Muscles,
Diaphoretic, Nervine, Stimulant and
Stomachic - One of the most highly
regarded. Constituents: Bitter Principle,
Cineol, Enzymes, Essential Oil, Lemonene, Menthene, Menthol, Menthyl Acetate,
Resins, Sugar and Tannin. Cultivation: Easy to grow stately herb
that is a hybrid between Spearmint
and Water Mint
with purple hued stems, grown easily from Slips
anywhere there is sufficient moisture. The Aromatic
Oil is at its peak just before Flowering and this is when the Leaves
should be picked and dried. Grows rampant so is best in a pot.
Product: Use the whole
herb above the ground. Leaves
and Oil
used. Oil: macerate
Fresh Leaves in
a fine carrier Oil such as Apricot
Kernel Oil or Almond Oil for up to 2
months and strain before use.
Tea:
Pour 1 x cup of boiling water into a heaped teaspoon of the dried
or fresh
herb and Infuse for 10 minutes and drink as often as desired.
Tincture: Take
1 - 2ml x 3 times a day.
Horses: Many types of Mints
who share the same constituents are used to encourage Picky
Eaters, and to ease Flatulence and promote
good Digestion. A handful of the
dried herb added daily to the feed
is sufficient for an average sized Horse of (450kg).
Used to
Treat: Ageing: relieves Indigestion
and Gastro Intestinal distress
with anti - Oxidants to prevent
Cancer and Heart Disease. Aching
Muscles:
including in Lotions
for massaging. Agitation:
relieves. Anxiety,
Hysteria
and Tension: as a Nervine
as it acts as a Tonic.
Aphids:
4 drops of the Oil
added to 4 oz of water sprayed on may assist to rid.
Appetite: Inhaling the
fragrance may assist to lessen.
Back
Ache:
contains Menthol to ease the Muscle
tightness. Breath
/ Bad:
the Tea is used for Halitosis
or place a drop of the Oil
on the
Tongue.
Bile
Secretion: as Menthol
distilled from Peppermint Oil. Bowel
/ Nervous / Spastic:
to calm. Colic:
a cup of Tea normalises the Digestion and
prevents.
Colds:
as a Tea combined with
Boneset, Elder and Yarrow for as a Diaphoretic
it is used to eliminate the Toxins
in the Skin.
Concentration: Diffuse drops of the
Oil
in the room to improve. Congestion:
as Menthol distilled fro the Peppermint
Oil. Cramps:
drink the Tea and apply Externally as a wet
mash to the affected area as its Camphoraceous
Principles will also assist to relieve pain.
Crohn's Disease: Diarrhoea: as it calms
and also rub 4 - 6 drops of the
Oil
on the Palm
and then over the Stomach
and around the Navel .
Digestive System:
Specific as a Tea
to aid
Digestion by
stimulating
Bile
and
Digestive Juice Secretions and used as an Infusion if sluggish
and is an Internal anti -
Septic. Dyspepsia:
Ear Ache:
Emphysema: Face:
as a steam - cleaning herbal
treatment
by adding 2 x Tablespoons of Leaves to
boiling
water in a large bowl or sink and hold the Face
close to the steam and drape a towel over the Head
and the rim of the bowl. Steam for 15 minutes and wipe with dampened cotton wool
to remove impurities and close the Pores by
splashing with cold water. For a total Face
facial treatment apply a Face Mask and tone with a Mint Infusion.
Feet / Hot /
Tired:
in Foot - Baths,
or mix in a few drops of the
Oil. Fever: in Teas
combined with Elder
and Yarrow. Flatulence:
with a cup of Peppermint Tea to
normalise
Digestion and prevent and rub
4 - 6 drops of the Oil
on the Palm
and then over the Stomach
and around the Navel.
Flavouring:
Add a few drops of the Oil
to food. Flu: with
Boneset, Elder and
Yarrow. Gall
Stones:
Gastro
Intestinal Conditions:
as a Tea, to stimulate
Circulation. Gingivitis:
Head Ache:
relieves. Head
/
Cold
/
Blocked:
as an Infusion for a sluggish Digestion.
Heart Burn:
As a Tea or a drop of
the Oil in a
herbal Tea.
Hives: Hiccups:
applying a drop of the Oil at the base of the
Neck may assist to alleviate.
Hot Conditions: Consume a drop of the Oil in
a glass of cold water. Indigestion:
due to Flatulence, Headaches, Migraines
and Sickness.
Also rub 4 - 6 drops of the Oil
on the Palm
and then over the Stomach and
around the Navel. Influenza: in Teas
combined with Elder
and Yarrow for as a Diaphoretic
it is used to eliminate the
Toxins in
the Skin. Injury /
Tender:
Massage a few drops of the
Oil on the area to
reduce. Insect
Bites / Bee / Wasp:
by rubbing the
affected area with the Leaves.
Itching and Inflammation:
Externally to relieve. Joints
/ Tender:
Massage a few drops of the Oil on the area to
reduce. Migraine:
as an Inhalant when associated with
Digestion. Milk
Products:
as a Tea is used to
assist those who have difficulty digesting.
Morning Sickness:
Drink a cup of Peppermint
Tea before
getting out of bed, and a cup of Red Raspberry Tea
at meal times for the rest of the day and take Ginger
and 25mg of Vitamin B6 utilising the Raspberry
Tea from the second trimester on. N.B: Do
not take too strong
a Tea
as this can prove
dangerous.
Muscles /
Sore: drink the Tea
and apply Externally as a wet
mash to the affected area as it is Camphoraceous
principles will also assist to relieve pain.
Nasal Catarrh:
as an Inhalant when
associated with Digestion.
Nausea: Rub 4 - 6
drops of the Oil
on the Palm
and then over the Stomach
and around the Navel as this
acts as an Anaesthetic
to the Stomach
Wall allaying the feelings
and a desire to Vomit.
Pain: Period
Tension:
Used to
relieve.
Pregnancy:
relieves Vomiting.
N.B: Do not take too strong a Tea
as this can prove dangerous.
Pests:
Put 2 drops of the
Oil
on a cotton ball and place on the point of entry.
Preservative:
Add drops of the
Oil to food. Scabies: contains Menthol
that has Anaesthetic, anti - Septic
and
Cooling properties. Bath
Tea: Mix
the herb with Pennyroyal,
Rosemary, Sage, Spearmint and Thyme in any proportions, but make enough
to toss several cups into warm bath water and
drink a cup or two to reduce Stress.
N.B: Do not use
if Pregnant.
Sickness: relieves.
Sinusitis
/
Head
Aches: The
vapour helps to clear blocked
Sinuses and Nasal Passages and
relieve.
Skin
/ Irritation:
due to Poison Ivy or Poison Oak or similar,
apply a drop of the
Oil
to soothe.
Skin / Itching:
Apply a drop of the
Oil
if the
Skin
is
unbroken
to assist.
Skin /
Sensitive: with a mild washing
water made from Peppermint Leaves as a cooling
Face Lotion as it has a temporary Anaesthetic
effect on the Skin.
Stomach
Conditions: a
cup of Peppermint Tea normalises
the Digestion and prevents Colic
and Flatulence as it relaxes and has
an Analgesic
effect on the Stomach Walls. Stomach
Ulcers:
as Menthol distilled from the Peppermint
Oil to prevent. Tea:
Two drops of the Oil may also be used in
hot water. Teeth
/ Toothpaste: with Peppermint
Essence to clean. Temperature
/ High:
Rub a few drops of the Oil
on the bottom of the
Feet to lower.
Ticks: Apply a drop of the
Oil and wait for them to back out.
Travel
Sickness: As a
Tea,
or rub 4 drops of the Oil
on the Chest
and Stomach
to relieve and
alleviate Vomiting. Ulcerative Colitis: Wind:
PERILLA / Beefsteak Plant / Chinese Basil / Shiso / Perilla frutescens. N.B: Do not use in larger then Culinary amounts if Pregnant or Breast Feeding. Actions: Anti - Allergic, anti - Inflammatory. Cultivation: A hardy branched annual to 1.2 metres with broadly ovate, serrated Leaves from green to red with tiny white to purple Flowers on the Spikes to 10 cm long in a moist to well drained soil enriched with Compost. Pick out Spikes early to encourage bushy growth. Plant the seed in the Spring and harvest Leaves in Summer to be used Fresh or Dried and harvest the Flower Spikes when fully developed and the Seed in Autumn and plant the Seed in Spring. Products: Leaves and Seeds. Used to Treat: Appetite: if poor. Bloating: Colds and Coughs: Colic: Pickled Plums / Umboshi contain Perilla to counter or the salted Leaves may be eaten. Dermatitis: topically as a Cream. Digestion: if poor. Eyes / Itching / Watering: Flatulence: Pickled Plums / Umboshi - contain Perilla to counter or the salted Leaves may be eaten. Flu: Hay Fever: Nausea: Poisoning / Food: as it has a powerful Tonic effect on the Digestive System. Respiratory Conditions:
PERITONE: Used to Treat: Constipation: Take 2 tablets with a large glass of water at bedtime.
PERIWINKLE /
Vinca major. Europe /
warmer regions. Actions: Mainly used as an Astringent
and Tonic by Women. Cultivation: A small decorative herb
with delightful blue flowers.
Products:
the Leaves and
Stems. Used to Treat:
Menorrhagia: Specific.
PERIWINKLE:
South
Africa
/
Vinca rosa. Cultivation: A large trailing herb
with
profuse pink flowers.
Products: the Leaves
and Stems.
Used
to Treat:
Diabetes: Specific.
PERSIMMON: Used to Treat: Tonsillitis:
PERUVIAN BALSAM / Myroxylon pereirae. South America. Actions: Stimulant. Cultivation: A very large tree. Product: the Wood. Used to Treat: Catarrh: Specific as an Infusion. Eczema: as a Lotion. Leucorrhoea: Specific as an Infusion. Ringworm: as a Lotion. Skin Conditions: as a Lotion.
PETTY SPURGE / Euphorbia peplus. Wild Herb. Cultivation: Use the whole herb above the ground.
PHYTOLACCA
OCTANDRA / Inkweed
/
Wild.
Product: the Root.
N.B: Use only if properly trained.
PHYTOLACCA: N.B: Should only be obtained from a
Professional
Herbalist.
PICHI / Fabiana imbricata. South America. Cultivation:
A herb
of moderate growth with tiny leaves.
Product: the Leaves.
Actions: Diuretic, a very effective Hepatic
and Stimulant. Used
to Treat: Catarrh:
as a Diuretic and Stimulant. Kidney
Conditions: as a Diuretic
and Stimulant. Liver Conditions:
PIGWEED / Amaranthus. Used to Treat: Ankylosing Spondylitis: the best plant source of Calcium to prevent. Heart Disease: Osteoporosis: Stroke:
PILEWORT / Lesser Celandine
/ Ranunculus ficaria
/
See also Celandine,
Lesser.
PIMPERNEL, SCARLET (Poisonous) Anagallis arvensis. Northern Europe. N.B: Can be poisonous so use with respect. Cultivation: A small procumbent plant with vivid red flowers. Product: the Leaves. Actions: Diuretic and Expectorant.
PINE / Picea abies. *Essential
Oil is used in warming
Rubs and
Liniments as it stimulates
and is naturally anti
- Septic. Used to Treat:
Air Freshener: Bath:
for its fragrance and to Tone.
Muscles / Sore:
used as an Oil
to relax.
PINEAPPLE / Ananas comosus. Used to Treat:
Amenorrhoea:
Ankylosing Spondylitis: Arthritis: Bruises: Bunions:
Bursitis: Carpal Tunnel
Syndrome: Corns: Gout: Heart
Burn: Indigestion:
Multiple Sclerosis: Sinusitis: Skin Conditions: Stroke:
Swelling: Tendinitis: Ulcers: Warts: Worms: Wrinkles:
Weight
-
Control:
PINE BARK / Hemlock Bark /
Tsuga canadensis. Canada. Cultivation: A tall coniferous tree.
Product:
the Bark. Actions: A very strong Astringent. Used
also to tan high - grade leather. Used to Treat:
Leucorrhoea: A very strong Astringent used by Women.
PIPSISSIWA / Ground Holly
/
Chimaphila umbellata.
Northern Hemisphere.
Cultivation:
A small tough shrub.
Product: the Leaves.
Actions: A Tonic
and valuable Alterative. Used
to Treat: Debility:
for those run down. Rheumatoid Conditions:
to restore mobility quickly.
PLANTAIN / Small / Greater / Rat - Tail / Plantage lanceolata and major / Plantaginaceae. Wild. N.B: do not use if Pregnant or Breast Feeding unless under Medical supervision. Main Use: Disorders of the Respiratory Organs. Actions: strong Astringent / Styptic, Bactericidal, Cleansing, Depurative, Diuretic (Specific), Expectorant, Prophylactic and Vulnerary. Constituents: Aucubin, Fat, Gum, Manganese, Mucilage, Phosphor, Potassium, Resin, Silicic Acid, Starch, Tannin, Vitamin C and Wax. Cultivation: Use the whole herb above the ground and gather during Flowering throughout Summer and dry as fast as possible to stop discolouring. Fresh: Eat young Leaves in Salads and Sandwiches. Fresh Juice: better then the Tea, as the Vitamin C is very high. Dosage: 1/2 teaspoon 3 x times a day. Ointment: Can be made instead of a Compress if Fresh Leaves are not available. Salve: combine 2 x teaspoons of Plantain Juice, made by pulping and sieving the Leaves, with 150ml of pure White Lard and melt together over low heat, strain and store in the refrigerator in a clean glass jar. Syrup: Put 2 x heaped double handfuls of washed Leaves through a juicer and add water so it does not burn. 300gm of Raw Sugar or 250gm Honey and stir constantly on a low heat until mixture is thick - flowing and bottle and keep in the fridge. Tea: Pour 1 cup of boiling water onto 2 x teaspoons of the dried herb and Infuse for 10 minutes and drink 3 times a day. Tincture: soak a handful of the leaves in enough Brandy to cover and store in a warm place for 2 weeks and strain and mix with distilled water. Take 2 - 3ml x 3 times a day. Used to Treat: Abscesses: to draw and heal. Anal Fissures: to soften stools. Asthma / Bronchial: Bath: use a Tea added for a soothing soak. Bladder Weakness: Blood: enriches especially the Lymphatic System and speeds up Cell division there. Boils: to draw and heal. Bowel: used as Psyllium Husks as a Bulk Laxative to be more regular. Bowel / Catarrhal Colic: Bowel / Irritable: as Psyllium Husks. Bronchitis / Mild: Bruises: as an Ointment. Burns: Cholesterol: to lower. Colitis: Constipation / Chronic: as Psyllium Husks. Coughs: Cuts: as an Ointment. Cystitis: where there is bleeding as an Astringent. Dandruff: Diarrhoea: where there is bleeding as an Astringent. Eczema: with a Compress of bruised Leaves. Gastritis: Haemorrhoids: as an Ointment where there is bleeding as an Astringent. Infections: as a Prophylactic with the Fresh Juice. Insect Bites and Stings / Bees / Wasps: with a Compress of bruised Leaves. Laryngitis: Lungs: reduces Inflammation and Irritation and assists to remove Cartarrh. Mouth / Inflammatory: as a Mouth Wash. Poison Ivy: Skin Conditions / Weeping: with a Compress of bruised Leaves. Sores: with a Compress of bruised Leaves. Sunburn: Throat / Sore: as a Mouth Wash. Ulcers / Peptic / Intestinal: with a Compress of bruised Leaves. Weight Control: Whooping Cough: Wounds / Open Sores / Long Term: to heal with a washed Leaf and cover with a bandage and renew every hour or as a Tea.
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