CHICKWEEDS

Scientific names and their common names:

Stellaria media (Common chickweed)
Stellaria pubera (Star chickweed)
Cerastium vulgatum (Mouse-ear Chickweed)

Description:

Widespread in temperate zones, Chickweed is an herb that grows all year along roadsides, coastal cliffs, riverbanks and lawns.  It is a low-growing plant with tiny white flowers and slender delicate stems.  Chickweed has pointed oval leaves that folds every night over the tender buds and new shoots thus the term 'Sleep of Plants'. Its flowers bloom between May and July and can be used fresh or dried for later herb use.

Caution: There are similar-looking weeds called Euphorbia maculata which are poisonous. They are spotted spurge with different flowers and white, milky sap. Another weed called Polygonum arenastrum has slender stem with alternate leaves that is singly configured.

Nutrition: Chickweed is very nutritious and is an excellent source of vitamins A, D, B complex, C, and minerals like iron, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, manganese, sodium, silica, copper and selenium.

Chickweeds' stems, leaves and flowers are edible and make a tasty addition to salads or cook them like spinach.  They, by the way, resemble the taste of spinach. It can also be added in lasagna and chickweeds are in fact a component of a cream cheese spread.

For the Mouse-ear chickweed variety, one needs to cook this because it's so hairy.

Medicinal properties and indications:

The major plant constituents in Chickweed are coumarins, oleic-acid, genistein, hentriacontanol,  flavonoids, rutin and triterpenoid saponins.

The omega-6 fatty acid gamma-linolenic acid is also found in chickweed which is essential for skin and hair growth, reproductive system, bone health and helps reduce inflammation.

Chickweed is used in alternative medicine as a laxative, astringent, carminative, diuretic (but won't deplete the body of minerals), expectorant, vulnerary, galactogogue, emmenagogue and is a remedy for obesity. Because of its mucilage content, chickweed also has demulcent properties that soothe the mucous membranes.


As an Infusion:

How to prepare an Infusion:

In 1 cup boiling water
Add 1 Tablespoons dried herb or 2 Tablespoon fresh leaves
Steep for 10 min

Used to treat asthma, bronchitis, coughs and hoarseness.
Beneficial in the treatment of kidney complaints, UIT, cystitis


As a decoction:

It is used for post-partum depurative, galactogogue, emmenagogue,  and circulatory tonic. It is also used to relieve constipation.

Externally it is used to treat rheumatic pains, wounds and ulcers.


As a Poultice (finely chopped chickweed): relieves any kind of roseola, skin irritation, minor burns, rashes, eczema.  Chickweed is an effective antihistamine.



THOUGH THE CONTENT OF THIS BLOG HAD BEEN TRIED/TESTED AND HAD BEEN USED
AS FOLK/HERBAL MEDICINE IT IS STILL BEST TO CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE
TRYING THIS. AVOID SELF-DIAGNOSIS AND SELF-MEDICATION.

Gotu Kola

Latin Name: Centella asiatica

Other Names: Indian Pennywort, Pennywort, Jal Brahmi, Centella


Description:

 Centella herb is a slender creeper with pinkish to red flowers.  The leaves are small and thin that are borne on pericladial petioles, kidney-shaped or heart-shaped at the base and can reach a width of 1 inch and a length of 6 inches. The Gotu Kola/Centella puts out numerous small roots and growing vertically down.

Centella/gotu kola can be eaten as a salad or vegetable dish or used in sweet pennywort drinks and other health drinks.


Parts used: whole plant


Medicinal properties and indication:

Centella has been used as a medicinal herb for centuries in India, China and Indonesia. It is used to treat wounds, improve mental clarity and  used for Alzheimer's disease and senility.

The sap of the leaves mixed with vaseline or oil can be applied over the affected area as poultice. It is used on wounds and skin sores and treat skin conditions such as leprosy, eczema and psoriasis. It is also use for anti-aging and for tired-looking skin as it is believed to be able to renew the collagen.  The saponins present in centella also prevent scar formation.

Centella is used as an antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory

Decoction of leaves is used as diuretic and is useful for gonorrhea.  It is also considered emmenagogue, stimulant and tonic.

Seeds are used for dysentery, fever and headache.

Roots are used to improve blood circulation and correct venous insufficiency.

In Ayurvedic, Centella is used for depression and anxiety.

Gotu Kola/Centella is rich in Vitamin A, B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (Niacin) and B6 (pyridoxine).  It also has zinc, magnesium, calcium and rich in volatile oils.

Alfalfa

Scientific Name: Medicago sativa Leguminosae

Other names: Lucerne, Chilean Clover, Purple Medic, Father of All Foods,

Buffalo Grass, Buffalo Herb

Description:

Alfalfa is a perennial plant belonging to the pea family that is harvested
after having grown to approximately 3 feet.  It is bushy with blue-green
leaves, bluish-purple or yellowish flowers and seeds in sickle-shaped or
spiraled pods.  The roots of the Alfalfa can go down twenty to thirty feet
into the ground and this brings up the minerals that are not available on
the surface.

Parts Used: 

Alfalfa Stems, leaves as well as the sprouts from the seeds.

Medicinal properties and uses:

Alfalfa is a good source of protein and is rich in vitamins and minerals.
It contains chlorophyll, organic acids, saponins, isoflavins, sterols,
coumarins, alkaloid and minerals like Calcium, potassium, phosphorus,

Magnesum and zinc.  It is also rich in  vitamins A, B1, B6, B12, C, D, E,

K, niacin, biotin, folic acid and pantothenic acid.

It plays a vital role in strengthening the immune system and in the
maintenance of a healthy body.

The leaves contain phytoestrogens that could be beneficial in menopausal
and breast feeding women. Saponins can help lower blood cholesterol and
slows the progress of atherosclerosis


Alfalfa can be eaten as fresh raw sprouts (washed thoroughly, of course) or
can be taken in capsules or teas, infusion or as a herb sprinkled onto food.
This is a source of good iodine.



Alfalfa is known to cure or give relief to the ff:

kidney problems
fluid retention and swelling
Arthritis
auto-immune disorder
Prevent strokes
Whooping cough.
Reduce blood sugar levels (diabetes)
Cancer
Endometriosis


Alfalfa is also known as a natural treatment for hair loss.

Combined with equal amounts of carrot and lettuce, the combination of these

juices are helpful for the growth of hair.

Contraindications:

As with all herbal products, moderation is the key to avoiding adverse

reactions. Not to be taken during pregnancy and contraindicated in

autoimmune diseases.  Not to be taken when using blood thinning or

anticoagulant medication such as warfarin.


THOUGH THE CONTENT OF THIS BLOG HAD BEEN TRIED/TESTED AND HAD BEEN USED
AS FOLK/HERBAL MEDICINE IT IS STILL BEST TO CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE
TRYING THIS. AVOID SELF-DIAGNOSIS AND SELF-MEDICATION.

Parsnip

Scientific name: Pastinaca sativa

Description:
Parsnip is physically similar to the carrot, but different in color and flavor. Parsnip is actually richer in vitamins than a carrot.

It is a biannual plant with a thick ramified root, grayish white or yellowish in color., and the pulp is succulent with specific flavor. The leaves are shiny on one side and puffy on the other, and are bigger than those of parsley or carrot.

Part used:

Only its roots are consumed

To preserve nutritional value, many prefer to boil or steam the washed root and then scrape off the skin.

Properties and benefits:

Parsnip is rich in vitamins B1, B2, C. It also has minerals like potassium, folic acid and is a good source of fibers. Parsnips provide the body with manganese, niacin, thiamine, magnesium, and copper. It also has antioxidant, antirrheumatic and diuretic properties.

Treatments

Parsnip is consumed as a soup or as a juice and is good for those who are having a fever.

Parsnips are good for those with kidney diseases.

It is also found to control obesity and diminish cellulite. As a rich fiber source, it helps lower cholesterol and keep blood sugar level normal.

Parsnip also stimulates growth and is beneficial for those suffering from anemia.

Dandelion

Scientific name: Taraxacum officinale Weber

Description:

Dandelion is a tap-rooted biennial or perennial herb native to Europe and Asia.


The leaves are 5–25 cm long or longer and arranged in rosette fashion around the central taproot. A rosette may produce several flowering stems at a time and each ending in a single flowering head. The flower heads are yellow to orange color and when broken it gives out a milky sap (latex). Upon maturity, the flower head is replaced by a white puffball containing many single-seeded fruits called “achenes”. Each “achene” is attached to an umbrella-like tuft of hairs.

When picking dandelions it is advisable to gather the whole plant when it is about to bloom, and the taproots around the colder months.

Health Benefits:

Dandelion leaves are believed to have a diuretic effect since they increase salt and water excretion from the kidneys. They also contain abundant amounts of vitamins and minerals, especially Vitamins A, C and K, and are good sources of calcium, potassium, iron and manganese. The leaves are a significant source of beta carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin. Dandelion leaves may also normalize blood sugar.
Dandelion flowers contain an antioxidant called luteolin.

Parts Used:

Whole plant or taproots (fresh or sun-dried)

Indications and Directions for use:

1. Otitis media
Pound the fresh plant until the sap is extracted. Use this sap as eardrops. A few drops of sap a day is recommended.

2. Mastitis 

Pound the dried dandelion taproot until it becomes a fine powder. Add Vaseline or a pasty plaster (1:1 proportion) to the powder. Rub the ointment over the affected area.

To make the pasty plaster:
Gather fresh dandelion plant and pound it or put in a food processor until a paste is created.


3. Warts /Scalds

Cut the end of the dandelion for the milk sap to come out.  Apply the sap on the wart twice or thrice a day. Rub the sap over the scalded area.

4. Mumps.
Pound fresh plant and add egg white and a little amount of sugar to create a paste.

5.  Kidney, gallbladder, and liver problems.
You will need dried herbs or roots in 1 quart of water.  Boil for 30 min. Drink every 3 hours.

6. Gastric and duodenal ulcers.
After each meal take a teaspoon of the  finely powdered, dried taproot, orally.  Take it with a glassful of water.


THOUGH THE CONTENT OF THIS BLOG HAD BEEN TRIED & TESTED AND HAD BEEN USED AS FOLK/HERBAL MEDICINE IT IS STILL BEST TO CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR.

Carrots

Scientific name: Daucus carota

Description:

From the Indo-European root word “ker” meaning horn. This cylindrical taproot vegetable is the familiar kitchen carrot we know. The carrot gets its characteristic bright orange color from β-carotene, which is metabolized into vitamin A. Aside from orange, carrots can be selectively bred to produce different colors like purple, red, white and yellow.

Lack of Vitamin A can cause poor vision while eating too many carrots can cause carotenosis, a benign condition that gives the skin an orange color.

Health Benefits:

This familiar garden vegetable is an excellent source of antioxidant compounds. It is also rich in Vitamins (A,C,K and B6, B1, B3) dietary fiber and minerals (potassium, manganese, molybdenum, magnesium)

Indications and direction for use:

1. Diarrhea
Peel and grate carrot and boil it in water. Wait for it to thicken.

2. Hyperacidity

Eat freshly grated carrots for breakfast.

3. Ascariasis (intestinal parasite)

Take 2 to 3 carrots a day for several days.

4. Hypertension

Make 100 mL of fresh carrot juices everyday. Drink two servings per day for 30 days.

5. Arthritis

Chop 1 grapefruit into small cubes and prepare equal amounts of carrots and celery preferably 8 ozs for each. Put into the blender. Blend well until smooth. Drink the juice once a day in between the meal time.


THOUGH THE CONTENT OF THIS BLOG HAD BEEN TRIED & TESTED AND HAD BEEN USED AS FOLK/HERBAL MEDICINE IT IS STILL BEST TO CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR.