All information copywrite: Canadian Society for Herbal Research Herb-walk Bestview Park, Toronto, Ontario Listed below are some of the herb plants that can be found in this park. If you have any difficulties with the terminology a good herb book will help. Recommended Book List There are many thousands of herb books available all covering and emphasising slightly different aspects of herbalism. Some are very good indeed and some, to be frank, are not so good. Those listed below would be considered the essential minimum required of a professional herbalist. All of these books are highly recommended and can be purchased with confidence. If you wish they can be obtained for you through the Society. 1) A Modern Herbal. Mrs. M. Greive, 2) School of Natural Healing. Dr. J.R. Christopher. 3) An Holistic Herbal. David Hoffman. 4) Potters Cyclopedia of Medicinal Herbs. These books cover the traditional and modern uses of medicinal plants. All of the herbs listed below will be found in these books. BURDOCK (Arctium lappa) Burdock enjoys great popularity as an alterative. It also possesses mild diaphoretic and diuretic qualities. It is one of the finest "blood purifiers" in botanic practice. Used to treat dry scaly skin eruptions and recurrent boils and sties. It is also especially suitable in psoriasis, stubborn scaly eczema, obstinate and painful skin ulcers and in catarrhal conditions. The seeds possess greater diuretic properties than the root. It is used externally as an ointment in skin diseases with exceptionally good results. A decoction of the root has been used with good effect in rheumatic and gouty disorders. It assists in the elimination of waste material combined with a mild tonic effect. Average Dose: Fluid extract root 2 - 8 mils RED CLOVER (Trifolium pratense) A well-known alterative and antispasmodic, Red Clover has beneficial properties active in the treatment of skin diseases and malignant growths. It is not suggested that Trifolium will cure cancer, but it undoubtedly favourably influences a system under the strain of malignancy. It has a good reputation in the treatment of spasmodic and bronchial coughs. It is generally combined with other remedies when its alterative powers are to be brought into play. Externally it is a excellent remedy for ulcers and burns. It has been used externally as a dressing for malignant ulceration. It possesses a peculiar soothing and healing property and promotes healthy granulation. The leaves and flowers of Red Clover are prepared into an ointment for external use. Average Dose: Fluid Extract 2 - 8 ml. VIOLET - (Viola odorata) Anti-inflammatory, stimulating eexpectorant and diuretic. Also good for congestive lung consumption problems. Use as a mouth wash and gargle for infections of the mouthh and throat. Used in cancer treatment, especially of the breast, lungs and alimentary canal. Excellent for lymphatic problems. Lumps in the breast. Useful in headaches drank as a tea and applied to the head as a compress. Also as a poultice or compress for tumours, swollen breasts. Violet syrup is excellent for throat problems. Good in colds with fever, (has a cooling affect). For whooping cough in children and shortness of breath. The root is used to dissolve mucus in severe cough. For children's cough take 2 to 3 teaspoonfuls every 2 to 3 hours.. For chest problems 3 to 5 tablespoons every 2 to 3 hours. CRAMP BARK (Viburnum Opulus) As its name implies this is a very effective remedy in cases of cramp, convulsions and spasms of all kinds. It is also nervine in action and will relieve irregular spasmodic pains in the womb and ovaries. Dose: Fluid extract 2 - 5 ml. TANSY (Tanacetum vulgare) Again this herb is largely used for expelling worms in children. The infusion of 30 grams to 500 mils. of boiling water should be administered in teacupful doses night and morning during a short fast. This herb is also a tonic and emmenagogue and is a valuable remedy in female disorders, hysteria and nausea. Dose: Fluid Extract 2 - 10 ml. OAK (Quercus rubor) Oak is slightly tonic, strongly astringent and antiseptic. It is useful in chronic diarrhoea and dysentery, either alone or in conjunction with aromatics. A decoction is useful for sore throats and relaxed throats. Average Dose: Fluid Extract 3 - 5 ml. PINUS BARK (Pinus canadensis) This remedy is astringent and tonic. The bark forms an ingredient in Composition Powder. Average Dose: Fluid Extract 3 - 5 ml. MANDRAKE American (Podophyllum peltatum) Anti-bilious, cathartic, hydragogue and purgative. It is a most powerful medicine and exercises an influence on every part of the system, stimulating the glands to a healthy action. It must be used in small doses as large doses cause violent evacuations and debility. If there is enlargement of the liver with soreness and pain, it is a sure remedy. It can be given in jaundice with good results. In fact it is invaluable in all chronic scrofulous, dyspeptic and liver diseases. Average dose: Fluid extract 1/2 - 1.5 ml. COLTSFOOT (Tussilago farfara) Demulcent and expectorant, and is a popular cough remedy although is usually combined with other agents such as Horehound or Marshmallow. The leaves are often smoked as a relief against asthma, bronchitis and catarrh. (Not recommended!). Average dose: Fluid extract 2 - 5 ml. CATNIP (Nepeta Cataria) Relaxant, carminative, digestive stimulant, tonic, diaphoretic, anti-spasmodic. Reduces mucous congestion of upper respiratory passages. Used in feverish colds and coughs. Also stomach pains and flatulence. Excellent for nervous and tension headaches. Useful as an infusion to ensure a good nights sleep. A superb children's nervine and sedative. Taken in enema for eruptive diseases, i.e. Chicken pox, measles, etc. Give this to teething and colicky babies. Dose: Infusion - One cup standard infusion when required. LINDEN (Tilia europa, Tilia cordata) Diaphoretic, diuretic, nervine, stimulant tonic. Anti- plethoric, (cleans and makes the blood more fluid so is excellent as a preventative for arteria-sclerosis, phlebitis, angina and heart attacks). Good for chronic insomnia, anxiety, restless children and sleeping problems, (particularly in the elderly). Promotes perspiration in fever also eliminating mucus from kidneys, bladder, lungs and stomach. Used in nervous conditions and disorders following colds. Excellent when used as a poultice for minor eye problems. Dose: Infusion - One cup standard infusion when required. YARROW (Achillea millefolium) Diaphoretic, stimulant and tonic. It is extremely useful in colds and acute catarrh of the respiratory tract generally. It opens the pores freely and purifies the blood. Combined with Elder flowers and Peppermint it forms Composition powder, a speedy cure for influenza and feverish colds. Average dose: Fluid extract 1 - 5 ml. COUCHGRASS (Agropyron ropens) This herb is diuretic, demulcent and aperient. It is very useful in the many conditions of cystitis, nephritis and other urinary affections. It was used successfully in Victorian times for gout and is of help in various forms of rheumatism. In cases accompanied by feverishness and infusion of the dried or fresh herb (30 grams to 500 mils) may be taken in wine-glassful doses frequently. Dose: fluid extract 3-5 mils. WILD CARROT (Daucus carota) Diuretic, deobstruent and stimulant this herb is to be found in many herbal formulae generally. Dose: fluid extract 3-5 mils. BLUE COHOSH (Caulophyllum thalictroides) This is an emmenagogue with diuretic, antispasmodic and vermifuge properties. It again has proved very useful in female complaints and in rheumatism especially in combination with other remedies. Be especially careful with this remedy. Use with care. Dose: Fluid extract 10-30 drops. ELECAMPANE (Inula helenium) In addition to being an expectorant this remedy is also diaphoretic and diuretic. It is used principally with other remedies for coughs and pulmonary disorders. It also has mild tonic properties. Dose: Fluid extract 5 mils. BLOOD ROOT (Sanguinaria canadensis) Is also a tonic and stimulant. It is of great value in chest diseases, bleeding from the lungs pneumonia and chronic bronchitis. In whooping cough and croup it should be given until vomiting results. The powdered root may be used as snuff in catarrh and polypus of the nose. As an external remedy the powdered root or the application of the tincture acts well in cases of ringworm and other skin affections. Too large a dose should be avoided as this can produce a narcotic effect. Dose: Fluid extract 10-20 drops. Tincture 2-8 mils. POPLAR (Populus tremuloides) Another stimulant which is also tonic and diuretic. As a universal tonic it is deservedly popular. It takes the place of Peruvian bark and quinine and has none of the drawbacks which interfere with the continued use of the latter. It can be very useful in cases of debility, indigestion, faintness and hysteria etc. and may also be given in urinary complaints. Dose: Fluid extract 5 ml. HAWTHORN (Cratoegus oxycantha) One of our well known cardiac tonics this remedy has a well deserved reputation as a remedy for use in many organic and functional heart disorders. Complaints such as sysponoea, rapid and feeble heart action, hypertrophy and valvular insufficiency will all benefit from hawthorn. Wherever there is slow circulation with `pins and needles', numbness etc. this is the remedy. Dose: Fluid extract 10-15 drops. STINGING NETTLE, Urtica Dioca - Mars. Astringent, diuretic, haemostatic, tonic. According to Culpepper this herb can be found even in the dark by feeling around! If stung by nettle look for dock leaves that usually grow nearby. Crush the leaf and rub into the rash. At one time people used to thrash themselves with nettles or roll in a bed of nettles. This stimulated the entire system, cleansing the blood and eliminating waste through the skin. These methods or applications were thought to eliminate poisons and prevent and cure rheumatism, typhoid fever, apoplectic fits and also to act as an emmenagogue. In mythology Nettles were sacred to the god Thor (War-Man) and were put on the fire during thunderstorms to keep homes safe from being destroyed by Thor's lightning. Only young nettle tops are used in medicine. The older stalks were used to make cloth which was considered more durable than other linen. This cloth was used to make army uniforms up to World War 1. It was also used for ropes, sacking, sailcloth and fishing nets, even for making paper. The German word for muslin is *Nessel-Tuch* or nettle cloth. A course or treatment for 6 weeks of fresh nettle tops is an excellent Spring cleansing. The tops can be eaten in a soup or cooked like spinach. Nettles are very rich in iron and magnesium. Blood building, nettles clear mucus from the lungs and throat, cleanse the blood, improve circulation, stimulate pancreas secretion and secretion of the digestive glands of the stomach, intestines, liver and gallbladder. Also nettles help lower blood sugar and are used for ulcers in the intestines. They eliminate uric acid, so because of their diuretic qualities they are useful for rheumatism, gout and kidney stones. Mixed with Yarrow they ease backache in women caused by ovary problems. Good in foot-baths for vascular constrictions. Nettles also stop diarrhoea, for nose bleed, spitting of blood and haemorrhage of all kinds. Also useful for colds in the head. Helps regulate menstruation and in nursing increases milk flow. Externally it is used for sciatica, skin problems such as eczema, and rheumatic pain. Use as a gargle for sore or inflamed mouth or throat. Can be useful for skin rashes and allergies. Fresh crushed leaves put into nostrils can dissolve polyps. For haemorrhoids cover young nettle tops with water and boil 20-30 minutes sweeten with honey. Excellent as a hair rinse for hair loss etc. One handful of young nettles simmered in one litre water for 2 hours. Strain and bottle. Try Nettle mixed with Centuary one cup one hour before dinner. HOW TO MAKE AN OINTMENT Method 1) - pack cut herb into an enamel pot and cover with vegetable oil. Simmer for about two hours at 100-180F, (with the pot covered). The liquid will absorb the colour of the herb. You must constantly stir the mixture. The mixture is done when the herb is crispy in texture. Do not overdo this because you can burn the oil and the ointment when finished will retain the burnt scent. Strain the oil when cool to remove the bits and pieces. Put the oil back in the pot and heat up the oil again to melt the beeswax. Add beeswax, approximately 1 cubic inch for 1 cup oil. Another way to test if you added enough wax is to sample a few drops of oil with the melted beeswax on a spoon, dip the spoon in cold water and check the firmness with your fingers. Pour into sterilized jars. *Remember every utensil you use must be sterilized. Method 2) - Use 1 part herb to 4 parts oil. Let oil saturate the powdered herb for 3-7 days by a source of heat (sunlight). When ready, put this mixture on the stove at medium to low temperature. Finish as with method 1.