Yellowdock Root (Rumex crispus)
Mrs. M. Grieve: —Medicinal Action and Uses—The Yellow Dock is applicable to all the purposes for which the other species are used. The root has laxative, alterative and mildly tonic action, and can be freely used as a tonic and laxative in rheumatism, bilious complaints and as an astringent in piles, bleedings of the lungs, etc. It is largely prescribed for diseases of the blood, from a spring eruption, to scurvy, scrofula and chronic skin diseases. It is also useful in jaundice and as a tonic to the stomach and the system generally. It has an action on the bowels very similar to that of Rhubarb, being perhaps a little less active, but operating without pain or uneasiness.

Rumicin is the active principle of the Yellow Dock, and from the root, containing Chrysarobin, a dried extract is prepared officially, of which from 1 to 4 grains may be given for a dose in a pill. This is useful for relieving a congested liver, as well as for scrofulous skin diseases.

A syrup can be made by boiling 1/2 lb. crushed root in a pint of syrup, which is taken in teaspoonful doses. The infusion administered in wineglassful doses – is made by pouring 1 pint of boiling water on 1 OZ. of the powdered root. A useful homoeopathic tincture is made from the plant before it flowers, which is of particular service to an irritable tickling cough of the upper air-tubes and the throat. It is likewise excellent for dispelling any obstinate itching of the skin. It acts like Sarsaparilla for curing scrofulous skin affections and glandular swellings.

To be applied externally for cutaneous affections, an ointment may be made by boiling the root in vinegar until the fibre is softened and then mixing the pulp with lard.

The seeds have been given with advantage in dysentery, for their astringent action.

The Yellow Dock has also been considered to have a positive effect in restraining the inroads made by cancer in the human system, being used as an alterative and tonic to enfeebled condition caused by

necrosis, cancer, etc. It has been used in diphtheria.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
PLANET: Venus ELEMENT: Water Gender: Feminine USE IN MAGIC: Healing, Divination, Courage, Love, Psychic powers, Exorcism PART USED: leaves and flowering tops, gathered June to September

Other names: Folk Names: Achillea, Arrowroot, Bad Man’s Plaything, Carpenter’s Weed, Death Flower, Devil’s Nettle, Eerie, Field Hops, Gearwe, Hundred Leaved Grass, Knight’s Milfoil, Knyghten, Lady’s Mantle, Milfoil, Militaris, Military Herb, Millefolium, Noble Yarrow, Nosebleed, Old Man’s Mustard, Old Man’s Pepper, Sanguinary, Seven Year’s Love, Snake’s Grass, Soldier’s Woundwort, Stanch Griss, Stanch Weed, Tansy, Thousand Seal, Wound Wort, Yarroway, Yerw.

Features/description: The stem is angular and rough, the leaves alternate, 3-4 inches long and 1 inch broad, clasping the stem at the base, bipinnate, the segments very finely cut, giving the leaves a feathery appearance. It flowers from June to September. The flower, white or pale lilac, being like small daisies, in flattened, terminal loose heads, or chymes. The whole plant is more or less hairy, with white, silky hairs.

Cultivation Yarrow is an undemanding plant that thrives even in poor soil but does best in a sunny position with good drainage and light soil.Yarrow grows well in zones 3-8 with some cultivars extending to zone 10. Plants are susceptible to disease in humid areas. Tolerates light shade. Soil-moderately rich and moist. Propagating-sow or divide invasive roots in spring or autumn. Growing-thin or transplant to 12 inches apart. Plant will bloom a second time if they are deadheaded. Not suitable for indoor growing. Harvesting-gather leaves and flowers in late summer. Preserving-dry both leaves and flowers.

Propagate from seeds, by root division or from woody cuttings taken in autumn or spring. They can take a year or two to establish themselves from seed. Place the plants 1-2 feet apart and divide the clumps when they become crowded. Taller cultivars may need to be staked, especially if grown in very fertile soil.

Culinary- LEAF, finely chopped slightly bitter, peppery young leaves into salads and cheese dips. Used like flour (the root) to thicken sauces Yarrow ale was a traditional drink at country weddings for centuries be fore the introduction of Hops to brewing. The ale has all of the healing qualities of the herb.

Yarrow Ale (makes about 8 16-oz. bottles)

1 gallon water (use bottled spring water)
1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
1 cup organic unsulphured molasses
1 oz. dried Yarrow flowers (enough to pack two muslin tea bags)
1 quart strong Sage infusion
1 packet brewer’s yeast

Bring the water to a boil. Add the brown sugar, molasses, and one of the muslin bags of Yarrow. Boil for a half hour. Remove the herb from the “wort,” and allow the liquid to cool to 70 degrees (about room temperature — this will take a couple of hours). While the wort cools, prepare your fermenter. This can be any glass container larger than one gallon, with a wide mouth. Wash with soap and water, and rinse first with boiling water and then with a strong infusion of Sage to discourage unwanted bacteria. Pour the cooled wort into the fermenting jar. Dissolve the yeast in 1/2 cup of lukewarm waterand let it sit for about fifteen minutes. Add the yeast/water to the jar, and suspend the second muslin bag of Yarrow in the wort. Cover the jar loosely with plastic wrap or a loose top so the developing gas can escape. Let it foam up for a week or ten days. When the foam is gone, wash and sterilize bottles as above (recycled Grolsch beer bottles work well). Add 1/2 teaspoon of sugar to each bottle. Pour ale into primed bottles and cap or cork, label and date. Set bottles in a cool spot for a couple of weeks to carbonate, then refrigerate and enjoy.

Medicinal- LEAF, The Yarrow plant has been used throughout the ages for its healing properties. Yarrow is known to help with high blood pressure, digestive problems, and as an antiseptic. Yarrow can help with varicose veins, and other circulatory disorders. It has a balancing effect on urine flow, and help to cure bedwetting. It is used to alleviate muscle pain and headaches infuse as a tea for digestive problems.Aids progesterone production. Shrinks fibroids and hemorrhoids,Dries secretions & reduces menstrual flooding ,Regulates blood sugar levels & mood swings Yarrow tea is a good remedy for severe colds and is useful in the commencement of fevers. It opens the pores freely and is recommended for colds and measles.

NOTE: extended use may make skin light-sensitive Do not use Yarrow during pregnancy, for undiagnosed bleeding, or for more than two weeks.

Yarrow Tea The infusion is made with 1 oz. of dried herb to 1 pint of boiling water. It may be sweetened with sugar or honey with a small amount of pepper.

Tea Tips: Tea – 1 oz herb per 1 cup water. Drink 1/2 – 1 cup every hour until cold/ feverbreaks or bleeding stops

A piece of the plant held against a wound will staunch bleeding. An infusion can help to break a fever. A tea made from yarrow with peppermint and elderflower can be used to fight colds and flu.

Other Uses WHOLE PLANT, helps nearby plants to resist disease.

LEAF, speed decomposition by adding one chopped fresh leaf to each wheel barrel-load of compost.Adds color to a border. The flat heads add contrast to mounding or spiky plants.Use in fresh arrangements.Makes attractive dried flowers if cut before the sun bleaches them. To dry the flowers, cut them at their peak befor they start to fade and hang them head-down in clusters of six to 12 in a dry, airy place out of the sun.Fragrant addition to potpourri.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Woodruff (Galium odoratum (L.) Scop.)
Family: Rubiaceae,

Source: Simon, J.E., A.F. Chadwick and L.E. Craker. 1984. Herbs: An Indexed Bibliography. 1971-1980. The Scientific Literature on Selected Herbs, and Aromatic and Medicinal Plants of the Temperate Zone. Archon Books, 770 pp., Hamden, CT.

Woodruff, Galium odoratum (L.) Scop., is a perennial herb native to Europe, North Africa, and Asia. Formerly classified as Asperula odorata L. and sometimes commonly known as sweet woodruff, the species grows to a height of about 0.3 meters with erect and spreading stems, narrow green leaves, and white flowers that bloom in the spring.

The reported life zone of woodruff is 7 to 199Cdeg;C with an annual precipitation of 0.3 to 1.4 meters and a soil pH of 4.5 to 8.5 (4.1-31). The plant grows best under shade and in a heavy mulch of organic matter that has adequate drainage. The plant is generally found and collected in moist, wooded locations, but it can be cultivated.

The main chemical constituents of woodruff include coumarin, tannin, asperuloside, fatty oil, essential oil, and a bitter principle (14.1-35). The characteristic new-mown hay aroma present in dry leaves, but not fresh leaves, comes from coumarin in the plant.

Fresh leaves are used as flavoring agents in nonalcoholic and alcoholic beverages. May wine is prepared by adding fresh springs of woodruff to Rhine wine. Dried leaves have been used in sachets, and snuffs and as a bitter principle (14.1-35). Woodruff is also employed in perfume for its fragrance and as a fixative.

As a medicinal plant, woodruff has traditionally been considered an antispasmodic, diaphoretic, diuretic, and stomachic. Folk remedies include use of woodruff against jaundice and nervousness, to heal wounds, to regulate heart activity, and to improve the taste of other medicinal formulations. Coumarins present in woodruff are known to be indirect anticoagulants (11.1-96). The essential oil of woodruff is considered a carminative and mild expectorant (11.1-136). Dried leaves are used as an insect repellent.

Woodruff is generally recognized as safe for human consumption in alcoholic beverages (21 CFR section 172.515 [1982]).

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

White Willow Bark (Salix alba)

The white willow was introduced into the United States form Europe and can be found next to rivers and streams throughout the country. The bark is the part of the willow used, and is easily removed in the spring when the sap begins to flow.

Willows have been used for centuries for pain relief and reduction of fever. The leaves can be chewed, and contain salicylic acid. This compound has been synthesized into acetylsalicylic acid, otherwise known as aspirin.

Natural salicylic acid is nearly as potent as aspirin, however, the compound salicin from willow does not cause gastric or intestinal upset or bleeding as aspirin can, This is because willow does not block prostaglandins in the stomach or intestines.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.