Medical Plants and their Cures

[MoonShine]

Here are some plants and what they can cure.
This will help the lifesavers with their healing.


BLUE COHOSH:
Height: About the size of a small shrub.
Uses: Starting labor and menstruation, constipation, stomach cramps, sore throat, seizures, and hiccups.


COBWEBS:
Height: Only a few inches
Uses: Used to cover up wounds. It stops the bleeding and stops any infection from coming inside of the wound.



WITCH HAZEL:
Height: ranges from that of a large shrub to small tree. It can grow as tall as 4.5 meters (15 feet).
Leaves: have large wavy teeth with uneven bases. The buds have a distinct scalpel shape.
Uses: the bark and leaves of witch-hazel are used today in distilled extracts, ointments, and eyewashes as an astringent for piles, toning skin, relieving profuse menstrual flow, and eye ailments. Commercially, extracts from the tree are prepared to treat hemorrhoids, itching, irritation, and minor pains. Tannins found in the leaves and bark are reputed to have anti-oxidant properties as well as being an astringent and having hemostatic properties. In the U.S. it is approved as an ingredient in over-the-counter drugs used for external analgesic and skin protection products.



BLACK EYED SUSAN:
Height: 0.3 to 1 meter (1 to 3 feet)
Leaves: lance-shaped with hairy bristles
Flowers: yellow with 8-21 petals surrounding a dark brown center. The plant flowers mostly between June and October.
Uses: the plant has been found to have immuno-stimulant activity similar to Echinacea. Native Americans also used the root tea for colds and an external wash for sores and swelling.


QUAKING ASPEN:
Height: 18 meters (60 feet)
Leaves: Generally round and smooth with fine teeth.
Uses:  The bark of the quaking aspen contains salicin, which is similar to aspirin. It is anti-inflammatory and an analgesic and can also be used to reduce fevers.


DANDELION:
Height: 5-46cm (2-18inches)
Description:  The stem is a  hollow stalk that produces a milky white liquid. The leaves are like jagged teeth. It produces yellow flowers found most often from March to September.
Uses: Traditionally, the root of the dandelion has been used to make a tea that was used to treat liver, kidney, and bladder ailments. It can also be used as a tonic for digestive problems. Recent experiments have shown that the root is hypoglycemic and can be used as a weak antibiotic.  The leaves and flowers are also rich in vitamins A and C. All parts of the flower can be used as food.


LINDEN:
Height: 18-24 meters (60-80 feet)
Leaves: Are heart shaped with uneven bases. They are finely toothed and grow to 25cm (10 inches) long
Uses:Traditionally, a tea or tincture made from leaves, flowers, or  buds has been used to treat headaches, nervousness, and digestion problems. The leaves of some Tilia species are used in herbal cough remedies, although there is no scientific proof to support this use.
Warnings:  in abundance, a tea made from the flowers of the linden may cause heart damage.



SAINT JOHN'S WORT
Height: 1 meter (3 feet) tall
Leaves:  oblong, with translucent glands visible
Flowers: yellow, with five petals surrounding a cluster of stamen. The petals have black dots visible on their margins
Uses: The plant has been used to treat mild to moderate forms of depression, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial uses.


JEWEL WEED
Height:  1-1.5 meters (3-5 feet)
Leaves:  are oval shaped and toothed. Toward the bottom of the plant they are opposite; leaves on top are alternate.
Flowers:  have a characteristic pendant-like shape with red spots
Uses: .crushed leaves can be made into a poultice to treat a rash or inflamed skin, including irritation from Poison Ivy. Lawsone, a component of Jewel Weed leaves, has reported antihistamine and anti-inflammatory activity.


TAMARACK
Height: 30.5 meters (100 feet)
Leaves:  though the tamarack is a conifer, its needles are deciduous. They grow up to 2.5 cm (1 inch) long and are found in whorls.
Uses: a poultice made from the tamarack bark can be used to treat sores, swellings, and burns. A tea made from the leaves is used as an antiseptic. Gum from the tree can be chewed for indigestion.


WHITE PINE
Height: 46 meters (150 feet) or taller
Leaves:  needles occur in bundles of 5.
Cones: pinecones are cylindrical and generally about 20 cm (8 inches) long.
Uses: A tea made from the boiled needles of the tree is very high in vitamin C. A tea made from the bark can be used to treat coughs, colds, or sore throat.


Information was collected here: http://www.bio.brandeis.edu/fieldbio/Sylvain/uses.html
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