The
Wild Foodies of Philly
In
search of the food beneath our feet!
WILD
MEDICINAL PLANTS!
PLANTAINS: Broad Leaf &
Narrow Leaf: We should all know about
this common "weed" and its healing powers both externally and internally. It's
the most abundant and diverse medicinal plant on earth (200 species
worldwide).
You can find it everywhere - in yards, parks, sidewalks - wherever you find dirt!
ONLINE INFO:
ARTICLES:
BOOKS:
Common Uses:
Learn more about the plants below at
http://www.wildfoodies.org/PlantProfiles.htm
- Antibiotics:
plantain, yarrow, jewelweed, onion, garlic, mint
- Pain: mint, willow,
mullein, echinacea, plantain
- Inflammation:
plantain, chamomile
- Antiviral:
chameleon, echinacea, chamomile, mallow, elderberry, plantain
- Anti-parasite:
mugwort, spicebush, willow, plantain
- Diuretic:
chamomile, wild violet, dandelion, nettle, plantain
- Burns: chamomile,
wild violet (topically antiseptic and cooling), plantain
- Migraine: wild
violet, willow, peppermint, creeping charlie
- Laxative: mallow,
plantain seeds
- Diarrhea: plantain
leaf water (strained, no fiber)
- Coughs: plantain,
pine needles,
echinacea
(Coneflower), mint, chamomile,
English ivy
https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Hedera+helix
- Malaria: Sweet
Annie, Catalpa
https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Catalpa+bignonioides
TOP 20:
courtesy Danni Morinich,
landedgentress.com
Learn more about the plants below at
http://www.wildfoodies.org/PlantProfiles.htm
-
Plantains: poultice for abrasions wounds-root chewed for tooth
ache-taken as tea for respiratory congestion/IBS
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Mints: Antibacterial, analgesic, Tea from leaves and stems for pain,
headache sinus congestion and digestion
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Wild violet: tea of flower and leaves for sore throats, bronchial
conditions, cold & flu
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Yarrow: styptic can be used fresh or dried and powdered to staunch
bleeding, leaf for tea can reduce menstrual bleeding and pain, tea for colds
and flu
-
Dandelion: leaves make a bitter tea, but it safely flushes the
system, diuretic and mild laxative, working to remove fluid but has
potassium salts to prevent potassium depletion. Good for digestion and helps
remove fluid of edema
-
Chamomile: Can be used on skin as anti-inflammatory, and for itching
or enjoyed as tea. Antiviral, antispasmodic, sedative
-
Willow: pain and inflammation including joint pain or osteo
arthritis, anti-parasite (some say superior to quinine for malaria.)
-
Raspberry leaves: made into a tea is useful as a uterine stimulant
and relaxant, also astringent which is good for diarrhea, and
excessive menstrual flow
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Jewelweed: Crushed and used fresh in the field as a poultice and
applied to rashes, or poison ivy or steep flowers and leaves a strong tea to
bathe skin with rashes or allergic reactions.
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Mugwort: leaves and roots can be dried and used. In WWII used as tea
replacement. Antispasmodic and hemostatic so can be helpful during heavy
painful periods.
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Stinging nettle: leaves used as tea as a diuretic, analgesic for pain
and antihistamine to relieve allergies. Flushes toxins so can help clear
skin and eliminate UTIs
-
Burdock: tea made from the root. Full of antioxidants, helps regulate
blood sugar. Also helpful in coughs, colds and acts as an anti-inflammatory
to relieve aches and pains An ingredient in Essiac tea.
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Chickweed: Leaves and flowers can be infused in oil to soothe itchy
and dry skin. Leaves and flowers can be enjoyed as tea which is mildly
diuretic/laxative, and can help with inflammatory issues, like arthritis,
gout, or used on acne or hemorrhoids
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Mallow: It's mucilaginous nature of leaves and roots make it great
for soothing inflammation of the stomach, respiratory system or urinary
tract. If made as tea should be steeped not boiled.
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Hawthorn: A tincture can be made of the fruit, or a tea of leaves and
flowers. Used to treat issues of the heart as well as circulation by helping
dilate blood vessels for free flow of blood. Lowers blood pressure and can
help with angina and congestive heart failure.
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Comfrey: Historically a tea was made of leaves and drunk to help with
wound healing including bone breaks, sprains and strains and helping with
the pain. Because it contains constituents that can be toxic to the liver
over time, most recommendations are that you use the tea only topically.
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Linden: leaves and flowers used as a nervine. Very calming. It's a
diaphoretic, but by inducing sweating can help break fevers associated with
colds and flus and help with sinus congestion as well as sore throats and
respiratory issues. Soothing and mucilaginous.
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Shepard’s purse: All aerial parts can be used as a tea for it's anti
inflammatory and coagulant benefits. In TCM it's used to staunch excessive
bleeding after child birth, diarrhea and high blood pressure.
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Mullein: Flowers and leaves are used as a tea for respiratory system
as it's both a demulcent (soothing mucilage) and can soothe an relax muscles
in the respiratory system. Antibacterial and infused in oil has been used in
ear infection and can kill bacterial that cause Staph and E coli. Soft
leaves can also be used as a poultice on sin
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Echinacea: Flowers, leaves stems and roots are all used and although
many think only the root has immune boosting power, the leaves and aerial
parts can be used as tea for their anti-inflammatory, and analgesic
properties. It's also been used as a mild laxative to reduce bloat and
improve skin collagen.
Editor: Chameleon / Tsi is also a very important
herb as it has so many medicinal properties, including antiviral and
antibacterial properties, and it is easy to grow.