Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia), also called Black Sampson and Coneflower, is used to boost the immune system to fight off infections and illnesses.
½ ounce drunk as tea up to 4 times a day.
This flower is used for courage.
Eclipta (Eclipta prostrate) is chewed to stop tooth and gum problems (especially bleeding gums), is antibacterial and an immune stimulant.
10 �?15 grains a day.
Edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum) is questionably toxic.
Carried for protection from all weapons.
Elder, Common (Sambucus nigra) is a strong purgative. If the berries are boiled in water for an hour, the liquid can be placed on the temples to induce sweating.
Bark: 1 ounce to a pint of water, up to 3 glassfuls a day; berries: 1 quart of berries to 2 quart of wine, steep and drink up to 3 glassfuls a day.
The tree was once considered unlucky because when it is cut the sap runs out red like blood. It is connected to the ancestors, but some place it in their windowsills to keep out ill fortune. The twigs are kept to guard against temptation of adultery.
Elder, American Dwarf (Aralia hispida) is used for kidney and urinary problems.
2 �?4 ounce drunk as tea up to 4 times a day.
Elder, Dwarf (Sambucus Ebulus), also called Danewort, is an expectorant and a purgative.
1 gram a day.
Elecampane (Inula Helenium), also called Scabwort, Elf Dock, Wild Sunflower, Horseheal and Velvet Dock, is used as a stimulant, expels worms, and is used on inflammation.
Powdered root: ½ - 1 dram; fluid extract: ½ - 1 dram a day.
The bloom is carried to help gain friends at work.
Elephant Ear (Alocasia macrorrhiza) is questionably toxic.
The scent of the leaf is supposed to release feelings of guilt.
Elephant Head (Pedicularis groenlandica) is generally non-toxic and used for anxiety and insomnia and eases muscles and joint pain when used externally.
1 grain a day.
The flowers truly look like tiny elephant heads and are added to charms for memory.
Elm, Common (Ulmus campestris) is an astringent.
1 ounce drunk as tea up to 4 times a day.
Elm, Slippery (Ulmus fulva), also called Red Elm and Moose Elm, is soothing, but when taken internally it may remove worms.
6 grams once a day.
The bark is used to stop gossip.
Ephedra (Ephedra vulgaris), also called Ephedrine and Ma Huang, is used as a stimulant to reduce swelling in the mucus membrane and treat asthma and other breathing conditions.
½ - 1 grain a day.
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globules), also called Blue Gum Tree, is a stimulant, but is most often burned to open nasal passages. The soothing coolness of an ointment made from the leaves is known to alleviate joint pain.
Boil some leaves in oil and inhale.
The scent of this tree calms mood swings.
The seed pods are carried to guard against colds.
Everlasting, Pearly (Antennaria Margaritaceum), also called Life Everlasting, is used as a sedative internally and externally for swelling and infections.
1 leaf to a cup of water once a day.
1 leaf drunk in tea each day is said to prolong life.
Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis) is used to treat eye conditions.
Fluid extract: ½ - 1 dram once a day.
This herb is used to increase intuition. The use of herbal remedies, including the use of the herb elderflower, are popular as an alternative medicine. This holistic approach to health, is to help with the effective treatment of a variety of health problems, but does NOT replace conventional medicine or prescription drugs. Sambucus nigra is great in helping and treating the following problems and conditions coughs
colds
sore throat
arthritis
hay fever
reducing fever
catarrh
inflammation
ear infections
fever blisters (use with peppermint) The flowers of the plant are used. DO NOT USE THE LEAVES, BARK OR BRANCHES - they are poisonous. Other Interesting Facts about Elderflower:
Elderflower trees are sacred to the Gypsies, who will not burn the wood. They say that a tree which can help all man's ailments & restore sight is too precious to burn.
Elder trees are known as the 'medicine chest of the country people'.
Elderflower ointment was a very important treatment for the wounds of horses during the First World War.
Elderflower extract is a treatment for diabetes, encouraging insulin activity. Elfwort, Elecampane
This magick herb is said to be a favorite plant of the Elves, but it is also used against Elvin magic: stabbing the root renders an Elf spell null and void. It is also used to attract fairies, although it is a big, rough plant and not at all delicate, as one would expect from a fairy plant. In Germany, it was traditional to put an elfwort blossom in the middle of a bouquet to symbolize the Sun and the head of Odin, and the flower has the typical Sun shape (and the freshly harvested seeds smell like the Sun-ruled resin frankincense). Culpeper and others, however, considered it Mercury because the root is helpful for lung complaints. In its Mercury association, it is connected to the Magician in the Tarot. There is a wonderful folktale in which the sister of six brothers cursed to live as swans must make six little shirts for them out of elfwort flowers in order that they be returned to human form - a good example of Mercury's transformative properties. The flowers are dried and burned for purification. The root is camphoraceous and violet-like in scent, so consider elfwort for Moon work, but also because of its Mercury rulership, for shape-shifting. It is sedating and helpful for those with insomnia, so it makes an interesting dream herb. Some carry pieces of the root on their person to attract love. Others believe that elfwort can help in scrying or learning divination, a Mercury task. Top Mundane Uses  In Russia, elfwort is used somewhat like valerian, for its sedating qualities. Pliny wrote that the roots of this European native helped digestion and "cause mirth." It was raised in medieval gardens, especially in monastery physick gardens. It was brought to North America by the Colonists and has become naturalized here. Although this does not look anything like a Mercury herb, Culpeper believed it to be so because of its usefulness against lung complaints. Still, it is Sun-like in its effects, being warming and drying. It's an old remedy for tough coughs and against poison, especially venomous bites. Top
The fragrant root is a nice addition to pot pourri and like orris root, is a good scent fixative. It also yields a blue dye when it is combined with whortleberries and ash. In Wales it was put into ale with other herbs as a treatment for poisonous bites. The ale had to be drunk at the New or Full Moon after the afflicted person had bathed in the sea. In the past the root was put into ale or beer to give it a nice smell, and it is still used to flavor absinthe and vermouth, absinthe's poor cousin. Elfwort is also known as elecampane, elf-doc, elfdock, dyavosyl (devil's strength), wild sunflower, alycompaine, nursewort, yellow starwort, eolone (Old English), velvet dock, scabwort (because it cured sheep of the disease called scab), horseheal, and horse-elder. This plant was given the species name "helenium" because Helen of Troy was picking its flowers when she was kidnapped by Paris. Top
How to Grow Elfwort Start inside 7-10 weeks before the last frost in your area. Barely cover to germinate in 7-10 days at room temperature. After the last frost, transplant outside to full sun or partial shade and rich soil with a touch of acidity (you can add some peat or some pine needles - not too much). Place the plants 18-36"/.4-.9m apart. The spread of the rosette of leaves is pretty wide. Harvest the root in the second or third spring or fall of its growth, slice it in pieces 1/2"/1cm thick while it is still fresh, and then dry. This plant can be slow to get going if it encounters a setback like extreme heat or drought when it is young. Otherwise, it will grow up to 8 ft/2.4m and flower in the second year. Elfwort is a perennial down to -40F/-40C. General growing info. Top Echinacea Info
One of the most popular herbs in America today is the Native American medicinal plant called Echinacea. Named for the prickly scales in its large conical seed head, the herb resembles the spines of an angry hedgehog (echinos is Greek for hedgehog).
Results of archaeological digs indicate that Native Americans may have used Echinacea for more than 400 years to treat infections and wounds and as a general "cure-all." Throughout history people have used Echinacea to treat scarlet fever, syphilis, malaria, blood poisoning, and diphtheria. Although this herb was popular during the 18th and 19th centuries, its use began to decline in the United States after the introduction of antibiotics. Echinacea preparations became increasingly popular in Germany throughout the 20th century. In fact, most of the scientific research on Echinacea has been conducted in Germany.
Today, people use Echinacea to shorten the common cold and flu and reduce symptoms, such as sore throat (pharyngitis)<WBR>, cough, and fever. Many herbalists also recommend Echinacea to help boost the immune system and help the body fight infections.
What It Is Used For
* Echinacea has traditionally been used to treat or prevent colds, flu, and other infections.
* Echinacea is believed to stimulate the immune system to help fight infections.
* Less commonly, Echinacea has been used for wounds and skin problems, such as acne or boils and to deaden the pain of a tooth ache or sore gums.
How It Is Used
The leaves and roots of Echinacea are used fresh or dried to make teas, squeezed (expressed) juice, extracts, or preparations for external use. |
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