Common Weeds/Super Healers
You can find these plants in most places
where you find people.
It's as if they are saying
"Here I am! I can help you - use me!"
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Yarrow grows in city and country,
east and west. This green ally is a
good one to know.
It is used in first aid to
stop bleeding
(chew up a leaf or use powdered,
dry leaf, and put it on a scrape
or shallow wound; the bleeding
will slow right down.
It's also antimicrobial,
so it helps to keep the wound clean.
A leaf of yarrow
(or sniffing some powder or tea)
will stop a nosebleed.
The roots can be chewed to
ease the pain of a toothache.
Traditionally, the roots were put
in a jar with whiskey,
whether to preserve them,
to increase the effect or to make
them taste good–who knows?
But for IDUs, one of the best
things about yarrow is this:
Yarrow improves circulation
and supports good vein health.
The tea is drunk in small
quantities throughout the
day, or can be used as a
skin wash before and after
shooting up.
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
Dandelion is a goodie.
The leaves and root can
be eaten as a bitter tonic,
perfect after a long cold winter.
Bitters stimulate the digestion
and the liver,
clearing and detoxifying.
Having a dandelion leaf or two
and a nibble of root before meals
while increasing fiber will
stimulate the appetite and get
sluggish bowels moving.
It may take a while for the
full effect to be seen,
but over time it is extremely effective.
As a salad green or cold infusion,
the leaves detoxify by
increasing urine output,
so drink plenty of water
when you call on this green ally.
The leaves are rich in vitamin A,
vitamin C, and minerals.
The white sap can be used to
dissolve warts and soften calluses.
Try not to get it on other skin,
though: it can cause a rash.
Violet (Viola odorata)
This lovely little plant is
deceptively pretty, hiding her
strong medicine under purple flowers
and green leaves. Violet leaf
relieves pain and heals.
Some crushed (or chewed) violet leaf
can be placed on the temples,
forehead, or the back of the neck
to relieve headaches.
A chewed leaf, placed over a
sore gum speeds healing and
reduces pain. Violet tea,
made with fresh or dried leaves
and hot water, can be used as a
herbal wash, or drunk. Violet
is a natural source of salicylic acid,
the active ingredient in aspirin. Ladies,
a poultice of the leaves
(wilt the leaves in a little hot water,
let cool) is heavenly for sore breasts,
especially before that time of month.
And don't forget to put a few violet
leaves in your wild salad:
they are brimming with vitamin C.
Leaves and flowers only, please!
(The roots are poisonous.)
Mugwort (Artemesia Vulgaris)
This magical plant is at
home in the city. In New York,
by summer's end, mugwort covers
the old tires, broken fences,
and vacant lots all over town.
Sleep with a sprig of this plant
if you want to have vivid,
easily remembered dreams.
Otherwise, use it early in the
day and keep it away from the
place you sleep. Mugwort opens
the third eye and lets psychic
energy flow. On a more basic level,
the cold infusion of the leaves helps
when you have problems digesting fats,
but crave the donuts that leave you
feeling awful after you eat them.
Put a few spoonfuls of leaf into a
pint jar, cover with cold water,
and steep overnight, then strain
off the water and drink it before meals.
Burdock (Arctium spp.)
Burdock grows in many cities.
The low-growing leaves are huge
(up to 2-3 feet long) and the
thistle-like flowers form seed pods
that look and act like Velcro.
Burdock root is good for the liver,
skin and lungs, and helps the body
eliminate toxins. It's delicious
when it's cooked and eaten, or dry it and make the tea using either cold or hot water.
Cleavers (Gallium aparine)
This plant grows in cool, moist places from city to country. Look for it in a shady spots before the weather gets too hot. Once you know cleavers, you will see it everywhere. Its leaves circle the stem like daisy petals, and the whole stem feels rough and sticks to clothing, hair, other stems; everything. Cleavers is one of the best plants for the skin and lymph, and assists in cleansing and removing wastes from the body. Pick it on a dry day, let it dry and make tea from hot or cold water.
Chamomile Flowers (Matricaria spp)
This one does it all - stimulates digestion, aids sleep, calms frazzled nerves and fights off bacterial infections. Make it into tea with hot or cold water, and sip it for stomach cramps or drink it before bed. It also makes a great skin wash, before or after shooting up, or any old time.
Pine Needles (Pinus spp.)
Pine trees grow everywhere. The needles, twigs and bark support the formation and strength of veins and capillaries. The new growth (young needles) is especially rich in Vitamin C, which is found in all parts of the plant. Pine needles, fresh or dried, make a delicious tea (use boiling water) that clears the lungs and lifts the spirit. The very young needles can be eaten raw.
Plantain (Plantago major, P. lancoleta)
Here's nature's Band-Aid! Chew up a plantain leaf and use it to soothe insect bites, scrapes, and skin rashes. The tea can be used externally as a wash, and internally to clear the lungs during acute infection or persistent dry cough. (N.B.: This is not the banana-like plantain. It's a low-growing plant that loves lawns and like to keep dandelions company).
Rose Hips (Rosa rugosa)
Rose hips form after the roses have blossomed, faded and blown away. The hips are rich in Vitamin C and flavonoids. They support the immune system, and they are yet another herb that helps maintain good circulation and feeds the veins. Pick the hips from unsprayed rose bushes, in the fall, winter, or spring. Or ask your favorite gardener to save the hips for you after she prunes unsprayed rose gardens. Rose hip tea is easy to find in natural foods stores and markets.
Stinging Nettles (Urticaria dioicia)
Anyone who has brushed into a nettle plant can show you this one. Ouch! The whole plant is covered with tiny hairs that sting like the dickens when they are touched. Nettle plants let you know when you've found them! They like to grow near running water, so watch for pollution. The tiny nettles of early spring are delicious. Even the little ones sting when they are fresh, so use gloves to pick them (dried or cooked nettles don't sting at all). Nettles are a storehouse of vitamins and minerals, and here's yet another plant that removes toxins from the body. Nettle tea (hot or cold infusion) gives deep energy - it's a great choice for times when you're exhausted from too much stress or to help rebound after a speed run or a detox.
(Real) Witch’s Brews
Good Tea for Great Veins
1 Part Pine Needles
1 Part Rose Hips
1/2 Part Yarrow
You can make any amount of the herb mix. Use dried herbs in the proportions above. (If you use 2 ounces of pine needles, use the same amount of rose hips, and 1 ounce of yarrow. Make as much or as little as you like.) Store the herbs in a clean, dry jar or a paper bag.
Place 1 ounce of the herb mix into a quart jar. (One ounce is a good full handful for most people). Fill the jar with boiling water, cover tightly. Let steep for 20 minutes. Strain, and drink throughout the day for strong, flexible veins and improved circulation. Throw away any leftover tea. Start again with a fresh batch of herbs every day.
Gimme Strength Sun (or Moon) Tea
1 Part Burdock Root
1 Part Nettles Leaf
1 Part Cleavers Herb
Combine the herbs, and store in a clean dry jar or a paper bag. Place one ounce of herb mix in a quart jar. Fill the jar with cold water, cover tightly, and let steep all day or overnight. Shake it up every now and then. Strain, and drink the tea throughout the day, and throw away any leftover tea. This works best over time, and will assist the body with deep cleansing and will improve energy
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