The Aloe Vera is a medicinal plant, which used properly, can be the best treatment
for suburns and other minor burns. It is found predominately in hotter
climates such as South America, but is also found in some southern portions
of Northern America.
Medicinal Value
The part
of the Aloe Vera which is used are the leaves. The Aloe is an Emollient,
Purgative and Vulnerary. It is also used for its antibacterial, anesthetic
and antiseptic properties, and is good to use as a tool for restoration of
tissue. It is most commonly used on burns and minor cuts, especially good
for sunburns, although it is being used for the treatment of skin cancer.
Aloe is very useful on rashes caused by Poison Ivy, and it may help to
draw out infection. It may help with Vaginal Yeast Infections, although
this is not solid at this time. Aloe be made into a warm tea, made from
the juice as a wash for eyes. The washing of eyes with Aloe may protect
the eyes from ultraviolet rays from the sun. It can be taken in powder of
pill form to be used as a purgative. Aloe is also an extremely powerful
laxative, and it is not recommended that it is taken internally. It is
recommended that the fresh juice from the plant is used, and not the store
bought juice within other products or on its own. The reason for this is
that the medicinal use of the plant diminishes with time, and there is
much questioning about whether or not you can receive benefits from the
store bought aloe, even if the product has been filled with
preservatives.
Folk History
Some common names of Aloe include: Barbados Aloe,
and Curacao Aloe. From Egyptian writings 1500 BCE* about medicines,
they used and recommended Aloe for the treatment of the same ailments
we use it for today!
Magical Uses
The magical uses of Aloe are
not easily located. It is a feminine plant, and its planet is the moon.
Its element is water, and its powers are protection and luck. Aloe can be
hung over the home for good luck. Carry it with you to protect yourself
against evil, or to protect yourself from
clumsiness.
Harvesting and Growing
The Aloe plant prefers to reside in full sun, and
does not require much watering. It is a perennial and does require
a temperature of 41* F. To harvest the plant, leave the fresh, young
leaves be which are located on the top of the plant, and just cut the older,
outer leaves. New leaves grow from the center upward. It produces
offshoots, which grow, seemingly spontaneously next to the mother plant.
These can be replanted, as can the unused parts of the cuttings.
Aloe does not require much water or attention. It is a wonderful
plant to keep indoors in case of emergency. Aloe can grow easily
in dry or poor soil. Do not overwater.
Dosage
When intaking a powder of Aloe, 1-5 gram dosage
is recommended.In a fluid extract, anywhere from 5-30 drops is what is taken.To create an eye wash from Aloe, use 1/2 tsp. of Aloe juice and dissolve
it in 1 cup of water. A 1/2 teaspoon of Boric Acid may be added to
preserve it. A poultice of Aloe can be made by slicing a leaf
lengthwise and pressing the gelled side toward the cut or burn, and then
wrapping. However, the most common way to utilize the healing powers
of Aloe is to rub the gelled juice from inside the leaves onto the affected
area.
Warnings:
Do not ingest if you are pregnant, Aloe may cause
uterine contractions. Use very sparcly as a laxative, avoid taking
internally unless absolutely necessary.
Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa)
BlackCohosh is an herb which acts very similar to the female-produced chemical,
estrogen. It is becoming more popular as people are learning more
about it. It has an enormous number of medicinal uses and has been
used by hundreds of years by Native American Indians.
Medicinal Uses
The medicinal part of Black Cohosh which is used is
the root. It is considered an astringent, emmenagogue, expectorant,
diuretic, sedative, and an antispasmodic. The roots can be boiled and ingested,
this helps to treat fatigue, sore throat, arthritis, and rattlesnake bite.
It has estrogenic effects, and has been prescribed to women going through
menopause. Black Cohosh may slow prostate gland growth in men, because
estrogen is often prescribed. It has a very wide variety of uses,
including consumption, chorea, and whooping cough. It is said to
calm the nervous system and stimulate the heart and it reduces blood pressure
because it is an excellent herb to open restricted blood vessels.
Folk History
Some folk names for Black Cohosh include: Black Snakeroot,
Bugbane, Bugwart, and Rattleweed. In the nineteenth century it was
widely utilized for the treatment of mentrual cramps. The name Black Cohosh
is "rooted" from the Algonquian language: Black= dark
roots: Cohosh; Cohosh= rough: referring to the plant's roots. American
Indian women used the healing power of the herb for female problems and
to aid in childbirth.
Magical Uses
A surprising magical fact about Black Cohosh is that
it is considered masculine. This is surprising because the herb is associated
so much with the female hormone, estrogen. It's magical powers include
love, courage, protection and potency. Men should carry it with them
to help with impotency, and anyone can carry it to invoke a feeling of
courage.
Harvesting and Growing
Black Cohosh is a perennial and can grow up to 9 feet
in height. It is best to collect the foots in fall, and every piece
of literature I have read which mentions the harvesting states that it
is best to wait until the leaves have fallen and the fruit of the plant
has started growing.
Dosage
To have a decoction of Black Cohosh, use 2 tsp. of
the dried root in one pint of water. Take 2-3 tablespoons up to 6x's a
day. Best to drink cold. If you are interested in the tincture, take
between 10-60 drops, or one teaspoon per day. If you are taking the
fluid extract, take between 5-30 drops a day.
Warning:
Some reports have stated that large quantities can
cause symptoms similar to poisoning. This herb has estrogenic effects,
if you have been advised not to take Birth Control pills, be wary of Black
Cohosh. Because of its estrogenic effects, it should be avoided by
pregnant women. Do not use if you have heart disease.
The medicinal Willows have been known to reduce inflamation,
to treat articular rheumatism, help with internal bleeding, and it is also
good for heartburn and stomach problems. They help with headaches,
minor aches and pains, as well as arthritis. The Black Willow has
all of the same healing properties of its relative, the White, but it has
been know to do some others as well. This type of willow can also be used
as an anaphrodisiac, meaning, it subdues sexual urges. Take note, HillaryThe medicinal part of the Willow tree are the bark and
buds. There are a few different ways to prepare it. First,
it is best to collect the bark in Springtime. One preparation option would
be to boil the bark for at least 20 minutes, then either take internally
or as a poultice. A decoction can be made by soaking up to three teaspoons
of bark in one cup of cold water for up to five hours, and then boil down
to a potent formula. To intake this you should take one cup unsweetend,
no more than one a day. A decoction of Willow can be used to help with
mouth problems, ie. you can gargle with it to help with inflamations of
the gums and tonsils. A decoction can also be used externally for sores,
burns, and cuts. To make a cold extract, soak one teaspoon of bark in one
cup of cold water for up to ten hours and strain. You can make a powder
by taking one to one and one-half teaspoons, three times a day. If taking
a tincture, use ten to twenty drops as needed daily. Everything I've read
about intaking a hot Willow drink says that it is important that it is
taken in large gulps, not small sips.
Magical Uses
To read
about the magical uses of Willow, please see the link to:
Willow
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