Acorus calamus
Acorus americanus
Family: Acoraceae
Other names: Sweet flag, Sweet sedge, Flagroot,Bitterroot, Fr. Acore, Belle-Angelique
Parts used: Rhizome (dried)
Characteristics: Acrid, slightly warm, aromatic, pungent, bitter
Systems affected: Heart, liver, spleen, stomach
Actions: Stimulant, carminative, antispasmodic, antimicrobial, expectorant, emetic, demulcent, mild sedative
This perennial semi-aquatic plant is found around marshes and lakes and looks very similar to Sweet Flag or Cattail until their flowers come out. Erect, sword-shaped, yellow-green leaves are 0.5–0.9 metres tall, and have a pleasant odour when crushed. The rhizome is buried in mud and is about the thickness of a finger with leaf scars and numerous rootlets. The flower stem arises from the axils of the outer leaves, from one side. Projecting outward at an angle is the actual flower: a cylindrical spike covered with small, greenish-yellow, fragrant flowers. Gather the rhizome in late fall or early spring and dry before using.
MEDICINAL USES:
Digestive discomfort, anxiety, anorexia, lack of mental focus, colds
other uses:
cold infusion: Steep the root in a jar (2 cups) of cold water 10–12 hours; drink throughout the day.
candies: Cut the root into thin slices and boil in syrup, drain and dry in a warm oven, for indigestion. Cut root into thin slices and parboil in water, changing once or twice to reduce the bitterness, then simmer in simple syrup (2 parts sugar, 1 part water), just to cover, until most of the syrup is absorbed. Drain, roll in sugar if desired. Preheat oven to 200°F and bake mixture on a cookie sheet until dry.
important: Do not consume in large doses, as it can cause vomiting. Avoid during pregnancy.
Stellaria media
Family: Caryophyllaceae
Other names: Starweed, Fr. Stellaire, Mouron des oiseaux
Parts used: Aerial, dried
Characteristics: Sweet, mildly bitter, cool, drying
Systems affected: Skin, stomach
Actions: Demulcent, emollient, expectorant, antitussive, antipyretic, alterative, astringent, vulnerary
Chickweed is a small, creeping annual, with weak, many-branched stems up to 40 cm. long that trail along the ground. Its scientific name, Stellaria media, means “little stars,” which perfectly describes the shape of its flowers. This plant is identified by a line of hairs running up one side of its stem, then continuing along the opposite side when it reaches a pair of leaves. The opposite leaves are succulent, smooth, oval, and pointed. The small white flowers have 5 petals that are deeply divided, making it seem like there are 10 petals, and are only open for 12 hours on fine days. In the rain they droop, and at night the leaves fold over the delicate flowers and protect the tip of the shoot. They begin blooming in early spring and continue through till fall. The seedpod is a small capsule with teeth that, when ripe, shake the seeds when the wind blows. It grows in fields and waste areas and should be collected between May and July.
MEDICINAL USES:
Skin irritations, weight loss, sore throat, fever, inflammation
poultice: Apply fresh chopped herb directly onto sores or wounds, cover with a clean towel, and leave for up to 3 hours. Replace if poultice begins to feel warm. If using older woody plants, cook in water for several minutes and cool before applying.
infusion: Mix ¼ cup fresh herb with 2½ cups boiling water, infuse 10 minutes, strain. Drink throughout the day. Great for people recovering from an illness.
tincture: Fill a jar (any size) with fresh chopped herb, cover with vodka, and let it sit for at least 6 weeks. Use 1 ml. 2–3 times a day for several months.
oil: Macerate fresh or dried herb in olive oil for 4 days, then squeeze through cheesecloth. Combines well with Yarrow or St. John’s Wort oils.
Cichorium intybus
Family: Asteraceae
Other names: Blue sailors, Coffeeweed, Succory, Fr. Chicorée sauvage
Parts used: Root, leaves
Characteristics: Cooling, slightly bitter
Systems affected: Liver, kidneys, stomach
Actions: Stomachic, antibacterial, antifungal, anthelmintic, tonic, mild diuretic, sedative, mild laxative, anti-inflammatory
Chicory is a hardy biennial or perennial originating from Europe and Asia, and has a long history of use in these countries as a medicinal plant. It grows almost a metre tall and can be found along roadsides and in fields from early summer right through to the fall. The stems branch out of a hairy rosette similar to the dandelion, and stretch in all directions looking somewhat angular and sparsely clothed with small leaves. Like the dandelion, chicory also oozes a milky sap when cut. The delicate blue–mauve flowers appear in clusters of 2 or 3 and close up early in the afternoon. It has a large taproot, which is woody in the wild but when cultivated is large and fleshy and may be roasted and ground as a coffee substitute.
MEDICINAL USES:
Liver ailments, gallstones, digestive problems, swelling, and inflammation
other uses:
decoction: Put 2 tsp. dried herb or roasted root in 1 cup of water, bring to a boil, and simmer 10–15 minutes. Strain and store in a glass jar. Drink 1–1½ cups per day.
important: Do not use while pregnant or breastfeeding. Use in moderation over a short period of time.
Potentilla canadensis (Dwarf Cinquefoil)
Potentilla norvegica (Rough Cinquefoil)
Potentilla simplex (Common Cinquefoil)
Potentilla recta (Rough-fruited Cinquefoil)
Potentilla reptans (Creeping Cinquefoil)
Family: Rosaceae
Parts used: Herb, root
Characteristics: Bitter, slightly sweet, cool
Systems affected: Upper intestines, stomach, skin
Actions: Astringent (especially the root), febrifuge, anti-inflammatory, disinfectant
The Cinquefoil, or “five-leaf,” is a small, hairy, native perennial. There are many different species growing in Eastern Canada, all of which are very similar physically as well as medicinally. Leaves are compound divided into 3, 5, or 7 sharply toothed, oblong leaflets. The yellow flowers grow on long leafless stalks out of the axils of the leaves. They have 5 petals and bloom from June to September. The plant creeps along the ground, sending out hairy runners, similar to the Strawberry plant. They may be gathered while in flower—preferably in June—and dried in the shade for later use. The root is best if dug up in April.
MEDICINAL USES:
Inflammation, fever, mouth infections, diarrhea
folklore: This plant has been used for centuries as protection from witches and sorcery and was often hung over doors or windows to prevent disturbances. Images of the flower were carved into churches dating from the eleventh century. It was a symbol of strength and honour; the leaf was emblazoned on the shields of medieval knights to signify the five senses, or the power of self-mastery. Lovers used it in love potions and fishers added it to their nets to increase catches.
infusion: 1–2 tsp. herb in 1 cup boiling water, infuse 10–15 minutes. Drink 2–3 times a day.
important: Not recommended for use during pregnancy.
Tussilago farfara
Family: Asteraceae
Other names: Horsehoof, Coughwort, Son-before-the-father,Fr. Pas d’âne
Parts used: Dried leaves and flowers
Characteristics: Bitter, sweet, neutral
Systems affected: Lungs
Actions: Antitussive, expectorant, demulcent, anti-inflammatory, astringent, diuretic, emollient
Native to Europe, Coltsfoot (or Tussilago, which means “cough dispeller”) is one of the first wildflowers to bloom in early spring, but its leaves don’t appear until long after the flowers have opened. The bright yellow flowers open in sunshine and close in cloudy weather, and are often mistaken for Dandelions. The difference is Coltsfoot’s stem, which is covered in brown-tipped scales and grows upward from a creeping rhizome to 7.5–30 cm. tall. Rosettes of the stalked leaves usually grow in after the flower has gone to seed. Each rosette is the shape of a horse’s hoof, has irregular toothed edges, and is covered with a woolly coating, which becomes smooth and waxy on top as the leaf matures, with a grey woolly underside. The soft seed heads resemble those of the Dandelion and are used by birds to line their nests. Coltsfoot typically grows along cliffs, ditches, or riverbanks and tolerates wet areas. Flowers should be gathered before fully bloomed and dried in the shade; leaves should be harvested in early summer, and chopped and dried for later use.
MEDICINAL USES:
Lung complaints, coughs
other uses: Young leaves may be used fresh in salads or sautéed as a vegetable. Seed heads were once used as mattress stuffing.
infusion: Mix 2 tbsp. dried herb in 2 cups of boiling water. Keep warm in a Thermos beside the bed to soothe morning coughs. Add honey and Anise or Fennel seed if desired. Also works well with Mullein, Thyme, and Liquorice.
important: Contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which may harm the liver, although some are destroyed during the decoction process. Do not consume in large doses or over a period of more than 2 weeks. Should not be given to small children. Avoid use during pregnancy.