Persicaria (Polygonum) hydropiper
Family: Polygonaceae
Other names: Smartweed, Biting Knotweed, Red Knees, Marshpepper, Biting Persicaria, Fr. Renouée poivre d’eau
Parts used: Aerial
Characteristics: Bitter, acrid, warming
Systems affected: Reproductive, urinary
Actions: Astringent, hemostatic, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, carminative, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, stimulant
Waterpepper or Smartweed is just one of a large family of similar weeds growing throughout North America. It is an annual native to Europe that grows in damp muddy areas, ditches, and along riverbanks, and has a bitter peppery taste. It can reach 30–50 cm. in height with branched stems and dark green, lance-shaped leaves with undulate edges and glands on the underside. The tiny pink or greenish flowers are arranged on terminal spikes, and the fruit is triangular, flat, and dark brown. It is harvested in summer during flowering and dried in the shade, but is more potent if used fresh.
MEDICINAL USES:
Diarrhea, heavy menstrual bleeding, stomach upset, hemorrhoids
other uses: As a flavouring for soups or salads, it adds a strong peppery taste. It loses most of its flavour when cooked, so add just before serving.
important: Do not use if pregnant—may cause miscarriage. Use only in moderate doses. Ingestion of large amounts may cause irritation of the digestive system. Plant sap may also cause skin irritation in some people.
Lactuca serriola
Family: Asteraceae
Other names: Prickly Lettuce, Compass Plant, China Lettuce, Fr. Laitue scariole
Parts used: Leaves, dried sap
Characteristics: Bitter, cold
Systems affected: Nervous, reproductive, lungs
Actions: Narcotic, sedative, antispasmodic, expectorant, nervine, diuretic, diaphoretic
Wild or Prickly Lettuce is an annual or biennial herb, originally from Europe, which is related to many different species scattered throughout North America, all having the same or similar properties. It has a smooth stem growing upright from a large white taproot, 30.5 cm. to 2 metres high. Its leaves are prickly along the edges and on the underside mid-vein, and are either lobed or oblong. Both leaves and stems contain a milky latex sap (although less than its European cousin L. virosa), which oozes out when cut and when dried is often used as a mild narcotic. Basal leaves often twist to face the sun, pointing north and south. The light-yellow composite flowers are similar to a small dandelion and bloom from July to September. It is easily mistaken for Sow Thistle, which has no prickles on the underside vein, but it is also edible. Wild Lettuce can be found along roadsides and in waste places, and should be gathered in spring or early summer, before flowering, for teas or salads; wait until flowering to collect the sap. Should be tinctured fresh.
MEDICINAL USES:
Insomnia, anxiety, coughs, colic
folklore: Pagans use Wild Lettuce as incense for divination.
infusion: 1–2 tsp. leaves in 1 cup boiling water; infuse 10–15 minutes.
tincture: Up to 30 drops per day, taken before bed.
important: Do not use in large doses; may cause stomach upset. Will relax muscles and cause drowsiness and sleep, so consume only before bedtime.
Rosa blanda (Meadow rose)
Rosa canina (Dog rose, Briar rose)
Rosa carolina (Carolina rose)
Rosa nitida (New England rose)
Rosa palustris (Swamp rose)
Rosa rugosa (Japanese rose)
Rosa virginiana (Virginia rose)
Family: Rosaceae
Parts used: Roots, flowers, fruit (hips), bark
Characteristics: Sweet, astringent
Actions: Antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antioxidant, antiparasitic, sedative, emmenagogue, diuretic, laxative
Wild Rose, known as the “Queen of Flowers,” has been cultivated for thousands of years, not just for its beautiful flowers but also for use in perfumes, cosmetics, and medicines. There are hundreds of varieties growing in North America. The most commonly used for medicinal purposes is the Dog Rose (R. canina), which was introduced from Eurasia, but any of our native species have similar properties. An upright perennial shrub, it can grow anywhere from 1.2–2.7 metres tall. The fragrant flowers are 4–6 cm. in diameter, have 5 petals, and vary in colour from white or light pink to a deep fuchsia. The leaves are pinnate and notched, with 5 to 7 leaves, and the stems covered in sharp thorns. The fruit, or “hips,” which appear in the fall, resemble small tomatoes, those of the Dog Rose being slightly more elongated than other varieties. They should be picked in the fall when bright red, and the seeds and tiny hairs inside should be removed before consuming, as they are irritant. The roots should be dug up in the spring. Petals are most potent when in bud; remove the calyx and stamens and dry gently until crisp for later use. (If not dried long enough they will grow mouldy after a few weeks.)
MEDICINAL USES:
Wounds, menstrual problems, eye irritations, urinary tract infections, sadness, colds, fevers
other uses: Petals may be sprinkled on salads, or added to potpourri.
infusion: Add 2–4 tsp. dried petals to 1 cup of boiling water. Steep 10–15 minutes. Add honey for coughs.
rose hip tea: Simmer 4 tsp. Rose hips in 1 cup water for 5 minutes. Add Mint leaves or Ginger root if desired.
honey: Add several unopened leaf and flower buds to a jar of honey; let sit for at least 1 week before using. This may be added to teas with lemon for a good cold remedy, or simply eaten from a spoon as a sore throat remedy or aphrodisiac.
rose water: Pick the petals on a sunny day, put into a pan and immerse in spring water. Cover and put on low heat until it simmers, then turn down lower and leave 10 minutes. Turn off heat and let sit overnight. Strain and add ¼ of the volume of vodka. Bottle and store in a cool, dark place. Use as a skin toner or flavouring in cooking.
important: Remove hairs from inside the fruit/hips, as they can cause irritation of the throat and digestive tract.
Thymus serpyllum
Thymus pulegioides
Family: Lamiaceae
Other names: Creeping thyme, Garden thyme, Fr. Thym
Parts used: Aerial
Characteristics: Spicy, warm, slightly bitter, drying
Systems affected: Liver, lungs, stomach
Actions: Carminative, antiseptic, expectorant, antitussive, sedative, anthelmintic, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, tonic
This common garden herb originated in Europe but now also grows wild throughout the Maritimes, with similar properties to the garden variety (Thymus vulgaris) although to a lesser degree. It is a perennial evergreen shrub, but rarely grows higher than about 10 cm. in the wild, creeping along roadsides and lawns in dense masses. The stems and roots are woody, reddish brown, with tiny green oval leaves set in opposite pairs. The pink or mauve flowers bloom from early summer to early fall, and the entire plant gives off a distinct fragrance that can be detected from several metres away. It should be gathered when in full flower and can be dried for later use.
MEDICINAL USES:
Gastrointestinal problems, headaches, coughs and colds, mouth and throat infections, menstrual cramps; powerful antiseptic
folklore: Scottish highlanders made a tea from Wild Thyme to give them strength and courage and to prevent nightmares. Pliny the Elder (23 AD–79 AD), a Roman naturalist and author, claimed it to be a cure for snakebites. In the Middle Ages it was included in a recipe that would enable a person to see fairies.
infusion: Mix 3 or 4 tsp. of fresh or dried herb in 4 cups boiling water. Cover and steep 10–15 minutes. For coughs, add a demulcent such as Mullein or Coltsfoot and some honey. Take 1 tbsp. at a time throughout the day.
important: May act as a uterine stimulant. Avoid using if pregnant. The essential oil is very concentrated and irritant; should be diluted before using.