Pleurisy Root

(Asclepias tuberose) Part used: Root. Properties: Diaphoretic, expectorant, antispasmodic, carminative, diuretic, nervine, tonic. What it affects: Lungs, kidneys, and nerves.

Preparation and amount: Infusion: Steep 30 min. Take 1-2 cups daily; children should take 1-5 drops in hot water every 1-2 hours. Decoction: Simmer 5-15 min. Take 2-3 oz. as needed. Tincture: Take 30-60 drops every 3 hours. Fluid extract: Take 1/2 - 1 tsp. 3-4 times daily. Powder: Take 3-5 #0 capsules (20-30 grains) 3-4 times daily.

Purposes: Internally, pleurisy root was widely used as an expectorant in the nineteenth century. It is ideal for pleurisy and pneumonia. In severe cases, combine equal parts of it with an infusion of skullcap, given in small amounts (2 oz.) every half hour while the patient is warmly tucked in bed. It is an excellent sweating agent to break up colds, flus, pleurisy, and bronchial problems. Sometimes it is given with cayenne at the beginning of a cold. American Indians chewed the dried root or made tea, by boiling the root, as a remedy for chest problems or dysentery. It reduces the inflammation of the pleural membranes of the lungs, stimulates the lymphatic system, and encourages the flow of normal lung fluids. It is also good for children’s stomach and bowel disorders. For bowel problems, use I tablespoon to a quart of boiling water; steep for 30 minutes and use warm as an enema for this.

Warning: Animals have been poisoned by eating the leaves and stems. The fresh root may also produce toxic effects.

Plantain (plantain in tagalog)

Common Plantain (Plantago major) and  Lance-leaf Plantain (plantago lanceolata). Part used: Leaves and seeds. Properties: Diuretic, emollient, alternative, antiseptic, astringent, deobstruent, expectorant, vulnerary. What it affects: Kidneys, veins, intestines, and externally on the skin.

Preparation and amount: Infusion (leaf): Steep 5-15 min. 3 oz. 3-4 times daily. Decoction (seed): Simmer 1 oz. seeds in 1 ½  pints of water, reduce to 1 pint: sweeten with honey. Take 1 Tbsp. 3-4 times daily. Tincture: Take 2-60 drops 3-4 times daily. Fluid extract: Take 1/2 - 1 tsp. 3-4 times daily. Powder: Take up to 10 #0 capsules (up to 60 grains) 3-4 times daily.

Purposes: There are several plantains, but they all have the same properties. The two primary ones are common plantain (plantago major), which has an almost circular leaf, and the lesser-used lance-leaf plantain (plantago lanceolata), which has very narrow leaves. The wider the leaf, the greater the diuretic effect.

Internally, plantain has soothing, cooling properties which make it effective in a wide range of maladies, including infections, inflammations, diarrhea, ulcers, bronchitis, and excessive menstrual discharge. Make an infusion using an ounce of the herb in a pint of water. It acts as a diuretic and is soothing to the lungs and urinary tract. It is excellent for acute neuralgia; for this, take 2-5 drops of tincture every 20 minutes. It is a good remedy for cough irritations, hoarseness, gastritis, and enteritis. It is helpful for all respiratory problems, especially those involving mucous congestion, It is useful for indigestion and heartburn.

• It is useful in the treatment of water retention and kidney and bladder infections. It will neutralize stomach acids and normalize all stomach secretions. It may slow the growth of tuberculosis bacteria.

• The seeds are similar to psyllium seeds. And, if taken in amounts of 1 tsp. of powdered juice 3 times a day, it will provide an excellent bulk laxative. Soaked overnight in water, this will produce a gel. Then bring it to a boil, turn off the fire, and let it steep for 10 minutes. Press the gel through a strainer and use for ulcers, intestinal pains, and spitting up of blood. Inject a cup of the tea several times a day into the colon for hemorrhoids. Use it as a douche for vaginal difficulties. The fresh juice, pressed from the whole plant, is good for chronic catarrhal problems, gastro-intestinal difficulties and worms. Externally, plantain has a healing, antibiotic, and styptic (blood stanching) effect when applied to sores and wounds. It is commonly known to neutralize the toxins of insect and snakebites. Put freshly ground leaves (or chewed slightly) onto the bites snakes, insects, and bees. A decoction of the dried leaves promotes coagulation of blood. Place a salve of it on boils, carbuncles, and eczema. The fresh juice extract is good for itchy skin. At the same time, swallow a tablespoon of the fresh juice. Plantain is an excellent remedy for skin infections, cuts, scratches, and chronic skin problems. It is used in a variety of salves and ointments, alone or in combination with other herbs (such as chickweed, comfrey, mugwort, and angelica). Apply the fresh leaves to wounds, sores, insect bites, ringworm, and even hemorrhoids. Chewing the rootstock will give temporary relief from toothache.

Pipsissewa (pesewa in tagalog)

(Prince’s pine) – (Chimaphila umbrellata) Part used: Tops. Properties: Alternative, diuretic, astringent, tonic. What it affects: Urinary tract, liver, skin, and circulation.

Preparation and amount: Infusion: Steep 5-15 min. Take 3 oz. as needed. Tincture: Take 15-60 drops as needed. Fluid extract: Take 1/2 - 1 tsp. as needed. Powder: Take 5-10 #0 capsules (30-90 grains) as needed.

Purposes: Internally, pipsissewa is a good remedy for kidney and bladder problems. It is especially good at producing diuretic action without irritant side-effects. Combined with dandelion, goldenseal, and yellow dock, it is good for all blood troubles and diseases of the urinary organs. It excellent for burning urine, urethral and prostate irritation, catarrh for the bladder, and relaxed bladder. Prolonged use of the leaf tea is said to dissolve bladder stones. For most liver, kidney, joint, and skin problems, a combination of the herb with Oregon grape root, taken frequently throughout the day, will prove very helpful.

• It is also used for rheumatic problems, scrofula, dropsy, albuminuria, hematuria, chronic kidney problems, and gonorrhea. One cup of tea, 3 times daily (or 20 drops of tincture, 3 times a day), is the usual dosage. Karok Indian women in their late eighties would drink a quart or two a day for stiffness and genitor-urinary problems.

 
Externally, a tea or poultice made from pipsissewa can be applied to blister, ulcerous sores, tumors, and swellings.

Peppermint (yerbabuwena in tagalog)

(Mentha piperita) Part used: Leaves. Properties: Aromatic, carminative, diaphoretic, stimulant, antispasmodic. What it affects: Stomach, intestines, muscles and circulation.

Preparation and amount: Infusion: Steep 5-15 min. Take 6 oz. 3 times daily. Tincture: Take 30-60 drops 3 times daily. Fluid extract: Take 1/2 - 2 tsp. 3 times daily. Oil: Take 5-10 drops 3 times daily. Powder: Take up to 10 #0 capsules (up to 60 grains) 3 times daily.

Purposes: Peppermint is an old household remedy and useful for a variety of conditions.

Internally, peppermint slightly anesthetizes mucous membranes and the gastro-intestinal tract. The tea or oil is useful for insomnia, migraine, measles, menstrual cramps, migraines, morning sickness, muscle spasms, chills, headache, nausea, nervous disorder, colic, fevers, dizziness, gas, vomiting, diarrhea, dysentery, heart trouble, poor appetite, rheumatism, spasms, and hysteria. It increase stomach acidity, aiding digestion, and is useful for irritable bowel syndrome. It will stop vomiting due to nervous causes.

Externally, peppermint leaves make a cooling and slightly anodyne application. They can also be made into a salve or a bath additive for itching skin conditions. Peppermint is used for toothache and to provide local anesthetic to pains and inflamed joints. For example, to open up the sinuses, put 5-10 drops into 2 quarts hot water and breathe it in through the mouth and nostrils. Cover the head with a cloth as you do this.

 
Note: Peppermint tea makes a good substitute for coffee or tea. The other mint are spearmint and catnip; both of these are included in this herb list.

Pennyroyal (peniroyal in tagalog)

(American pennyroyal) – (Hedeoma pulegioides) Part used: Tops. Properties: Diaphoretic, emmenagogue, carminative, stimulant. What it affects: Circulation, uterus, and lungs.

Preparation and Amount: Infusion: Steep 5-15 min. Take 6 oz. frequently. Tincture: Take 30-60 drops (1/2 - 1 tsp.) frequently. Fluid extract: Take 1-2 drops frequently. Powder: Take 3-10 #0 capsules (20-60 grains) frequently.

Purposes: Internally, pennyroyal is especially used for all fevers and lung infections. It drives out the heat and inflammation through the pores of the skin and help the circulation. The warm infusion used freely will promote perspiration. It is good for nervous headaches, intestinal pains, cramps, hysteria, nervousness, and colds. It is used for convulsions, lung congestion, and colic.

• A warm infusion promotes menstruation. Used hot footbaths of the tea, to bring on the menstrual flow. It is thus useful in regulating menstrual flow and for relieving cramps. But it should not be used by those who have a tendency toward excessive menstruation.

Externally, because it is a very strong smelling mint, pennyroyal is used to repel insects such as mosquitoes, flies, and fleas. It is also used for itching and skin diseases.

Note: The American species (Hedeoma pulegioides) and the European species (Mentha pulegium) have similar properties. So either one can be used.

 
Warning: It is urgent that pennyroyal not be taken during pregnancy!