Slippery Elm (ulmos rubra in tagalog)

(Ulmus fulva) Part used: Inner (not outer) bark. Properties: Demulcent, emollient, nutritive, astringent. What it affects: Generally effects the whole body.

Preparation and amount: Infusion (powder): Slowly pour 1 pint of boiling water over 1 oz. powdered bark, stirring constantly. Simmer 5-15 min. Take 6 oz. 3-4 times daily. Decoction (whole bark): Simmer 5-15 min. Take 3 oz. 3-4 times daily. Tincture: Take 15-30 drops 3-4 times daily. Fluid extract: Take 1/2 - 1 tsp. 3-4 times daily. Gruel: Mix 1 tsp. powder with sufficient cold water to make a thin and very smooth paste. Stirring steadily, pour 1 pint of boiling water onto the paste. Flavor with honey and lemon rind. Take 1/2 - 1 pint (warm) 1-3 times daily. Syrup: 1 Tbsp. as needed. Powder: Take 5-10 #0 capsules (30-60 grains) 3-4 times daily.

Purposes: It is the inner white bark of the slippery elm tree that should be kept on hand. (The outer dark bark is also sold, but is useless).

Internally, slippery elm is used for bladder inflammation, bronchitis, colitis, constipation, ovarian cramps, cough, cystitis, diarrhea, diverticulitis, dysentery, eczema, flu, gas, hemorrhoids, hoarseness, lung congestion, stomach problems, tonsillitis, ulcers, ulcerative colitis, gastritis, leucorrhea, rheumatoid and gouty afflictions. It is beneficial for Crohn’s diseases. It is an excellent cleanser and can be used in a douche or enema.

• Slippery elm makes a nourishing gruel for children, for the elderly with weak stomachs, for those with ulcers, and those who are recovering from diseases. It can be made into a gruel by gradually adding a small amount of water and mixing until the proper consistency is obtained. This can be sweetened with a little honey. It is an excellent food whenever there is difficulty holding and digesting food.

Externally, slippery elm is used for burns, gangrenous wounds, hemorrhoids, tumors, open sores, and wounds. It is used to treat painful rheumatic and gouty areas.

 
Note: Slippery elm is excellent binder. A small amount can be added to other herbs with a little water, and then rolled into small pills. By adding a little maple syrup, it can be used to make suppositories, boluses, and to hold unleavened bread together. If used as a douche or enema, it must be diluted with water, so it will not plug the apparatus (since it is a mucilaginous herb).

Skullcap (eskulkap in tagalog)

(Scutellaria lateriflora) Part used: Tops. Properties: Antispasmodic, nervine, antipyretic. What it affects: Nerves and stomach.

Preparation and amount: Infusion: Steep 15-30 min. Take 3 oz. 4-5 times daily. Tincture: Take 10-40 drops 3-4 times daily. Fluid extract: Take 1/4 tsp. 3-4 times daily. Powder: Take 3-5 capsules (15-30 grains) 2-3 or more times daily.

Purposes: Skullcap is one of the most needed herbs for your collection, and is very good for almost any nervous problem. It is a very safe and reliable nerve sedative. It is food for the nerves, supporting and strengthening  them as it gives immediate relief of all chronic and acute diseases stemming from nervous affections and debility. Whatever the nerve problem, mild or chronic, skullcap can provide help. Combine it with other tonic, nervine, and antispasmodic herbs (such as hops, wood betony, lady’s slipper, and passionflower). It may be used freely and is essentially nontoxic. Use an ounce of the herb steeped in a pint of boiled water, for 10 minutes.

Internally, skullcap is good for drug and alcoholic withdrawal symptoms, insomnia, epilepsy, neuralgia, convulsions, coughs, indigestion, insanity, muscle cramps, pain, stress, anxiety, fatigue, headache, nervous headache, hyperactivity, hysteria, restlessness, spasms, or excitability. It is used to wean people from barbiturates, excessive use of valium, and other addictions. In combination with American ginseng (1/4 oz.) and skullcap (1/2 oz.), taken in small frequent doses, it is a good treatment for alcoholism. First make a decoction of ginseng root, then an infusion of skullcap, then combine the two.

• American Indian used skullcap to promote menstruation. It will reduce pains of ovarian or uterine origin. It strengthens the heart muscle. It is said to be effective against rabies. 

Note: Skullcap should be used as fresh as possible, otherwise its activity rather quickly dissipates.

Shepherd’s Purse

(Capsella bursa-pastoris) Part used: Tops. Properties: Astringent, diuretic, stimulant. What it affects: Kidneys, bladder, and blood.

Preparation and amount: Infusion: Steep 30 min. Take 6 oz. 1-2 times daily. Tincture: 20-60 drops 1-2 times daily. Fluid extract: 1/4 – 1/2 tsp. 1-2 times daily.

Purposes: Shepherd’s purse is an outstanding blood coagulant which can be used to stop internal or external bleeding. Internally, it is an excellent astringent which will stop bleeding of the lungs, colon, kidneys, and bladder. The tops should be used fresh for this purposes, but an infusion of dried herb can also be used. It is also good for excessive menstrual bleeding and bed-wetting. Because it acts to constrict the blood vessels, it raises blood pressure. But it will also regulate blood pressure and heart action, whether the pressure is too high or too low.

• It is good for intermittent fevers, hemorrhoids, and especially good for stopping diarrhea. It promotes uterine contracts during childbirth and can improve intestinal and bowel action. Steep 1 tsp. fresh or 2 tsp. dried herb in 1/2 cup water. Take 1 cup a day, unsweetened, a mouthful at a time.

Externally, put the juice in an ear to stop pain. Doing this will also stop strange noises in the ear. It is also used in washes and poultices for wounds on the body and especially on the head. It will stop surface bleeding.

 
Note: Do not store shepherd’s purse longer than a year.

Senna (balatong-aso in tagalog)

(Cassia acutifolia) Part used: Leaves, pods. Properties: Laxative, vermifuge, diuretic. What it affects: Intestines.

Preparation and amount: Infusion: Steep 30 min. Take 2 oz. 3 times daily. Tincture: Take 30-40 drops 2-3 times daily. Fluid extract: Take 1/2 tsp. 2-3 times daily. Powder: Take 2-10 #0 capsules (10-60 grains) 3 times daily.

Purposes: Internally, senna is one of the most reliable laxatives and increases the intestinal peristaltic movements.

• It should be combined with a carminative herb (such as ginger, anise, fennel, or coriander), to avoid griping (bowel cramps). Use 6-12 pods for adults and 3-6 pods for children. (The pods are preferred, since they are milder than the leaves.) Make an infusion of an ounce of senna to 1 pint water. To this add 10% of an aromatic herb. Steep for 20 minutes and drink it cold. (There is less cramping if one drinks it cold.) Do not make more than will be immediately used (about 1/2 – 1 cup at a time.) Senna is also combined with other anthelmintics, to get rid of intestinal worms.

Externally, senna is useful as a mouthwash for halitosis and a bad taste in your mouth.

Note: There are four primary senna herbs: Alexandrian senna (Cassia acutifolia), from northern Africa, and the lesser-used American senna (Cassia marilandica). Both have the same properties, work in the same manner, and have the same cautions. There are also two other senna herbs: tinnevelly senna (Cassia angustifolia) which is weaker in its properties, and not sold very often, and purging cassia (Cassia fistula) which is grown in India. It is stronger and the herb generally included in most commercial cassia pods and many packaged preparations.

 
Warning: Senna should not be used if there is inflammation anywhere in the intestinal tract, if there are prolapsed intestines, retum, or piles. It should not be used during pregnancy. It is addictive if used too long.

Saw Palmetto (palmetto in tagalog)

(Serenoa serrulata) Part used: Fruit. Properties: Diuretic, tonic, antiseptic, sedative. What it affects: Lungs, throat, reproductive organs, and kidneys.

Preparation and amount: Infusion: Steep 5-15 min. Take 6 oz. 2-3 times daily. Tincture: Take 15-16 drops 2-3 times daily. Fluid extract: Take 10 drops 2-3 times daily. Powder: Take 2-4 #0 capsules (10-20 grains) 2-3 times daily.

 
Purposes: Internally, saw palmetto berries are especially useful for colds, asthma, and bronchitis. They are good in all throat conditions, whooping cough, and head and nose congestion. Catarrhal problems and mucous congestion respond to a tea made from the dried berries. It is a diuretic and urinary antiseptic. The tea is a general tonic, to build strength during convalescence from illness. It is used to treat diseases of the male and female reproductive organs. It is especially helpful in promoting a quicker recovery from glandular diseases. It inhibits production of dihydrotestosterone, a form of testosterone that contributes to enlargement of the prostate. Steep 1 tsp. dried berries in 1 cup water. Take 1-2 cups a day.