Buchu

(Barosma betulina) Part used: Leaves. Properties: Antiseptic, diuretic, diaphoretic. What it affects: Kidneys and bladder.

Preparation and amount: Infusion: Steep 5-15 min. Take 3 oz. 3-4 times daily (do not boil leaves). Tincture: Take 1/2 tsp. 3 times daily. Fluid extract: Take 1/2 - 1 tsp. 3 times daily. Powder: Take 2-3 #0 capsules (10-15 grains) 3 times daily.

Purposes: Internally, buchu leaves are one of the best diuretics known. The herb is used for all acute and chronic bladder and kidney disorders, including inflammation of the urethra, nephritis, cystitis and catarrh of the bladder. It is a specific for bladder infection and good for urine retention. It lessens inflammation of the colon, gums, mucous membranes, prostate, sinuses and vagina. It is good for diabetes in the first stages, digestive disorders, fluid retention and prostate disorders.

• As with most diuretics, buchu works better if it is given as a cool infusion. Buchu is commonly combined with uva ursi for the treatment of water retention and urinary tract infection. Make an infusion, using one ounce of buchu leaves to a pint of water.

• When given warm, buchu is used to treat enlargement of the prostate gland, burning urine, and irritation of the membrane of the urethra. It can be used in fever remedies. It is also used for venereal diseases.

• Some herbalists recommend it is an after-dinner beverage, to replace coffee: Buchu leaves (2 parts), uva ursi (2 parts), orange peel (1 part), peppermint (1 part). Use 1/4 oz. of the herb mixture in a pint of boiled water and steep 10 minutes. This will strengthen the kidneys.

Note: Do not boil buchu leaves or uva ursi, because their active principles revolatile oils.

Boneset

(Eupatorium perfoliatum) Part used: Tops. Properties: Diaphoretic, stimulant, antipyretic, laxative. What it affects: Stomach, liver, intestines and circulation.

Preparation and amount: Infusion: Steep 5-15 min. Take 3 oz. 3 times daily. Tincture: Take 10-40 drops 3 times daily. Fluid extract: Take 1/2 – 1 tsp. 3 times daily. Powder: Take 4-10 #0 capsules (20-60 grains) 3 times daily.

Purposes: Internally, boneset is a specific for treating severe fevers, especially intermittent fevers. Taken as a warm infusion (drink 4-5 cups while in bed, to encourage sweating), it is widely used for flu, catarrh, and bronchitis. It helps relieve fever-induced aches and pains. It is a decongestant, loosening phlegm, reducing fever, increasing perspiration, and calming the body. An American Indian in Colonial times became famous for curing typhoid with boneset. For decades thereafter, the plant was named after him: Joe Pye weed.

• The tea is made using an ounce of herb to a pint of water, steeped 10 minutes. One-half cup is taken 3 times daily. When taken cold, it is a tonic stimulant and a mild laxative. Taken warm, it is diaphoretic and emetic; it can be used to break up a common cold, an intermittent fever, and the flu. The hot tea is both emetic and cathartic, and is used for sweating therapy, using 4-5 half-cup doses while in bed.

Warning: Long-term use can result in toxicity.

Blue Cohosh

(Caulophyllum thalictroides) Part used: Rhizome. Properties: Antispasmodic, emmenagogue, oxytocic, diuretic. What it affects: Uterus, nerves, joints and urinary tract.

Preparation and amount: Infusion: Take 3 oz. 3-4 times daily. Decoction: Simmer 5-15 min. Take 1-2 oz. 3-4 times daily. Tincture: Take 1/2 – 1 tsp. 3-4 times daily. Fluid extract: Take 10-30 drops (1/6 to 1/2 tsp.) 3-4 times daily. Powder: Take 1-5 #0 capsules (5-30 grains) 3-4 times daily.

Purposes: Internally, blue cohosh is used to regulate menstrual flow, especially for suppressed menstruation. The Indians used it to induce labor, for children’s colic and for cramps. Indian women made sure they took it during the last month of pregnancy, to aid in a speedy and painless delivery.

• Blue cohosh eases muscle spasms and stimulates uterine contractions for childbirth. It is useful for nervous disorders and memory problems. It is used as an antispasmodic in cough medicines and to treat lung problems and all female spasms.

Note: Blue cohosh is often combined with black cohosh because the herbs have complementary properties beneficial for the nerves and a strong antispasmodic effect on the entire system. It is also combined with other herbs, to promote their effects in treating bronchitis, nervous disorders, urinary tract ailments and rheumatism.

Warning: Blue cohosh should always be given only in combination with order herbs indicated for the condition being treated. Blue cohosh can be very irritating to mucous surfaces and can cause dermatitis on contact. Children have been poisoned by the berries. It is best not to use either blue cohosh or black cohosh in teas, because some of the active principles are not soluble in water. Because of its emmenagogue properties, it is not to be used by pregnancy women, except during the last month of pregnancy.

Blessed Thistle (dawag in tagalog)

(Cerbenia benedicta) Part used: Tops. Properties: Emmenagogue, galactagogue, stomachic, tonic, and alternative. What it affects: Stomach, heart, blood, mammary glands and uterus.

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

Purposes: Internally, blessed thistle is an excellent stimulant tonic for the stomach, by increasing stomach secretions. It is a tonic for the heart, for it strengthens it. It aids circulation and helps resolve all liver problems. It is useful for all lung and kidney problems also. It stimulates the appetite, acts as a brain food, and stimulates memory. It lessens inflammation and cleanses  the blood. As a blood purifier, combine it with yellow dock and burdock root. It is good for female disorders and increases milk flow in nursing mothers. The warm tea, mixed with equal parts of raspberry leaves and marsh-mallow root, increases mother’s milk.

Warning: If taken in excess, blessed thistle will act as an emetic. Do not use it during the first two trimesters of pregnancy. It should not be taken alone or in large amounts during the remainder of pregnancy.

Black Walnut (itim walnut in tagalog)

(Juglans nigra) Part used: Leaves and bark. Properties: Antiseptic, astringent, vermicide and alternative. What it affects: Blood, intestines and nerves.

Preparation and amount: Infusion (leaves): Take 6 oz. 1-4 times daily. Decoction (inner bark): Simmer 10-15 min. Take 1 Tbsp. 3-4 times daily. Tincture: Take 10-20 drops times daily. Fluid extract: Take 1 -2 tsp. 3-4 times daily. Syrup: Take 1 Tbsp. 1-2 times daily. Powder: Take 5-10 #0 capsules (30-60 grains) 3 times daily. 

Purposes: Black walnut is rich in organic iodine and tannins which provide antiseptic qualities.

Internally, It helps heal mouth and throat sores, aids digestion and acts as a laxative. It cleanses the body of some types of parasites. As an infusion, it is good for all toxic blood conditions. It may help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Use the infusion as an injection for vaginitis, bleeding, piles, intestinal worms, dysentery, prolapsed intestines and prolapsed uterus.

Externally, black walnut is good for bruising, fungal infection, herpes, poison ivy, warts, ringworm and scabies. The tincture can be used to paint sores and pimples. Apply tincture or powdered leaves to bleeding surfaces or moist skin diseases.