Privet ( ligustrum lucidum)

by Renee Lindstrom, GCFP:

Also known as:

Uses: Medicinal Remedies, Dye, Tea

Parts Used:  Berries, Flowers, Leaves, Bark

Preparation:  Tea, Vinegar, Oil, Tincture, Infusion, Flower Essence

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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• Symbolizes:   Healing old wounds, letting go of blocks
• Language of Flowers meaning:  Mildness, Prohibitive
• Associated with:  Sacral Chakra
• Element:  Water
• Governed by: Moon

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Part of the olive family (Oleaceae)

I planted what I thought was a small shrub five years ago that was gifted to us. With no identifying information to go along with I was surprised after two years when it began stretching, spreading and growing taller.  It is now 10 feet high and getting wider.  According to different sources of information could grow from 15 to 30 feet high.  The is the evergreen that many topiary cuttings are created with and it is popular for use in Bonsai.  It flowered for the first time two years ago and this year there are many fruits developing as we enter into fall.  The flowers are a nice fragrance to begin with but slowly they become less attractive over the days as the blooms diminish.  This year this Privet is gifting us with an abundance of fruit that are forming from the spent flowers.  When the fruits are ripe in the fall, these are the main part of this plant used in Traditional Chinese and Herbal Remedies.  The leaves, flowers and bark can also used.  You will find the dried berries ground up in many medicinal and beauty products!

Nutrients & Qualities: 

Privet has applications as a  diuretic, astringent, antiseptic, immuno-stimulant, anti-cholestrolemic and it has anti-cancer properties.  It is known to invigorate the immune system.

• Constituents:
  • quercetin glycosides;  flavonol glycosides, secoiridoids (oleuropein, ligustaloside A, ligustaloside B, and ligstroside)
  • kaempferol glycosides
  • polyphenols
  • oleanolic
  • palmitic
  • linoleic
  • ursolic acids
  • mannitol
  • glucose
  • starch
  • bitter resin
  • bitter extractive
  • albumen
  • salts
  • ligustrin

Therapeutic Uses:

• Flowers:
  • Headaches
  • Vaginal Irritations
  • Menstrual Problems

• Leaves:
  • Diarrhea
  • Bladder disorders
  • Stomach ulcers
  • Indigestion
  • Increase appetite
  • Sore throat & eyes
  • Ulcers
  • Swellings
  • Mumps
  • Chapped lips
  • Throat cancer
• Leaves & bark: 
  • Headaches
  • Tumours
  • Bronchitis
  • Coughs
  • Light-headedness
  • Chronic bowel problems
  • Vaginal douche
  • Mouthwash or gargle
  • Wash for skin problems
• Berries/Seeds:
  • Liver & Kidney ailments
  • Increase energy
  • Menopause
  • Insomnia
  • Premature aging
  • Grey hair
  • Heart palpitations
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Tinnitus (a ringing in the ear)
  • Backache
  • Eye issues including cataracts, glaucoma & cataract
  • Contagious ailments: hepatitis B & sexually transmitted diseases (STD)
  • High blood pressure (hypertension)
  • Pneumocystis Carinii pneumonia (a fungal infection of the lungs)
  • Respiratory problems

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How to use Leaves & Bark:

Boil 1 tsp. leaves or bark in 1 cup water. Take 1 to 2 cups a day.

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Recommended Reading:

• Planetary Herbology by Michael Tierra C.A., N.D., O.M.D., Lotus Press, PO Box 325, Twin Lakes. WI 53181., Copyright 1988, published 1992
• Book Review:  Wonderful Book, everyone should have a copy
  • By Amazon customer on June 24, 1997 – I have every single one of this authors books. The information in them is terrific, including this one. It covers the different types of herbal philosophies. Mainly the Chinese and Ayurvedic systems. He integrates them both with western herbs, and makes it work. I won’t say his book has everything and every herb but it has a lot, and some of the more unusual herbs you usually can’t find in the regular every day herb books. It’s wonderful, and worth every penny you pay for it

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Traditional uses and properties of herbs are for educational purposes only. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Every attempt has been made for accuracy, but none is guaranteed. Any serious health concerns or if you are pregnant, you should always check with your health care practitioner before self-administering herbs.

 

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Horsetail

by Renee Lindstrom, GCFP  This post may contain Affiliate Links, thank you in advance for your support!  Renee

Horsetail

Horsetail (Equisetum arvense)

Horsetail is edible when it first emerges from the soil before leaves sprout on stalk. After the stalk darkens in colour and starts to have leaf shoots from the circular ribs it is no longer edible yet becomes medicinal!

As horsetail absorbs the minerals from the soil surrounding it you want to ensure that the water or soil it is growing in or near is organic and not polluted.

Nutrients & Qualities in Horsetail:

Horsetail has manganese, calcium, iron, flavonoids, caffeic acid esters, saponins, tannins, alkaloids, fatty acids, phytosterols, glycosides, phenolic acids, aconitic acid, *equisetic acid and silica.

*Equisetic acid which is a heart and nerve sedative. If taken in abnormally high doses can be poisonous.

Medicinal Qualities & Uses:

• anti-aging,
• anti-wrinkle,
• anti-inflammatory,
• antibacterial,
• antimicrobial,
• antioxidant,
• coagulant,
• demulcent,
• diuretic,
• astringent
• anemia,
• arthritis, brittle bone,
• eyes,
  • conjunctivitis,
•  hair,
  • hair loss
• skin
  • acne
  • anti-aging
  • anti-wrinkle
  • burns
  • rashes
• teeth,
• nails,
• gingivitis,
• tonsillitis,
• rheumatic disorders,
• osteoarthritis,
• diabetes,
• wounds,
• frostbite,
• chilblains,
• athlete’s foot,
• boils,
• carbuncles,
• ulcers,
• fistulas,
• herpes simplex,
• dyspepsia (impaired digestion),
• gastrointestinal conditions,
• cardiovascular diseases,
• respiratory tract infections,
• bronchitis,
• fever,
• malaria,
• bladder problems,
• urinary tract infection,
• bed wetting,
• kidney stones,
• prostate problems,
• hemorrhoids,
• muscle cramps,
• tumors,
• broken bones,
• fractures,
• sprains,
• nose bleed,
• immune system

How to use:

The above ground parts of Horsetail are used and can be in dried or liquid form.  It needs to be cooked, dried, boiled or infused.  It cannot be eaten raw.

Dried Horsetail

• Drying Horsetail for Tea/Water Infusions:

Horsetail stalk and leaves can be picked, rinsed and dried.  When it dried it should remain green.  Do not use if it turns brown.

• Horsetail Tea – max. 3 cups per day

Add 1 – 2 Teaspoons of dried or fresh Horsetail to boiling water and steep for 7 to 10 minutes.

• Sore Throats, Coughs, Colds and Lungs

Horsetail tea can be soothing to use as a gargle for sore throats and beneficial to clear airways when breathing in its steam while boiling this herb.

• Poultice

Crush fresh Horsetail and soak in hot water for a few minutes or soak dried horsetail in hot water, drain and place in cheesecloth to apply to area.  Leave for up to 15 minutes a few times a day.

• Toner

Steep 1  teaspoon of Horsetail to 1 cup of boil water and steep for up to 10 minutes. When cool use cotton ball to dampen with tea solution and dab facial skin and neck to rinse in the morning and evening after removing makeup.

• Hair Rinse or Bath Infusion

Use up to 10 teaspoons of fresh or dried horsetail to 4 cups of hot water and add to your bath or use to rinse your hair.

• Oils, Creams & Salves

Fresh or dried Horsetail can be processed into oils and combined with other oils, plants and herbs to make salves and creams.  Find recipes here

If you don’t have a source of Fresh Horsetail find dried on-line here.

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Traditional uses and properties of herbs are for educational purposes only.  This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.  Every attempt has been made for accuracy, but none is guaranteed. Any serious health concerns or if you are pregnant, you should always check with your health care practitioner before self-administering herbs.