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Valerian Preparations Varicose Veins Vinegars, Medicinal Vomiting

DISCLAIMER: These pages are presented solely as a source of INFORMATION and ENTERTAINMENT and to provide stern warnings against use where appropriate. No claims are made for the efficacy of any herb nor for any historical herbal treatment. In no way can the information provided here take the place of the standard, legal, medical practice of any country. Additionally, some of these plants are extremely toxic and should be used only by licensed professionals who have the means to process them properly into appropriate pharmaceuticals. One final note: many plants were used for a wide range of illnesses in the past, but be aware that many of the historical uses have proven to be ineffective for the problems to which they were applied.


menuVALERIAN PREPARATIONS

TINCTURE

Make a tincture using a 1:3 ratio of root to menstruum (50% alcohol 50% water or use 100 proof vodka). Dose is 1 tsp per cup of water.

COLD TEA
1 level tsp valerian soaked in 1 cup cold water; cover and place in fridge for 12 to 24 hours; strain; taken about 1 hour before retiring.

EXTRACT for BATH or COMPRESS
Moisten 4 oz of valerian powder with a little 90 proof vodka and then add a little more to dilute the mass. Place into a coffee filter which is lining a funnel, then pour 2 pints of the vodka over the mass and let it drip down into the jar; strain out any powder that gets through; place funnel over a 2nd jar and pour the first dripping through the herb again. Store in a dark jar.


menuVARICOSE VEINS
Yarrow is considered a specific for this condition. It is combined with other herbs for both internal and external use.

  1. Internal: Combine equal portions of the tinctures of hawthorn, prickly ash, ginkgo, yarrow and horse chestnut. Take 1 tsp 3 times daily.
  2. Bath: Boil 2 lbs chopped horse chestnuts in water and add to bath.


menuVINEGARS, MEDICINAL

VINEGAR of the 4 THIEVES

Take a handful each of rosemary, wormwood, lavender, rue, sage and mint. Place in a crock and add one gallon of strong cider vinegar. Cover tightly and keep in a warm spot for 4 days. Strain and add 1 oz of pounded camphor gum. Bottle and keep tightly corked. Was used to wash the hands and face before exposing one's self to infection (ie. sickroom). Aromatic and refreshingly cool. More modern recipes add garlic, calamus, cinnamon, cloves and nutmegs and eliminate the camphor gum.

BALSAMIC VINEGAR
Take ½ oz each of sage, lavender flowers, hyssop, thyme and savory, 2 garlic bulbs and ½ cup of salt. Infuse in 1 quart of white vinegar and allow to steep for 3 weeks. Strain.

BLACKBERRY VINEGAR
4 lbs fresh blackberries
enough malt vinegar to cover the berries
1 lb sugar for every pint of juice extracted

Wash berries; place in a glass or ceramic container and cover with malt vinegar for 3 days. Stir once a day. Strain through a sieve and drain thoroughly by placing a plate on top and putting a weight on the plate. Let it drip all day. Measure the juice and allow 1 lb of sugar per pint of juice (for external use, glycerin can be substituted for sugar). Simmer in another non-reactive pot for 5 minutes. Collect and discard the top scum. Bottle. Useful for fevers, arthritis, gout. Dose is 1 tbsp dissolved in a large cup of distilled water 3 times daily. Also good for anemia and heart patients.

PAIN RELIEF
External use only!
Steep wormwood in vinegar and apply to minor bruises or sprains.


menuVOMITING

GINGER DROPS

Mix 2 parts anise seed tincture to 1 part ginger root tincture. Use 5 to 10 drops in a litte water; sip every 10 minutes or so until nausea is gone.

TO INDUCE VOMITING
  1. Syrup of Ipecac
  2. 1 tsp mustard powder in a cup of warm water
  3. salt water



©1998 by Ernestina Parziale, CH

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