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| 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. |
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MEDICINAL:
Cancer research by the Chinese shows extracts promising in anti-AIDS activity, one possible factor being the polysaccharide prunellin isolated by a California research team.Shows antioxidant activity which may hold promise for heart disease and cancer.Traditionally used for internal wounds as a tea, or, as a wash for external wounds.Has been used as a gargle for throat irritations and the herb has also been chewed for sore throats.Infusions or weak decoctions have been used for heart ailments, acne, bruises, burns, cuts, and diabetic sores.Chinese use the herb for anxiety, boils, cancer, conjunctivitis, headache, hepatitis, high blood pressure, opthalmia, scrofula, tinnitus, and vertigo. They also use the flowers to treat jaundice, swollen glands and minor wounds.Was used by Native Americans for backache, cold, biliousness, consumption, cough, diarrhea, excessive crying in babies, fever, shortness of breath, grief sickness, stiff knees, sore legs, stomachache or cramps, sugar diabetes and venereal disease.EXTRACT = Soak 1 tsp herb in 1 pint of brandy or whiskey for a few days.