Discovering His Creation: medicinal

Showing posts with label medicinal. Show all posts

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)

Bugleweed grows abundantly in my yard and is a beautiful sight in the spring. We added this to the yard back in the 1990's from some we transplanted from the nearby woods. It makes a great ground cover and has been useful for a hillside in our yard to stop erosion. It's native to Europe, northern Africa and southwestern Asia. It has been introduced here in the United States and Canada. It's a nectar source for Pearl-bordered Fritillary Butterfly and the Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary Butterfly and also a secondary nectar source for a list of other butterflies. The bees also love it as well. Although the leaves of this plant are said to be edible it's not one I would personally try. I would say more of a medicinal plant. It has been used medicinally but is said to be a narcotic hallucinogen. Some of the medicinal uses have been to heal wounds and tumors externally and the for treatment of coughs. Some say a mild pain killer and mild sedative. In traditional Austrian medicine it has been used in treating respiratory tract problems. The information in my blog is here for just that information! As with any plant be well informed, have plenty of references and expert advice before using medically. Always be aware of any risks or allergic reactions that could occur when used as an edible or medicinal plant. I have discovered there is so much to learn about the plants our Creator has placed here on earth. I hope you'll take time to discover His creation and better yet discover the Creator of it all.

Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis), Tall Goldenrod (Solidago Altissima)

Goldenrod can be found all over my State of Alabama and at one time was the state flower but was replaced in 1959 by the Camellia. It can be found throughout North America. A few species are native to South America and Eurasia. Some American Species have now been introduced to other parts of the world. It's edible and flowers and leaves may be eaten in salads or cooked. They can be dried for teas as well. In fact it was used as an alternative tea and called "Liberty Tea" after the Boston Tea Party in 1773. It was often combined with other ingredients to make to tea. Caution if gathering leaves though some can carry a fungus and should not be used. The plant has been used medicinally and continues to be used in herbal medicine. It's uses include pain reliever, reduces inflammation, a diuretic, to stop muscle spasms, treating gout, skin conditions and more! As always my blogs are here for information. Carefully research and learn about any plant before trying as an edible. Have the advice of an expert before using medicinally. The name Solidago means to make whole or heal. Another interesting fact about the Goldenrod is that Thomas Edison used the Goldenrod to make rubber. He made tires for his Model T given to him by Henry Ford. Only the leaves can be used to make this rubber. In the last 2 pictures at the end of this blog shows cluster galls or rosette galls they are found specifically on Canadian Goldenrod only. At first glance I thought this was Goldenrod and later became confused after looking at the pictures. I'd never seen Goldenrod with the cluster formation on them before. Information from an identification group clarified that for me. I read more about the rosette galls and found that it's caused from a minuscule fly that lays an egg in a leaf bud. After it hatches it keeps the stem from growing and elongating.The Goldenrod still continues to produce leaves resulting in a cluster like foliage of leaves. So many interesting discoveries as my Summer is now becoming fall. I'm learning what you might think is a weed has more value and benefit than you know. What a grand Creator I serve. Take time and discover creation around you and better yet spend time with the Creator who made it all.

Tall Goldenrod (Solidago Altissima )

Tall Goldenrod (SolidagoAltissima )

Tall Goldenrod (Altissima Solidago)

Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) Pictured with rosette galls.

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

White rattlesnake-root, White lettuce (Prenanthes alba )

This is another plant I found in that vacant weedy spot in my neighborhood. It was clustered together with a couple other of these and Woodland Lettuce also. Interesting to find all these in the same place. It's native to the Eastern United States and Canada. I've heard the name before but didn't know what it looked like. It was said to have been a remedy used by Native Americans for snakebite. A bitter tonic made from the roots was used to treat dysentery. It's not edible and I didn't find any information stating other than medicinal uses. Some plants as the case with this one there is a lack of information about some things concerning it or maybe it's hidden away somewhere. We have a great Creator who has more information than we could ever imagine about the plants He has placed here. I hope you'll take some time and look around at God's creation near you . You might be surprised at what you discover.

White rattlesnake-root, White lettuce (Prenanthes alba)

Monday, September 22, 2014

Japanese Hawkweed (Youngia japonica)

I found this growing in my front yard and backyard. Somethings I find and identify quickly on the internet. This one was identified thanks to the help of a plant identification group on facebook. Japanese Hawkweed can be found throughout the Eastern and Southeastern United States. It's native to Asia and Australia and as the name would suggest can be found throughout Japan. It's been naturalized here in the United States and other parts of the world also. It's edible and the leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. It's said to be a medicinal plant and used as an antitussive, febrifuge and antioxidant. A Chinese study in 2003 showed it to have anti-cancer and antiviral activities. Remember as always to do plenty of research and have expert advice before using plants medicinally or eating them. My blogs are here to give information and not advice. So many amazing plants God has placed in my small area. So many beneficial plants right before my eyes. I'm thanking God for what He has allowed me to discover. I hope you'll take a look around and discover God's creation where you are.

Japanese Hawkweed (Youngia japonica)

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Spotted Ladysthumb (Polygonum persicaria)

Spotted Ladysthumb is a new name for me but not a new image. Another common plant I've seen much of my life and maybe you have also. It's not native to North America but was introduced and since become invasive. It's native to Eurasia. The plant is said to be edible and medicinal. The leaves and seeds can be eaten raw or cooked but it does contain oxalic acid. Oxalic acid is not said to be toxic but can affect other minerals in the body and lead to a mineral deficiency of some minerals. Cooking the leaves is said to reduce the oxalic acid. Not a plant I'm planning on trying right now but good information to know. It's been used medicinally by the Native Americans as an astringent, diuretic, poultice and other uses as well. Ladysthumb have a marking on the leaves that looks like a darker green smudge in the middle of the leaf. Polygonum persicaria is one of many species in Polygonum. There are others that are also edible and medicinal. Remember never try plants without having many references, good information or the help and advice of an expert. I'm still amazed at how much information there is to learn about God's creation. I hope you'll take time to discover God's creation where you are.

Spotted Ladysthumb (Polygonum persicaria)

Spotted Ladysthumb (Polygonum persicaria) Leaves with darker spot in middle.

Spotted Ladysthumb (Polygonum persicaria)

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Old Man's Beard (Usnea)

I happened to notice this on a stick when I was walking in the back yard. I almost tossed it over in the woods like other sticks and limbs down the hill. It caught my eye though and decided I would take some pictures. I see these but never thought much about them and have grown up seeing them. Glad God brought it to my attention because I never would have imagined the information I discovered about it. Usnea grows all over the world and can be found hanging from tree branches. It's been used medicinally for at least 1600 years or more and is an antibiotic and anti-fungal agent. It can be used externally for treating wounds, a pain reliever, fever reducer and in treating infections. It has also been used for weight loss. Although there have been concerns about it's effect on the liver when used as an ingredient in weight loss products. As always never try or use plants medicinally without the advice of an expert or without researching and having much information. My blogs are not here to give medical advice but to only inform of what I'm learning and discovering. Usnea contains a chemical called usnic acid and it has been used as ingredient in toothpaste, mouthwash, creams, powders, deodorants, shampoo and sunscreens . One of the best ways to identify it is to pull a green thread apart. Usnea will contains a white thread core. I tried doing that with some and saw just what was described. Any other lookalike will not have the white core inside. It's amazing something that could go unnoticed by many of us can have so many uses. I continue to discover just how little I know about God's creation that surrounds me and I see daily. What an awesome and wise Creator we have who designed the earth and placed a world of information in plants, trees and so much more. I'm discovering God's creation and I hope you will too.

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Sericea Lespedeza, Chinese Lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata)

Each walk my son and I take to the spots where we find wildflowers in our neighborhood seems to turn up something new. I love the color of these. Sericea Lespedeza has tiny flowers and tiny leaves that I think are lovely. It's long stemmed and the ones we saw were around a foot long. It's native to Asia and eastern Australia. It has been introduced to other countries and was introduced to the United States in 1896 from Japan. Sericea Lespedeza is now present throughout the eastern United States. It was used to help stop erosion and also forage for livestock but now is considered invasive in some areas. It's been used medicinally to treat skin ulcerations, dysentery, enteritis, hernias and other aliments. It's said to be anthelmintic, depurative and tonic. Young leaves after being soaked and cooked are edible. Those are very small leaves though ! As always be cautious and have the advice of an expert before gathering or using any plant medicinally or for food. Be well informed with many resources. So many plants and so many continuing discoveries about a small area that surrounds me. I'll continue to enjoy and discover God's creation. I hope you'll take time and do so also.

Sericea Lespedeza, Chinese Lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata)

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Narrowleaf plantain (Plantago lanceolata)

Most would look at Narrowleaf plantain and think that's a weed right? That might be true but one with a lot of benefits. I've seen plantain all my life and never knew it's name until recently. It would do us all good to know just what we're walking on. Maybe you've been pulling it up or in many cases people are spraying poison on it. Narrowleaf plantain can be found throughout the United States, Canada, Iceland, Europe,Spain and northern and central Asia . The genus Plantago consists of about 250 species worldwide and 16 of those can be found in California. Broadleaf plantain and Narrowleaf plantain were introduced here from Europe. It followed the settlements of Europeans and was called by some Native Americans 'White man's foot" . Plantain is edible and medicinal. Young leaves can be eaten in salads or as a potherb and also teas. The whole seeds have a laxative effect if eaten raw. Medicinal uses are : Antibacterial, antidote, astringent, demulcent, expectorant, haemostatic, laxative, ophthalmic and poultice. Parts used are leaves, roots and seeds. Some other uses for plantain are : as a dye, fiber and a starch. Amazing uses for a plant many might not want around. It also is said to contain vitamins : A, C and K and also calcium. Much information can be found if interested in this plant and it's uses. My blogs are only here for sharing the information I've learned and pictures I enjoy taking of plants. I'm not here to give medical advice. I love learning about God's creation and I hope you'll take time to discover what God has placed near you.

Narrowleaf plantain (Plantago lanceolata)

Narrowleaf plantain (Plantago lanceolata)