Let me introduce you to this grand little plant that grow all over our yard.  It has a nice, long taproot and is a booger to pull from the garden.  For years I fought it.  I had absolutely no idea that it had value as a medicinal herb and as a food plant!  Sheesh.  I struggled for nothing (like usual, my real struggle is against my ignorance.  The Lord put this neat little gem right where I could see it and I didn't recognize it's true value).

There are a few types of mallow that are found.  I have common mallow in my yard (our yard is dry).  But you can also find marsh mallow near wetlands and ditches.  No mallow in your yard?  Well, do you have hollyhocks?  They are closely related and can be used interchangeably!  (I love learning things like that!)


Mallow:

Marsh Mallow (Althaea officinalis)
Common Mallow (Malva neglecta)


Parts used: leaves, flowers, roots  (leaves and flowers can be harvested now.  you need to wait until the fall to harvest the roots... right now all the plant energy is going to the flowers and leaves.)

Action (remember, this is the action the herb has on your body): 
demulcent: soothing to irritated and inflamed body tissues (demulcent herbs will soothe your irritated digestive, urinary, or respiratory tract) (internal)
expectorant: helps break up mucus and get it up and out
emollient (Marsh variety): soothing and softens your skin (eternal)

Preparation/Dosage: Decoction: chopped root, in boiling water. Combines well with coltsfoot or comfrey for cough. With dandelion for digestive. I've used it for digestion, but not for cough.  I'll be pulling a lot of roots this fall for in hopes to comfort little ones when they get those winter coughs.
 Poultice of the leaves can be used for skin inflammation.
I came across this neat use for the flowers while doing my research: An old peasant remedy: flowers boiled in water and oil with honey and salt as a gargle for sore throats. 

The ancient Romans ate Marsh Mallow Root as a delicacy.  (seriously!)  It's been used as a food plant for people and animals for centuries (not strictly a medicinal herb).  So, it's considered very safe to consume it in large quantities without any dangers or side effects (but, use common sense)  The fiber in the root helps control blood sugar spikes after eating. 

So, can you see yourself putting mallow root to use in your home?  

Oh, the mighty dandelion.  It's once of the very first wildflowers to appear each spring and lasts all summer.  Children pick the flowers for their moms and grandmothers; they blow the seed puffs and turn them into wishes.  Children see the fun, the adventure, the imagination and innocence of a dandelion.  Most adults see a nuisance that springs back up moments after you mow it down.  

I'm not including any pictures this week because I'm sure pretty much everyone in North America know the dandelion (or Taraxacum sp. in Latin).  I've just finished researching the finer points of the medicinal uses for dandelion and, really, it's pretty amazing. Here's an excerpt from my Materia Medica I'm working on for my herbalist class:

Dandelion (Taraxacum sp)

Parts used: root (collected at the end of the season) and leaves (collected when 

Constituents: taraxacin (bitter), triterpenes, sugars, vitamins, potassium.

Action: diuretic, tonic, stimulant (to urinary tract – kidneys especially), mild laxative.

Indications: good for kidney stones, urinary tract dysfunction, circulatory system as diuretic.  cleansing to the blood and lymphatic system.

Preparation/Dosage: Strong decoction for kidney stones. Add sliced root, bring to boil, reduce to simmer for 20 minutes. Let set and then strain and cool. Drink 1-2 C/ day. Tea: decoct – 1 tsp dried chopped root per cup of water . Drink 2-3 C/day for digestion or as diuretic.
Leaves: add to salad (they're bitter - more bitter after the plant flowers and less bitter if gathered before)

NOTES:

milk of the root is medicinally beneficial.

*Prescription diuretics typically require a potassium supplement. This is not necessary with dandelion because it is high in potassium.

*supports liver which eliminates toxins for the body – so it can be beneficial for acne.

*sugars and starches in dandelion roots are easily digested and can help diabetics control blood sugar levels. 


*Native Americans used the white milk of the stem to soothe bee stings.  (it can also be used for external use on warts, blisters, hard pimples)


I have some experience using dandelion for urinary tract issues.  In addition to taking cranberry pills and avoiding sugar, I drank a strong decoction of dandelion root and marshmallow (more on this herb soon - which is soothing to digestive and urinary systems).  I drank 2-3 C over a period of 4 days.  It helped stimulate the kidneys and flush my system.  (but remember, if it lasts more than a few days you need to see a doctor.  If the infection moves to the kidneys, that's serious business)

You can also make 'coffee' from roasted dandelion roots.  I don't drink coffee and I've never tried this.  I my adventurous husband said he would try this as an 'experiment' for me.  If we do it this fall, I'll be sure to post about it!!!

What's a decoction, you ask?  Simply put, it's an infusion (like I wrote about previously), but made with either roots, seeds, or bark.  An infusion is made with leaves or flowers (or valerian root, because it's just an oddball).  You slice the root (dry or fresh) and add it to a pot of water.  Set it to boil, then reduce to a simmer for 20 minutes.  Cool for 20 minutes, strain, then drink.  It should be good fro up to 48 hrs or so, but remember to stick it in the fridge.  



So, see?  Dandelions aren't just for kids! 

Chickweed identification details, click here and see what Wildman Steve Brill has to say. (photo credit - Wildman Steve Brill website)  Remember, if you are uncertain about the identification, ask someone knowledgeable or err on the side of caution and do more research before picking the plant.

White Clover drying in my large, shallow basket.  It was kept out of direct sunlight.  On occasion, I'd take it outside to the shade under the trees to get indirect sunlight and a good breeze to help it dry.  Once it's fairly dry (after a few days to a week) I'll put it in a brown paper sack.  






















Plantago major.  See the broad leaves?  Does it look familiar??  Found thing along the roadside the other day.  The leaves are beautiful and uneaten by bugs, but I wouldn't pick it because of car pollution.

Plantago lanceolatus.  Observe the rosette shape of the plant.  Did you notice it has more narrow leaves that the other species?  They can be used interchangeably.  Again, this example was found along the road and couldn't pick it.  If leaves are discolored or bug-eaten just save it for the animals and move on to another plant.  We have so much of this in our yard we could never pick it all!

HABITAT: In a word?  Everywhere.  Along the roadside, cracks in the sidewalk, your backyard, the park, meadows.  It's so widespread that Round-up features Plantain on it's website as an annual garden weed.  It's not a weed!  It's a medicinal herb!  (I won't list all the reasons not to spray your lawn)


PART USED: Leaves


WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR? Traditionally, Plantain has been used for insect bites and stings, soothing irritated skin, healing minor burns, to stop bleeding (not major wounds).  *remember, if you have a serious burn or a large wound - please, use common sense and seek medical treatment!.
 
HOW TO USE IT: Poultices and infused oils.  To make a simple poultice for a sting or bite, chew up the leaves and place over the sting or bite.  That's it!   A poultice is mashed up leaves, cover in hot water to form sort of paste.  The warm paste is applied to the wound and covered with a dry bandage.  (we only use the poultice for bug bites.  I wouldn't use it hot on a burn!)  Once it cools, it can be removed.  Infused oils can also be applied to the wound and covered with a bandage (or band-aid).  We use this all the time.  There's more about infused oils at the end of the post.  


FRESH OR DRY? Either one.  You may use it fresh in a poultice.  (or dry if that's what you have stored)  I always let my plant material dry a day or two at the very least before starting an infused oil.  If the plant material contains too much water, the infused oil can mold!  Trust me.  I know.  (and it's gross and wastes an entire jar of infused oil!!)  You can either hang the herb to dry or lay flat in a basket.  Just keep it in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight.

Want to know more about plantain?  Visit Botanical.com


Herb Infused Oils 
Here's a bit of an introduction to making infused oils if you have never given it a try.  (It's a simple process.  Promise!)
It’s the the process of imparting the God-given qualities of herbs into oil (I usually use olive oil), making it easier to use the herb to get the benefits (this is a great process for healing herbs, particularly ones that will be applied to your skin).  


Procedure:

1) take your clean, dry herb and crush or cut into a pieces

2) place herb in a clean jar

3) fill jar with oil (typically olive oil) almost to the top (completely covering the herbs)

4) cap and shake

5) sit on a sunny window sill for 2-4 weeks, shaking at least once a day

6) after 2-4 weeks, strain the herbs out (discard the herbs) and save the oil

7) store the oil in a glass jar in a cool, dark place (cupboard)

8) oil will remain good for about a year


This is a good description of the procedure for Solar Herb Infused Oils.

http://mountainroseblog.com/making-herbal-infused-oils/

So.  There you go.  Simple, right??  Let me know if you give it a try!!