The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies chronic diarrhea. Fireweed leaf tea, decoction, or tincture treats colitis and IBS.
Lung Congestion and Sore Throats: Fireweed
leaves or use a dehydrator on low. Store in a cool, dark, and dry place. Harvest roots in the summer and autumn and mash them to make a soothing poultice.
is high in mucilage and has anti-spasmodic properties that make it useful for treating lung problems, asthma, coughs, and bronchial spasms. The mucilage soothes a sore throat.
Recipes: Fireweed Leaf Tea: Add several fire-
Anti-inflammatory: Fireweed is an anti-inflam-
Fireweed Tincture: You’ll need: 4 ounces (113g)
matory. It is ideal for long term use where inflammation is chronic.
fresh fireweed leaves and flowers, 8 ounces (250ml) 80 proof vodka, brandy, or other drinking alcohol and a clean, sterile glass jar and tight-fitting lid. Chop and pound the fireweed herb to a pulp and put into a glass jar. Mix in the alcohol slowly, stirring to spread the herb throughout the alcohol. Cap. Place the jar in a cool, dry place for 5 to 6 weeks, shaking daily. Strain the pulp from the liquid and place the tincture in a clean jar. Cover tightly, label and date. Store the tincture in a cool, dark place for 3 to 5 years.
Migraines: Fireweed Tincture is used for migraines. Take as soon as the headache begins and up to 3 times daily as needed. Butterbur and Feverfew also work well for migraines, as does magnesium.
Skin Problems: Both the leaves and flowers are soothing to the skin and are useful in treating inflammatory skin problems as well as those caused by bacteria or fungal infections. Use a Fireweed Decoction as a wash or compress on psoriasis, eczema, acne, skin rashes, wounds, infections, and burns.
Harvesting: Harvest young shoots in the spring and early summer while the leaves are close to the stem and point upward. Young leaves can be harvested individually for edible use. Flower buds are edible. If you harvest when the plant is in flower simply pinch off leaves that are vibrant green and healthy looking. Air dry the
weed leaves to a cup of boiling water and let it steep for about 15 minutes. Remove the leaves and enjoy. Use up to three cups daily.
Fireweed Decoction: Ingredients: 2 ounces (56g) of fireweed leaves, 1-quart (1 Liter) of water. Bring the water and leaves to a boil and turn off the heat. Steep the decoction for 30 minutes. Strain the mixture and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Take 2 ounces (60ml) every four to 6 hours or as needed or use the decoction as a wash or in a compress directly on the skin.
Goldenseal, Hydrastis canadensis Goldenseal often seems like a cure-all. It is as an antiinflammatory, an anti-microbial, and an immune booster. Hydrastis canadensis is also known as Orangeroot or Yellow Puccoon. Goldenseal is in the Buttercup family, Ranunculaceae, though its leaves and fruit somewhat resemble those of the Raspberry and the Rubus genus. Goldenseal is commonly found in rich, moist, shady forests, under hardwood trees. Goldenseal grows across eastern North America.
Identification: Goldenseal has a thick knotty, yellowish-brown rhizome that is approximately 2 inches (5 cm) long and ½ inch (1.25 cm) thick with a lot of rootlets. The plant grows 6 to 12 (15 cm to 30 cm) inches tall. It has a strong odor and bitter taste. It produces a fruit similar to the raspberry in appearance, 179
but the fruit is not edible. The plant is easily distinguished from other Ranunculaceae family members during the flowering period as it has only 2 deeply alternate palmately-lobed leaves on the stem and solitary white flowers that have no petals.
