The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies Goldenseal Extract: 1/2 cup Goldenseal root, ground into a powder, 2 cups of distilled water. Nonreactive pot: stainless steel or enamel. Bring the water to a boil and add the goldenseal powder. Reduce the heat to a low simmer. Simmer the mixture until the water is reduced by one quarter, leaving 1 1/2 cups of
liquid in the pot. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature, then strain out the root. Store the mixture in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or divide into small portions and store in the freezer for longer periods.
has no flowers and produces no seeds. It reproduces entirely by spores.
Horsetail, Equisetum arvense
Edible Use: The early spring fertile shoots (tan in
Horsetail is often considered a weed, one that is particularly hard to exterminate. I rejoice at the sight of this herb. It grows easily and spreads in almost any soil. It spreads by spores rather than seeds. Its high silica content makes its scouring ability useful to gently clean your teeth or wash your dishes. I have used it for both.
color) of both Giant Horsetail (Equisetum telmateia) and Common Horsetail can be peeled and eaten raw. The green infertile shoots are cooked and eaten like asparagus. They are bitter, especially as they age. Do not eat them raw. Changing the water three to four times during cooking helps relieve the bitter flavor. The roots can be eaten raw, but they are difficult to collect in quantity, so they usually are eaten only in a starvation situation.
Medicinal Use: The green vegetative stalks of Horsetail are extremely high in silica, which benefits joints and connective tissue. It is a gentle diuretic, astringent, and styptic.
Bleeding and Healing Wounds: The plant’s styptic properties make it useful in healing wounds and stopping bleeding. Collect the barren stems or tops and apply directly to the wound. It is also useful to treat excessive menstruation when taken as a supplement.
Promotes Healthy Bones, Hair, and Teeth: Because it contains high amounts of silica, it promotes strong hair, teeth, and bones and increases bone density in people with osteoporosis when used consistently. It can also be made into a strengthening conditioning wash for the hair. A tooth powder of Horsetail helps with cavities and enamel repair.
Kidney Problems and Edema: Horsetail is a di-
Identification: Also known as snake grass, puzzle grass, bottlebrush, and mare’s tale, common horsetail is an unusual looking plant. The leaves are not true leaves and do not conduct photosynthesis. They are arranged in whorls fused into nodal sheaths. Photosynthesis happens in the hollow green stems. The stems are jointed and have 3 to 40 ridges. There may be whorls of branches at the nodes. This perennial plant 181
uretic, helping to rid the body of excess fluids and salts. It is useful for treating related kidney problems and edemas but it is not for long-term use. It promotes the elimination of uric acid, preventing or reducing the formation of kidney stones.
Alleviates Signs of Aging: The silica in horsetail stimulates the production of collagen, which is important in the skin aging process. It helps prevent fine lines and wrinkles and promotes healthy hair. It can be used internally, externally as a toner, or added to a topical cream or salve.
