The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies reduces fevers and kills off the underlying infection. It is also useful for bronchial asthma where the breathing passages have swollen making breathing difficult.
Elevated Blood Cholesterol Levels and Blood Pressure: Garlic effectively lowers blood cholesterol levels and blood pressure when consumed regularly.
Corns, Warts, and Acne: For corns, warts, and acne, rub a paste made from fresh mashed garlic on the affected spot. Garlic actually softens and soothes the skin and kills the viral or bacterial infection causing the problem.
Recipes: Garlic Infusion. Chop or grind garlic
before continuing. Place the garlic into a pot and cover with water. Heat the water gently to a simmer, then turn off the heat. Allow the garlic and water to steep overnight. Use 2 to 4 ml of this infusion, 3 times a day with meals. Keep the Infusion in the refrigerator for up to three days or in the freezer for up to a month.
Garlic Tincture: Chop 1 cup of garlic cloves fine and allow to rest for 10 to 15 minutes. Place the garlic cloves in a pint (500ml) jar with a tight-fitting lid. Cover the chopped garlic with apple cider vinegar, preferably with the mother (live vinegar). Allow the jar to steep for 4 to 6 weeks, shaking it several times a week. Take 1 tablespoon of garlic tincture with each meal.
cloves and allow them to rest for 10 to 15 minutes
Goldenrod, Solidago spp. Goldenrods comprise about 100 species or more that grow throughout North America in open areas like meadows, prairies, and savannas. I primarily use Solidago canadensis, which is the most common goldenrod in North America. It is in the Aster/Daisy Family and is also known as goldruthe, woundwort, and solidago. Goldenrods take the blame for a lot of allergies, but most of it is undeserved. There are people allergic to goldenrod and they should not use the plant. However, most of the allergies are caused by ragweed and other similar flowering plants. Goldenrod are pollinated by bees and do not release pollen into the air like the ragweeds. Furthermore, Goldenrod can be used against allergies caused by ragweed.
Identification: I often find goldenrod in open areas and along trailsides. I identify it by its unique aroma, taste, and its visual properties – like its height and its large sprays of yellow flower clusters. Crushing a goldenrod leaf releases a salty, balsam-like fragrance. Any goldenrod species can be used medicinally; however, it is necessary to differentiate the plant from similar toxic plants, including ragwort and groundsel. If you are unsure of your identification, use a local field guide. Goldenrod plants have alternate, simple leaves 81
that are usually toothed. They can also be smooth or hairy. The leaves at the base of the plant are longer, shortening as they climb the plant, with no leaf stem and 3 distinct parallel veins. The shape can vary from species to species. The stems are unbranched, until the plant flowers. Flower heads are composed of yellow ray florets arranged around disc florets. Each flower head may contain a few florets per head or up to 30, depending on the species. The flower head is usually 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) or less in diameter, although some varieties are larger. The inflorescence is usually a raceme or a panicle. Plant size varies by species, usually growing 2 to 5 feet (0.6 meters to 1.5meters) tall. Some varieties spread aggressively by runners, while others grow in clumps that expand outward each year.
Toxic Look-Alikes: Goldenrod has many look-alikes and some of them are deadly. Groundsel, life root, staggerweed, and ragwort are regional names for deadly look-alike plants in the Senecio genus. Ragwort and groundsels usually have fewer and smaller flower heads and bloom earlier in the season. These are not hard rules, however, so it can be difficult to identify the plants and distinguish them from other local varieties. You should be very sure of your plant identification before harvesting.
